as if it were any other day, you stood in the BAU kitchen, making your second cup of coffee. the office buzzed quietly around you, agents walking by, the familiar hum of voices blending into the background. just another routine day—or so you thought—until a sudden wave of dizziness hit.

you paused, gripping the counter, willing the sensation to pass. just exhaustion, you told yourself. between the sleepless nights and the back-to-back cases, it was no surprise you felt drained. but as you made your way back to your desk, the dizziness grew stronger. the reports in front of you became blurry, impossible to focus on.

a cold sweat formed on your skin. something was wrong. you shook your head, trying to clear the fog, but your hand slipped, knocking your coffee cup off the desk. the shattering sound made heads turn, but their concerned faces seemed so far away, like you were watching them from a distance.

you tried to stand, to call out for help, but your legs gave out beneath you. panic shot through you as the room spun violently. emily. i need emily.

just as you felt yourself begin to collapse, a pair of familiar strong arms caught you. emily was there, her voice a mix of urgency and concern. “i’ve got you,” she whispered, holding you close as she knelt beside you. her touch, normally so confident, trembled ever so slightly.

“stay with me, okay?” her voice cracked, something rare for her. “help is on the way.”

you tried to speak, to tell her how scared you were, but your voice wouldn’t cooperate. the words were stuck in your throat. you managed to whisper, “em…”

“i’m here,” she said, her thumb gently brushing your cheek. her usually sharp, fearless eyes were clouded with worry. “i’m not going anywhere. just hang on, alright? stay with me. please.”