Hope you all enjoy the chapter!
Meanwhile the team had they speculations about JJ and Cruz's relationship. Of course, JJ was tired of the stares, whisper, rumors of people thinking they were having an affair. Of course, the team never brought it up, knowing she'd tell them when she was ready. That didn't stop Spencer from asking questions to JJ about Cruz, despite Harper's intervention. Rossi however knew something was going on but didn't suspect an affair, but he wasn't about to ask outright about the situation either in case something scandalous was going on.
"Water and power company was digging in the backyard, found the remains of two bodies" Hotch says.
"How long have the Johnsons lived here?" Alex asks.
"35 years and they're upstanding citizens. Husband's the block captain, the wife's on neighborhood watch" Spencer states.
"There's no indication of how long the bodies have been here" Alex says.
"We're waiting for the M. E. to arrive" Morgan says.
"Where's our personal M.E. today?" JJ asks Spencer, curious as to where Harper was.
"Daniel came down with a fever yesterday, that turned into an ear infection late last night. He refuses to calm down for anyone but Harper, so she stayed home today" Spencer explains.
"Ah you Reid men and your mothers" JJ says with a smile. Spencer can't help but chuckle.
"Forensics will tell us how long they've been down there" Hotch says continuing.
"Where's the family now?" Rossi asks.
"The husband and son work at the father's construction company. They're on their way back home right now, and Mrs. Johnson's inside the house" Spencer says.
"I'm going to go talk to her" Hotch says.
"How is she?" Rossi asks.
"Wishing we were Publishers Clearinghouse" Morgan says.
Once the father and son arrive on scene arrive, the son Lyle takes off running and Hotch takes off after him. They take the 3 family members into the Bureau for questioning.
As the team begins to figure out the case and are able to figure out the father, Charles, is the one that killed the four people buried in the yard, Rossi brings up a part of his past that he'd rather not remember.
After getting Amelia to bed, Daniel stays with Harper as she waits for Spencer to get home from work. She made sure to give Daniel the medication the doctor had given her earlier that day and hoped her baby would stop hurting. After a while Spencer came home but with a surprise guest, Dave.
"Hey kiddo, we missed having you today. How's the little man?" Rossi asks giving Harper a kiss on the cheek, careful not to wake Danny up, who was asleep in her arms.
"He's doing better. I gave him some medicine and hopefully he'll sleep a little better tonight" Harper says looking down at her son.
"Why haven't you tucked him in?" Spencer asks.
"I've tried, multiple times, he wakes up after 10 minutes and starts crying. So, I figure I'll just keep holding him, he'll sleep better and that'll help with him getting better" Harper says.
"Want me to take him?" Spencer asks.
"Nah, you go ahead and relax. I'm pretty sure Dave wants to talk to me" Harper says looking at the older man for confirmation.
"If that's alright. I know it's late" Rossi says glancing at his watch.
"Dave, it's only 9. Of course, for us that's late since the kids go to bed at 7:30 and plus I probably won't be in tomorrow anyhow" Harper says.
"Alright" Rossi says.
Harper takes Dave to the living room and they sit down as Spencer goes up to shower.
"So, tell me what's bugging you so much that you needed to talk to me. Rough day at the office?" Harper asks settling a blanket over Daniel.
"You have no idea. I just needed a reminder that I've changed since I was a kid" Rossi says.
"Of course, you have, and you shouldn't question that, ever" Harper says grabbing his hand.
"Thanks kiddo. You're good for me" Rossi says with a smile, squeezing her hand.
"I mean that's what us kids are for" Harper says.
Rossi sighs, "I know we haven't really talked about this in depth and it's kind of an unspoken agreement we all have, but for all intents and purposes you are my daughter. Spencer is my son-in-law, Amelia and Daniel are my grandkids. Nothing will change that" Rossi says.
"I'd hope not since you are their Papa. And if you think Daniel is clingy to me, I know Amelia loves you very much and if she weren't asleep right now, would be all over your lap" Harper says laughing as Spencer walks back in.
"Everything alright?" Spencer asks looking between the two.
"Well its official, Rossi has adopted me. Meet your father-in-law" Harper says giggling.
"I thought that was already understood" Spencer says confused.
"We've now actually talked about it now and made it more official" Rossi says with a smile.
"Ah, well I'd offer you something to drink to celebrate but I don't think we have anything right now" Spencer says.
Rossi gets up, "That's alright, I've got to get going but once Danny is better, you four are going to come over and we'll all have dinner" Rossi says.
"Of course, we can start making a regular thing, like I do with my mom and Sunday breakfast" Harper says standing up with Daniel still in her arms.
"I'd like that" Rossi says before saying his goodbyes before heading out.
Harper and Spencer headed up to their room as Harper laid Daniel in the middle of their bed, while she got ready for bed herself. After 10 minutes, Danny started getting fussy and waking up.
"Hey little man" Spencer says sitting on the bed near his son. Daniel looked over at Spencer and reached for him. Spencer smiled and picked up his one year old just as Harper walked out of the room. Harper couldn't help but smile at them until Danny saw her and started reaching for her instead.
Harper walked over and took him from Spencer, "Hi angel" Harper says as he settles in Harper's arms. Harper kissed him on the crown of his head as Spencer wrapped his arms around them.
Harper looks up at him, "How'd I'd get so lucky?" Harper asks leaning her head on his shoulder.
"I could ask the same" Spencer says kissing her.
Spencer heads to bed as Harper goes to sit in the rocking chair they have in Daniel's room. Harper pulls a blanket up over her and Danny before they both drift off to sleep.
Harper stays away from the office for a couple more days until Daniel is feeling better and acting more himself.
A few weeks after starting their new weekly tradition with Rossi, unless they of course were on a case, the Bureau held a sexual harassment seminar directed at Morgan and Garcia. Something the entire team found comical. Then Garcia had to deal with one of her ex-boyfriends from her pre-FBI days. Then on their next case, Rossi went off to help one of his friend and old Marine sergeant, Harrison Scott. Helping him reconnect with him son and getting to meet his grandson for the first time while the team worked on a case in Cleveland, OH on an UNSUB solving the community's crime problem.
Once the case in Ohio was solved, Spencer, Harper and JJ walked out of the BAU.
"You have any plans tonight?" Spencer asks.
"Uh, does sleep count as a plan?" JJ asks moving her purse onto her shoulder they all approach the elevator.
"We're going to a Korean film festival in Georgetown. You can come with us if you want. A lot of the entries probably aren't subtitled yet, but I can do a simultaneous whisper translation while we watch" Spencer says as Harper rolls her eyes at him as they ride down to the first floor.
"Sounds fun but I'm just really tired" JJ says as they exit.
"No worries JJ. Have a good night" Harper says waving as they part ways in the parking lot. Not knowing JJ was headed off to meet up with Cruz but instead is kidnapped.
Harper and Spencer get a late phone call, calling them in. Spencer is picked up by Morgan while Harper stays at the BAU when Will comes in holding Henry and is speaking with Hotch. Harper walks over.
"JJ's cell still hasn't shown up. I'm telling you, Hotch, she's in trouble" Will says.
"Garcia's tracking her car now" Hotch says to Will before turning to Harper. "Harper, will you take Henry up to my office?" Hotch asks looking at her.
"Of course," Harper says walking over to Will.
"Thank you" Hotch says as they continue walking.
"You go with Harper, love" Will says handing Henry over to Harper.
The two men continue walking while Harper takes Henry up to Hotch's office and closes the door, getting her godson settled.
While Penelope speaks on the phone with Spencer and Morgan, "I found it. It's on the south side of the street. They're here. Uh...ok. Yeah. I'll let you know" Garcia says before hanging up the phone and turning her attention to Will and Hotch.
"JJ's car's parked on Constitution. Morgan and Reid are on their way now" Penelope says.
"Find Matt Cruz. He'll know what's going on" Will speaks up.
"Section Chief Matt Cruz?" Garcia asks.
"Mm-hmm" Will answers.
Garcia picks up her phone and quickly calls someone, "Grant, it's Garcia. I need to speak to Matt Cruz" she says over the phone.
"That's why I couldn't tell you on the phone. JJ made me promise" Will says to Hotch.
"Yeah, I know what time it is. Get him now" Penelope says to Grant.
"Well, she was afraid someone was listening, but what does Cruz have to do with JJ's disappearance?" Hotch asks, wondering how their section chief was involved.
"They worked together at the State department" Will says.
"Neither one has mentioned that" Hotch says in disbelief.
"They couldn't. Their assignment was classified" Will says as Garcia hangs up the phone.
"No, past tense. JJ worked at the State department years ago" Penelope corrects.
"I thought that, too, until Cruz was assigned here and the secret calls and texts started again" he says before pulling his fingers through his hair, frustrated, "Look, all I know is, is JJ said if anything ever happened to her that Cruz would know what to do" Will says.
When another agent quickly walks into the round room, "Sir, there's a problem. Chief Cruz isn't answering and GPS on his mobile isn't transmitting" Agent Anderson says.
"That's the same thing as JJ" Garcia says making the realization.
"Garcia have Rossi and Blake check out Cruz's house, and, Anderson, put agent Jareau's family in protective custody" Hotch says before pulling out his phone.
"Yes, this is SSA Hotchner with the BAU. I need to speak to the Director" Hotch says before walking out of the round room.
Harper waits with Henry until Anderson comes walking into the room with Will.
"What's going on?" Harper asks from the chair with Henry.
"Condensed version? JJ and Cruz worked together at the State Department and now neither one of them can be reached" Will says walking over to stand next to Hotch's desk.
"Dr. Prentiss do you mind keeping an eye on them until I can arrange for protective custody?" Anderson asks from the doorway.
"Of course, not" Harper says.
"Thank you" Anderson says before leaving the room once again, closing the door behind him.
"Will, we will find her" Harper says.
Will only nods, as he starts pacing. Harper keeps Henry in her lap until he starts to fall asleep.
Anderson finally comes back a few hours later and takes the two into protective custody. Harper walks into the round room and waits with Penelope to hear more news.
"The Director's behind closed doors with the undersecretary of arms control and international security affairs. Hotch is on his way to the State department to get some answers" Morgan says walking down the hallway from his office with Spencer.
Once they reach the elevators they run into Rossi and Blake, "We found JJ's cell phone, but there wasn't any sign of her" Spencer says to the two agents joining them.
Rossi and Blake, who'd just finished checking to see if Cruz were home state, "Cruz is missing, too. His car is still in his garage, but mail and newspapers suggest that he's been gone at least 24 hours" Rossi says as they all walk into the BAU bullpen together.
The four of them head up to the round room, where Penelope is sitting on her laptop, working on JJ's phone, which Morgan and Spencer recovered near where they found her car.
"I'm trying. I'm trying-I'm trying to pull data off JJ's phone, but it's like level 9 security. It would make Snowden weep" Garcia says.
"What about cell phone records?" Alex asks.
"Encrypted. JJ's and Cruz's" Garcia explains.
"That's not surprising if they work for the State department" Rossi says.
"But if that assignment was a backstop, then JJ's transfer as D.O.D. Liaison was her cover" Morgan says.
"So, what was she really doing that year?" Spencer asks, concerned. Harper held onto his arm, reassuring him.
"That's the first question Hotch is gonna ask. Strauss was pressured by the Executive branch to push JJ's transfer through in 2010, so she would have known the reason why" Morgan say as they all stand around the round table.
"Any assignment Strauss authorized would be archived in the SCIF" Spencer says.
"That facility is code word classified" Garcia says.
"Ok, but Anderson can get you in. He archives those reports" Morgan says to Garcia before turning to the rest of the group.
"Blake, Rossi, JJ couldn't have used the SCIF without drawing attention. She probably has it foxholed right here in the BAU. We just need to find it" Morgan says.
"And what are you not telling us?" Alex asks.
"Whoever took Cruz and JJ is highly trained and highly organized. Justice, Defense, and State-they wouldn't be on edge like this if this were a simple matter of two missing agents" Morgan says.
"Is Hotch worried that the recovery won't be made a priority?" Rossi asks.
"It's our job to find the leverage that assures it is. Let's get it done" Morgan says at the team breaks off.
Garcia, Harper, and Spencer gain access to Secure Compartmentalized Information Facility or SCIF, making their way inside the white room they split up.
"Most of the files are kept on hard copy to prevent digital espionage" Spencer says unlocking a cabinet with a bunch of paper files inside. He hands a stack of files to Harper and then grabs some for himself.
"Ok. Good thing the two of you read around 20,000 words per minute. Time to get my spy face on" Penelope says making her way over to the computer in the center of the room.
Meanwhile, Blake and Rossi make their way to JJ's old office, "This must be JJ's foxhole. It was her office when she was liaison. Hotch handles most of the paperwork now, but before JJ was a profiler, she reviewed cases in here" Rossi says as they enter the room and close the door behind them.
"Well, she wouldn't hide anything too far out of reach" Alex says as they both look around the room before discovering a small safe with a combination lock. "All right, 4 digits. Any ideas?" Alex asks looking up at Rossi as she kneels to pick up the safe and set it on the desk.
"Henry's birthday is November 12th" Rossi says.
"1112 that's too easy" Alex says when the light blinks red.
"Try 2008, the year she became a mom" Rossi suggests.
Alex enters the code, and the light flashes green, beeping to indicate it was open.
"Yep" she says and opens the door before pulling out a file.
"What's integrity?" Blake asks.
"I don't know. But someone does" Rossi says before pulling out his phone to text Hotch and Spencer.
Meanwhile Hotch stands in a board room, "Agent Hotchner, we told you we were handling this" the female Secretary states.
"Yes, madame Secretary. I thought it would be a good idea if we shared information" Hotch suggests.
"Tell us what you know" the woman says.
"Well, it might save time if you told me the true nature of agent Jareau's reassignment in 2010" Hotch says.
"She was D. O. D. liaison to the State department, but you already know that" the Secretary states.
"I know that that was her backstop. I'm referring to something called "Integrity"." Hotch says.
The Secretary goes still, "Clear the room, please" she says, and multiple agents get up to leave. She gets up and walks over to stand in front of Hotch.
"So, agent Jareau was on a taskforce to find Bin Laden and Integrity was the name of the operation?" Hotch asks to clarify.
"No. Integrity's the name of a database born out of that mission. A failsafe put in place to protect covert agents and operations. You shouldn't even know it exists" the Secretary says.
"But agent Jareau and agent Cruz know, and that's why they've been taken" Hotch says.
"We believe so. Both have the necessary codes to access the system" she says.
Spencer also receives the same text message, ""Integrity."" Spencer says stopping to think before turning to Garcia.
"Garcia, cross-reference keyword "Integrity" against Middle East operations dating back to 2010. Focus specifically on military action taken against Osama bin Laden and/or al-Qaeda" Spencer says walking over to Penelope at the computer as Harper puts the file she's currently reading down.
"Now we're talking. Whoa" Garcia says looking more intently at the screen.
"What did you find?" Spencer asks curious as Harper pears over Garcia's other shoulder.
"A ghost file in a ghost folder on a ghost server that nobody wants me to know about. I'll have to resurrect some gigabytes" Garcia says getting to work on the computer.
After a few minutes, Penelope opens one of the files on the ghost folder, "Reid" she says after looking at the image.
"Why was JJ in the Middle East?" Spencer asks.
"And what were Cruz and Strauss doing there?" Harper asks looking closer at the photo before exchanging looks with Garcia.
Sorry for the cliffhanger! Hoping to have the next chapter up soon! Please leave a comment or review letting me know just about anything!