Hi. It has been a long few weeks the family of a demanding client. I'll try to get back into writing. I am just tired. I will try to follow up with another chapter for this story. Please consider dropping a review, as they do motivate me.

Chapter Forty-Eight

Reid was basically under house arrest, which suited him fine. He did therapy via telehealth on his computer. Morgan made sure he exercised, and the kids kept him entertained. Reid was used to isolation, so this didn't bother him that much.

The team came over for a poker night.

"How I have missed losing to you Spence," J.J. said with a laugh as he gathered poker chips.

"I wonder if those bans of me in casinos are over," Reid said. "They must have declared me dead at some point."

"Not likely," Morgan said. "People disappear in Vegas all the time."

"True but the mob has their system of informants," Reid said. "Everyone knows who is wanted dead by who."

"The internet before the internet," Rossi said.

Simultaneously the phones of everyone but Morgan and Reid went off. Heads ducked down and looks of horror appeared.

"What is it?" Reid asked.

"We need to go," Prentiss said.

"I'll see you out," Morgan said.

"What is it?" Reid asked more urgently.

The team stood up. Reid tried to catch the eye of one of his friends.

With a blip sound, the flatscreen in the corner turned on. Looks of horror appeared on everyone's faces.

Gwen Calvin and Max Brenner were bound and gagged in chairs. Cat Adams was standing between them, dressed in a red evening gown, pointing the pistol at Max and then Gwen's head.

"Max or Gwen! Max or Gwen!" Cat said in a sing-song voice. "Vote at the website below. It doesn't count but it would be fun to see who America would like Spency to save. The revered journalist, or the sweet art teacher? We'll find out who in less than thirty minutes. Come and find me, honey!"

Reid was watching Gwen. Her eyes were blinking code.

"You can't come," Prentiss said.

"I know where they are," Reid said.

"Tell us," Prentiss prompted.

"Not unless you take me," he said.

"This isn't a game, Spencer!" Prentiss said loudly.

"I know that! I also know both are going to die if I don't come!"

"Then they die," Prentiss said. "You're not going to get hurt again! Not so long as I have a say in your safety!"

"No!" Reid said. "I need to help Max and Gwen."

J.J. stepped between them.

"Guys time is of the essence. Emily, we can keep Spence safe and save the women. We can do both."

"Let's get you a vest," Prentiss said. "You are NOT to take it off."

"Where are they?" Alvez asked.

"Gwen's blinking Morse code. They're at the Castle warehouse," he said.

"Let's go," Prentiss said.

J.J. squeezed Reid's hand. "We're going to get them back."

Reid merely nodded.

…

There was a red carpet laid out for them. Reid stepped out of the SUV. Agents were on both sides. As they approached the entrance, the agents were shot in the neck. Reid rushed forward as more gunshots could be heard.

"Here is the guest of honor!" Cat boomed.

There was a series of monitors set up against the wall. Max and Gwen were pleading with their eyes in front of a camera.

"Take me Cat," Reid said and ripped off his vest. "Kill me! Please end this! Take me wherever you want, just don't hurt them."

Cat smiled. "Tempting," she said. "But you know what is even more tempting? Watching you suffer. Since you don't want me that way, I'll make sure every woman you know suffers."

She turned a monitor on. It was directed at J.J., who was seeking cover. Cat clicked on her remote. J.J. crumbled.

"NO!" Reid screamed.

He ran to her. Cat put a gun to Max's head.

"Blondie isn't dead. She'll just need a kidney transplant. Good thing she has a common blood type."

"Cat, no more games," he said pleadingly. "Just take me. I'll be your slave. I'll do anything you want."

"Max or Gwen?" she asked.

Reid locked eyes with Gwen. She nodded as tears fell.

"Gwen."

Cat shot Max in the head. Reid was sprayed with guts.

Reid fell to his knees.

"Me next!" he sobbed. "Me next!"

"Death is too easy a fate for you Spency," Cat said. "Let this be a final warning: You will never know true happiness."

Cat held the gun to her head and leaned against Gwen's head. She pulled the trigger. Cat fell to the ground as Gwen slumped in her seat. Reid grabbed the gun. He put the smoking gun to his head.

"Think of Iris!"

It was Juno in a vest.

"She has you," he said. "She'll be fine."

"Dr. Reid, she's pregnant!"

This took him by surprise.

"What?"

There was the sound of a gunshot.

Reid went tumbling backward. He didn't know what was going on, and he didn't particularly care. He embraced the darkness and hoped he'd never see the light again.