The Three

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one: - Jane Howard

Disclaimer: Criminal Minds is not mine.

Morgan pulled him self up against the car and wondered what had happened. The last thing he could remember was stepping out of the elevator. He looked over to the doors which were now shut and at the red flashing light telling him that they had been locked. This was good. It was what he had asked so this was good. At least Flanders couldn't get to him. He felt the back of his head. There was a lump and a cut, but nothing which was going to stop him. He looked down at this wallet. Picking it up he saw the money and card gone. A mugging a simple damned mugging. His phone was broken but his car keys still in his pocket.

"Damn them." He muttered and looked around for security cameras. This he would deal with later. Now he had to check up on Aaron and phone the bank about his card.

Derek unlocked the car, he was feeling woozy. Maybe a slight concussion? He looked up into the mirror and saw the bruises coming up on his face. Not important right now, he needed to get to Aaron. As Derek left the car parking area and tore down the street towards Aaron, Floyd was standing above Reid forcing his head under the water of the ice cold bath he had just thrown him into and Aaron was driving slowly back towards Reid's apartment with the photograph of the three of them on the car seat next to him.

…………………….

Spencer had no idea what he had done this time.

They had walked to the bedroom and holding each other close and twisting fingers through each other's hair. Reid put his tumbler on the side.

Floyd saw it. The drink he had so carefully prepared for this man and he wasn't going to drink it. Was he aware of how much trouble he had to go through to get the raw ingredients for that concoction? Probably not. Maybe he needed to be shown what happened to little freaks who didn't appreciate how much time and effort went into drugging him to a state of unconsciousness. He pulled back away from Reid.

"Babe." An almost smile. "I think we need to take a long soak in the tub together. I have to get some of this stuff out of my hair. Want to wash it for me?"

Spencer smiled. "You run the tub, I'll get the towels." He loved bathing with Floyd. Not a very regular event and usually only when he really needed to. Like now. It wasn't ever just to please him.

He pulled the green towels out of the drawer and tucked his hair behind his ears. Spencer could hear the water running into tub. With a happy grin on his battered face he walked his bruised torn body into the bathroom.

Floyd was still in his jeans, but his boots had been kicked off. He was standing looking at the bathroom mirror. "Take the sarong off." A cold voice. One that made Spencer's stomach clench. What now?

"What d did I d do?" Backing away and dropping the towels. As Floyd walked towards him he turned to run, but the hand was in his hair and another around his wrist.

"Turn around!" Shouting. Spencer could feel the saliva from the angry shouting spraying onto his back. He tried to pull his arm out of vice like grip it was in only to find the hand was transferred to the back of his neck. The other hand followed - pulling him back into the bathroom. Spencer wanted to shout out but there was no one to help him – even if he had been able to scream it would be ignored. He felt his feet leaving the floor as Floyd spun him around his head cracked on the corner of the bathroom wall as he felt the flying sensation when Floyd threw him face down into the bath.

The water started to turn red as the gash on the side of his head bled out into the bathwater and he felt Floyd climbing into the bath behind him. Standing one foot tight between his legs, the other on the back of his head pressing down hard and stopping him from bringing his head out of the water.

There was no point in struggling. He had learned this a long time ago. A lesson well taught. Keep still – don't struggle and he will let you go.

Maybe.

Hopefully.

Eventually.

………………………….

Floyd looked down at what he was doing. He removed his foot from Reid's head and watched for movement.

Quickly he stood out of the tub and looked again.

He knew he was playing.

Maybe.

Hopefully.

He reached in and grabbed Spencer by an arm pulling him partly out of the water. His wet hair stuck to his face.

"Stop it Spence." He pulled him out and dropped him on the floor. As he rolled him over onto his side the coughing and spluttering started. Floyd raised an eyebrow and walked out of the bathroom just as the intercom buzzed from down the elevator. Someone wanted to come up. A quick glance back at Reid and he was walking dripping water over to the intercom.

"Yes?"

"Can I come up? We need to talk."

"Aaron." A smirk "Yes. I will send it down for you." He pressed the unlock button and sent the elevator down for Hotch.

……………………………..

Aaron pulled the door open and stood looking again at the home the two men shared. Floyd was standing looking out of the window. There was no immediate sign of Reid.

"Come in. Can't offer you a coffee. I have gin." He pointed to a bottle on the side. Aaron just stood staring at Floyd. His hands hanging by his side, dark jeans, loose fitting white shirt with a heavy waistcoat over the top. He turned and looked at Hotch.

Aaron could see tired bloodshot eyes.

"I don't want your gin Floyd. I want to know what his means." Holding up the picture. "And why you destroyed my things."

Floyd looked over at the bathroom door and saw Reid standing dripping in his sarong, fresh blood dripping down the side of his face blood mixing with the bathwater and running down his chest and across his shoulder.

Hotch was looking at the vision in the door way as Floyd took the picture from his hand. "I replaced them." He ran a finger over the picture. "With this."

Floyd took the picture and sat on the couch. Reid picked up a towel, removed the sarong and then wrapped the towel around his waist. Flanders looked from Reid and over the Aaron who was looking at Spencer.

"See what I have to put up with. How is a man meant to stay sane when he is flaunting his body in that manner? It is decidedly whorish. What do you think?"

Hotch blinked not quite able to get what he had just seen out of his mind. "Uh hu. The picture? Explain it to me. It could have a few meanings."

Flanders looked back down at the picture and sighed. "A family photo to replace those I destroyed."

Reid walked over to the couch and sat next to Floyd folding his legs up under him. Floyd put an arm around him and pulled him close "Feeling better now babes?" Reid breathed in Floyd's special smell and his head span with some strange excitement as rested his head on Floyd's shoulder.

Aaron took some slow steps towards them. "I am not your family."

Floyd looked down at Spencer and gently stroked his hair ignoring Aaron. "I will get you an new coffee machine tomorrow." A small nod.

Aaron was at the couch now reaching down for the photo. "I said I am not your family." Breathing in Floyd's heavy scent. Aaron sat down and felt Floyd's arm wrap around his shoulders.

"I am not your family." Almost a whisper.

"Sure – if you say so."

………………………….

What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life - to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories: - George Eliot

End????