Disclaimer: See Chapter One

Chapter 9

Agent Reid? Taryn frowned. Who is that? And who are these people?

Then he remembered everything.

Kruptin is my enemy.

Taryn stood, and blinked a few times for dramatic effect, so they'd think he was disoriented.

The Russian in front of him lowered the machine gun just a bit.

Taryn slammed his fist into the man's collarbone.

"Whoa!" Kruptin yelled, stepping back.

Taryn punched the same man in the face, then grabbed his shoulder and pushed him out of the way.

One down.

"Reid, look out!"

He ducked into a crouch as Matveev swung at him. He grabbed the metal leg of the chair and threw it at his enemy, throwing him off balance.

Two to go . . . But he could hear his first opponent trying to regain his feet.

Kruptin lunged forward, a jab aimed for his head. Taryn grabbed his wrist and blocked his second punch. He kicked Kruptin's leg from under him, making him drop to one knee, then kneed him in the face.

He whirled to face the first man, who was grabbing the dropped machine gun from the floor.

Taryn shoved the table across the room. It slammed into the man, knocking him to all fours. Taryn snatched up the gun before he could, and kicked him in the head, knocking him out cold.

One left.

Taryn turned to look at Hotch.

Hotch stared at Reid, not sure of what he was seeing. "Reid?"

Taryn cocked the gun and pointed it at Hotch's head. "Drop the needle."

Hotch blinked.

I forgot I was holding it. He remembers . . . so why is he pointing a gun at me?

Hotch held out the needle slowly, and tossed it in Taryn's direction.

It rolled across the floor and Taryn stopped it with his black converse. Then he stepped on it, smashing it to pieces.

Hotch's breath caught. That wasn't Reid.

"I think Agent Reid injected himself with too much of the drug." Taryn said, coldly. "I remember everything that happened – I remember his background, but it's foggy, like a dream. He's noble and selfless to give you the power to kill him, but I am not Agent Reid. I am Taryn, and no one's going to kill me." He pulled the magazine from the machine gun and snapped it in half, dropping everything on the floor.

He pulled the door open and stepped out. Hotch followed him.

"I've never been here before, but I've studied the blueprints, in case I should be captured by them and brought to this base."

"Who are they?" Hotch asked, following Taryn down the corridor.

"A black ops branch of the Russian government." Taryn replied, then stopped outside a door. "The other agents should be inside here. I'll get them out. You watch the hall."

"I don't have a gun." Hotch pointed out.

Taryn shrugged. "If you see someone, let me know."

Not locked on the outside means the guard is on the inside, watching them. If I open the door he'll move away from where I can shoot, but toward the door . . .

Taryn pushed the door open a few inches.

"Who's there?" A Russian voice demanded.

He'll be in position . . .

"Identify yourself!"

About . . . now.

Taryn moved.

He slammed the door open, swinging it into the guard inside. Across the room he saw Agent Morgan spring from his chair, startled.

The guard made a shocked noise. Taryn slammed the door into him again, then yanked it away quickly. He jump-kicked the man in the chest, slamming him into the concrete wall a third time.

The guard collapsed forward onto the ground.

"Spence?" A female voice gasped.

Taryn paused, sorting through his memories as 'Reid'. This was JJ. A special friend.

Hotch stepped in the door. "Reid injected himself with the drug so that he can save us. He's gone back to being his second personality, a man called Taryn."

"What?" Rossi stared.

Garcia just gaped.

Taryn moved out the door.

Hotch looked after him. "Are you all okay?" he waited for an affirmative. "Then let's get moving."

"Reid, wait for us." Prentiss called.
"Taryn." he corrected her, without turning around.

"Taryn, do you know where he might have put our guns?" Hotch asked.

Taryn turned to face the team of FBI agents.

"Agent Hotchner. You look at me and you see your friend. But I look at you and see a complete stranger. I just found out that I'm an imaginary second personality of a genius who works with you. I understand what I am, but I feel like I'm Taryn, CIA, black ops branch. Agent Reid trusts you. Fine. I don't. I'll get you out of this building alive, but I'm not going to give any of you a weapon while you're behind me. Understand?"

"Okay, big shot." Morgan stepped forward. "You don't even have a gun, and we don't know how many more Russians there are roaming around here. How are you going to get us out alive?"

"Stay behind me and find out." Taryn didn't even crack a smile. "Are you all ready to move out?"

Hotch nodded.

Taryn strode down the hall. Only a few paces further and it turned. "Stop." Taryn ordered, and stepped into sight of the next hall.

A Russian soldier lunged forward.