It felt like ages for everyone to get back above ground, but truly it only took a little over an hour. It was dark and cold, but it seemed like midday compared to down below. Reid would have liked to go with the others to the hospital, but he would have to catch up in a little while. Right now, he had some unfinished business.

The cops gave him a few minutes before they took Nathan away. He sat in the back of the police car, staring at his knees, with his wrists bound behind him. He didn't even flinch as Reid joined him, climbing through the other door.

There was a long quiet as Reid waited for him to acknowledge him. Nathan was in a trance, it seemed. "You know… I could fasten those in front of you… make you a little more comfortable."

All he did was shake his head. Reid wasn't ready to give up on him, though. "I meant what I said down there… I know that you're a good person."

"You're delusional, Dr. Reid." He mumbled, almost incoherently. "You said I could change… all I did was get worse."

"Did you ever see Star Wars, Nathan?" Reid asked.

Confused, at last looked up to meet his eyes, giving a nod. "Do you remember how Luke Skywalker knew there was still good in his father… even after everything he'd done? After everyone he killed? Everyone tried to tell him he was wrong, even Vader himself… but Luke knew he was right… and he saved his father."

"His father died." Nathan pointed out.

"But he was Anakin again when he died." Reid pointed out. "And I know you're not a boy anymore, but the same person you were four years ago is still here. People change all the time, I said that… but the essence is still the same. And the boy who came to me for help… I know he's there. And this time I won't forget him."

Nathan looked away, "How can you still think that? After everything I've done to you, you should want to kill me. Most people would hate me; most people would want me dead."

"If you haven't noticed, Nathan... I'm not most people." Reid explained. "I'm not going to pretend this didn't devastate me. You killed some people who once were very important to me. You tried to kill my mother, you almost killed one of my closest friends… and you didn't know Riley had a vest on; you tried to kill her, too. That would be enough for anyone to hate you… but I don't."

Clearing his throat, he tried to get him to see reason. "You tried to change before, Nathan… and you failed. That wasn't your fault. But it doesn't mean there's no hope. Maybe you have better odds now that you can get better. You know what can affect you and that'll give you an advantage to get a second chance."

"I already had a second chance." Nathan shook his head. "You were wrong, Dr. Reid. People can't change."

"I don't believe that, Nathan. I can't believe that. In this job, I have to know that there is still good in people." Reid paused, trying to see if he was getting to him at all. \

"You don't have to believe, all you have to do is trust me. I promise to help you, Nathan… I won't give up on you this time."

Each breath became heavier than the last. At last, a cold, soulless glare met Reid's eyes. It secretly terrified him, sending a shiver through him. "I don't want your help, Dr. Reid. If you hadn't helped me, I would be dead. That's all I wanted… if you hadn't come to that motel that night, I'd be dead. If Dr. Parker hadn't found us, I'd be dead… I should never have stopped you that day at the subway station…"

"Nathan, I know you're confused right now and you're scared-"

"Please, leave, Dr. Reid," Nathan muttered. The evil in his eyes faded and he looked away. "You can stop feeling sorry for me… the world would be better if I were dead, and you know it. If you're not willing to give that to me, than I never want to see you again."

"Nathan-"

"Just go," he whispered.

It was a lost cause. His long fingers searched in the dark for the door handle and opened to climb out. "I don't regret saving you Nathan… and I hope you know, if you change your mind… I'll be there for you."

"Trust me, Dr. Reid," Nathan said, more to himself. "If I ever want to see you again… it will only be to kill you… and that woman you love so much, the same way I've killed the other filth in the world."

Reid was fine with people threatening him, but Riley was another story. There was little chance Nathan would ever get it out… but it didn't stop a nervous forecast slither up his spine. He wouldn't give Nathan the satisfaction by retaliating. Without a word, he climbed out and slammed the door.

He loathed to give up, but there was nothing he could do. He walked away, never turning around. It was bad luck to look back. But if he had, he would have seen the cold, deadly glare Nathan shot him through the window. His hate for Spencer Reid having never been so intense or so powerful.

Morgan was alone in the waiting room, flipping through an old copy of Rolling Stone. Reid hurried over to meet him, grabbing his attention. "Hey, how's Nathan?"

"They're taking him to Havensall tonight. I made sure he was put on a suicide watch." Reid explained, his hands going into his pockets. "He'll stay there until his trial. After that, they'll move him to a more secure facility, in New York or some place… I wanted to help him, but… he doesn't want it. From anyone."

"Reid," Morgan said, tossing the magazine aside. "You know he's not your responsibility. I mean, he tried to kill your family. He would have killed all of us and probably you if he'd gotten that far. How can you still feel sympathy for him?"

"Morgan… I can't even answer that for myself." He explained. "I don't know why I feel accountable… I just do."

"Well… you're a better man than me, then." He said, standing up. "Because if he were after me, Nathan Harris would not be alive right now."

"How is everyone?" Reid asked, mostly to get off the subject.

"JJ and your mom were checked over, their both fine." Morgan explained.

With worry, "What about Riley?"

"She's been having trouble catching her breath, so they took her down for an X-Ray." Morgan explained, "But I wouldn't worry. Prentiss went down with her, they should be back up soon."

He led him passed the ER, which was surprisingly quiet. Reid couldn't remember being in the emergency room when it wasn't a mad house. Down the hallway, they headed toward the rows of private exam rooms. Second on the right, Morgan pushed it open and they walked inside.

Diana lay sleeping on her side, still knocked out from the medicine. Reid glanced at her, making sure she was alright, before looking up to find her roommate smiling at him in a hospital gown.

"JJ!" He exclaimed hurrying over. Gently, he pulled her into a hug.

"Hey, Spence," She muttered into his shoulder, holding him close.

"Are you alright?" He asked, moving to look her over.

"Oh, I'm fine." She said, "Just a little sleepy. Garcia called Will to tell him, they'll both be here soon with Henry."

"Good… what about the baby?"

"Everything's fine." She assured. "Someone's coming to do an ultrasound, just for precaution. But they did a tox screen and they said the amount of medicine was a normal dose… it shouldn't hurt the baby."

"Thank God," He said with relief. "If anything happened to you… or if you had miscarried… I'd never forgive myself."

"This wasn't your fault, Spence," She tried to assure. "I'm just sorry you had to go through it."

"Well… you should really thank Gideon." Reid explained. "If it wasn't for his plan, I don't think any of us would be alive. We had Morgan follow me down to the subway. Once he knew where we were headed, he sent a text to Emily. Hotch and Gideon put a vest on Riley and used her as bait."

"I can't believe you agreed to that." JJ cried.

Reid cringed a bit, "I didn't. I tried to refuse, but Riley wouldn't change her mind… you know how stubborn she can be."

"Yeah, a lot like someone else I know." She gave him a nudge in the side with her hand. "But… she said she followed you and heard Nathan's plan… why didn't you guys just barge in to stop him?"

"We couldn't risk Nathan shooting anyone if he got scared." Morgan explained. "Gideon knew Nathan wouldn't go easily, he also knew he would rather mentally hurt Reid than physically, which was why killing Riley would be so perfect. Once Nathan shot her, he'd be distracted long enough for Reid to disarm him."

"That was really, risky, though." JJ said, glancing between the men. "I mean, what if Nathan had shot Riley in the head or he heard Morgan following you, or if he killed you before the others arrived?"

Reid didn't know what to say. He was saved a response from a moan on the other side of the room. Diana stirred as she began to wake up, and Reid hurried over to her.

"Mom," Reid said softly as she opened her eyes.

It took her a moment for her foggy eyes to focus. "Spencer…" she muttered. "Where are we?"

"We're in the hospital," he said with a smile. She sat up too quickly, getting dizzy. Her eyes looked panic at the other two in the room. "Do you remember anything, Mom?"

Her eyes, sparkling with the brightest blue he'd ever seen, met his. "I must have fallen asleep."

"I know, it's okay." Reid took her hand, pressing further. "Do you want to talk about what happened?"

She looked at him with such a condescending expression. "It was just a dream, Spencer… it's nothing. I keep saying that."

She thought it was a nightmare. Reid nodded, smiling with ease. "You're right, Mom. I'm sorry."

Mrs. Reid was taken to a room upstairs to rest for the remainder of the night. Reid and Morgan gave JJ privacy for her ultrasound. To their surprise, Gideon stood alone, waiting to meet them in the hall.

Morgan seemed to suspect he wasn't there for him. "I'm going to give Hotch a call, find out how things are at the station."

Reid wanted him to stay, but didn't ask. As he walked off, he looked to Gideon, watching him with such intense yet soft eyes. Like he were constantly studying him, trying to understand him better.

Swallowing nervously, "I guess you haven't lost your touch."

All Gideon gave was a shake of his head. "How did you know it would work?" Reid wondered.

"I didn't know," He explained, folding his arms with a shrug. "I knew Nathan. I knew you. I knew what might happen… but I didn't know. I just took a chance… which I've heard you've done a few times yourself over the years."

He had, feeling the resentment seep away like water through cupped hands. "I want to apologize, Gideon."

"Reid, I came back to help you. I don't expect forgiveness; and you hating me is not unjustified. I just want you to understand that my leaving was not about you. You didn't deserve it… or any of this."

"I think it's… odd, don't you?" Reid said, looking around for a moment, taking in their solitude. "Nathan did so much to me… he tried to take everything from me and I still feel sorry for him. You genuinely care about me; you didn't mean to hurt me… and I can't let go of a grudge."

"If our feelings were easy to understand… we wouldn't need profilers, would we?" Gideon asked.

With a smile, Reid agreed. "I can't really hold a grudge against you now… if it wasn't for you-"

"You would have gotten him without me." He interrupted. He pulled himself off the wall, beginning to lead Reid down the corridor.

"Yeah, but JJ and my mother would be dead." Reid knew. "Who knows how many would have been murdered before we caught him… including Riley. I don't think I could take that."

They continued walking, passing one by one the empty exam rooms. Reid was filled with questions for the man, just as he used to. Unflagging in his efforts to become better at his job.

"But what if Nathan had doubled-backed to make sure we were alone? What if he hadn't given me that much time to make a decision, or any decision at at all? What if he suspected Riley had a vest on, or if she couldn't think so fast on her feet?"

"Eh… Reid… I've told you before… you don't always have to ask so many questions." He said as they made it to the last door. Reid's eyes looked inside to find Riley pulling on her jeans. She was talking to Emily, who was brushing her arm in an affectionate way. "You should just enjoy the moment."

Reid seemed to forget what they were talking about, his attention focused in the next room. "You're right." he muttered absentmindedly. He opened the door and hurried inside, leaving Gideon in the hall.