Reid took point as he made his way through the frozen brush. He stopped to pull out a high-tech set of binoculars and slowly rotated, scanning the area.
"What kind of binoculars are those?" Hotch asked.
"They are Optima-Tech Glasses. I am able to get accurate measurements in distances and objects, as well as identify vehicles, people, and animals."
"That's pretty advanced technology." Hotch observed.
"Actually, it's pretty outdated. I didn't have time to work on getting the latest model but I guess it's better than nothing." Reid continued to observe the area.
Hotch noticed Reid studying the trees as he twisted the branches around his finger. "You know these trees could make good spring-traps if we were able to funnel our targets to a specific location."
"Hold on, Rambo. This isn't the CIA." Hotch's eyebrows furrowed. "In case you have forgotten, this is the FBI and we will conduct ourselves within the confines of our duties."
"Where is this coming from?" Reid asked.
"Just look at you. You are carrying a Glock 17 instead of your revolver as well as a smaller pistol at your ankle."
"So do you." Reid retorted.
"I am not carrying throwing knives and other pieces that are against regulation. You have enough in your own arsenal to take down a small army. I am already going against my better judgement by allowing you to continue to come on this mission. I believe that you are too emotionally involved and will act outside of FBI regulations.
"Hotch, I appreciate your responsibilities in leading this team. I promise you that I am not going rouge. I only want to get my friend." He said sincerely.
Hotch took a step closer to him. "So, does that mean you have made peace?"
"I am not sure that 'peace' is the correct word. I don't hate her, I know that much."
"I'm sure it's difficult integrating your old life with your new one. I guess you need to take it one day at a time." Hotch observed.
"You know you are the only one who hasn't talked to me about it." Reid pointed out.
"I knew you would come to me when you were ready." Hotch continued steadily up the hill.
"You haven't wanted to talk to me about anything?" Reid pushed.
Hotch stopped and turned. "What do you want me to say?" He paused. "I've read your CIA file, Reid, I know that you're a crack-shot and have mastered several different types of weaponry. I worked with you for days, invested hours into helping you train for your qualification and to find out that you could have aced that test with your eyes closed. Was all of that some big ploy? Were you creating this elaborate charade of the person we know you as?"
"No, Hotch. I would never do that."
"I understand that you weren't able to discuss your past but honestly, I don't know what to believe anymore."
"My life was filled with espionage and sanctioned killings. When Harris Knight held that gun to my partner's head, I wasn't able to pull the trigger. I had a clear line of sight, I just wasn't able to. Later, when I found them in bed together, I didn't even want to pull my gun from the holster. The BAU was the answer. We take down our enemies using our brains. Even Gideon never liked carrying a weapon. He always told me that there are better ways of accomplishing our goal than with violence. You don't have to carry a gun to kill someone." Reid smirked. "When I left the CIA, I never had to take any tests, all of my stats just transferred over. I didn't even have to pull my weapon for months. When I needed to actually have to test again, I froze up. I couldn't focus. I can't even explain it."
Hotch put his hand on Reid's shoulder. "What you went through would have been difficult for anyone, especially alone. You dealt with it the best way you knew how to."
Reid nodded. "Thank you."
Hank completed another arduous session, once again leaving Alex lying in her own blood on the floor. "We are in need of some more supplies." Hank looked to Jake. "You stay here and keep an eye on her, Ron and I will be back shortly."
Jake chuckled starring at their unconscious prisoner. "Don't worry, she isn't going anywhere."
Hank got into his Humvee with Ron and they took off through the woods. Jake wasted no time going to the cupboards in the kitchen. He moved the canned goods around until he reached his goal. Alex could hear the clinking of glass as Jake pulled out a bottle of Belvedere vodka and smirked as he untwisted the cap. He chugged down a few ounces directly from the bottle and wiped his face with the back of his hand. "Ah, I've needed that."
Reid made it to higher ground where he looked through his binoculars and scoped the distant woods. "I see a vehicle, looks like it could be a Jeep. Come on, we need to get moving."
"Wait, look over there!" Hotch pointed in the opposite direction.
Reid could see the narrow smoke cloud rising. "A fire?"
"Possibly from a chimney. We need to go check that out." Hotch lead the charge towards the smoke.
Jake sauntered to Alex and watched her as she slept on the floor. "Would you like a drink?" He stood over her as he asked. He then tipped the bottle over and poured the alcohol splashing over her face and into her mouth.
She coughed and gagged as she pushed herself upright. "What are you doing?"
"I thought you could use a drink." He leaned down closer to her and whispered. "It will help you to cope, more pain is coming; I can promise you that." Jake dumped more vodka on her. He put the bottle back to his mouth and drank down a few more gulps. "You know what this vodka needs? Some scotch!" He headed back toward the kitchen.
Alex became more alert as her eyes followed him leaving the room. She knew this was her only opportunity. She silently picked herself up, took a deep breath and ran for the door. Alex barely made it a few yards before tripping and landing on her face in the snow. After a brief pause she started back up again only to feel Jake's arms around her lifting her up off the ground. Alex flailed trying to break free from his grasp to no avail.
Jake threw Alex down once they got back into the cabin and he slammed the door. He pulled her up off the ground. "How stupid can you get? All of this will be over if you just tell us where the money is!"
Alex spit in his face. Jake wiped away the blood riddled saliva from his brow. "I know a way to get you to talk. He pushed her up against the couch and ripped open to the top part of her shirt. "I know you will have something to say when I am done."
Suddenly the door blew open and Jake stared at a sig sauer pointed directly at him.