Three Hundred

As the BAU is trying to figure out how to save Reid and Garcia, Rossi calls for reinforcements, bringing in Garcia's secret fiancé and an old friend. What will happen when an enraged Aaron Hotchner races to the scene? My fantasy for episode 300.

Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds. If I did, Thomas Gibson would never have been fired!

I've read enough spoilers now that I know my image of what will happen is not where the show is going. This is just my fantasy.

Chapter One

Calling in Reinforcements

The remaining members of the BAU stood around, trying to figure out how to get Reid and Garcia out of the trouble they were in. The unsubs had let Reid call someone on the team and let them know what was happening. After all, as Mary said, they wanted the entire team to be in on the anxiety. She and her people wanted the BAU to suffer with the danger their colleagues were facing. Reid had chosen to call Rossi, knowing that Rossi was the only one who could bring in Penelope's fiancé. There would be hell to pay if Penelope was in trouble and her fiancé was not told. However, only Rossi and Reid knew about the engagement. Reid had a feeling Prentiss would not be happy to have her territory invaded.

"Tell us again, Rossi," JJ said. "What were Reid's exact words?"

Rossi sighed.

"I don't have a photographic memory, but the gist of what he said was that Mary, one of our own agents, is the ring leader. She has him at gun point and one of her cohorts has Garcia in a car with a gun to her head. Either Reid releases their leader, or they will kill Penelope."

"Damn it," Luke said.

The others nodded.

"We have their profile," Prentiss said, "and we need to figure out how we can get them to talk to us so we can negotiate the release of our agents. Dave, you wrote the book on hostage negotiating, I need you to take point on this."

"Emily, I'm too involved. This is like that time out in Colorado, with you and Reid, only this time, I'm far too close. Spencer and Penelope are too close to me. They're practically like my own kids. I can make some calls and get the best negotiator out here, but I can't do it."

Prentiss scowled, but she knew Rossi was correct. He couldn't be objective when the lives of Reid and Garcia were at stake. She didn't like it but she nodded her understanding.

"I'll just make some calls." Rossi stepped away out of hearing range of the rest of the team. There was another call he had to make first. He remembered Reid's guarded words when he'd called to tell them what was happening.

"Dave, there's someone else you need to call. You get me?"

"I got ya kid. I'll call him."

Rossi would have made that call even if Reid hadn't mentioned it. There was no way he could keep this from the man who was engaged to Penelope. He shuddered to think of the glare he'd get if he tried and that man found out later that Rossi hadn't called him. The team was going to get one hell of a shock, Rossi thought. If it wasn't for the dire circumstances, he would have chuckled at the idea of the looks on everyone's faces when they discovered not only that Penelope was engaged, but to whom she was engaged. He'd been looking forward to the moment it was announced publicly to enjoy the show. Sadly, this was no time for humor. He unlocked his phone and called a very familiar contact. The phone rang once and then he heard his best friend's voice answering.

"Hotchner."

"Aaron, it's Dave."

"Hey Dave. How are you? You miss us that much? You were just here last Saturday."

Rossi heard the smile in his friend's voice. He hated to say what he needed to say, to wipe that smile off Aaron's face. Since leaving the BAU, Rossi had seen his old friend smile more than he ever had before. Aaron had already been through more than anyone should have to face. He'd even left the bureau in order to keep his family safe from sickos that would go after them. Aaron had a right to expect that those he loved would be safe, as safe as the average person anyway. Penelope wasn't even an agent. Rossi clenched his fists and took a deep breath.

"Aaron, there's something I need to tell you."

"What is it?" Hotch sat up straight, bracing for bad news. He knew that tone of voice. How many times over the years had he used a similar tone to deliver bad news to families? His mouth formed the word, who, but he never said it. His throat had closed up with terror, and he didn't think he could speak if he had to. He felt tears coming to his eyes and his pulse racing.

"Aaron, I have bad news. It's—it's about Penelope. And Spencer actually. Both of them."

There was a pause. Finally, Hotch spoke.

"Go on. What has happened to Penelope and spencer?" His voice sounded strangled. He felt like he couldn't draw a deep breath. Arms crossed against his chest, he waited for his friend to continue.

"Well, we just finished this case," Rossi said. He went on to give Hotch the story as briefly as possible, ending with the information spencer had given him.

There was a long silence when Rossi had finished speaking. At last Hotch spoke. His words sounded brittle, bitten off through clenched teeth, Hotchner glare firmly in place.

"I'm on my way. Keep me posted."

"Aaron, we're going to get them out. I promise."

"You can't promise that, Dave. I can't go through this again. First Haley, then Jack being stalked and going into protection. Now Penelope and Spencer. I can't go through it again. I'm coming, and if Prentiss isn't able to deal with this, I will."

"Do you want me to tell them you're coming?"

"No. Let them be surprised. You know, while Morgan and savannah are visiting, we were going to have everybody over and make the big announcement. Penny wanted to tell everyone at once so we could see their shocked faces. Now I want them to be surprised. I don't want them to be prepared for this. What the hell is going on with the team that this should happen?"

"I know. We didn't expect this, Aaron. You know I love those two like they are my own. Come hell or high water, if it takes all I have, I'm not going to let any harm come to either one of them. Neither will anyone else, of course, but I'm telling you this as your friend. I'll do whatever it takes. Do you trust me?"

"Of course, I trust you, with all I have."

"Good. I'm sorry this won't end up being the grand surprise Kitten was hoping for. But I couldn't keep this from you. I knew you'd have to be a part of this. We could sure use your skills. You always were the best trainee I had. Are you going to bring Morgan with you?"

"Hell yes. I'll call him right now. Then I've got to call Jessica to make sure she's available for Jack. I'll see you in thirty. If anything changes, call me."

"You've got it. Hang in there, Aaron. We're going to win this one, just like we always do."

"Yes, but at whose expense." Aaron hung up and rushed for the door.

Author's Note:

I always loved the relationship between Hotch and Garcia. There was something sweet and magical between them. I liked Beth because she made him laugh. But once she was gone, I started thinking Hotch and Garcia would make a great match. I started shipping them hard after the Route 66 episode in Season 9 I think it is, and it became fixed after Internal affairs in season 11.