A/N: Ok, I haven't abandoned this story and the stream of reviews, alerts and favorites that have come in over the last couple months are appreciated. As often happens, real life got in the way big time with Grad school. I'm done for the summer and will devote more time to this story because it has pained me not to be able to write. I appreciate your patience as readers and hope you will continue this journey with me.

Chp. 17

"What do we know?" Mark asked, purposely giving Deputy John Stevens the evil eye. He strongly suspected the man was in on William Reid's escape.

Stevens' glared back. "You think I had something to do with this, Rossi? Your pop's may be some big shot at the FBI, but that doesn't give you right to…"

"Man asked you what we know, not why you think we're here." Will interjected.

"The officers left Reid in the van while they went inside to eat. When they came back he was gone. A witness reported seeing a man in an orange jumpsuit walking away from the station, and saw him get picked up on the road."

"So someone was waiting for him?" Will asked.

"Apparently," Stevens said.

"Did the witness say where the car was?"

Stevens pointed toward the road where cones blocked off where the getaway car had stopped. The other two deputies started in that direction. "That's it?" Stevens asked, incredulous.

"Don't need you anymore." Mark said, throwing the words over his shoulder dismissively.

When they were far enough away, Will spoke, "Could you try and not piss off the locals?"

"He's not local." Mark said, looking at the dirt where the car had stopped. Will rolled his eyes. Mark reached the area first and pulled a flashlight from one of the numerous pockets on his tactical vest. "Your guess?"

Will shrugged. "No idea."

"What was the tech's name?" Mark asked.

"Which one?"

"The blonde with the loud clothes. Gomez, wasn't it?"

Will laughed at Mark's description of his wife's best friend and Godmother to his son. "It's Garcia."

"What's her number?"

Will debated just calling Garcia himself, but he decided to give Mark her number because anything they said could be overheard. Mark dialed the number and waited for Garcia to pick up. She'd seemed trustworthy enough when he'd spoken to her in Vegas and they met her in person at his parent's, but he figured she had doubts about him.

000

Garcia's phone buzzed on the nightstand and she started as the sound woke her. After taking a second to get her bearings, she reached for the device and checked the number. Scowling at the unfamiliar digits, she answered cautiously. "Hello?"

"Garcia?"

"Who's this?"

"Mark Rossi. Did I wake you?"

"Yeah. What do you need?"

"I need you to run a name for me."

"What's the name?"

"Deputy Marshal John Stevens. Thanks and sorry to wake you."

"You're…" Garcia started, only to be met by a dialed tone. Sighing, she flipped on the bedside lamp and reached for her laptop.

000

Down the hall from Garcia's room, Emily watched Spencer sleep. Derek, in turn, watched her.

"Em." He whispered.

She turned and gave him a what is it look.

"What are you worrying about now?"

"What if we can't fix it?" she asked worriedly.

Derek sighed and looked away. If he were being absolutely truthful, he would've said he had the same worries. Spencer was good kid, but he'd have a lot of things to overcome and they would have a lot of things to make right. It was a tall order for anyone, let alone a bunch of federal agents with their own unique issues.

"We can try our best and pray that's good enough."

"Together?"

Morgan rolled his eyes. "You should know by now that you can't get rid of me. Of course, together."

Emily knew that part of the reason Derek was so intent on protector Spencer was because he had been hurt the same way and also by a man that trusted. "Just promise me you won't do anything you'll regret."

"What? You mean like empty my Glock into William Reid's head at point blank range?"

"I'm serious, Der. And yes, exactly like that."

"To be honest, I don't think I'll have the chance to take him out before a certain U.S. Marshal beats me to it."

"What's his deal anyway?" Emily asked.

"Who, Mark?" Derek asked and Emily nodded.

"Yeah."

"What you mean, 'his deal'? You heard what Rossi said. I think everything just compounded itself. First his brother, then his kid."

"So, why didn't he go off the rails?"

"You mean become a serial killer?"

"Exactly. That type of stressor would do it." Emily said.

"It could do it. But I'm guessing, despite his attitude, Mark has a stronger moral compass than most people. Or that he'd learned to deal with his brother's deal. Then when his girlfriend sprung the abortion on him, all that pain came back. Only this time more intense because it's his kid and he wants to hurt someone. I'm guessing that the thought did cross Mark's mind to kill his girlfriend his girlfriend. But, unlike a lot of the UNSUBs we go after, he resisted that urge and channeled that anger in to something constructive."

"But do you think he'll put protecting Spencer above hunting down and killing William Reid?" Emily asked.

"We'll make sure he does."

000