Before I begin this chapter I would like to offer an apology for the long wait for an update. To be honest, this past year I have been far from my best. I have spent much time the last part of my senior year of high school in a mental health hospital after suffering a mental break down and suicide attempt. There is a lot from my past that I have never dealt with - some of it being very similar to what has gone on in this story, and while it has been a form of therapy itself, it is not always the easiest to write. I promised myself I would write more during the summer time, but by then I was too busy getting ready for my first year at college and once again I fell behind. Now that I'm feeling more settled into my life, I'm trying to get back into writing. So, I am sorry for those of you who have waited so long. I truly appreciate your patience and support.

Before Emily can say much, Rossi steps outside of the room without giving the others an explanation. Strauss follows him at his heels. She checks her own phone to see if she had received any updates. Nothing. Of course, she says to herself with a huff of frustrated breath, left out of the loop again.

Elle watches the two through the doorway for a moment, but then turns her attention back to Reid. It's been awhile since she has seen him. At the most it was nothing more than passing each other in the halls or a quick, casual conversation. Both of them were very busy with their own works and with their own lives. She had rarely thought of him or anyone on that team since she left. She preferred it to be that way. She has moved on, and so have they. They even found another brunette to take her place, and from the looks of it they had found a wise, older man for Gideon's replacement.

But she has always liked Spencer. He was nice and while he may not have been completely up to speed socially, his intentions were always the best. He was a good kid. It was horrifying to think that, that same awkward young man she had come to know was the same battered person sitting in front of her. Despite the passing years, Reid had still maintained much of his youthful look, which made his wounds all the more painful to look at. It pulled Elle's stomach into a knot. Still, she had a job to do, and it should be much easier to complete with Agent Rossi momentarily out of the way.

"Spencer," Elle says gently, "I know that this is very difficult for you, but I need to ask a few more questions."

Reid looks towards the other room, hoping Rossi would return him and save him.

"Spencer. Focus on me, please."

Slowly, Reid turns his head towards his former co-worker.

"This is only going to help us catch him," Elle says. "The more information you can give us, the sooner we will find him."

"Not necessarily."

"But it might. When he was talking to you, did he act like he knew you?"

"Yeah. Kind of. He only referred to me as Doctor."

"So, he never used your real name?"

"No," Reid says with a frown. "But he would always call Dave by his first name."

"Did he talk about anyone else?"

Reid shakes his head. "Not directly. Just vaguely. He said… He…"

Elle waits for Reid to collect his words.

"He talked about how I talk," he says, his voice quiet. "My ramblings and how everyone on the team hates it when I do that. I know they do but… I don't try to be annoying."

The defeat in his voice pulls at Elle's heartstrings. "You're not annoying. He was just trying to break you. I've worked with you before, Spencer. You're not annoying."

Reid stares at her. It's clear that he doesn't believe her.

"You're not!" she insists. "You're ramblings can get a little excessive at times, but they're not annoying. I mean, they're interesting and helpful too, but … I'm sorry."

To her surprise, Reid cracks a small smile. "It's fine. I know that I forget when to stop."

Elle smiles for a moment, but then returns to her original task. "Did he say anything else about your team?" Reid shrugs, and she knows that is going to be the most that she's going to be able to get out of him. "What about the last time you saw him? Can you talk to me about that?"

"He called Dave. The UnSub told me that I was going to be able to talk to him."

"Did you?"

Reid shakes his head again. "He put tape over my mouth so I couldn't tell them anything."

"Did he say anything to Agent Rossi?"

"He was angry about how long they were taking," Reid says. "He left the phone on so they could hear what he was doing to me."

"What did he do after that."

"I… He raped me again."

"Was this the second time?"

Reid nods. "He was so angry then. He kept hitting my head against the floor. That's how he wanted to kill me; bash my brains onto the floor or cut my throat. That's what he told me."

Elle flinches. Reid's face looked horrible. She could tell that at least his nose had been broken due to the dark bruises beneath his eyes. Everything about him looked painful.

"Do you know what happened to the kidnapper?" she asks.

"No. He ran away and Hotch went after them. I don't remember seeing it. Rossi was the one who got to me first. Rossi and Strauss."

"It looks like he's taken charge of caring for you."

Reid shrugs. "I guess so."

"It looks like a nice place to crash. He must be loaded." The conversation dies for a moment. "Are you alright here?"

"I'm fine," Reid says. "I don't really have anywhere else to go."

In the next room, Rossi is having a difficult time holding still as he waits for updates. "Emily," he says quickly, "what have you heard?"

"JJ and I were just out for coffee. We always go to the same place; this small shop-."

"Emily, is this something important? Strauss is over here to talk to Reid. I would like to be with him to make sure he's okay."

"I swear there is a point to this. There is a guy who runs the place. It's supposed to be a family business, I think, but he's the only one I have ever seen there. He's quiet, and a little strange too, but today was the first time he actually tried to talk to JJ and me. He left the front counter to talk to us and he even offered us free pastries."

"What did he have to say?"

"He asked us a few questions, like what we were up to. I told him that I planned on visiting a friend later and that's when he got interested. I didn't even say who. That's when he wanted me to take all of these free pastries with me."

"So?" Rossi asks bluntly.

"It was weird," Emily says. "But JJ said she knew the guy. She recognized him as the man she interviewed in the apartment complex. The one in the apartment where Reid was being held."

Rossi pauses a moment to take the information in. "Is she positive?"

"Yeah, pretty positive."

"How close is this shop to Reid's apartment."

"Five minute drive tops."

"Do you have any idea of who this guy is?"

"I wasn't able to get a hold of Garcia, but Kevin is working on it."

Strauss, who has been trying her best to listen in on the conversation, scowls. "Let agent Prentiss know that I am expecting a full update as soon as she hangs up," she says coolly.

Rossi nods. "Good. Let me know the moment you hear anything. Strauss wants you to call her next."

"I know! I was going to. How is Reid doing?"

"Alright. I'm still trying to convince him to eat something, but other than that he's been fine."

"Is Garcia still there?"

"No. She left before Strauss and the other agent came here."

"I may still stop over later. If that's okay," Emily says.

"Of course."

"I'm going to talk to Derek first. And see how this pans out. Has Strauss said anything about us working the case?"

"No, but you can ask her yourself. I'm sure you will find a way back on."

"I hope so. I just can't stand around and do nothing while that creep is still out there. I better let you go so I can call Strauss before she gets too pissed. Tell Spencer I said hi."

"Of course. Good luck, and let me know what Kevin finds."

"I will."

After they hang up Rossi looks at Strauss. "You can be expecting your call any minute now."

"Did they find anything more? I heard something about a café nearby."

"JJ thinks she may have recognized the person she interviewed earlier. The man was at the same apartment where we found Spencer. She isn't completely sure, though, but it's a start."

"And if it is the unsub," Strauss says, "do you plan on being the one who takes him in?"

"You took me and the rest of the team off of the case. Remember?"

"He will want to talk to you, though."

Rossi considers it. This is what the whole thing has been about. This man had kidnapped and horribly abused his friend just to get his attention. Whoever this man was, he had something very important to say. "No," Rossi says. "He can wait. Besides, Spencer needs me here more."

"Are you going to tell him?"

"No. Not until I know for sure. I don't want to get his hopes up. He's already gone through a mess of emotions these past few days."

"Good. I don't need you killing him. I am going to make sure that he is locked away forever."

"I would prefer it if he was dead," Rossi says. "It would save Spencer the misery of having to go through a trial."

"He'll do just fine. Spencer can handle himself."

Reid anxiously tapped his fingers against his knees. Rossi and Strauss have been gone for quite some time now; there must be something going. Without noticing, he reaches up into his hair and begins to pick at the stitches.

"How long do you have to keep those?"

Reid glances at Elle and then back to the doorway. He is done talking with her. He shouldn't have had to in the first place. Reid does not reply, but quickly drops his hand into his lap, embarrassed.

"It's okay," Elle tries to reassure him. "I'm sure it's only good."

"Like what?" Reid asks shortly. Rossi is taking too long. It can't be good. He can't wait.

Although he struggles, Reid manages pull himself up off the couch and begins walking in the direction towards the nearest window. He has to check, even if what they are talking about over the phone is not outside. He has to know what's going on somewhere. Elle follows.

There is nothing outside. There was the only the black SUV that Elle and Strauss arrived in. Reid sighs, unsatisfied by this. There has to be something more. He can feel it.

"What are you looking for?" Elle asks gently.

"Anything."

"Do you think he's out there?"

Reid pauses. "I can feel his eyes," he says quietly. "I can still feel his hands and … I-is that normal?"

"It's not unheard of." They make eye contact for a brief moment. "You're safe with us. I promise," Elle says.

"Yes." Reid's begin to shake. The strain against his body is becoming too much, but he cannot sit down yet. His eyes narrow as he tries to focus more outside the window in attempt to distract from the pain. Hesitantly, Elle reaches a hand forward and gently places it on his back in an attempt of comfort. The sudden touch breaks Reid away from his concentration, sending him into a panic. His knees buckle and he begins to fall towards the floor. Elle manages to grab hold of an arm, but struggles to help keep all of Reid standing up.

"What's going on?"

The room is spinning again. Reid can hear Rossi's voice, but cannot find where it's coming from.

"He's supposed to be resting."

A steady pair of hands takes a hold of him then and carefully leads him back towards the couch. Reid allows Rossi to help him lie back down on the couch. His body feels heavy; each movement to slowed and weighed down. "What were you doing?" Rossi asks as he straightens Reid's legs out.

Reid watches as his coworker places a blanket over him, but offers no explanation.

"Is it his head?" Strauss asks, concerned. She gently pushes hair off of Reid's forehead. "Should he be lying down?"

"He would be fine if he was left alone."

She scowls at Rossi. "We are doing our job."

"Yes, you have," he replies. "But I think he has been harassed enough for the day."

Strauss pets Reid's hair one more time before getting up. "I'll keep you updated. Take care, Spencer."

The room remains quiet until Strauss and Elle get into their car. Rossi watches them through the window. Part of him wants to go with him, especially if Emily's update had validity to it. There is nothing he would like more than to finally meet up with the bastard that abused his young coworker and knock a few of his teeth in. But meeting him is what the man wants and Rossi isn't about to give him that chance. At least not yet. Besides, Spencer needed him more right now.

"Who called you?" Reid asks.

Rossi looks at Reid. The bruising on his face has not gone down. He will need more pain medication soon. Maybe Rossi should have gone to find the unsub. "Emily," he replies.

"Why?"

"Just checking in. She wanted to know how you were doing." It wasn't a complete lie, but he didn't want Reid to know all of the truth until he had more information. There is no need to add anymore anxiety.

"Oh," Reid says quietly. He pauses for a moment. "Is she coming over?"

"Possibly later. Are you feeling hungry yet?"

"No."

"You really need to eat something," Rossi says. "Toast at least."

Reid sighs. "Fine. Toast is fine."

"Good! Toast it is!"

Waiting for Mother is tiresome. She spends her days now in and out of the hospital, and then in and out of her retirement home. Retirement is a kind word for it. It was not a difficult decision to leave her there. Dear sister got the house, of course. No surprise there; single mother of two and Mother's favorite. I inherited that nasty little store that Father and Mother started up ages ago. It's a pain to keep going, but beggars can't be choosers.

Despite my sister's status, I am all too often the one left to watch over Mother. She has not been doing her best lately. She arrived back to her new home from the hospital, but not far into the afternoon hours I received a phone call saying that it looks like she is going to take a turn for the worse. Again. I closed the café down early just in case. People rarely come in towards dinner time anyhow.

Whether or not the agents recognized me is of little concern now. The blond – one I had talked to earlier – did not seem to be the brightest. She had more than enough time to study my face during our chat. Surely something must have stuck. But she gave no hint of it; not even a bit of sudden surprise.

They said very little about the doctor, at least that I what I could tell from what I picked up. It was disappointing. From what I gathered, the hid the doctor away at David's house. Cute. He would be safe there until David grows bored or annoyed with him again. But the doctor is safe. I wouldn't dare to step foot in that house, not while David is hyped up on his macho, protective "daddy" mode. I would be shot if I was lucky, and if I was that lucky I wouldn't be able to have my conversation with David.

So, I will wait. They can wait as well. It will keep their blood pumping. Surely the doctor isn't sleeping well. I left him with a few different nightmares to keep him up throughout the night. He was likely a weepy, whinny mess; just another present for David. Maybe he will kill the doctor before I have to.

Until then, I must watch over my mother. She lies in her bed, sleeping with her mouth wide open. If it were not for her snoring one would assume she would be dead. I sit next to her with a book in my lap – David's of course. It remains open, but unread. My concentration is on Mother.

It would be so easy to kill her right now. Just take her pillow and apply some pressure down on that bitter looking face of hers and it would all be over. No one would give a second thought of an old, sick lady passing away. If they did the blame could easily be passed down to one of her incompetent nurses. It wouldn't be a surprise if they had not already taken out one or two of their patients before. Sometimes it's the only thing left to do.

There is a knock on the door. Visitors; just what I need now. With a sigh, I rise from my chair to answer the door. Standing in the hallway is my tired looking sister and her two daughters. Sasha is a perfect miniature of her mother with her long, silvery blond hair braided neatly down her back. She stares up at me, as polite and as timid as ever. She would make the perfect little lady if it were not for her problem with sucking her thumb, an unbreakable habit even at the age of nine. I can't stand the girl. Still, I smile and welcome her.

"What are you doing here?"

I turn my attention to my youngest niece, Ann. Dear Ann; as blunt and as common as her name. While she may be lacking in looks compared to her elder sister with her lopsided, unkempt pigtails, she makes up for it in personality. She speaks without thinking, and even if she remembered to she would not care. It gives her a fair share of trouble at school. Ann's brashness drives my sister to near insanity. Ann is my favorite.

"Someone has to look after Grandmother," I tell her, smiling.

Ann pears around me into the room to get a better look at her grandmother. "She looks dead."

"Ann!" my sister hisses. "She is not dead. She's only sleeping."

Sasha catches sight of her open mouthed grandmother and whimpers. "She does look dead," she says quietly.

"She's not. Here." My sister takes her daughters by their hands and drags them into the small room. "We can't stay long," she tells me, "but I thought it would be good for the girls to come. Hopefully it will liven up her day."

"Oh, I don't think it can get any more lively than this," I reply.

"If Grandma is dead can we go to McDonalds?" Ann asks.

My sister shoots her a glare. She tightens the grip on the small hand in hers. Ann yelps and yanks her arm away. "I was just asking."

"Ann, what have I told you about minding your manners? Little girls do not-."

But already the conversation is a lost cause. Ann has grown bored and has wandered off to the window sill. She examines a potted plant and picks off one of the red petals. She rubs it between her index finger and thumb, creating a red stain.

My sister sighs. "How has she been?"

"Fine," I say. "No different than before. The nurses have been watching her, but they don't seem to be too concerned."

"Of course not," my sister says, rolling her eyes. "They're incompetent. That's why she's always coming back in here; no one knows what they are doing well enough to fix her."

"You can't fix old age."

"Well, they should be able to do something. I'm seriously thinking about installing a secret camera in here somewhere. You know, just to see what is really going on when we aren't around. God knows what! You see those types of stories in the news all of the time. I don't know how people can be so cruel."

I nod along as my sister falls into another tangent. I glance over at the girls, who have both began to amuse themselves with the red flower. Sasha grabs a hold of the pot and yanks it out of reach of her little sister's destructive grasp. Ann scowls. She hadn't finished playing with the petals. A strange cat-like growl comes from her mouth and she reaches back for the flower. I clear my throat and motion for the girls to hand over the plant. They exchange looks, both blaming the other for getting in trouble, but begrudgingly handed it over. I placed it on the small table at Mother's bedside. My sister didn't seem to take notice to the altercation. She only continues her chattering, now about some idiot teacher Sasha had.

As my sister jabbers on, a group going down the hallway catches my eye. There is a nurse talking to two men looking very out of place dressed in dark grey suits. I lean to the side to get a better view of them through the open door way. The nurse looks moderately recognizable – most likely someone who tended to Mother – but the men certainly did not. They were far too serious, even for a place like this, to have any business that I wanted to be a part of.

It was time for me to leave.

"Excuse me," I said as I slowly rose from my spot. For a moment my dear sister stops talking. She stares at the men. Her expression is confused and slightly offended that I would try to leave in the middle of her story.

"I just have to stop at the restroom quick," I explain. "I'll be right back."

"Me too!" Ann says, quickly jumping to my side.

"No. Not you," my sister scolds. "Your uncle is going to the boy's bathroom. You're a girl. You use the girl's bathroom. He can't watch you in there and I need someone to watch you. I know how you like to run off."

"I won't! I promise!"

"It's really no trouble," I say. I glance towards the hall. I cannot see the men, but I know that doesn't mean they are gone. My escape time may be running short. Ann may prove herself to be of value at this moment. A man taking his daughter to visit her ailing grandparents would seem less likely to be stopped. "I can take her. I'll wait outside or have one of the nurses go in with her to make sure she doesn't escape."

Ann waits for her mother to reply. She bounces on her heels, anxious to get out. Sasha's eyes dart back and forth as she also waits for an answer. Her thumb is back in her mouth. She doesn't like it when her mother and sister argue.

My sister sighs. "Fine. But you better watch her," she warns me. "Try not to take too long."

"Can we look at the birds?" Ann asks, trying her luck again. Near the lobby is a small habitat for birds that the girls like to look at during their visits to help kill the boredom.

"Fine, but don't take too long."

Ann pumps her small fist and takes off down the hall. I follow her. There are no men in suits to be soon. I am almost relieved.

"Can we get something from the vending machines too?" Ann asks.

"I'll tell you what. How about we sneak out of here and get a milkshake?"

My nieces stares up at me in shock.

"Your mom will never know. And if she does find out, I will take all of the blame."

Slowly, a tiny grin spreads across her face. "Promise?"

"I promise."

"Pinky promise?"

"Pinky promise," I say. "I won't let anything happen to you.

We left through the front doors without a soul even looking at us. We were gone.

And we will end it there for now! I will be starting the next chapter soon. I have it planned out, I swear! Thank you to those who continue to read and review this. It really does mean a lot to me. I am trying to be better all around and any support I can get helps. Thanks again!