Hi Friends!

I'm back and before the weekend! I know, crazy right!? You can thank my job for being especially slow this week.

So, this chapter is a calm one that is meant to move the plot along. A necessary lull, if you will. Because after this...well, shit's going to hit the fan. You guys made me smile with your postulations about what's going to happen...and let's face it, if you've read my stories you know that the journey to the conclusion is going to be rocky for Reid. Hang with me...we are getting there.

Thanks for all the reviews, follows, and favs! They really make my day...gah...especially the one I got earlier today...it really helped me out of my funky mood!

Forgive my mistakes, please!

Enjoy!

The two profilers broke apart about ten minutes later, each emotionally spent after the intense conversation that they had just undertaken. Both of their eyes were bloodshot and puffy due to the amount of tears that had been shed. Derek's shirt had a wet spot near his shoulder because of how Reid had fallen into his arms which turned the red fabric a deep maroon.

Reid was the first to pull back from the embrace with a sheepish look on his face. He briefly met Morgan's eyes before wiping his own and gave him a weak smile, "Thanks."

Derek knew that this was a big step for his buddy but he understood his friend enough not to make a big deal out of it. "Anytime and I mean it."

"I know," the younger agent acknowledged. "I think we should be getting back."

"Yeah, as much as I would love to spend the whole day up here I do have some consults to complete…that is unless you-"

"Not this time. I've got plenty of my own work to do," Reid said humorously.

Derek, pleased with his friend's sudden playfulness, replied, "You can't blame a guy for trying."

The two made it halfway across the roof before Morgan remembered one last thing he wanted to discuss with his coworker. "Hey Reid, wait up for a second. There's something else that I wanted to talk to you about."

Spencer turned around and furrowed his brow, "What is it?"

The muscular profiler knew that he was about to bring up another touchy subject and started to speak slowly, "I wanted to ask you about…about a box of memorabilia that you have at home."

A panicked look flitted across Reid's face. "Oh that...it's nothing really…"

"Come on man…Rossi told me all about it."

Reid sighed and looked down toward his feet, "I figured he would."

"Did you tell him you wanted that information kept private?"

"No… I knew deep down that he was going to share that information with you guys. In fact, I think I wanted him to. It's just that…I just feel…," he shook his head in frustration. "Look you've got to understand where I was coming from when I started putting stuff in there."

Morgan held up his hands in a placating gesture, "Whoa, I'm not judging you. I just wanted to say that I hope you rethink some of the items you have in there, namely the whistle. I don't like the idea that figuratively you've written off our friendship…especially after what we just went through."

The younger profiler bit his lip and looked off to the side as he thought about his best friend's request. "You know I think there might be a few things in that box that might need to be reevaluated."

Morgan allowed his large white toothy grin to burst out across his face upon hearing those beautiful words. "I can't tell you how happy I am to hear that." He then walked up to his friend and slapped his hand down across the boy's limber shoulders in an act of pure friendship. "Now let's get back before Penelope calls in the dogs to sniff us out."

Damien was fuming as he walked out into the cool autumn air. He relished the feel of the slight chill on his skin after being stuck in that stuffy conference room for the majority of his day. He made a beeline for the parking structure that was located across the street, intent on getting in his car and leaving this godforsaken place behind.

It didn't take him long to get to the garage's elevator and take it four flights up to his parking spot. He had parked his Mustang off in a cozy corner, backed in and taking up two spaces to ensure its safety. West smiled at the one good thing in his life as of right now and went to gently caress the red metal hood.

He pulled his hand back sharply the second his fingertips touched the cool exterior. There was a five inch scratch marring the smooth ruby red surface.

"What the fuck?" he bellowed as he knelt down to inspect the flaw.

Damien came to the conclusion that someone must have purposefully scarred his precious ride. There was no way that this was an accident. He quickly stood up and looked around as if to try to spot the long gone culprit. Once he saw that there was no one in sight he slammed his hand down on the hood and let out a loud growl.

"Perfect! Just what I fucking needed!" He ripped the door open and squeezed his doughy body behind the wheel, starting up the car in the process.

The Mustang's tires squealed as West tore out of his space and through the levels of the garage. He narrowly missed a few vehicles during his descent but it didn't faze his erratic driving.

"I bet it was one of those narrow-minded profilers all up in arms over their team mascot," he said out loud to himself. "They're going to regret choosing him over me. Fuck, that kid is going to rue the day he ever laid eyes on me. I mean, what the fuck have I got to lose now anyways? Baker's going to sing like a fucking canary the second they start questioning him. The dumbass probably kept the Goddamn text messages on that burner phone I gave him. God!" he exclaimed as he whammed his hands down on the steering wheel. "I should have given him more money…or better yet, I should have threatened his family…too late for that now."

The livid former agent weaved in and out of traffic as he kept up his solo conversation, flipping off other drivers as necessary on his quest to get home.

"I'm going to have to come up with something quick. Fuck running away from this...huh…whatever I choose needs to be big…something that'll finally get me the recognition I deserve…ha…those profilers think they're so infallible…let's see if they can figure me out."

Damien's tires squelched a final time as they turned into his parking spot. The infuriated man slammed his door after he got out of the car and walked out of the parking garage. He was making his way up the sidewalk when he looked around and saw an unmarked vehicle already stationed across the street with two agents sitting inside of it watching him like a hawk. He gave them a one finger wave and sauntered up the sidewalk into his apartment building. He chuckled to himself at the thought that the FBI believed a surveillance crew was going to stop him from enacting his revenge. It didn't matter what the bureau threw at him, the brat's fate was already sealed.

Reid and Morgan reemerged into the bullpen to find the remaining profilers gathered over in the break room. They were obviously discussing Reid because the second he came into view they broke off their conversation and rushed over to see him.

"Oh my oven baked cutie pie! What happened? Are you alright? We've been so worried!" Garica gushed while she wrapped her arms around the genius and squeezed him tightly.

Reid could only grunt due to her crushing grip.

Morgan watched with a smile, "Relax momma, he's fine."

"Don't even talk to me Derek Morgan! How could you leave us hanging without any updates on our genius? Not even a text to tell us you found him!" she huffed after reluctantly letting go of Reid.

Derek's face fell at her scolding, "I'm sorry. I got a little caught up in everything else."

"Everything else?" JJ asked, breaking into the conversation.

Reid could tell that Morgan wasn't sure how much he should reveal to their teammates so he took the lead with JJ's question. "Yeah…uh after Derek helped me out down in archives I still had to go to the deposition. Then when I was done giving my testimony we…uh…I needed to go get some air. Derek came with me."

The others were well aware that Reid was being vague on purpose but let the lack of details lie for now.

"So you're alright?" Rossi inquired in concern.

The young man looked down and scuffed his toe against the brown carpet, "Yeah…I'm getting there."

"Well that's all we can ask," Rossi said. "So what happened?"

A blush crept into the genius's cheeks at the thought of having to explain how he gullibly got trapped in the vaults downstairs. He knew that his friends deserved to know the truth, well that and the fact they would find out sooner or later anyhow. Reid brought his hand up to the scar on his neck and rubbed it nervously. He was just about to dive into his explanation when Hotch walked into the room.

"Reid, a word in my office, please," the man requested on his way past the profilers and up the stairs.

Reid eyes went wide and looked at Morgan.

"He probably wants to tell you what the ruling was," the darker man speculated.

The doctor gulped a big breath of air down, "I guess I better go find out what happened."

JJ gently patted him on the back with her hand, "I'm sure it will be good news. There is no way the bureau is going to let him get away with the stunt he pulled."

Reid nodded and trudged up the steps that had just been treaded upon by the unit chief. He approached the cracked door and knocked on it to announce his presence.

"Come in," called Hotch's gravelly voice from inside the office.

Reid walked into the cozy room and stood behind the two chairs perched in front of the man's desk. He crossed his arms in front of his chest and waited to be acknowledged by his unit chief who was scribbling something on a piece of paper.

Hotch looked up moments later and seemed perturbed by the fact that Spencer hadn't sat down yet, "Take a seat."

The genius scooted around the arm chair and sat gingerly in the faux leather. He was just too nervous to hear about the ruling to sit back and relax.

"So….you wanted to talk to me?"

Hotch tipped back in his seat and tented his fingers in front of him, "Yes, the board came to their official ruling…effective immediately Agent West is no longer with the FBI. He is also barred from getting another government or law enforcement job for the rest of his life. The bureau is leaving it up to you as to whether or not to press charges for assault. But they are going to investigate what happened to you down in archives this morning and pending the results they may be bringing him up on kidnapping charges, along with Mr. Baker."

Reid let out a whoosh of air at the news.

The unit chief watched as his subordinates body seemed to relax back into the chair as the tension drained from his body. He was happy to see the youngest team member finally feel at ease once again. Unfortunately, he didn't think it was going to last very long.

"You are going to charge him aren't you?" Hotch asked after a few moments.

Reid's body straightened up at the statement, "I-uh…I hadn't really thought about it."

"Reid, you can't let him get away with what he did. I would like to represent you if you'll let me," Hotch offered graciously.

"I don't know…you've already got such a full plate. What with work and Jack…I don't want to take you away from your family…from what's really important."

"You are important. You are a part of my family. I want to do this for you." Then Hotch did something completely out of character, "Please let me do this for you."

Reid's eyebrows raised at the man's gentle words and caring tone. His boss was not one to show such tender emotions in the office.

"I…I-uh…alright. Let's do it."

"Good. I'll start putting some things together tonight and tomorrow we can go down to the police station and file official charges," the older man said, satisfied at the outcome of their conversation.

Reid started to get up from the chair but stopped midway, "Uh…thanks…for everything. You know, having my back in the deposition and now this."

A tightlipped smile formed on Hotch's face, "Your welcome. But…honestly, I should have had your back all along. And I'm sorry for not sticking up for you earlier."

"I already told you that I understood why you didn't. There is no need for you to keep apologizing for following protocol," Reid admonished his boss, a first for them both.

"I know…," the unit chief trailed off looking like there was something else he wanted to add. "It's just that…Beth and I broke up and I think I was allowing my feelings to affect how I dealt with the team."

Reid's face was a picture of astonishment at the other man's admission. Hotch hadn't divulged something this personal with him in years. "I'm so sorry to hear that. How is Jack taking it?"

"He said that he's sad that he won't being seeing her but he understands," Hotch said with a small smile.

"That's so sweet. He's trying to be strong for you," Reid said. "He's growing up so fast. I feel like I haven't seen him in forever."

Hotch knew that Reid was trying to steer the subject away from his boss's relationship. It wasn't that the genius was dismissing Aaron's revelation but rather he had acknowledged it and was now moving the conversation into more comfortable territory. "You haven't, have you? Why don't you come over sometime? You are one of his favorite profilers."

"After his father, of course," Reid said with a smile. "I'd like that though. Maybe I could teach him some prestidigitation."

"Anytime."

A comfortable silence settled over the two for a few minutes before Aaron decided to break it, "Alright then…until tomorrow?"

"Yeah, tomorrow," Reid said, successfully getting up from his seat this time. He walked out of the door and back into the bullpen. Down below he saw his co-workers hovering around his desk. He scrunched up his face in curiosity and went to find out what was going on.

"There he is! My man!" Derek called out encouragingly as Reid stepped down off the stairs.

"What's going on?"

"What's going on? What's going on? Only Section Chief Cruz here was just telling us about the ruling and how spectacular you were during your testimony!" Garcia gushed proudly.

Rossi walked up to the young man and gripped his cheeks between his hands and planted a kiss on each as customary for the gruff Italian when he was pleased. He let go of Reid and laughed at the boy's developing blush, "I always knew you had it in you! Guess some of this old profiler must be rubbing off on you!"

"It was nothing really…I just told the truth," Reid said slightly embarrassed at all the attention he was getting.

"That and you put West in his place like a pro," Cruz added, not allowing the boy to gloss over his accomplishment.

Spencer's mouth dropped at the unexpected compliment. "Thanks…well…um…I'm going to…," he gestured at his desk and began to sit down.

The others got the hint that Reid was uncomfortable discussing the matter further and were about to go their separate ways when Hotch came out of his office and said, "Oh good, you're all here. Reid, there was one more thing we need to discuss."

"What is it?"

Hotch cleared his throat, "I've been thinking about it…and I doubt that West is going to go down without a fight. He presents as a classic narcissist; he thinks he's better than everyone else. There is no way he is going to let his dismissal from the bureau and subsequent humiliation go quietly. I think we should put a protection detail on you."

Silence dominated the group as the profilers considered their unit chief's suggestion.

"I-" Reid didn't even get past his first word when Morgan interrupted him promptly.

"Don't even think about refusing it, Pretty Boy. Hotch is right. West isn't the type to get mud on his face and not want to wipe it off."

"But…," the genius began to refute only to have Cruz jump in on the conversation.

"No Dr. Reid. We, you included, are going to take this situation seriously. Until West is officially behind bars you are going to be assigned a protective detail. They'll maintain a breathable distance but anytime you aren't at the bureau or out on a case with the others you're going to be guarded. In addition, we've already sent a surveillance crew to keep an eye on West until he is formally brought in on kidnapping charges," Cruz said leaving no room for argument.

Reid, ever reluctant to have his privacy invaded so intimately, begrudgingly accepted, "Alright." He hated the fact that the others didn't think he was capable of protecting himself. Hadn't he proven himself enough over the past ten years to be trusted with maintaining his own safety outside of work.

"I can see your wheels turning…don't go there," Rossi's commented astutely.

"Go where?"

"You think that we're treating you like a child and that if it was anyone else we wouldn't be so cautious."

"I didn't say that."

"No, but you were thinking it. And you're wrong. We are treating you like we would any other agent that is being threatened. You're only taking it as nepotism because you're a part of our family," Rossi explained.

Reid opened his mouth to respond but was cut off by Rossi again.

"Look kiddo, you're lucky that we're not demanding you stay with one of us…because I know a few profilers that would feel better knowing you were safe under their roof at night," the older man said pointedly looking from Morgan to Hotch.

"Fine," the genius said in defeat. He looked back up after a few seconds and asked Cruz, "They'll be discreet?"

"Of course. This isn't their first rodeo," Cruz smiled at the glum profiler. "Unless something happens, you'll never know they're there."

Reid nodded his head in stubborn acceptance. He knew the others were only acting on extreme caution and the protection wasn't going to last forever. It was just a necessary nuisance that he was going to have to put up with to help ease his team's worries. Heck, even he knew that he was a trouble magnet. So, maybe having some extra protection for the next few weeks wasn't such a bad idea.

Okay, so some of you might be like...Why doesn't West just cut his losses and get the hell out of Dodge? But our villain is too narrow minded to get while the getting is good. He's on a hunt to prove himself once and for all and he would rather go to jail then let Reid and the team defeat him.

Anyways, it makes for a better conclusion...one where Graysonation might get her wish :)