A/N: italics is internal dialogue.

(xxxxx)

Emily tried her best to not fight back as Ben dragged her by her hair into a storage supply room. Her instincts were trying to take over and she wanted to kick his ass, but she knew if she did, she risked Spencer's life as well. So, she played helpless.

"Now why exactly would an FBI agent be here on the day of a raid? Hmm? Tell me what you are doing here," Ben shouted at her before slapping her across the face.

Emily was surprised by how powerful the slap was. She felt a ringing in her ears and as she bent over, she felt Ben's knee slam into her stomach, knocking the wind out of her.

"Why are you spying on my congregation?" he growled as he lifted her off the floor and delivered a devastating punch to her face.

Emily fell backwards into a mirror attached to the wall. The glass shattered and rained down on her as she tried to get her bearings. He used this as momentum to throw her across the room into the opposite wall. Emily smashed into the wall with a grunt and dropped to the floor.

"I've been working undercover," Emily groaned as she thought up a lie. "It … it's involving a high-ranking government employee."

"Explain," Ben snarled as he grabbed a fistful of her hair.

Emily whimpered in pain as he pulled her off the floor.

"They believe … he is running … a child sex-trafficking ring. I have to … take any job offered … to keep my cover," she panted. "I'm only here … because Nancy requested mine and Spencer's assistance. We had no idea about the raid … and Nancy and Spencer didn't know I was undercover. No one was supposed to know."

Ben glared at her as he tried to decide if she was telling the truth or not. Suddenly, he swung his fist into Emily's stomach and threw her down onto the floor. Emily gasped for air as she lay twitching on the cold concrete. Her eyes rolled at the unbelievable amount of pain coursing through her body. She closed her eyes and prayed that Spencer wouldn't give away that he was FBI as well.

(xxxxx)

Spencer paced the chapel nervously. His heart was pounding, and his stomach was in knots. What was happening to Emily? What if Ben killed her? He wouldn't do that would he? He was still trying to play the part of a righteous man. He had to believe this was true. He couldn't bear the thought of losing Emily.

Just then the chapel doors opened, and Ben came stalking in angrily, with Cole trailing behind with a first aid kit. Ben was cradling his hand as he went straight for his office. He didn't even glance at Spencer. After a moment of hesitation, Spencer slowly walked towards Ben's office, but couldn't bring himself to step inside. He stood in the doorway watching Ben clean his wounded knuckles.

That was a good sign. Maybe she wasn't hurt badly. Maybe he didn't kill her. His thoughts were interrupted by Ben.

"Did you know she was FBI?"

Spencer was startled, but knew this question was going to come up at some point.

"No. She transferred from Denver 9 months ago. I had no reason to believe she was anything but what she said she was," he lied.

He hoped he sounded genuine, because right now his brain was in a thousand different places. Most importantly, his brain was trying to find a way to save Emily.

"Let me ask you something Spencer. Who makes the rule regarding age of consent? How is it that only a 100 years ago an adult was considered to be 14 and now it's 18? What is so different now? If anything, we are more knowledgeable than were back then, making children grow in intelligence faster. How has the age of consent risen and not decreased?"

Spencer wanted to strangle this man. Was he really sitting there justifying his atrocious behavior? Spencer knew he had to play along, but that didn't stop him from a few mental images of himself beating the life out of Ben.

"I honestly don't know. The best I can tell you is from my experience we receive hundreds of calls daily and less than 5% are actual child abuse," Spencer replied.

Ben seemed curious at this response. "Why do you think that is?"

"I think people get angry sometimes and do stupid things in retaliation. What better way to hurt someone than to make others think that he or she hurts children," Spencer said to appease Ben.

"Interesting. You're a very wise person, Mr. Reid," Ben said studying him.

"I don't think that's the case," Spencer stated, reeling Ben in further. "I think that I'm just good at listening."

Take the bait, fish. Ben nodded with a small smile.

"Good at listening to God. You hear Him and He speaks His truth. Trust in that ability, Spencer."

Hook, line, and sinker! Alright, next move. I sure hope you are listening out there, Rossi.

"May I be so bold?" Spencer asked timidly.

"Speak freely here brother," Ben replied.

"Call that agent guy from earlier. Ask him the name of the FBI agent," Spencer said.

"We already know her name," Cole snapped.

You aren't even on Cyrus' level, you Neanderthal. Don't get in the way. I'll make you look like the knuckle dragger you are.

"They don't know that," Ben said as he realized Spencer's idea.

"The FBI would never tell us," Cole said.

Oh my goodness man, shut up!

"Ok, so up the ante. Tell them you'll make a deal with them. You'll release a child if they will tell you the agents name," Spencer said.

"You're trying to get us to release a child!" Cole argued.

We have a winner! What's his prize Alex?

"How is releasing one child going to be detrimental to your cause? You don't need that child. Just let them go and then you'll know if you can trust what the FBI is telling you," Spencer said, more for Cole's benefit, because he knew Ben understood the concept.

"As I said previously, Spencer, you are a wise man," Ben said slapping him gently on the back. "Get Agent Rossi on the phone."

Cole picked up the phone and dialed a number, handing the phone to Ben when it began to ring. It only took two rings before Spencer heard Rossi answer.

"I would like to negotiate with you," Ben said.

"That's why I'm here. Let's work something out," Rossi replied.

"I will release a child if you tell me the name of your undercover FBI agent," Ben said as he paced in his spot.

"I'm afraid I can't do that," Rossi said softly.

"I thought you wanted to rescue my believers, Dave? Have you gone back on your word?"

There was a moment of silence before Spencer heard Rossi sigh.

"Her name is Emily Prentiss."

Ben looked at Spencer who nodded at him.

"I think we'll be able to work something out Dave. I'll be in touch shortly," Ben said as he hung up the phone.

"Release the orphan. Let them see what their meddling has done," Ben said to Cole.

Once Cole left the room, Ben turned to Spencer and gave a smile.

"Let's go to the chapel. It's time to work out our next part of the negotiation," Ben said. "I want you by my side."

(xxxxx)

Spencer stood at the front of the chapel with Ben. He looked around at the crowd gathering in the pews. No one seemed concerned or afraid. It was like another day of church for them. He didn't know if he pitied these people or despised them.

Ben silenced the group and immediately jumped into talking about members losing their faith in God. How some of them wanted to abandon the "church". Spencer listened intently, in case action was required, but his concentration failed him when Emily was dragged into the room.

Her face was bloodied and bruised. Her shirt was torn and held blood stains. She glanced his way and gave him a small smile. He walked toward her. His heart ripping into pieces. Emily was listening to Ben call out names, when Spencer approached her.

"He is furious," she whispered.

She glanced at Spencer and did a double take. The look in his eyes was heartbreaking. She knew he was going to beat himself up about this. He would blame himself.

"Spence, I'm ok. I know it looks bad, but it's really not," she tried to assure him.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered. She could hear the emotion in his voice. She realized his apology was for more than just what Cyrus did to her.

Reaching out, she gently grabbed his hand and gave it a small squeeze. She shook her head no as she let her hand fall away again. Spencer went to speak again, when Emily stopped him.

"Spence, he's calling out the names of the people who were crying," she said.

Spencer snapped back to reality and turned to look at Ben. He saw one-by-one, members of the congregation stand from their seats. No time to be emotional now. He had to save these people and most importantly, save Emily.

"I'll find a way to get word to the team. Keep your eyes open for information on when they plan to raid and Emily," he said as she looked to him, worry in his eyes. "Please be safe."

He walked away before he did something to blow his cover. As he neared Ben, he saw the man watching him intently. He knew Ben was waiting for him to say something.

"I still can't believe she lied to me. I thought maybe she was lying … maybe covering for Nancy or something, but … how could I not see it?" he said sadly.

Ben seemed satisfied. "The devil hides easily in plain sight my friend. Take her back."

Two large men with guns grabbed her arms and dragged her away. She looked at Spencer one more time. Be safe, Spencer. I love you.

Spencer watched her being dragged off with grief in his heart. I won't let you down Emily.

(xxxxx)

Back in his office, Ben made arrangements with Rossi to release some members if they would give him until noon tomorrow to surrender. Once that was agreed, Ben requested some outside food to be sent in then hung up the phone without a goodbye and turned to face Spencer and Cole.

"What is going on?" Cole said anxiously.

"They weren't true believers. They would get in the way of the cause," Spencer replied, knowing him answering instead of Ben would annoy Cole.

"What the hell do you know? You aren't one of us!" Cole snapped.

Your moron leader seems to think I am.

"Cole, calm down. Listen," Ben said in a soft voice.

"They failed God's test. They were not willing to die for God's will. They didn't trust in His word. They didn't have faith that Ben was leading them to the promise land," Spencer explained. "They needed to go. They are enemies hidden amongst warriors."

Oh, and one plus one is two, dipshit.

"How do you know that?" Cole asked eyeing him suspiciously.

Cause I have a brain?

"Because I pay attention to signs. I look for God to tell me when He is coming. I trust in Him and his word," Spencer said, knowing that Rossi would know exactly what he was saying.

(xxxxx)

Emily lay in the bed with her boot heel lifting the blinds. She was hoping someone out there would hear her. She had been repeating her mantra for over 30 minutes with nothing. She was starting to panic a little. She knew her team wouldn't let her down, but it was nearing the endgame and she still didn't know how safe she was or how safe Spencer was.

Cyrus seemed to like him a lot. Maybe he would let Spencer go? That was stupid, though. Even if he did offer Spencer a way out, she knew he wouldn't take it. He would die trying to save everyone. Him and his stupid, beautiful, loving, self-sacrificing heart.

"It's Emily. Let me know when you are coming," she repeated as her voice grew tired.

Still nothing. She sighed and repeated it again. On her third time, a red dot appeared on the tip of the blinds. She looked to the wall and saw the red dot from a sniper scope.

"I see you!" she said as tears filled her eyes. "What time?"

The light blinked, one … two … three, then stopped.

"3 am?" she asked for confirmation.

The red light moved up and down.

"Oh, thank God. Ok, I'll work on getting everyone to the basement. Spencer is somewhere on the first floor with Ben. You have to get to him. He's in danger," she said as tear slipped down her cheek.

The red light moved up and down. She felt overcome with a rush of emotions. She took a deep breath and swallowed hard.

"Is this one of my teammates?" she asked.

It didn't matter in the long run, but she felt so scared and alone at the moment that she needed to believe they were there. She watched the red light move up and down.

"Morgan?" she said as her lip trembled.

The red light moved up and down again.

"Oh, Morgan," she sniffled. "You have no idea how good it feels knowing you are here."

She wanted to keep talking to him, but she heard a sound in the hallway. "Someone's coming." Her foot dropped back to the bed and she lay still, waiting to see who it was.

The door opened and she sighed when Kathy wandered in. She was carrying a glass of water. Oh, thank God. Emily didn't realize how thirsty she was until she saw that glass. She sat up and Kathy tipped the drink into her mouth.

After Emily drank from it, she smiled gratefully.

"Kathy, everyone here is in danger. I need your help," Emily said.

Kathy stared at her in stunned silence.

"Ben is planning on blowing this place up. He is planning on killing everyone in this building, including Jessie. I know you are the one who called for help and now is your chance to save her," Emily pleaded.

"I should have never called. I just … I just wanted to protect her," Kathy said in distress.

"You still can. We can do it together. The FBI plans to raid the compound at 3am. We have to get everyone to the basement," Emily said. "I can't do this without you."

Kathy bit her fingernail in hesitation before she fled the room. Emily collapsed back on to the bed. Shit! Shit, shit, shit! What the hell am I going to do now?