ANote: Thank you dianebgifford for your in depth review of my last chapter. I agree with you that this story has hints of the unbelievable about it. I welcome any suggestions you or any other readers have to tighten up these weak areas. However in the interests of having an entertaining and fun story, we will press on with our narrative as it is. However, I am glad to know that you still find it an enjoyable read.

Chapter 14-Under my protection

15 years ago

The boy had heart if nothing else, Goldstein decided, as the young man still managed to stay on his feet as his back hit the wall.

'LEAVE ME ALONE!!!!' he screamed in agony as the guards surrounded him.

The security chief slowly dropped to his knees and held one hand out, waving to his men to stand back. The look in the teenager's eyes told him that the little boy was beyond fear and it was most likely he didn't even know what was happening or what he was doing.

'Okay, everybody just calm down,' he said softly, taking command of the situation with the skill that would earn him the coveted position of President of Operations in the years to come.

Spencer's eyes darted around the room wildly, looking for a way out.

'Hello,' he said is a shaky voice, 'I need…I need…I need…'

'It's okay son' Robert said softly, cutting the boy off before he descended into hysterics. 'I know what you need. Come to me and I'll take care of you'

Spencer shook his head in confusion, staring warily at the man in front of him with outstretched arms.

'Come, Spence,' the man with the nice smile said, beckoning with his fingers, 'it's me Uncle Bobby, remember?'

All was quiet in the meeting room as everyone stared mesmerized at the battle of wills being played out before them.

The boy took one step forward and suddenly broke into a run, barreling himself into the man's embrace. In one swift motion, the older man stood as Kate's friend wrapped himself around his torso like a fast growing vine.

'I got ya,' he reassured the trembling child as the boy took great gasps of air.

Swiftly the two walked towards a less populated area where the employee bathrooms were located. Robert turned to his second in command who, as expected, was one step behind him.

'Head down to the kitchens and get a plate of err...chicken fingers, steamed not fried. I don't think he can handle the grease right now, and get some of that Rehydrate or whatever you call it solution out of the first aid kit. GO!'

Gently the security chief placed the boy on his feet in front of one of the sinks.

'So, let's get some hot water going,' he crooned gently, trying to further calm the boy. 'And wash those hands'

Thankfully the young man had stopped shaking, but was still breathing hard. He balanced the framed picture on a convenient ledge and moved forward to grab the soap as his new protector got some fresh towels.

'That's great!' the man praised him as the boy took off his glasses to wash his face. 'You're doing just fine'

Robert ground in his teeth in anger as he took in the sight of swollen cheeks. Someone was going to pay for that!

'Wow, I think we need to get you some ice for that face or you are going to look like a clown in the morning' he joked a little, patting the bony shoulders.

Spencer slipped on his glasses and turned to face Kate's uncle, 'Thank you Mr. Goldstein. I am extremely appreciative of your efforts, but I came here to discuss a business matter with you. Is Kate here yet?'

He would never get use to the way the little boy talked, but first things first.

'My little girl's coming here, now?' he asked offhandedly, stripping off his jacket to wrap around the boy's skeletal frame.

He looked down at the tousled long hair as the boy bent his head to fasten the buttons, 'Yes. I just talked to her about ten minutes ago'

Spencer took one step forward and promptly keeled over.

'Whoa,' Robert said, reflexively scooping the young man up in his arms again. 'You better let me carry you. When is the last time you got some sleep?'

The two walked towards his private office as the older man sifted through ideas, prioritizing what needed to be done.

'Okay,' he began, gently depositing the boy in a cozy armchair. 'I have to check on something and then we'll talk'

The security chief looked around his office vaguely for something to amuse his young charge and ruffled the brown hair in amusement as Spencer drew a copy of today's newspaper towards him. Robert gently closed the door behind him, and almost collided with the pert waitress carrying the tray of chicken fingers.

'Keep him company, will you?' he asked nodding to the door.

As he watched the waitress step inside, Goldstein hooked an arm around one of his passing men and drew him close enough to whisper in his ear.

'Get down to the parking lot and wait for my niece. I don't care what you do, I don't care if you have to cuff her to a post but keep her AWAY from the casino'

Present

Stephen didn't know what was happening, but it couldn't be anything good as his usually unflappable superior was completely freaking out. The boss' mood had also infected the entire security detail as they hurried through the casino floor drawing the gaze of concerned patrons.

'Casino business, no need to be concerned,' he said to random people, trying to spread as much calm as he could.

The security team was going with attack plan Zipper. Not that anything was wrong with this maneuver, it was just not something that Mr. Goldstein usually called for. The President usually preferred to corner the assailant as well as help the victim, but in this strategy all the emphasis was being placed on getting the victim to safety. Stephen hung back slightly to get a good view of the whole spectacle. He would never dream of defying orders, but there were enough good men available to get the skinny doctor to safety, so he kept his eyes focused on the stranger hoping to see where the man would eventually run off too.

The security chief's fears were unfounded as his men, disturbed by Goldstein's emotional response to the situation, slammed into the intruder with the force of a two tonne truck. The doctor shrieked as the man went flying and hit the opposite wall with a thud.

'Get him out of here!!!' Robert yelled at his team, pointing to the thin man.

Without even breaking stride, one of the guards snatched the 'victim' off his feet and carted him off to the safe room.

'Don't hurt him!!' Reid screamed uselessly at the casino staff as he was whisked away.

In the meantime, the rest of the men dragged the stunned intruder into a nearby access corridor.

The man groaned and clutched his stomach as his eyes watered in pain. However, Robert wasn't fooled.

'Alright, back up, don't get too close,' he warned his men as the injured man's eyes expertly swept the corridor, searching for weak spots.

Finally the stranger's gaze settled on him, correctly identifying him as the man in charge of the group.

'Why don't you just slide that gun over here and we'll talk. No need for this to get ugly,' he offered.

The man nodded, still not able to speak, and slid his firearm across the floor.

The tension in the air went down a notch at this easy compliance.

Goldstein squatted down to be at eye level with the other man as he scooped up the gun.

'My name is Robert Goldstein, president of operations at the casino' he introduced himself, 'and that boy is under my protection'

The intruder shook his head and spoke for the first time. 'You're wrong'

Robert looked at the hand the man extended distrustfully.

'Dr. Reid is under my protection,' he continued with the air of a man who was used to people agreeing with him.

'Who do you think you are?' Goldstein retorted scornfully.

'My name is Aaron Hotchner'