The Nights We Stay Awake (TemperancexReader)

29. "It's all a whirlwind"

Temperance pov

The room is a whirlwind of activity. I'm sitting at Y/n's desk, surrounded by a cacophony of voices, urgent conversation, and the hum of computer screens. The team have all gathered here in the bullpen, their faces etched in concern and determination. Parker and Y/n are missing, and the frantic energy in the room is palpable.

My own are all back at the lab, processing everything from the parking lot that could have to do with their kidnapping. And on order from Director Cullen, Booth is practically chained to his desk so he doesn't do anything stupid. But of course he doesn't listen, so he's been practically locked into Rossi's office for the time being.

Hotch stands by the window, talking on the phone with law enforcement, his expression a mask of controlled anxiety. Reid and Morgan are at the computer, replaying the surveillance footage form the parking lot where Y/n's car was. JJ and Penelope are combing through any leads they can find, their faces tense but focused. I don't even know how Pen can do it. It's her sister.

I'm trying to focus, but the scenes of Y/n's last moments at the hospital reply in my mind, vivid and haunting. The way she looked at me, the pain in her eyes, the way she had seemed so... out of reach. I keep picturing her in whatever place they're in, cold and scared, and it's driving me to the brink of despair.

Hotch hangs up and walks over to the team, his face grim. "We need to figure out what happened, and we need to do it fast. Y/n and Parker could be in serious danger."

JJ nods, leaning over Penelope's shoulder. "We've managed to pull the footage from the parking lot. Let's see if we can piece together what happened."

The screen flickers to life, showing the grainy video footage of the parking lot. The timestamp is clear; just after Emily leaves the apartment, does Y/n walk out and drive away. The cameras following her through the city and into my own parking lot. The footage shows Y/n's car parked, then running over to a man to help him with a wheelchair.

Morgan points to the screen. "That's out guy. He's clearly looking around, checking it anyone's watching."

The man's movements are jerky, desperate. But as soon as Y/n disappears behind the van, she doesn't come back out. Not as the man gets back into the car and drives off, getting lost int the traffic.

JJ's voice cuts through my thoughts. "Why take Parker? I mean, with Y/N. What's the connection?"

"It's a message," Hotch says, his voice heavy with understanding. "To take a kid is big, and a federal agent at that. They're targeting someone connecting them."

Penelope, her eyes red from crying, chimes in front her station. "I've been cross-referencing recent case data and criminal records. There's not clear connection between his guy and Parker or Y/n, other than the fact that Booth and Tempe were involved in cases against him."

Reid frowns, leaning closer to the screen. "Look, he's moving quickly. There's no time to waste. The van leaves the parking lot with Parker and Y/n. But it doesn't show where they're going.

Morgan's jaw is clenched, his eyes flashing with frustration. "We need to find that van. We need to track it down before it's too late."

I glance around the room, my mind racing. My heart is pounding in my chest, each beat a reminder of how close we are to losing them. Every second feels like a lifetime, and i can't shake the image of Y/n's face from my mind.

Hotch's voice cuts through my spiralling thoughts. "Garcia, can you trace the van's route? Maybe there's something in the traffic cams or nearby surveillance that can give us a clue."

Pen nods, her fingers flying over the keyboard. "I'm on it. I'll see if i can find any recent footage that shows where the van might have gone."

Reid is still studying the footage. "We should also check nearby areas- gas stations, convenience stores, anything that might have a camera. The van would need to stop for something."

The room is a whirlwind once again. I try to stay focused, but my mind keeps drifting to Y/n and Parker. The helplessness is overwhelming, gnawing at my insides. I know i have to keep it together for the others, for Y/n, but it's hard.

I glance at the clock on the wall. The minutes are slipping away, and with each passing second, my anxious mounts. I've never felt so helpless, so lost.

Sddently, Penelope's voice rings out with a mix fo relief and urgency. "I've got something! There's a surveillance camera at a gas station about ten miles from here. It shows a van matching the description, and it looks like it stopped there for a while."

Hotch immediately takes charge. "Let's get a team on the ground. We need to check that gas station, see if we can find any leads."

Morgan nods, grabbing his coat and heading for the door. "We'll need to move fast. If we're lucky, we might still catch them before they move on."

As the team starts to mobilise, i feel a surge of hope mingled with fear. We're getting closer. We're doing everything we can. I try to shake the overwhelming sense of drea, forcing myself to focus on the task at hand.

I can't think about Y/n and Parker alone out in nowhere. I have to believe that we'll find them, that we'll bring them home safe. Because if i let the fear take over, it will consume me.

I just hope we're not too late.