The team worked tirelessly, every second stretching out in a tense battle against time. Emily had gathered a comprehensive map, and the team had zeroed in on several potential locations where the unsubs might be hiding. Their hospital search turned up empty, though Ambrose was there for his shift two days ago. Since then they got an anonymous tip and additional evidence from the tapes and Donna which led them to a new lead pertaining to the other missing children.
"Based on their last known movements, I think they're heading toward an abandoned warehouse just outside of town," Emily said, pointing to a location on the map. "It fits the profile of places used in previous cases."
"Let's move, then!" JJ urged, her heart racing as they gathered their gear. "We can't let them get any further."
As they piled into their vehicles, Spencer's mind raced with calculations. "If we can get there before them, we might be able to catch them off guard."
"Agreed. We'll approach with caution," Rossi instructed, his voice calm yet authoritative. "We can't risk any more lives."
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(Arriving late at night at the Warehouse)
The warehouse loomed in the distance, an eerie silhouette against the dusk sky. JJ's stomach churned with anxiety, but she pushed it aside, focusing on the task at hand. They parked a safe distance away and approached, moving in tight formation, guns drawn.
"Brian, do you have eyes on the perimeter?" Emily whispered into her radio.
"Affirmative," Brian responded, his voice steady. "No sign of movement yet, but I'll keep watching."
"Good. Let's split up. Spencer and JJ will take the front; the rest of us circle around back and flank the sides for exits," Emily quickly instructed.
The team nodded, each member knowing their role as they silently made their way to the entrance. JJ felt Spencer's presence beside her, a steadying force amidst the chaos. "Ready?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Always," JJ replied, steeling herself for what lay ahead.
They pushed through the door, and the sound of creaking metal echoed in the vast emptiness of the warehouse. It was dark, save for slivers of light filtering through broken windows. As they moved deeper inside, the distant sound of muffled voices reached their ears.
"They're here," JJ said, her heart pounding. "We have to hurry." Suddenly, the voices grew clearer, and JJ's breath hitched as she recognized the sound of children—soft cries and whimpers.
"They're in the back," Spencer confirmed, his voice tight with urgency. They pressed forward until they found a door at the far end. JJ exchanged a glance with Spencer, nodding in understanding before pushing the door open.
Inside, the scene was heart-wrenching. Eleven children were huddled together in the back of a white moving truck, bound and scared. "It's okay. We're going to get you all out of here!" JJ knelt, quickly working to untie the ropes binding the children.
"Please, hurry!" One of the younger girls who looked rather similar to Donna begged, her voice shaking. "They'll be back any minute!"
"Spencer, can you help them?" JJ called over her shoulder. "I need to check for injuries."
"On it," he replied, quickly moving to help Matthew and Maisey with the ropes.
As JJ worked, she caught sight of Sasha, the older girl who had shared her food from Donna's earlier recall. "Are you okay?" JJ asked urgently.
"I'm scared," Sasha admitted, tears brimming in her eyes, but she managed a brave smile. "But we're all okay, thanks to you."
Suddenly, the sound of footsteps echoed outside, and JJ's heart dropped. "We need to move now!"
Just then, Emily's voice crackled over the radio. "We've got company! They're on their way in!"
"Go! Everyone, stay low!" JJ urged, guiding the children out of the truck as Spencer finished untying the last few kids. As the kids scrambled to their feet, JJ glanced back toward the entrance. The door swung open, and the two unsubs stepped inside, their faces twisted in anger.
"Get away from them!" the blonde haired accomplice shouted, raising his gun and firing it in the air. The next shots came in a reckless round of fire.
"Now!" JJ yelled, pushing the children toward the exit.
Spencer and JJ moved into action, using their training to subdue the unsubs before they could react. With a swift motion, Spencer tackled the blonde man to the ground, while JJ wrestled the younger, seemingly newer accomplice, managing to disarm him. The rest of the team flooded in moments later, quickly apprehending the two men, which they later would find out are the younger brother and cousin to Johnathan Ambrose.
"Clear!" Emily shouted, ensuring the area was safe.
After the state police arrived, taking the cuffed unsubs away to their patrol cars, Spencer spoke up, "Let's get everyone checked out and back to the hospital."
"Yeah," JJ agreed, her eyes shining with unshed tears. "Let's get them home."
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A House Is Not Always A Home: A Criminal Minds Fanfic
FanficAn inbetween where they didn't need the parallel universe. A JEID fanfic :) In the year following Garcia's leaving and the passing of Spence's mom, JJ spent all of her time devoted to taking care of Reid through his grief. JJ called it quits the mom...
