Oh Father, My Father

Chapter 3

"You know who is doing this?" Disbelief etched itself into the lines of Hotch's face, eyebrows furrowing in confusion. "But how? This MO has never been seen before. We would have known." 

Amelia simply shook her head, seating herself back in her chair and flipping through the photos on her tablet. "Trust me, Hotch, I just know."

"Well, are you going to tell us who or do we have to guess?" Derek leaned back in his chair, warm brown eyes narrowing with concern. 

"I can't. Not yet. Not until we know for sure." Hesitation slipped into the agent's tone as Amelia looked at her coworkers. "I shouldn't have said I know. More like I have a gut feeling. I mean, how could I know yet? Wouldn't a lot of people want me dead?" She said the last part in a joking tone, to which her friends grimaced. 

"Amelia..." Reid's voice was tight with a hushed fear, his hands fidgeting. "Please, just tell us. So I--we--can keep you safe." His chocolate eyes were begging, full lips pressed into a worried line. Terror flickered in the depths of his optics, an expression Amelia hadn't seen since the morning of Maeve's disappearance. She reached a hand to him, squeezing his own. 

"Spence, I'll be fine. It's okay. I just need a moment to make sure." She smiled softly at him. The worry didn't leave his features, but he nodded slightly. Amelia turned her attention to Hotch. "Please, sir. I just need to make sure. I can't accuse this person of something without knowing for sure." 

It was clear Hotch wasn't okay with this, but he understood. The unit chief nodded as well. "Okay. So, everyone grab your go bags and meet at the SUVs. No need to take the jet when it's just over in D.C." The team stood, scrambling for their bags (and in Spencer's case, a to go cup of coffee), before climbing into their cars. 

"Can I ride with you?" Amelia turned, locking gazes with Spencer. She had just opened up the driver side door of the remaining SUV. She smiled, nodding before climbing in and starting the engine. Spencer clambered in after her, shutting the door. The team set off: JJ, Blake, and Hotch in front, Derek and Rossi in the middle, and Amelia and Spencer in the rear. 

"Promise me you'll be okay." His voice was barely audible, but the worry and pain was palpable. "I just got you back. I already lost Maeve. I can't lose both of the only ones I've ever loved. I can't lose my best friend. I can't lose you." His eyes shone and he blinked rapidly, turning his head away to gaze out the window. 

Her heart screamed in her ribcage, banging its head against the bone prison. It hurt her to see him like this. Amelia blinked her own eyes, trying to force a reassuring look onto her face. "Spence, I'm not going anywhere. I promise." She reached over to ruffle his hair, to which he smacked her hand away playfully. 

"You better," he whispered, reaching over to squeeze her thigh. 

Her heart screamed again. 

A/N: So I left this story almost two years ago. I think it's time to bring it back.