Valentía (Spencer Reid Slow Burn)

Derailed

Summary: While on a train to a custodial interview, a man with paranoid schizophrenia takes passengers on a train hostage, including Zoe and Elle

Warnings: Paranoia Schizophrenia; Schizophrenic UnSub; Conspiracies, Shooting, Panicking father, Spencer being adorable, Pregnant woman in distress

"Any fool can know. The point is to understand." — Albert Einstein

November 23, 2005

Zoe and Elle were heading to Texas via train to interview William DeVries, a child murderer for a ViCAP questionnaire he agreed to participate in as the two newest members of the team. Zoe's phone rang and she answered it.

"Hey, Dad." She said.

"Hey, Angel. Is DeVries cooperating?"

"We took the train from El Paso, we wanted to look over the files more. Uh, we won't even be there for an hour, I'd say.

"Remember, he can't lie to you if..." Alexander started.

"If I know the crime better than he does. Yes, I remember, Dad. I've only been around profilers since I was conceived." Zoe rolled her eyes.

"Good. Check in when you're done or I'll send Maze down. I've got to go I'm swamped. I'm working on three consults, I'm a little behind schedule..."

"What?" Zoe asked, she wasn't being snarky

"I said I'm swamped. Angel? Angel!?"

"Wait, I'm losing you. We're in the middle of Texas."

"Angel, I don't have time right now. Can we talk when you get back? Wait, did you not bring your satellite phone!?"

"Dad, I can't hear you."

"Hello? Hello?"

"Dad? Dad?" Zoe said into the phone but only got static back, she sighed. "Guess, I'll catch you later." She hung up.

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"Zoe? Zo..." Alexander called into the phone. He heard her saying she'll catch him later. "Zo, wait... I love you..." But the phone was already beeping, telling him she had hung up.

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The train suddenly stopped abruptly, jerking, making Zoe nearly fall over but she managed her footing and dropped the file.

"What the hell was that?" One of the passengers asked as Zoe gathered the file back up from the ground.

A security guard opened the door and reassured them... lying, "Everything's all right, folks. Everybody just relax. Everything's gonna be fine. Everything's fine."

"What happened?" Elle asked, making the security guard look at her and Zoe.

"Nothing, ma'am." Then he noticed that Elle and Zoe were holding files labeled: Federal Bureau of Investigation and noted that they must be agents. "You two on the job?" He asked, crouching down and Zoe returned to her seat next to Elle.

"Yeah, both of us. FBI." Elle said.

He sighed before revealing what actually happened, "Suicide. Somebody jumped in front of the train."