Where My Demons Hide (2/25)

[moviegeek03]

Title: Where My Demons Hide (2/25)
Author: moviegeek03
Beta: samjsjlove
Fandom: J2
Wordcount: ~7,500
Rating/Warnings: M; Overall story will have sexual situations, violence & abuse (both graphic and mentioned), MPREG, discussions of psychological disorders
A/N: This story is based largely off the show Criminal Minds as well as a prompt by my wonderful friend imogen-lily (thank you for the art sweetie!). While I have degrees in psychology, I am by no means a profiler. The information presented in this story is based solely off my knowledge, research I’ve done, and elements of the show.
Summary: When Jensen Ackles took over the BAU, he never expected to fall for the new hotshot analyst on his team. Things become even more complicated when an UNSUB with his own personal vendetta against Jensen pops up.

To say Jensen was aggravated would be an understatement. He was fuming, practically pacing back and forth in Director Sheppard’s office as he complained. JD was off to the side, trying his hardest to keep his mouth shut. But he seemed to be losing the battle the more Jensen talked. The source of all this frustration? New agent Dr. Padalecki apparently…

“Jensen, calm down would ya?” JD sighed, rubbing his hand over his face. “I don’t see why you are acting this way.”

“You knew Dr. Padalecki would be joining your team, Ackles,” Mark smirked at him.

Jensen stopped his pacing and sent a glare in Mark’s direction. “Yes, but you neglected to mention that he was a damn kid!”

“He’s not a kid,” JD defended. “He’s a twenty-two year old who has more degrees than all three of us put together and who has gone through the necessary training and-”

“No, if he’s only twenty-two there’s no way he went through all his training, and you know it,” Jensen scoffed. “At twenty-two you are barely allowed to even start training, let alone skip the eight years of work experience that is required prior to the transfer to the BAU. This is insane.” Jensen shook his head and started pacing again.

“Need I remind you that some of that was waived for you as well?” Mark questioned with raised eyebrows. “You seem to be forgetting that you should not have gotten on the BAU team as young and as, what did you call him earlier? Oh yes! ‘Inexperienced’ as you were. Yet you did and here you are standing before me as the unit chief.” Mark smirked once more. “I believe you need to rethink that argument of yours.”

Jensen’s face flushed bright red. He knew Mark was right. The BAU had waived some of the years of service requirements for him as well thanks to Beaver and Morgan. “But I had some experience before I was thrown out into the damn field with serial killers for God’s sake, Sheppard! Does he even know how to protect himself? Can he stop a mass murderer from taking another victim in the heat of the moment? Huh?” Jensen started pacing once again. “Can he protect a fallen agent from my team if it came down to it? Could he? Hell! Will he even be able to not shoot himself if you put a gun in his hand? I feel like I’m giving a damn firearm to a baby!”

“Jensen,” Mark snapped, “I would advise you to calm yourself before your mouth gets the better of you. Understood?”

Jensen bit his lip and stopped the pacing. “Well could he?”

“Watch yourself, Ackles,” Mark warned again.

Morgan sighed and pushed away from the wall he had been leaning against. “Jared can use a gun. He knows his way around the weapon to where he isn’t going to shoot himself. He needs help and practice with his aim, but that’s it.”

“Morgan, has he even passed his proficiency exams?” JD glanced towards the ground, and that was all the answer Jensen needed. “That’s what I thought.”

“He is a fast learner,” JD continued.

“Then why didn’t he learn it during his training?” Jensen snapped. “Hmm? Tell me that.”

“Kind of hard to do when half the agents you’re training with won’t let you in the range or bully you until you leave, don’t you think?” JD answered bluntly, glaring at Jensen.

Jensen gulped but didn’t say anything. He’d heard of bullying occurring at that level, but he’d never truly seen it. Sure, guys were sometimes a little rough on each other, but that was it.

“You have a few hours before take-off,” Sheppard added. “You will report to the range in the basement and assist Dr. Padalecki. If you are so worried about him not being able to protect himself or his team, then I’m sure you won’t mind assisting him. Right, Ackles?” The look Mark sent him practically dared Jensen to argue.

“Fine,” he huffed, shaking his head. He started to storm out but felt JD grab his arm.

“I know I’m getting old and all, but I seem to remember Beaver always telling you that profilers had better resources than a gun. There is always more ways to diffuse the situation and if you absolutely have to, more ways to go for the kill.” Jensen tried to shake off his grip but couldn’t. “So what’s really going on with you and Jared? You’ve met him for all of an hour and decided you don’t want him on your team? What’s the real reason?”

Jensen opened his mouth as if to reply, but then just pulled his arm out of JD’s hold. “I’ve gotta go help your boy wonder.” With that, Jensen hurried off towards the gun range, ignoring the looks and calls from the other agents.

Jensen found Jared already at the range with targets set up and the earplugs already in place. Jensen half expected the kid to startle and try to shoot at him for sneaking up, but he didn’t. Instead, Jared calmly shot at the target one last time (missing the kill shot by quite a bit) and then turned to Jensen nervously. “Agent Ackles,” he greeted.

Jensen didn’t acknowledge the greeting. He simply walked up to the young agent to check out his target. There was a bullet hole through the groin region, one towards the shoulder, and another towards the abdomen. “Well, with shots like this you’re going to just cause a hell of a lot of pain, but the bastard will still be able to come at you. Do you want that?”

Jared’s throat worked up and down for a second. “No, sir.” He cast his eyes down towards his Chuck Taylor sneakers.

“Tighten your grip on that gun before you drop it and it goes off,” Jensen ordered.

Jared did as he was told, shifting on his feet nervously as he stood there. “I do know how to work a gun.”

“Then prove it to me.” Jensen grabbed him by the shoulders and turned him back towards the target. “Show me what you’ve got.” Jensen grabbed some earplugs from the table and fixed them into place. He stayed close to Jared while he fired. The bullets hit in more concise areas, but still nowhere that would kill. Jensen sighed deeply.

“I know those weren’t good either,” Jared said softly.

Jensen grabbed Jared’s shoulders and slid in behind him. “Keep your shoulders back and your arm straight.” He pulled Jared’s arm up and settled his hand at the elbow to keep it straight. The action pushed Jared tighter against his chest, causing the younger man to tense. “Don’t tense up like that,” Jensen reprimanded, making Jared tense all the more. Before Jensen could correct him again, Jared fired. This time none of the bullets hit above the waist on the target.

“Damn it,” Jensen cursed, stepping away from Jared and tossing out the earplugs. “What was that? You didn’t listen to me. How am I supposed to trust you in the field when you can’t even prove yourself with a simple training exercise like this?”

Jared bit his lip for a moment before squaring his shoulders, clicking the safety on the gun, and looking Jensen in the eye. “I’m sorry but how am I supposed to prove myself when are breathing down my neck waiting and wanting me to screw up?”

Jensen shot a look at the new agent. “I-”

“Because, no offense sir, that is exactly what you’re doing.”

Jensen breathed in deeply, trying to collect his thoughts. Before he could speak again, Jared started rambling on him.

“I mean, studies show that it is harder for someone to perform at optimum level in the workplace when their boss acts in this manner towards him or her. And given the nature of this job, I would imagine that it would be quite detrimental to the team, as well as myself, to not be able to perform at my best. I can assure you that my best is good and would meet your standards in most areas. I’m working on my weaponry skills. I can assure you that I will improve given time and space to and-”

Jensen couldn’t help but smile a little at the way the kid rambled nervously and gestured with his hands. “Nervous talker?” Jensen asked, trying to quickly wipe away the smile that had formed.

“Unfortunately, yes.” Jared sighed and ran his hand through his long hair. “Why do you hate me?” he blurted out, blushing wildly as soon as the words left his mouth. “Sorry, that was out of place and I shouldn’t have said it.” Jared shifted anxiously from foot to foot, making his sneakers squeak. “I’ll just go.” Jared started to walk off but Jensen grabbed him by the arm, much gentler this time, and pulled him back.

He looked Jared up and down, causing the newbie to squirm anxiously from the scrutiny. After a few moments, Jensen ran his hand through his own spiked hair and sighed once more. “I don’t hate you. It wasn’t my intention to make you feel that way.” Jensen looked Jared in the eyes, hoping to show how genuine he was. “But I don’t like you on my team, and I can’t apologize for that.”

Jared nodded slowly. “Can you tell me why at least?” He set the gun down on a nearby table before sitting down next to it. “I think you owe me that much at least.”

Jensen bit his tongue to stop from saying that he didn’t. But he knew Jared did at least need to know where he stood. It didn’t look like the kid was going away any time soon. “Ok,” Jensen finally relented. “Your lack of experience is kind of appalling for this level of the FBI. I get you are smart; I read your files. But the fact is, being smart isn’t the only part of this job. The experience is crucial.” Jensen scrubbed a hand over his face. “So I don’t care for the fact that Sheppard has allowed you on my team over experienced agents who have been vying for positions on a profiling team within the BAU, especially one as well known as mine. So no, I don’t like you being on my team over them.” Jensen shrugged his shoulders and headed towards the stairs.

“You’re wrong you know?” Jared said softly, making Jensen stop in his tracks and turn back around. Their eyes met. “I do have some experience. It may not be with the FBI or with guns, or whatever else you’ve deemed to be appropriate for your team. But I-I can do this job.”

Jensen had to admit that the kid at least had the gall to stand up for himself, something he hadn’t expected. He seemed nervous and like he wanted to take back what he had said, but it was still more than Jensen had expected. “You’ll just have to prove that to me then, huh?”

Jensen walked off again, hearing Jared faintly say that he would. Jensen just shook his head and kept walking until he reached his office. He turned on the light and nearly jumped out of his skin when his chair spun around to reveal Felicia sitting in it calmly, her legs crossed over the arm of the chair and her fingers twirling the long strands of her red hair.

“God!” he gasped. His hand had automatically drifted down towards his holster in his fright.

“Actually, it’s Felicia,” she teased with a smirk. “Or goddess. Think I prefer goddess actually. Has a nice ring to it don’t you think?”

“What the hell are you doing? I could have shot you!”

“Nah!” She waved her hand like it was nothing. “But I might just have to snatch one of your guns away from you and shoot you myself if you don’t let up on Jay soon.”

“Huh?” Jensen asked in confusion.

“Ok, fine,” Felicia stood, dramatically swinging her legs off the chair and onto the floor. “So I find guns pretty icky and wouldn’t dream of taking one.” She sauntered up to Jensen and poked him in the chest. “But I will plaster that junior prom picture of yours all over the office if you so much as glare at Jared one more time. Got it?”

“What?” Jensen sputtered. “I’m not glaring at-”

“Jensen, no offense, you have never been one for subtlety. I can normally appreciate that about you, because I tend to be that way myself. Makes us kindred spirits, ya know?”

“Felicia, what is this about? I really need to get ready to leave.”

“You need to stop being mean to Jared. He doesn’t deserve that. And you’ve never treated any of us like that, even when we were new. You can come off as a hard ass, sure!” She waved her arms widely at that, “but you’ve never just been deliberately mean to us. What makes him different?” She looked at him with wide eyes, almost as if she was about to cry.

“I’m not being mean just for the sake of being mean.” Jensen held out his hands in a placating way. “I have my reasons. And they are good reasons.”

“Really? Care to share then?” She had gone from looking like she was about to cry to glaring daggers at him in two seconds flat.

Jensen took a few steps towards her and squeezed her shoulder. “I have to make sure he can do the job. None of you were ever this inexperienced when you were brought on the team. I have to be hard or else he might screw up or-”

“Jared is experienced and he won’t screw up,” she snapped at him. Jensen briefly thought she would spit fire if she could in that moment; she was just that mad. “So back off some before I go about my ways of making you back off.”

“Ok fine I may have been a little rough on him,” Jensen quickly relented when Felicia’s eyes narrowed at him. “But I have no idea what you are talking about in regards to a prom picture and-”

“Jerry curls, sir? Really? I didn’t realize you were secretly a Timberlake fan back in the day.” Jensen paled, causing Felicia to smirk. “Now, will you please let off of Jared some? He’s a good guy, and you know I know these things. I get that you’re the boss and want to assert yourself and all that. But like I said, you’ve never been blatantly mean to one of us before. And I didn’t like seeing you do that to Jared, who I consider a friend.”

“Felicia I-”

Felicia held a finger up to his lips, effectively shushing him. “Just don’t let it happen again. Or your little wannabe JT snafu will soon be the talk of the BAU.” She winked at him and patted his cheek. “I’ll be in my office awaiting anything you guys might need while you’re in Maine. Tootles.” She waved goodbye and made her exit.

“Hey, ‘Licia,” Christian greeted and he stepped towards Jensen’s office. She smiled sweetly and mock saluted him before scampering back to her own office. Christian glanced at Jensen. “So I could pretend that I didn’t hear most of that, but there really isn’t much point. You ok?”

“I think she just threatened me,” Jensen sighed with wide eyes.

“Ouch!” Chris laughed. “That girl can be scary when she wants to be.”

“I noticed.” Jensen went around to the other side of his desk to collect his go bag. “Did you need something Chris?”

“Actually yeah.” Chris bit his lip. “I guess I’m here for the same reason as Felicia. You wanna explain why you were so hard on the new kid?”

“Damn,” Jensen huffed. “Not you too.”

“Felicia isn’t wrong, ya know?” Chris took a seat on top of Jensen desk, ignoring the glare that was sent his way. “You were harsh on him yesterday. You weren’t even that bad with her when she joined the team, and she was on one of those lists of people to watch due to her hacking skills and affinity for trying to get into our system. Not surprised she jumped down your throat.”

“He’s apparently her friend.”

“They go to conventions together sometimes. She said he’s a great guy and super smart,” Chris explained with a shrug.

“That doesn’t mean he should be on our team when he has little to no experience in the field and has never been a part of an FBI team before.”

“I seem to remember you being put onto the team thanks to Beaver and Morgan when you had ‘little to no experience,’ sir.”

Jensen continued to gather his things, not bothering to look up at Chris’s words.

“So I’m going to ask again, what’s really going on?” Chris hopped off the desk and walked to Jensen’s side. “What’s really bothering you? Is this about Jim stepping down? Because you know that wasn’t your fault.”

“I know,” Jensen sighed. “It isn’t about Jim. It’s just that this guy is a kid and-”

“That’s bullshit and you know it,” Chris huffed. “So I repeat, what’s really going on here? I would love for you to just answer me but I can totally go all profiler on your ass.”

“Thought we had the rule that we would never profile anyone on the team?” Jensen finally looked up from gathering his things.

“Well, when it’s for the good of the team I think I have every right to break that rule.” Chris quirked an eyebrow, as if daring Jensen to argue more. “One last time, what’s going on? Is it having JD back on the team? Or something at home? You still upset about Katie not talking to you?”

“My sister hasn’t spoken more than five words to me since last Christmas. I’ve gotten used to that. And I have no issues with JD. We worked together a little when I first joined and he taught some courses I took.”

“Then what is wrong? Because I highly doubt you are being this odd towards that kid just for the sake of it. I know you better than that.” Chris squeezed Jensen’s shoulder. “What’s going on man? Did something happen with Ed?”

Jensen tensed at the mention of his now ex-boyfriend. He hoped Chris wouldn’t notice, but he had no such luck.

“So that’s what’s going on?” Chris snapped. “What has that dickhead done now?”

Normally Jensen would berate Christian for speaking that way about Ed. Chris had never cared for Ed. He knew how much the two of them fought over the job and how often Ed would blame Jensen for problems in their relationship. Jensen may have been the cause for a lot of the problems since his job took him away for days at a time and he was bad about bringing his work home with him, but Ed was never perfect either.

“He, uh, left me the other night,” Jensen finally admitted, scrubbing a hand over his face tiredly.

“He what?”

Jensen sighed loudly and sank into his chair. “I went home after we celebrated the promotion the other night. I had forgotten that we had a dinner date so he was already pissed. Then I mentioned the promotion and tried to explain myself-he just blew up at me.” Jensen bit his lip and looked off towards his window, trying to collect himself for a moment. “I know I screwed up a lot and wasn’t there, but I didn’t expect him to just explode like that. It wasn’t pretty.”

“I’m sorry, brother.” Chris squeezed his shoulder once more and stepped back, as if trying to give him space. “But you can’t take that out on the new guy just because you are having a hard time dealing with it.”

“Chris I-”

“No, let me finish. You and Ed have been moving towards this for a while now. It sucks, that’s a given. It always hurts to lose someone you care about. But you two, you weren’t going to ever work.” He sent Jensen a sad smile. “I hate to be so blunt, but neither of you wanted to give up things for the other. You each wanted very specific things, and they clashed. This was inevitable.”

“It didn’t feel like it was,” Jensen muttered, his voice barely a whisper.

“And that, my friend, was part of your problem. You didn’t see this coming. But I’m pretty sure Ed and anyone else with eyes did.”

Jensen glared at Chris, but the more he thought about it, the more he knew Chris was right. Ed had wanted the opposite of him. He’d wanted to give up the time consuming jobs and settle into regular nine to five esque ones so that they could start a family. Jensen wasn’t ready to give up his career, and he honestly didn’t know if he ever would be.

The signs had been there. Jensen had just been too busy to notice.

“Jensen?”

“Yeah, sorry.” Jensen cleared his throat. “Just thinking.”

Chris nodded and patted Jensen’s back. “I should probably go get my bag anyway. We’re supposed to be leaving soon.”

Chris was nearly to the door by the time Jensen spoke. “I’ll try to let up some on Dr. Padalecki.” Chris stopped and leaned against the doorframe. “But I really am worried about how he’ll handle field work. I may have taken out some stuff on him, but I wasn’t lying about that.”

“I think that’s justifiable. But don’t set the kid up for failure just because you think he could fail.” With that, Chris pushed off the doorframe and went off towards his own desk, leaving Jensen with his thoughts once more.

Jensen let his head fall against the back of his chair and he breathed in deeply. He knew he couldn’t keep taking things out on the new guy. That wouldn’t be good for anyone involved, especially once they started working this case. But he couldn’t just let the guy have free rein either. He still didn’t trust that Jared could do the job, and he vowed to figure the guy out one way or the other.

*******

Jared stayed in the range after Jensen had left, trying desperately to improve his aim. No matter how hard he concentrated, he just couldn’t get a kill shot. He shot off another round and once again mostly hit in the groin and leg area.

“Did Danni come down here and show you how to shoot?”

Jared hit the safety of the gun and turned around to see JD walking up to him. “Excuse me?”

JD placed his hand on his shoulder and looked to the target. “Aiming for the crotch like that…would’ve thought Danni was shooting.” He chuckled and squeezed Jared’s shoulder, but Jared didn’t even crack a smile. “Aww come on kid. It’s ok. Not the end of the world just because you can’t pass your gun proficiency just yet. It’ll come to you.”

“I’ve been here since four and it hasn’t come to me yet,” Jared grumbled, shrugging out of JD’s hold and setting up a new target

“Profilers are not required to carry a gun.”

“Yet you have three on you at the moment.”

JD smiled. “I only have two strapped to my waist.”

“The third is held in an ankle holster.”

“How’d you know that?” JD asked incredulously.

“Could tell by the way you walked.”

JD shook his head. “See, that right there is what will get you through this job.” He poked Jared in the forehead gently. “This here.”

“Apparently not,” Jared sighed. “I’ve already been told by Agent Ackles that the job is more than just being smart and-”

“You know what the most effective weapon we have against those bastards out there is?” When Jared didn’t answer, when he didn’t even look up, JD continued. “A thorough profile.” JD stepped back towards Jared and took the gun out of his hand. “You don’t need this to win. I don’t care what Jensen says. Ok?”

Jared nodded, still not sure he completely believed the man.

“Come on, kiddo,” JD said, taking the gun from Jared. “Go gather your stuff and get ready. We should be heading out.”

Jared stared at his target once more before giving up. He followed JD upstairs and gathered the rest of his things before meeting up with everyone else on the plane. No one really said anything to him. Chris nodded in lieu of a greeting while the girls waved. Jensen didn’t even acknowledge him.

Once they were in the air, they all gathered around one of the tables and started sorting through the information available to them.

“So this is an L.D.S.K.?” Danni started.

“A what?” Kristen asked.

“Long Distance Serial Killer,” Jensen answered with a sad smile. “Which will make this very tough for us.”

“Why’s that?” Kristen continued.

“Because none of them have ever been caught using a profile before,” Jared replied. He could feel Jensen’s eyes on him, but he didn’t meet the unit chief’s gaze.

“But that doesn’t mean it is impossible,” JD interjected. “I’ve seen profiles work in situations where they hadn’t in the past. So let’s not dwell on that.”

“Agent Morgan is right,” Jensen said with a nod. “When we land, Chris I want you and Danneel to go to the park to gather what you can from the scene. Kristen, go ahead and speak with the families that are still at the hospital. And take JD with you. Jared, you and I will report to the police station and speak with them on what they know. We’ll meet at the park once we are all done and commence in a reenactment that the police have coordinated with Kristen.”

Jared tried not to let his shock at Jensen wanting him with him show, so he simply nodded. They went back to looking over pictures of victims and the scene for the rest of the flight, and when the plane landed, Jared followed Jensen to one of the vehicles and climbed into the passenger seat. Neither spoke until they reached the station.

“Stay close to me for now. Follow my lead and you’ll be fine,” Jensen finally stated. “Most cops react to us in one of two ways. Half of them will be happy to have the help while the other half will be resentful at the fact that their superiors felt the need to call in outside help. Be wary of that.”

“I understand.” Jared fiddled with the strap of his messenger bag. “I have dealt with police before; just not on this scale. I’ve just done some consultation work with JD.”

Jensen turned into the parking lot and cut the engine. “That’s better than nothing, I guess. But still, do as I say on this one. You do well, and you’ll get more freedom on another case. Got it?”

“Yes sir,” Jared replied softly. He hoisted his bag on his shoulder and followed Jensen inside the station. Jensen quickly greeted the chief while Jared hung back, looking around at the evidence boards while Jensen talked.

“Chief Erins, this is Dr. Padalecki.”

Jared turned back to the chief as Jensen introduced him. “Pleasure to meet you,” he greeted.

The chief looked at him skeptically with a raised eyebrow. “You’re a doctor? You look like you should still be in high school.”

Jared blushed wildly and looked towards Jensen. He fully expected his boss to reprimand him and agree with the chief. What he did instead surprised the hell out of Jared.

“Don’t let his looks fool you. He has more degrees than anyone on the team. He’ll be quite the asset on this case.”

Jared tried not to let his surprise show and it took him a moment to realize that Jensen was still talking to him and ordering him to start checking over the evidence. He quickly set to work, trying to find a pattern or anything he could. The victims were random, all in the wrong place at the wrong time. He continued to stare at the board, taking it all in, until Jensen returned later.

“Hey, the others just checked in. We’re meeting up at the park with some of the other officers as well to do a reenactment.”

“Any word on that bullet?” Jared asked as they made their way out of the station and walked towards the park. It was only a few blocks away and the other officers had gone ahead to set it up for them with Kristen’s supervision.

“Yeah,” Jensen huffed, running a hand through his hair. “JD said it got kind of heated between the surgeon and the hospital director.”

“Most surgeons tend to have narcissistic qualities and can be rather assertive in their capability, even when faced with facts that contradict them.”

“Yeah,” Jensen scoffed with wide eyes. “Anyway, they approved the surgery and JD has handed the bullet over to be processed. Felicia is going through records now to see what type of gun it fits and who in the area possibly owns that. It looks military though.”

“There’s gotta be, what, hundreds of ex-military in the area at best?”

“Pretty much,” Jensen sighed, hopping down a small embankment and down onto the parking lot of the park. “That’s why we’re doing this to see if we missed something that might help us with the profile so we can narrow it down.” The rest of the team came into view. “Alright guys. We’ve got an officer in the trunk of one of the cars in the lot. We think that’s most likely how he’s concealing himself from his victims when he goes on these shooting sprees. He’s going to use his radio to give us information on what he can see. The rest of you guys, you’re the victims.”

Chris put his arm around Jared’s shoulders and pulled him towards him. “Come on pretty boy. You’re with me this time.”

Jared gulped and nodded, allowing Christian to pull him towards the edge of the parking lot where two brothers had been shot days before. Jared instantly started looking around, trying to not pay attention to the way Chris’s eyes followed his every move.

“What do ya see, kid?” Chris asked after a few seconds.

Jared bit his lip. “Nothing.” Chris scrunched his forehead in confusion. “No I mean, I can’t see anything from this spot. The brothers were too far down the incline here to be able to see the parking lot and get a glimpse of the car and therefore the UNSUB. There is no point in interviewing either of them. They wouldn’t have seen anything that could help us.”

Chris smirked. “Good. Good observations.” He clapped Jared on the back, nearly knocking him over in his enthusiasm. He then grabbed his radio. “Hey Jen, we’ve got nothing here. The Potter brothers wouldn’t have seen anything. Jared’s about their height and can’t see the parking lot from here.”

“Yeah, Danni can’t see anything either so Ms. Riley wouldn’t have seen anything.”

“What about the other officers?”

“No luck,” Jensen answered. “Doesn’t look like anyone could see anything.”

“Great,” Chris huffed. “Back to square one.”

“Looks that way. Let’s head in and sort through everything again.”

“Got it boss.” Chris clipped his radio back onto his belt before turning toward Jared once more. “We’re packing it up. No one is seeing anything and tire tracks point towards that spot the police car is parked.” Chris shrugged. “Guy’s good.”

“Apparently,” Jared sighed, hating that he couldn’t figure things out yet. He wanted to know the answers. He felt like he almost needed to in order to get accepted by this team.

Jared’s foot was about to hit the pavement when a shot suddenly rang out. There was suddenly lots of screaming all around him. Jared felt something warm and wet hit his cheek and neck. The next thing he knew, he was on the ground with Christian on top of him. It took him a bit to realize Chris was actually talking to him.

“Jared! Come on kid! Are you hit?”

“What?” he asked softly. “I-”

“Shit! You’re covered in blood!”

“Blood?” With a shaky hand, Jared rubbed at the wetness on his cheek. His fingers came away red.

“Jare?” Christian started patting him down, obviously searching for a bullet wound.

Jared batted his hands away. “I don’t think I was hit. Nothing hurts. Well my shoulder but I think that’s just from hitting the ground. No blood there. I’m f-fine.”

Chris seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. “Stay down. Do not move, hear me?”

Jared nodded furiously and watched as Chris stood up some and looked around. They had landed on the side of the patrol car that faced the park. A few feet away from them, on the other side near the trunk, lay the officer who had been playing their sniper. Blood seeped from a hole in his head and began to pool on the ground, spreading out underneath the car. Jared flinched at the sight but didn’t dare move away.

“What the hell is going on?” Chris shouted out to everyone.

“Did anyone see anything?” Danni yelled back.

“No!” Jensen shouted. “What’s going on?”

There was more shouting, most of which was lost on Jared. His focus remained on the body lying in front of him. He couldn’t take his eyes off it.

“Shit, is he ok?” Jensen asked, suddenly at Jared’s side. The younger agent flinched as soon as Jensen touched him, not having noticed that his boss was at his side. “Hey, it’s just Jensen. Can you hear me Padalecki?”

Jared took in a shaky breath. “Y-yeah. Not my bl-blood.” He finally turned away from the body and looked at Jensen. “Not h-hit.” He closed his eyes for a moment. He felt someone pat his shoulder, but he didn’t know if it was Jensen or Chris. He didn’t care. It was comforting nonetheless.

“Let’s get you up,” Chris said softly. Along with Jensen, he helped Jared to his feet. He swayed a little but got his balance and shrugged out of their grip.

“I’m ok,” Jared replied a little stronger. He tried to take a deep breath but nearly gagged at the stench of blood in the air. He managed to keep it together. He had to. He couldn’t look weak to the team. He couldn’t be weak.

He felt an arm slide across his shoulders. He started to pull away but stopped when he heard the voice that went along with that arm. “Just me,” JD whispered. “Let’s get you your go bag and clean up some. Ok?”

“It’s at the station,” Jared said by way of an answer.

“Sounds good.” JD guided him to a nearby car. Jared was pretty sure JD told the others what he was doing, but he couldn’t be sure. He barely noticed the car moving the few blocks back to the station. He didn’t even realize they had reached their destination until JD was opening his door and helping him back out. “Is your bag still in the SUV or did you take it inside?”

“Car,” Jared replied, squinting from the brightness of the sun.

JD squeezed Jared’s shoulder. “Go ahead into the station and I’ll grab it for you.”

Jared didn’t reply but went ahead into the building. He walked past the officers and secretaries that had stayed behind. They all gaped at his appearance, but he didn’t stop. He scurried to the conference room that had the evidence boards. Something wasn’t right and he had to figure it out.

He was busy looking over everything when JD came in with his bag and the rest of the team returned. They all tried to get him to move away, to go get cleaned up, and to change but he never budged. He waved off the hands that tried to pull him away. He ignored the orders and pleas of the team.

“Jared, go change,” JD begged.

Jared nodded but didn’t move. His eyes scanned the evidence in front of him while he half listened to Jensen talk in the background. Jensen had long given up trying to make him leave to change.

“The news somehow heard about the reenactment. Probably from one of the local officers,” Jensen huffed, throwing down a folder onto the table near Jared. The papers spilled out, catching Jared’s attention. It was the report on the bullet the surgeon had removed as well as some information about the procedure and surgeon himself. Jared quickly read over it all while the others continued to talk.

“However it got out,” Danni stated, “this guy did not like the idea of someone else pretending to be him. He didn’t go after any of us, just Officer Ramsey.” She tapped her knuckles against the table. “Just our stand in sniper.”

“He wants all the attention on him. He’s probably a narcissist with control issues. He’s got a job where he doesn’t feel appreciated. He’s passed up for promotions and feels he’s working at something remedial, below his skill level,” Jared muttered. The others all turned to look at him. “Yet it’s a job that lets him do these shootings in the afternoon.”

“That could be anything really,” Jensen replied. “Could pull nights shifts at a gas station or-”

“No, no! He has too much medical history and-hospital! That’s what we’re missing!” Jared rubbed at his face, wincing at the feel of the dried blood.

“Jared,” JD gently said, “maybe you should sit down. Or head to the hotel to get cleaned up. It’s ok we-”

“No, listen!” Jared held up his hands. “We are looking at this all wrong. He’s a hospital worker of some form!”

“What?” Jensen asked. He walked over towards the board, trying to figure out what Jared was seeing.

“On the plane, someone mentioned that maybe he was a police officer or knew the inner workings of when shifts changed since all his shootings were at those times. But what if it is simply because those are the times he has available? I’m not ruling out the possibility that he was a cop at some point, because that would explain a lot as well. But I think it’s more than that! This guy’s got an intrinsic knowledge on where exactly to shoot in order to just injure, not kill. That’s not something he would know from just a military or police background.”

“Ok,” Jensen stated, still staring at the board. “What else?”

Jared scrubbed a hand over his face again. “You said he’s most likely a narcissist. He feels he’s somehow God’s gift to this world; that he’s the best in his field. Yet he’s been passed over for jobs he covets and has been forced into one he does not enjoy. He is therefore trying to prove he’s the best.” Jared paused and motioned towards the victims’ pictures. “What better way to do that than to cause a wave of injuries that you can treat?”

“Angel of Death,” JD gasped.

Jared pointed towards JD and nodded enthusiastically. “Richard Angelo poisoned patients at the Good Samaritan Hospital in New York back in the eighties because he wanted to be the hero. He wanted to prove that he could save people’s lives because he believed he was more capable than other nurses who were his superiors. But he wasn’t and he slipped up.”

“So we need to go back to the hospital,” Kristen said, already gathering her things.

Jared shook his head and held his hand over the files on the table. “We do but we’d be going in blind. We don’t have a name. I mean, this surgeon should definitely be questioned but I don’t know that we want to go in with just him in mind.”

“I think we should give the profile to the officers so they know what to look for and then go to the hospital. JD, I want you to talk to the surgeon again. Danni and Kristen, go talk to the hospital director. Give her the profile and see if she knows of anyone. Chris, I want you to stay here and give the profile to the police for me and get Felicia to start checking into hospital staff records. Make sure she cross checks them with people who were military and/or police.”

“Got it boss,” Chris replied.

“And Jared, you and I will go to the ER and talk with the staff. It could be very likely that our UNSUB works in that area of the hospital. I’d imagine surgeons and ER doctors and nurses are our best bets.”

“Definitely,” Jared agreed. He tried to keep his face straight, but he couldn’t help but crack a slight smile.

“Alright, let’s go.” Jensen grabbed Jared’s arm before he could get very far. “Go clean up first and change. I don’t think you want to go into the ER covered in blood, kid.”

“R-right,” Jared stuttered in reply, suddenly remembering that he was still covered in the fallen officer’s blood. He grabbed his bag from JD and quickly cleaned himself up in the nearby restroom.

Once Jared returned, the team separated to go in their respective directions with Jared once again following Jensen out to their SUV. Jensen paused for a moment once he was in the driver’s seat and looked at Jared. “That was a good catch in there. I will give you that. But that doesn’t mean I think you should be in the field like this. Ok?”

“I-I understand, sir,” Jared stammered nervously.

“Good.” With that, Jensen turned the key in the ignition and took off towards the hospital. It didn’t take long to reach the ER and head inside.

“Oh, sorry,” Jared quickly apologized as he bumped into a broad shouldered nurse. The guy sent him a look before nodding and brushing him off to head over to the nurses’ station. Jared continued after Jensen who was looking for the attending physician.

Once they found her, Dr. O’Brien didn’t seem to want to help much. “I’m sorry gentlemen, but as you can imagine we’ve had our hands full with these shootings. We’ve been short staffed for a while now and-Pellegrino! The lady in exam room two still needs to be cleaned up!”

The same nurse Jared had bumped into flinched at her tone and turned towards them. “I’m a nurse, not an orderly.”

“Well we don’t have that many orderlies so suck it up,” Dr. O’Brien snapped before turning back to the agents. “Sorry.” She ran a hand through her hair and gathered up some more clipboards. “Like I said, we’re short staffed so I don’t know who exactly has been working during all the shootings. And if you’ll excuse me I must be going.”

She took a step but Jared stepped in front of her, blocking her from moving. “I’m sorry ma’am. I understand you are busy but finding this person before they hurt anyone else would make your job easier, don’t you think?”

She glared at him but didn’t move at least.

“We think this person wouldn’t be someone who was actually scheduled to work during the times of the shootings. Rather it would be someone you called in. Someone who was always leaving right before the attacks and would be called in once you received the heads up that you were going to be crowded with the victims.”

Dr. O’Brien’s face scrunched up in thought before her eyes suddenly widened. “Oh God!” She dropped her clipboards and brought a hand to her mouth. “Pellegrino! Mark’s always been called in and-”

“Where is he now?” Jensen interrupted.

“I just sent him to exam room 2. I-”

“Listen to me,” Jensen calmly said. “You need to act like nothing is wrong. Do not set him off. I’m going to have Dr. Padalecki calmly leave the ER and call in for backup just in case. Then we’re going to search his locker and see what we find. You cannot tip him off. Understood?” She nodded vigorously. “Go tend to your patients. Padalecki, go outside and call the others as well as the station.”

Jared never got the chance to pull his phone from inside his bag. He never even made it past the hallway. Before he could reach the door, he saw Pellegrino return and felt intense pain shoot through his skull. He fell to his knees, but managed to stay conscious. When he lifted his head, he almost wished he hadn’t. He was looking directly into the barrel of a rifle.

Next Chapter
Masterpost

A/N: Thank you guys for the lovely response on the first chapter! I was a little nervous posting since I hadn’t written J2 in awhile. So thank you so much <3.