Thank-you, Dear Readers, for all of the wonderful reviews, suggestions, follows and favorites! I'm grinning ear to ear, and feel encouraged to press onward…Warnings for language and adult themes.

I, of course, do not own CM or cannon characters (DAMN!), and no profit is being made from this story.

Chapter 24

"How the hell did that son of a bitch get up in the elevator when we had the key Rossi?" demanded Morgan as he put pressure on the unconscious JJ's shoulder and held her gently against his chest.

"THAT is the question of the hour" responded Rossi as he stiffened at the ding of the elevator, pointing his weapon at chest level, only to lower it as the hospital administrator ushered several medical personnel and 2 gurneys off the conveyance. "Now, how did you all get up here when we have the key? What the fu, uh heck (with a sidelong glance to the boy's room) is going on here? I thought this was supposed to be a secure suite!? What is with this hospital? Do you realize there have been 3 attempts on that child in as many days? How is he supposed to heal with all this going on!" ranted the infuriated Italian. "Not to mention the attack on my entire team! Do you have ANY security?"

"There are three universal keys that open any door-or elevator-in the building. I have one, the head of maintenance and plant services has one, and security has one. That's how we got up here-with my key. I have the chief of security looking into how the assailant got up here." Replied the Administrator. "I have her checking all the surveillance tapes on and around that elevator. We will have an answer soon."

Meanwhile, the ER doctor, nurse, and 2 orderlies joined Nurse Anne with the injured profilers. After placing them on the gurneys and ensuring that they were stable for transport, the group-minus Anne- filed onto the elevator and asked to be taken down to the surgical floor. The Administrator briefly excused himself to assist his med team, then returned to the suite with an LVPD officer, 2 detectives, and a CSI team in tow. Having been relieved, the injured officer agreed to go down to the ER, and Morgan left with him, key in hand, to see if there was any information yet on the conditions of Prentiss and JJ. Meanwhile, Anne had switched places with Aaron in Spencer's room and the irate section chief stood by Rossi, both ready to rip the hapless administrator a new one.

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Spencer clung to Anne, thumb in mouth, as she rocked him and murmured reassurances. "Why Miss Anne? I never hurt anybody. Why do people want to hurt me!?" mumbled the distraught boy.

"It's not your fault sweetheart" responded the nurse, "Sometimes grown-ups do evil things and it is all about them-it has nothing to do with you. You never did anything wrong, and you never asked for this…I know that and so does your new daddy. Just rest now. You are safe and there are a lot of people that will keep you safe."

"Aunt Emily and Aunt JJ and the policeman all get hurt protecting me. If more people protect me they will get hurt too! No! Not worth it! Please Miss Ann, tell everyone stay away-no more get hurt. Take Spencer back to basement where was! Spencer bad boy-just dirty whore, not worth get hurt! No let Daddy get hurt!" the child exclaimed, then burst into heart-rending sobs, curling into a tiny ball in the shocked nurse's lap.

Speaking calmly in a soothing tone, Ann stroked the trembling boy's hair as she replied "Spencer, it's not your fault that anyone was hurt. It is the fault of the man that took you and the men he worked with. You are not a dirty whore. You were forced against your will. The Man tied you up, correct?" The boy nodded shakily. "So," Anne continued "you did not willingly let them have sex with you, did you?"

The distraught boy shook his head vigorously.

"Ok" the nurse continued, "You are not a whore. A whore, by definition, is someone who willingly engages in sexual activity in exchange for money, drugs, or something that they need, correct?" she asked, relying on the boy's intellect to help her make a point. He nodded in the affirmative. "You already agreed that you did not have sex willingly. So, that proves you are not a whore. It was The Man who received money for what you were forced to do. He took you, and made you do things you didn't want to do. So everything is his fault, not yours. Do you understand me?"

Spencer haltingly nodded his head, a thoughtful look on his face. "So not Spencer's fault? Really?"

"That's right. The fault belongs to the ones who hurt…not to you. You are special and you are loved. Everyone who loves you wants to protect you. It is not your fault they want to protect you. Do you understand?"

Spencer nodded his head, looking relieved, but still worried. "Still don't want Daddy or anyone else to get hurt cause of Spencer."

"I know honey, but that is not your decision-it is for them to say. When you are loved, people are willing to get hurt to protect you. It hurts them more if you get hurt. Do you understand?" responded the nurse in a soothing voice.

"I think so" responded the child, "just not used to being loved like that,"

"Well get used to it kiddo," exclaimed Anne, tears in her eyes. "Because we can't help ourselves!"