ENTANGLED | CRIMINAL MINDS

Safe Haven

"I want a state-wide lockdown of this entire state NOW! I need choppers circling the major highways and I need every spare officer we have out on the streets. Federal agent, Jeanette Sanders, has been kidnapped and we need to find her" Hotch shouted as he was being helped into the black SUV that was carrying the rest of the team.

As Hotch ran out from the building, he yelled for Reid to answer the phone call he was about to receive. The phone began to ring and Spencer fished it out of his back pocket and immediately put it on speaker. "So, David, if I know my team, they're going to be setting up roadblocks at every exit out of this state. We should pull over at a motel and try to wait them out" came Jean's voice out of the phone. Both Spencer and Aaron felt their hearts skip a beat at the thought that she was unharmed so far. "Look, David. There's a motel coming up in the next ten miles called Heaven Hills Motel. We can stop there, does that work?" she questioned and soon followed her own question with, "Glad that works for us! We should be there soon" she said.

Hotch turned to the team and said,"When she was being pushed to the car with David, she was flashing me Reid's phone number behind her back because she knew that he'd be able to answer and hear the phone call for any relevant information that could lead us to her. We need to keep this phone call on, don't let it drop and listen to the line until it disconnects. It might give us more information".

The team quietly waited around Spencer's phone as the line went silent for minutes on end, only breathing and rustling around coming from the speaker situated on the console in the suburban. After what seemed like eternity, David's lets out a sigh, almost as if he had to get something off his chest. "Jean, actually can I call you Jeanie? Anyways, have you ever been in my position?", he questioned solemnly. "Depends on what situation you're talking about" she said calmly in response. "Have you ever been caught between worlds? Back at the police station, I had fallen in love with a fellow deputy, but I was so scared to tell him. I wanted more than anything to be together with him, but I valued my job above all else and was scared of how a relationship like ours would affect the traditional environment in the South" he spoke. As Jean thought about what to say, he reached cooly to the side pocket, grabbing a handgun and pointing it at her stomach as he kept one hand on the steering wheel. "Now, Jean, answer carefully and truthfully because I'd hate to put a bullet in your stomach, especially since we're becoming such good friends".

On the other side of the line, the team held their breath, fearing for their friend who was now at the mercy of a serial killer.

"David, I have been in your shoes before. I know the feeling of being entranced by someone you work with, but not wanting to risk it all and act on it and make things weird but also put myself out there to be rejected" she said. "It's interesting you say that, Jeanette. That's why Agent Hotchner loves to call you by, right? He doesn't seem like one for nicknames, always seems like he has a stick up his ass. Anyways, back to Hotch, he seems to have a real soft spot for you" he replied. Back in the suburban, the entire team looked at each other quietly, not knowing what to expect from the rest of this phone call.

"Um, yeah, he's the best boss I could ask for," Jean said. "Oh, cut the shit, Jean. I see right through your little act. It would take a lot more than someone being a good boss for you to become a martyr and come with me" David said. Jean could feel her heart beating through her chest, unsure of what to say. She could answer honestly and put not only her heart, but her job on the line or she can lie and hope it doesn't lead to her demise.

"David," Jean gulped, "I'm putting a lot on the line right now". She slowly glanced at the handgun nudging her stomach, the tip of the gun already starting to leave an imprint. "I'm going to be honest with you though, I do care for Aaron Hotchner. And Spencer Reid, and the whole rest of my team. I would have done this for any of them and I know they would've done this for me" she said, hoping her answer would be enough to satisfy David as she knew the rest of her team was listening in somewhere as they headed to the motel.

"That's it, get the fuck over here and sit down!" David yelled as the team listened to her being shoved onto the cheap motel bed. "You think I can't smell a lie out? I'm just as much as a police officer as you. I can't trust you anymore. I'm searching you and if you come out clean, then we'll be dandy" he spoke as he began patting Jean down. A bead of sweat broke out on Jean's brow as David reached the spot where her cellphone was, the call still connected. "Spencer Reid, huh? Isn't that the little nerd that you were working with for a portion of this trip? He follows you around like a lovesick puppy and you seem oblivious to it! And don't even get me started on Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner" he spewed. "But that sounds like a personal issue, I can't let you think you can pull a fast one on me, you have to be punished" and with that final word, David leaned forward, swung fast and punched Jean on the right side of her face. The team gasped as they heard her body fall onto the floor off the bed. As Jean tried to recoup, David grabbed the phone from where he had placed it on the nightstand and placed it to his ear. "Hello team, I hope you enjoyed hearing that. It won't be the last of it either" he smirked as he placed the phone back down and went to slap her across the face. The team listened to her plead and plead as Jean begged David to stop. "David, I want to help you, I really do. Please just stop!" she cried out.

David grabbed the phone again and leaned down to the floor until he was eye level with Jean. "I care for you, Jean, I really do. In order for us to become buds again though, I need you to be honest with me, and honest with your team here" he said as he held the phone out. "Earlier, you mentioned that you've felt the way I have. Caught between two worlds and pining for someone you know nothing could ever happen with" he said slowly. "Now, tell your team who you're talking about or I won't hesitate to knock you out" he growled. With tears streaming down her face, Jean leaned into the phone and whispered, "Spencer and Aaron". As she spoke those words, David reached behind into his pocket and pulled out his handgun, saying "I lost trust in you a long time ago, Jean" and reached forward and hit her in the temple with the butt of the gun, instantly knocking her out.

As David stood over her unconscious body, Morgan broke through the door, his gun raised high. They were in a standoff for several minutes until an unknown man walked through the door. "Eric?" David called out, tears welling up, a forlorn look coming across his face. "David, if only you would have told me, this could have been avoided. We can still be together, if you put the gun down and walk out with me. Jean wanted this for you" Eric called out. David starts to walk forward but pauses, saying "This is all a con. I know what you're doing and it's not going to work". He retreated back but Eric took several steps forward, holding his hand out for David to come to him. Although his mind told him not to, his heart could not resist the offer of getting to hold Eric's hand, even if this move got him thrown in prison for the rest of his life, he knew it would be worth it.

As Eric's hand joined David's, Eric turned him around and cuffed him. He knew what was going to happen, but it made him happy. This was a memory he would hold on to forever.

Eric led David over to the cop car that was awaiting him as the rest of the team rushed forward to find their kidnapped member. Hotch and Reid were the first ones to reach her as she slowly came to her senses. She cried out for both of them out of happiness as they both enveloped her in a hug. She leaned into both of them, happy that they had found her and that she was safe.

They both slowly helped her up as they supported her on each side, walking her to the car. As the rest of the team hopped into the car, Hotch, Jean, and Reid took the middle seat with Jean being in the middle between them. The team looked at her as she winced from her injuries, but she still forced a smile for them. "Thank you guys so much for being there for me, all of you" Jean said as she looked around at her chosen family.

As the car started to head back to their hotel, she found herself dozing off on Reid's shoulder. Soon enough, she was completely asleep and after both glancing at her snoring lightly, they made eye contact with each other, now knowing that they were both interested in Jean, and that only one of them would come out on top.