Disclaimer: Criminal Minds and all its characters belong to CBS. I own nothing. Feel free to read and review, but please don't copy.
AN- Kudos to micksmouse for knowing that Reid got the quote from Mr. Scott on Star Trek!
Previously on Criminal Minds- He glanced back at his folder before leaping out of his chair. "That's it! That's what we've been missing!"
CM
"Hotch!" Reid shouted as the BAU leader strode into the room with Rossi. "I think I've figured it out!"
Hotch raised an eyebrow. "What is it you've figured out Reid?" he inquired.
"The unsub's motive!" Spencer exclaimed. He walked over to the head of the table where the others had gathered. "We assumed that the unsub was either a bullied person who had snapped and was taking revenge for the abuse they suffered or a bully who was making an example of the victims because they attempted to stop the bullying. But I don't think either of those are the unsub's true motive."
"Okay I'll bite. What's the real motivation?" Morgan asked, propping himself on the edge of the table.
Reid cleared his throat. "I believe the unsub is a bully." He began. "That much makes sense. But his motive isn't to instill fear into the student body; it's to eliminate who he sees as the competition."
"Competition?" Emily repeated with a frown. "I thought the victims all played different sports."
"They did. Brandon Heisman was the star pitcher on the school's baseball team, Eric Scott is the lead wrestler, Jake Winston is a valued member of the track team, and the latest victim, Kell Brighton is a rising star soccer player." JJ ticked off. "None of them had a sport or even a class in common. They're not even in the same grade."
"True" Spencer conceded. "But there are a few ways they are all alike beginning with the fact that they are all well rounded students. They excel in sports as well as academics and they are well-liked by students and teachers."
"A teacher's dream and a bully's nightmare, huh kid?" Rossi stated.
"Exactly" Reid responded.
"Am I missing something? Cause I still don't get it?" Morgan told his friend.
Picking up a marker, Spencer began absentmindedly twirling it. "Think of it this way. There are two types of bullies. For some bullying is a learned behavior. They themselves have been and still are victims of an older family member, usually a parent, and they mimic that behavior with smaller or younger kids. They bully to feel the power and control they don't have at home." The young genius glanced around at his colleagues before continuing. "Then there are the entitled bullies. They are usually the star athletes or sometimes the rich students of the school. They are made to feel like the most important students of the school by the other students, the faculty, the principal, and even the community. All the praise and special treatment makes them feel invincible. Many of them already have narcissistic personalities. They believe they have the right to do or say anything and that anyone not in their particular clique is beneath them and worthy of nothing but scorn and ridicule. And they have no problem letting those children and everyone else know that."
"Okay" Derek said with a nod. "And that helps us how?"
Reid set down his pen. "I believe at least one of the unsubs falls into the latter category of bully. He is either a star athlete or a rising star on one of the more popular sports. He's also a narcissistic sociopath who has been made to believe he is the most important person on the planet and should be treated as such. He more than likely has average to low grades, doing only enough to get by and stay on the team. To him all that matters is his chosen sport; the classes and learning are just something he has to endure." He lectured. "Hearing the victims praised enrages him. They are not worthy of it in his opinion."
"So, he's killing them off for the praise?" JJ disbelievingly questioned.
"Why? And what would be the stressor?" Emily inquired.
"And are you positive that there's more than one unsub?" Morgan added. "I know we talked about it but I'm still not convinced."
Reid walked over to the evidence board and gestured to the missing and deceased teens. "All the victims were star athletes. They were in peak physical condition." He reasoned. "They wouldn't be taken easily even if it was a surprise attack especially when the main unsub is another teen."
"He's got a point." Dave agreed. "All four were strong, young men. And two of them were even trained in martial arts. Unless they were drugged or disabled somehow, which Brandon's body shows no traces of, they would have put up one hell of a fight."
"Okay, I'll give you that." Morgan declared. "But what about the stressor or that fact that you believe it's another kid doing this?"
"I saw photos on the television in the office and in the hall of a sports banquet that was held a month ago. All our victims were seated at the head table with the principal and what looked to be several prestigious people. All the victims were wearing medals and had trophies sitting in front of them." Spencer explained. "If you talk with the principal about that banquet, I believe you'll find out that those four along with the others at the table were singled out as the best of the best. I also believe that with a little digging Garcia would uncover at least one star athlete who was either suspended for a game due to grades or possibly some type of confrontation."
"I'll call her." Emily volunteered before stepping away from the group.
"So you're saying the not being recognized coupled with the suspension sent the unsub over the edge?" a beaming Rossi surmised.
"Correct" Reid answered.
"The torture, sexual assault, and manner of death were the unsub's way of not only humiliating and disgracing the victim but also to show them his superiority." Hotch theorized.
"Makes sense" Morgan responded.
"Do you think the accomplices are other teenagers?" JJ inquired.
"No" Spencer said. "Our unsub may have friends who are partners to the bullying but they're not the other unsubs. If it would a group of teens, rumors would have been running through the school like wildfire. All members wouldn't have been able to keep it a secret. Someone would have bragged about it by now; with that someone being more than likely the weakest member of the gang. This unsub's accomplice or accomplices would have to be older and stronger in order to help subdue their victims. My best guess would be a parent or older sibling."
JJ stared at her friend for a moment before scowling. "You're talking about that woman that was here earlier, aren't you?" she accused.
"What woman?" Morgan and Rossi gruffly chorused.
"Someone named Alexa" JJ filled in, wincing at Morgan's growled "WHAT?" Keeping her laser focus on Reid, she put her hands on her hips and said, "Spence, I know you said she was one of your tormentors in school but that was a long time ago. And being a high school bully is a long way from torturing and murdering innocent children."
"You're saying I'm letting my past cloud my judgment?!" Spencer shouted. "Seriously?"
"Well…"
"Reid" Hotch called, getting between the two before things got any more out of hand. "Do you believe this person is a suspect? And if so, explain your reasoning."
Nodding, Spencer took a deep breath and slowly let it out before smiling sadly at his friends and colleagues. "I'm unsure if she's one of the unsubs or if she is merely looking the other way while her husband and son commit the crimes." He honestly told them. "As to how I know, I think a visual could explain it better than I ever could." He trudged over to the victim's photos and stood beside them. "Notice anything?"
The entire team froze, eyes widening as they finally noticed what Reid had seen all along. "They, they all look like my Junior G-Man!" Garcia gasped from the laptop screen.
"Pen's right" Prentiss agreed. "They have the same hair, same build, and the same shorter statue."
"They're a substitute for you." Morgan whispered.
Spencer sighed. "Not exactly" he replied. "I think it has more to do with ensuring the son was the one and only star as well as seeing to it that when he was old enough he didn't miss out on any scholarships."
"Scholarships?" Rossi repeated.
"Yes" Reid answered the sad smile adorning his face once more. "I can still hear Trent's dad hollering about his son not getting a decent scholarship because they all went to that and I quote, "wimpy little computer on legs". Spencer sighed at the memory. "In truth Trent not receiving a decent scholarship had more to do with the fact that he was an average player and a mediocre student but he and his father never saw it that way. To them I had taken what was rightfully his."
"But what could he hope to gain, Reid? Our victims weren't even in the same grade." Emily pointed out.
"That wouldn't matter." Spencer replied. "Trent claimed I stole his scholarships even though the ones I was offered were not football scholarships."
"Wait, we're forgetting one very important thing." Morgan broke in. "We don't even know if Denton has a kid."
"Actually, we do. The trophy cases at the school had photos of the football teams including this year's team which featured Coach Denton and his son Trent, Jr." Reid told them.
Hotch gave a firm nod and then turned to look at Garcia's computer generated face. "Garcia, find everything you can on the Denton family. Focus on any properties they own or have rented in the past three years."
"Will do. Garcia out." Penelope replied before disappearing from the screen.
Hotch turned back to the team. "Alright people, let's get to work. We need to know everything possible about Denton, his wife, and their son."
CM
JJ stepped into the viewing room and hesitantly approached Reid who was intently watching the scene playing out in the interrogation room beside them. "Spence" she softly called. Getting no response, she reached out and gently placed a hand on his uninjured arm. "Spence, I'm sorry." She apologized.
Reid reluctantly shifted his gaze from Hotch and a fuming Coach Denton to the woman by his side. "For what?" he prodded.
"For not trusting you; for implying that you were allowing your past with the Mrs. Denton to color your judgment." JJ explained. "I just, well, I've known victims of bullying in school that never seemed to get over what happened. They blamed the bullies for everything from not getting a good job or having friends or a family. Some went so far as to accuse their former tormentors of every major crime that happened in the city and, and…"
"So you just assumed I would accuse Alexa and Trent because of what happened in high school?!" Reid growled. "Nice to know you have so much confidence in me!" Spinning around, he stormed to the door.
"Spence!" JJ called. She sighed as her friend rushed out of the room.
"Well, that went well." Emily muttered from the corner of the room she'd been standing in.
JJ gazed solemnly at her friend. "I didn't mean it like that." She hastily stated.
"Well, then maybe you shouldn't have added that last part." Prentiss pointed out. Seeing her friend deflate at the pronouncement, she strode over and threw an arm around the upset blond. "Look, give Reid some time to cool off then talk with him without comparing him to anyone else this time. He'll forgive you."
"I hope so." JJ replied. "I don't want to lose him. He's one of my best friends."
"I know." Emily said.
"And I didn't mean anything by what I said. I was just trying to explain why I said what I did." She told her friend.
Prentiss resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "Let me give you a piece of advice. Never tell Reid you've compared him with someone else. It will do nothing but make him angry and rightly so. I mean, think about it. You were a soccer star, right?"
"Yes, so?" JJ responded.
"So, as Reid said earlier many star athletes are bullies or as the girls say now mean girls. What if he had judged you by something they had done? How would you feel?" Emily questioned.
JJ lowered her head. "Oh"
"Yeah oh" Emily said. She patted her friend's back. "Come on, let's go finish things up here so the victims can get back to their parents. You and Reid can make up on the flight home."
JJ smiled at her friend. "Okay" she agreed.
The two turned around and walked out of the room whispering ways JJ could withdraw her foot from her mouth.
CM
Spencer shuffled over to the table where Rossi and Hotch were sitting. He knew JJ wanted to talk with him but he just didn't have the energy for another confrontation with her right now. He was beyond exhausted. Of course that was partly due to the pain pills Hotch had forced him to take. Forced was actually not the correct term; his boss had merely strongly suggested it. Reid could have refused the request. Yeah right, he'd never met anyone who could say no when Hotch gave them that look. Being faced with it made him feel sorry for Jack. The poor kid would never be able to hide anything from his father. Then again if Jack inherited Hotch's infamous glare, it could lead to quite an interesting confrontation when the kid hit his teen years. Smirking at the image that thought produced, Reid side stepped around the table and slid into the chair next to Rossi.
"Okay, what did you do?" Dave asked, shooting his son a mock stern look.
"No-nothing" Spencer replied around a yawn. Knuckling his eyes sleepily, he missed the amused expressions of the men sitting with him.
"Reid, why don't you go lay down on the couch?" Aaron suggested. "We still have a few hours before we land."
Spencer shook his head. "Tried, I can't get comfortable." He mumbled as he scrunched down in his seat in an attempt to find a comfortable position. He turned this way and that before huffing in frustration and sitting back up.
"Here kid" Morgan said, handing the younger man a pillow.
"Thanks Morgan" Reid gratefully replied. He put the pillow behind his head, leaned back, and closed his eyes. They didn't stay closed long however. Spencer's eyes opened to half-mast in mere seconds.
"Still not comfortable enough Pretty Boy?" Derek inquired with a frown.
"No" Reid wearily stated.
"Hang on, I've got an idea." Rossi told him. He lifted the arm rests that were between the two seats and then took the pillow from Reid as well as one Hotch handed him and positioned them so that they were standing tall leaning on his side and shoulder. "Try it now." He suggested.
Spencer gave his dad a wary look before turning a little to the side and leaning against the pillows. Feeling a heavy blanket cover him and Dave's strong arm wrap around him, the young man let out a relieved sigh. Snuggling into the comfort of his father's embrace, he quickly drifted off.
Smiling, Dave looked up and was greeted with the amused faces of his team mates. "Not one word" he warned, pointing at the group as they attempted to look innocent.
Morgan, JJ, and Emily made a show of zipping their lips and throwing away the keys while Hotch merely gave his friend a cheeky grin before lifting his cell up and snapping a picture.
Seeing the younger man pressing buttons, Dave groaned. Garcia was going to have a field day with that photo. He just knew it.
CM
Several hours later the BAU tromped down the stairs of the jet. After retrieving their go-bags and going through security, they made their way to their vehicles.
Deciding it was too late to go to the office, Hotch instructed the group to go home and deal with the paperwork in the morning. That directive was met with resistance however. With the deprogrammers still out there no one liked the idea of Reid being home alone.
"Guys, I'll be fine." Spencer assured. "Morgan's taking me home so you don't have to worry about the drive there. And I promise Morgan and I will thoroughly search my apartment for intruders before he leaves."
"I still don't like it." Hotch authoritatively stated. "The goons Carolyn employed have proven to be elusive and extremely clever. And they are even more motived than they were before. Knowing the law is after them, they are going to do everything in their power to capture you. Taking and "deprogramming" you is their only chance of maybe avoiding jail time."
"He's right Reid." Emily agreed. "It's too dangerous for you to stay alone."
"Actually, it probably isn't safe for just you and Morgan." JJ told her friend. "They've already proven they aren't afraid to take out a vehicle you're riding in and I guarantee they know your address and all the routes to it from the airport."
"And probably Morgan's address, too." Hotch added. "I don't think you should stay at either place."
"You could stay with Will and me." JJ offered.
"And put Henry in danger?" Reid incredulously said. "No way, I'll, I'll think of something else."
"That won't be necessary. You and Morgan can stay at my mansion with me." Rossi suggested. "I have a top notch security system and even if they were to get past it, there's no way they could overpower the three of us."
Spencer smiled grateful that Rossi had included him in the defense instead of putting him in the damsel in distress position. Thrilled that at least one member of the team didn't think him incapable of protecting himself, he immediately accepted the offer.
With the safety concerns put to rest the team said their good-byes and got into their respective vehicles for the drive home.
Reid and Morgan made small talk as they followed Rossi to his home. They discussed everything from the Denton family's interrogation and their victims' long recovery to what the senior profiler's house might look like inside. By the time they pulled up to Rossi's gated driveway both men were happy and relaxed. The profilers rode through the gate after Rossi keyed in the code and drove up the winding drive to their friend's large white mansion.
"Wow" Morgan breathed out as he stopped his truck and cut the engine. "Impressive"
"The architecture is rather stunning." Spencer conceded. He climbed out of the truck and reached into the back seat for his go-bag. "I just hope it wasn't decorated by a taxidermist."
Derek looked over at Reid and the two burst out laughing as the image of a room full of stuffed trophy animals flashed through their minds.
"What's so funny?" Rossi asked as he walked over to the two.
"Nothing" Morgan answered, quickly schooling his expression.
Dave gave the younger men the stink eye. "Uh huh sure" he ground out, the disbelief clear in his voice. He shook his head as the two snickered in response. "Alright Laurel and Hardy, let's go. It's too cool to be standing out here."
"Yes sir" Derek teased, saluting the man and eliciting more giggles from his partner in crime.
"Brat" Rossi tossed back. Smiling, he led the sniggering duo over to the door in the garage that connected to the house. After unlocking it, he ushered his guests inside. "Come on, I'll take you to your rooms for the night."
"Okay" Spencer agreed. As he followed his father through the house, he glanced this way and that absorbing everything he could about the home and the man who lived there. He saw framed photos of Rossi with different agents including Gideon as well as what looked to be various Rossi family members. There was also some paintings that had to have cost a small fortune and on a living room mantel were photos of men in uniform along with several medals. Making a mental note to ask Rossi about those, Reid quietly followed his father up the stairs and down the hall to the guest bedrooms.
"Morgan, you take the room on the right and Spencer you can have the one directly across from his." Rossi instructed.
"Thanks man" Morgan responded, snickering as Reid's stomach let out a loud growl.
Dave grinned as a blush crept over his son's face. "Go ahead and put your bags away and then come downstairs. I'll go get dinner started."
"Rossi, you don't have to…" Reid glared at the man holding a hand over his mouth.
"Do not look a gift chef in the mouth kid." Derek advised before snatching his hand away and wiping it on his shirt. "Eww! Gross kid!"
Reid triumphantly stuck his tongue out at his grimacing friend.
"Oh good grief!" Dave exclaimed with an exaggerated sigh. Trying and failing to hide a smile, he put one hand on his hip and pointed to the two misbehaving boys. "Get your butts in your rooms before I change my mind about dinner." He threatened.
Morgan disappeared in a flash.
Spencer smiled at Rossi. "Thanks again for putting us up for the night Rossi" he said.
Dave returned his boy's smile. "No problem son. My home is your home, remember? You're welcome to stay here whenever you want." he replied. "In fact, you've had a room here since before you were born. Carolyn and I decorated it after we found out we were having a boy. I've kept it just as it was; I didn't have the heart to touch it after…anyway, I'd really like to show you your room sometime when you're up to it."
"I'd like that." Reid told him, blushing as his stomach let out another displeased growl.
Rossi's grin widened. "Go put up your bag and get downstairs before your stomach decides to revolt." He joked.
"Yes sir" Spencer replied before turning and going into his home for the night.
Sighing contentedly, Rossi hurried down the stairs. He had a supper to prepare.
CM
After a delicious Italian feast, the men retired to the living room to relax. Coffee mugs in hand they sat down on the sofa and recliner and settled back in their seats.
"Rossi" Reid called after a few moments of silence. "Do you think I could, ummm, could see that room?"
Dave's face lit up like a Christmas tree. "Of course" he enthusiastically answered. He hopped out of his chair and started for the stairs.
Sensing a father son moment coming, Morgan fumbled for an excuse. "I ummm, I think I'm gonna stay here and uhhh, check out the game on TV." He stammered.
"Be my guest. The remote is on the stand by the recliner." Dave told him. Turning to his son, he motioned towards the stairs. "Are you sure you want to do this?"
"Positive" Spencer answered though he was anything but. Truth be told he wasn't the least bit sure he was ready for this but he couldn't help but be curious about the room and its contents. And he knew that he wouldn't be able to sleep a wink until he found out what was in that room. So he followed Rossi up the stairs and down the long hall to the room across from what he assumed was the master bedroom.
"Well here we are." Dave nervously said. He opened the door and waved his son inside. "As you can see, it's just as Carolyn and I left it. After…I couldn't touch anything. I couldn't take down the crib or the changing table or any of the other pieces of furniture. I did add to it, though. Every year on your birthday and at Christmas I bought a present I imagined you would have liked at that age and placed it somewhere in the room."
Spencer glanced around the room. The baby blue walls were decorated with colorful cartoon characters that matched the characters on the sheets and blanket of the intricately carved mahogany crib and changing table. The crib as well as the rocking chair were swamped with stuffed animals of every size and description and the book shelf along one wall was full to bursting with children's books. There were even little outfits still hanging in the closet. Those weren't the items that caught Reid's attention however. No, his gaze was captured by the presents Rossi had bought over the years. Baseball gloves, balls, and bats sat in one corner while another contained footballs, helmets, and pads and yet another held soccer supplies. Everywhere he looked there was some type of sports equipment. No classical literature or chess boards or chemistry sets. Just piles upon piles of sporting goods. Rossi had expected an athlete; his father had wanted an athletic son. Shaking his head, Reid stumbled backwards. "I've, I've gotta go." He stammered before turning and fleeing the room.
"Reid! Spencer wait!" Dave yelled. Jumping up, he rushed after his son. The worried father raced down the stairs calling his son's name the whole time. Once at the bottom he dashed into the living room hoping that the boy had merely gone to Morgan for support. Finding only Derek, Rossi let out a curse as he hurried towards the kitchen.
"What's wrong?" Morgan questioned, running after the clearly flustered man.
"I'm not sure." Dave honestly answered as he rounded the island in the kitchen and headed for the mud room. "Something upset Spencer and he ran out on…Oh God!"
The two profilers shared a look before rushing through the open door and into the garage. Seeing the door to the drive open as well, the two rushed outside and scanned the yard for young man. But it was too late. Spencer was gone.