A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews, favorites, follows, etc.! You guys make it worth it!

"The true test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children." Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Dragon Slayer's – Chp. 2

As the BAU's Gulf Stream G550 streaked across the sky toward Las Vegas, Dave, Max, Hotch and Gideon sat around the tables in the forward area of the cabin. "Any more information on Reid from the Marshals service?" Max asked.

"Deputy Rossi," Emily started, "Geez, that sounds weird."

Dave glanced up at her. "What's weird about it?"

"Nothing. You just never mentioned him."

Deciding to nip this in the bud before it went further, Gideon interjected, "What did Deputy Rossi have to say?"

"He's been placed on administrative leave pending a review of the shooting, but before going on leave he gave his superior's a list of Reid's last known address, plus a couple of girlfriend's."

"Ok, you and Morgan check those addresses. Max, I want you and Aaron go outside the box, consider alternative locations, or where Reid might go to lay low outside the city. My guess is he was going out to find his next victim and the deputies put an end to that. He's likely to be volatile and agitated by not getting what he wants."

"Meaning we'll probably see more brazen attacks. He'll most likely start to devolve. Catching him depends on how quickly that happens." Max added.

"True. I just hope it doesn't take another kid getting hurt to find this son of a bitch." Prentiss said.

000

Mark walked slowly through his apartment, flipping lights on as he went. He decided to shower again, even though he'd showered at the hospital and dressed in a clean pair of scrubs a nurse had given him. He wondered who would be the first to show up, his boss or his father. He wondered if his other boss, Karen Monroe, would call. She was the reason Mark and Tim had been staking out William Reid's house. Sure enough, after stripping off his clothes and starting into the bathroom, his cellphone vibrated. He debated going back for it, and finally decided he couldn't put off this call. He grabbed it, checked the number and flipped it open. "What the hell happened, Karen?"

"You're the man on the ground, Mark. You tell me."

"Tim's dead, Karen. I don't have time for your bureaucratic BS."

There was silence on the line, then Karen answered. "I'm sorry about Tim. I know you were close. Can you locate Reid?"

"I'm not sure…maybe."

"What do you mean, 'Maybe', Rossi? Your our best operative."

"I told Gregory to call in the BAU."

"What? Why would you do that?"

"Because seven kids are dead, Karen! And William Reid has a son that we can't locate. You should've just sent me in covertly. I could've dealt with the son of a bitch weeks ago."

"I don't tell you how to do your job, so do me a favor and don't tell me how to do mine. And I did send you in covertly."

"You know what I mean. What do you want me to do?"

"Stay one step ahead of the FBI and take care our problem before they get wind of it, if you can." Karen finished, disconnecting the call.

"Will do." Mark closed his phone and went to take a shower. It was the beginning of a long night. He couldn't have saved the seven victims William Reid had already claimed, but just maybe he could save William's son.

000

"Why do you think Rossi never mentioned having a son?" Emily asked as she and Derek drove to the first in a list of addresses for William Reid.

"Come on, Em we all have secrets. You know that. That man has more than most." Derek said as he made a left turn.

"I know, but you would think he'd mention having a kid. Like if he was proud of him, or if he was a disappointment, that type of thing."

"Maybe they had a falling out." Morgan said as they pulled up to the house.

"Ugh. This place screams, 'bad man in residence, run away.'" Emily said.

"Front or back?" Morgan asked.

Prentiss grinned. "Front."

Morgan rolled his eyes. "Figures. On three?"

"Always."

000

The door being kicked in downstairs jolted Spencer awake. Correction, the front door being kicked in woke him. Had the police found his father? Were they here to rescue him?

He sat up and tried to call out. "Hel…" His throat was so dry.

Please save me. That was Spencer's last thought before he once again faded to unconsciousness, wondering if the sound he'd heard downstairs had only been a dream.

000

Working quickly, Emily and Morgan cleared the first floor and met in a downstairs hallway. Morgan simply nodded to the stairs, indicating to Emily that she should take the lead. Moving swiftly but silently the two agents made their way up the stairs and found a small bathroom and three bedrooms, including the master. Efficiently clearing the bathroom, master bed and bath, and one of the other bedrooms, the pair stopped at the door to the last bedroom, which was secured by a three locks.

Emily scowled. "I really hate locked doors. Cover me." Twirling her Glock and grabbing it by the barrel, she swiftly dispatched all three locks. Turning the knob, both agents were surprised to find it unlocked. Morgan moved into the room first and Emily followed, turning right. They both saw that this was a child's room, a little boy, judging by the toys on the floor and trains, planes and automobiles border running around the top of the room.

"Emily," When he had her attention, Morgan nodded to the closet. It was locked in the same fashion as the main door had been. Dealing with this lock in the same fashion as she had the previous ones, Emily opened the door while Morgan covered her. The horrid smell pushed Emily back and brought tears to Morgan's eyes as he covered his mouth. He saw the boy first and nodded to Emily. Covering her mouth, both in horror and to keep from gagging, she looked down saw a small child laying in filth. The boy couldn't have been more than four or five tops. But it wasn't the conditions she found him or his age that nearly caused Emily to break down. It was look of absolute terror in his eyes and the phrase he kept muttering, almost like a mantra. "Peas, no hurt."

Knowing that he might be terrified of men, Morgan had gone down to their SUV to get a blanket. Deciding that she should put the boy's fears at ease, Emily ignored the stench and sat down just outside the closet door. "It's ok, sweetheart. I won't hurt you. I'm a police lady." As proof, Emily pulled out her badge and held it up so he could see.

"Can you tell me your name, sweetie?"

A long silence passed. Emily waited. Morgan returned with some blankets and left them just inside the door, careful to stay out of the boy's line of sight.

Finally, he answered. "My name Spencer."

Emily smiled. "Spencer, I'm Emily. It's nice to meet you. You wanna come out, kiddo?" A head shake was his only response.

"No? Why not, honey?"

Spencer had been edging slowly closer to her as they talked and he moved back a little. "What is it, Honey?"

"Him hurt."

It dawned on Emily and she mentally cursed Hotch in three languages for sending a man with her. Granted, none of them had thought they would find Spencer or that he had been abused. But it should have.

"No, sweetheart. Morgan won't hurt you. I promise. In fact," she moved aside, but not out of his line of sight so he could see the blankets. "He brought those up so I can carry you out of here."

Spencer considered this. "Emily keep Spencer safe."

She nodded. "Yes, Emily keep Spencer safe." She affirmed, being careful to repeat what he'd said word for word.

Slowly, he crawled out of the closet and into her lap. After wrapping him in one of the blankets, Emily stood and carefully made her way down the stairs.

000

A/N: So, how'd I do?