The Replicator

"Are you guys okay?" Penelope's voice demanded over the phone.

"Yeah, I've got Derek and Victoria with me. We're meeting everyone at the hotel." said JJ.

"I don't know how he got in! I check and double check everything! I'm constantly upgrading…!" Penelope cried.

"I'm trying to shut down the system before the Replicator can." chimed in Kevin Lynch's voice.

"It's not your fault, Penelope. He's just that good." said Victoria.

"He wanted us to know he's here hunting us." Morgan added.

"Hold on, you've got an external override. And the only way to get in is with a preauthorized hardline and he didn't get in via Quantico." said Kevin.

"Oh my God…" Penelope breathed.

"What?" demanded Morgan.

"He was in my house!" Penelope wailed. Victoria exchanged a glance with JJ and Morgan. The hack into Garcia's system had put the team on high alert. It seemed the Replicator was done replicating crimes and was now targeting the team. Everyone had been attacked, one way or another. JJ had received flowers with a note attached with the inscription, Zugzwang. Garcia had been hacked with Zugzwang all over her screens. Spencer had received the phone call, "Zugzwang," when Maeve had been kidnapped. Victoria had received a wedding congratulatory card with the word Zugzwang written inside a few days ago. The thought of it sent chills down her spine. The Replicator knew she was engaged to Korey.

As soon as Spencer saw Victoria in the hallway, he stood closer to her. His anger with her vanished at the thought of the Replicator hurting her, or anyone on his team.

"Strauss is missing. Blake, Parker and Reid talk to hotel security. We need access to exit points and footage from every camera. Morgan, back up Dave on the roof. JJ take the west staircase. I'll take the east." Hotch ordered.

Spencer nodded. The team dispersed. Spencer, Blake and Victoria hurried to the hotel lobby. Victoria found the nearest security guard. "We need to look over security footage, focusing on exit points and material from every camera." said Victoria, flashing her badge. Spencer watched the guard widen his eyes at Victoria's badge.

"Uh, sure thing." he said. He led them to the surveillance room. He pulled up footage from the cameras.

"Go back about half an hour ago." said Spencer.

"I can't," said the security guard. "The footage has been wiped."

Spencer glanced at Victoria. Blake made a call to Garcia, asking her to pull up footage from ATMs and traffic cameras. Those had been cleared, too. Spencer parted his lips. Blake received a call.

"Morgan," she said. Spencer watched as Blake's face fell. "Oh. Okay. Thanks," she muttered. She hung up. "Strauss is dead."

Spencer's stomach knotted. He glanced at Victoria. Her eyes were wide with shock. Alex left the surveillance room. Victoria moved to follow her, but Spencer stopped her. "Victoria… I just want you to know that I'm sorry for everything." he murmured, his voice cracking.

"Don't say that," Victoria snapped. Spencer frowned at her. Victoria didn't look angry. Her eyes sparkled with tears. "It sounds like you're saying goodbye."

Spencer nodded. "Let's go." He led Victoria outside, where an ambulance and the rest of the team was waiting. Strauss's body was loaded up onto the ambulance.

"We've got an APB but the description of the Replicator is too general." said JJ.

"Hotel security footage was wiped out. ATM and traffic cameras are compromised as well," Spencer informed them. "He hacked into at least two dozen systems."

"He got into Garcia's place which means he can get anywhere. This guy's bragging." said Morgan.

"It's not just enough to take massive risks and get away with it. That's probably why he took Strauss into a crowd of people." said Spencer.

"That, and to humiliate her publicly." said JJ.

"But he called Hotch from her phone," pointed out Blake. "It was important to him that we found her alive."

"The director wants this contained and solved." said Hotch, joining the group.

"At least he's not taking us off the case." said Morgan.

"He's giving us twenty-four hours and then he will." said Hotch.

Victoria sat next to Spencer on the jet heading back to Quantico. Strauss was dead. Victoria had never been very close to the woman, but Victoria had felt… protected, in a way, by Strauss. If Strauss could be taken by the Replicator, who else? Who would be next? Blake? Rossi? Morgan? JJ? Hotch? Penelope? …Spencer? Victoria reached for Spencer's hand. She gripped it tightly. Spencer glanced at her, eyebrows raised in surprise. But he didn't pull away. He squeezed her hand in reply. Victoria let out a relaxed breath. She closed her eyes. No one was going to touch her family.

"He knew about Foyett?" said JJ on the elevator.

"Who's that?" asked Blake.

"He was the man who killed my wife." said Hotch.

Victoria glanced at him. She'd read the case file, because she'd been authorized to do such in order to learn about the team before she'd taken the job as their evaluator. "That's a classified case that's not in any database." said Morgan.

"Yeah, you have to have federal credentials to read it. Even then it's difficult to gain access to it." said Victoria.

"Then how would the Replicator know about it?" asked Blake.

"If he had access to the case file then we're talking about someone on the inside." said Spencer.

"Conference room in five." said Hotch. Victoria hurried off to fetch Garcia. Penelope threw her arms around Victoria.

"Oh, I'm glad you guys made it back safely. How's Rossi?" Penelope said.

"Not so good. C'mon." said Victoria.

"I set up some stuff in the conference room." said Penelope, walking with Victoria to the round table room.

"Garcia, is this everything?" Hotch asked as Victoria and Penelope seated themselves.

"Yeah. The Replicator's stuff is here and the team's stuff is there," said Penelope, indicating to the two boards plastered with photos and evidence. "Okay, so, I started with that question you asked, why Strauss and on this day."

"The most obvious answer is that it's an anniversary of some sort." said Spencer.

"But there's nothing historically relevant." said Garcia.

"It could be the smallest thing. Concentrate on New York and on the dates, the setting could be important, too." said Spencer.

"It would be easier to attack Strauss at home. Is there a reason why he waited for her to be out?" said JJ.

"Well considering she's hardly in the field, he got lots of pictures of her. It's like he's obsessed with her." said Morgan, examining the board.

"Maybe Strauss was always his first target." suggested Blake. "He attacked the top of the BAU chain first."

"All right. Reid, you've matched up all the murder location with their dates. Now we need to know how long it would take to drive to these locations assuming a home base is in the district. He brought the fight here for a reason." said Hotch.

"It's nearly impossible to figure out when he arrived and departed in New York, but we should try." said Morgan.

"Okay. I'll collect all the public and private transportation stuff." said Penelope.

"Garcia, I need Kevin to go through every pixel of these photographs. This unsub gets off on taunting us. He's given us answers here, we just haven't found them yet." said Hotch.

Spencer looked up from his geographical profiling after Rossi mentioned a figure eight scratched into Strauss's wrist over the phone. "A figure eight?" said Hotch, frowning.

"That's what it looks like. I just sent a picture to you all." said Rossi.

"Maybe it's an infinity symbol," said Spencer, looking at the picture.

"Well, if it's infinity, he could be boasting he'll go on forever." suggested Blake.

"Or, if it's an eight, Strauss was his eighth victim." said Morgan.

"And the unofficial eighth member of our team, Parker being the ninth." said JJ.

Spencer glanced at Victoria. Would that make her the Replicator's ninth target? Spencer pursed his lips. There was no way in hell Victoria would be the ninth victim. None of his team would be. "If this is a taunt from him, it's too random." said Hotch.

"Well, he's only sent one message and he seems real proud of it." said Morgan.

"Zugzwang." said Spencer. Derek nodded.

"Then what does this mean? Rossi, the cut looks jagged. Any idea what caused it?" asked JJ.

"Best guess is a piece of glass." said Rossi's voice. "The ME's checking for splinters now."

"The glasses at the mini bar?" Morgan guessed.

"Those were all plastic." said Rossi.

"All right. Let us know what you find out." said Hotch. He hung up on Rossi. "Anything from the photographs yet?"

"I blew up a few more and this one stands out." said Morgan, sliding over a picture of himself in a tuxedo.

"When were you in a tuxedo?" asked JJ.

"British Embassy event." Morgan answered.

"Security clearance is high." said Blake.

"Security was insane that night! That kind of accessibility plus knowing about Foyett, the fact that he was able to get past all my security clearances alone… You guys have to trust your gut. The Replicator's gotta be on the inside." said Penelope. Spencer and Victoria exchanged a grim glance.

Hotch burst into the conference room after being in Garcia's bat cave for several minutes. "Parker, who all reads your reports on us?" he demanded.

Victoria felt all of the team's eyes on her. "I turned them into Strauss, met with Cramer every three months and the director oversees everything. Other than that, I have no idea. You'd have to go to Cramer." she answered.

Hotch nodded. "That's what Kevin said. They've been reading my case reports, too. Parker, I want you to come with me. You're going to need to wear something nice."

Victoria nodded. She rushed out of the room and dug into her go bag. She had a navy business dress with a cream bow belt and heels inside. She changed in the bathroom. Her hair was messy, so she pulled it up into a ponytail. She reapplied her mascara and left the bathroom. Hotch was waiting for her.

As they drove to Cramer's office building, Hotch debriefed Victoria. "There are other people reading your evaluations and my case reports. We need that list. The Replicator's on it. He knows too much about our personal lives and cases to not be."

"Yes sir." said Victoria.

They tracked down Cramer, who was heading to a meeting. "Senator Cramer, we need to speak with you. It's urgent." said Hotch.

"Agent Hotchner, I have a very full day." said Cramer.

"Yes sir, we all do," said Hotch. "Senator, can I suggest we move this to your office?"

"There's nothing you can tell me that these walls haven't heard before." said Cramer.

"You've been watching us for nearly two years." said Hotch.

"That's no secret. Agent Parker has been with you since that ordeal with Agent Prentiss. She's at the London office now. It's a good fit for her. We told you we'd be watching you closely." said Cramer.

"Parker and I have sent reports to the director and you've seen them." said Hotch.

"Well, agent, that's classified." sneered Cramer.

"It wasn't a question. I know you're on the list and that you've been keeping tabs on us." said Hotch.

"We need to know who else is on that list." said Victoria.

"I'm not answering that until I get some insight as to what this is all about." said Cramer. He narrowed his eyes at Victoria. "And you should not have told them you were meeting with me."

Victoria lifted her chin haughtily but didn't reply. "There's a man who's been replicating the crimes we've solved in the last year." said Hotch.

"Strauss told us all about it." said Cramer.

"He killed her last night," said Victoria. "In New York, she was murdered."

Cramer's smug smirk vanished from his face and gave way to shock. "What? Why didn't you tell me this sooner?"

"The director's keeping this contained. We believe this unsub is targeting the rest of us and we've determined that he is in one of the highest ranks of the justice system. And he's been reading Parker's and my reports." said Hotch.

"We need the names, sir." said Victoria.

Cramer pressed his lips into a thin line and nodded once. "Very well."

"John Curtis… He was quiet, a loner… His passion was biochemistry." said Blake. Spencer widened his eyes and glanced at his team. The Replicator was John Curtis. They got up to get their vests and head to John Curtis's property for the takedown. Spencer paused before Victoria. There was so much he wanted to say. He just gazed into her aquamarine eyes. I love you. Victoria wrapped her arms around Spencer's waist. "Please, be safe." she whispered.

Spencer buried his face in the crook of Victoria's neck, his arms around her waist. "I will."

Victoria and Penelope watched the cameras of John Curtis's property from the helicopters' view. They listened to the team via headset. Victoria bit her lip when she noticed the cameras went down. Garcia and Kevin worked fiercely to bring the footage back up. Victoria widened her eyes at the excessive beeping.

"What's happening?" she demanded.

"Autopilot seized." replied Hotch's voice.

"Oh God." whispered Garcia. Victoria and Penelope gripped hands. The beeping stopped, but there was no sound of a crash.

"Are you guys okay?" Victoria asked.

"We're stabilized." replied Hotch.

Penelope, Kevin and Victoria relaxed. Then the beeping started again. "Brace for impact!" cried the pilot. Victoria and Penelope gripped hands as they waited for the crash. Victoria closed her eyes at the deafening boom of the helicopter crashing. Tears leaked through her lashes and plopped onto her cheeks. Spencer was on that helicopter, along with Blake and Hotch. If any of them died… Victoria shuddered with a silent sob. Penelope pulled Victoria into a hug. Kevin immediately got on the phone, trying to figure out what happened and to speed the SWAT team along. Victoria withdrew from Penelope, but still gripped the tech's hand tightly.

"Are they okay?" Victoria hissed. She needed to know that they were okay. Her connection with them had been cut off. She took off the headset and set it down. She didn't want to listen to the deafening silence anymore.

Kevin didn't answer. "Are they okay?" demanded Penelope.

Kevin finished his phone call. "As a precaution they landed on opposite sides of the property. The controls were taken over by remote override, which can only happen within a five mile radius." he explained.

"He knew they were coming." realized Penelope.

"And how they were getting there." said Kevin.

Victoria didn't care about how it happened. She wanted to know that her family was safe. "Kevin, are they okay?" she demanded.

Kevin looked at her sympathetically. "I don't know yet."

"If he wanted to kill all of us, he could've." said JJ.

Spencer walked with Morgan, Hotch and JJ, heading for the property. He was still a bit sore from the crash, but he was okay. "He's playing God like he has been all year. He hard-landed us, knocked us out with whatever was in that canister so he could take Blake." Spencer said.

"He had plenty of chances to take her before tonight. He wants it to be a spectacle." said Hotch.

Spencer and his team arrived at John Curtis's house. Spencer stared at the dark windows. The Replicator was somewhere inside. He'd succeeded in keeping Victoria safe, but now he was worried about Blake. For some reason, John Curtis had a vendetta against Blake. Well, Spencer knew the reason. Blake and Curtis had lost everything at the same time. But while Blake rose through the ranks, Curtis faded into the woodwork. And Curtis was not happy about it.

The SWAT team arrived. Hotch went off to discuss a breaching strategy. When he was done, he announced to Spencer and the rest of the team that they were ready. Spencer withdrew his gun and headed for the house. He and Hotch found a hatch in the ground. Spencer pulled open the door while Hotch pointed his gun inside. Hotch led the way into the basement of Curtis's house, Spencer following close behind. Spencer and Hotch came in sync with JJ and Morgan. The four of them found an extra room, where Blake was chained to a chair. JJ and Morgan continued on to find Curtis. Hotch removed the gag from Blake's mouth. Spencer crouched to examine the locks. Keys were provided. This was too easy…

"He said there are eight keys there're eight of us left." said Blake.

"Eight locks, six keys so two will be used twice… Each letter corresponds with a number. Seven is G…" said Spencer, examining the labeled keys and locks.

"What are the other letters?" asked Hotch.

"Uh, Z, U, G, W… Zugzwang." Spencer muttered. He looked at his teammates. "It's too easy."

JJ and Morgan returned to the room through the only door. "He's got the place lined with C-4. We've only got about three minutes." Morgan announced.

"This seems too easy…" muttered Spencer as he unlocked Blake. "Zugzwang also means a dilemma in chess where the best move is to not move at all," he explained. Just as Blake began to stand, he saw it. "Wait, don't get up!" Too late. Their only exit door slammed shut. "It's a pressure sensor." Spencer explained, gesturing to the chair.

Spencer stood, meeting JJ's terrified gaze. She clutched at her sister's necklace. Spencer gazed at his friends. His family. He prayed Victoria would forgive him. He wished he'd been able to tell Victoria that he loved her. He wished he could've seen his mother one last time.

The door opened. Rossi smiled at the team. "That bastard's not hurting anyone else I love. Let's go." he said. Spencer let JJ and Blake go before him. He ran out with the others. Hotch yelled at the SWAT team to get back and take cover. Spencer glanced back. Rossi was gone. Spencer stopped in his tracks.

"Wait, where's Rossi?" Spencer yelled.

"Dave!" roared Hotch.

"He just let us out, why would he go back in?" Morgan demanded.

Before they could react, Rossi burst from the house. The team took cover behind an SUV just as the house exploded into smithereens.

Victoria gasped when she saw the team. She hugged each one individually. John Curtis was dead. Her team was safe. Victoria embraced Spencer, feeling her eyes burn with tears. Spencer squeezed her in reply. Victoria moved from Spencer and hugged Penelope, stifling a sob.

"Oh." Penelope murmured in surprise. She rubbed Victoria's back. "It's okay. We're all okay."

Victoria withdrew and nodded. She gave the team a watery smile. "Yeah. I'm glad you're all safe."

"Everyone go home. Get some rest. I better not see any of you here tomorrow, except Parker." said Hotch.

Victoria nodded. "Yes sir." She gathered her things and headed to the elevator.

"Why are you going in tomorrow?" asked Morgan.

"Oh," said Victoria as Morgan, JJ, Rossi and Spencer piled onto the elevator with her. "Standard procedure stuff. The director wants Hotch's and my reports." Victoria swallowed. It wasn't a total lie. When the elevator reached the ground floor, Victoria stepped off hurriedly. "Bye, guys." She shuffled away before the rest of the team could respond. Her eyes welled with tears. This had been her last case with the BAU profilers.

The next morning, Victoria pulled on black tights, a cream-colored skirt and a black shirt. She slipped on black heels and curled her hair. She kept her makeup simple but classy and made sure to wear waterproof mascara. She grabbed her purse and headed for the BAU. She met Hotch at the bullpen. The two of them headed in silence for the conference room, where they waited for Senator Cramer to show up. Victoria's hands trembled as she pulled her final evaluation of the team out of her bag.

"It's been a pleasure working with you, Agent Parker." said Hotch.

Victoria met his gaze. Despite his formality, Hotch's eyes glimmered with sadness. Victoria offered him a small smile. "The pleasure was all mine, Agent Hotchner."

Cramer entered the conference room and closed the door. He sat down at the round table. "The director couldn't be here, as you well know. Your reports?" he said. Victoria and Hotch passed their reports to Cramer wordlessly. Cramer cleared his throat. "Agent Parker, the director has expressed his concerns that this team will need further evaluating after the trauma with this whole… Replicator thing."

Victoria raised her eyebrows. "Sir?"

Cramer looked at her. "If you'd be interested, we want to extend your stay with this team for another year."

Victoria glanced at Hotch, who seemed just as surprised as she was. Victoria looked at Cramer. "I… Yes. Yes, I would be honored to work with this team another year." she said.

Cramer dipped his head. "Good. Thank you." He stood and left the conference room. Victoria and Hotch stood and watched Cramer leave the bullpen.

Victoria looked at Hotch, who was trying very hard not to smile too big. Victoria laughed and hugged Hotch. He chuckled. "It's great to have you back." said Hotch, squeezing Victoria's shoulder. Victoria beamed.

Spencer sat at a round table in Rossi's backyard. It was the evening after Strauss's funeral. Morgan had just finished a story of Strauss being one hell of a shot.

"Remember that time when she called me, and I thought it was somebody else?" chuckled Penelope, gesturing to Morgan with a sheepish grin.

JJ laughed. "That was funny."

"Maybe to you! I was mortified!" said Penelope.

"What did you say?" asked Blake.

"Talk dirty to me…" mumbled Penelope.

Spencer noticed Victoria gag on her wine. He chuckled. "You did not!" gasped Blake.

"Hey, that was my line." said David.

Spencer laughed along with the team and sank into the bittersweet memories of Strauss. Eventually, they all fell silent. "Wait… Isn't… Wasn't this Victoria's last case?" said Garcia.

Spencer looked at Victoria, eyes wide. No… He didn't want her to go. "Actually," said Victoria, hiding a smile, "the director extended my time with you guys for another year. Apparently he thinks you'll need me."

"So… You're staying?" Penelope breathed.

Victoria nodded. "Mhm."

Spencer couldn't stop his grin from spreading. The rest of the team looked just as relieved. Rossi tapped his glass to quiet them down. He raised it for a toast. "Last year we had a… very different celebration. One of life, of love… and good people. This year, it's the… It's the other side of that. Because that's what families do. It's been a hard year," Rossi said. He glanced at Spencer, who pressed his lips together, thinking of Maeve. The sting of her loss didn't hurt as badly as it used to, but it was still there. He felt Victoria's hand slip into his underneath the table. "But tonight, we celebrate a life well-lived, well-loved… To a good woman. An even better mother, to our friend. Who I will miss very much." Rossi finished the toast. Spencer clinked his glass against his teammates' glasses for Erin Strauss.

"And we're very happy to have Victoria remain a part of the family for another year." said Penelope.

Victoria smiled sheepishly. "Thank you." Spencer squeezed her hand. He glanced at her for a moment. He felt the words on the tip of his tongue. But now was not the time, nor place. He wasn't sure it would ever be the right moment.

On the second to last night of her two week summer vacation, Victoria drove to The Stage for a night of dancing with her teammates. Her mind sank into an ocean of thought. She was surfacing from the stormy sea she'd been drowning in for the past two years. Two years of her life… Wasted. She was emerging, and it felt great. She grinned to herself. No longer was Korey going to control her. He did not get to dictate how she felt about herself. And he was no longer going to scare her. Love had been right in front of her all along. Spencer. She took off her engagement ring and dropped it in the cup holder. A weight lifted off her shoulders. She parked her car and strode toward the club. She entered the casual bar and found her team.

"V!" cried Penelope, raising her arms.

Victoria laughed as she was passed from hug to hug by each team member. "Hi!" Victoria greeted them. Victoria wrapped her arms around Spencer's waist. He squeezed her tightly and buried his face in the crook of her neck for a moment. Victoria withdrew from Spencer, smiling.

"You're so… smiley!" gasped Penelope.

"Thanks?" Victoria chuckled.

"You're not wearing your ring," said Penelope. Victoria lifted her weightless hand. She smirked at Garcia, who bounced with excitement. "You broke up with him?!"

"Not officially," said Victoria. "But I have in my mind. I just need to have a talk with him."

"You need a drink!" cried Garcia.

Spencer danced with JJ, laughing as he stumbled over his own feet. "Spence," JJ hissed. Spencer raised his eyebrows at her. "Go for Victoria. I know how you feel about her."

"She's still with Korey." Spencer pointed out.

"She's going to break up with him. You need to tell her. Don't let it pass you by." said JJ.

Spencer sighed. The song came to an end. A new one started. JJ was swept away by Morgan. Spencer found himself facing Victoria. He placed a hand on her waist. He gripped her other hand and held it close to his chest. They swayed together in silence. "What made you decide to break up with him?" Spencer murmured.

"You," said Victoria. "I couldn't stand us being angry with each other because of that asshole. And I was tired of letting him destroy me."

"Good," said Spencer, a little harsher than he'd meant. "I was tired of watching him do that to you."

"I know," Victoria murmured. "I was scared, too. He threatened that if I ever broke up with him to be with you, he'd… Well, he'd beat the ever living fuck out of you."

Spencer stiffened. Not because he was afraid of Korey's threat, but because Victoria had implied she was leaving Korey for him. "You stayed with him… To protect me?"

"Sort of," said Victoria. "Also because I was an idiot. I'm scared to actually do it, Spence. He hasn't been violent yet, but…"

Spencer looked at her. "Don't let that stop you. If you stay with him, it'll escalate."

"I know. I'm not. I'm just scared. I haven't returned any of his calls or anything. I'm kind of blindsiding him." said Victoria.

"Do you need me to be there?" Spencer offered.

Victoria shook her head. "No. I have to do this on my own. But thank you."

Spencer nodded. "Of course."

"HEY!" bellowed a male voice. Spencer looked up. He widened his eyes when Korey shoved Spencer away from Victoria. Korey got in Victoria's face. "What the fuck do you think you're doing? You don't answer any of my calls or texts? I thought something had happened to you! And you're just out with your friends? You fucking bitch! What's your problem, you stupid whore?"

"Back off, Korey." muttered Victoria.

"Back off? You want me to back off? No, we're leaving and you're gonna fucking tell me why you have been ignoring me!" shouted Korey, grabbing Victoria by the arm. Spencer stepped forward.

"Let go of her." Spencer ordered.

"Shut the fuck up," spat Korey. "I know you've been fucking my fiancée, you piece of shit."

"I have not been doing that," said Spencer calmly. "Let her go."

"No," sneered Korey. "I have some things to discuss with my fiancée, if you don't mind." He yanked Victoria close to him. She struggled to get free, her eyes wide with fear.

There was no way in hell Spencer was letting Korey take Victoria. "Let her go!" Spencer snapped.

Korey let go of Victoria and shoved Spencer back. "Who the fuck do you think you are? This is our business, stay out of it!"

"Back off, man." said Morgan, joining the fray. Spencer grabbed Victoria and stood in front of her.

"Or what?" Korey snarled.

"Unless you want to be arrested for assault, I suggest you leave." said Hotch, stepping in front of Korey.

Korey worked his jaw angrily. He pointed at Victoria. "This isn't over, bitch." He stormed out of the bar.

Spencer could feel Victoria trembling against him. "Reid," said Hotch. "Take her home. Stay there. Lock up her house."

Spencer nodded. He walked Victoria out of the bar and to his car.

"I'm sorry about Korey," said Victoria, sitting on her couch beside Spencer.

"It's okay," said Spencer. "Did he hurt you?"

"No," said Victoria, rubbing her arm where Korey had gripped her. Her eyes filled with tears. "I'm such an idiot."

"No, you're not," said Spencer firmly.

"Why did I dig myself into this hole? I let him do this to me because I thought I didn't deserve better… And our relationship was so immature and toxic… But I ignored it because I thought… I thought he was the only man who would come close to loving me." Victoria sobbed. She felt Spencer's arms around her. She buried her face in his chest and cried until her throat hurt and her eyelids felt heavy. She cried until she fell asleep, wrapped in her best friend's embrace.

...

Thanks for all the reviews and such! You guys are amazing! Keep it up, I hope you enjoyed this chapter! We have officially left Season 8! I plan on doing most of season 9, if not all. Thank you!