Spencer sat on his knees wiping up the coffee off the floor. He was still very angry with Emily, but he felt bad about lashing out the way he did.
"Need some help?"
He turned to see J.J. standing behind him with some paper towels in her hand. He smiled and took them from her.
"Thank you," he said softly.
She helped him for a few moments in silence. When they completed the job, she leaned against the table and gave him a sympathetic smile.
"You wanna talk about it?" she asked.
"Not really," he said.
"Spence, I don't know Lacy very well, but I do know Emily. She's always had your best interest at heart," J.J. began.
"Oh, now you too? You all make fun of me for being single and now that I have a girlfriend, you all gang up on me to tell me how terrible she is?" he snapped.
"I never said she was terrible. I said I don't know her, but come on this is Emily," J.J. said more forcefully.
Spencer huffed angrily and started to leave the room, when J.J. stopped him.
"Look, I have never told anyone this, but I feel like you should know," J.J. started. Spencer turned to face her. "About two months ago, when we were all out at a bar, Emily disappeared. I went to look for her and I found her … with a guy. They were … in the back of her car …"
She trailed off and gave him a look. He nodded his understanding of what she was hinting at, though his brow was still furrowed in confusion.
"I could hear her," J.J. pursed her lips, feeling uncomfortable sharing this information. "She was yelling a name … but it wasn't the name of the guy she was with because after he got out of her car, he offered to be that person again for her any time she wanted. After that night, I began watching her more closely and I could see it. I can't believe I didn't see it before, but –"
"J.J, no offense, but what does this have to do with me?" Spencer interrupted with frustration.
J.J. took a deep breath and shut her eyes for a moment. Finally, she reopened them. "It was you, Spence. She was saying your name. She was calling that man by your name while they were … doing stuff."
"What?" he said incredulously.
"Spence … Emily is in love with you."
Spencer's jaw dropped and he blinked in confusion as he took in her words. He squinted at her as he tried to understand what she was saying.
"No … no, Emily … no, she's just my friend," he stuttered.
"I never saw it before either Spence. But now that I've realized it, I can see it in everything. The way she looks at you, the way she talks about you … the way she protects you," J.J. said.
Spencer stood in stunned silence. Suddenly Penelope appeared in the room.
"Guys, I hate to interrupt, but Reid, Hotch would like to see you in his office," she said.
Spencer snapped out of his thoughts and walked off toward the office. He stepped inside and was surprised to find Emily sitting in front of Hotch's desk. His heart dropped. Did she seriously get Hotch involved?
"Take a seat," Hotch said pointing to the empty chair next to Emily.
"I'll stand, thank you," Spencer replied, ignoring the pained expression on Emily's face.
"Suit yourself," Hotch stated. "I received a call from the local PD in La Plata County, Colorado to request assistance with an undercover investigation. You would be posing as child victim interview experts along with child services expert Nancy Lunde. She will be waiting for you at headquarters to go over the final details," he said.
"Just the two of us?" Spencer asked as he scratched the back of his neck uncomfortably.
"Is there a problem?" Hotch asked glancing between the two.
"No, sir," Emily said professionally.
Hotch looked at Spencer, who finally shook his head no.
"Alright, get your belongings and get to the airport. Your flight leaves at 11:35," Hotch said going back to his paperwork.
Emily got up and left the room, without glancing at Spencer.
(xxxxx)
Spencer and Emily remained silent the entire flight, in fact, Spencer pretended to sleep, while Emily listened to her music and played games on her phone. Once they landed in Colorado, a car was waiting to take them to the station.
By mid-afternoon they were in the car heading for a compound, where the leader of the cult, Benjamin Cyrus, was accused of sexually assaulting underaged girls. Spencer and Emily played professional and slipped easily into their role as if no argument existed between them. Although, Emily could still feel the ice in his presence as he refused to look at her or acknowledge her in any way.
When they arrived at the compound, Spencer and Emily let out sounds of surprise. They couldn't believe how expansive it was. The building looked like a fort and yet, it didn't appear threatening. They unbuckled their seatbelts as Nancy parked the car and they climbed out, following her lead.
A man about 30 feet away, sat on a small pillar that framed the concrete entrance stairway. He was wearing glasses and casually reading a book. He looked to be in his 40s. Handsome with short black hair and stubble framing his jaw and lips.
"Excuse me sir, we're here to speak with a Benjamin Cyrus. Could you kindly direct us to him?" Nancy said as she approached him.
"No need to direct. You're speaking with him," the man said as he slid to the ground casually.
He surveyed the three people before him.
"How can I be of service?" he said.
"We're here regarding the recent allegations of child abuse," Nancy began. "My name is Nancy Lunde and these are my child victim interview experts, Spencer Reid and Emily Prentiss."
"Child victim interview experts," Ben repeated. "God weeps at the thought of such a job needing to exist."
"That He does," Emily agreed. "It's never pleasant having to investigate such things."
Ben sized her up momentarily before nodding.
"All the children are currently in the schoolhouse," he said pointing to a section of the compound. "Let me know if there's anything you might need from me."
"Thank you," Nancy said as her and Emily started walking off toward the building.
Spencer was surveying the scene around him, his eyes stopping on the rows of solar panels.
"You use solar power?" he asked.
"Yes. We live as God intended, with the land. We supply our own electricity, grow our own food, and fetch our own water."
"Impressive," Spencer replied.
"Thank you," Ben said as he now studied Spencer, as he had with Emily. "Let me know if you want to learn more about how God guides us here."
"Will do," Spencer said as he turned and followed after Emily and Nancy.
(xxxxx)
Inside the school, Nancy set up a small section to talk with the children. One by one they were to be brought in for what they were told was routine questioning. When they got to Jessica Evanson, the girl believed to be the one who made the 911 call, her mother Kathy insisted she come with them. Nancy agreed to this, since Kathy may have insight as well.
Jessie took a seat in the chair, while her mother stood behind her right shoulder. Emily sat down in front of her, while Spencer stood off to the side to listen. Nancy stayed back and allowed Emily to conduct the interview. While talking with Jessie, they were suddenly interrupted by someone bursting into the room shouting "Get up! Stand! Now!"
Jessie and Kathy jumped up, fleeing out of the school room. Emily stood up from her chair, her heart racing at the sight of the guns in the men's hands. One of the men went straight for Spencer and began patting him down. He looked at Emily quizzically and she stared at him just as clueless.
Ben appeared in the back of the group glaring angrily at the three of them. He stepped within four feet of Nancy and stared them all down one by one, not blinking.
"Mr. Cyrus, what is the meaning of this?" Nancy said angrily, breaking his focus.
"We just got word we're about to be raided," he said looking from Spencer to Emily and back again. "Something you want to tell me?"
Emily's eyes grew large as Spencer's jaw dropped. A raid? What raid? Ben's eyes landed on Spencer.
"Did you know anything about this?" he asked.
Spencer's head shook back and forth as he tried to find the words to speak.
"No, we know nothing about a raid," he said truthfully.
Ben quietly stared Spencer down before nodding.
"Weapons down," Ben said, the others instantly obeying. "We need to get everyone into the shelter. There isn't much time."
The room became a flurry of activity. Spencer, Emily, and Nancy were ushered down a winding hallway, then down a set of stairs, into what looked like an underground bomb shelter.
"What's going on?" Emily whispered to Spencer as they huddled in the middle of the crowd.
"I don't know. State police didn't say anything to Garcia about this. She said she called them," he replied.
The sound of gun fire rang out loudly above them. Mom's and Dad's cradled their children close as they listened to the chaos surrounding them.
"These people are in danger. They can't shoot up a building with kids inside," Emily said as she looked to a 2-year-old holding her ears, crying in her mother's arms.
"Don't worry," Nancy said suddenly. "I have a plan."
With that she pushed her way through the crowd, Spencer and Emily tried to hurry after her, yelling for her to stop. Somehow, Nancy got through the guards and ran up the stone stairs, leaving Emily and Spencer behind. Trapped with the others.
(xxxxx)
About twenty minutes later, Ben came down the stairs and stood in front of everyone. The room was silent as they waited for him to give them any sort of news. Spencer looked at Emily and could read the concern in her eyes. He wanted to reassure her, but he was just as afraid as she was.
"With God's will, we were able to hold back the enemy. We are safe for now," Ben said as he entered the room.
Emily noticed Nancy's absence.
"Where's Nancy?" she asked.
"She was hit by the enemy's fire. There was nothing we could do," Ben replied emotionlessly.
Emily's heart dropped. Spencer wanted to reach out to comfort her, but she stepped forward angrily.
"There was nothing you could do? How about not engage in a shootout with police," she said furiously.
"God assigned me as a protector of His flock. I only did as God wanted," Ben replied.
A man ran down the stairs, stopping at the last step. He was heavily armored and dressed for battle.
"They are retreating," the man said.
Spencer sighed, knowing it was only temporary. They would be back and when they returned, they wouldn't stop until it was over. Body count wouldn't matter to either side. They were in tremendous danger. He hoped somehow the team would find out. It was there only chance out.
(xxxxx)
It had been about an hour since the shoot off. Everyone was still standing in the basement, some were still crying, while others seemed determined. Some were holding one another and whispering words of reassurance. Some stood reciting prayers and scripture, while others stood ready to battle if needed. Emily was pacing in distress chewing on her fingernails, while Spencer stood by watching her, feeling completely helpless.
He wanted to reach out to her. He knew they were in an argument, but it didn't seem to matter anymore. She was still his best friend and he loved her. He didn't want anything to happen to her. He found himself watching her closely for signs of what J.J. had told him, but she didn't seem to be paying any attention to him at the moment.
He knew she was busy trying to calculate plans in her mind, which he should be doing as well, but he found himself too distracted to focus. His thoughts were interrupted by an announcement that they were all to make their way to the chapel, where Ben was waiting for them.
They shuffled like herded sheep, isn't that the perfect metaphor, up the stairs and to the chapel. Once inside they all took their seats. Spencer and Emily sat in a row by themselves. Nobody seemed to be paying any attention to them. Ben walked to the back of the chapel and the door opened.
Emily's body sunk in relief when she saw Rossi enter the room with Ben. His eyes stopped only seconds on them before scanning the rest of the crowd. No one knew they were with the FBI still and they wanted to keep it that way.
After Rossi left the room, Emily and Spencer got up from their chairs and walked to the back of the chapel. They assumed that Ben was going to do a service as he pulled a large bottle containing wine from behind the pulpit. Ben began walking around the room pouring the wine into plastic cups that had been distributed amongst the members.
"Drink for this is my blood," Ben said. "Today we thank our Lord for sending us His precious word and rejoice in the knowledge that we will be reunited with our King soon."
Emily nudged Spencer with her elbow. He glanced her way and saw her staring straight ahead, leaning slightly toward him to whisper something.
"Look at Jessica," she said. "The way she leans into his word. The way she watches him with such adoration."
"Jessica wouldn't have made that call. She worships Ben," Spencer agreed.
They continued to watch as Jessica fawned over Ben's speech, while her Mother tried to nonchalantly distract her daughter. The girl squirmed and tried her best to see around her Mom to no avail. Emily looked at Spencer who clearly saw what she saw.
"Do you think?" she said raising a brow.
"Her Mom did have a soft voice that could be mistaken for a child," Spencer said.
They were snapped out of their discussion by Ben's declaration.
"Together we drink the blood of God, together we die for our Lord. The poison will soon take effect and we will all be in the presence of our Mighty King," he said.
Emily grabbed Spencer's wrist squeezing it tightly as her jaw dropped. What just happened? There was no way to save them. It was too late. They were too late. When she looked to Spencer, he was watching something with narrowed eyes.
"What are we going to do?" she said panicking.
"I think he's lying," Spencer said still staring at the pulpit, where Ben and another man stood talking.
Emily looked in the direction Spencer was staring.
"Ben is saying something to Cole, who is writing something down," Spencer began. "And look, Ben is surveying the crowd. He's looking at everyone's reactions. I think he's looking for the people he can trust. The ones who trust him undoubtedly."
The room was full of mixed emotions. Some looked terrified and were crying or clutching family members, while others seemed ready and resigned to die. Emily watched what they were doing, and her heart rate started to slow down.
"The ones willing to die for his cause," Emily added.
Then they heard the words they were hoping to hear that confirmed their analysis.
"A test," Ben said angrily. "A test of true believers! The devil walks among us and captures those willing to stray from God's word. The poison was a test! Look around you! Your fellow brothers and sisters! Look and see who is faithful among you! Look and see who trusts in the word! Look who turned their backs to our Lord and Savior!"
"What is he going to do to them?" Emily said as concern filled her once again.
"I don't know," Spencer replied, wishing he could ease her worries.
(xxxxx)
After things had settled down, Ben sent Emily and Spencer back into the basement to wait. In his words, he felt it wasn't safe enough to let them go yet. Once he deemed no threat, he would release them. They both sat quietly waiting.
Spencer found his mind wandering to Emily again. He glanced over at her and saw her running her fingers through her long black hair. Even in this precarious moment, he still admired her beauty. She was so strong and yet, so delicate. The way she was able to balance the two was stunning.
Spencer was snapped back to reality when Ben came storming into the room. Spencer could see the anger written all over his face. He looked at Emily and he saw she was startled by his expression as well.
Ben stopped in between them and frowned.
"Which one of you is the fox among the sheep?"
Spencer looked at him with confusion, as did Emily. When neither of them answered he pulled his gun out of his pants.
"Which one of you is the FBI agent?" he asked, internally seething.
Spencer's heart was racing, but he schooled his facial expressions.
"FBI? What … who … FBI?" he said looking stunned by such a question.
Ben stared at Spencer and sighed.
"The enemy must be eliminated," he said cocking the gun and aiming it at Spencer's face.
Spencer flinched and put his hands up at chest level, allowing them to tremble a little for show. Emily stared in horror at the gun pointing at Spencer. She knew Ben wasn't bluffing and would shoot him. She had to do something to protect him.
"Which one of you is the FBI agent?" he said as his voice raised an octave.
"Me," Emily replied, without further thought. "I'm the agent."
Spencer furrowed his brows at her as he felt the wind taken from his lungs. Did she just admit to being FBI? Spencer's eyes widened as he looked at her. Was she crazy? Ben would surely kill her.
Ben put the gun down and turned to her. Before Spencer could speak up to protect Emily, Ben had grabbed her by the hair and dragged her off.
"Emily!" Spencer cried as he jumped to his feet.
The armed guards stood in his path blocking him from her. Their eyes connected as Ben dragged her from the room. He felt sick. He ran his hands through his hair as he dropped onto the stone bench, burying his face in his hands.
He prayed that Ben wouldn't kill her. Not Emily. Not after their big fight. He never got to tell her he wasn't mad at her anymore. That he forgave her. Now it might be too late. It was that exact moment he saw it. The full depth of her love for him.
He nearly collapsed with the weight of this revelation. Emily just risked her life for him and there was nothing he could do to save her.
(xxxxx)
A/N: decided to release another portion tonight. Just you wait, Lacy haters, she delivers some priceless moments coming soon! For now, enjoy Spencer and Emily fighting to escape Ben's clutches! Next chapter has some more unique moments added to the story.