Chapter 4

Hotch tried not to hear what was happening, but he was only too aware of the pain and humiliation his friend was going through. He had to hear, but he didn't have to look.

His rage was giving him the extra strength to pull against his bonds. It was a palpable thing, bleeding adrenalin into his body, surging through his heart. Tears of impotent rage flooded his face as he worked on the bonds.

"I'm coming, Reid, I'm going to help you!" Hotch didn't know if he formed the words, or if he just thought them. The air was filled with Spencer's screams as his last fragile threads of dignity were stripped from him.

Then suddenly the screams subsided.

Hotch stopped moving and at last opened his eyes.

"Reid." Hotch whispered into the still air. Spencer was alone, lying on his side. His only movement was his body heaving as sobs racked his body.

"Oh God, Reid." Hotch whispered. With one last pull, his hands became free. Franticly he tore the tie from his throat. "Hold on, Reid. I'm here!"

Ignoring the dreadful throbbing in his leg, Hotch crawled over to where Reid lay. Tenderly, he touched his face. "I'm here, Spence. It's over."

Spencer's bloodied body was shaking as Hotch gently dressed him. He took his head in his lap and stroked his hair. Reid looked up at him.

"Please, Hotch, no-one must know." He sobbed.

"It's OK," Hotch murmured, still touching him softly. "I'm here. It's over."

Hotch remembered the time when Reid had been taken by Henkle. He had said then that he hadn't prepared Reid to face emotional turmoil. Then Reid had come back, returned to work, and all those good intentions had been forgotten. Now as he looked down on this fragile human being, self reproach condemned him, and his eyes flooded over with new tears for this broken man in his arms.

Very slowly, hesitantly, Spencer put his arm around Hotch's waist.

"Hold me." He whispered.

Hotch held Spencer to him, holding him against his chest. Slowly he brought his face down to Reid's and closed his eyes.

"You're safe now."

And Spencer's tears mingled with his own.