A/N: Here it is folks. This is probably my favorite chapter so far. If I did my job right, this will get some sort of reaction from you. A little warning, my beta used the word 'tragic' twice after reading this. Enjoy!

Fate

Chapter 7: Movie Night

The picture was shaky in the beginning, as most home videos are. I know I've made videos of my son that start out much the same way. Now I'm sickened that I just compared myself to this... I'm not quite sure what I want to call him. He's not a human being to me.

The focus is centered on Reid. I can see no injuries, but his hair is black. He has handcuffs around his wrists, but there is no chain attached to the handcuffs. He's sitting Indian style on the couch with his legs folded underneath him. There's an open book in his lap and I notice that the handcuffs don't seem to get in his way at all, like he's used to them. I idly wonder what book has captured his attention to the point that he hasn't noticed the camera or its holder yet.

I can hear, who I assume is Sibly, clear his throat to get Reid's attention. I see him look up quickly and eye the camera with confusion. I can't help but smile as I look at his open mouth. I've seen that look before, when he's trying to concentrate on solving some puzzle. I've missed that look. He closes his mouth quickly and his face goes blank. Seconds later he smiles. It happened so fast, I think only Gideon and I caught it. Finally I think I know what Reid's doing and it makes me want to cry again.

On the television screen Reid cocks his head to the side and asks, "What's that?" He never loses the smile.

"What does it look like?" Sibly says from behind the camera. The screen shakes again and moves closer to Reid.

"A camera." He pauses for a moment, "Where did it come from?"

"I bought it."

"Why."

"I've always had this fantasy. I thought we could try this out tonight... " I grip the arm of the chair as Sibly leaves the comment hanging.

Reid swallows hard, "I um... I'm not really feeling that great today. I think I might be coming down with something... I'm sorry." He whispers the last part submissively, staring at the floor and I think I feel my heart breaking.

"Okay, well... I want you to feel up to it, so I guess... we can wait." Sibly's voice has gone flat with disappointment. I feel a swell of satisfaction that Reid was able to shoot the bastard down. The feeling fades quickly.

Reid looks back at the camera with a face I can only describe as flirtatious and says, "Tomorrow?"

Sibly laughs and repeats, "Tomorrow."

The camera dips low, just managing to keep Reid's head in the top left corner. I see Reid's face fall and I can only assume that Sibly has turned away from him. I can see the stress and despair written clearly on his face now that he isn't required to hold up the facade. That is the last I see of him before the view of the camera falls all the way to the floor and Sibly moves out of the room. I can hear him talking about work, some desk job. I don't really care.

"Reid was playing him." Gideon states quietly. I nod, glad we're thinking alike.

"Why?" Sheriff Pryce asks, not on the same page as us.

"Gain his trust. Sibly is the type you have to catch unaware. He's cautious, but if you give him what he wants he'll become complacent. He'll get comfortable and let down his guard. He'll figure that he's gotten what he wants and he has nothing else to worry about." I explain. For the first time I feel slightly detached. This is what do best and I'm glad to have the information.

"And what he wanted was Agent Reid?"

"He wanted Reid to like him. Look where they lived. He got books for Reid, there were framed picture, they slept in the same bed. Sibly tried to make a home for them. It was like a love affair, but one that Reid didn't want to be a part of. Once Reid changed his mind, Sibly could stop working on it and focus on the rest of their lives together." I said the last bitterly.

Before either of the two men could reply the screen went black, before showing Reid's face again. It was closer to the screen than before. I could tell he was holding the camera and I don't believe he knew it was on. There was a mixture of boredom and curious mischief on his face. It was another look I'd seen on him before. He was doing something he wasn't supposed to be doing.

Things like that had happened often when we had no work, but were stuck in the office anyway. Those were times when he and Morgan would bond, trying to find ways to relieve their restlessness. I usually had paranoid feelings of dread when that would happen. With Reid's brain and Morgan's boldness anything was possible. They could get into a lot of trouble together.

The dread I felt now was anything but playful. I didn't want him to be doing anything that he wasn't supposed to. Even though Sibly loved Reid in his own messed up way, it was obvious from the pictures we had found that he was violent towards him. In the pit of my stomach I felt that Sibly would come in and find Reid, then punish him for doing something he didn't like. I didn't want to see that.

Reid jumped and put the camera down quickly when the door banged open. It closed with just as much force and then Sibly came into view. It was the first time I had seen him and I was stricken by his familiarity. I'd seen him before. I was sure of it.

"Get up!" He barked. He swayed on his feet, and taking in his disheveled appearance, I'm sure he was inebriated.

Reid complied quickly, standing in front of him without saying a word. I gasped as Sibly backhanded him as soon as he got there. Reid fell back out of view but wasted no time returning to his position. He whispered, "I'm sorry." I don't think he knew why.

"Shut up! This is all your fault!" My anger bubbled up as he hit my genius again, this time splitting his lip.

Reid stood still, with his shoulders slightly hunched. He stared at the ground as Sibly continued to rant. He yelled about losing his job because he spent so much time at home with Reid and when he was at work all he thought about was Reid and how he didn't know how he would take care of Reid in two weeks because they wouldn't have an income anymore.

"I'm sorry, baby. I'm so sorry." Reid whispered again. Apologizing must have worked for him some other time, but not this one. It seemed to only make Sibly angrier.

Gideon watched with a hand covering his mouth and a silent tear tracked down my cheek as Sibly started in on Reid. Most of the attack happened off screen, but we could hear every impact and muffled groan that sounded out.

After what seemed like an eternity, the abuse stopped. There was a dragging noise and then the rattle of a chain, before one pair of footsteps left the room. I could hear Reid's harsh panting off screen and I had to focus hard to control my own breathing.

Between then and the death of the battery, there was no more movement onscreen, and the only sounds to be heard were the chains and, occasionally, Reid's soft whimpers.

Please give me some feedback!