I hope you enjoy this.

Chapter Five:

A woman dressed as a man came the next day. She offered no name and merely instructed them to get in the back of the shipping truck filled with old furniture. Once again, Sokolov held on to the man as they hit bumpy roads. No one said much as they passed around food. The man ate three crackers, which was a new record for him.

It was night by the time they got out at petrol station where they could wash up. Another truck appeared, and they were instructed to get in. This one had plumbing equipment in it. Again, the driver said very little.

"I hope my sister knows she is doing," Raisa said.

"I do too," Sokolov said as cradled the man. He moaned in his sleep.

"He moans in Russian," she noted.

"His grasp on the language is excellent," he said.

She watched him. "Who knows what secrets are hiding in his head."

…

They got out at an equipment factory in the evening. Another man was waiting with a van. They got in the back and spoke little. After another hour of driving, the man pulled into the garage of a large house. The man guided them to a side entrance and knocked twice.

"Password?" A man dressed as a butler asked.

"Goat," he said.

The butler ushered them in and the man disappeared without saying another word.

They were led into a large living area covered in expensive art and told to sit. Sokolov gently rested the man in a plush chair.

"My heavens!" a woman cried.

The woman looked to be in her late fifties with short curly gray hair. She approached the man slowly.

"You are safe here," she said soothingly. "We'll bring doctors in to help you heal."

The man nodded. "Thank you."

She turned to Sokolov and his wife.

"My name is Elena," she said warmly. "My husband sends his apologies for not being here. Marat is away on business and should be back by tomorrow morning."

"We have traveled a great deal these past few days," Sokolov said. "Where are we?"

"You are in Perm," she said. "You'll be staying with us for a few days. It is safer, as the authorities expect you to make a straight run to the border. Can I get you anything to drink? Tea, water, vodka?"

"Tea would be great," Raisa said.

"I would also appreciate some tea," Sokolov said.

Elena turned to the man. "Russian tea is a little strong, can I get you some juice?"

He nodded.

"Roman!" she called out.

The butler instantly appeared.

"Three teas and some juice, please," she said.

The man nodded and disappeared.

Elena took a seat and looked to the man.

"Are you in much pain?"

"It is manageable," he said with a miniscule shrug.

"Are you remembering anything about your life before your captivity?"

He shook his head. "No. I am sorry."

"There is no need to be sorry," she said gently.

The butler appeared with drinks. He passed them around and the man took slow sips of his juice.

Raisa enjoyed the tea. "Thank you."

Sokolov could tell it was an expensive drink. Questions plagued him though.

"Tell me to stop when I have asked too many questions. How did you know the man was in captivity?"

"I am in direct contact with the source of your information. Unlike your drivers, I know why you are here and the grave danger you are in."

"Why are you doing this?" Raisa blurted out.

"The Russian government has not been kind to my or my husband's family," she said. "We have hidden our hatred well with careful investments. To help you is the right thing to do."

They sat and drank their tea in silence.

"Roman will show you to your rooms," she said. "Sleep as long as you like."

The butler appeared and guided them upstairs. The rooms were filled with plush beds. Sokolov helped the man into the bed.

"You're going to okay," he said.

"I hope so," he said. "Leave the light on."

"As you wish," he said.

…

Sokolov and Raisa woke early. They went down stairs to the aromas of breakfast.

Elena was already sitting at the table.

"I was hoping you'd wake earlier than your friend," she said. "So, we can discuss his condition."

"He has been abused horribly," Sokolov said. "His name was tortured out of him."

"I have two doctors coming," she said. "One will evaluate his physical injuries and the other will try to help him mentally."

"His nightmares are constant," Raisa said. "It will be difficult to get through to him."

"But not impossible," she said. "Let my worry about him. You two look like you could use showers and clean clothes."

"I don't know how we'll be able to thank you for your hospitality," Sokolov said.

"I am more than happy to help," she said.

…

Marat greeted them briefly before going upstairs to rest. He was apparently jetlagged but still sounded equally warm as Elena.

To his surprise, the man wanted him the room when the doctor came. Sokolov held his hand the man examined the various injuries to his body. He held on tightly as the dressings were changed.

The doctor spoke to Sokolov privately.

"He is in good condition, all things considered," he said. "They managed to patch him up well. I think he is hiding the amount of pain he is in though and that is putting stress on his body. I brought some medicine that should help."

"Thank you, doctor," he said.

"I feel as though I got the easy job. Treating the mental injuries will be much more difficult."

…

Elena guided him to a different room with plush leather couches. It was lined with tall shelves of books. She instructed him to lay on a couch and took a seat next to him.

"It is time we got some answers out of that head of yours," she said kindly. "A doctor is here to help. I promise that if I see you in any distress I will stop him. Do you understand?"

"Yes," he said. "I want answers too."

"Good," she said and rang a bell.

The doctor appeared. He was younger than the last one with light brown hair.

He knelt beside him. "I am going to ask you to close your eyes and count back from ten," he said.

He did as instructed.

"Picture a happy place from your past," he said. "The sounds, the smells, everything."

A pretty blond appeared to be cooking in the kitchen. She was scrambling eggs and man was pouring orange juice for a child seated at the counter. He found himself making coffee.

The woman smiled. "You and your coffee," she said. "I bet you can't go a day without it."

"I can too," he said. "I even like tea."

"But with lots of sugar. You like sugar in everything."

"Not on my eggs," he said.

She laughed and began to fill the plates with food.

He ate a mouthful. "Delicious as always J.J."

"Thank you," she said. "One day we're going to teach you how to cook more than eggs Spence."

"I can cook," he argued. "I just don't have time."

"I've seen all your books," she said. "None of them involve cooking."

"I know the basics," he said.

"That's all a man needs," the man next to J.J. said. "So, are you ready to play some soccer?"

He sighed.

"You're getting better," J.J. said.

"You only let in three goals last time," the boy said.

His phone rang. "Dr. Reid," he said automatically.

"Sorry to bother you at breakfast," he said. "But we have a case and Houston PD wants down as soon as possible. Can you relay the message to J.J.?"

"Sure thing, Hotch," he said. "We'll be there as soon as we can."

"Thanks," he said.

J.J. had been watching him. "I guess soccer practice will have to wait."

"We need to go," he said.

"I'll clean up here," the man said. "Just get the guy quickly."

"We'll try, Will," J.J. said and kissed him on the cheek.

She gave the boy a hug. "Mommy will be back soon."

"Okay," he said.

J.J. disappeared briefly and returned with a duffle bag. He opened the door and suddenly felt very cold. Snow began to whip around him. He started to shiver slightly and then violently.

"Wake up!" the doctor shouted.

He opened his eyes and looked around. Elena was watching him closely.

"You said a few names," she said. "Were any of them yours?"

"Yes," he said with more confidence than he felt in a long time. "My name is Dr. Spencer Reid."