AN: Hey guys. Here's the next one :) Hope all the Americans out there had a wonderful Forth of July and everyone else had an awesome day in general. I can't thank you guys enough for the feedback!! Thanks!!!
Warning: As I said earlier, please be aware that I have limited knowledge of many of these elements but tried to make it logical. Bear with me. Other than that, I don't think there's much to warn you guys about.
And as I'm sure you've noticed, this story has, and will continue to alternate between Reid and Hotchner. I've always loved to see it from both points of view but I will admit it's a bit more difficult so I apologize if the writing isn't wonderful.
Thanks again and enjoy!!
An hour had passed since Miles and his team had stormed the bank, and so far, everything seemed to be going pretty well for a hostage situation. Reid had seen and been a part of enough of them to know that if no one was dead or hurt, it was going pretty well. And of course, the police were already calling the phone in the bank, trying to form a negotiation. In fact, Reid wouldn't be surprised if the negotiator was someone from his team. However, Miles had yet to answer.
Reid looked around the bank and was pleased to see that most of the hostages had calmed down some. Everyone sat quietly, holding on to their loved one if they had one, and just waited for whatever was coming next. Reid had thankfully been placed against a counter, seemingly forgotten for the time being. He still had a gun on him, but other than that, no one bothered him.
"Miles," one of Masterson's most disheveled people began, "why aren't we answering the phone?"
Reid observed this man and realized right away that he was a former drug addict, having just recently quit and that this hostage situation was a surprise to him. He probably expected their usual get in, get the money and get out scenario.
"Because Jim, I have to establish who the boss is," Masterson replied easily. "If I answer too soon, I'll seem desperate. If I wait, not only will they become more desperate to know how their precious little hostages are doing, they'll realize we're in no rush which will mean they can't play the time card. Why? Are you questioning my judgment?"
Reid observed this conversation and noted how Masterson had to explain his reasoning in a demeaning tone to truly establish how much smarter he was than this Jim person, then finished with acting upset that his actions would be questioned.
"No, no," Jim answered quickly and nervously before turning away, gun in hand, to watch his group. This also told Reid that Masterson's men feared him. Which was the type of behavior that also suggested intelligence as Masterson didn't seem like the type to overly use violence, meaning intimidation was most likely his weapon of choice.
"Am I right, Fed?"
Reid turned his head back towards Miles and saw him staring at Reid.
"I'm sorry?" Reid replied.
"Don't play dumb, I know you were listening. I'm right, aren't I?"
Reid considered this for a moment. He had a few options based on the profile, but he decided agreeing would be the best. "Yes, you were very right."
Masterson laughed. "So, did you expect that? I know you feds have been trying to analyze me. I guess you didn't know I was good with hostage situations too?"
Ego-stroking time, Reid thought. It was always a good thing to start with. Especially with someone who thought so highly of themselves. "No, we had no idea."
"Typical," Masterson snorted. "You think that just because I'm damn good at robbing banks that's all I can do, but surprise!" He made this statement a show of sorts, intentionally being loud and showy so that most of the people in the bank could hear. Reid could understand this; obviously Masterson would like to show off how he managed to capture an FBI agent, so naturally, Reid continued to play along.
"Yes, well after meeting you in person, I'm sorry to say you seem like the kind of guy who would be good at just about anything."
Masterson stared at Reid for a moment, sizing him up before grinning. "Maybe you feds aren't so bad at figuring people out after all."
Reid nodded, taking in Masterson's nature more and more, trying to gain some knowledge so that if later there was something Reid could do to end this, he would know enough about Masterson to do it.
"We have our moments," Reid said trying to remain meek in front in the man.
"But today wasn't one of them," he said with a self-satisfied grin.
Reid just looked down in response, again trying to portray the submissive and intimidated nature that he knew Miles would want.
Masterson laughed. "What kind of FBI agent are you? You don't seem like one."
Reid shrugged. "At the BAU, mind is greater than brawn."
"So you are some sort of genius like I said earlier, huh?"
Reid paused a moment, thinking about the best way to answer his question. "Relatively," he said finally. He certainly didn't want to play up his high IQ too much as it would create an unwanted competition with Masterson, but admitting that he is smart also boosted Masterson's ego given their current positions; Masterson had captures a genius.
Masterson nodded, then chuckled. "Which probably makes it even harder for you to be staring up at some criminal, doesn't it?"
Reid, without taking enough time to consider his answer, replied, "Quite the contrary." Remembering the pain he was still feeling in his abdomen from the last time he upset Masterson, Reid quickly added, "Your statement implies that we perceived you to be unintelligent, which could not be further from the truth. We knew early on that whoever was behind these elaborate, yet amazingly simplistic robberies would have to be someone who was extremely creative and intellectual."
At this point, Reid could not determine whether or not Masterson was pleased by this comment or suspicious but Reid decided it was likely a mixture of both. Reid felt his heart rate increase ever-so-slightly as the phone rang incessantly in the background, adding to his nerves.
"That's the second compliment you've given me," he said, his eyes narrowing. "Is this some sort of ploy to make me like you?"
Reid chuckled, trying to sound convincing even though that was kind of his intentions. "No," he replied. "Let's be frank, I'm an FBI agent being held by you, the sort of criminal law enforcement officers fear the most… I don't think there's much hope for either of us to like each other."
To Reid's relief, Masterson actually laughed. "I think you're right."
Reid bit his lip and prepared himself to plant a seed that would hopefully be useful later in the game, he just had to figure out the best way to word it. Now was when Masterson's defense was down the most, which was apparent by his laughing and the loosened grip on his gun, but he was still a smart man who was aware of Reid's job and was therefore cautious.
"We do have one thing in common, though."
Masterson stopped looking around the bank and quickly turned his head down towards Reid. Reid tried to make it seem like this statement was no big deal and attempted to remain as nonchalant as possible.
"Oh yeah? And what's that?" Miles asked, curiosity and suspicion laced in his voice.
Reid shrugged. "We both want to leave here today with something."
There it was; Reid's first plant. Masterson's response to this statement and the following ones would greatly determine how much Reid could help this situation.
"Let me guess," said Masterson, sounding bored and irritated. "You want your life? Or is it you want us behind bars?"
Reid chuckled. "Neither. I mean, I certainly wouldn't mind living another day or catching you guys because it is a part of my job description after all, but the only thing I really want is to know that none of these people will be hurt or killed."
"Figures," Masterson said with a roll of his eyes. "You cops are all the same. You all wanna save the poor little victims and yet none of you can take the stab to the ego whenever you just can't catch one of us."
"Actually," Reid said, about to plant his next major seed, "law enforcement officers of any kind, while very similar, almost always fall into one group or the other; some care more about catching the criminal while the others focus more so on saving victims. It's usually not a conscious choice and we all attempt to strike a balance between the two, but all of us make decisions that portray which side we are on, so to speak."
"And you're the type that focuses on the victims?"
Reid nodded, so far pleased at where this was going.
"In an extreme situation, your decisions would more so reflect which side you're on, right?"
Reid frowned and looked up at Masterson, still attempting to appear ignorant to where he was going with it. "I guess so, yeah."
"So you're saying you'd let me walk out here a free man, if you had the chance, as long as none of these people were harmed?"
Reid considered this and thought about the nature of this particular UnSub and how, up to this point, no one had been injured by him and still no fatalities at all. That being said, he knew that Masterson would also be the type to progress as far as necessary until he managed to either get what he wanted or go down trying.
"It wouldn't be the easiest thing I've ever done but in the end, yeah, I think I would," Reid said, then pretended to be curious. "Why?"
Masterson grinned. "We may never like each other, Fed, but we may be able to help each other out."
Reid frowned, still playing the ignorant role and letting Masterson come up with the whole plan on his own. "What do you mean?"
Masterson simply continued to smile. "Let's just say, should the occasion arise, I will promise that neither I nor my men will harm a single hostage as long as you promise to help us out too. I doubt it would be anything that goes against your precious morals, but there's a chance it won't feel so good for you..."
This was no surprise to Reid. He hadn't included himself in his wish that the other hostages remained unharmed and Reid could think of several scenarios in which his physical health could be used in Masterson's favor as well as his own. But, with his goal of keeping all hostages alive and relatively unharmed, he could certainly take a few hits for the team.
"So what do you say?" Masterson asked, squatting down so that he was eye level with Reid. "Have we got a deal?"
Reid took a moment to act like he was thinking it over even though he knew exactly what his answer would be. Finally, with a look into Masterson's eyes and feeling convinced that he was telling the truth, Reid reached out and grabbed the man's hand.
"Deal."
EN: Uh oh!! Ha ha, I love endings like this. Not a cliffhanger per se, but certainly leaves an open door. Hope you guys liked this chapter too and hope to hear from some of you. But as always, if you can't or don't want to give a comment, no worries! Just hope you come back for more!