Chapter Text
November 2019 - Los Angeles
”I can’t just sit around and wait for the hopes that maybe someday you’ll be ready. I would resent you. And I would hate you. I don’t ever want that.” Jessica started
”So, what does that mean?” Nolan asked.
“I’m- I’m gonna go home and I’ll come back tomorrow for my stuff when you’re not here.” She finally said before she gave him one last kiss.
Breaking up with him was one of the hardest things she has had to do. She closed the door and got into her car, taking herself home.
They survived a missile situation together, but this situation wasn’t something that they could make it through. John couldn’t give up his career again and she couldn’t give up her dream of being a mother.
The next day, while John was at work, Jessica went by his house to get the last of her things.
Earlier that morning, she has gotten a call from work to come in, with apologies for not getting her day off.
When she stepped out of the elevator, she seen two of the higher ups waiting in a conference room.
She knew they were there for her as a secretary had told her so.
As she walked in, they shook her hand. “I’m Unit Chief Emily Prentiss and this is Special Agent Rossi. We have profiled and arrested a virus murderer or as people call him the haemorrhagic killer.”
The brunette agent looked at her subordinate to continue, “He was making or trafficking the virus from an another country. He gave us the name of the guy he reports to; but we have no proof that he is telling the truth.”
Emily spoke once again, “We felt that a DHS agent would be a better fit to go undercover because of the knowledge of viruses and diseases. I contacted your boss for his most experienced agent and he set this meeting up for us. I believe that your past experience in hostage negotiation and experience here as a DHS agent, that you are the perfect person for this operation. Is this something that you are interested in?”
One thing that Jessica knew was that this was a once in a lifetime opportunity. The FBI almost always uses their own agents for undercover work. Now she had been with the FBI before, but it all felt surreal to her. The best unit coming halfway across the world to put her undercover.
“Of course. Do you have a cover story yet? When would I start?” She asked.
“Before you agree to this, I want you to know that this is a huge decision. You would be moving to Chicago for who knows how long. You will be around some of the worst criminals. We don’t know how long this operation will last. You won’t be able to talk to anyone with the exception of your case worker.”
”I want to do this chief. I’ve done a few small undercover cases and I’m ready for this.”
”We will call and have your things shipped to Chicago. We will follow you to your house to get a few pairs of clothes and whatever else you may need until everything arrives. Then we will head to the jet and head to Illinois.”
December 19th 2019 - Chicago
Jessica had been living in Chicago for the past month. She had little to no contact with her family or friends as she was preparing for the operation. Emily and the rest of the behavioural analysis unit had planned to come over today to discuss her identity.
she had thought about that negative pregnancy test since the day she peed on the stick, but now she had to let it go. She can’t be distracted when she has a job to do. She was about to experience the biggest moment in her career.
The hardest adjustment that she had to make was the difference in temperature. In Los Angeles, she thought it was chilly compared to their normal fall weather, but when she landed in Chicago, it was torture.
It was just cold at first but over the past few days there had been a snowstorm. Roads were unsafe to drive on because of the ice and 15 inches of snow. It hadn’t been done. It continued to snow for another 12 hours.
“Sorry we are late. It was hell driving on those roads.” Emily said as she walked through the now open door, followed by the rest of the team that she had yet to meet.
Rossi introduced the team, “These are special agents, Jennifer Jareau, Tara Lewis, Matt Simmons, Luke Alves, and Doctor Spencer Reid.” Pointing at each as he named them.
They got to chatting about themselves for a bit before getting to the cover story. “Starting tomorrow you will not be Jessica Russo anymore. You will be Renee Royce, an international financial lawyer. We had Travis Ferro set up a meeting as they didn’t know he was arrested.” Emily began.
The blonde agent took over, “Your job will be useful to them as you work internationally and they likely do as well to get the viruses here. You also know finances and law, so they will be able to use your skills.”
”We have installed cameras with audio and will be turning them on tomorrow. They are in every room with the exception of the bathroom. They may have you turn off your phone during the meeting, so we have a pen with a mic in it.” The tall doctor explained.
December 20th 2019 - Chicago
She didn’t know the name of the guy she was meeting with, just the location and time to show up.
A short, thin, pasty white guy, that looked like he just came from the library was definitely not who she was expecting to meet.
He made his way towards her and reached for her phone with one hand and placing it in a box before patting her down.
“Follow me” he ordered as he led her to a room in the back:
“Call me Runtz.” He introduced himself as he opened the door. “That’s DeeDee. He likes machetes. That’s big T. He’s in charge” Runtz looked at Renee. “And that’s big T’s right hand man, JayV.”
T gestured towards the chair and waited until Renee sat down “Let’s get started with what you will be doing. Due to legal reasons none of us can go international and let’s just say that our last international runner disappeared. Your job would simply be flying into another country and going to a set of coordinates that is sent to a burner phone. You will dispose of said burner phone after every run. Also if any of us run into illegal financial problems, you will be there to represent us.”
After many intimidation and threat tactics, Runtz was ordered to escort her out.
In the distance she could here T give out an order, “Just because Horse vouched for that chick doesn’t mean that we don’t comb through her life. Deedee go keep a tail on her for the next 48 hours. Make sure she doesn’t report to anybody. We will stay here and cover the rest.”
Renee had an experience tailing people, but it was safe to say that big T’s men were not. It could have been the loudness or the brightness of the car that gave him away or maybe both.
If you are gonna tail someone, rule number one is to not be noticeable and he definitely failed that.
February 19th 2020 - Chicago
*Alarms blaring* squad 3- Engine 51 single car accident, 5512 South Sangamon.
They rushed to put on their gear and sped off with wailing sirens
When they arrived, Severide immediately assessed the scene. The sounds of electricity crackling was heard.
Kelly immediately barked out orders, “Car's energized, keep your distance.Tony, get on the horn with com-ed and get this line cut.”
“Uh, I knew to not get out of the car.“ Renee announced.
”You knew right. You hurt?” Kelly asked.
“No, I don’t think so.”
“What happened?”
“Well, this animal just darted out, right out in front of my car and...”
“Well, looks like you missed him, so PETA will be happy.”
not much longer later, they were able to move the electrical wire away from the car, and Renee out of the car.
***
Jessica knew that she couldn’t reveal her real identity because it could put their operation at risk.
She took the next few hours debating if she wanted to take her shot with the firefighter. If she were able to eventually reveal her identity, it could ruin the trust he would have for her if they started a relationship.
Ultimately, she made her decision and walked into the firehouse with a box. “Remember me? I tried to electrocute you earlier?”
”I remember.” Lieutenant Severide confirmed.
“For you. Chocolates.”
“Well, thanks, but it's not...”
“No. No, please. I mean, it doesn't even begin to repay you for all your help.”
“Miss...”
“Uh, Renee Royce.”
“Ah.”
Jessica giggles, “Call me Renee.”
“Um, look, my services are free.”
“This is gonna sound, um... okay, what the hell Do you want to have lunch or coffee sometime. It doesn't have to be today…”
“Look, it's a really nice offer.”
“Come on, just say yes.”
“Miss Royce?”
“Yes.”
“There's a well-known phenomenon where people who have been rescued become attracted to the men that helped them. Believe me, this will wear off in 30 minutes, tops.”
“Thank you again.”
“Yeah. It was my pleasure.”
***
“What's shaking, Sparkles?” Kelly asked his best friend, Shay.
“What's up with you?”
“Nothing.”
“Are you on something again?”
“What?”
“I know I'm not giving you painkillers. You'd think after Thanksgiving that you'd be...
“No. I'm finally feeling better, Shay, and when I have a good day I don't question it. So maybe you shouldn't either. And by the way, didn't we have an agreement when we first moved in that we wouldn't get in each other's business?”
”This isn't some personal thing. This is serious, what you're doing.”
“I'm not doing anything!”
“Anyhow...” the blond sighed, “I came to tell you there's someone looking for you on the floor.”
“It has been over 30 minutes, and it hasn't worn off.” Renee announced as Kelly came into her line of sight.
“Well, how about that?”
”Because you made me wait, it is now going to be dinner.”
“Is it?”
“Have you ever been to Francesca's? ‘Cause we're in for tomorrow night.”
“Where is this place?”