Thirty-One: Fast & Furious.

12x14 | Collision Course.

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Julia was stopping by his desk almost very day. Was that healthy? Probably not. But there was nothing more she could do besides wait for him to go to trial.

          It's been two weeks. And during these last two weeks, she'd preoccupied herself with visiting his mother and keeping her mind off things, but it was hard to do when he was where he was. She didn't have it in her heart to visit him, it was painful enough seeing him in Mexico, drugged and behind bars.

This morning, she'd stopped by her favorite coffee shop and grabbed a chocolate donut with rainbow sprinkles and Reid's coffee order without even thinking about it. She'd almost forgotten. (And suddenly, for a moment she envied the fact that Spencer's mother had Alzheimer's because the last thing she wanted to do was remember this situation).

Instead of just throwing the donut and coffee away, she ended up walking over to his desk and placed the coffee and donut down. For a moment, she was excited to see Spencer's reaction to the coffee and donut and for him to get flustered as she responds with a witty comment about she wanted to get something sweet for her something sweet.

She finds herself smiling for a moment before deciding to take the donut for herself. Spencer probably wouldn't be so keen to the idea of coming back to work and find ants all over his desk. Julia never really liked donuts — they were fattening, Mother said — but she decided to take a bite as she looked down at his desk. She'd probably throw the coffee cup away by the end of the day.

Julia looks over and sees that she has company. JJ is standing next to her, arms crossed as she looks down at his desk with Julia. "I forgot," Julia told, motioning to the coffee. "I actually forgot that he was in jail. I didn't even realize until after I got here. He would've liked the coffee, right?"

            There's a pause for a moment. "It doesn't seem real, does it?" JJ asks and Julia shakes her head as she looks down, taking another bite of the donut. "No, it does not."

           The two women are then accompanied by Garcia, standing there, looking at Spencer's desk, as well. "Hi." Garcia greeted to the two somberly and JJ and Julia smile sadly, "Hey."

        "I still can't wrap my head around it." JJ scoffs as she shakes her head. "I know." Garcia replies. "I, uh, I took a change of clothes to the precinct for him." JJ informed the two and Julia looks up at JJ, "Did you see him?"

           JJ shakes her head, "I left it with Emily. She said he was finally getting a little sleep." Julia nods, at least he was getting some type of rest during this whole ordeal. That made one of them. "Now part of me's glad I didn't see him locked up. I don't think I could take it." JJ added.

          "Both of you be glad," Julia told to the two, shaking her head at the memory of Spencer in that jail cell, not recognizing her or Luke at first. "I don't think I'll forget his face." She admitted.

          Garcia frowns, "Ohh, our sweet, sweet boy wonder." Rossi joins the three at Spencer's desk. "He's strong," He chimes in. "He's gonna be okay. We got a new swab from him and we're running it now."

         "Well, what happened to the comprehensive tox panel they ran in Mexico?" JJ asks and Rossi shakes his head, "With the red tape between jurisdictions, who knows if or when we'll get those results?"

         "He should be here," Garcia comments. "We need him. His mom needs him. His mother." Her eyes light up as she looks at Julia and JJ, since they'd been to visit to Spencer's mother while he was gone. "How's his mother?"

         Julia sighed, "Well, she cried at first. Said it was all her fault he was even down there in the first place." JJ adds in, "But later she kept asking when Spencer would be home."

        "Well, maybe it's a blessing she can forget." Rossi commented and Julia nods in agreement, "I thought so, too."

        Garcia looks at Rossi, "What's our next step?" She asks. "Well, getting the kid home on bail pending trial." Rossi answers. "Okay," Garcia nods. "That's a good baby step. I can focus on that."

        "And I'm ready, willing, and able to post that bail no matter how high they set it." Rossi offered and Julia smiles, "I forget you're rich." Julia said, going to hug Rossi, along with Garcia who added, "I love you so hard."

          Suddenly, Garcia's phone buzzes and she sighs, "Hmm. Well, crime never sleeps. We got a case." Julia takes one more look at Spencer's desk and follows behind Garcia and JJ as she heads up to the round table.

Julia sits beside JJ as Rossi gathers the group with an announcement, "Prentiss won't be joining us. She's on Reid duty for the time being. This one was referred to us by a fellow federal agency, the national transportation safety board."

Garcia starts as she directs everyone's attention to the screen. "So, last week, two separate incidents. Two separate vehicles hit two separate pedestrians, crashed on the same stretch of road in Bradenton, Florida, just outside of Sarasota." She explains.

"And they're sure they're both accidents?" Luke asks and Rossi shakes his head, "No, they don't think so."

"Both vehicles were 2013 Meridians, and both drivers said they lost control of the cars." Garcia informs. "The first pedestrian is alive, but the second one died of his injuries." Rossi adds.

"And it wasn't a vehicle defect?" Tara asks. "That's what the NTSB suspected, but they've done extensive tests and they've ruled that out, along with hazardous road conditions." Rossi explains.

"And they're saying driver error is unlikely, though the drivers suffered head injuries in the crashes and they can't recall any of the details." JJ tells, reading from the file. "Same make and model vehicle, two drivers saying they lost control. It sounds like they're thinking hacker." Stephen tells.

"Could be," Rossi suggests. "Most cars made after 2009, regardless of make or model, are vulnerable to hacking."

Julia remains quiet and Rossi notices this. She'd looked like she was listening to everyone's input but looked like her mind was elsewhere.

"Is there any footage of the crashes?" Luke asks. "Oh, yeah. Middle school security camera caught the moments of impact. Brace yourselves. It ain't pretty. Here we go." Everyone turns their attention to the screen and Julia flinches as she watches the victims get hit by the vehicles.

"No swerving, no braking, and an unsub turning cars into murder weapons. That's terrifying." Tara comments. Everyone looks towards Julia and it seems as if they've all noticed her being quiet. So, to put their worries at ease, she speaks up: "It could be a whole new frontier for serial killers. Hacking could be the one thing this unsub is an expert on."

"Well, Garcia, since your area of expertise is relevant on this one, I want you to join us in the field." Rossi tells the technical analyst next to him and Garcia gasps, "Me? Going wheels up?" Garcia salutes. "Sir, yes, sir."

"Great. Wheels up in 20." Rossi spoke and as everyone left, he decides to pull Julia aside. "Hey," The woman looks up at him. "You okay, kid?" Julia shrugs, "I guess." Julia tries to walk out but Rossi stops her once more.

"You know, I'm here if you need to talk. I'm not exactly old and senile yet." Rossi cracks a joke and a small smile falls on Julia's lips. "I know. I appreciate it." And with that, Julia exits the room and it leaves Rossi concerned as she walks away.

Julia had never been quiet as far as David Rossi knew her. In fact, she was the opposite and she was bubbly and happy and always had a smile on her face. It was off-putting to see that she didn't for once. And it made sense, he wasn't exactly jumping for joy after hearing what was happening with Spencer. He understood why she was upset. He just wished there was something more he could do.

            The team headed up to the jet and as they were flying down to their destination, Garcia had been looking around the jet. "Not to be critical or anything, but this place could really use a splash of color."

          "Really?" Tara asked. "I find the neutral tones soothing." Garcia tilts her head as JJ adds, "Yeah, and they're a great background for when you're on the big screen."

          "You mean I'm the splash of color? Stop it." Garcia smirks as she motions her fingers for more compliments. It puts a small smile on Julia's face. "Oh, you'll always be the splash of color, babe."

           The screen begins to ding as Rossi announces, "I've got Emily calling in." He answers it and on the other side of the screen is Emily. "How's the kid doing?" Is the first question out of Rossi's mouth.

          "He's hanging in," Emily informs. "I'm meeting with an attorney today. I'm hoping she'll take his case." Rossi looks up at Julia, hoping that news could somehow calm her nerves. "That's great." Rossi tells.

         "It feels weird to not be on the jet." Emily comments. "Well, we've got everything here covered," Rossi looks up at their new guest. "Garcia's keeping your seat warm. You just stay focused on Reid and get us an update when you can." Emily nods, "Will do."

         And with that she hangs up and Rossi closes the laptop. "All right, let's get down to business. Garcia, what have you got for us?" Garcia nods at Rossi's words, "Just this." She shows the victims on the screen of the jet. "Two drivers and two pedestrians."

        "Well, the victimology on this case is going to be difficult." Rossi comments. "It's just hard to know who the unsub's intended victims are. And the drivers, the D.A.'s considering murder charges in both cases, not to mention the psychological damage this unsub's inflicted or the pedestrians, or both." Tara told.

        "Any connection between the drivers and the people they hit?" Luke asked. "Just what we already know. Both drivers have the same kind of vehicle and it happened at the same location. Besides that, nothing. So what does the unsub want?" Garcia asks.

        "Well, he's causing death and destruction while exerting power and control." JJ told. "And creating a public spectacle." Rossi adds. "Maybe there's some paraphilia there, like an arsonist who likes to watch." Julia stated.

        "If this is about voyeurism, that might make it sеxual, and if so, he's not likely to stop." Stephen says and suddenly, Garcia's cell buzzes. "This just in. One of the drivers, Marta Calderon, she's agreed to an interview."

        Rossi nods, "All right. JJ, Julia, Luke, Garcia, you head to the crash site." Julia nods at her teammates as Rossi continues, "A special investigator from the NTSB will meet you there. Tara, Stephen, and I will go straight to the Bradenton PD."

        And once they landed, Julia, along with JJ, Luke and Garcia had gone down to the crash site and met with the investigator. "We had the NTSB coordinate with the Bradenton PD and we shut down this whole stretch of road." He informed.

        Julia had been walking with the investigator and JJ as Luke and Garcia trailed behind and before Julia could call them over to catch up, she sees Luke helping Garcia off the sidewalk since she's wearing heels and smirks as Garcia pretends like she doesn't need help. Those two are something else, she thinks.

        "Good call," JJ says to the investigator. "Don't see any skid marks." The man shakes his head, "There weren't any. Not for either accident."

        "Well, if the unsub likes to watch, the question is, where is he watching from?" Luke asks and Garcia nods, "Yeah, 'cause this is too open for our guy to be able to comfortably watch from outside."

        "We could canvass all the shops and homes along this route." The investigator suggests. "We can, but anyone with his organization and hacking ability wouldn't be careless enough for that. This guy has a plan." Julia adds.

         Luke continues, "Everything about this unsub is one degree of separation from the destruction." Suddenly, Garcia gets their attention as she points to a lamppost. "Right there. Traffic camera."

         "Those cameras are closed circuit," The investigator informs. "Florida DOT has hundreds of them. They only provide real-time visuals of current traffic." Garcia nods, "Exactly. They're everywhere. And they can be hacked."

         "So he can hack into any one of them and watch in real time." Luke says and Garcia nods at him, "Yes, he can, newbie."
          "So he can control a hacked car like a remote control toy." JJ says in disbelief. Julia puts her hands on her hips as she looks around. "Every five year-old boy's dream." Julia comments.

          "I thought you all might want to look at the vehicles. We've got them in impound." The investigator suggests and the four decide to take a look at them.

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Over a day later, the team had gotten word of another crash happening in the middle of the night. JJ, Julia and Rossi had gone to check out the crime scene shortly after. Julia had wanted as much forensic evidence as they could get.

"It's a different make and model car. It's newer. A 2016 Schuyler." JJ pointed out. "Our unsub saw the new wireless foothold, and he's no longer confiding himself to one street." Rossi says.

Julia looks up at her colleagues as JJ looks around. "I'm not seeing any traffic cameras here." She points out. "So how's he watching?" Rossi wonders.

"Find anything, Cortez?" Rossi asks and Julia nods as she points inside the car, "Dashboard cam and a mounted smartphone," She says as JJ gets a closer look. "If he's hacking both, he could use the dashboard cam to guide the car to its target and also watch the terrified driver. He gets off on it." Julia explained.

"An escalation," JJ says. "He needs more to get his thrill." The investigator, Detective Abadilla approaches the three with news. "We got an eyewitness. He says the car swerved to avoid hitting a pedestrian before he hit the woman."

"He's narrowing his selection criteria." JJ stated. "So he specifically targeted an attractive, dark-haired woman." JJ quickly goes to call Garcia to help.

"Penelope Garcia coming to you live on location for a limited time only." Penelope's cheery voice appears on the other line. "Yeah, the most recent pedestrian victim... what you got on her?" JJ asks.

"Ohh, that's right, victim. I make jokes to cover up the sad." Garcia says and Julia can hear the frown on her face. "Don't worry, me too, Penny." She says.

"Okay, Meredith Courtelis, twenty-two, raven-haired beauty. She was low risk. She lived with her parents. She was going to school. She wanted to be a physician's assistant." Garcia explains.

"What about a boyfriend?" JJ asks. "She doesn't have one. Not according to her social media. Looks like Meredith was her own girl. Chronically single. Friends kept trying to set her up." Garcia explains.

"All right, well, this unsub specifically targeted her over other available targets." Julia stated. "Is there a connection to the driver? His name's Mark Keeling." JJ asks.

Garcia answers, "Mm, I got bupkis on that."
"No connection," JJ said, looking at Julia. "The one thing he's been consistent about." Julia finishes.

After that, the team gives their profile at the PD. Shortly after, JJ, Julia, Stephen and Rossi were at the PD, going over their files when Rossi's cell phone rang. Julia watched his cell phone and her heart races. Emily was most likely on the other side of that phone with news regarding Spencer. Julia looks over and she can see JJ's anxious, too.

Rossi grabs his phone, turning his back to three as he answers. "Everything okay?" There's a long pause and Rossi takes a sharp breath. Julia knows that can only mean one thing and that it wasn't good. "Well, at least we got a heads-up. Thanks."

Julia turns her attention to Rossi as he looks back at the three. "What's wrong?" Julia's quick to ask. "Everything okay?" JJ asks, as well.

"That was Emily." Rossi informs as he puts his phone in his pocket and he has a look on his face. "About Reid?" Stephen asks and the man nods.

"She got some intel on the progress on the Mexican murder investigation," Rossi said and Julia's eyebrows raise, "And?"

"They found the murder weapon." Rossi informed. "It has Reid's blood and prints on it." JJ keeps herself from crying and Julia begins to chew on her thumbnail in anxiousness. Stephen closes his eyes and Julia takes a deep breath, deciding to leave the room for a minute.

Stephen looks ahead at the door and stands up fully. "Should we—?" He asks and Rossi shakes his head, "Give her a minute."

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In the end, Luke and surprisingly, Garcia had both caught the unsub and saved the girl that had caused their unsub to break. Even after that, Garcia was still hellbent that Luke Alvez was still the worst person in the world. Julia was nervous for the arraignment, but she couldn't miss it. Not for Spencer, because he wouldn't leave her to her own devices if the situations were switched.

The team had luckily landed in time for the trial and headed straight there once the jet landed. They walk through the doors and the first person they see is Emily, pacing.

"I'm so glad you made it in time for the arraignment." Emily tells the group. "What did the kid decide about a plea?" Rossi asks. "I don't know," Emily says. "I'm not sure he does."

"I can't stand the thought of him being in prison." Garcia tells, pretty much taking the thoughts out of Julia's mouth. "Yeah, we all know Reid, no offense, but he's not suitable for that." Julia adds.

"But five years is a lot less time than twenty-five." Emily says, trying to put in perspective. "I don't care, it's still a lot." Julia comments as she rubs her arm and looks down.

"He must be agonizing over this decision." JJ stated. "Well, whatever he decides, he has our full support." Tara told and Emily nods, "He knows that. It means a lot to him."

"We have to prove that Scratch did this." Luke stated and Julia rolls her eyes, "How?" Stephen puts a hand on her shoulder. "We'll get him."

A woman appears outside of the court doors and looks at Emily. "They're calling his case." She announces and Julia wrings her hands as she follows behind her colleagues. She takes a seat in between Luke and Tara as she looks ahead.

Spencer is seated in front of them, but his back is turned. Julia can't believe this is happening to him. She's terrified for him.

"Case number 149-CR 0308, US versus Reid." The bailiff announces. The judge looks over at his lawyer, who'd announced to the team that they were calling his case. "Ms. Duncan, your client is an FBI agent, correct?" The judge begins.

The woman nods as she stands, "That's right, your honor." The judge looks over at Spencer and he follows his lawyer's lead as he stands. "You're charged with murder, which is a very serious matter." The judge told. "Yes, your honor." Spencer nods.

"All right, Ms. Duncan, does your client wish to enter a plea at this time?" The judge asks and his lawyer nods, "He does."
"And how do you plead, Agent Reid?"
"Not guilty."

Julia and the agents around her take a breath of relief and she hears as Garcia breathes out, "Thank God." Julia's grabs Tara's hand as they both nod to each other, like it was some reassurance to them in a way.

"And as to bail?" The judge asks. The lawyer on the opposing side, AUSA Martinez stands. "The people oppose bail and request remand, your honor." He tells.
"Your honor, my client presents no risk of flight." Fiona tells.
"That's ridiculous," Martinez argues. "The defendant was arrested after fleeing the murder scene in Mexico."

"Those were extenuating circumstances. He'd been drugged against his will." Fiona told. "By failing to notify the FBI of his international travel, the defendant violated the Bureau protocol." Martinez stated.

"My client presents no flight risk," Fiona repeats. "He has deep ties in this community." Spencer turns around, looking over at Emily and for a second, catches a glimpse of Julia and her heart tightens in her chest. "His mother suffers from Alzheimer's disease and schizophrenia and lives with him. He is solely responsible for her well-being. Additionally, he's been a decorated SSA with the FBI's behavioral analysis unit for over a decade."

"And as an FBI agent, he has contacts all over the world." Martinez retorts.
"Agent Reid would be willing to turn over both his personal and government issued passports." Fiona adds.
"If he wanted a counterfeit passport, he could easily get one."
"He has no criminal history."
"The defendant is uniquely situated to evade law enforcement should he flee the jurisdiction."
"Your honor, he wants to stay here and clear his good name."
"He should have thought about his good name before sneaking across the border."

Julia knows it's his job, but can somebody just shut this guy up?

"I'm prepared to present multiple law enforcement character witnesses on his behalf right now," Fiona told, gesturing to the agents that would move heaven and earth to prove that Spencer was a good person and wouldn't be capable of this. "The witnesses are here in the courtroom, all highly respected FBI agents."

"Simmer down, Ms. Duncan." The judge chimes in. "It's almost 6:00 and I'm not inclined to hear from character witnesses. Actions speak louder than words, I always say."

"We'd be willing to abide by a curfew and strict monitoring of his whereabouts at all times." Fiona suggested but the judge shakes her head, "Too little too late, counselor."

Wait... what?

"If past behavior is the best indicator of future conduct, and I do believe it is, then your client presents a flight risk." And then the judge says three words Julia's heart breaks to and she swears she hears ringing in her ears once it happens.

"Bail is denied."

"Defendant will be remanded to federal custody pending trial." The judge bangs her gavel and Julia's mouth drops. Fiona stands as Emily leans over, "How long before his case goes to trial?" She asks. "It's a complicated case. Three months." Fiona informs.

"Three months?" Julia chokes up and quickly stands up as she shouts, "Your honor, he hasn't done anything!" The judge is already walking out of the room, clearly unfazed. An officer walks over to Julia to try and silence her but Luke is quick to stand in front of Julia and for the officer to get his hands off of her.

A couple of officers approach Spencer as one of them put him in handcuffs. "You can't just do this!" Julia tries but Spencer looks at the woman, "Jules, it's okay." He assures and Julia is reminded of when Spencer told her the same thing in Mexico. But it wasn't okay. It would never be okay. Fiona walks up to him assuring she will see him as soon as she can.

Julia chokes on her breath as she clasps a hand over her mouth. Spencer looks back at his team as they walk him out of the room. Julia grabs Tara's hand once more, both of them clutching onto each other.

Julia bursts into tears as the look of fear etched on Spencer's face haunts her forever. And now the team is left with one question.

Now, what?

the long awaited update is here ☹️
i hate this arc so much and i am not ready for the next episode
it's gonna get worse from here y'all 🤠

i hope y'all enjoyed this ig lol
thank you all for reading
i love you all
-mya <3