You’d been accepted into the Academy a little over 6 months ago and had quickly risen through the ranks; now looking to further your understanding on forensic science. You had seemingly mastered all other subjects, even ones that you hadn’t even taken.

Though, that was a credit to your mother who was an FBI Agent herself and was also an expert in profiling, investigative techniques and several other things new agents could only wish to master so easily.

And because you were an expert in most of these subjects, as well as being a pretty decent hacker, you decided to study other courses.

Leading you to this severely unpleasant and distasteful experience.

For the past couple of weeks, recently-retired Agent Webber had been nothing if not rude to everyone in his class.

Except for you, luckily.

For some reason or another, you’d managed to escape his wrath of derogatory comments.

Not that you were going to question it, mind you.

But it didn’t go unnoticed that he was picking on all the women in the class, particularly those of whom who shared physical similarities such as being brunette.

And you had had just about enough.

You’d held your tongue throughout the entire lecture and there wasn’t that long left before it finished but with each comment, it irked you more and more until you were a pot ready to boil over.

And that moment came when he started to pick on Dani. He asked her a question about Locard’s Exchange Principle whilst simultaneously criticising her hair and clothing.

Before Dani could answer, you stood up and started to speak.

“Just stop. Stop being so rude.”

The room fell silent, eyes cautiously flickering between you and the senior Agent. The latter stood at the front of the room, arms crossed over his chest, an amused look on his face.

“Excuse me?” He asked, biting back a smirk that you were ready to wipe off him.

“I said: stop being rude.” You enunciated each word as you walked until you were directly in front of him.

“And how am I being rude?”

“You’re picking on almost every female agent here. Just because your wife is divorcing you, doesn’t mean you can take it out on us.”

“Excuse me?” Agent Webber repeated. This time, it was more filled with anger as his arms dropped to his sides as he glared at you.

“There’s a tan line where your wedding ring used to be. I figured you were married, what? 20? 30 years? Your hair’s greying more recently and your clothes are creased and ruffled. And there’s the 5 o’clock shadow on your face. How long have you been sleeping in your office, Agent Webber?”

This time, your words were the ones filled with spite as you folded your arms across your chest and stared up at the Agent who had fell silent, an undistinguishable look on his face.

“How did you-See me after class.”

Almost as if it was summoned, a bell rang out signifying the end of the lecture.

Your fellow agents hastily exited the room, murmuring under their breaths to each other about your exchange. Dani soon followed and whispered ‘good luck’ before glancing at Agent Webber and leaving the room.

“I’m not going to apologise.” You said defiantly. “Maybe I should have confronted you privately but you were being an ass.”

Agent Webber stared at you for a few more beats before he walked over to his desk, opened a drawer, took out a leaflet and made his way back to you.

You stood silently, looking at him with a watchful but uncertain gaze.

Extending his arm, he held out the leaflet and you felt your blood run cold as you saw the words BEHAVIOURAL ANALYSIS UNIT - FBI PROFILER printed on the top of the page.

You stared at it as if it was a cobra ready to strike, the words acting as fangs filled with venom, ready to pierce your skin.

Your body filled with dread as you looked up at Agent Webber.

“What is this?”

“It’s a leaflet detailing the BAU and what they do. They also operate within this building, just a few floors up. Albeit what you said was harsh, you were also completely spot on. But I don’t remember you having taken my profiling class nor have I ever met a fresh Agent this skilled at it.”

Most people would have welcomed the praise but, instead, you balked under it.

It was just something you had always been good at since you were an early teenager. Your Mum had told you all about the dangers that existed in the world and wanted to make sure that you knew the indicators.

Although, she probably shouldn’t have taught you so young because it had meant that you were overly cautious with practically anyone and everyone you considered dating.

Hell, with anyone you came into contact with.

Even for your senior prom, you opted to go alone - date wise, that was.

You remembered that night as if it was yesterday. Running an FBI Task Force meant that your Mum was out more often than she was in but she had made the effort to help you get ready for the prom.

All the while, she switched between laughing, when you told her how you’d scared off so many dates and how the jocks were too scared to approach you, to apologising when you chastised her for finding humour in your situation.

You couldn’t help but laugh yourself, however, because it was funny how you’d taken after your Mum.

Though Elle did like to do things spontaneously, she often erred on the side of caution.

You teased her about it several times when she decided to cancel on dates with both men and women at the last moment, claiming that she either had to work or wanted to spend time with you. Truth be told, she did prefer spending time with you because she missed a lot when she used to work at the BAU.

And the reason as to why she left, or rather how, was the cause for your reaction to the proposition from Agent Webber.

“No.”

“I’m sorry?”

“I don’t want the leaflet.”

“Agent Greenaway, with one phone call, I can get you an internship with the BAU. Most new agents can only dream of this opportunity.”

You quickly walked back to your chair, carelessly throwing things into your bag as you replied.

“Thank you for the opportunity but I don’t want it. I am not working for them.”

Spitting out your words, you pushed past Agent Webber before he could get another word out and left the room.

                ✧── ･ ｡ﾟ★: *.✦ .* :★. ───✧

Laying on your bed in your one-bedroom apartment, you glanced at your phone as you continued to contemplate calling your mother.

Since abruptly leaving Quantico, you’d been pacing back and forth in your apartment, unsure of what to do. Though you’d outright refused the offer to join the BAU, you were uncertain as to whether you should tell your mother.

You didn’t want to bring up any unhappy memories for her. You remembered how dark she had gotten during her time spent at the BAU, more specifically, her time after she’d been shot and her PSTD then resulted in her shooting a sadistic criminal.

Even now, you felt the same fury course through your veins when you thought about how her boss and her team had just abandoned her at the time when she most needed their support.

Soon after she’d left, she decided that since she was no longer in harm’s way, it was safe enough for you to move out of your grandmother’s home and back in with her.

Though you were barely 10, you still saw the impact that the loss of her found family had had on her.

And the pieces that they left for you to pick up.

She’d only pulled herself out of that dark space when she realised how much it was affecting you - she was your age when she had lost her father.

She understood the pain that you would be feeling because, although she hadn’t died, she was acting as if she had and that wasn’t healthy for either of you.

And that was why you felt apprehensive about even mentioning the BAU around her, let alone telling her that you had an offer for an internship to work with them.

Rubbing your head when you felt a headache forming, you sat up against the headrest and picked up your phone.

As usual, the phone rang once before being answered.

“Hi, peanut.”

You visibly relaxed at the sound of your Mum’s voice.

“Hi, Mum. Sorry to bother you so late.”

“It’s alright. I’m just finishing up some paperwork. What’s up? Y/N?” She asked when you sighed.

“Baby, are you okay?” Her voice becoming more alert as her concern radiated through your phone.

“Yeah, I just-I got offered an internship today.”

“Oh, wow. That’s amazing, y/n!”

You closed your eyes, readying yourself for her reaction.

“It was for the BAU.”

The phone went silent and you worried that the call had been disconnected but when you pulled the phone from your ear, you saw that it hadn’t.

“Mum? I knew I shouldn’t have said anything. I declined it straight away. God, I’m sorry. Just pretend I didn’t say-”

“It’s okay.”

She interrupted your rambling, allowing you to gather your breath as you waited for her to continue.

“It’s okay.” She repeated as if the reassurance would help you believe that she was telling the truth.

It didn’t.

You blinked in shock when you heard the tone indicating the call had been disconnected. And not two seconds later, your phone started to ring; it was a video call.

Answering, you found yourself, virtually, face to face with your Mum.

“I’m okay.” She said.

This time, you stared into her eyes, as if seeking the truth. And as they softened, you realised that, aside from the initial shock and hurt, she really was okay.

“Now, why did you say no?”

“Mum, are you kidding? Why would I say yes?”

“Because it’s a great opportunity and new Agents rarely ever get recruited for the BAU. Especially those who’ve technically not even taken the classes.”

“Hey, I took the classes my entire childhood.” You teased making Elle chuckle which, in turn, made you smile.

“Just have a think about it. I don’t want you to stop living your life because of me. And don’t say that’s not true,” she said quickly when you opened your mouth to say those exact words.

“You had to grow up pretty quick and I’m truly sorry about that. But you’ve grown into a smart, beautiful, confident woman. I’m so proud of how fast you made your way through the ranks. And the BAU is just another learning experience.”

You cleared your throat when you felt tears forming.

“Peanut, my time at the BAU wasn’t all bad. Truthfully, I do miss the early days because we were like a small family. Life...and other things just got in the way.”

Sighing, you nodded, “I’ll think about it.”

“Good girl. So, why did you get offered the internship in the first place?”

“Um.” You hummed, trying to decide what to say.

“You profiled the Agent teaching you, didn’t you?” Elle asked, her brow raised in amusement.

“Maybe...Listen, he was being rude and it was by accident!” You tried to explain before giving up and joining your mum as you both laughed.

                ✧── ･ ｡ﾟ★: *.✦ .* :★. ───✧

Stepping out of the lift, you stopped in your tracks for a brief moment to take in your surroundings.

Agent Webber had asked you to meet him in his office at the BAU. Though he was retired, he still retained his office so he could mark papers and the like.

You’d never been to his office, mainly because you knew that it was located in the BAU Headquarters.

Inhaling a deep breath, you stepped through the glass doors and found yourself in the FBI bullpen.

There were more agents than you could count.

Some sat at desks, presumably doing paperwork. Others gathered in a small group towards the right side of you where a break room was.

You looked up at the offices that stood above the stairs and realised that you had no idea where Agent Webber’s was.

“Uh, excuse me?” You politely stopped a brunette Agent who was walking past you, an arm full of case files.

“Hi,” she smiled happily at you.

“I’m wondering where Agent Webber’s office is.”

“Oh, see the big office at the top of the stairs?”

When you nodded, she continued, “Okay, Webber’s office is three doors to the left. Got a question about profiling?” She asked, and you couldn’t help but smile when she did.

“Something like that. Thank you.”

“No problem. Good luck.”

With a wink, she made her way to a desk and sat down.

You felt the dread fill your body, more so because you were in the room that your mother once worked in than because you agreed to meet Webber.

Climbing the stairs, you noticed the door to the “big office” as the female agent had called it, but neglected to check the name engraved on the plaque. Instead, you quietly counted the doors until you found the one with Agent Webber’s name on it.

The blinds were drawn shut and the door was closed. The only indication that he was actually inside was the quiet ‘Come in’ that travelled through the door in response to your knock.

Opening the door, you found yourself staring at Agent Webber, who stood behind his desk, and then three people you tried so hard to avoid.

SSA’s Derek Morgan and Jennifer Jareau. And Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner.

The very people whom your Mum used to work with.

“Ah, Y/N. This is-”

Agent Webber started before you interrupted him.

“No.” You said abruptly. “T-This was a mistake.”

Your eyes stayed fixated on the three agents who looked at you with a mixture of confusion and concern.

You tore your eyes away to look at Webber.

“I’m sorry. I’m not taking the internship.”

You swiftly turned to leave when Webber called after you.

“Agent Greenaway!”

You stopped, your back to the agents who gasped at the recognition of your name.

“Greenaway?”

You glanced over your shoulder to look at JJ whose hand raised to cover her mouth in shock.

When you turned to leave again, a deep voice spoke, “Wait.”

Facing the agents, you folded your arms and looked at the three of them.

“I’m waiting.” You said, matter-of-factly.

“You’re Elle’s daughter.” Hotch said, mirroring your tone.

You knew that the Unit Chief was the only one trusted with that information as your mother feared what would happen if everyone, particularly the unsubs they went after, knew she had a child.

“No shit.”

As soon as the words left your mouth, you wished to take them back and replace them with something equally sarcastic but more refined.

“Yeah, definitely Elle’s daughter.”

Morgan smirked, almost making you do the same before you mentally shook your head, reminding yourself of where you were.

“If that’s all you’ve got to say, I’ll be going.”

“Agent Greenaway, watch yourself. Don’t you know who they are?”

“Oh, I know exactly who they are.” You answered Agent Webber.

“They’re the same people who allowed someone they’d spent almost all their time with, someone who’d been shot callously in her own home, who suffered from PTSD and all sorts of trauma, go down a dark path without so much as a ‘how are you?’ or a, ‘i’m here if you need me.’”

You spat out, ignoring the lump that formed in your throat, threatening to choke you.

“You don’t know everything, y/n.”

“I know enough, Agent Hotchner. Now, why don’t you let history repeat itself and allow another Greenaway to walk out this office without you stopping them?”

With that, you exited the office, hastily made your way down the stairs and left the bullpen; ignoring the looks you got from a few Agents who sat at their desks.

“I can’t believe it.” JJ said, sitting down at her desk.

“Neither can I.” Morgan replied.

“What happened?” Emily asked, moving to sit atop of JJ’s desk.

“That woman that just left-”

“The one I showed Agent Webber’s office to?”

JJ nodded, “She’s Elle’s daughter.”

“As in the same Elle who-”

“Who used to work with us. Who got shot in her own home. Who we let leave without saying goodbye.” Reid said, his hair tousled as he thought quietly to himself about the Agent he had once looked up to.

“Hey, baby girl.” Morgan called over Garcia who joined the group happily.

“Ooh, are we gossiping?” She smiled expectantly.

“Did you know Elle had a daughter?” Morgan asked as the smile dropped from the blonde’s face.

“What? No. S-She doesn’t.” She said, shaking her head in disbelief.

“Garcia, we just met her. And trust me, she is definitely Elle’s daughter.” JJ explained.

Sighing, Garcia gestured for the team to follow her to her office.

She sat at her desk that held several computer monitors and started to type. For a few moments, all that filled the room was the clacking of the keyboard keys under Garcia’s painted nails.

“Agent Y/N Greenaway, 21 years old.” Garcia continued typing as she scanned the information that appeared on her screen.

“She didn’t always go by Greenaway. Up until she was 10, she went by Elle’s mother’s maiden name. And apart from the fact that she lived with her grandmother in New York, there’s not any other information on her.” Garcia explained, rotating her chair to look up at her team.

“What is it, JJ?” Emily asked when she saw the blonde chewing on her bottom lip as she was deep in thought.

“Y/N was right. We weren’t there for Elle. Yeah, we were there when she got shot and her first day back but after that, we didn’t check up on her. And after she shot that unsub and resigned, none of us even called her. How can we call ourselves profilers if we didn’t even recognise the signs of PTSD or that she completely changed overnight?”

Morgan placed a hand on her shoulder to comfort her.

“You know it’s harder to see the signs in someone we love. But you’re right. I guess we all just got so caught up in our cases that we never stopped to think about reaching out. But that doesn’t mean it’s too late.”

                ✧── ･ ｡ﾟ★: *.✦ .* :★. ───✧

“I’m sorry, Peanut.”

Elle said as she leaned over the kitchen island to hold your hand in hers.

After the disaster at the BAU, you drove back to your home, knowing your Mum had a day off today.

“Yeah, me too.” You said softly, staring at your joined hands.

“I’m proud of you, you know?”

Furrowing your brows, you looked up at your mother, a kind smile painted on her face.

“Just because of everything. How you handled me back then and how incredible you are now.”

“Mum-”

“Seriously. And I wish I was there to see Aaron’s face when he realised who you were. Bet it was priceless.”

Elle snickered before making her way around the island to stand behind you where she wrapped an arm around your shoulders.

You welcomed the embrace, relaxing in her arms.

“Still can’t believe you swore.” She added, under her breath.

You playfully pushed her away as she laughed.

“Hey, I’m just saying. You really are a chip off the old block, kid.” She chuckled.

Then both your heads turned when you heard a gentle rapping on the door.

“Oh god, were you expecting a friend?” You asked suggestively. This time, it was you who was pushed.

She shook her head and told you to wait as she walked down the hallway to open the door.

“Ma, who is it?” You shouted when you didn’t hear anything.

Hopping off the chair, with one hand on your service firearm, you made your way to the door.

Approaching your Mum, you peered around her and dropped your hand when you recognised the group that stood before you.

Your Mum’s old team.

Their eyes flickered from you to Elle, their eyes registering both resigned shock and regret.

“You need to leave.” You said, breaking the uncomfortable silence that had threatened to consume you all.

“Baby, it’s okay.”

“Mum-”

“It’s okay.”

Elle repeated, turning to you momentarily so you could see in her eyes that she was being truthful. Nodding, you stepped back and allowed SSAs Jareau, Morgan, Reid, Hotch and Tech Analyst Penelope Garcia into your home.

The seven of you stood awkwardly in your hallway before Garcia stepped closer to Elle and gathered her in her arms.

Elle returned the hug, smiling at her old friend. “Same old Garcia.”

“Hey, who you calling old, sugar?” Garcia replied, eliciting soft chuckles from the rest of her team.

You, however, stood silently whilst everyone, except Hotch, hugged Elle. You were carefully noting your mother’s reactions, watching as she softened the most with JJ and Morgan.

You knew that she had grown especially close with the blonde as they had spent the most time together, including sharing a room on every case.

And Morgan was her partner. Someone she had playful banter with. Someone she had trusted with her life.

You knew she had her own unique relationship with each team member during her time at the BAU. And you knew that losing her entire support system in one fell swoop had taken a toll on her, no matter how hard she tried to hide it.

“Aaron.” Elle simply nodded in respect at the Unit Chief who returned the gesture.

“Y/N, stop it.” She said, still facing her team.

You blinked, looking up at her momentary shock.

“I can feel you watching me. I’m okay.” She explained, still not looking at you.

You rolled your eyes before dropping your jaw at her next words.

“I saw that.”

“I didn’t even-”

You tried to justify yourself when Elle glanced over her shoulder to stare at you with a raised brow.

“Yeah, whatever.” You grumbled.

The team stood there, smirking at the two of you.

“She’s definitely your daughter, Elle.” JJ laughed.

You smiled because she was right.

A SWAT member ordered as you continued to raise the weapon.

“We’re federal agents. He’s the Unit Chief for the Behavioural Analyst Unit.”

You replied back, still refusing to lower the gun.

“It’s okay.”

You turned to your boss with a look of concern and confusion but when he gave you a nod of approval, you holstered your weapon and were forced to simply watch as SWAT zip tied the former’s wrists behind his back and escort him out of his home.

Moving backwards, you flanked Jack’s other side, as the other was currently being cradled by your Mum, and held the young boy whispering words of comfort to try and still his understandable tears of fear and terror. Looking over your shoulder, you made eye contact with JJ and saw the same look of helplessness displayed in her eyes.

What the hell was going on?

            ✧── ･ ｡ﾟ★: *.✦ .* :★. ───✧

After texting with your father, he and your younger baby brother had now joined you, JJ, Henry and Jack in your Government provided SUV as the six of you made your way to the BAU.

As you drove, you listened as your Mum tried to covertly explain the morning’s earlier events without using language that would scare the young boys currently in the car with you.

Forcing a smile on your face, you turned to look back at the kids and inserted a lightheartedness into your voice, “Come on boys, we’re here.”

Exiting the car, you all walked into the BAU. JJ was holding Michael in her arms, you held Henry’s hand and Will, your adopted father, had a comforting but protective hand on Jack’s shoulder.

Walking into the roundtable room where you and your team usually discussed cases, you were brought face to face with Garcia, Tara, Reid and Rossi.

When everyone had said their ‘hello’s’ and Will went to Hotch’s office with the boys, the forceful smile that had been previously plastered on your’s and JJ’s faces were immediately replaced with a grim frown.

“It’s bad.” Your mother stated without being prompted.

“How much did they see?”

“All of it.” You answered Tara before JJ continued.

“Which is why we figured this was the safest place to bring them.”

The sound of a text message notification interrupted you all as you looked at Rossi hopeful. Glancing back up from his phone, he spoke, “Just got word. He’s downtown. I’ll go and see what I can find out.”

“And in the meantime, I’ll try to locate the 911 call that caused SWAT to break into Hotch’s home.” Garcia countered as she began typing on her laptop.

            ✧── ･ ｡ﾟ★: *.✦ .* :★. ───✧

After finding out that Aaron was being held by the DoJ, you’d all successfully deduced that Antonia’s son was responsible for the spoofing of the 911 call.

Whilst the rest of the team went to go arrest and question the latter, you opted to stay at the BAU to check up on the boys and to give your father a well needed break.

As you held a sleeping Michael in your arms, you sat opposite Jack who was sitting in his father’s chair behind his desk.

In the 30 minutes you’d been sitting there, the young boy hadn’t spoken a word. And you hadn’t either, not wanting to force him to speak unless it was of his own accord.

“Is Uncle Hotch okay?”

The quiet that had previously filled the room was disturbed by the soft voice that belonged to Henry, your other brother who had unfortunately witnessed the unnerving arrest too.

“Yeah, sweetie. He’s just answering some questions that the police have him. Don’t worry, it’ll all be cleared up soon and he’ll be back in no time.”

You’d chosen your words carefully having noted Jack’s eyes on you as you lovingly cupped Henry’s cheek.

“You doing okay, Henry?” You asked softly, still conscious of the sleeping baby in your arms.

The young boy nodded meekly; he’d seemed pretty much unfazed by the events when he’d spoken to Spencer but a closer look showed signs of distress on his face.

“I guess. It was just kind of scary. I’m glad you and Mommy were there.”

“I know, honey. Me too. But you’re safe. Both of you.” You added, chancing a glance at Hotch’s son who was still staring at you.

The alert and vibration of your phone lightly jolted you so you removed your hand from Henry’s cheek and pulled out your phone, scanning the text that had been an update from your Mum. They’d gotten Antonia’s son in custody and Spencer was speaking with him in the hopes of finding out who he was working with.

Your focus turned to the office door which had just been opened by Will. With just a kind look in his eyes and a soft smile, he gently took Michael from your arms and led he and Henry out the office under the guise of ‘grabbing something to eat’ leaving you alone with Jack.

With all your attention now refocused on Jack, you waited patiently for him to speak.

“He’s really okay?”

You didn’t pretend to misunderstand. “Yes, he is. Your dad can handle himself, Jack. He’s okay.”

“I thought they were gonna shoot him. That I would never see him again. Like Mom.”

His words tugged at your heart; you could feel it breaking with each word he spoke. He’d suffered so much pain and loss in his life and had been fortunate enough to be too young to fathom it but now, the sight of seeing his father on his knees with several guns aimed at his head would certainly plague his dreams.

“Oh, honey.”

Seeing the tears well up in his eyes, you got up from your chair and gathered the former into your arms, letting him cry out all his emotions safely. You once again soothed him with your words as you ran your hand up and down his back in a comforting manner.

“Shhh, you’re safe. It’s okay.“

You repeated until his sobs had reduced into teary sniffles. Making no effort or attempt to move, you allowed him to seek comfort in your arms for as long as he needed.

At least that was the plan until you’d been interrupted once again by the ping of your phone.

Carefully manoeuvring yourself, you reached into your pocket and again looked at a text from your Mum. They’d figured out Asher’s partner was a jailed con who was planning a prison break tonight.

“Is that him?” Jack asked, his voice wet with tears.

“No, sweetie. It’s about the men who were behind this. My Mum and the rest of the team are going after them.”

“You have to go too.”

“Jack-”

“Please. Help bring him home.”

Sighing at the boy’s pleas, you knew your presence would be needed by the team. Especially if the prison break was bonafide.

“I will. I’ll send Henry back in here with some food and more comics, okay?” You joked, holding Jack’s face similarly to how you’d held Henry’s earlier.

            ✧── ･ ｡ﾟ★: *.✦ .* :★. ───✧

“The boys okay?”

You excused yourself from the police you were talking to and walked over to JJ and the rest of your team. Since you had been closest to the prison, you’d arrived there first and had already been briefed.

“Yeah. When I left, they were reading some comics.” You answered JJ whose face visibly relaxed with that information before tensing again when you continued.

“So far, the prisoners have taken control of 3 blocks and multiple fires have been set so the Warden and his guys are spread pretty thin.”

“We just got a distress call that some of the prisoners got to the gun safe.” Warden Nabb explained, joining you and your team.

“First priority is to secure the control room.” The SWAT leader announced.

Walking through the prison, you and your team remained vigilant with your guns drawn, ready to fire if necessary at any intruder you encountered.

Reaching another block of empty cells, you paused when you heard some scratching noises.

“You hear that?” You whispered to your Mum.

“Shh! Everybody quiet.” JJ ordered as the two of you followed the sound to another cell. Holding a flashlight, you both discovered a makeshift tunnel that Rawdon had presumably escaped in.

After notifying Rossi about said tunnel, your Mum, Spencer and a SWAT member decided to sweep another cell block so you and Tara decided to join the other SWAT members in their pursuit of the control room.

“Stay safe.”

“You too.” You said to JJ before leaving with Tara.

            ✧── ･ ｡ﾟ★: *.✦ .* :★. ───✧

Reaching A block, you nodded in agreement when you and Tara were ordered to remain back whilst SWAT cleared the control room.

You impatiently looked back and forth as the jeers from the imprisoned convicts continued to unnerve you.

“I don’t like this, Tara.” You admitted when the SWAT leader had remained radio silent for the past 2 minutes.

“Me either. Captain, do you copy?” Tara spoke into the comms on her vest before being called by one of the prisoners.

You watched cautiously as she conversed with a serial killer she’d previously interviewed for her research.

“This is the serial killer wing.”

Yeah, you were definitely liking this less and less.

The sound of the buzzer jolted you, only giving you a second of warning to raise your gun once more as all the doors, that had previously held back the vast amount of serial killers, now opened.

Walking backwards, you reached Tara and remained steadfast in your position as the aforementioned murderers began stalking towards the two of you.

“You can’t take us all.”

The chilling statement caused a shiver to run down your spine. Still holding your gun in one hand, you spoke into your comms with the other.

As JJ, Spencer and a SWAT member continued canvassing the cell block, they stilled when they heard your thinly veiled panicked shout crackle through the comms they wore.

“JJ, Reid, backup now.”

“We’re coming.” JJ replied with ferocity as she swiftly turned and began making her way to you.

Though she tried her hardest not to, she felt herself begin to panic at your troubled shout, in fear of what you were currently facing. She’d already had one child of hers standing in the face of danger - and whilst she knew it was a part of your shared job - she couldn’t bear the idea of you having a similar fate.

“We’re coming.”

As soon as those words came through, one of the convicts charged at you and you were forced to fire your gun at his leg. He fell to the ground, clutching his thigh as blood stained his hand.

You watched and listened as Tara tried to talk Ennis, the serial killer she’d previously interviewed, down. But when you sensed movement, you glanced behind the convict and almost breathed a sigh of relief. Hotch and several more armed SWAT members entered the room.

Then all hell broke loose.

Several shots rang out as the convicts charged at you all in an attempt to escape. When you’d managed to gain control of the situation and started to subdue and restrain the released prisoners, the sound of faint gunshots caught the attention of you, Tara and Hotch.

“Mum.” You exhaled, more so to yourself than your team, before running towards the gunfire, Tara and Hotch following closely behind.

Reaching JJ and Spencer, you stumbled upon SWAT members, whom you assumed were prisoners dressed up as them, shooting at your team. Your arrival warranted their attention as shots began to fire your way.

Unfortunately, you weren’t fast enough and one of them had hit you square in the chest. Luckily, the brunt of it had been absorbed by the vest but it still toppled you over as you struggled to breathe. It was like being punched ten times over; the sheer force knocking the wind out of your lungs.

Blinking rapidly to try and control the pain, you felt someone’s hands grabbing at the vest that covered your chest. Those same hands gently pushed away your own which had been trying to unstrap the vest in an attempt to relieve the pressure.

“Can you hear me? Are you okay? God.”

The panicked shouts of your name, which you now recognised as coming from your Mum, brought you back to reality.

“Fuck, that hurts.”

You winced as the protective vest was pulled off you. Stilling the hands that then began to roam over your body, presumably checking for other injuries, you moved to sit up.

Looking up into the tear-filled blue eyes that belonged to your mother, you spoke,

“I’m okay, Mum. I’m okay.”

The seasoned profiler exhaled a shaky breath of relief as she hugged you closely to her. Unable to stop it in time, a grimace followed by a hiss of pain slipped past your lips.

“Shit, I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay.” You replied before hugging your Mum back.

She then helped you to your feet when you were both approached by Hotch who placed a warm hand on your shoulder. He gave you a quick once over, “You good?” You nodded in response and he then explained that they’d figured out where the bomb was being held.

With gritted teeth, you pulled the vest back over you and securely strapped it, ignoring the shoots of pain travelling through you.

“Let’s get these bastards.”

            ✧── ･ ｡ﾟ★: *.✦ .* :★. ───✧

After engaging in a shootout with Rawdon’s gang and later getting checked out by a medic - at your behest but the order of your Mum - you were now laying in your bedroom as your parents put your younger brothers to bed. You were originally planning on staying at your apartment like you did practically every other day but, after the tiring events of the day, including your injury, JJ was adamant in her request for all her children sleeping under one roof.

Hearing a faint knock at your door, you invited JJ into your room. She immediately walked over and got into bed next to you.

“They asleep?”

“Yeah, out like a light.” JJ answered, as she pulled you into her arms. Welcoming the comfort, you buried your head into her neck, allowing her usual scent of lavender to fill your senses.

“Henry told me earlier that he was scared so I’m glad he’s sleeping okay. I hope Jack’s doing alright.”

Your mother ran her hand through your hair as she placed a chaste kiss atop your head, “Me too, baby. Me too.”

“You had me worried earlier. What with the gunshot and being trapped in a cell block full of convicted serial killers.”

A derived snort left you before you could stop it.

“Just a part of the job, it seems. It should really be on the job description.”

“You ever wonder if it’s all too dangerous?”

You pulled back from your Mum’s arms to look up at her, “you having second thoughts with my being on the team?”

“No, no, sweetie. I just mean, with everything that we have to face, is it even worth it? Especially when the violence and danger continues to affect us outside of work.”

“I have to believe that it’s all worth it. That what we’re doing makes a difference. We’re helping put away murderers. People who are hurting innocent victims. People who were in the same position I was. We’re helping make the world a safer place.” You explained, unable to keep your voice level as you brought up your past.

“You’re right, baby. Sometimes I just wonder. You, Will and the boys always come first so when I saw you get injured because of this job, it just made me question things.”

JJ explained as she hugged you close.

“I get it, Mum. But I’m not going anywhere. And without us, these unsubs won’t either.”

As JJ continued talking, you found yourself getting lost in her voice before drifting off to sleep in her motherly embrace. Kissing your forehead, JJ whispered to you.