CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX: RETALIATION !

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         THE TEAM WAS UNAWARE OF THE NEW AGENT COMING IN. Casey knew that this was something that happened overnight and she knew she had to bring it to the team. But it was too late because today was the day Erik Turner finally got transferred over and now, he was part of the team.

         As Casey headed towards the bullpen, JJ had stopped her. Casey spotted Luke, Chandler and Emily talking with her. "Hey, Casey, we up for that mall trip with the kids soon?" JJ asked and Casey nods, clearly unfocused. She gets a message on her phone from Erik himself, telling her that he's in the building and on his way up.

         "Yeah, we'll talk. Right now, I just gotta take care of something." Casey told as she began to exit towards the doors.

          As soon as she exited out of the bullpen, she spotted Erik in the elevator, bag in hand and ready for anything coming to him. "Erik!" Casey greeted. "Casey!" The two hug and pull away after a greeting.

         "How you doing?" Casey asks. "I'm doing good, how are you?" Erik asks back and Casey nods, "Good. Thank you for transferring over here. I definitely need your help with a lot."

         "Of course," Erik nods. "Chicago can survive without me." Casey nodded, "Well, come on. Let's introduce you to everybody."

         Erik and Casey had gone way back to high school. They had been friends for a really long time. He was one of the only decent guys Casey had known to be normal. And Erik was a normal guy. He was a US Marshal that worked over in Chicago. He and his wife, Mandy, were together up until two years ago when they'd gotten a divorce. Mandy was an officer until she quit for the sake of their daughter, Emma, who was six going on sixteen. Erik kept the US marshal job, which then led to Mandy and Erik divorcing divorcing due to him being away a lot from the job. He had broken the news that he'd be moving to Virginia for the time being for this new job.

          Casey brought Erik over to JJ, Luke, Chandler and Emily as she introduces him. "Everyone, this is US Marshal Erik Turner. He has transferred over to us and he will be part of the team effective immediately."

        "SSA Luke Alvez." Luke is the first to introduce himself. "US Marshal?" Erik nodded, "Yup, protecting the federal judiciary, apprehending federal fugitives, managing and selling seized assets acquired by criminals through illegal activities, housing and transporting federal prisoners and operating the Witness Security Program." Luke smirked, "Guy knows his stuff."

       "And anyways, it's a pleasure to meet all of you. I've heard a lot from Casey here." Erik tells. "Jennifer Jareau. JJ, if you'd like." JJ introduces herself next followed by Emily and a very suspicious Chandler.

        "Tara, Spencer, Rossi and Matt should be here soon, then you will have officially met everyone. Plus, our very lovable technical analyst, Garcia." Casey stated. And as she finished her sentence, she looked up to her office and had seen someone standing in there.

        It was then that Anderson had come by and told her she had someone that wanted to see her so he led them to her office. She nods, knowing who it is. "As for me, I have to go take care of some other things. Excuse me."

         With that, Casey headed to her office and was greeted with a familiar agent she'd known from her intern days. "Ryan!" Agent Ryan Christensen from the Baltimore field office, Casey had known him since her undercover case days. "Good to see you again!" Casey greeted Ryan with a hug and a handshake.

         "It's good to see you again too, Casey. Congratulations on being active unit chief. Definitely made your way up from being an intern." Ryan compliments and Casey nods, "Yeah, well, it takes skill. I'm assuming you got my message?"

         "Yeah, about your recent case. We've also been looking for that "Multiplier" guy for a long time now. It's sick what he's been doing. Can't believe he's still getting away with this." Ryan told. "Well, it's our job to put a stop to all of it. And anyway, our recent case is supposed to help us find him. We've been told he may be spotted in DC tomorrow night." Casey explains.

           "Does your team know about this new info?" Ryan asks. "You and I are about to tell them right now." Casey told as she grabbed her file and called Garcia to set up the monitors.

           When they had been set up, Casey had brought Ryan into the conference room and called everyone else up when they'd gotten there. Everyone had been up there — minus Erik and Garcia, who were getting acquainted.

          Everyone drew their attention to the other agent in the room. "Everyone, this is Agent Ryan Christensen. He's from the Baltimore field office, he's also an expert into undercover cases and he's also looking into the Multiplier's cases, just like us." Casey introduces.

         "Pleasure to meet every—" Ryan pauses and looks towards Emily Prentiss. His jaw drops as soon as he sees her. It's like he's looking at a ghost. "Emily?" He asks. Everyone else notices this.

          Emily's face breaks out into a smile. "Ryan!" Ryan steps away from Casey and makes his way over to Emily. "Hi." He greets. "Hi." Emily smiles and the two hug... for a while. JJ and Casey lock eyes as this happens.

         They finally pull away and Emily smiles, "Oh, my gosh." Casey finally speaks, "I take it you two know each other."

         "Uh, yeah. What's it been? Ten years?" Emily asks and Ryan nods, "Ten years too long."

         As that happens, Garcia and Erik walk in together. "So, basically the team gives you info and parameters and what? You just give them the answers?" Erik asks and Garcia nodded, "Mhm. I kind of carry the team. Along with the Boy Genius here, of course."

         Spencer speaks, "A genius is defined as a person who has a remarkable intellectual or creative function, or other natural ability. There are certain historical and public figures that are acknowledged as geniuses, including Albert Einstein, who contributed greatly to the field of physics." Everyone pauses after he's finished speaking. "But in this case, yeah, sure, I'm a genius."

         Casey speaks again, "Erik Turner, Dr. Spencer Reid, SSAs David Rossi, Tara Lewis and Matt Simmons. You've already met JJ, Luke, Emily and Chandler and I'm assuming Garcia as well."

          "Pleasure to have you on board with us, man." Matt tells as he shakes his hand. "Garcia gave me cookies so I already feel at home." Erik jokes.

          "Question, why are you being transferred here?" Tara asked curiously. "Uh, well, uh—" Erik and Casey lock eyes. She hadn't told the team the real reason yet. So, she subtly shakes her head and Erik answers, "Change of scenery."

          "Erik and I go way back. We went to high school together. Only decent guy that is still very decent." Casey explains. "Oh, so you knew Casey way back when." JJ stated and Erik nods, "Yup. Knew she was gonna make something of herself. When she was on the news and I heard she became Unit Chief, I knew she finally made it."

           Casey chuckles, "Yeah, well, enough with the flattery and the chit chat, we have news. That's why I called everyone in. Garcia?"

          Garcia stands in front of the board with the remote in her hand. "We have been told that The Multiplier is going to be attending a gala event in a short day's time. The assumption is that is next target is this guy."

          A man's picture shows up on the screen. "Mayor Brauning?" JJ asks. "He's receiving an award for the Most Improved Town with Elected Mayor. It's basically the Nobel Peace Prize to him." Casey stated.

         "And he's aware of the suspected attack?" Rossi asks. "He is, which is why extra security will be attending the gala." Casey answers.

         "And we'll be looking and scouting out as security as well?" Matt assumes. "Actually, there's a little twist here." Casey told, everyone's eyebrows raising. "Considering The Multiplier will remember us and has faced us before, we can't have the risk of him not showing up to this gala if he knows the FBI is there. So Mayor Brauning has made exceptions and we've been cordially invited to the gala."

         "So instead of scouting out—" Tara asks. "We'll be in the gala?" Spencer asks.
        Casey nods, "Posed as attenders."

         "So... what's expected of that?" Emily asks. "We dress nice, we scout out our unsub and we take down the son of a bitch before he hurts anyone else." Casey explains simply.

         "I'm assuming that's the reason you're here?" Chandler asks, turning to Christensen himself. "Actually, it is." He wouldn't say it but he had a bad feeling at the blonde man looking at him.

        "Christensen here helped me with my undercover case in Colorado. He's the best person I know that can help with our undercover etiquette." Casey explains. "Consider this a consultation. I'll give you what you need and get out of your hair." Ryan nods.

        "Today, we get ready for the gala. Tomorrow night, we're at the gala." Casey told. "So, we're basically playing dress up." Chandler stated and the word got Garcia's attention. "Dress up?"

       "Garcia, I should tell you now, you will be attending the gala with us but from afar. I need as much access to you as we can get. So, Christensen and yourself, along with Erik, will be staking out the place while the rest of us are inside." Casey explains to Garcia and she nods, "Say no more. I'd rather be with two protectors rather then coming face to face with a bad guy."

        "Christensen, Turner, you guys fine with that?" Casey asks and Ryan nods, "I'd be honored to share a few hours with Miss Garcia." He tells. "I wouldn't know how to spend a few hours without her." Erik also comments as Garcia laughs, "Oh, stop it." She tells, blushing playfully.

           Garcia had decided to start taking this time to shop for everyone's outfits for the gala. She already knew what she wanted to see them in.

         "Remember the main point of this case. Catch the Multiplier before he multiplies more kills. So, for the rest of today, I want everybody to do more digging into the Multiplier. Every case, no matter how small." Casey tells and that's when everyone disperses and look into cases.

It had finally been night and everyone had gone home early for a good night's rest before heading to the gala tomorrow night. The only ones on the team that had been left had been Emily and Casey, since they were the bosses and had more to do.

Emily had come in Casey's office. "Garcia has already done shopping for our dresses if we're surprised." Emily informed and Casey chuckled, "Not at all."

There's a pause and Emily smiles down at her phone and Casey takes a guess at who she's texting. "So... you and Agent Christensen. You guys go way back?" Casey asks with a smirk on her face. Emily shrugs, "He and I worked on a joint FBI-Interpol terrorist task force, great guy."

Casey's smirk doesn't disappear as she raises her brows at Emily. "Hmm." Emily furrows her brows. "What was that for?" She asks.

Casey shrugs, "Nothing, nothing. But when I'm greeting old friends, hugs don't linger." She teases, causing Emily to roll her eyes. Erik walks in the room, knocking before he does so. "Exhibit A just walked through the door." Casey tells.

"Sorry to interrupt." Erik apologizes. "No worries," Emily tells. "I was just getting ready to go. I will see you tomorrow?" Casey nods at the woman. "See ya."

         "Goodnight, Turner."
         "Goodnight, Prentiss."
With that, Emily leaves the room, leaving only Casey and Erik.

"Hey." Erik greets. "Hey." Casey says. Erik holds up an envelope. "You got a minute?" He asks and Casey nods, "Yeah." Erik drops the envelope in front of Casey for her to look at.

Casey scrounges through what Erik has found as he explains it all. "I, uh, did some digging on the Angel and the Demon. The last time they were seen was recently in Baltimore." Erik explains and Casey looks up. "Baltimore? That's just a few hours away from here."

Erik nods, "And then very recently again in Maryland. A few weeks ago." Casey sighs, "They're getting close." She then realizes what Erik has said. "Wait, did you just say a few weeks ago?" He nods and Casey shakes her head. "That's when we started looking into The Multiplier. Do you think they're connected?" Erik nods, "There's a slight chance."

"Oh, my God. That's just what we need, right now." Casey shakes her head. There's a long pause before Erik asks, "Does the team know? About this?" He points to the envelope in Casey's hand.

Casey places photos and files into the envelope as she takes a deep breath. "Short version, no." Casey admits. "I can't afford them knowing right now."
"Why?" Erik asks.
"Because, frankly, it's not important." Casey told. She only wanted the team to focus on The Multiplier. She didn't even know if it was connected to the Angel and the Demon.

"Well, frankly, you could be in danger." Erik tells Casey the actuality and seriousness of this. "You realize that, right? Your team... they could help. They know you took this case, right?"

Casey shakes her head. "No, my team never knew I took this case. It was an undercover case I took when I was an intern. They never knew. And I can't tell them anything about it unless necessary. I tell them, it puts them in jeopardy." She explains. The only ones that knew about her undercover case had been Rossi and Hotch. And Casey has never needed to bring it up ever.

Erik nodded his head in understanding. "Okay." He then holds something else in front of him. "Also, when I was packing for here, I found this in the back of my closet." Casey takes a look at what's in his hand and it's Casey's high school yearbook.

"Oh, the high school memories I do not wish to relive." Casey groans, standing up from her seat. "Too bad you're reliving 'em." With that, the two leaned against Casey's desk as they look down at their senior portraits.

"I was such a geek." Casey chuckled, pointing to herself in the yearbook. "Not like me, though." Erik laughed, pointing to himself.

Back in high school, Erik Turner wasn't nearly as good looking as he is now. In his freshmen and sophomore year, he was an overweight kid that didn't have many friends. Then when junior year hit, he hit the weights and started playing football. By his senior year, he was popular. He also joined swim polo, that was where he met Casey and his future wife.

"Remember this picture?" Erik pointed to the swim team photo, featuring a lot of their old friends and foes. Casey chuckled to herself. "How could I forget?" Casey pauses. That was a whole lifetime ago. "It's crazy to think that half the people in this picture are either dead or locked up. Sometimes, I... I think about Kim, Savannah, April, Adam. How did it all turn south so quick?" Casey wondered.

"Well, lucky for you... four people in those pictures ended up turning out pretty good. April's doing her thing, Mandy's... doing her own thing. We're here." Erik told.

           Casey nods, "I had a lot of shitty things happen to me at that school. And a lot of shitty people that shouldn't have stayed. I'm glad you were one of the good parts of high school." Back in high school, Erik treated Casey as like his little sister. He looked out for her, which was what she needed a lot growing up. Erik and Mandy practically took Casey under their wing growing up. Erik smiled at Casey, "I'm glad you never stopped chasing your dream."

           Casey takes a breath, "Sometimes, I still feel like I'm chasing a dream. I don't know why, I just do." Erik shrugs, "Well, we have tomorrow and I don't know what the next day's gonna bring us, but we'll find the son of a bitch."

         "Thanks," With that, Casey pat Erik's thigh and nods at him. "You should be heading out. Long day tomorrow." "Right about that." Erik nodded.

Casey had finally clocked out of work when the clock hit eleven. Since Chris had been with Spencer for the week, Casey had decided to spend the night over at Chandler's. She had texted him prior to getting there and he asked if she wanted to spend the night, so Casey figured why not.

          When she'd arrived, she immediately dressed into her pajamas she picked up on the way to his place. He settled for boxers and no t-shirt, like he always dressed in. As Casey settled into bed, Chandler had still be sitting up. "So, what's the deal with you and Turner?" He asked curiously. Casey wondered if maybe he meant that in some sort of way. She shrugged, "Nothing's the deal."

        "You guys seem to have a lot of history." Chandler shrugged. "Yeah, we went to high school together. He was there for me when no else was." Casey looked at Chandler and then furrowed her brows. "Are you jealous?"

Chandler chuckles obnoxiously. "Me, jealous? No. I just..." He sighs as he leans back. "I just don't like the idea of sharing you." Casey furrows her brows. If this was what the definition of ''ick' was, she definitely got it. "Who said you were sharing me?" Casey furrowed her brows.

"Well, Spencer seems to think that." Casey sighs at the mention of her ex-husband. "I'm telling you, he has it out for me. The man looks at me like he's gonna kill me. When's he gonna get over this stupid destiny he seems to think you two have?"

Casey shakes her head. "You know, I'm starting to think this conversation isn't about Erik but more about Spencer. Are you jealous of Spencer?"

"No," Chandler tells. "I'm just saying he needs to stop being caught up in everything you do. I mean, yeah, you two have a kid but it doesn't mean have to talk all of the time. I mean, that's not normal for divorcees. Exes don't need to talk to each other."

Casey can't believe the words coming out of Chandler's mouth. And it was really starting to annoy because he seemed so worried about Spencer when he was the furthest thing from Casey's mind. It was like Chandler just wanted Casey all to himself. "I talk to Spencer when it's relevant to our son. I maintain a friendship with limitations for the sake of our son. Spencer and I, we're not like those other divorcees because we make it work... for our son." Casey made sure to enunciate those words multiple times so maybe Chandler could get it through his thick head.

         "Not everything needs to be about your son." Chandler sat up in bed again and faced away from Casey and she was taken aback by his words. "You did not just say that to me." Casey told.

         "Sometimes, I think you're lying to yourself, Casey." Chandler stands up now. "You say you're doing everything for Christopher but what am I supposed to do when you obviously still have feelings for him?"
          "I have no feelings for him!" Casey denies.
         "You say that but you like the attention, don't you? You like the attention he gives you, just say it." Chandler tells and Casey shakes her head, "I'm not saying it because it's true, Chandler! I'm not saying it because I don't love him anymore!"

          Chandler shakes his head, holding his neck now. "You know, I wish I could believe that. And I don't want to be the guy that tells you to stay away from him but you need to stay away from him! He's not good for you. Especially since you're the boss and he kisses your arse. It's obvious! You two don't work. And it's about time you realize it." Chandler told and faced away from Casey as he swiped his hand across his bedside table and nearly knocked everything off of it in anger.

          When Casey noticed that he had taken his deep breath and calmed himself down. "Chandler." Casey spoke. "I know that it's weird that Spencer and I work together. But we manage it. And even if you don't believe me, trust me when I say, it's all about Christopher. The love that we had... is for Christopher now. I don't know how many times I have to say it. And I'm sorry if you can't believe it. And if you don't, then... I don't know what to tell you."

          Casey stood up from bed and began to gather her things, getting ready to leave for the night but before she can even make it out the door, Casey feels a hand wrap around her wrist gently and stops her from leaving. "Casey..." Chandler says with a bit of sympathy in his voice.

Casey turns around and looks Chandler in the eye. "You're right. I'm sorry. I didn't mean any of that. I'm sorry." He pulls Casey closer, kissing her forehead almost lovingly. "I'm sorry. I'm just being... crazy. Just come back to bed." Chandler apologizes to Casey, guiding her to the bed, walking backward until the back of his knees hit the bed. Casey drops her things and shakes her head, "It's fine. Let's just... go to bed."

When Casey rested her head on the pillow, Chandler wrapped his arm around her, pulling her closer and for once, Casey actually wanted to pull away. She'd never seen him get worked up like that before. But she knew that if he put his hands on her, this night would've had a different outcome because she would've left. And she stood by that.

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        Garcia had gotten the shopping done for the team. The women on the team wore dresses while the men wore tuxes. Tara had worn a silk-satin sage dress with a slit on the left side of the dress. JJ wore a dark blue split thigh satin formal dress. Emily wore a black joules formal one-shoulder crepe dress and Casey wore a red 'love you mean it' velvet maxi dress with a slit on the left side as well.

         Matt had sported a modern fit suit with a black bow tie, Luke wore a slim fit linen blend suit with no tie, Chandler wore a slim fit shawl lapel velvet suit with a tie, Spencer wore a burgundy slim fit velvet suit with a black tie the way it normally was, perpetually crooked and Rossi sported a solid black suit and tie he'd already had in his closet.

No one had seen each other's outfits until they met up at the BAU where Garcia hand-delivered everyone's outfits to them. As soon as everyone has changed, done whatever they needed to do, it was about time to go.

Ryan had been given everyone their earpieces (and took about an extra ten minutes to stare at Emily in her dress) and addressed to Erik and Garcia that they would be in a van across the street on the lookout just in case they needed to be.

            Casey was cooped up in her office, staring at herself in the mirror Garcia had put in her room. She smoothed down her velvet dress, turning around to see if her dress just fit in the right places and she assumed that it had. She wasn't one to wear dresses a lot of the time.

            There's a sudden knock on the door and it opened and Casey turned quickly once she heard Spencer's voice. "Hey, we're about to—" Spencer paused and his breath is taken away. His hand drops from the doorknob and he enters the room. Spencer's eyes don't move from Casey and Casey can feel herself cowering away as he does stare at her. He always made her feel some way when he stared at her like that. So doting, so caring, warm, soft... loving. "Wow." He spoke the sudden word.

Casey could see that the gears in his head stopped turning as he continued to stare at her. Casey looks down at the dress. "Uh, Garcia, picked the dress for me. She figured that red would be for the boss. I know... it's a little ridiculous and I look silly—"

Spencer shook his head. How could she still think such a thing? When they were together, Spencer spent his days making sure Casey felt beautiful in her own self and body and felt her worth. But now that he wasn't around to remind her how beautiful she was every single day, he felt like she backtracked to her old ways and that made Spencer sad. She could be surrounded by tons of beautiful women but the only person Spencer Reid would be looking at is her.

"Not at all." Spencer told and his eyes trailed up and down. "You..." His breath hitches in his throat. "You look beautiful."

Casey feels herself smiling hard at his compliment and she nods her head towards him. "And you don't look too bad yourself, Doc." Spencer gives her a tight-lipped smile and the two stand there for a moment before Spencer remembers why he's in here in the first place.

"Oh, uh, Luke, Emily and I are riding together. I was wondering if you want to come with us." Spencer tells and Casey nods. "Uh, yeah, yeah, that's fine."

"Everyone's downstairs already." Spencer tells and Casey nodded, "Let me just grab my purse and I'll meet you down there." With that, Spencer nods and closes the door behind him.

Casey takes one last look of herself in her dress and nods at her reflection. She looked absolutely gorgeous, even if this was to catch an unsub. But in all honesty, she didn't know how she was gonna fight in this thing if it came to that. Straightening herself one more time, she finally left her office.

           As soon as she stepped outside of the building, the team catcalled her jokingly at just how great she looked. JJ said she looked gorgeous, Luke wolf-whistled and Matt offered his arm to help her down the stairs since she wasn't used to wearing heels as much.

  Everyone had chatted with one another as Chandler approached Casey, looking her up and down like a wolf to a lamb. "Wow. Now, you look... hot." He comments and Casey chuckles, "I'm aware, thank you."

"You coming?" Chandler nudged to the car filled with JJ, Matt and Tara. Casey looks towards Emily, Luke and Spencer. "Uh, I already promise Em, Luke and Spence I'd go with them." Chandler sighs, not liking where that's going. "And before you assume anything—" Casey speaks and Chandler interrupts her. "There's nothing there. I know."

"Okay. I'll see you there." Casey had noted to the looks from their team members and decided to give them a show. She approaches Chandler, kissing him on the cheek.

Garcia immediately gasps and points to them. "Wait, did you just—? Did they just—? Are you—? Are they—?"

"Uh, wow." JJ chuckles, taken aback by what just occurred.
"Surprise?" Casey chuckled.
"Okay, gotta be honest. Didn't see that coming." Luke tells.

"We'll talk about this later. Everyone, battle stations." Casey told and headed to the car filled with Emily, Luke and Spencer.

Spencer knew that they were keeping a secret relationship and that brought even more to his attention that he needed to tell her about him being suspicious of Chandler. It was no use now, she'd accuse him of being jealous. He'd take those chances if that meant what it meant.

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By the time it was six, their vehicles had each arrived at different times. Garcia, Ryan and Erik had staked out in the van across the street at first. JJ, Matt, Chandler, Tara and Rossi were the first to arrive. After they did, Spencer, Luke, Casey and Emily entered about thirty minutes after to not raises suspicious.

As they did, Ryan began to explain to the team how it was gonna go through their ear pieces. "When you guys enter the gala, you'll trigger an alarm, that'll be your way in and our access to you guys."

"We'll tell you what to say, where to look and if there are any triggers inside the gala." Erik follows. "When the time comes to present the award, we'll have you guys posed in different areas to look out for the Multiplier." Ryan added.

"Lo and behold, my fine furry friends, just stay safe. And act like you're having fun." Garcia finished.

One by one, each team member triggered an alarm and headed in to the party, blending in with one another, talking to various people, drinking, or at least pretending to drink champagne.

          About an hour in and there was nothing. Heading towards Spencer, Casey grabbed a wine glass and acted nonchalant. "Any suspicious characters so far?" She whispered to Spencer.

          "None yet." Spencer shook his head, looking towards the crowd. He then turned his head to Casey and remembered what happened before they left. "So, you and Chandler..." He starts to address the elephant in the room. Casey knew this was gonna come up soon. "Yeah, me and Chandler." She chuckles to herself. "I don't know what it is yet... but it's something."

           Spencer knows that it's now or never to tell her. He had to, he couldn't see her continue this "relationship" with him if she didn't know who he truly was. "Casey, I think there's something you should—"

            But before that conversation could even happen, Tara spoke into her mic connected to her earpiece. "Guys, I think I just spotted him at the east corridor." Emily spoke up next. "Willows, that's your end."

            Before the two could even attempt to spot the man in the suit, slow music began to play. They announced that the slow dance would be occurring and that everyone in the room was required to dance.

          "Um, slow dance." Spencer stated, very obviously. "What do we do?" Casey questioned. "You guys are gonna have to dance to not raise suspicion." Garcia told. "Dance?" Casey questioned. "He'll know you're onto him if you don't." Erik tells.

            On their left, they spotted JJ and Matt starting to slow dance together and everyone else already paired up, which left Spencer and Casey the only ones without partners.

         "Guess that leaves us." Spencer comments and Casey nods, "Yeah." She suddenly feels like an eighth grader, dancing awkwardly with a boy at a school dance.

          Spencer holds his hand out for Casey to grab. And she does so. One of her hands is holding his while the other is on his back, pulling him close. One of his hands is holding hers while the other is on her waist, pulling her dangerously close.

           They're both brought back to the good times, the times where things weren't weird between them. Tonight, they could be whoever they wanted to be. "It's been a while since we've... danced like this." Spencer told Casey quietly and she nodded.

          "Do you remember before Chris was born, we'd just dance around in the kitchen in the refrigerator light?" Casey asked and Spencer smiled to himself at the memories. "How could I forget?"

          He remembered after Casey had gotten hurt and how they just swayed in their living room, rekindling their damaged love after Spencer blamed himself for her getting shot. And now that Spencer thought about it, they usually danced their problems away sometimes. He just wished their problem that led them to divorce would've been solved with a dance in a dining hall. "We had a lot of good times, didn't we?" He asked. "Then things just got..."

         "Complicated." Casey finished, looking up at him. She rested her head on his shoulder as he continued to speak to her. "You know, I don't blame you. For leaving. I never have." He admitted. "I hope you know that. I know we weren't perfect." Spencer just didn't know how Casey was so okay after they broke up. How she wasn't so heartbroken about it.

            But Casey had gotten used to people leaving her all they time, she figured that eventually it'd happen with Spencer, to. So, she left before he could even try.

         "That's life, I guess." Casey spoke. "It's nice to think about the good times, though." Spencer nodded sadly, "Yeah."

          As this occurred, Chandler had been watching them from afar in a different corridor, sipping from his drink in jealousy as he watched them dance.

         "I'm sorry you had to find out about Chandler like that." Casey told. "It's okay. But..." Spencer started and Casey furrowed her brows. "But what?"

         Spencer figured since they were talking about it now, he'd might as well bring it up. "Casey, I have something to tell you. It's about Chandler." Casey pulls a confused face. "What are you talking about?" She questioned.

         Spencer pulls away a bit to face Casey but continues to dance with her. "I have a bad feeling about him. He's being secretive and not only towards you but towards everybody else. He was quiet the entire time that we were investigating the Multiplier. There's something going on." He tells.

       Casey is shocked and she scoffs. "I don't believe it."
      "I know, it's... it's hard to hear but—"
      "I didn't think you'd stoop that low, Spencer."  Casey pulls away almost immediately and Spencer knows where this is heading.

       "I mean, I get that we broke up and you're still heartbroken about it and whatever but it doesn't give you the right to have an opinion on my relationships. If you're jealous, just say that!" Casey told and she began to walk away from Spencer. He begins to chase after her. "No, no, that's not what this is about, at all! Casey!"

        Spencer suddenly loses Casey in the crowd as she walks away. It isn't until 15 minutes later and Casey on the opposite side of where she was supposed to keep track where Garcia announces something about their prime suspect that they had Tara put a tracker on. "Casey, you're close to him!"

        Casey looks around frantically but trying not to draw attention to herself. "Where?"
        "On the upper east side. He's going up the stairs." Erik informs and Casey looks up and sees a suspicious figure heading up the stairs of the plaza they're at.

        "I got him." Casey tells, heading for him. "Chandler, you're closest to Casey." Erik informs and the two catch up with one another and trace the man's footsteps. Casey headed towards the room they saw the man going through and once they broke in, the man escaped through one of the vents.

        "He's heading through the vent!" Chandler informed. "Garcia, where do the vents lead to?"  Casey questions, knowing she'd have access to that.

        "Uh... there's two directions. If he's going in the left direction, he's going through the parking garage but if it's right, it's towards the entrance." Garcia informed the two.

        "We can take the parking garage, we can have Emily and Luke take—" Before Casey can make the call, Chandler stops her. "No. I'll take the entrance, you take the parking garage. It's easier."

        Hesitantly, Casey nods, "Okay."

        With Garcia, Ryan and Erik's instructions on where to go, Casey eventually finds the parking garage and heads towards there, finding the gun she hid before going there and stuffing it in her garter.

          When she arrives, the parking garage looks empty enough. She aims her gun in empty spaces, hearing at the team spoke to one another. There was a current auction going on, Rossi informed Casey in private and unbeknownst to the team about a pin of an angel with horn. And they went for a lot. A man ended up winning them all, not letting anyone take the offer. He would be leaving with them tonight.

          Suddenly, the man Casey was chasing after appears in front of her and she yells, "Do not move! Drop the weapon!" She notes to the police baton he's holding. Then, all of a sudden, another man stands next to him and little does she know — this is Clint and Thomas standing in front of her right now.

        "There's two of you?" Casey questions. "I'm gonna need some—" She speaks into the mic of her earpiece until the men surround her and Casey groans, tossing her gun aside. "You know, my uncle taught me to never fight in a dress, but it'll have to do." With that, Casey throws a punch to Clint and that's when Thomas grabs her but she elbows him in the ribs and kicks him aside.

           Clint comes back for seconds and that's when Casey grabs the baton he tries to hit her with and snatched it from to hit him with it. She hears yelling in her earpiece and that's when Thomas throws a punch towards Casey, her earpiece flying off. He throws her towards the wall and when Casey tries to push and punch, Thomas grabs Casey's wrists and Casey knees him where the sun doesn't shine.

           She goes to reach for her gun on the ground but Clint grabs Casey and holds her towards his chest, locking in her arms with his and that's when Thomas begins to throw punches Casey's way.

           Her vision grows hazy as Thomas doesn't let up and even throws punches towards her ribs. Her ears are ringing and she can taste her metallic blood on her lips. When they realize she won't fight back anymore, Clint drops her and they begin to kick at her stomach. They don't stop until they hear another voice. "Stop!" Chandler.

           "What the hell are you trying to do?" Chandler questions as he rushes towards Casey. "Damion told us to get her if she—" Chandler looks up and yells: "Go! Get out of here! Now! I'll deal with you two later. Go!"

          Without saying more, Clint rushes towards the stairway for their exit and he yells, "Chandler, we all have to go!"
        "Go without me! I'll meet you there." Chandler looks down at Casey. She was nearly beaten to a pulp. She's wheezing.

         Looking over at Chandler, Thomas decides to wait on him as Clint gets away. When Chandler looks up, it's when a gunshot is fired and Thomas is on the ground. He looks over and sees that it's Spencer, holding his gun.

          Spencer's attention is then focused on Casey. "Casey." He drops his gun almost immediately and rushes to her as she's trying to talk. "Shh, shh. It's okay. You're okay. You're okay."

           Seeing Spencer is with her, Chandler stands up and backs away and Spencer looks up at him. "Wait, where are you going?" He asks. "I— I can't stay here." Spencer shakes his head. The one person Casey needed right now was him and he wasn't even going to stick around. "Chandler! Chandler!"

          Chandler runs off and Spencer turns his attention to Casey, assuring to her that everything would be fine. He calls for help and an ambulance to help Casey and her injuries.

━━━━━━

           It had been six days exactly since what happened at the gala. Casey healed up from her injuries rather quickly. Although, she had broken ribs and intense bruising still around her nose, she felt fine. The team recommended she'd take at least a few more days off but Casey was ready to come back.

           Of course, they greeted her with open arms and Agent Christensen sent his love from Baltimore and Casey made a joke that the love had been more for Emily than herself. The only person she hadn't seen in over six days was Chandler. He hadn't called her to ask if she was okay and most of all, he just wasn't talking. Deliberately ignoring her calls, never came around. Not once did he text back.

           But the one person she most wanted to see had been Spencer. He was in the conference room, as we speak. And she knew she had to talk with him, especially since he practically saved her. She remembered bits and pieces of what happened before she passed out and her ears stopped ringing. But the one she remembered was that Spencer was there.

Seeing him look up at the board, she knocked on the doorway. "Hey." Casey greeted and he turned around. "Hey." He stops what he's doing. "How are you feeling?" He asks. "Better, thanks." Casey tells. "You're the only I haven't seen. What are you doing?"

Spencer holds up a file and then points to a photo on the wall. "Thomas Masterson. He was the man I shot." Casey crossed her arms. "Do we believe he has connections to the Multiplier?" She wonders and Spencer nods.

There's a long pause between the two and that's when Casey approaches closes to Spencer. "Thank you." She stated and Spencer furrows his brows. "For saving me." She clarifies. She pauses. "I need you to tell me what happened."

Spencer wonders if maybe she doesn't remember Chandler being there or she remembers him leaving. God, he hopes she doesn't remember that. Instead of telling her, Spencer just asks: "What do you remember?"

"I remember that you were there." Casey answers almost immediately. "And so was Chandler. But then he disappeared, so where was he?" She's asking for the details of the events that occurred and he knows he can't lie to her. He's lied to her way too much. And the last thing he wants to do is jeopardize their friendship.

Casey isn't facing the door but Spencer is and he looks up to see Chandler in the doorway. He shakes his head at Spencer, almost as if he's posing a warning. But Spencer wasn't scared of him. So, he reveals as he stares at Chandler. "He left. Didn't even do anything. He just left."

Casey turns around and sees Chandler standing there and there are tears in her eyes. She knew that it wasn't her eyesight deceiving her anymore. She had confirmation that he did leave. Like everyone else. He didn't even help her. If Spencer hadn't been up there, what would have happened to her?

Casey can't help but stare at the man and she sees nothing. That electrifying feeling she once felt with him was now gone.

The gold dust woman begins to walk towards him with anger on her face. "Casey," Chandler speaks quietly. "Casey, let me explain." Casey doesn't allow him to explain, she simply shoves him out of the room.

When the team sees it downstairs, Emily nudged for Luke, Matt and Rossi to head up there in case it got ugly. She knew this was bound to happen and she knew Spencer was up there. God knows how he'd react.

"I want you gone!" Casey yelled as she walked past him, heading towards her office. "Casey! It wasn't like that! I didn't know what to do!" Chandler yells, as if he's excusing his behavior and his leaving.

"So, you just left me for dead?!" Casey practically screams. Luke, Matt and Rossi show up behind Spencer as he follows the two out of the room now. "You watched them beat me and you ran off like a coward?! That is not being a team! You don't even know the definition of team! Leaving somebody for dead? That's not very team-like." She pauses. "So, you're suspended. Effective immediately. So go."

Chandler shakes his head and stubbornly answers with: "No."
Casey stands up to him. "Go, Chandler. I will not repeat myself." She orders once more.

Chandler doesn't move. Casey has her back now facing towards her team as she yells: "Go! Go!" He stares at her and she stared at him.

Casey begins to shove at Chandler and he's had enough of her pushing and begins to shove at her back. That's when Luke, Matt and Spencer all pull Casey away from him and stand in front of her. If there was anything the BAU men knew, it was to always show respect to the women. Chandler wasn't doing that right now.

Rossi has the pleasure of grabbing Chandler by his collar and throwing him up against the wall and tells, "I think you heard the lady. Go."

Casey takes a breath, straightening herself. "You know what? Forget suspended." Chandler turns to Casey. "Turn your badge in, you're fired."

"Casey—" Chandler tries against Rossi's grasp.
"You assaulted your unit chief. And I cannot let it slide. So, turn in your badge. You are fired and hereby banned from the BAU. Now get the hell out of my face before I call security to escort you out."
"Or better yet, we can just have them do it for us." Emily speaks up from downstairs.

With that, Casey steps back as Rossi lets him go. Chandler throws his badge against the ground and leaves without another word.

JJ starts heading upstairs and Casey walks towards her with open arms and Casey just cries in her arms, letting out the pain of betrayal and hurt and heartbreak hit her all at once. He ran away while she was hurt. He put his hands on her. He was a coward. And Casey could no longer let his suspicions slide. Why did he run? Why did he do this to her? And why did this hurt so much?

━━━━━━

Chandler sat in his car, breathing heavily and white knuckling at the wheel. After all he'd done for her, it was gone, down the drain. He began to hit the wheel harshly as he screamed — "Fuck!" He shook the wheel, banging at it multiple times.

Grabbing his cell off the seat and angrily pressing buttons, he dialed the number. As soon as someone picked up, he told: "Tomorrow night." There's a pause. "I don't give a shit! We have what you needed from the gala. Tomorrow night, we hatch the plan."

"That bitch is gonna get what she deserves."

y'all buckle up for the next chapter
(and maybe grab a box of tissues it's gonna be sad)

the BAU men coming to casey's defense like:

yeaaaa this one was a lot
but i #hate chandler 😁
wait til we get to the next one😈

special dedication to pdoggie2001
agent ryan christensen belongs to him!
and i wanted to give him a lil cameo here!
go check out 'Soulmate' by pdoggie2001
it's his emily prentiss fanfic soooo go give it some love!
<3

anywaysssss
thank you for reading
i love you all
and i am so not ready for the next chapter
-mya </3333