Title: The Clockwork Boy
Rating: R
Fandom: Criminal Minds
Universe: Creatures of the Night (Part 2)
Pairing: Reid/Austin, Morgan/Prentiss; JJ/Hotch
Genre: Supernatural/Drama
Summary: Reid finds himself teaming up with his kidnappers to determine the nature of his origins. Meanwhile, the team are split between searching for their agent and investigating a new and twisted case. AU.
Author's Notes: Betaed by Windy City Dreamer.

Chapter Four

'I can't help you,' Reid says, struggling to get to his feet. There's a mix-up somewhere between his brain and his legs, and he trips on the blanket that's covering the lower half of his body. He puts out a hand to stop his fall, sending a rush of pain up his arm. Breath comes in short gulps, and he drops to his knees. The hyperventilating subsides with the pain, and when it does, he realizes that there's someone standing at his side, their hand on his shoulder.

'Are you alright?' Austin asks him, concern in her eyes. 'He wasn't supposed to hit you so hard.'

'He's a robot, Austin. What the fuck does it matter? He can't feel shit.'

Austin rolls her eyes, as though it's a joke, as though this hadn't been a kidnapping. 'He does feel, Riley. That's the whole fucking point. We wouldn't need him if he wasn't as close to human as we're gonna get.'

As close to human as we're gonna get. The words sting as he hears them – a harsh reminder that he isn't human. As if the arm hadn't been enough. In such a situation he would normally default on his mind, but this situation is so chaotic, that he's not entirely sure he can trust his mind. It's just a piece of technology that someone else had programmed. They say he feels, but how true is that really?

'I can't help you,' he repeats, this time in a mumbling tone. He pushes Austin's hand off his shoulder, and stands without any major incident. 'I only just...I thought I was human.'

'Oh...' It's a hollow sound, part disappointment, and part – if he isn't mistaken – pity. 'You...you have no idea who made you?'

'No. But if I did...' He lets his voice trail off. What would he do if he met the person that made him? He wants to know the answers – he needs to. Answers are what define him. He's always been the man with the answer. He can tell you pi to a thousand digits; can recite the complete works of half a dozen authors; can calculate the trajectory of a planet's orbit. But he doesn't know what he is. Doesn't know who he is. Not really. 'I want to know,' he amends, with a tiny shrug.

He's almost about to suggest that they would be better suited letting him return to the BAU to find out, but then he realizes he's not sure if he wants to go back there just yet.

***

It's three thirty a.m by the time they all make it in. If anyone's tired, Hotch thinks, they're trying like hell not to show it. They crowd into Garcia's batcave to watch the video footage the fairy had compiled. Garcia herself is flitting about the room in a panic, never stopping for more than a few seconds at a time. She finally does stop when Hotch starts to speak.

'Alright,' he says. 'First up, we need to find out who these people are, and why they've taken Reid.' They're just about to scatter when there's a knock on the door.

'Agent Hotchner, could I speak with you for a moment please?' It's Deputy Director Ganash, and he looks nothing, if not frazzled. He hasn't told any of his superiors about Reid's disappearance yet, which means that there are other goings on that aren't good news. It's definitely the week for it.

They step outside, at which point Ganash hands him a case file. 'I need your team to look into this,' he says matter-of-factly.

'One of my agents is missing,' Hotch reveals. 'Agent Reid was taken from his apartment yesterday afternoon.'

There's a moment of silence. Ganash is taking in the information just given to him. 'There are no other teams free, Agent Hotchner. This is a matter of vital importance.'

Hotch flips through the file. Three dead witches in three days; such narrow margins makes it high priority. But not high enough to make him consider letting go of Reid's disappearance.

'These witches had links to "suspect organizations,"' says Hotch, seeing the note in the file. 'Doesn't that make it a Counter-Terrorism case?'

'The Counter-Terrorism Division has taken point,' admits Ganash, 'But I would feel more comfortable if there were at least some profilers involved in the investigation.'

Hotch relaxes slightly, but he's still feeling very anxious about the situation. Reid's missing, after all. 'I can spare Agent Rossi – he has the necessary experience in the magical field.'

Ganash sighs. 'This could look bad for you, Aaron,' he says, 'Politically speaking. Yes, I understand that your team did what you had to do – but some people are questioning your judgment. This will only be exacerbated if you only send Agent Rossi; the risk of fall-out is high.'

He's caught between a rock and a hard place. On the one hand, there are civilian lives at stake, and on the other hand, there's Reid.

'I'll send another agent with him,' he concedes. 'But I'd prefer to have everyone else on the hunt for Agent Reid. As you know doubt read in my report, he's experiencing some identity crisis, and any period of chaos could be detrimental to his health.'

Ganash nods. 'I'll expect your frequent updates, Agent Hotchner. While the Bureau finds a replacement for Agent Strauss, I will be your direct superior.'

Hotch nods, hoping like hell that they can get through this case without anything terrible happening.