See endnote.
Chapter Six:
"Stop running," Reid said.
"I know nothing else," Josie said
"You don't have to be a vigilante profiler. We can keep you safe."
"I know everything about you guys. You can't keep anyone safe."
"We're family," Prentiss said. "Gideon shouldn't have abandoned you. We won't."
"This is a different team," Greenaway said. "I think you can trust them."
"I've watched this team get shot at, tortured, imprisoned, and threatened."
"Why though?" Rossi asked. "Why didn't you find another way to use your talents?"
"Samuel Cole committed suicide after raping and piercing me. They found me six hours later, naked and covered in his blood, and mine. He said he would never get over the high of hurting me, a virgin, and wanted to end things on high note. Gideon didn't know how to help me, he saw my anger and rather than try to break through it, and wallowed in his own guilt. I don't know how to get to stop seeing what I went through mirrored on Reid."
"We can help you," J.J. said. "Let us."
There was sound of a gun firing rapidly.
"I'll handle this," she said.
"Josie!" Prentiss shouted
She slammed the door shut on her. There was more gunfire. Prentiss put her hand on the doorknob.
"Emily!" Reid shouted. "Don't!"
"Why?"
"Wait."
After a couple more minutes firing, the gunfire ceased.
Prentiss walked out. The team followed her, with J.J. wheeling Reid.
The gunman was dead. A trail of blood led to a stairwell. Lewis searched it and found no further trace of her.
"Have the building searched," Prentiss ordered.
J.J. looked to Reid.
"Why?"
"She wasn't ready."
Before J.J. could ask Reid to explain further, he slumped into the chair. Doctors were called, he was still dehydrated. He needed to be put back in bed.
Prentiss watched. She wondered what she had just witnessed over the course of ten hours. After four days of horrors, it felt like a day of revelations.
Epilogue
Two Years Later:
Josie was waiting for Reid at the chess table in the park.
"How's your little guy?" she asked.
"Keeping me exhausted," he said. "Morgan is living up to his namesake in being strong and active."
"That's what kids do I hear."
"You're welcome to visit."
"That's the eighth time you've asked."
"I think I'm wearing you down though."
"Maybe," she said with a smile as they played.
"You're better than him," Reid said.
"Don't make me blush."
"How do you like the writer's life now?"
"Easier on my calves. My nest egg is holding steady. I don't know how Batman did the vigilante work for so long."
"That's why they kept de-aging him in the comics."
"I started writing as I thought someone should know about the crimes I uncovered."
"Your fictionalized version is out-selling Rossi. I think he's getting mad."
"Then he shouldn't have sent that manuscript I left on his nightstand, to a publisher."
"One day you'll stay. We'll have drinks and you'll find peace."
"These chess matches have helped," Josie said.
"I know torture, pain, and betrayal better than anyone on the team. I knew you needed to see people willing to accept you, even if you weren't ready. It was a step forward."
"You know what they say about great minds."
"Great things," Reid said.
The game continued.
THE END
I know. I know. The thing is, it's an ending, which is a lot better than what many of my other stories have. I'm trying very hard to give stories endings. If I had a dime for every time, I tried to finish His Own Hero, I'd be able to pay off my student debt. I'm trying. That's all I can give. Thanks for the loves as always!