#dianapowell

“Don’t move!” the unsub screamed.

Rossi holstered his gun and held up his hands. “We’re just trying to help, Dean.”

“You can help me by leaving,” Dean snapped and tightened his hold on Hotch.

“I can’t do that,” Rossi said.

Dean was doing a good job of hiding himself behind Hotch. From her position, JJ knew she was the best course of action, the last resort. She was currently hidden in the rafters, ready to act as a close-range sniper.

But even she didn’t have the cleanest shot. There was a narrow gap just under the unsub’s arm. If she could get a bullet in there, she’d get him right in the torso. If she did that though, there was still a chance the unsub would have just enough life left in him to slash Hotch’s throat.

The other option was to aim for the sliver of the unsub’s head that she could see just behind Hotch’s. It would mean a more instantaneous incapacitation, but in order for that to work, both Hotch and the unsub would have to remain static, which was unlikely. If not, she was just as likely to shoot Hotch in the head instead.

While she had faith in her own abilities, this was Hotch who was on the line. He was more than just a boss, a coworker, or even a friend. She’d always known that. He’d always been special, but now she was realizing just how special he was to her.

She hesitated, finger resting against the trigger. If she got this wrong, Jack would lose his father. The team would lose their leader. She would be without her… Hotch. Yes, that was the only and best way to put it. She wasn’t sure if she could live with herself if that happened.

Then Hotch’s eyes met hers, and JJ knew he was conveying his confidence in her.