Chapter 11

“Not really, we have another victim and Garcia witnessed the murder, he was right outside of the motel.” Her voice was steady , but I could see the concern in her eyes.

I felt my heart drop at the news, the weight of the situation hitting me all at once. Emily’s expression was grim, and I could tell from her tone that things had escalated.

“What happened?” I asked, stepping aside to let her in. JJ, already looking tense, quickly stood up from the bed and moved closer to us.

“Garcia was outside fixing the satellite dish. She saw the guy get stabbed, rushed over, and could do nothing.” She said looking at the ground.

“Em, you and me go out to the scene. J go sit with Penelope. I know she probably needs someone right now.”

JJ and I both got dressed and we all went out.

We were the first ones at the crime scene besides the sheriff. Hotch, Reid, and Rossi trailed not too far behind us. I noticed the victim, it was the same man who was trying to get out of town this afternoon when we were at the docks.

“He brought the body to the tavern we’re staying at,” Rossi said as he sounded like he was waking up.

“He’s telling us that he’s not scared of us. He’s getting more confident.” Hotch added in.

We examined the body and saw that the unsub took the spleen. We looked over the area, and there was nothing to be found but the body.

“Let’s wait till morning and we will give the profile,” Hotch said, trying to stay warm.

Everyone went inside the tavern, and the warmth instantly made me tired. I went to my room, and my head immediately hit the pillow.

The next morning, I woke up to find my head resting gently on JJ’s stomach, our legs comfortably tangled together. The soft rise and fall of her breathing was soothing, and the warmth of her presence made it hard to remember the case we were here to solve.

I lingered there for a moment, savoring the quiet intimacy before the inevitable chaos of the day. JJ stirred slightly, her fingers brushing through my hair as her eyes fluttered open. A soft smile played on her lips as she looked down at me.

“Morning,” she murmured, her voice still laced with sleep.

“Morning,” I replied, kissing her stomach. “Did you sleep okay?”

She nodded, her hand gently resting on my arm. “Better than I expected, given everything.” Her expression shifted, a flicker of worry crossing her features.

“What time is it?”

I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. “Almost seven. We should probably get moving.”

Reluctantly, we disentangled ourselves, the fleeting moment of calm replaced by the weight of the case. As we got dressed, a knock at the door pulled us from our thoughts.

“Hey, you two up?” Emily’s voice called from the other side.

“Yeah, come in,” I answered.

Emily stepped inside, her usual sharp focus in her eyes. “Hotch wants us all in the lounge in fifteen. Time to give the profile.”

We walked into the room, the tension palpable as the officers and deputies gathered around. Hotch stood at the front, commanding the room with his steady presence. JJ and I took seats near the back, ready to chime in when needed.

Hotch started, his voice firm and clear. “Our unsub is a male, likely in his mid-to-late twenties. He’s someone who has suffered a significant personal loss, which is the driving factor behind these murders. He’s projecting his pain onto his victims.”

Morgan continued, gesturing toward the board where photos of the victims were displayed. “This guy has extensive hunting experience. The precision of his kills, particularly the use of an arrow, suggests he’s skilled and comfortable in the wilderness.”

Reid stepped in, tapping a map of the town and its surrounding areas. “He’s lived here all his life. He knows this town, its routines, and the people intimately. That’s why he’s able to isolate his victims so effectively without drawing attention to himself.”

Emily folded her arms, her tone pragmatic. “He’s also getting bolder. Bringing the last victim to the tavern where we’re staying shows he’s not just confident—he’s taunting us. This escalation means he’s likely planning another attack soon.”

The sheriff looked around the room, concern etched on his face. “So, what’s our plan to catch him?”

“We should split up and cover the town,” I said, looking around at the team and the deputies. “Focus on the younger residents, especially the ones who’ve already been arrested. If he’s had run-ins with the law before, there might be something in his past that connects him to the victims.”

Hotch nodded, his expression thoughtful. “Sheriff, you and I will head to the school to speak with the teacher. The rest of you, show your presence and continue canvassing the town.”

Morgan and I moved door-to-door, asking if anyone matched our profile. The cold air was biting, and the snow crunched beneath our boots as we worked through the quiet streets. Most people seemed nervous but cooperative, their small-town sense of community clear in the way they answered.

Just as we were finishing up with one house, I felt my phone buzz in my pocket. It was a text from Hotch:

“Joshua Beardsley is looking good for this. We’re going to detain him and interview him.”

I showed the message to Morgan, who raised an eyebrow. “Beardsley… doesn’t his mom own the tavern?” He asked.

“Yeah, let’s go back and go through Penelope’s background profiles,” I said trying to warm up my hands. “We could find a link between Beardsley and the victims.”

Despite our thorough search through the profiles, we came up empty-handed. Frustration hung heavy as the realization set in—there were no clear connections or obvious answers. By the time we wrapped up, darkness had already settled outside, casting long shadows across the room. Exhausted and out of leads, we decided to call it a night and head to bed, hoping clarity might come with the morning light.

As we were making coffee, the news came in—Carol Beardsley had been found dead in her home. Rossi and I immediately headed to the holding cells to break the news to Josh, who had spent the night in custody. I asked him if he knew of anyone who might hold a grudge against him or his mother, and his expression immediately changed, his face freezing.

“O-Owen Porter,” he stammered, his eyes welling up with tears. “We were close until I left for school.”

I nodded, grateful for the insight, and thanked him for his help. As I stepped out of the jail, I quickly filled Hotch in on the new lead, and he agreed to meet us at the Porter residence.

We searched through the house, but Owen was nowhere to be found. Just as we were about to head out, the deputy sheriff approached us, her face grim.

“Joshua and the others—they went into the woods,” he said, his voice tense.

“They’re hunting Owen. We need to get moving and find all of them.”

Hotch nodded firmly. “Alright, L/n get Morgan and go with the deputy. We can’t afford to waste any time. Reid and I will stay with the parents.

With that, we grabbed our gear and rushed toward the woods. While running, I got a call on the big-ass satellite phone. Hotch said that Owen went to a lake nearby. We changed directions and went to the boat.

We arrived at the docks just in time to see the confrontation unfold. The hunters had found Owen, cornered in a boat, panic written all over his face. Hotch, Reid, and the sheriff had their guns drawn, aiming at Owen as they positioned themselves for what could be a deadly standoff.

The scene was tense—like something out of a western, with everyone locked in a silent standoff, the air thick with the impending sense of violence. Gun barrels pointed at each other, hearts racing, every breath holding the weight of the moment.

I watched as Joshua’s trembling hands moved closer to the trigger, his gaze fixed on Owen, ready to pull it. In that split second, I couldn’t let him make that choice.

I lined up my shot, taking the precise moment to fire. The sound of the gunshot rang out, sharp and final. Joshua’s gun dropped from his hand, and he crumpled to the ground, landing in the arms of the man beside him.

“You shot him?!?” the man yelled, panic in his voice as he looked at Joshua.

“He’ll live,” I said calmly, walking toward Joshua. My heart was still pounding, but I knew it was the only choice I could make. “Chill out.”

The officers quickly moved in, securing Joshua and then turning their attention to Owen. Despite the chaos, everything seemed to fall into place. With Owen now in custody, the threat was over.

We all moved back toward the tavern in silence, the weight of the day still hanging over us. Everyone packed up their things quickly, and the usual bustle of preparation for departure felt more subdued this time.

As we headed toward the plane, there was no celebration, no relief—just a quiet acknowledgment that another case had come to an end, and the weight of what had transpired would stay with us. The plane lifted off, leaving the town of Franklin behind, as the team settled into their seats, exhausted but ready to head home.

When we arrived back at Quantico, you could tell everyone was tired. Luckily, it was Friday, so we could all look forward to some much-needed rest.

Hotch gave us a quick debrief, his usual professionalism tempered by the exhaustion in his voice. “Good work, everyone. Take the weekend to recharge.”

JJ looked over at me, a tired smile crossing her face. “You’ve got any big plans for the weekend.”

I shrugged, feeling the exhaustion. “I think I’m going to finish up some paperwork and sleep. Sleep for the next two days. I forgot that you left your car at my place.”

“Shit, I did too,” JJ’s eyes widened as she recalled. It’s been such a long week away from home I forgot where I parked my car.”

“It’s okay, let’s just go so we both can get some rest. This time change is going to be the fucking death of me.”

We left the building together, the quiet hum of the parking garage filling the air as we walked to the cars. The exhaustion from the case still lingered, but there was a sense of relief in the fact that we were heading home, even if just for a couple of days.

As we got into the car, I glanced at JJ. “You know, we’ve been through a lot together this week.”

JJ smiled softly, her eyes tired but warm. “Yeah, we have. It’s been… intense. But I think we handled it well.”

“Yeah, we did,” I agreed, starting the engine. The drive back to my place felt different this time like the weight of the week was finally starting to lift, even though there was still more to process.

When we arrived at my apartment, I parked in the garage and we both got out, ready to relax. JJ grabbed her things, but I noticed she lingered for a moment.

“Hey, thanks for everything,” she said, her voice low, almost like she was hesitating.

“Anytime,” I replied with a smile, trying to keep things light. But there was something more in the air now, an unspoken understanding between us after everything we’d been through.

JJ stepped closer, her hand brushing mine as she looked up at me. “You know… I think we both need to get some serious rest, but I’m not complaining if you want to watch a movie or something later.”

“You haven’t been home since last weekend. Are you sure you don’t want to be in your own bed?” I said giving her a quick kiss on her check.

JJ paused for a moment, considering my words. “You’re right,” she said with a small sigh, looking slightly apologetic. “I haven’t been home in a while. I think I could use a night in my own bed, but…” She smiled softly, her eyes meeting mine. “I don’t mind staying here if you want some company. Just a movie and some peace.”

I could see the exhaustion in her eyes, but also a hint of desire for that quiet, shared moment. “I think we both deserve a little peace,” I said, trying to make her feel comfortable, yet wanting to spend the time with her. “How about you get some rest tonight, and tomorrow we can do something low-key together? I promise I won’t be upset if you want to sleep in your own bed.”

She chuckled lightly, her arms moved to rest on my shoulders. “You’re too good to me, babe.”

I froze for a moment, surprised by the softness of the word. “Did you just call me ‘babe’?” I asked, my voice playful yet genuine.

JJ’s cheeks flushed, and she looked at me with a mix of amusement and a hint of embarrassment. “I—uh, yeah. I did. Hope that’s okay?”

I couldn’t help but grin, my heart warming at the sweetness of it. “It’s more than okay,” I said, my hands gently brushing the sides of her arms. “I like it.”

She gave me a shy smile, her eyes meeting mine with a softness that made my chest feel a little lighter. “Good, because I think I might just do it more often.”

“Well, in that case,” I said, pulling her closer, “I’ll make sure to live up to the title.”

She laughed, her hands resting on my chest. “I’m counting on it.”

JJ walked with me to her car, her fingers lightly brushing against mine. As we reached the door, she turned to face me, her eyes locking with mine. The air was thick with unsaid words, both of us caught in the space between exhaustion and a need for closeness.

“You know,” she started, her voice low, almost a whisper, “I’m glad we had this time together, even if it was a crazy week.”

I stepped closer, drawn to her like a magnet, and the space between us closed. My heart raced as I gently cupped her face in my hands, my thumb brushing across her cheek. Her breath hitched, and I saw the flicker of desire in her eyes.

Without another word, I leaned in, pressing my lips to hers. The kiss was slow at first, tentative as if both of us were savoring the moment, letting the exhaustion fade away in the warmth of our connection. Her lips parted slightly, and I deepened the kiss, feeling the rush of heat between us.

She responded, her hands finding their way to my neck, pulling me closer as the kiss grew more urgent. I could feel her heartbeat against mine, and the world around us seemed to vanish, leaving only the two of us, lost in the kiss.

When we finally pulled away, we were both breathless, our foreheads resting against each other. “I’m not ready to say goodnight,” she murmured.

I smiled, my hand still resting on her waist. “Me neither.”

JJ’s smile softened, but a hint of hesitation flashed across her face. “But… I should probably head home. I haven’t been there in days.”

I nodded, understanding. “I get it. You need to get some rest in your own bed.”

She lingered for a moment, her hand brushing against my chest before she leaned in and kissed me one last time. “But… maybe tomorrow, we can take that low-key day we talked about.”

“Sounds perfect,” I murmured, returning the kiss, a promise for the future hanging in the air.

With a final lingering smile, she stepped back, heading to her car. “Goodnight,” she said, her voice soft but filled with meaning.

“Goodnight,” I replied, watching her drive off, the anticipation of tomorrow already building.