Criminal Minds Series Rewirte: Season Five

The Eyes Have It: Part One

"And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee..." - Matthew 5:29

Word of Derek's new position quickly spread through the office like wildfire. Strauss came down as soon as she could to talk to Derek about the position in the bullpen instead of in some office. Everyone can see them but they pretend not to eavesdrop even though all eyes are on Strauss, Hotch, and Derek.

"Did anyone explain why Hotch is stepping down?" Penelope asks.

"All Morgan said this morning is that it's happening, and it's business as usual."

"So, we're just supposed to move forward without any discussion?" Emily asks.

"After Foyet, I think we'd have to be ready for anything."

"I heard he wanted it to be Y/N," Penelope says to the small group. "You know, if she were still here."

"Any word on her case?" JJ asks.

"I've tried looking into it but my home computer can only get me so far. Without the case files or access to what I normally have, it's tough."

"I feel so bad for him," Emily sighs.

JJ and Penelope look to where Emily is and see Spencer in the breakroom with his phone to his ear. He looks distressed which can only mean he is talking to you. The girls wish they could make him feel better but they don't know how. Like Penelope said, they can only get so far without their resources.

"The team can go on without me. I should be with you," Spencer sighs. "I want to see you even if it's only for ten minutes and through a glass wall."

This is so hard on you. You're trying so hard not to break down right now. You want nothing more than to see him but you can't let him see you like this. Broken down. Terrified. Sleep deprived. Every time he'd look at you, that's all you'd see. You move the phone away from your mouth and take two deep breaths to calm yourself down.

"They're not allowing visitors right now," you lie, "unless it's from lawyers. Hotch kind of weaseled his way in here."

"I just miss you," he sighs sadly.

You lean your head on the wall and look at the ceiling to prevent the tears from falling.

"I miss you, too. Prison isn't so bad. I made a friend with my bunkmate, and the girls are pretty mellow."

"That's good."

"Y/N! Time's up!" a guard announces.

"I gotta go. They only let me have ten minutes. Please keep doing what you're doing. Help the team. I'll talk to you tomorrow."

"Okay," he nods.

"I love you,"

"I love you."

You quickly hang up the phone before he can hear your sobs. You look over at the guard who is walking your way and allow your tears to fall. You're so overwhelmed here. You feel like you're going to drown just by breathing. Everything everywhere all at once is bombarding you, and you feel like you're going to snap at any moment. You lied because you didn't want him to worry. If he does, he might not do his job right and you can't do that to people who need him.

"Spencer," Spencer looks at JJ who approaches him carefully, "we're all needed in the briefing room. How is she doing?"

"About as good as you'd expect."

Spencer follows JJ to the briefing room where everyone else already is. Your chair still sits empty but Spencer tries to ignore it. JJ puts some pictures on the board and begins the briefing session.