Are You Profiling Me?

-12-

The case went by quickly. The unsub was caught and you were back on a plane to Virginia. You had gone back to your apartment and grabbed your stuff. You heard a buzzing on your dresser and saw the name. Erin.

"Lindsey."

"I know it's late but the plans have changed. They want you to leave tonight. Can you be at the tarmac in thirty minutes?" Fuck.

"Yes ma'am. I'll see you then." With that she hung up. You grabbed the rest of your stuff and locked your apartment up.

"Danielle." A voice rang out. You turned quickly to see Aaron leaning against the SUV.

"Aaron, what are you doing here?"

"I knew you were leaving soon and I wanted to see you but I see you are leaving now." He said looking at your bags.

"Strauss called, they need me now. I was gonna call you."

"I know." He said. You walked over and dropped your bags, immediately going in for a kiss. It was slow and passionate. His hands tangled in your hair. The kiss ended too soon. You pulled back.

"I have to go."

"I'll see you in a week then. Please. Please be safe, okay?" He said, hand still on your neck.

"I will. I have to go, Strauss will kill me if I'm late." He smiled. You got in your car and he did the same. You backed out and were at the airport.

The flight was long and you bounced from flight to flight until you were finally in Syria. You were in a heavy metal vehicle before you got to the site. It's daytime. Buildings were destroyed and the road was nothing but orangy dirt. A true dessert. You made your way into a big makeshift tent. Tanks were driving by. You had to change into a tight long sleeve to avoid the sun and cargo pants. Guns strapped into thigh holsters.

"First Lieutenant Lindsey. It's good to see you again." A voice sounded.

"Colonel Winters. I haven't heard my rank before my name in three years." You admitted, shaking his hand.

"You don't do it by your rank at the FBI?" He said stiffly.

"My team does not know I served."

"They should, you deserve the respect." You nodded, maybe you should tell them. He made you follow him to a different part of the tent, moving the piece of cloth away so you could walk in.

"We need to neutralize the threat. Major Holden thought your specialities and your military background could be of help." He showed you the pictures on the table and opened a file. "Ahmad Abdul. Al-Qatil Al-Ali." He said.

"Killer Supreme? That's intense." you said flipped through the photos.

"See still sharp. You should have stayed. You would have my job at this point." He said. No hint of a smile but you knew he wanted to.

"I'm afraid I like the states quite a lot. I can't say I get shot at less, but profiling is my strong suit." You said. "It says here he took over ISIS last year. Why is Al-Qaeda involved?" You said you were confused. He moved to another page of the file and pictures of beheaded men, women, and children stained the page.

"Both groups have been fighting for control in the East. Abdul has gained control of Al-Qaeda. They are the group that has been targeting our men." He said finger jabbing at the page.

"I'm sorry about Major Jensen. I heard about his death last week." You said sincerely. There had been no funeral in the States. You knew it would be a big deal when the news got out that a Major in the Army was killed.