So here is the next chapter yay, from here it's going to be really angsty and messy. I wanted to get everything out in this chapter so what happens next will really flow and all the characters have their places in the story worked out. I hope you enjoy it, thank you for all the reviews and faves

-CM-

George was sitting alone in the dark, the cold of the cement floor numbed his skin as he leaned against the wall. He fingered the plastic sheeting covering the unfinished wall, pressing his finger into it and watching it billow out again as he moved away from it. He was in the little white house, the lights were out and all but a crack of light streamed through the tiny painted basement window. His laptop was sitting on the table along with a camera, an open box sat near an over turned chair on the floor. He hadn't destroyed everything that rainy day a few weeks ago… Foyet listened to the sound of the wind whistling through the fence outside, the wheels of cars on a dirty street and the distant wail of a police siren.

He'd ousted his secret with Shaunessy… he had yet to leave the basement of the house and see what damage he had done, although intrigued by what he was sure was a spread of anger and panic it had not jarred him from the corner of the cold dark room.

He'd written a note and left it for Spencer, no… he had written a lie, one among many he'd told his young lover. Then he took yet another note that he'd held onto for more than ten years and dropped it with a little help from a junkie who needed a fix at Roy Colson's office.

Foyet felt empty inside, he knew that Agent Hotchner would be talking to Reid, and he knew that it wouldn't go well… Reid would most likely be sent away because he would have emotional investment in the Reaper case now, George had planned on that. He didn't want Reid to be caught in any crossfire, he didn't want him to be hurt any more than he had been already.

George shivered, his legs were stiff and numb from sitting on the cold floor so long, slowly he rose from his seat groaning as he stood stretching his limbs. He placed the laptop and camera in the box and carried it over to the bottom of the stairs, removing a panel and sliding the box underneath. Once the panel was placed back it was as if it had never been disturbed, a convenient hiding spot… George knew a lot about things like that. He sighed looking about the dimly lit room, grey particles danced in the shard of light that streamed from the small basement window. Foyet exhaled deeply and climbed the stairs leaving the darkness behind him as he stepped up into the white glow of daylight. Today was going to be difficult, maybe more so than the days ahead… which for the time being he didn't want to think about.

-CM-

Hotch stood looking out at the city as the ferry slowly moved through the water towards the Harbour Islands. Not many people were riding today, certainly from the news Boston was being trampled with by the media no one wanted to be out in their vehicles or out at all. Hotch walked past a few tourists who were pointing out sights, clicking shutters on cameras and holding hands with their children who watched the ferry cut through the shining water. The sky was painted ivory with streaks of grey through it; the wind blew and chilled the railing as Hotch held it moving towards the front of the boat.

He stopped as he neared the bow; a familiar figure was sitting atop a suitcase staring out at the water. Hotch clenched a fist as he made his way to the front of the ferry. Spencer felt the wind move through him as it blew his hair past his face, the cold stung his eyes and the salt spray of the water hissed against the ferry as it cut through it against the wind. Hotch stood next to Spencer looking out at the water, the ferry moved around in slight circles as to show the scenic view to the tourists.

Spencer was looking into his hands; he had been scratching his finger nails, fidgeting with the buttons on his jacket sleeve. Hotch noticed the young man's anxiety and placed a hand on his shoulder. Reid didn't look up at him.

"You want me to go back with you don't you?" Reid asked a tremor in his voice as he spoke. Hotch felt a tightening in his throat.

"Considering the current circumstances… yes I think you should." Spencer pressed his thumb against the shiny button on his jacket sleeve, moving it in tiny circles under his touch.

"What kind of person would I be if I abandoned him right now?" Reid asked looking up at his superior, his voice was strained as he tried to bottle his emotions Hotch knit his brow searching for the words.

"Foyet knew there was a possibility the Reaper was still around." he said sternly, Reid's eyes studied his face as he spoke

"I can't tell you what to do Reid, but if the BAU works this case, which I'm sure we will… anything you contribute will be considered a conflict of interest…" Spencer looked back into his hands, furrowing his brow his big brown eyes wide and distraught. Hotch knelt next to him.

"When did you find out about this?" Hotch asked, Reid looked at him with a puzzled expression

"That George was a victim of the Reaper? Or that Boston PD made a deal with a serial killer." Hotch pulled in a bit, he could see Reid was confused and upset. He didn't get a chance to speak as Reid continued looking back into his hands, clenching his fingers into his palms.

"George told me about him and… I saw a newspaper on my way here about everything else, everyone I've passed and everywhere I've seen is talking about it… kind of hard to miss." He bit his bottom lip his eyes were sad and pained. Aaron took Spencer's hand as he noticed the young man pressing his finger nails into his palm.

"Reid…" Spencer looked over lost in his emotions; his eyes were glistening with emotion. Cheeks flushed in the cold breeze, his hair partially covering his face as it moved in the wind, Hotch could see the purple scarring of Reid's gunshot wound. Reid turned away again and brushed his hair over the mark upon noticing Aaron's concerned gaze.

"I don't even know where he is Hotch." Aaron was unsure of what to say, Spencer gripped the senior agents hand tightly. His knuckles were white from the cold but his palm was damp and clammy. Aaron put a hand on his shoulder. Reid met his gaze once more and pulled his hands away to wipe his eyes as a tear streamed down his cheek.

"I'm sorry." He said standing up, knocking the suit case back as he rose. Aaron lifted the case and stood next to Reid, a firm grip on the handle and a hard expression that he tried to soften as best he could. The ferry was stopping to let people off, a large hotel in the distance overlooked the water.

Hotch watched Reid's eyes study the sky line and scan the buildings along the shore, he hadn't seen him like this in a very long time. So out of sorts, his emotions out for all to see. Reid felt the hair on the back of his neck prickle as Aaron stared at him, he shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot putting his hands in his coat pockets.

"Do I have any choice now?" he asked, Aaron wasn't sure how to answer.

"There's nothing concrete yet, only the note that was published… as far as anyone knows the Reaper may not have even sent it, could be someone in internal affairs, someone Shaunessy was close to we don't know yet…" Reid's eyes narrowed, he turned slightly to meet Aaron's gaze

"There isn't a case yet is there…?" Hotch shook his head

"Not officially… but there will be." Reid shrugged his shoulders; the wind chilled him and numbed his face where he stood.

"Are you leaving Boston then?" he asked, the reflection of the water glimmered in his eyes as he looked out at it. Hotch nodded turning out to look at the water as well.

"Tonight, yes. what about you?" Reid sighed deeply

"I really don't know… I suppose I should." Aaron wasn't convinced by Spencer's tone. The ferry was turning and heading back to the main dock.

"Call me and let me know what you decide." Hotch said handing Reid his suitcase; Spencer nodded taking the case from his superior.

"I'll do that." He said giving a weak smile; Aaron put a hand on Reid's shoulder giving him a friendly squeeze.

"It's good to see you Reid." He said letting go, Spencer smiled

"Good to see you too." Aaron gave a bit of a nod and headed towards the back end of the ferry. Reid watched him walk away, he wondered how Hotch could be as calm as he was with grim news that had fallen upon them, he wondered why Aaron was here… if he had known about the Reaper and the deal before it broke the news. Reid supposed that was so, and then couldn't help but contemplate what else Aaron might know about the Reaper case. As the island grew smaller in the distance Reid clutched the scrap of paper he had found on the counter that morning, he gripped it tightly inside his coat pocket and pondered about George's current whereabouts, a tightening forming around his heart as he recalled the days and weeks that had passed… where were they going…? And what was happening to them, Reid only wished he could grip that answer as tightly as the vague note in his hand.

-CM-

Morgan was sitting on top of Reid's desk, everyone was watching the news. It hadn't been kept in Boston for long that a message from the Reaper was delivered to a local newspaper… most notably Roy Colson's newspaper. Emily stood next to JJ who was biting her thumb as the anchor woman spoke:

"We have yet to get an official statement from former detective Thomas Shaunessy as to whether he personally took out the ad in the Michigan post confirming a deal with the notorious serial killer known as the Boston Reaper." Morgan held his arms tightly crossed as he watched

"Boston PD has stated that they were unaware of any secret bargain made between Shaunessy and the Reaper but the message that was delivered to the office of one Roy Colson, author of the novel Night of the Reaper paints an image of a detective clutching at straws…" Morgan grunted as he turned to Rossi who stood next to him

"Why the hell would anyone do something like that?" he asked gruffly, Rossi shook his head eyes still fixed on the television

"A look into the Michigan posts archives provided the proof that an ad was indeed taken out ten years ago not long after the original letter with the bargain was sent, dates correlate on both proving what residents of the city of Boston are calling a disgrace and a slap in the face to the families who looked to the Boston police department to catch a killer, who knows now if their loved ones will ever rest in peace." Emily rolled her eyes at the statement, JJ looked at her confused

"Hey I don't agree with what the guy did but the media is crucifying him like he meant to let the Reaper get away with it or something." JJ shrugged.

"It's a sensitive subject Emily, how would you feel if the police protected the killer of your family members." Emily sighed leaning her head on her shoulder

"Well I don't think that was what Shaunessy was aiming for."

"He wasn't aiming for anything." Morgan said, Prentiss and JJ looked over at him as he turned around. Rossi looked over as Morgan put his hands down on Reid's desk

"Shaunessy's a coward, to make a deal with a killer is unacceptable, and he owes it to the city and the victim's family to do something about it." Rossi put a hand on Morgan's shoulder, Derek looked at Rossi with distain which made Dave back off slightly

"At this point I don't think Tom can redeem himself." He said, Derek's face softened and he nodded

"Your probably right…" he said looking down at the desk. JJ and Prentiss came over and they all stood uncomfortably under the droning voice of the anchor woman who continued interviews with Boston residents, phone calls with important suits and video coverage of the outside of Shaunessy's home.

Morgan looked up suddenly and turned his attention to Hotch's closed office door.

"Where the hell is Hotch? With news like this you think he'd be all over it." Emily shrugged and Rossi shook his head.

"He is." The four agents turned to see Garcia standing holding a folder in her arms. She looked meek and tired, her blonde hair was tied back and her makeup was more subtle than usual, Derek walked over to Penelope clearly confused. She met his gaze with an awkward smile before looking at the floor.

"I'm sorry you guys." She said looking at the three other agents who were unsure what she was talking about, Garcia turned to Derek and took a shallow breath

"Hotch went to Boston sometime yesterday… I think he went to get Reid, I don't really know… but he's there now." Derek couldn't help groaning rubbing his forehead as he turned back to the others.

"Are we just not speaking to each other anymore?" he asked the group, clearly frustrated

"We're supposed to be a team!" he said slapping the back of his hand into his palm, the others weren't quite sure how to react.

"Well…" Derek turned to Penelope.

"If everyone was on the same page… maybe we wouldn't be at odds like this." she found it hard to look at Morgan and it saddened her, Derek felt his heart sink upon seeing Garcia's face he immediately embraced her and held her tight.

JJ looked at Emily who had a guilty look on her face she was trying fruitlessly to hide. Dave crossed his arms.

"Ok so let's just get it all out in the open then." Garcia let go of Derek who turned to Rossi who began walking towards the bull pen, the others began to follow him up the ramp and through the door taking their seats as JJ closed the door behind them. Rossi paced behind a chair slowly.

"Morgan." He started, Derek looked up at him

"You and Emily have your doubts about Foyet being all together." Emily and Derek nodded

"But you're not against Reid having a relationship." Emily screwed up her face as did Derek

"Where did you get that from?" Emily asked, Garcia groaned and slammed her folder onto the table standing up

"Oh come on you guys, you totally gave off the anti-boyfriend vibe." Derek put his hand up trying to calm Penelope

"No no, we both said Foyet clearly had or still has issues, we talked to Reid and found he and George didn't know much about each other, so leaving him in Boston with a head injury and some guy none of us know anything about was and still is unsettling." Garcia cocked her head to the side, and tightened her lip sitting down again, pulling her skirt out and straightening it as she sat.

"It didn't help that Hotch knew who Foyet was and then tried to keep it from us, we all care about Spencer and he has been acting weird." They were all in agreement on that fact.

"Ok regardless of that, so are we all on the same page now?" Rossi asked the group, he looked around the table as each of them nodded feeling the tension dissipate between them now that there was a more simple understanding between them all.

"So Hotch is in Boston, Reid is in Boston… and the Reapers in Boston… supposedly." JJ knit her brow as Rossi continued

"I'm sure Aaron was in Boston for another reason, right now though we're here so there isn't anything we can do." JJ waved her hand in a brief protest

"Wait Wait Garcia you knew Hotch was in Boston." Garcia nodded slowly

"Did he say why he was there?" she shook her head

"He asked me not to say anything, just cause of… well…" she looked at Derek and Emily who exchanged sheepish looks

"Ok granted we had an issue, I'll give Aaron that one." Dave said, JJ turned in her chair to face Garcia

"So he didn't tell you anything?" Penelope felt a little weird with everyone staring her down, she had promised not to say anything. But this was her family, her friends. They wanted to help…

"No, just to keep an eye on weird stuff in Boston is all…" JJ folded her hands resting her chin on them as she looked up at Dave.

"Should we call him?" Rossi shook his head

"There's no case yet." Emily slowly stood and looked through the blinds, she had noticed everyone in the office was gathering around the TV.

"Oh I think that's going to change real quickly." She said separating two blinds with her fingers, the others stood up to see what she was looking at. The TV had a headline scrolling underneath it as the anchor woman spoke, they couldn't hear her speak but they all could read what the headline said.

"Former Detective Tom Shaunessy dies of heart failure." JJ promptly left the room to call Hotch, Rossi following behind her. Garcia held a shaky hand to her mouth not taking her eyes from the screen. Derek exhaled deeply exchanging a look with Prentiss.

"Guess the deals off now." She said, Derek rapped his fist against the wall pressing his forehead against it groaning as Emily looked back at the TV screen, an ambulance was taking out a black body bag on a stretcher from Shaunessy's home, photographers and reporters were being held back by the police, some people were throwing items at the former detective's home. Emily sighed heavily, all she could think about in that moment was Spencer, who was alone somewhere with the only survivor of a serial killer who just got his murder card punched. She hoped for Reid's sake that Hotch would bring him back long before anything awful might happen.