I hope this works.

Chapter Two:

Tessa West was reading over divorce paperwork for the third time at two o'clock in the morning when her phone rang.

"Didn't I just clock out four hours ago?" she said to her boss Captain Maria Carlota.

"Upper brass is authorizing over-time until this case is wrapped up," she said.

"What, was the president killed?"

"I don't have time for banter, West. A federal agent was just raped."

"Oh god," she gasped. "Is she alright?"

"He," she said. "He is responsive and ready to give a statement."

She gasped again.

"Do you know how rare that is?"

"I'm aware of the statistics. Get down to Central Hospital with Darnel ASAP."

Roy Darnel was her partner. West scattered her papers as she began to change.

"I'll text Roy," she said.

"Listen West, the Feds are going to want to take over this case. I can't let that happen. They're going to be too emotionally invested."

"Got it," she said.

"After you get his statement, report to the crime scene to check with CSU."

"Will do," she said.

Darnel was sipping a cup of coffee when she arrived.

"Were you up reviewing divorce papers?" he asked.

"How could you tell?"

He smirked.

"Some detective you are. The red rims around your eyes."

Darnel preferred to keep it light until it got pitch-dark.

"Let's get to work," she said.

He pitched his coffee.

"This going to be quite a tight-rope to walk. Make sure the Feds stay out of our way, while a keeping them cooperative."

"We'll figure it out," she said as they flashed their credentials.

"I think this group was in town for the medieval torture case," Darnel said. "The tip line had been open six hours and they hadn't gotten any solid leads."

"I can't imagine trying to concentrate on any case with a coworker in this condition."

"We'll see how they handle it."

They took the elevator to the fifth floor. A doctor was waiting for them at the nurse's station.

"I'm Dr. Eveline Brooks," she said. "Let's talk in my office."

Both detectives pulled out their notebooks and took the seats offered. Brooks closed the door.

"All thing considered, Dr. Spencer Reid is in good shape physically," she said. "The stitching done was neat and precise."

"Excuse me," West said. "Did you say Dr. Reid was penetrated and then the tearing was sewn by his attacker?"

"Attackers, plural," Brooks said. "Yes, that is exactly what I'm saying."

"Was any DNA left behind?" Darnel asked.

"Detectives," she said rubbing her forehead with both hands. "I have seen more brutal attacks, but none this insidious. They left DNA samples everywhere. These attackers are not afraid of being caught and that makes me wonder how many other victims there are given how underreported male rape is. Dr. Reid agrees with me."

"In your opinion as a doctor, how do you feel he is coping with the trauma mentally?" West asked.

"He's disassociating," Brookes said. "He's discussing victimology, profiling his attackers, and analyzing the crime scene. Dr. Reid is trying to stay out of his head as much as possible."

"How many attackers has he mentioned?" Darnel asked.

"Three," she said. "Two male and one female."

No one spoke.

"I have been working here for over fifteen years, detectives," Brookes finally said. "These are monsters, and I don't use that term lightly."

"Let's talk to Dr. Reid," West said.

A blond-haired woman stood up as they walked to his room.

"I'm Agent Jareau," she said.

"I'm Detective West," she said, "This is Detective Darnel."

"We can't possibly imagine what you're going through," Darnel said. "We're going to do everything we can to apprehend his attackers."

"You have every resource of the FBI at your disposal," she said handing them cards. "Don't be afraid to contact us."

"We won't," West said taking them.

"Please don't push him," she said. "If you think he's becoming overwhelmed, stop."

"We won't," Darnel said.

She blinked rapidly.

"I'll let you get to work."

She sat back down, crossed her arms, and closed her eyes.

West and Darnel approached the door. She took a deep breath and looked to Darnel. He nodded assuredly. Eight years of working together had solidified them as a team. It was time to meet the victim of a great evil.

West opened the door.