-Thanks for all the wishes for the exam. Sorry for the confusion in the last chapter. It will make more sense now. The real Hotch is in the car abandoned in the mall parking. The clone is gone back to his home (which is Professor's residence/lab).

Chapter 9: Revelation

The night reached his deepest phase. And there was a helpless man lying in an unknown car in middle of a dead sleeping town. There was no one around for miles. The moon even disappeared behind the clouds letting the darkness reach every corner. There were no street lights, no mall lights. Just utter darkness surrounding Hotch. It was rather fortunate for him to be lost in his sleep or else the empty streets would give him the chills of his life.

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Rossi knew how dangerous this hour had become but he kept the search on. At times, their van was the only vehicles for miles ahead on the road. There was no sight of anyone, let alone Hotch or Reid. They decided to take the next exit and search the small streets. The backup was on their way, probably searching a different location. All three of them were quiet, for now. It was still hard to believe Hotch actually shot Morgan. Their boss, their leader, their Hotch wanted to kill Morgan. Emily gulped her concerned back when they spotted a small vehicle parked few miles ahead.

"Garcia, where're we?" Emily asked on the phone.

"It's the City Center Mall"

Rossi halted the car coming close to the abandoned vehicle. Emily quickly took her position, her torch and gun pointing in the direction she was heading.

"It's unlocked" she mentioned when Rossi got to the other side with JJ.

"There's someone in there" JJ exclaimed.

The light pierced through his closed eyes. Hotch felt his head swing. He pushed himself up on his elbows, blocking the light entering the car. He had no idea how and where he was. The door flung open and the torturing light moved away. That's when Hotch saw Rossi saying something. He tried to listen but his ears seemed to be not working.

"Hotch! Where's Reid?" Rossi asked right away noticing how clueless his friend seemed.

"Aaron?" Rossi moved inside and finally Hotch could hear again. He cleared his senses, trying to comprehend what was happening before him.

"Wh-at?" Hotch murmured.

"You took Reid with you. Where is he?" Emily asked from behind.

"I don't know. Where am I? What's happening?" Hotch asked looking around, trying to figure out why he was sleeping in this unknown car.

"Rossi...why am I here?" Hotch kept on questioning. Rossi backed a little. He knew Hotch was trying to deceive them, not telling them where he had taken Reid.

"Hotch. You know better. Where's Reid?" Rossi asked.

"Reid?" Hotch stared back at them. His world was swinging like a swing. Why was Rossi looking so angry? Did he do something wrong?

"Rossi. I don't know. I-"

"It's enough! You shot Morgan just hours ago and now you disappeared Reid somewhere. What're you trying to do here?" Rossi almost shouted back.

Hotch's face twisted in agony. The words fell on him like thunder. Maybe he was dreaming. Yes, this was not real. He would never do such a thing in real life. He turned his head around. He needed to wake up now.

"Hotch, please tell us where Reid is?" JJ literally begged. Hotch grabbed his head, closed his eyes, trying to deny the voices, the accusations, the questions. He wanted to wake up already. Rossi grabbed his arm and tugged him out of the car. Hotch couldn't believe how silent the night was.

"Listen, I'm asking for the last time before the backup arrives and arrest you for shooting Morgan. We want to help you" Rossi tried to calmly order.

"Dave, really. I don't know what you're saying. I didn't do anything. I don't know where Reid is. I don't even know how I got here" Hotch pleaded seeing how his teammates were staring at him, with disgust. In the background, the police sirens were ringing their way towards them.

Hotch's jaw dropped. He couldn't believe where this was going. His eyes had the true surprise that even shocked Rossi. The old profiler could not deny the true face of fear right in front of him. Did Hotch really forgot everything all of sudden, literally in few hours. He shook his head, dropping his arm aside as the police cars zoomed their way.

"You're going to jail" Rossi exclaimed "I can probably stop them if you tell us the truth."

"O GOD! I wish I knew!" Hotch snapped, now backing off as the officers rushed out of their vehicles.

"Stop. What's going on?" Hotch asked staring right at Emily, who turned her head away. Both of her lovers were in danger and she couldn't go anything about it. On top, the melodrama by Hotch boiled her blood.

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Spencer tugged at the ropes holding him down. He hated being bounded and blindfolded. He gulped down realizing that Morgan must be in danger after being shot. His mind was flooded with questions of all kinds. But most of all, why had Hotch brought him here.

"I'm not your Hotch!"

It echoed back in his ears. Spencer wished his could rewind the moment back to confirm what he heard. He remembered begging him to help him against the strange men. But he was just standing there, smirking, like he was involved with them. Where had his Hotch gone? It made Spencer cling inside knowing that another father figure in his life had abandoned him, leaving him in the hands of unknowns. But why?

Suddenly, the blindfold was pulled off jerking the agent. He opened his eyes to find the morning sun arriving on the new day. Before him stood Hotch holding a cup of tea. Honey garlic tea. Strange, Hotch never had tea before. Spencer adjusted his eyes.

"Hotch" He whispered.

"I'm surprised you still haven't recognized my innovation" Professor's voice stole Reid's attention. He turned to see the man in white coat staring back at him.

"He's dumb" the clone commented. Spencer gasped hearing the words coming out from Hotch's mouth.

"You-work with him?" Spencer asked Hotch, the pieces finally falling together.

"It's much more interesting" clone replied knocking Reid's senses apart. How could he betray his BAU like this.

"He wants you to work here too?" Professor stepped forward with a knife. Spencer gulped. He then threw the knife at his way. Spencer closed his eyes, ducking aside but the clone caught the weapon before it could harm anyone. He walked over and started to the cut the ropes holding the agent down.

"I told you I'll kill you if you told anyone about me. This includes the knowledge of this job as well" Clone mentioned to Reid who all his life struggled to withstand all challenges to remain in BAU. Hotch pulled his arm and brought the agent to his feet. He then dragged him forward towards the laboratory. The professor led them through a maze of rooms until a large glass door revealed the most high tech Lab Spencer ever visited.

"You're a researcher?" Spencer asked, dazzled at the sight.

"Yes" Professor answered.

"What do you research about?" Spencer couldn't stop himself from questioning. The professor swiftly made a turn, sliding his shoes on the marble floor. He called Hotch over and placed his arm around his shoulder. Reid watched in innocence, waiting for the world to finally make sense. Professor smirked pointing over to his clone of Hotch.

"About Hotch?" Reid spat out in confusion.

"Actually, human cloning"

And, Reid felt as if a nuclear bomb exploded inside him.

OMG, REID KNOWS NOW! Thanks for all the great reviews. I know I said back few chapters that an agent will meet the clone. I hope you see dots connecting now. Please review.