Reid sighed and put on the TV. His high school reunion was today – not that he was going, of course. High school hadn't been particularly pleasant.

As he put on the news, he stiffened. That was – no, it couldn't be.. He had to call Hotch.

"Hotch, this is Reid. Are you near a TV? No? Okay, well, a high school reunion in Vegas has become a siege. I don't know whether or not we will be called in, but I just wanted you to know that – uhm – I was invited to that reunion. It's sort of – my class. Twenty-year reunion. So just in case we're going to be called in – I have ties to all victims, probably."

Reid listened to the voice on the other side of the line.

"Okay. Let me know if we get called in, okay?"

Reid sighed and put the phone down.

Just half an hour later, Hotch called him back with the news Reid had been dreading.

INSERT LINE

When everyone was on the jet, they immediately started watching the news coverage. Then Hotch spoke up.

"Reid?"

Every eye turned to Reid. Reid gulped – he did not want to talk about this. "I was originally invited to this reunion. It's my class. Twenty-nine people, mostly late thirties, and their spouses. Some teachers, of course. Garcia should have a more complete list. I brought my invitation – in case you need someone to go in, I'll probably be your best bet."

Silence descended over the plane. Then Hotch spoke again.

"Let's hope that won't be necessary. Here's what happened at the reunion.."

The briefing commenced. Reid asked Garcia to officially rule him out as a suspect, and although she didn't think that was necessary, Reid insisted. He didn't feel like dealing with suspicious police officers. After they had discussed everything they knew, everyone went for a comfortable position.

Hotch leaned over to Reid. "Let me know if there is something I can do."

Reid's voice was flat, resigned. "It's just another case, Hotch. Let's focus on that, for now."

Hotch nodded, understanding what Reid meant. Then he, too, leaned back and closed his eyes, knowing that Reid would not be sleeping.

INSERT LINE

Metro PD was interviewing anyone connected to the Class of 1985 when they arrived. Once introductions had been made, Reid asked Hotch for a quiet word.

"I should be interviewed. I know that."

Reid looked as if he was going to say more, but Hotch interrupted. "Reid.."

"Can we just treat this as any other case? I'm connected. They are interviewing everyone that is connected. I should be interviewed. I just wanted to ask – could you do it? You would be reading my statement anyway."

Hotch considered it for a moment. "If that's what you want."

Reid gave a short nod.

"Let me talk to the team for a moment. Then we'll find someplace quiet." Hotch's face had softened considerably.

Reid gave another nod, not really trusting himself to speak.

INSERT LINE

Reid had just finished recounting stories about his worst experiences in high school (in as few words as possible) and in particular, a list of names who were present when they happened, but hadn't been in the class itself. Hotch was horrified when Reid gave the list of those who had been watching when he had been tied naked to a goal post. Reid listed forty-one people.

Forty-one people. And not one of them had helped.

Hotch made sure his face was composed and not horrified, knowing Reid wasn't looking for sympathy.

"Were there any teachers or other staff members who took a special interest in you or in your class?" Hotch asked.

Reid snorted. "In me? Sure. I was the only twelve-year-old, remember. But they didn't really like me. I was smarter than they were and that wasn't appreciated."

Hotch was silent for a moment, knowing he had to ask this. "Did any of them ever.. join in?"

"He who does not punish evil, commands it to be done," Reid recited softly. "Leonard da Vinci." Reid was silent for a moment. "They would deliberately not notice, but they didn't stand by and watch, either."

Reid was silent for a moment. "You should check my father's alibi. If he's trying to make up for something, he might be doing this. It's not an accusation, just a possibility."

"I'll have Garcia track his cell," Hotch said apparently agreeing.

"If we're sure I am not the motive of this operation, I think you should consider sending me in. I can pretend I tricked you into allowing me in, hoping to take revenge or something."

Hotch nodded thoughtfully. "I'd prefer if you wouldn't go in, but it might be the best bet we have."

Quick footsteps sounded behind them. "Agent Hotchner? They are making contact. Agent Rossi is on the phone with them," a police officer spoke.

Hotch and Reid hurried to the part of the command post where Rossi was leading the negotiation team. They were all listening in.

Rossi had, apparently, just asked for demands so far.

They wanted food – fried chicken, to be exact. They wanted someone to deliver it in person to discuss other demands.

Rossi just said he would get them food. The phone call immediately ended.

Hotch sighed. "Call KFC and order fried chicken for eighty people," he said.

Reid spoke up. "Can you add salad? I know there is at least one person – Evan Lonson – who is allergic to meat. There are probably some vegetarians, too."

Hotch sighed. "Add salad for twenty people, then."

Rossi immediately called KFC while Hotch instructed an officer to pick up the food.

Hotch and Rossi walked to an unoccupied part of the command center. "Do you think we should send in Reid?" Hotch asked in a low voice.

Rossi looked doubtful. "I don't want to send in Reid, but he probably has the best chance," he said quietly. "Can he handle it?"

"Anyone else wouldn't be able to, but since it's Reid.. probably," Hotch said quietly.

They talked for another few minutes before going back to Reid.

"Reid, were you serious about going inside?" Hotch asked.

Reid nodded. "I have an invitation," he said in a weak attempt to joke.

Hotch nodded. "Alright. You're going in unarmed, but with a wire, a lockpicking kit and scissors.