Summary: Cat Adams wasn't lying, and indeed gave birth to the child of Spencer Reid. Five years later, Spencer Reid has put the past behind him and is happier than he's ever been. He can't imagine a life without his beautiful daughter who captures his heart every day. But horrors of the past never really go away, and when Cat Adams manages to escape prison, her one and only goal is to take the child she's never been allowed to lay eyes on. Reid is forced to once again play a deadly game to ensure his daughter's safe return… but he may not be able to outsmart Cat this time.

Prologue

JJ had never felt so worried. Not when she saw Will walk away from her into a hostage situation, not when Emily was in critical condition on an operating table, not even when she first began to suspect she might be pregnant. No, those moments doubled and combined could not compare with the worry she felt in this moment, watching her best friend.

Across from her sat Spencer Reid, his hands folded against his chin as if he were deep in thought. He stared right at her, and yet she knew he wasn't seeing anything at all. The only indication he hadn't gone completely catatonic was the rapid bouncing of his right knee; the only escape for his frantic nerves.

Reaching across the aisle, JJ patted his knee to get him to relax. It stopped instantly, her touch bringing him back to reality. He inhaled sharply as if he'd forgotten to breathe in the last few minutes and finally met her eyes.

"It's going to be okay, Spence." She assured him with a gentle pat to his leg.

He nodded, swallowing hard. He hadn't spoken a word since he gave his name to the guards on the way in here. She'd never forget the looks they got when they entered, mostly directed at Reid. They knew why he was here, why one of their most infamous inmates had been taken to the Infirmary in the wee hours of the morning, and he was the cause of it. She didn't want to fathom the scenarios conjured in their heads, all speculations to what lead to this occasion. None of them would even come close to the truth. She still had a hard time believing it herself.

Reid startled her as he grabbed her hand; she looked up to see the sympathetic expression as he gazed at her. "Thank you for being here."

"I promised you I would." She said, returning his grasp. "Months ago."

"I know," he said with a shy smile. "I just… I don't think I could get through this without you. I just need to get this over with so I can move on."

JJ hesitated, not wanting to bring this up. Not now, it was bad timing. But it had been on her mind since amniocentesis results came back, and if she didn't say it now, she may miss her chance.

"You don't have to do this." She declared. He looked at her in shock, but she kept going. "Spence, no one would think less of you… if you wanted to back out."

"JJ-" He started.

"-Listen to me!" She urged. "What if it was me, and I'd… I mean…" His cringing made her pause, not wanting to upset him further. "I just mean, if something like this had happened to me, you wouldn't think less of me… you wouldn't want me to have a constant reminder of it every day for the rest of my life."

"No, of course, I wouldn't." Reid said and at that got to his feet. He couldn't sit still any more. "And… you're right."

That was unexpected. "I'm right?"

"Yes," He answered. "JJ… I don't even think I've made a real decision yet, what I'm going to do. Maybe it would be best if… this baby…" he paused, taking a heavy breath, "if she did just disappear. Go to a family – parents – who could really love her. I may never learn to love her, to feel anything good towards her. And that's not fair."

"What's not fair is what happened to you." JJ replied.

Reid countered, "Nothing about this is fair. But this baby didn't have anything to do with that. Maybe I can't care for her, but I can protect her. That's the very least I can do, I can't just walk away."

JJ understood. She stood brushing his shoulder in support. "Okay."

At that, a buzz sounded from the other end of the waiting area. A female guard stepped in first, followed by the doctor.

"Mr. Reid?" the guard said, and Reid nodded, not bothering to correct the title.

The doctor stepped forward, speaking plainly. "I understand you're the father?"

Reid struggled to speak, managing to croak out, "Yes."

"Congratulations, you have a healthy baby girl." The doctor said with as little emotion as JJ had ever heard for what was usually such celebratory news.

Instantly, however, she felt Reid relax beside her. Almost like he was relieved. "She's… okay?"

"Yes," the doctor said. "It was a difficult delivery, the mother was… reluctant to cooperate."

That was no surprise. Reid tensed again as he nodded wordlessly. The doctor continued. "I had to declare her mentally unfit and sedate her. We performed a caesarean section in order to get the baby out. But the mother is doing well, she'll be in recovery for much longer than a regular birth, but she'll be okay."

Thank goodness for that JJ wanted to scorn, but bit her tongue.

"The baby was taken from the mother immediately per the court's order." The doctor said. "She will not be permitted to see her. We've examined the baby and are getting ready to transport her to the hospital. She'll remain under a pediatrician's care for the next day or two, and then she can go home."

"I see." Reid said with a nod. Watching him, JJ had no idea what was going through his head right now.

The guard spoke up again, her tone soft. Almost sympathetic. "If you'd like to follow me, Mr. Reid, I can take you to see her before she's transported."

Reid didn't respond at first. In fact, JJ was certain he was about to refuse, and she wouldn't blame him in the least if he had. However, he took a step forward to follow, wordlessly slipping his hand into JJ's as they followed the young woman deeper into the prison.

They encountered no prisoners along the way, only guards and professionals, until they reached the Infirmary. Inside, there were half a dozen female inmates. Reid instinctively took a glance around and noticed a door with a peculiar label. ARMED PERSONEL REQUIRED. He had a suspicion… no, he knew… who was behind that door.

"Could I possibly see the mother first?" Reid asked, turning back to the guard.

The guard was reluctant. "That hasn't been authorized. I'd need permission-"

"-I'm an FBI agent." Reid said, and at that grabbed his badge. More often than not, it sparked more intimidation than his gun. "I have a right to request an audience with any inmate, particularly those still involved in open cases. I'd like to speak to her, briefly."

"She's heavily sedated." The guard argued. "I doubt you could get any information out of her, if she's even awake."

Reid wasn't giving up. "I just want to talk to her for a minute. Are going to let me in there, or do I need to get your supervisor? Or maybe call mine?"

Obviously, the young guard didn't want any trouble from superiors. She grabbed the keys fastened securely to her uniform and led him to the impenetrable door. Reid released his hold on JJ, following her. Obviously, he wanted to do this alone.

JJ waited for no more than five minutes before Reid returned, looking more relaxed than she'd seen him in weeks. Months even. He took JJ's hand again and followed the guard through the Infirmary.

"What happened in there?" JJ whispered.

Reid caught her eye, and she swore there was something maniacal in his eye. "Nothing."

Another room led off from the Infirmary. A private room with an empty bed pushed off to one side. A nurse stood next to a plastic hospital crib, attending the occupant inside.

When the nurse saw the two agents enter with the guard, she immediately reached in for the bundle. Carefully, she cradled the baby in her arms, bouncing her carefully as she brought her over.

"Here she is," the nurse said kindly. "She's perfectly healthy, a little small, but that's not uncommon with babies born in this environment."

She began to hand the infant to Reid. There was a slight hesitation, but he ultimately accepted the infant, supporting her safely in his arms. He stared down at her for a long moment, stone faced and rigid.

And then, as if by magic, his face broke into an expression JJ knew all too well, and one very welcome. That of undeniable joy. She let out a breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding.

"Hi," Reid said in a partial whisper, smiling down at the baby. "I'm your… your dad. It's nice to meet you."

The nurse indicated the paperwork on the baby's chart. "Everything's been documented for the birth record which will accompany her to the hospital. 8 pounds, 4 ounces, 18 inches long, Baby Girl Adams was born at 12:08 pm on November 13th-"

"No." He said at once, snapping his attention to the nurse. His tone was so harsh; it took everyone in the room by surprise. Even the baby, who whimpered a bit in protest, as if she could sense the tension.

"Excuse me?" The nurse asked, taken aback.

"It's Reid." He corrected. "Baby Girl Reid… I refuse to let her have that woman's name."

The nurse nodded quickly. "Of course, sir. I'll have the record amended before she leaves."

"Spence," JJ whispered, brushing his arm again.

Reid lowered his voice, "She's my daughter… shouldn't she have my name?"

It appeared his decision was made before he'd even realized it. JJ couldn't say she was surprised. "Absolutely, she should. She's definitely a Reid."

He smiled at that, looking back to the baby. It was like he was mesmerized, completely in awe of the little life. She saw that same look on Will's face when he first held their son, and it was not something that could be faked. Regardless how she came to be, Reid did not regret what came of that horrible experience. He loved his child, and he would be there for her, always.

"Promise me something, JJ." Reid said, still staring at the baby girl.

"Anything," JJ said. She wouldn't deny him; not now, no matter what.

He met her eyes again, suddenly stern and serious. "Promise me, my daughter will never know where she came from. I don't ever want her to think she wasn't wanted."

JJ put her arm around his back, holding him close as she looked down at his baby. Because she was Spencer Reid's baby and that was all that mattered.

"I swear on everything I hold dear," JJ announced as she reached to brush the teeny little hand peeking out of the blanket. "She will never believe she is anything but loved."