A/N: Sorry about the wait and I will apologize in advance because the next chapter won't be up for a few days either. My brother came up from out of state, so I'm spending some time with him. Hope you like this chapter, it's a little short, but oh well. The next one is longer. Enjoy!
Fate
Chapter 8: Sacrifice
I stood outside the sheriff's department, trying to get my bearings. There was a light breeze, but I wish it were storming. I wanted nature to reflect what I was feeling inside. I wanted to feel small in it's rage, just so I wouldn't feel so overwhelmed with my own.
I try not to wonder how many times Reid suffered Sibly's anger. How many times did this man get frustrated and take it out on my agent? How many slaps did Reid get for expired milk or bad weather? How many times did he just stand back and take it, hoping his compliance would get him one step closer to freedom? Because he realized, we weren't coming for him.
When did he realize he was alone? When did he realize that he had to take matters into his own hands, the only way he knew how? How much of his soul did he sacrifice for this?
I heard the door behind me open and turned to see Gideon and an officer I'd never seen. As Gideon passed by me he said, "We're going back to the hospital." There was no hint of comfort in his voice, and I didn't expect any. Now he was dealing with his own pain. He had no room for mine.
The officer drove us back, saying the sheriff was starting in on the case. Beyond that no one spoke. The ride was tense and I was relieved when it was over, until I got up to the floor Reid's room was on. It was terrible, but I didn't know if I could face him without wanting to throw up at my overwhelming failure to protect him. He was my agent. I was supposed to protect him. Seconds later, I had to wince at calling him mine. He didn't belong to anyone. I couldn't help but tear myself apart for thinking that, even though I know I hadn't meant it as controlling. Still, just to be safe...
The door was open, but Gideon had stopped in the threshold. I looked over his shoulder to see Morgan standing by the windows, talking quietly into his cell phone. He had a strange look on his face, but his voice was calm as he said, "Yeah, thanks sweetheart. I will. Bye."
"Who was that?" Gideon asked, walking further into the room. He kept his voice low as he spoke with Morgan over Reid's bed.
"Garcia." He answered, tapping out some beat with his cell phone into his palm. The way he was staring at his hands gave me a bad feeling. Before I could ask what she had told him, he continued, "She got that info on Sibly that you asked for, Hotch. He used to work at the BAU."
"What?" This guy worked for me?
"He was a night janitor. Put in his notice two weeks before Reid disappeared." Morgan said flatly.
I knew Sibly had looked familiar, if only a little. I must have passed by him hundreds of times, never giving him a second glance. Reid use to stay late a lot, and I can imagine Sibly in the background as I tell Reid to go home. It happened often enough and there were always one or two other people bustling around. This man had taken an interest in Reid and was able to snatch him from right under our noses. If that didn't prod and poke at my guilt even more...
"Didn't he get evaluated or something? You'd think a guy capable of stalking and kidnaping would have raised some red flags." Morgan stated, looking at us with desperate eyes.
"He was a janitor, Morgan. He took out our garbage. The FBI doesn't spend time and money evaluating those kind of people." Gideon replied bitterly.
"Well, they're going to start. If anyone has access to us or our cases, they're getting checked. We're not going to have a repeat of this." I stated. I sat down in one of the plastic chairs and examined the bed's occupant. It's too bad that Reid had be the example for this lesson.
Morgan rubbed a hand over his face. I remember him doing that when we first came into this room. It seemed like forever ago. "I'm gonna go get some coffee. You guys want any?"
"No." I answered. Gideon settled for shaking his head.
As Morgan got to the door he turned back, "Crap. Nobody called Elle or JJ."
"I'll do it." Gideon said, taking out his cell phone and leaving the room. I twisted around to watch him go, wondering why he was in such a hurry to leave again. We just got here. I looked at Morgan, who gave me a half-hearted shrug in reply, before leaving himself. I stayed in that position for a few moments, just watching the empty doorway.
When I turned back, I jumped in surprise, which made the person starring at me flinch.
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