Chapter Nineteen – Defeating Death

Olivia and Morgan remained close, talking quietly to try and ease Morgan's trembling. Morgan had shared a little bit about what had happened, and Olivia simply listened. At first it had been a struggle for Morgan, but eventually he'd felt comfortable enough to open up at least a little bit. Not once did Olivia seem to judge him for what he said or what had happened. From time to time she offered a few reassuring words to calm him or put things into perspective. It meant a lot to Morgan, and he actually seemed to listen.

He wasn't sure why he felt so at ease with Olivia, but he did. Perhaps it was the fact that she was outside of the circle of the team and could offer untainted opinions. Perhaps it was just her ability to connect. Whatever it was, it allowed Morgan to open up. While he couldn't share his deepest feelings, he gave more than enough to Olivia to ease the weight that was crushing him. The other agents left them to it. While they hadn't been able to do anything to help, Olivia had managed to reach Morgan.

"She's really good," Emily mused as she watched Olivia with her friend.

Hotch nodded, also incredibly impressed with Olivia's skill. He knew he could leave Morgan in her capable hands. Across the room, JJ and Rossi were having a similar discussion.

"I can see why she's in special victims. Empathetic, compassionate, she knows exactly the right words. Kind of reminds me of you," Rossi stated.

"I'll take that as a compliment," JJ replied around a yawn. She'd been fighting off sleep for a long time thanks to the remaining drugs in her system.

"Go ahead and rest, JJ. You won't be able to fight it forever."

JJ shook her head, refusing to give in to the temptation. She knew if she fell asleep she would be plagued by more nightmares. Perhaps not Bill's modified ones, but nightmares none the less.

0~0~0~0

By the time Bill returned to the room, Olivia had calmed Morgan enough that he could deal with the unsub without flinching. Bill seemed to be in an incredibly good mood, whistling happily to himself as he worked. Once he'd removed the monitor from Morgan, he paused to beam at the man.

"So, you actually died? That didn't happen in real life~ since you're still here." Bill giggled happily, barely able to contain his glee. "Unless~, of course, you're a zombie~, but I doubt that! Which means…"

Bill began to dig around in his bag until he found the colored streamers he'd been looking for. He waved them around and struck a pose.

"The experiment is a success!"

Again the streamers danced triumphantly, displaying the exuberant scientist's victory throughout the room. While the swirl of color signaled joy for Bill, it symbolized doom for Olivia. Having already been test subjects, the agents had little to fear. Only Olivia hadn't been subjected to the now perfected drug combo. Refusing to completely give in, she shoved down her fear and drew on her strength to shoot fire at Bill once more. It was probably useless, but she had to.

"I guess that means you don't need me then."

Bill danced his way over to her and thrust a finger into her face, stopping only an inch away from her nose.

"Wrong-o! It means that you get the best I have to offer. The very, very best."

He drew out the second very, allowing the "r" to dance around for a bit. It unsettled Olivia, but she kept her eyes and body from showing it. When he patted her cheek, Olivia's hold broke. Thankfully anger broke it and not fear.

"Even if you break me, they will make you pay for it. And if they can't, the people looking for us will. That's a promise," Olivia growled darkly.

Bill just chuckled at her and stood up to leave.

"You have no idea~ what you're talking about, my dear, but go ahead and talk. I don't mind~."

He blew her a kiss before continuing.

"Enjoy your last few hours of peace~."

That said, he waved and walked out.

"It was a good try," Emily told her once the unsub was gone. "Didn't get anything, but still a good try."

"I figured it was worth a shot," Olivia grumbled, trying to keep some of her surliness up front so it would hide the rest of her emotions.

"Deserved everything you told him and worse," Rossi told her with a nod of approval.

"It made me feel better to at least let him know he'll never win in the end."

She had no doubt that he would win against her. The dream would break her. The only question was how many pieces she would be in by the end. While she knew her fate was inevitable, she refused to let him think she wouldn't be able to handle it. Olivia would stay strong for as long as she could.

0~0~0~0

Once again, the room had fallen silent. JJ had lost her fight to the remaining drugs and fallen asleep. Morgan was lost in his own thoughts, eyes unfocused as he stared at the opposite wall. Hotch had been watching him for some time now. Unlike, his other team members, Morgan had only spoken about what had happened with Olivia. While she had helped him without question, Hotch worried about what was going on in Morgan's head.

The dark churn of emotions was clearly evident in Morgan's body language. It certainly wasn't the first time Morgan had nearly allowed his thoughts after a case to consume him. This time Hotch feared it was even worse. Something needed to be done.

"Morgan."

His tone brooked no argument, so Morgan glanced up to meet his gaze. If Hotch were closer he would have seen the hollowness within Morgan. This far away, he couldn't read Morgan's eyes, but he didn't really need to.

"Who?" Nothing more needed to be said.

"The Prince of Darkness."

Hotch nodded, but inside he was sighing. That case, and more specifically, Ellie Spicer, had really gotten to him.

"He killed you?"

It wasn't a conversation Hotch wanted to have with Morgan out in the open like this, but he didn't really have a choice. Morgan squeezed his eyes tight and rubbed roughly at his forehead. He didn't want to have this conversation at all.

"Yeah, but I didn't die right away. I had to watch him drag Ellie away kicking and screaming."

Screaming for him. And he hadn't been able to do anything to help her. Morgan squeezed his eyes tightly closed again, his face taking on a pinched look.

"Morgan, it didn't end that way. Remember how it really worked out."

"JJ pulled off a miracle," Morgan grumbled.

"And you ended it for good and comforted Ellie."

Hotch had a point, and there was no way Morgan could deny it. Still, remembering what had really happened only eased the images he'd just seen a little bit, and it did even less for the emotions burning through him.

"I know I have to face it and get over it at some point, Hotch, but it's not going to be now."

"I understand," Hotch nodded. He felt the same way. Until they were out of this basement, none of them would truly be able to move on from their nightmares.