Author's Note:
While waiting on my beta to get back to me on the final chapter in my other story 'The Children' I decided to post this. First chapter is from Morgan's point of view. I like reviews! Flames are okay but I prefer constructive criticism.
Denali National Park - Alaska
"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for thou art with me." - Psalms 23:4
Derek Morgan was in a precarious situation, but he wasn't going to let go of Spencer Reid's hand. A gun was to his head, but he held on defiantly anyway. "I won't let go." He said, his breath visible in the frigid air.
"Morgan, let me go. He's going to kill you." Reid tried to reason with his colleague, despite his own predicament.
"If I let go Kid, you fall and die. I'm not going to let that happen." Morgan replied with conviction.
A familiar voice yelled authoritatively, "FBI! Put the gun down now!" The voice belonged to Aaron Hotchner
The man just laughed.
Another voice yelled out, this time David Rossi's. "There's no place for you to go Alan, just put the gun down."
Another crazy laugh escaped the Alan Milford "You think you can get a shot off, before I kill him?" He sneered.
Derek growled, "Hotch just shoot the bastard." He held onto Reid's hand, but it was getting slick from the combination of sweat and blood trickling down his hand. He could feel the grip loosening as the seconds ticked by.
There was silence as Hotch weighed the options. "Okay, let's talk about this."
"Talk? What the fuck is there to talk about? If I go down, then these assholes are coming with me!" Alan screamed, it was clear all sanity had left him. He began to pull the trigger.
"Wait!" Morgan cried in desperation. He had one chance and he decided to go for it. This man thrived on control and power. He was going to use that to his advantage. "You want me to let go, right?"
Alan hesitated and then a nasty smile crossed his lips. Murderous glee filled his hazel eyes. "YES! Do it!"
Morgan glanced down below to Reid worriedly. God this better work, he thought to himself. If it didn't, he'd never forgive himself. Assuming, he lived to regret it. Since both hands held onto Reid, he allowed one hand to let go.
"YES! Do it!" Alan squealed again, his eyes transfixed on the helpless Reid.
Derek used his free hand to shove the man with the gun off balance. After that, everything else seemed to happen in slow motion.
The unsub's gun went off. Pain ripped through Morgan's body. Had he been shot? If so, shouldn't his bullet proof vest caught it? He was vaguely aware of more gun shots ringing out. A loud rumble and the earth began to shake beneath him. What was happening now? The snowy ground below him began to give way. Oh no…an avalanche, he thought. Morgan and Reid both started falling, but Derek still held onto Spencer's hand. He wasn't going to let go, he refused. As he fell, he thought he heard someone shouting. It was hard to tell over the constant rumbling in his ears. His eyes fluttered closed as the events that had led up to this point began running through his mind.
Earlier That Day...
The team had tracked down the unsub, but he had retreated into the mountains of Denali National Park. It was the middle of winter and daylight didn't stick around very long this far north. Also, a snow storm was supposed to be moving in soon. They decided to give chase into the unknown terrain, because they thought it was the only chance to catch him before the blizzard hit. Otherwise he could get away and start his killing spree all over again. Of course they brought in the local PD and even park rangers to make sure no one would get lost.
The BAU had split into three groups: Morgan & Reid, Hotch & JJ and Rossi & Prentiss. Each group was assigned a park ranger who knew the area well. They had a lot of ground to cover, but based off the unsubs dump site pattern they had a rough idea of the way he was fleeing. The area they would be searching was near Wonder Lake, where it was flatter and more wooded. However, it was still mountainous. Hotch had determined they didn't have time to wait on dogs, to help in the hunt. Weather was unpredictable and he didn't want any of his agents caught in a snow storm and they were losing day light. So, he opted for a triangular sweep that would cover the desired area in the most efficient fashion. They had to at least look for him, Hotch had reasoned. His team agreed and they set out once everyone was properly clothed for the weather conditions.
Morgan, Reid and the park ranger, Steve, moved in relative silence except for the sound of snow crunching beneath their feet. They all had their guns out. The narrow path forced them to walk single file. So the ranger took point, Reid was in the middle and Morgan covered the back.
They trudged upward for what seemed like forever and soon darkness approached and the ranger stopped. "If we wanna get back to the cars before night fall, we are going to have to turn around and go back." A muffled whistle whizzed through the air. The park ranger went down. Morgan watched as Reid grabbed the injured man and dragged him to cover behind a pine. He took cover himself when the other two were shielded. He waited awhile but no more shots rained down on them.
Morgan moved over to where Reid and the fallen ranger were. The gun shot had been to the knee, the guy would live. "Reid, you stay here with him. Use the flare to signal the others, I'm going after the unsub."
Reid shook his head. "What? No way. We are not splitting up. This guy is a calculated hunter. It's probably what he wants us to do. This is his territory. We should wait for the rest of the team."
"Kid, we don't have time to wait." He motioned to the darkening sky. Before Reid could argue, Morgan made a cautious approach of where he thought the gun shot had come from. He went a ways, and found a discarded suppressed sniper rifle. Shots from behind caused him to turn quickly. But the shots had been further away, not directed at him. Shit, Reid had been right. He should have listened, but he'd let his impulsiveness get in the way. No time to think! He doubled back, at a quick jog, fighting the panic rising inside of him. The snow made it difficult to traverse the terrain but he managed not to slip on the way back. The forest ranger was still down where Reid had dragged him. But where was Reid and the unsub? He took a moment to catch his breath, and look around.
"He went after him." Steve breathed out, indicating the deep impressions in the snow where Reid had most likely taken off running.
Couldn't you have followed your own advice Reid? He thought bitterly. He followed the trail, cautiously this time. Running head long into an unknown situation wouldn't do anyone any good. Besides no more gun fire broke out and there wasn't any blood so that was a good sign, he supposed. Eventually he came to a break in the wooded area and found Reid and the unsub fighting. It occurred to Morgan he had never seen Reid fight another person, and had the situation not been dire it probably would have struck him as funny sight to see. He lined up his gun, but it was impossible to get a clean shot off. It looked like Reid was losing the fight. In fact, Reid was slowly being backed off a cliff with every scuffle. Reid's wiry form wasn't any match against the muscular opponent.
Morgan holstered his gun and sprung into action, running full throttle. It didn't take long to close the distance. He grabbed the unsub by the shoulder none too gently, and spun him around harshly. With his other hand clenched in a fist he punched the guy in the jaw. The man went down in the snow. "Stay down. You are under arrest you son of a bitch."
"Knife!" Reid hissed, pouncing the unsub with startling speed.
Morgan jumped back in surprised, the swipe missing him.
The man lurched backward, throwing Reid off balance. He skidded off the cliff.
Morgan's stomach clenched and rage filled him as he watched Reid disappear. In blind rage he took another swing at the man, not caring about the knife the other man wielded. This time the unsub was ready, and dodged out of the way. Movement behind the unsub caught his attention. Reid? This cost him, because the unsub struck with the knife again. He had time to bring up his hand to protect his face. He gritted his teeth as the knife cut past his skin tight black leather gloves and deep into his flesh from right to left. Blood spilled through the tear and fell onto the already disturbed snow. The unsub kneed him in the stomach, dropping Morgan to his hands and knees. The unsub moved in for the kill, the knife raised high above his head. Morgan elbowed the guy square in the nuts. He smirked in satisfaction when he heard a strangled cry and the unsub dropped to the snow.
Morgan got up slowly, ignoring the pain as best could. He kicked the knife away from the fallen man and was about to slap the cuffs on him when he heard a fracas by the cliff. He looked, and saw a hand gripped on the ledge while the other sought feverishly to find another place to hold onto. "Reid! I'm coming!" He hurried over, tossing his gloves off for a better grip. When he got to the precipice, he leaned down to help his friend up but Reid lost his grip on the ledge. With both hands, he grabbed onto the wrist of the hand that was already outstretched jerking the younger man's body to an abrupt halt. He grimaced at the cry Reid tried to hold back. He struggled against gravity and Reid's dead weight that dangled helplessly in the air. Morgan's body was tired and the adrenaline rush was beginning to run out. Please God, let me help him. He prayed fervently. The sound of footsteps coming toward him made him work harder. He couldn't risk letting go of Reid. The sound of a gun clicking made his heart sink, and a sense of dread came over him as cold steel was pressed against his temple. This was all his fault, if he had just listened to Reid none of this would have happened.
"Let him go and I'll let you live." The unsub directed.
"I won't let go." It wasn't just a statement. It was a promise.