Epilogue – Physics

While physics and mathematics may tell us how the universe began, they are not much use in predicting human behavior because there are far too many equations to solve.

- Stephen Hawking

Chapter 28

Washington Medical Center
Washington DC

July 2012

Maupin's body had been taken to the ME's office to decide if it was Spencer or Morgan who actually killed him. It was a good shoot regardless, there were ample witnesses. "Where the hell did you learn to fight like that?" Morgan asked.

"I've been training at the Priory gym with some of the Knights of the White." Spencer replied. They were talking in a quiet room off to one side of the ER. "I am able to learn this sort of thing; it's just that being more mentally adept gives you a longer physical learning curve. I'm tired of having all those waivers on my file and they tend to be more patient with Knights of the Blue than the Academy trainers are with 'geeks' so I went to them to work on it. Hopefully when it comes time to re-certify I can pass this time."

"Oh we will make sure of that. What is a Debkhaa anyway?"

They'd brought Shannon here to be checked out of course. She was battered and bloodied but unbowed. She kept insisting she just wanted to go find Mia, she was otherwise all right, but she was holding her arm in a way that made them want to take an x-ray. "Something Maupin wanted but never got." Spencer replied.

"That's an evasion."

Spencer sighed. "You have to remember, at the heart of the Templar order is a practicing religion. There's a ritual, something like a confirmation, Knights of the Blue go through. Technically you can't get married or, uhhhh...before you go through it."

"And Maupin never did."

"Apparently the Chaplains never trusted him that far. I can't say that I blame them. So in retaliation he decided to steal the treasure, and use that ritual to do it. He took his rejection personally, and between his jealousy and inherent misogyny he decided to use the ritual as a way to trap the Dames in a way that allowed him to take his anger out on them."

"Spoken like a true Unsub, classic aggrieved victim, taking it out on what he sees as his tormentors. I assume that means that you..."

"Back in CalTech, yeah."

"Now why are you uncomfortable?"

"The one thing this team has never really been able to discuss is our personal belief systems..."

"No, that's not it. Confirmation, that's an initiation. You were talking about Spring Initiation, when all of our victims got pregnant..."

"Can you just have Garcia google Gnostic Christianity for you so we can change the subject?" Morgan started laughing as Spencer actually started shuddering. "They're already talking about coming out to the general public, opening the caches to researchers. We have to keep some secrets."

"Including the one about the Hieros Gamos?" Dave asked. He and Hotch and the others came around the corner with children in tow and joined the two men in the waiting room. "Garcia isn't the only one who can google."

Spencer winced. "Yes, just..."

"I agree." Hotch said, "Let's not discuss religion."

"Where's Mommy?" Mia asked as she put her arms up.

Spencer looked relieved as he picked his daughter up. "She's being checked out by the doctor. As soon as he says she can leave we can all go home for dinner."

"Good." She nestled her head into the crook of his shoulder, quite content to stay there. "Mommy's always home for dinner."

"Exactly."

"So what are you going to do now?" Morgan asked.

"Help Shan and Mia heal. Go back to work."

"Go back to reading?"

Spencer shrugged. "Even if it wasn't a job the material is just fascinating."

"I believe that. What language were you guys using anyway?"

"Aramaic. It was the original language of the Bible. It's all but dead, I think we're the only ones still actively speaking it."

"I may have to learn that." Morgan said.

"Does this mean you're staying on the books as my Nouoroa?"

"Someone's got to keep you out of trouble."

"Mommy!" Mia cried out.

They turned and found Shannon coming out to join them, her wrist bandaged but otherwise all right. "Ready Hob?" Spencer asked.

Shan nodded. "Take me home Billy."

"My pleasure."

.

And we come to the end of another one. One again much gratitude to the lovely REIDFANATIC for being the most amazing and patient beta reader a writer could hope for.

As you might guess the next one goes up today.

Thank you all for reading, I hope you enjoyed this one and will enjoy the next.

- TKL