I don't own criminal minds or they're characters.

Ch.1

Dr. Reid set his bag down on the table sitting in front of the screens. "What's up pretty boy? Did we interrupt a hot date?" Derek joked at his disheveled appearance.

He straightened his vest and flattened his hair. "I just woke up from a nap actually."

"Ok ladies and gents welcome to the show of horrors. In Cincinnati a series of kidnapping and murders have begun. The men are being held captive for a month and then killed. Multiple stab wombs and genitalia has been mutulated. Now a woman was kidnapped as well kept for five months and eventually the same thing happened to her."

"That's strange switching between male and female victims." Rossi said.

"It gets weirder they actually took the men while the girl was already being held. Now what they're doing with them we don't know."

"Everyone get ready. Wheels up in 30." Hotchner said. They all left and quickly gathered their things preparing for the flight.

-/-

A young women trembled underneath her covers as she heard the screaming through the walls. "You failed! You did it wrong!" A woman yelled followed by a sickening scream. She heard some struggling and then the screams stopped. She heard the door next to her open and then close. A few short steps and then they stopped outside her own room. There was some fumbling until the lock clicked open. She heard a chuckle at her attempt to hind under the blankets. "You have one more month to get it right." The voice said before slamming and locking the door. The woman let silent tears fall as she heard the footsteps continue down the hallway, wondering how she ended up in this mess.

-/-

The team was now on the plane files out and shooting out ideas. "The mutilation of the genitals obviously suggests a sexual motive but it doesn't look like any of the male victims were assaulted." JJ said.

"And it looks like the female was too destroyed to really tell." Derek said. "But why keep the female victim longer than the male."

"Maybe the female is providing a sexual stimuli the men aren't." Reid suggested.

"Then why take the men at all?" JJ asked.

Garcia popped up on the screen, "Bad news everyone a male victim was just found in an alley, same injuries and he had also been missing for a month."

"When we land, I want JJ and Rossi to go to the crime scene. Garcia where was the victim last seen?" Hotchner asked.

"It looks like he was going to the gym. An La fitness to be exact. I'm sending you an address right now." She replied.

"Reid and Derek you go there. Emily will go with me to the station and get things set up."

Reid and Derek entered the La fitness the smell of sweat hit their nostrils. Spencer took a look around feeling out of place here. They made their way to the counter. "How can I help you?" The perky employee asked.

"I'm agent Morgan. This is Dr. Reid we're with the FBI we had a few questions about one of your members here."

"Omg! Are you looking for a murderer?" She asked twirling her hair for Morgan.

"Actually it's about a victim." Reid replied.

"Oh um let me get my manager." She said hurrying away.

Shortly after a buff guy walked out. "Hi I'm Jason Donalds. I hear you're from the FBI?" He asked slightly confused.

"Yes, do you mind if we speak in your office?" Derek asked and he nodded his head. He quickly led them to his office. "We were wondering about an Eric Johnson? He was a member here. We have reason to believe this was the last place he was seen."

"Um I don't know him personally... We have a lot of members but I can look him up." He walked over to his chair sitting down and swiveling towards his computer. "So what's this about?" Jason asked.

"Just trying to find out about Eric Johnson." Derek replied smoothly.

The man seemed to get the picture, "Eric Johnson was a new member here... He didn't seem to have much prior training."

"Why do you say that?" Reid asked.

"He was all on beginner classes. He stopped showing up a month ago.. It tends to happen."

"Do you know the exact date of his last visit?" Reid asked.

"August 8th looks like the last time he signed in." He replied.

"That's the day he went missing." Reid said looking at Derek.

-/-

JJ and Rossi looked over the crime scene, "Well this was obviously just the dump site. There would be a lot more blood if he was killed here." JJ said.

"And I don't think we had any witnesses." Rossi said looking around at the abandoned buildings. "Who called it in?"

"A homeless man who was using this area as a bathroom." JJ replied.

"And that explains the smell." Rossi said.

"Yeah be careful where you step." JJ joked as Rossi shuffled his feet.

"Alright let's head back to the station." Rossi said ready to leave the opportunistic bathroom.

-/-

A middle aged couple argued in the car. "This is you're fault you keep picking the wrong guys." The woman screamed from the passenger seat.

"I picked strong athletic men. Maybe it's your girl who isn't making this work!" The man yelled back as he drove.

"Oh don't even go there! You know she's perfect! And besides you should be looking for more to add like brains or an artistic side! Not just athletic!" She yelled.

"Will you stop telling me how to do my job!" He yelled as he pulled into the parking lot of a diner.

"You said if this one didn't work! I got to pick the last one, and I am picking the last one!" She said getting out and slamming the door adjusting her apron and running her hand through her straight almond brown hair.

"Fine have it your way!" The man said sticking his balding head out the window as he pulled out and sped off.

-/-

They all were back at the police station. "I'm completely baffled by this case." Reid said looking over the evidence. "He held the girl for 5 months continued taking guys during that time killing them every month. Then killed the girl and went back to guys."

"Maybe he didn't just go back to guys." Rossi said.

"What do you mean?" Hotchner asked.

"I mean he takes a new male every month after he kills the old one." Rossi started.

"He probably picked up another girl as soon as he killed the other one." Emily said finishing his thought.

"Which means they have a girl with them right now." Hotch said picking up his phone and dialing. "Garcia."

"Yes commander and chief!" Garcia replied like a dutiful soldier.

"Look up missing woman in Cincinnati." He said.

"Alright..." She said typing in the background. "And that is a very long list."

"Narrow it down to woman in their 20's." Hotch replied.

"Still pretty long..."

"All the victims were healthy so weed out anyone with drug charges or criminal records."

"Ok here we go we are down to 5 names."

"Well following the pattern she should have gone missing four months ago." Reid added.

"Ok we have 2... One the friends said she ran off with her boyfriend though the parents still filed a report so we'll rule that one out. Which leaves us with a Nicole Niehaus, 22. Her sister reported her missing. Oh and sad story! It looks like dad is an alcoholic and mom passed away when Nicole was 17."

Hotchner looked down at his watch. "Thank you, Garcia." He said hanging up. "It's late. I'll leave a message for the sister to meet us tomorrow. Everyone else can go to the hotel and get some sleep." They all nodded their heads and gathered their things.

Reid laid in his bed still contemplating the case. It just didn't make since to him. Why were they taking more men but keeping the woman longer. And what were they doing with them for a month? They seemed to be well taken care of and healthy until the murder incident. He sighed rubbing his face and getting out of bed. He hastily threw some clothes on and headed out of the hotel into the night air. He began strolling down the streets looking around suddenly his eyes caught sight of a diner. A cup of coffee sounded great and he made his way over to the brightly lit diner. As he opened the door the smell of burgers hit his nostrils. He made his way over to the counter setting his bag down on the stool next to him taking out his book of crosswords.

After a few minutes a woman in her forties with almond brown hair came up to him. "What can I get for you, sweetie?"

"Uh just a cup of coffee." He said looking up at her giving her a half grin.

"That's it?" She asked. "You look like you can put some meat on your bones."

"No, the coffee's fine thank you." He said returning to his crossword.

Right as she set the cup down he flipped the page, "Give up already?" She asked as she poured the coffee.

"Actually I just finished it." He said as he began adding cream and sugar.

"That quickly?!" She asked surprised. He nodded his head as he sipped his coffee. "Wow you must be some kind of genius." She said impressed and he just shrugged his shoulders awkwardly not sure what to say. "Hmm I'm guessing you get that a lot." She said leaning on the counter.

"I have an IQ of 187..." He replied awkwardly on the subject.

Her eyes widened, "Looks and brains? If you had money you couldn't beat the women away." She said with a laugh.

"I wish that were the case." Reid joked.

"Alright, honey just let me know if you need anything." She said with a smile and he nodded his head returning to the crosswords. The woman quickly made her way to the back grabbing her cell phone. "Hey I think I found the perfect candidate. Yeah he walked into the diner. Yeah I'll slip him some when you're close, just text me. I know it's going to work this time..." She said sweetly to her husband in the phone. She quickly hung up and returned to her work. She checked on a few of her tables but quickly made her way back to her leading man. She filled his cup up. "Here you go. A fresh cup."

"Thank you." He replied looking up at her.

"So are you from Cincinnati?" She asked.

"No just here on business actually."

"Really well if you're able to do any sight seeing then I can give you a few places to go." She said.

"Uh, I don't have much time on my hands and I shouldn't be here for too long." He said.

Perfect it'll probably be a while before anyone even realized he was missing. "Well if you change you're mind you know where I'll be. I'm Debbie, by the way."

"Uh Spencer." Reid replied shaking her hand. For a big city these people sure were friendly.

Suddenly she felt a vibaration in her pocket. "Would you give me a second."

"Of course." He replied. Fixing his coffee up.

She walked away quickly sneaking a peak at her cell phone. 'Be there in 10.' The message said. She quickly grabbed a slice of pie. Going to the back she carefully lifted the top crust. Sprinkling the powder on the apple filling and then put the top down sprinkling a little powder sugar on it. She walked back to the counter. "Here a slice of apple pie, on the house."

He looked up at her. "Really you don't have to do that."

"As I said you look like you need some meat on your bones. And I won't take no for an answer."

Reid smiled, "Thank you." He said taking a bite of the pie. 10 minutes later he finished pushing his plate aside. He decided to finish his coffee, then head back to the hotel. About 5 minutes later he started to feel woozy and his eyesight blurred. He rubbed his eyes to clear it to no avail.

In an instant the waitress was in front of him, "Are you ok? You don't look so good."

"I think I should head back." he said standing up, but as soon as he did he grabbed hold of the counter to keep from falling. Immediately Debbie was by his side helping to hold him up.

"Let me take you to your car." She said leading him to the door.

"I walked here." Reid slurred out.

"Don't worry honey we'll get you home." Debbie replied opening the door. She brought him around the side of the building where there were no windows. Reid started to fall until someone else grabbed him on his other side. He heard a car door open and he was unceremoniously thrown in.

"A little skinny isn't he?" He heard a gruff male voice ask.

"He's a genius and good looking. Don't you want our kid to be smart?" She asked. He felt his hands being bound as well as his feet.

"Fine I guess he'll work." The man said. Closing the door. He heard muffled voices now but couldn't hear what they were saying. He fought to stay awake, but he couldn't. He had already figured out he was drugged but he couldn't fight it now.

The front door opened and he heard Debbie say, "Put him in his room and wait for me to get off work." The door closed again and he finally passed out as the car reversed.

-/-

The girl jumped awake hearing the squeaky wheels. She bit her lip knowing exactly what that meant... They found a new man. She laid down bringing her blanket to her chin. She closed her eyes trying to shut out reality. But she knew she couldn't. She was kidnapped and kept in a room for four months so far. She had heard four men die in the room next to her. And she felt as if it was her fault, like she failed them. She pushed those thoughts out of her head it was not her fault. It was their fault. They're the ones who kidnapped and killed them. She sat up and pressed her ear against the wall trying to hear anything from her new roommate. She slumped back down hearing nothing. She sat in her bed waiting for them to come.

-/-

Reid was in a dreamless sleep when suddenly he felt the shock. He fell out of a bed hitting the floor hard. He looked up to see the waitress Debbie and a balding man with black hair. The man had a cattle prod in his hands. "You try to run you get shocked. You fight you get shocked. You yell you get shocked. You don't listen to us you get shocked. You get the picture?" The man asked. Reid sat there bewildered not sure how he ended up in this situation. Suddenly the man shocked him and he let out a scream of pain. "Do you understand!?" He yelled.

"Yes." Reid rasped out.

They both held a sick smile. "Good now get up." Debbie said sweetly. Reid awkwardly made his way to his feet and the man quickly grabbed him by the arm.

"Come on there's someone we want you to meet." He whispered in his ear dragging him to the door. Reid gulped not sure what they were about to do to him. They opened the door leading him a short ways down the hallway to another door. They unlocked it with a key but he couldn't see inside. "Get in there." The man threw him into the room and slammed the door. His head hit something and he hissed in pain reaching up and already feeling blood.

Suddenly he heard movement and water running for a second. "Who's there?" He asked tentatively.

"Hey it's ok I'm not going to hurt you I promise. We're kind of in the same boat here." He heard a female voice say. Then he saw a figure moving towards him. He sat up like he was ready to fight. "Woah!" She said moving backwards. He heard her take a deep breath and she came closer sitting in front of him but still a distance away. "I was kidnapped four months ago. I know it's really messed up and you're scared but I only want to help you." She stayed silent until Reid finally nodded his head she moved a little closer so she was sitting directly in front of him. "You hit your head pretty hard there." She said reaching her hand up resting it on his chin as she wiped his cut with a wet washcloth. He winced, "Sorry!" She whispered. "But it's much better to clean it than to leave it." She said repositioning the washcloth wiping the blood from his face. "I'm Nicole by the way."

His eyes were beginning to adjust to the darkness and he was finally able to make out her features. His eyes widened significantly, "Nicole Niehaus?"

She looked up at him shocked, "Do I know you?..."

He shook his head no, "But the police are looking for you."

She nodded her head though they were looking for her doesn't mean they found her. "Well you know my name... What's yours?"

He hesitated for a second then shook it off, she was the victim not the unsub. "Spencer. Spencer Reid." He replied.

To his surprise she gave him a bright smile. "Well it's nice to meet you Spencer Reid." The smile faultered. "Unfortunately it's under these circumstances." She finally let go of his chin deeming him cleaned up. She returned the washcloth the sink and then walked over to the still kneeling Spencer. She crouched down beside him, "Hey I know this all really difficult, and though it may be really hard you need to get some rest." He still stayed silent. She sighed knowing it was a little of the shock as well as the drugs. She grabbed his hand dragging him up. "Come on." She said leading him to the left side of the bed. She began to slip his shoe off, but he noticed and began to do it himself. He slipped his vest and tie off finally laying in the bed. She walked around to the other side of the bed climbing in.

Reid shot up, "What are you doing?"

Nicole held back a giggle. He acted like this was the first time a girl slept in the same bed as him. "Sleeping, there's only one bed in here."

He stayed frozen sitting up in the bed. "I can sleep on the floor?"

"They like us to sleep in the same bed... Besides all we're doing is sleeping. We can sleep back to back. Or even put a pillow between us if that makes you more comfortable."

"No it's ok." Reid replied lying back down. Nicole laid down as well her back to him. "What do they want from us?"

Her heart started pounding and she slightly blushed, "A baby." She whispered out but Reid heard her.

The case all made sense to him now. That's why they were taking both men and women. That's why there was mutilation. When they failed to produce a baby it caused extreme anger. But that didn't make this any easier for him. Especially thinking about how he would have to sleep with this girl he just met. He had only slept with one girl and it was back when he was in college. "How long do we have?" He asked.

"A few days... Can we just pretend, at least for a little while that that's not going to happen? Can we just be friends for a little while?" She asked.

"Yeah, that's sounds nice." He replied laying down and letting the drugs take effect.

She looked over seeing that he was asleep, "Goodnight Spencer Reid."