Chapter 29

Two hours later they arrived in Pennsylvania. Hotch was worried but he did his best to cover his fears. Shawna watched him closely and she knew after this was through he would need a mandatory vacation. Hell the whole team needed one. She thought maybe she would have a talk with Strauss and make it happen. She was confident that Austin was ready and she knew if she had to volunteer to take his case load then so be it.

The local police had set up in front of the motel and the place was evacuated. Contact was made with Stephen Gideon and he said he wouldn't talk to anyone but his Father. He stressed that point by shooting out the window and firing off a few shots at the police. Hotch instructed everyone not to respond to the gun fire. Gideon looked out of his element. Hotch wondered if it was because he wasn't armed or if it was because he was fighting his profiler nature.

"He won't speak to anyone but you. Are you sure you can do this?"

"No, I am not sure. I walked away from this Hotch and I don't want to be sucked back in. Why is he doing this? Don't answer that. I know why."

The phone rang and Hotch looked at Gideon. When he didn't move to it Hotch picked it up and handed it to him.

"Dad glad you could make it."

"I'm here Stephen what do you want?"

"Donald, call me Donald!"

"I didn't know Donald. How can I do that? You are my son not him."

"That's right pops I was your son. How's the new one? Is he there? I know he is I can see him, put the little fucker on."

"I am not going to do that. I won't let you play this game! Do you understand that?"

Gideon was screaming at him and suddenly dropped the phone. He moved out into the space between the police cars and the motel.

"Jason!" Hotch screamed at him.

The Paul and Anson were inching down the sides of the building getting ready to pitch a flash cannon into the room, were not into position yet and they looked at Hotch, questioning what was going on. Hotch held up his hands. They moved closer, slowly.

Reid saw Gideon move out and he was cursing under his breath, "What the hell are you doing?" When he seen Gideon remove his bullet proof vest Reid moved to the car behind Gideon.

"Spencer, don't!" Julie was terrified and she moved closer to him.

"It's me you want, go ahead shoot me. Come on are you afraid?" Gideon shouted at his son.

Reid saw the barrel of the gun poke out of the window and he lunged at Gideon as a hail of bullets rained down on them.

"Move! Move! Move! Now! Morgan, cover me." Hotch screamed as he took a step to Reid.

"Hotch, don't!" Morgan said.

Rossi crouched down and took aim on the motel window.

It seemed like an eternity to JJ until anyone moved. It also appeared to be in slow motion. She looked at Emily. Prentiss was holding her weapon out firing shots at the window.

The cannon was thrown and exploded. The Paul broke the door down, a shot was heard and moments later nothing but silence.

Hotch stepped out and Morgan tackled him.

JJ saw them heaped on the ground and she panicked. Her gaze went a few feet forward and she looked to Reid and Gideon. "No!" JJ barley got that word out of her mouth.

The sound of Julie screaming broke the silence.

"Spencer! Oh my God Spencer!"