A/N: I am so sorry this chapter took me so long time to write. School and work is draining me and I haven't had the energy or ideas enough to write lately. But hey, we are getting there. Few chapters still to come. Just please be patient with me, I'm doing my best. And as always reviews are needed and appreciated. Thank you so much guys for sticking with me and my schedule.

Chapter 25.

Copeland walks back and forth for a few seconds. Thinking furiously. Trying to keep his hands off of the agent, who is staring at him, not exactly amused. He pressed his shoulder gently, praying the pain would just go away. It never did. He tried to come up with a game plan. But probably for the first time in his whole life, his mind was empty. All he could think about was going home to his son. He was exhausted the way he has never been before. His bed is the greatest place he can think right now. Maybe he could escape the pain there for a few moments too.

George walks to lock the room and stops, back turned towards Hotch. "Have you ever wondered why we ended up like this?" *Because some people just never learn* The SSA wanted to reply but he kept his mouth shut. Talking would only make things worse. " You know. Karma is a bitch." he chuckled, gloating. " You destroyed my life. You took away my everything. That job was supposed to be my future. It was my dream! And you took it away from me! And you think I'm just going to let that happen?" He keeps pressing his fingers on his knuckles. The situation didn't need a profiler to notice that man was insane and dangerous. And something was going to happen. "I don't think so."

Hotchner, his hands again handcuffed to the bar on the table tried so hard to think of something. This was not going to end well, and he knew it. The camera was off, door locked and he was handcuffed to the table, not much space to move. This could end violent and bloody.

"Have you ever wondered how you got those scars?" He asked, sitting now down too. Smirk still staying on his face like glued.

"No, not really. I think it's completely normal to have random scars on your shoulder. Doesn't everyone?" He couldn't help but say. This whole situation was ridiculous. And only the thought of getting Copeland behind the bars gave him satisfaction. But it didn't take away the bad feeling he had, creeping in his spine. Worse than ever before. Same kind of feeling he had when Foyet had broken in his house few years back. That same kind of uneasy feeling. And that feeling rarely lies.

Copeland was now pissed. He didn't smirk anymore. It turned into something else. Something way worse. It wasn't arrogance anymore. It was anger. "You know what, go ahead. That isn't going to save you." He took his keys from his pocket. "I did talk with Beth earlier today. I wasn't kidding when I said that." He unlocked the handcuffs. "I actually recorded it. Want to hear?" Without the answer, he put his phone on the table and pressed Play.

"Miss Clemmons? Are you still there?" Copeland asked. At least he assumed it was him, but his tone was soft and calm when speaking to her. Sounded like a whole different man.

Then, he heard it. She was crying. It was so silent, like sobbing. Why was she crying? "I'm here." She stuttered. "What was your question?" She tried so hard to sound normal, but there was a hint of tears behind the words. It didn't sound right.

"When is the last time you have talked with your ex-boyfriend, Aaron Hotchner?" It broke his heart. He did love her but they both knew things just didn't work out between them. Hotch leaned back and rubbed his wrists. The cuffs had been quite tight.

She paused to think. "I think the last time we talked was on February. Why you ask such things? Is he alright?"

Something was odd with this situation. Why would he show him this? What is there for Beth to say that is so important? Her voice sounded somehow powerless. Maybe he was overanalyzing it, but it didn't sound right.

"I'm sorry to tell you that he was arrested earlier this morning. For a murder of Steven Glynne." It went quiet on the other end. "I am really sorry to call you on these circumstances but I'm just trying to cover all the bases. I hope you understand."

Hotch was filled with anger right now. Drawing Beth in this was a dick move, and even Copeland knew it. He knew he was getting under his skin and loved every second of it.

"I understand. How can I help you, officer?" She sounded so much calmer now.

He missed her. He did. Things ended well between them and he is happy about that. They both knew things just didn't work out. They are both workaholics and it drove them apart. They knew it was going to happen sooner or later. Glad it happened later rather than sooner, giving them a few pretty amazing years together. Hearing her voice still makes him smile. But he didn't smile now. He did not pay attention to her. He just wanted to knock that bastard down from his high horse. This is a set up. It has to be.

"I just wanted to ask you a few questions about the time when you two were together, if that is alright?" after a given permission he started asking her questions. He wasn't sure what he asked, he didn't pay attention. He was too focused on Steven. He could hear it now. It was clear. He was being stabbed. Voice filled with pain and fear, he tried to say something. Tears were burning in his eyes. He couldn't help it. Trying to blink the feeling away he turned his gaze towards his now free hands. "I want to hear my son's voice. Please let me talk to Jack." He said but Copeland didn't even consider it and kept his eyes strictly on the agent; looking for a reaction, vulnerability and weaknesses.

"Has he ever been violent towards you or his son?"

It went silent. His mind kept wandering off. "It didn't happen often" Hotch raised his head so quick it hurt his shoulder real bad again. He stared at the phone, begging her to go on. This didn't make any sense. The silence was way more painful than his shoulder. "He thinks he was better than. He didn't hurt Jack, but he was very rough with him. And when he came home after a rough day, he was always on bad mood and kept blaming me of everything. I left because he crossed the line."

The detective ended the recording. Arrogance practically glowing on his face. "I have never hurt her." Hotchner muttered.

"Hm? What's that?" He laughed. "Cat got your tongue?"

"I have never hurt her." He said, now back straight. He is not defeated. He won't act like it. He knew better. It made him smile a little. This wasn't like him. Steven needs him. He can't let the exhaustion and Copeland to defeat him. No. His team was fighting for him. It was time for him to fight for himself. "I want my phone call." He said determined. "My lawyer is already on his way here. Your game is over, Copeland. My team will figure this out. I know you were there. Back at the alley. I'm not behind this and we both know it. Your game is over. Don't underestimate me or my team." He knew that was a bold accusation, but he was sure of it; He heard his voice back there.

"Get up" His whole being changed. There was no smile hidden in there and his lips were pressed together so tight that all the color had drained away. "Get up!" He repeated immediately. And he did what told. Got up, slowly. He had a bad feeling about this.

And he was right.

He lost his temper completely. He pushed Hotcher to the wall from hands on his neck. "I have had enough of your games." He hissed. "You're on my playground and I will win before you even realize what hit you."

"So, what? You're going to strangle me?" He barely managed to say as his grip got tighter. At first, that was his plan. But he couldn't be so careless. Easing his other hand he pressed the wounded shoulder hard enough to make it bleed. Blood started dripping thru the shirt and Hotch had to bite his lip to stay quiet. The moment pressure eased on his shoulder Hotch managed to kick the detective with his knee to his stomach. It gave him few seconds to gather himself again. Shoulder now bleeding and trouble breathing; this could not end well. A fist coming on the right he managed to block but the knee from left got him down on his knees. Here and there he managed to punch him here and there but everything dimming on his eyes, he had no chance.

He falls to the ground hand on his midriff desperately hoping it might help with the breathing. No results. A kick to his face broke his nose and another to his chest was a finishing touch. "They will find you" drifting in and out of consciousness he heard his voice.

"Not in time. Don't worry. I'm going to let you out of your misery." A small needle and a bottle. "Night night Hotchner. Sweet dreams." he chuckles and stings the needle to his neck.

He couldn't help but watch his hands work for awhile. Bleeding and somehow so small. All under his control. He didn't have much time. He had to get out of here right this second. Hotchner was right. His team was good and every second counts if he wanted to get out of here alive.

Instead of wiping the dripping blood off of his knows, he smudges it to make the damage look bigger. He was happy how it turned out to look he rushed out of the room. "That man is freaking insane!" He shouted. The whole office went quiet and turned to look at him. Nose bleeding, bruising on his cheekbone and jaw. From the conference room the team eyed Copeland head to toe. It was clear he wasn't innocent either. Dave walked closer to him trying to get information what happened. "He is dangerous. No doubt about it. Keep that bastard away from me." He said and walked out determined and when sure no one was looking, the smirk returned.