Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds or any of the characters.

Warning: Language, somewhat frightening events, and bad comedy

Authors Note: This chapter is meant to be mostly(mostly) light hearted and happy and portrays certain charters in an almost childish way. These characteristics will not define them over the whole course of the story. Later chapters will be quite different. Otherwise, please review and enjoy!

Summary: They didn't believe in miracles. They didn't believe in luck. But when the BAU jet goes down and the team is left stranded in the middle of nowhere, a miracle seems to be all they have to hold on to.

"In just moments life can change into an existence we don't recognize. Into a place we don't understand. There is no pause button, there is no undo. We cannot change what life chooses to confront us with. "- Anonymous

Everywhere he saw fire. Yellow orange tendrils of flames clawing through the cabin like fingers, consuming everything in sight. A piercing sound erupted in the background, forcing him to his knees. A scream? He didn't know. He saw nothing but the flames that encircled him. There were voices. Cries. Shrieks. He recognized them as his friends, but couldn't distinguish who they belonged to. The smell of death, decaying burning flesh. Carnage. His mind was spinning; the world around him was becoming a bright, burning blur of incoherent shapes and colors. His mind succumbing to the anguish and realization that was his fate. The flames, heat and pain radiating from their fire. There brightness only reminding him of the darkness he would soon be consumed in. He watched petrified; his life lessoning with each passing second.

He was alone, confused. But above all, he was terrified.

The fear of knowing this was his end, of not knowing what was happening. The pain. The sharp, immense pain that filled his body, mind, and soul. The agony that was only increasing.

He wanted nothing more then to cry out. To run and escape. But he was silent. And he remained still.

Paralyzed, as he comprehended and witnessed the slow progression of his inevitable death.

8:00 AM: 10 Hours Before

"Hey Pretty boy! How are you doing on this fine morning?" Asked the one and only Derek Morgan, as he entered the Bureau's small kitchenette and located Reid.

With a sigh the young agent turned and looked at his friend with a weary expression. "Pretty boy? Really? Your doing that again?"

"Oh come one. You know you love it," Morgan teased, walking beside his friend to pour himself a cup of coffee. "How can I not call out such an adorable looking face?"

Reid gave Derek an exasperated look. Morgan always managed to get away with things. But not this time.

"One day, Derek Morgan." He said, narrowing his eyes and scrunching up his forehead as he attempted to to give his words a more dramatic feel. "One day." He gave Morgan a long hard look and tried to exit dramatically like he had seen on one of those Twilight movies JJ had made him watch. That really stealthy guy, Edward, always managed to leave in such a riveting fashion. However, seeing as he didn't have the agility of a full fledged vampire his foot caught on the edge of the door and young Dr. Reid fell to the ground in a crumpled heap. He landed with an "OMPFT"

Laughter erupted from behind him as Morgan walked up to his fallen friend. "Dude!" he said between fits of laughter. "What were you trying to do there? Really? What was that?" He made little attempt to help him up as he was more focused on clutching his now aching stomach.

"Damn it!" Reid yelled, as he pushed himself to his feet. That was not how he had anticipated that happening. But like the stealth king he was he had fallen on is face, or course in front of Morgan, and had spilled his cup of coffee all over his clothes. With Morgan still laughing and gasping for breath, Reid walked out of the kitchenette. On exiting he grumbled, "Stupid Twilight. Stupid Edward."

After putting on a fresh set of clothing Reid grabbed a new cup of coffee, noticeably sidestepped the door frame, and made his way over to his desk. Since the team wasn't busied with a case they were supplied with bounds of paper work that Strauss felt it necessary to finish before days end. To make it all the better, Reid could see the evident difference between his paper stack and Morgan's, who had about one third the amount he did. Lovely.

He took a seat, and brushed the lingering piece of hair that was resting on his forehead out of his face. Alright Morgan, it's on, he thought, as he opened his first file.

Derek couldn't help but notice how fast Reid's stack of files was declining. The kid had literally walked in ten minutes ago with at least 50 files on his desk, and now he was down to half of that. Derek looked at his own pile and groaned. There was still about 20 files there and even after "loosing" about 10 of them, he still had a lot of work to do. Again his eyes drifted over to the kid and he couldn't help but watch the genius as he plowed through another 3 in under five minutes. His face holding a look of intense focus and concentration.

Kid better not push to hard, Morgan thought with a smile. He might just end up doing more then thinking. He leaned back and watched his friend finish the remainder of his files within the next few minutes.

9:30 AM: 8 Hours and 30 Minutes Before

"Done! And in record time!"

"Yeah, 20 files in 1 hour and 30 minutes. Very impressive Morgan," Reid said sarcastically, smirking at his friend. He had finished his stack much quicker; 25 minutes and 34 seconds to be exact, but who's keeping tract? To be honest, when Morgan had gotten up to go to the bathroom, he had taken a couple out of his pile, completed them, and replaced them before he had comeback, just to help him out. But he didn't need to tell Morgan that. The things I do for my friends...

"Well we can't all be as smart as you," He retorted, returning a grin. Their friendly banter taking his mind off all the work he had just finished.

Reid pulled his head back and rested his blue converse sneakers on his desk. A mock position of relaxation. "Well being the resident genius does have to have some perks. Am I right?" He saw Morgan scowl and continued, " Oh wait, scratch that, I'm always right."

"You know Reid, cocky doesn't look good on you," A voice from behind him made him jump, jolting him out of his chair, yet again.

"Man, why does this keep happening," He grumbled, pushing himself to his feet and ignoring the wisps of laughter that was coming from Morgan. He turned to see Emily and JJ grinning behind him. He felt his face grow red with embarrassment.

"Uhh hey." Reid pulled himself inward trying to escape the girls stares and Morgan's persistent laughter. Was this his punishment for having a little fun? Geez tough crowd.

Emily chuckled softly as JJ continued, "Alright you too had your fun. Now get your butts up. We have a case."

12:00 PM: 6 Hours Before

"Why did that have to take so long?" Morgan whined. "How does it take 2 hours and 30 minutes to explain that there is an unsub in Alaska, that targets brunette, every monday. And that we need to catch him. See done! Am I missing something?"

"Coco baby, I'll help you find what your missing, as long as it's just you and me," Garcia courted, giving Morgan a sly grin in her usual joking way. She gave the rest of the group: Reid, Prentiss, and JJ, a mysterious look.

"PG guys! Keep it PG," JJ laughed her hands held up in front of her as if warning of their profanity. They all merely laughed.

Seeing as Morgan could never dismiss Garcia's adorable attempts to cheer him up, he responded, "Baby girl you know nothings missing when I got you around." He flashed her a smile, chuckling when she blew him a kiss.

"I won't forget you chocolate thunder," Garcia winked and began heading toward her lair, waiting to again be summoned by the team. Morgan couldn't help but watch her walk away until he couldn't see her any more. Shaking his head he whispered to himself, "Man you gotta love that woman."

2:30 PM: 3 Hours and 30 Minutes Before

"What do you want? Lunch is on me."

"What's the catch? You gonna put laxatives in my sandwich again? Cause that wasn't cool."

"What? What are you talking about?"

"Oh wait that wasn't you...Grilled Chicken please!"

"Nah nah nah when did that happen?"

"Kid it was a dream. Just get me some food!"

"No! Tell me what happened or I swear I will tell Hotch about that-"

"Okokokok! Geez don't have to be nasty about it. Like where are your manners. Like this is so-"

"Morgan! Quit stalling!"

"Ummm, someone gave me a sandwich and there were laxatives inside. End of story."

"What happened?"

What do you think happened?"

"Seeing as the normal human response t-"

"Oh hey we have to order! What a shame! Mrs. I will have the deluxe chicken sandwich, with a large coffee. For my friend, the kids meal perhaps?"

"Will that be all?" The cashier inquired. "We have a special today. Buy one large cup of coffee, get another half price. Are you interested?"

"Yeah actu-"

"Nope! That will be all!"

"WA-"

"And you can charge that to a Dr. Spencer Reid thank you very much!"

"Dude?! Not cool!"

"Yeah well you should' have asked me about laxatives. They bring me to a dark time."

"Dark time? What does that even mean?"

"It means that-Oh hey look your kiddy meal is ready!"

"Morgan!"

"And my deluxe chicken salad. My Large coffee! Mmmmm!"

"Really?"

"Hey don't be down. That tiny burger and that one fry looks super good!" Morgan gestured inside the small box, with a grin. "Hey there's even a toy!"

4:00: 1 Hour Before

The whole team was sitting on the jet preparing for take off. Mike, the pilot, had informed them that there would be a slight delay as one of the computers was malfunctioning slightly. The team hadn't thought much of it, seeing as they had flown on this plane countless times before, and it had always made the journey. The old girl, the plane, was indestructible.

JJ and Emily had erupted into immediate conversation at the mention of the delay, and were maximizing the amount of time they had to discuss some personal matters. Rossi and Hotch too had begun conversing, but about the case. Reid and Morgan on the other hand were discreetly trying to listen to the pilot from inside the cockpit. His voice was muffled, but distinct.

"Damn thing! What are you...out?" BANG BANG BANG "Betty-who's Betty? Reid thought-you...st..work! BANG Good girl!"

Morgan leaned in and whispered to Reid, "Dude I think he's crazy." He used his head to gesture towards the still unlatched door. "There's still time to escape."

"That is a strange way to fix a malfunctioning computer," Reid inquired. "Is this plane even safe?" Just when the two agents were about to inform the team of their discoveries and plan, the cockpit door opened and Mike stepped out. Short, stocky, sweaty Mike. His face was a bright reddish pink and his sparse brown hair was matted to his crinkled forehead. He resembled Santa Clause in a strange sort of way. Morgan shivered at the thought. Mike lifted his arm to give the team a big thumbs up, revealing an elongated stain under the armpit of his baby blue T-shirt. Through hitched breaths he exclaimed, "Betty's up and running! It is my professional opinion that we are okay to fly. Get ready for take off!" Mike gave them a make shift solute, revealing more of his sweat stained T-Shirt and reentered the cock pit without another word.

"Expert opinion," Rossi mused, his lips pursed.

"Who's Betty?" Prentiss questioned, confused.

"Morgan, the man just fixed his computer by banging on it. He didn't lock the door yet-Wait he didn't lock the door! We can-" Reid's whispered voice was cut off by the reappearance of Mike.

"Almost forgot!" He explained, as he pulled the door shut and put the hatch in place.

"Almost forgot!?" Morgan repeated quietly, a horrified expression filling his face. "Who even hired this guy?" Reid shook his head and looked at his best friend, his brother, with wide eye's. An unspoken communication happened there as they both receive the message each was trying to send to the other.

Morgan: How cool would it be to just open that door and jump out.

Reid: You are such an idiot sometimes.

Wait?

But their unreceptive thoughts were interrupted by the drone of the engine and the jolly voice of Mike over the speakers, "Fasten your seat belts folks! This is gonna be a bumpy ride!"

What an understatement.

5:00: Time

Reid and Morgan were both strapped into their seat tighter then a caterpillar in a cocoon. Both men, more like kids, clung to their armrest for dear life and had their eyes squeezed shut. The rest of the team had made fun of the position and had mocked them. But with each bump and spike of turbulence the plane encountered they were beginning to eat their words and tighten their seatbelt just a little bit. Not like they were worried or anything.

"Guys you can open your eyes. This is the same as any other flight," JJ coaxed, looking at the two men with a small grin. Her voice had interrupted the deep silence that had encumbered them, making the team turn their attention to the two very tense agents.

"You guys are FBI agent's. We catch murders and serial killers for a living. Are you seriously more afraid of a few bumps than unsubs?" Emily posed the question, giving her seatbelt a subtle tug. She looked around at the others, relieved that they hadn't noticed.

In unison, "Very."

"Well there is a first time fo-" Rossi was cut off as the plane hit another bump. The impact making each agent jolt in their seat. The plane rocked and pulsed for a few seconds before calming.

"Son of a Bitch," Hotch said. "Everyone, stop making fun of those two and tighten your seatbelt." Each agent, aside from Morgan and Reid, did as they were instructed. A few seconds after the command the plane hit more turbulence.

JJ peered out her window, when the plane stopped shaking, "It's not even stormy. What's making the plane act this way?" Hotch tilted his head in confusion, and follow her gaze out the window. She was right, the sky was calm. The plane had no reason to be acting this way. Sudden realization struck the team, but before Hotch could voice a question, Mikes voice blared over the speakers: "We are experiencing some technical difficulties. Betty se-" He didn't get a chance to finish. Instead a loud high blood churning screech echoed though the cabin. A wail. An intense cry of agony and desperation. Mike.

"WHAT THE HELL?!" Hotch yelled. His protective instincts told him to jump out of his seat. But he didn't get a chance to comply as again the plane lurched and was hit with another strong wave of turbulence.

"Don't get out of your seat!" Rossi yelled over the noise, knowing quite well what his superior had planned on doing. The wail continued to pierce their ears. The agony entwined inside the sound made their hearts seize. From where they were sitting they were to far away to access the cockpit. However, there was another solution.

Having to shriek over the noise, Rossi voiced, "REID! CAN YOU SEE ANYTHING FROM WHERE YOU ARE?!"

Reid, who was sitting the closest to the cockpit (of course), opened his eye to his dismay. Despite his terror he did as Rossi said and looked down the small tunnel that was the front of the plane. He was terrified at what he saw.

"FIRE!" He shrieked over the cries and drone of the plane. His internal autopilot seemed to kick in, for Reid would have not done what he had did if it hadn't, and he jumped out of his seat. He heard his friends crying out to him. Demanding, begging him to return to his seat. He ignored them and found stregth, from somewhere deep inside himself he had never known, to walk to the cabin and open the door.

And in that moment everything changed.

Everywhere he saw fire. Yellow orange tendrils of flames clawing through the cabin like fingers, consuming everything in sight. A piercing sound erupted in the background, forcing him to his knees. A scream? He didn't know. He saw nothing but the flames that encircled him. There were voices. Cries. Shrieks. He recognized them as his friends, but couldn't distinguish who they belonged to. The smell of death, decaying burning flesh. Carnage. His mind was spinning; the world around him was becoming a bright, burning blur of incoherent shapes and colors. His mind succumbing to the anguish and realization that was his fate. The flames, heat and pain radiating from their fire. There brightness only reminding him of the darkness he would soon be consumed in. He watched petrified; his life lessoning with each passing second.

He was alone, confused. But above all, he was terrified.

The fear of knowing this was his end, of not knowing what was happening. The pain. The sharp, immense pain that filled his body, mind, and soul. The agony that was only increasing.

He wanted nothing more then to cry out. To run and escape. But he was silent. And he remained still.

Paralyzed, as he comprehended and witnessed the slow progression of his inevitable death.

Please tell me what you think. Feedback helps.

Thank you for reading.