My eyelids fluttered slightly, revealing a slit of blinding white light. It stung and I squeezed them shut again, groaning in pain. My head was killing me. Although, I couldn't feel anything from the neck down, I was completely numb. "Mariella?" a washed out voice drifted from beside me "Are you okay? Squeeze my hand if you can hear me." I managed to use what little strength I had to force my fingers to twitch as a pair of cold hands wrapped around mine. Or at least I assumed they were cold. A long sigh escaped me; I felt weak as a kitten. Even breathing was difficult.
"Ella?" A panicked cry rang loudly in my ears, making me flinch before I realised who it belonged to. I struggled to open my eyes to see a tall figure trying to break free from two others both garbed in white coats "Let me through! I have a right to see my girlfriend!" At this my eyes flew open, a dizziness sweeping through me as I struggled to free myself from the tubes and wires keeping me pinned to the bed. I tried to speak but found my mouth and nose was covered with an oxygen mask, making any type of attempt of verbal communication pointless.
My eyes were wild as I fought feebly to sit upright. The man who had spoken to me just moments earlier moved away and put a hand on my distressed visitor's shoulder "You're working her up, sir. Leave and let her rest." What? No, I didn't want him to leave. He couldn't. I struggled harder until suddenly, a wave of peacefulness swept over me. Crap. I narrowed my eyes at the woman who had her hand firmly on the button controlling pain relief before my eyes drifted closed once more. The last thing I heard was someone let out a muffled sob before my world became completely dark...
"Hello, I'm looking for Agent Hotchner?"
Everyone froze at the sudden voice behind them and Ella shot out of her seat, prompting Stella to jump in front of her and hold her back. The dark skinned woman blinked as she glared at the man in front of her. A slight panic rose within her as she fought to gather herself at this unexpected visitor "Long time no see, Nathan." He chuckled and ducked his head "Lovely to see you too, Stell."
"Don't call me that" she snapped "You're lucky I haven't kicked your sorry arse out the door yet." Nathan smirked, shoving his hands in his blazer pockets. His gaze wondered behind the angry female before him to the blonde stood behind her. Her green eyes were wide and shining as she gazed at him wondrously, as if he was just an illusion.
She blinked and stepped forward, reaching out to touch his face softly "N... Nathan?" Her voice came out as an unusually quiet whisper and he smiled sadly "Yeah." He leaned into her touch and she ran a hand through his hazelnut locks tenderly "You're here. But... But how?" She frowned and swallowed deeply, trying to blink back the tears that threatened the fall. He shook his head slightly "I never stopped searching."
Before anyone could react, she flung her arms around his neck, hugging him closely to her body. Nathan stumbled back but smiled brightly, holding her tightly and rocking her small frame. Stella narrowed her eyes and Morgan cleared his throat "And, uh, who are you?" Rossi raised an eyebrow and nudged Emily who was frozen in shock at the display. "Go get the other two" he mumbled.
Nathan laughed lightly and stepped back, his hand lingering on Ella's waist "Pardon me, Sir. My name is Nathan James. I am the lawyer Agent Hotchner has employed for Mr Preston today." Stella tipped back her head and groaned loudly, not noticing Emily had now left "You better hope for sake I'm imagining this, Nathan James!"
A few moments later, Reid and Paige jogged out of the conference room followed closely by Emily. The Doctor scowled in confusion as he took in the current situation "What is going on?" He demanded.
"As I said" Emily pursed her lips "This is the lawyer."
Paige gaped slightly and shook her head "Not you."
Nathan gasped when he saw her, clicking his fingers "Oh hello there! You're the young lady from the street the other day!" She nodded slowly and he frowned, puzzled. He looked between Stella and the woman draped around him before smiled broadly "Oh my God, Pippa! I didn't recognise you!"
"Its Paige" she corrected, folding her arms.
"Do you lot know each other?" JJ asked, earning a look from the four of them. Ella nodded and stepped back finally "He's my partner." She ignored the snort she received from Stella as Rossi nodded slowly "I gathered."
Everybody stood in a stunned silence before Nathan cleared his throat and stood straighter, refining his professional prowess once more "I'd better go and see Hotchner." Reid gestured wordlessly to his Superior's office, watching the taller man stride past them all and knock on the door. He turned to Paige "I'm guessing its a long story?"
She smiled and spun on the spot, her arms still crossed "You could say that."
YOU ARE READING
New Order (A Criminal Minds fanficfion)
Fanfiction'Man is not what he thinks he is, he's what he hides'- André Malraux. Six months ago a terrorist attack in London left eighty people dead. But three escaped. Now they're back with a new team and a vengeance. When offered a place at Quantico's Behavi...
