"In days that follow, I discover that anger is easier to handle than grief"
-Emily Griffin-

Maya was rearranging her desk even though she barley had anything but a notebook, a few pens and small key chains. She didn't have any pictures to put up because she didn't like to reminisce on the past. Looking at old pictures always brought back some sort of memory and Maya always thought it was best to focus on the present because it was the only thing she could fix at the time being... not the past, not the future but the present.

A door slammed in the distance and Maya raised her head, seeing Derek leave Aaron's office and Maya could tell it was a pretty heated conversation. Derek takes a seat at one of the desks and scoffs as he recalls the moments that happened just a few moments ago. Maya looked around and noticed no one comforting him, like they already knew what was wrong and they didn't want to poke the bear. But Maya was reckless, she always poked the bear.

"Is... everything okay?" Maya asks slowly, scooting her chair a tad closer. Derek looks over at her, a hint of distance in his eyes. "You wouldn't understand" Derek replies making Maya scoff at his comment. "Why wouldn't I? Is this about- Emily?" Maya asks but Derek doesn't answer which confirms that the answer is yes.

"Considering the way, you carry yourself I have a feeling you wouldn't care about my feelings or anyone's feelings at that" Derek states honestly and you could tell he regretted it. Maya nodded her head slowly, understanding that he needed space but also not understanding why he had to be so harsh. But at the same time... she poked the bear.

"Wow... just when I was starting to like you Agent Morgan" Maya says before sucking her teeth and scooting back over to her clean and plain desk.

_____

Later, the team meets up in the office to discuss the mass murder that has happened in Tampa Bay. "A deadly chain of events to report to you today. Approximately 45 minutes ago, 4 people were shot to death in a gun shop on west waters street. Tampa P.D. is calling this mass murder unprecedented" The news reported states on screen before Hotch pauses the video.

"A woman went in there and just shot up the place?" Maya asks, shocked at the story she just heard. "Yeah, witnesses heard gunshots and saw a woman leaving the store" Garcia agrees. "Is there enough for a sketch?" Derek asks but there isn't since the business was family owned so there were no cameras set up making the woman unidentified.

"Witnesses say she was really calm," Garcia says. "Calm? She killed four people and walked out calmly?" Maya asks genuinely to which Garcia nods her head. "Like an office or school shooter" Rossi mentions while he wonders if the woman worked at the store, but it was clear she did not.

The group starts to pack up their things so they can head out and Maya is left with Garcia in the room, giving Garcia her time to shine. "Hey, uh-" Garcia starts off, already making it awkward and Maya furrows her eyebrows as she looks to Garcia while placing papers in its rightful case file. "I don't want this to sound weird, but I looked you up. I do that with everyone, don't worry-".

"What? What do you mean looked me up?" Maya interrupts, afraid where this is going.

"No, no. I looked you up and it's like you're the perfect American citizen and then I kept digging and found a file. A file which I cannot open, and I am surprised" Garcia rants making Maya's eyes grow wider. "The file is shut for a reason, and I suggest if you want to keep smiling you won't unlock it" Maya states as she steps closer and closer to Garcia, hearing the trembles in her breath.

"I- I wasn't trying to make you mad but when I start a project, I can't stop and it's obvious there's something you don't want me to see-- something you don't want any of us to see" Garcia continues, stammering over every word until Maya backs her into a wall, forcing Garcia to let out a low squeal in the process.

Maya takes one last look at Garcia seeing the fear in her eyes and Maya hopes and prays Garcia doesn't open that file because if she does her career could be ruined and she didn't pay a fortune just for that file to be open by some pretty pink unicorn who knows how to work on computers.

_____

The team gathers on the jet and looks through the files of the victims who were killed. "This is Larry Connors, he was born and raised in Tampa. He's the one who owned the gun shop" Hotch informs, showing everyone the picture of him before looking at pictures from the crime scene.

"She killed men that could've easily taken her down" Maya states while Derek nods in agreement. "And she still got the drop on all of them" Derek adds. "Men like this may not view her as a threat because she's a woman".

"Who's likely in the middle of a psychotic break" Reid adds onto the statement. The team begins to think that the woman is angry which would explain her large spree kill but the real thing they want to know is why she chose to today... of all days.

The team has gathered up at the office and Reid is already gathering information on the board to help get closer to find the suspect. Maya seen Garcia was on the phone and as her voice rang out through the call, she couldn't help but remember what Garcia told her earlier. Garcia wasn't threatening, but her words were.

Once Maya was forced out of her trance, she walked away and decided to grab a cup of coffee instead, hoping it'll help with the anxiety seeping through her. But when she went to reach for the handle of the coffee pot, her hands begin to shake.

A lot of things happened in Maya's past, and she would be devastated if that information got out right when she landed the job of her dreams. The job that ultimately saved her. There's a chance she could lose her job if the past did come out, and she didn't want to put anyone in danger especially herself considering the things she did and had to do in order to survive because that was her life.

Life or death? and she was only choosing one option because if she didn't, she would've lost the person she cares most about in this world...

Maya forgets about the coffee and makes her way back to the office. "See you didn't get any coffee" Derek mumbles as he skims through some case files. Maya clears her throat, her sweaty shaky hands sliding down her jeans for comfort before she takes a seat at the table as Reid theorizes to Garcia that the unsub was most likely in an abusive relationship and took the bullets from her husband/boyfriend, who might have had locked up her weapon. But that theory is pretty thin.

"If we're looking for domestic violence complaints, we're going to be here all day" Maya states. "Why?" Derek asks. "I'll tell you why" Garcia voices. "Florida's a stand-your-ground state" Garcia adds, answering Derek's question. "Which means anyone who owns a home can use any force necessary to protect their land" Maya adds on.

Suddenly, Reid's phone beeps and he looks to see the problem. "There's been another shooting".

_____

The whole team, including Hotch and Rossi, gather back at the station and go over the map. "Her emotional turmoil appears to be manifesting in the geographic patter of her spree" Reid explains but confused the detective. "It means there's a reason she hasn't left" Hotch adds on while Maya gently rests on top of the table beside Derek.

The team learns that the woman's movements are erratic, but clearly indicate that she is not seeking escape. "It's like she has nothing to live for" Rossi states. "What if she lost someone? Could explain why she's going on this spree. Every person she sees reminds her of what or who she lost" Maya states, trying to figure out what's going through this woman's head.

"I agree. She may have suffered a loss and is blaming someone for it," Derek. suggests, adding onto Maya's statement.

The team then delivers its profile to the assembled cops: the woman likely lost a child and not from natural causes. She blames someone and is seeking that person out today. "This rampage is her final attempt to be heard," Rossi says...

After witnessing the public's reaction to the unknown woman's actions on the news, Hotch's mind raced with possibilities. He proposed to the team, "What if we reach out to her? Let her know that the FBI is willing to listen?"

Taking charge, Hotch stepped before the press, his demeanor calm yet empathetic as he addressed the situation. "To the woman we're seeking, we understand that you have something important to say. We are listening. We want to know how we can help," he stated, his words carrying a genuine sincerity.

Back at the BAU headquarters, the team gathered around a table, their expressions focused and determined. They were piecing together the puzzle of the woman's motive, knowing that she targeted individuals who were perceived as heroes but failed in her eyes.

Garcia, with her usual flair for finding crucial details, delved into accident reports from the past year. Her fingers danced across the keyboard as she unearthed a tragic incident-a high-speed chase that ended in tragedy when a liquor store thief crashed into a car driven by a mother named Shelley Chamberlain, resulting in the death of her son.

"It happened exactly 365 days ago," Garcia announced, her voice tinged with sadness. "And it was the boy's birthday."

Rossi, ever perceptive, remarked, "Losing a child on the same date every year, that's an unimaginable burden."

Maya, observing the somber atmosphere, added, "It's a constant reminder of her loss, a relentless source of pain."

Garcia interjected with a crucial observation, "The media coverage of her son's death was overshadowed by another tragedy-a police officer killed in the line of duty just prior to the accident."

"That's the key," Maya affirmed, her eyes narrowing with understanding. "She wants people to remember what happened to her son. She's seeking justice in her own way."

The team acknowledged the gravity of the situation. "She's experienced a psychotic break," Maya concluded, her voice tinged with empathy for the grieving mother.

As they delved deeper into the woman's psyche, they knew that unraveling her motivations was crucial to stopping her before more lives were lost.

_____

At Don's home, Don being the woman's ex-husband, Shelley is trying to talk to him. She asks if the father will go to their deceased son's favorite spot to celebrate his birthday. Sometime later, the team bursts through the door of Shelley's house to find all the mirrors broken. "She can't even look at herself" Maya observes as she maneuvers around the broken glass.

"She's built emotional walls- guilt, worthlessness, hopelessness" Rossi adds on as Maya looks around the room in shock at how a woman could be so disgusted with herself she can't even face herself in the mirror. "She must've decided today, of all days, she didn't want to wake up with that guilt" Maya mumbles to herself as she continues to look around the room, trailing her fingers along the small items in her room. In a sense, Maya understood the women's pain. She lost someone and blamed herself for it and wanted to get back at everyone else for not caring as much as she did.

Reid and Derek, who enter the ex-husbands house, find it empty. Reid finds a box containing items from the dead boy's life. It appears as if the family spent his last three birthdays at a local burger joint. This could be a lead...

_____

The atmosphere in the burger joint was tense, a palpable mix of grief and anger swirling around the booth where Don and Shelley sat. The dim lighting cast shadows on their faces as they navigated the painful memories of their son's birthday.

Shelley's eyes glinted with unshed tears as she ordered the "birthday surprise," only to be met with the server's policy that it was reserved for children. The disappointment in her voice was laced with raw emotion, her hands trembling slightly as she clenched the menu.

"Don, he's gone!" Shelley's voice cracked with anguish, her pain spilling out in waves. "How can you act like it's just another day?"

Don's expression softened, his gaze meeting hers with a mixture of empathy and sorrow. "There's not a day that goes by that I don't think of him," he confessed, his voice heavy with grief. "But at some point, we have to find a way to move forward."

The tension in the air was palpable as Shelley's eyes darted to a nearby table where a family was celebrating with the coveted "birthday surprise." Her grip on reality seemed to slip as anger and desperation consumed her.

The arrival of the BAU team added a sense of urgency to the situation. Families huddled together outside, safe but fearful for those still trapped inside with Shelley and Don, the atmosphere fraught with uncertainty and danger.

"We need to act fast," the officer stated, his voice tinged with urgency as he considered calling in SWAT.

Maya shook her head vehemently. "No, we can't risk escalating the situation," she argued, her eyes fixed on the burger joint where Shelley held a gun.

"She's already at her breaking point. If we make a wrong move, she could start shooting," Maya warned, her concern for the hostages and Shelley's mental state evident in her voice.

Hotch stepped forward, his demeanor calm yet resolute. "I'll go in and talk to her," he announced, his gaze meeting Maya's with a silent understanding of the delicate nature of the situation.

"It's too risky. She's armed," the officer protested, but Maya intervened, her voice firm. "She's grieving. We have to approach this with empathy, not force."

After tense negotiations, Hotch entered the burger joint, his heart heavy with the weight of the situation. "Shelley, I'm with the FBI," he began softly, his tone gentle yet authoritative. "I know today is Damien's birthday, and I want to express my deepest condolences for your loss."

Hotch's words seemed to pierce through Shelley's grief-stricken haze. He pulled out a photo of Damien, offering it to her. "I want you to have this back," he said, taking a step closer. "Blaming yourself won't bring him back. You have to let go of the guilt."

Shelley's resolve crumbled as memories flooded her mind. She recounted the tragic accident, the moment when her son's life was taken away in an instant. Tears streamed down her cheeks as Don reached out to comfort her, his own guilt and sorrow laid bare.

"Losing him was not your fault," Hotch reiterated, his voice a steady anchor in the storm of emotions. He handed Shelley the photo, a symbol of closure and healing.

Shelley studied the picture, her hands trembling as she traced the faces of her family. The weight of her grief was palpable, yet there was a glimmer of acceptance and forgiveness in her tear-stained eyes.

As the team watched from outside, a collective breath was released when Don gently took the gun from Shelley's grasp. The moment was filled with a poignant silence, a catharsis of emotions as Shelley let go of the burden of guilt and embraced the memories of her beloved son.

_____

The BAU team returned to headquarters, the weight of their latest case heavy on their shoulders. Maya wasted no time and headed straight to Garcia's office, her expression dark and determined.

Garcia, though trying to maintain her usual cheerfulness, couldn't hide the unease in her voice as she greeted Maya. "Hey there," she said, her tone tinged with apprehension.

"I'm not here to scare you," Maya stated bluntly, her eyes locking onto Garcia's.

"You did that when you walked in the room," Garcia retorted, her voice edged with a hint of defiance as she sized up Maya. The aura of intimidation surrounding Maya was palpable, casting a shadow over the normally vibrant office.

"I didn't open that file, if that's what you're wondering," Garcia offered, a slight tremor in her voice betraying her nervousness. "But whoever you got to lock it is damn good at their job."

Maya's gaze hardened; her features set in determination. "Listen, please don't open that file," she implored, taking a few steps closer to Garcia. "There are things in there that nobody should know. Trust me, it's shut for a reason."

Garcia swallowed hard, her eyes darting around the room. "I won't, but I don't like people who are mean," she stated firmly, a hint of defiance in her tone.

"I don't like people who are happy," Maya countered quietly, her eyes scanning Garcia's office, noting the colorful and cheerful décor that seemed out of place in their line of work. "People who are mean have a reason to be mean. That's why they're mean," Maya explained, her voice tinged with a dark understanding of human nature.

"And people who are happy have a reason to be," Garcia added optimistically, but Maya's expression remained stoic, devoid of any hint of agreement. She shook her head, unable to see the world through Garcia's optimistic lens.

"Happiness doesn't exist in my world," Maya muttered, her voice low and filled with the weight of her experiences. "Not in this job. All I see is darkness, and there's a lot of it," she concluded, her eyes reflecting the grim reality of their work in the BAU.

The tension in the room hung heavy as Maya's words lingered, a stark reminder of the darkness they faced daily in their pursuit of justice.

"There is no grief like the grief that does not speak"
-Henry W. Longfellow-