"How did he die?" Emily asked
"Single gunshot wound to the back of the head; he was executed." Garcia said
"He was also beaten before he was killed; broken ribs, bruising all over his torso, and legs, seven of his fingers were broken." Hotch said scanning the file
"Garcia was the coroner able to figure out when Rhoades died?" Rossi asked
"About three months ago, the grave was deep so animals didn't get to him but it will take time to be more accurate."
"So Rhoades died when Hale and Gideon were in Clatters, do we think Gideon had any idea Hale found Rhoades?" Emily asked
"I doubt it, Jason believes in justice, even if he was willing to protect James Dewitt he wouldn't resort to torture and he certainly wouldn't condone murder." Hotch said
"We need to get Reid out of here, if Hale is willing to do that for a job imagine what he'll do for a personal vendetta." Emily said
"Well he already had him kidnapped and left in an abandoned cabin to die, that might have satisfied his sadistic urges." Rossi said
"Tory Gilbert said that Hale gave him money for supplies doesn't that show that Hale's not so bad." Garcia said
"Hale knew Gilbert was a drug addict, you give a guy like that a hundred bucks, there's a very high chance he'll use it to buy drugs." Morgan said
"I've arranged for Agent Davidson to take Gideon to his hotel and Emily, Morgan, Garcia and I will go to our hotel." JJ said back walking into the room
"Good, don't linger Hale is very dangerous and he may decide to target one of us if he can't get Gideon or Reid." Hotch said
Everyone nodded and left, Hotch and Rossi escorted Gideon to the conference room to question him about Rhoades.
"Jason we found a third body in the woods; William Rhoades was discovered ten miles from the plane. He died at the same time you were in Clatters." Hotch said after they were all seated
"I didn't even know Hale had found him, I thought Rhoades had moved on, Hale didn't disagree.
Rossi was going over the map Morgan and Gideon had been working on. "It looks like both of you checked out the main cabins and then split up to look at the more remote ones. Is it possible Hale found Rhoades and you wouldn't know?"
"It is. I swear I didn't know about Rhoades or the plane."
"I went through Reid's notebook; the plane was covered by plants and snow he only stumbled onto it by luck." Rossi said
"Jason I'm sending you back to Washington with Reid and putting you up in a safe house. Until we arrest David Hale you and Reid are both in danger." Hotch said
"You also want to know where I am in case you have more questions or find evidence against me. Is Spencer aware I'm going to be traveling with him?"
"No, I'm going to talk to him now. Agent Davidson will accompany you to your hotel and then take you to the airport." Hotch said
Gideon nodded and left the conference room, Agent Davidson met him in the bullpen and both men left.
Hotch sighed and crossed the bullpen to the office Reid was waiting in. Hotch found him on the floor surrounded by the contents of his messenger bag, his stick within easy reach.
"Reid what are you doing?" Hotch asked shutting the door quickly behind him
"If Hale kidnaps me I want to be prepared." Reid said sorting through matchbooks and lighters
"Spencer that's not going to happen, Morgan, Emily, Garcia, have already gone to the hotel. Once they're done packing they're coming straight back here to get you and go to the airport." Hotch paused then leaned over and took Reid's hand causing him to look up at him "Gideon is coming with you, I believe Jason is innocent but even if he's guilty Hale might still target him."
Reid stared at him "I'm angry at him but I don't want him hurt or dead. I can share a plane ride with him." Reid said
Hotch gave a slight smile at him "Do you need anything?"
"No, I'm good." Reid said pulling his hand back, returning to his piles as Hotch exited the office.
JJ, Garcia, Morgan, and Emily went to the hotel careful to keep together and keep an eye out for Hale. JJ, Emily, and Garcia went to their rooms, while Morgan went to his room, then Reid's. Morgan quickly packed up Reid's things and then his own. They checked out and went back to the field office to get Reid. Emily stayed in the car while the others went in to get him.
Morgan walked over to the conference room to talk to Hotch
"Hotch did you bring Reid's crutches in the car or give them to JJ?" Morgan asked
"No why?"
"I couldn't find them in the hotel room, I was thinking you brought them with you or had someone get them."
"I didn't I'll have hotel security look for them." Hotch said
Morgan nodded and went to get Reid. He found him waiting with JJ and Garcia in the office. The two women were helping him repack his bag.
"Morgan do you have my crutches my stick isn't going to be enough." Reid said as Garcia helped him to his feet
"I'm sorry kid, I broke them."
"Broke them? How do you break a pair of crutches?" Reid asked suspiciously putting his coat on and reaching for his messenger bag that Emily held out
"I was putting them in the trunk and slammed the door on them." Morgan said weakly
Reid didn't believe him but surprisingly didn't pursue the issue. Morgan came over and Reid put an arm around his shoulders and helped him through the bullpen and then outside to the waiting car, Garcia and JJ following. Hotch helped Reid into the SUV
"We're going to find David Hale soon I promise. " Hotch said after he helped Reid inside
Reid nodded and stretched out his leg. Once everyone was settled they drove off, at the airstrip they found Gideon waiting by the plane, his duffel bag at his feet. Morgan waited until everyone had gotten out and boarded the plane before helping Reid out. Morgan didn't bother helping Reid walk and instead swooped him up in his arms and carried him to the plane and up the steps to the jet ignoring Reid's protests. Once in the jet Morgan lowered Reid to his feet, Reid ignored Morgan's arm and dragged his injured foot to the nearest seat. Once they were airborne Reid went to the couch and laid his foot on the sofa. Garcia went into the galley with JJ and they brought Reid two Alieve, a blanket, and two cookies.
"I'm allowed cookies." Reid said eagerly taking them
"Yes but first take the Alieve." Garcia said holding out the pills
Reid took them and washed them down with coffee. JJ spread the blanket over him.
"Hey you guys didn't see me get on the plane did you?"
"Oh we did, Garcia even took pictures." JJ teased
"Morgan I am going to get you back for that." Reid said
"Bring it on."
"Hey Reid when your foot is feeling better why don't we play a game of chess." Gideon proposed
Reid who had pretended Gideon wasn't there glared at him and didn't answer. JJ gave Reid one of his new books and Emily played chess with Gideon. When they landed Reid grudgingly allowed Morgan to help him walk but was forced to let Morgan carry him down the stairs. They drove two SUVs; Morgan, Reid, and JJ in one, and Gideon, Emily, and Garcia in the other. By the time they got to Quantico Reid was dozing in the back seat, his leg on the seat. Morgan helped Reid out, but Reid slumped against him and didn't try to take his stick. Morgan put a hand on Reid's forehead it was warm
"JJ did you get anything to eat when you were out?"
"No, we planned to, but then Hotch called us. He's barely eaten in the past few days; he's getting sick isn't he?" JJ replied
"I think so; he'll have time to recover, until we find Hale he's going to be stuck in a safe house." Morgan said propping Reid against the car
The others had come over to see what was taking them so long. Upon seeing Gideon, Reid pushed himself away and grabbed his stick. Morgan slipped an arm under his shoulders and they went up to the BAU. Agent Straus was waiting to meet them, Morgan helped Reid sit at the break room table.
"Agent Reid I'm glad to see you safe and well." Strauss said taking a seat across from him
"Director Strauss it's good to be back, how can I help you?"
"I wanted to welcome you back and to let you know we're doing everything we can to apprehend David Hale. Also to let you know that due to the suddenness of the request and financial restrictions we are going to put you and Jason Gideon in the same safe house."
"What, you do realize he's responsible for what happened don't you." Reid exclaimed angrily
"Agent Reid you will not take that tone with me. We don't have any proof beyond your word that he is responsible for what happened. Mr. Gideon has a valid reason for being in Clatter three months ago and there is no evidence that he was in Clatters or Philadelphia the two weeks before and during your kidnapping. David Hale has a vendetta against both of you and for your safety and his you will be housed together until Hale is captured." When Reid didn't respond Strauss spoke again "Do you understand me Agent Reid?"
"Yes." Reid said quietly but his teammates could hear the anger and frustration in his voice
"Jason I'd like to speak to you before you leave." Strauss said and she and Gideon went to her office.
Reid leaned his stick against the table and started doing deep breathing exercises to calm down. Garcia made him a sandwich with cheese and lunch meat and then she and the others left to start typing up reports. Reid pulled out a notebook and started writing in it, after thirty minutes he pulled out a book and read. An hour after they arrived at Quantico Morgan brought over a pair of crutches to Reid.
"Hey kid the safe house is set up, we're going to go there now." Morgan said helping Reid stand
Reid nodded and slipped his bag over his shoulder, he had not taken off his coat since Philadelphia. Morgan grabbed his stick and they joined Gideon at the elevators. Reid didn't speak a word to Gideon during the entire journey to the house. They were taken by Morgan and another Agent to a single story house in a quiet, nice looking neighborhood. They were one main bedroom which was given to Reid, Gideon got a room with a futon bed. Reid was in the bedroom when he suddenly called for Morgan. Morgan rushed in his hand on his gun.
"Morgan, this is from David Hale." Reid said holding out an army knife identical to the one He had at the cabin and an envelope.
"Where did you find them?" Morgan asked taking them
"They were tucked inside the folds of my blue sweater." Reid answered shakily sitting down on the bed
A/N The story is finally starting to wrap up. One or two more chapters and then an epilogue unless you guys want more. Please comment, or show or interest by following, favorting.