A/N : Chapter 21 The first day is beginning to end! More of a hurt/comfort chapter!
Thanks for everything !
I don't own cm or their characters! *Updated*
It was getting dark. Edna had already been sent home and the profilers were analyzing Reid as well as the letter. They were falling behind. Garcia's search for the woman that fits Edna's description ran cold. A few of the people it lead too were already dead or in a mental hospital. They were working harder than ever. Pointing out every possibility they could.
"You know, I never thought I'd be going through Reid's bills," Prentiss said sarcastically. "You and me both," Morgan said handing Prentiss a pen he knew she would never return. "Guys, it seems to me that Reid is starting to run dry, though. I thought he gets paid at our level?" Emily questioned. "He does," Hotch said. "Well, he seems to be running on no more than a good five hundred dollars a month," Emily said in confusion.
"Well, he gets paid about Eight thousand eight hundred fifty dollars a month. Look at his bills and see if there's a reason for that. Reid doesn't just blow his pay check," Hotch said. Emily and Morgan began looking through the bills and bank deposits. "Okay so after the bills he's still pretty well off, but he puts a good amount into savings. This leaves him with five hundred dollars," Emily said. "He's saving," Rossi muttered with a slight nod of approval. "Most likely for his mom, she's the biggest bill he has," Morgan stated. "His hospital insurance rate has gone up exponentially high," Emily pointed out.
"I feel like this conversation isn't helping the current case. We've established that financial matters have nothing to do with Reid abductor," Hotch said quickly. They quickly dropped the topic of his bills and moved on to every case he's ever worked on. They were looking for anyone who was ever present. Maybe a female probably was seen in every case, but Reid never noticed.
Rossi focused back on the letter. He was gaining a headache after staring at it for so long. He could recite the letter word for word now. That was both good and annoying to him.
Hotch looked at his teammates. They were losing hope. Hotch knew it was the lack of caffeine as well, but they only got rid of it to help Reid. However, Hotch realized that wasn't the best idea. They looked tired. Hell, they were tired.
Soon, Hotch's phone rang. He looked at the caller ID and sighed. He was dreading this call for the longest.
"Hotchner," Hotch answered. Everyone tried not to look like they were trying to listen, but failed.
"Hey Hotch, um, have you seen JJ around? She never came back home," Will said.
"Will, she's been missing all day. You just now realized she went missing?" Hotch asked trying not to sound irate.
"Well, I fell asleep. Anyways, is she with you?" Will asked again.
"No, JJ has been kidnaped along with Reid earlier this morning," Hotch said quickly.
"Oh crap! Really? She dropped Henry off at a sitter!" Will said in panic. Hotch was happy that he sounded like he cared.
"Yes, we've been looking for her for some time now," Hotch said.
"And you said she went missing with Dr. Reid? Are you sure?" Will asked hesitantly. Hotch could hear the tension in his voice and was curious as to why of all things, that bothered Will the most.
"Yes, Reid was in the hospital for some time now. I sent JJ to go with Reid for some testing and they both disappeared. Blitz attack," Hotch informed.
"Okay," Will said slowly. Hotch was now very curious as to why he still seemed hesitant about the whole story.
"Alright. We will find her," Hotch said although he felt that those words were lost on him. Hotch decided to just hang up. He didn't really feel up to dealing with Will.
"That was Will?" Rossi asked. Hotch nodded in thought. "Will just now noticed that JJ hasn't came home," Hotch said. "He didn't see it on the news?" Emily asked. Hotch shook his head. "He said he was sleeping," Hotch answered. "Is there anything else?" Morgan asked noticing that something stood out to the Unit Chief. "He was more concerned about the fact that JJ was kidnapped with Reid more than anything else," Hotch stated. All the profilers frowned. "Why?" Morgan asked. Emily and Hotch both didn't know, however Rossi had an inkling, but he wasn't sure if he should say it just yet. "Could be anything. Maybe he and Reid had a private discussion about JJ or had a falling out?" Emily suggested. "Good point, or maybe he was more worried about Reid's ability to protect JJ," Hotch also added. "What do you think Rossi?" Morgan asked. Rossi stared at the letter for a brief second before looking at them. "Maybe Will's jealous. Am I the only one who noticed that JJ and Reid are exceptionally close? Not like you and Garcia, but a more personal type of close. JJ and Reid's friendship runs deeper than they let on. They may not know it, but it shows," Rossi said raising an eyebrow. "Are you saying that they may have feelings for each other?" Prentiss accused with a half-smile. "No, just saying that they have a bond that doesn't exactly allow outside parties in," Rossi said. "You know, that could be why they decided to frame JJ," Hotch said. "Wait, I'm not following this new connection," Morgan stated looking between Hotch and Rossi.
"JJ was taken, not killed like Dr. Phillips. I think she was their leverage to do whatever they want to do to Reid. You know he won't let them hurt her as long as he's conscious. He's going to throw himself into their fantasies as long as they don't hurt her," Rossi explained and Morgan nodded in understanding. "Then why didn't they just take Alex. I mean, Reid told the girl he loved her," Prentiss said. "True, but he's known JJ longer. Better target and more of a psychological abuse," Hotch said answering Prentiss's question. "We have all these additions, but Reid can't be figured out. Why is he the hardest piece of this puzzle?" Morgan asked. "Reid's complex, and the one person who understands him better than the rest of us was kidnapped along with him. Well played," Rossi said. The profilers sighed and got back to work.
The door has opened and Dale walked into the room with a newfound pep in his step. "Your team has called off the search," Dale said softly. Spencer glowered at him. "Hey, don't be mad at me that your team could care less about you," Dale said holding his hands up in surrender. "I don't believe you. Even if they didn't care about me, they still cared about JJ and they wouldn't have stopped so easily," Spencer argued. "Now, now, my friend and I played a little trick on your team. JJ has written a beautiful goodbye note. Kind of like how your father did when he decided to leave you. Maybe using Gideon as an example would be better," Dale said looking contemplative. Dale could see the hurt in Spencer's eyes from the suggestion. "If you don't believe me, though, that's your problem. I was only trying to give you a heads up. Anyways, night time is falling. I have a very fun game for you. Would you like to know what it is?" Dale asked leaning against the wall in a bored manner.
"Why are you doing this?" Spencer asked, he wasn't feeling up to any of Dale's games. More so he was tired, still out of breath and feeling the effects of his injuries- old and new.
"You'll find out as you spend your time here. For now, I want you to try and figure it out. Anyways, about my game. It's called Bones. Do you know why?" Dale asked.
"Why did you take JJ if this was about me?" Spencer asked. He could see that Dale was starting to get annoyed.
"You ask too many questions," Dale sneered.
"You're asking me to ask questions. I don't care about your game," Spencer said feeling rather annoyed as well. He felt this man was just being pointless. He gave no indication as to why he was doing any of this.
"The object of the game is to break a bone every night. By the time you die, your entire body will be on fire. I mean that literally. I may just set you on fire as a final method of death," Dale laughed humorlessly. "Anyways, I'm going to start small. Stand up," Dale ordered.
Spencer weighed his options. If he doesn't stand then he is most likely able to sustain more injuries than what Dale has planned. If he does stand, one of his bones will be broke. Dale didn't even tell him which one. Spencer slowly stood. Dale smiled widely at the boy's obedience.
"Close you eyes," Dale instructed as Reid was standing.
Spencer did so. He would've closed his eyes either way.
In one second, Reid's head snapped back and he lost his balance, however he didn't fall. Reid opened his eyes in shock as he felt the blood pouring from his nose. Dale seemed unsatisfied. He was sure the punch would have the boy flying, but it only made him take a couple steps back in shock.
Bruised and bloody Reid's hands flew up to his nose. He could tell it was broken, but not majorly so. Dale was pacing the floor. Spencer took Dale's distracted moment to set the bone back in place. He almost cried out, but didn't want to get Dale's attention. Dale was getting angrier and Spencer could tell that his reaction wasn't what Dale was hoping for. Spencer decided to sit back down. He wouldn't do so in the chair. He had a feeling that would be for future torture use anyways and he wasn't about to get Dale's mind started. As he sat down, he took off one of his socks. As much as he hated the idea, he needed to stop the blood flow. His face ached, his head ached, his chest was tight, his back was on fire, and his hip most certainly felt like it would fall off any moment now.
"Okay, you had your fun. Let's call this a night for the young genius. If you give him time to heal, the more pain you can inflict on him later," That distorted voice said. It was starting to creep Spencer out. It was like that female was watching them. Well, it sounded like a female.
Dale smiled wickedly and pulled Spencer up. "Time to go back to your room," Dale smiled.
JJ was bored and tired. She at least tried to think of a way out of the little basement, but none of them would work. Suddenly the door opened and Spencer was shoved in. JJ jumped up to aid him, but stopped when she saw the bloody face and bruises that seemed to travel under both eyes.
"Oh Gosh, Spence!" JJ said stepping closer to him. She could see the blood filled sock still at his nose and he looked worse for the wear. "What did he do to you?" JJ said. Spencer didn't feel like talking just yet. He was focused on aiding some of his injuries. He merely shook his head and nodded towards the bathroom. JJ stepped out of his way and aided him on his walk to the bathroom, gently placing a hand on his back. Much to her surprise he sidestepped out of her comfort. JJ looked at him in shock and hurt. 'What did I do wrong?' She wondered as Spencer went back to walking to the bathroom.
She heard him turn on the water and felt angry. She walked to the front door and started hitting it.
"Hey! Can we at least get some tissues or first aid?!" She yelled. She was shocked when Dale bombarded into the room, nearly knocking to the ground. Spencer came out to see what was going on.
"Ask and you shall receive," Dale sneered. "I did ask," JJ said indignantly. Dale looked ready to smack her, but Spencer's voice stopped him.
"Would it be too much trouble for some first aid? Maybe even tissues?" Spencer asked in the right tone of voice that made Dale smile.
"Of course," Dale said as he walked out of the room. Little did Dale know, that he just served Spencer's request.
"JJ, you need to be careful. He's unstable and he wants to be the dominant one. He isn't though. That voice lady or something is. That means he's going to lash out angrier than you realize," Spencer said. JJ nodded in shock.
Dale then reentered the room. He threw the first aid kit at JJ and a box of tissues towards Reid. Then he was gone. JJ got up and ran towards Reid. Reid decide to take use of the tissues as he started to notice the blood was lessening.
After a good fifteen minutes, the blood has finally stopped flowing and Spencer eagerly threw the tissues in the trash and washed his face and hands.
"Spence, what happened? Why did you run away from me?" JJ asked. Spencer turned to face her pleading eyes. "I wasn't exactly running away from you as to running away from the pain when you touched me," Spencer admitted. "Pain? What pain?" JJ asked. "Don't worry about it. I have everything under control," Spencer said shrugging it off. "Spencer you got all cranky because I shrugged off my injuries. I will be pissed if you do the same," JJ said placing a hand on her hip. "What happened," JJ said in her most motherly demanding voice.
"JJ-" Spencer started to whine. "I will rip those clothes off of you in a split second if you don't start talking," JJ said raising an eyebrow. Spencer stared at JJ rather horrified. "Spence- we need to make a deal," JJ finally said before she ended up scaring the young profiler. "What kind of deal?" He asked quietly. "To help each other no matter what. I mean we had that deal out in the field, but in here we are only fighting with each other over some independence. It could've been worse. We could've been separated and had to deal with the torture alone," JJ said. She imagined that and realized she would be panicking and sitting in a corner if Spencer's knowing calmness wasn't around to make her feel more in control. Spencer would've preferred the lonely torture if it meant she was free. He still didn't like the idea of her suffering because of him. "JJ, I feel as if it's all my fault," Spencer decided to say. "What?" JJ asked. "I mean, with Tobias I made the stupid mistake of splitting up. You got attacked by dogs because of it. Now you've just been beaten, because some dude with issues decides to hate me for whatever reason. I seem to cause trouble for other people around me. I think I deserve what's been happening to me," Spencer admitted. JJ was at a loss for words. She still felt guilty about Tobias and wondered if Spencer knew. "Spence, I always felt responsible for what Tobias did. Believe it or not, we were supposed to be watching you. I was the only one that failed. You were still a rookie and well.. I guess I..."
"No, no more JJ," Spencer interrupted. He knew where she was going with it and decided that both of them crying over the past wasn't going to help anyone. "I think you're right. We are best friends and we've known each other for five years. I trust you and I hope you trust me too," Spencer said. JJ nodded. "I do, Spence," JJ said. "Okay, then I'll make that deal with you," Spencer said. "Same here," JJ smiled. She liked how Spencer just balanced the emotions and found a medium for them.
"So, you want to tell me what happened?" JJ asked and Spencer smirked. "Not really, but I'll tell you," He said softly. JJ nodded in her encouragement. " He didn't' do much. Just a bit of a beating and then he escalated to whipping. JJ gasped in horror. "Yeah my back hurts like hell, but lastly the he made a game. Every night he will break a bone. Today it was my nose. I was lucky I was able to set it back in place," Spencer shrugged. JJ stared at him in disbelief. "I'm sorry Spence. I should've taken him when he chose me!" JJ said sadly. Spencer stared at her as if she'd grown another head. "JJ, I would do it again if I had a choice. This would've been you and Will would kill me if I let anything happen to you," Spencer chuckled slightly. JJ smiled slightly and frowned. "I wouldn't let him Mr. I-will-make-my-disposal-of-you-seem-entirely-accid ental-and-legal," JJ laughed as they started walking back to the bed. "Hey, that would be hypocritical of me if I couldn't follow some of the rules I set for him," Spencer winced and he sat on the bed. JJ sat next to him. "True, but I think you scared him. He hasn't asked to me to marry him yet," JJ sighed resting her head on her knees. "Do you want to marry him?" Spencer asked. "Do you want to marry Alex?" JJ asked raising an eyebrow. "
Touché," Spencer nodded in agreement. JJ smiled slightly at the thought, but frowned. "I don't know if I truly want to be with Will for the rest of my life, though. I mean yes he's Henry's father, but there's something about us that isn't working. I think I'm probably being paranoid or something, but" "There's a possibility that nothing will go right?" Spencer said completing her sentence. "Exactly and it's scary. I keep thinking that he'll cheat on me when I'm out on a case or just walk out because I'm not home enough. It's all possible," JJ sighed. "Not to mention Divorce means we might have a custody battle over Henry. I can't risk Henry like that," JJ pointed out. "Even if Will tried, he would most likely lose the custody battle. The statistics are in your favor," Spencer said. "No numbers?" JJ asked raising an eyebrow. "I know the numbers. I think you don't need to hear them," Spencer said with a slight nod. JJ smiled and sighed once more. "Do you think the team will find us soon?" JJ asked. "I'm sure they'll find you," Spencer said hoping Dale wasn't right. He refused to tell her what Dale told him. For a first time being kidnapped, those are the last words you may want to hear. "Us, Spence" JJ said. "Yes, they'll find...us," Spencer said softly.
JJ yawned on closed her eyes before opening them again. "Does your head still hurt?" Spencer asked as he gently took off the makeshift bandage from around her head. "Sort of, but not unbearingly so," JJ said. "I should've done this earlier, but with the newly given resources, I'm properly going to clean your wound and bandage it," Spencer said getting out of the bed. "Wait, Spence. Let me help you," JJ said with worry. "Gee, JJ, you're starting to get as bad as Morgan," Spencer teased slightly. JJ smiled and stayed by Spencer's side to help when needed.
After he finished bandaging her up JJ then thought of Reid's back. "Spence, what about your back?" JJ asked. "I don't think Dale hit hard enough to cause much damage. Maybe a couple are bad, but not all of them," Spencer admitted. "Let me see," JJ ordered. Spencer blushed slightly in mere embarrassment. "No! I'm not taking my shirt off for you," Spencer said with a pouty frown. JJ couldn't help laughing at him. He looked like an angry Henry who dropped his bottle when hungry. "Spence, I've undressed you before. I have a son. I've seen Will naked. What is the problem?" JJ asked.
"Okay, I had a fever and didn't know until it was too late. I'm not your son, and you telling me that you've seen Will naked has brought horrible images to my mind. Not to mention the fact that he's the father of your baby. I'm Spencer Reid. The kid who'd prefer to keep his clothes on around his friends," Spencer ranted quickly. JJ gawked at him for a second before closing her eyes in attempt to be patient. "Spence. I have to make sure that nothing is deep enough so you won't get an infection," JJ said softly. She was hoping Spencer would see beyond the fact that she was JJ. Spencer looked around in deep consideration. JJ hoped he would make the smart move and let her see. It's better than risking his death over an infection if they are worse than he's letting on. "Fine," Spencer mumbled as he started unbuttoning his cardigan. JJ was shocked to see that his actual shirt was button less. It wasn't that way when he first changed into the shirt.
"Turn around," she ordered as she opened the first aid kit. When Spencer did so, she held in her gasp. His back had at least a hundred welts, but only a couple were slightly bleeding. "They shouldn't scar," JJ said hopefully. She couldn't believe Spencer dealt with the pain with an air of calmness. Then again, she knew Spencer was used to pain. Too many years of being abused could do that to someone. She grabbed a piece of cloth from the first aid kit and ran water over it. She gently began dabbing his back. She noticed how his muscles tensed at the pain, but he didn't say anything. She knew he didn't because he didn't want to make her feel bad.
She then began to add a disinfectant cream that should help him through the night. Lastly, she wasn't sure if she should, but she wrapped a gauze around him making sure to cover his back. When she was finally finished, Spencer put his shirt and cardigan back on. JJ washed her hands. "Thanks," Spencer said and JJ smiled up at him. "It was no problem. Not next time, don't be so self-conscious," JJ teased as they finally walked back to the bed. "Um, I can sleep on the floor," JJ said softly blushing. "Actually, I will. I can't exactly lay on my back or stomach, so I'm sleeping while sitting up. Hopefully my back won't touch the back of the chair. The bed is all yours," Spencer smiled. "But you need the oxygen," JJ argued. "JJ it's portable. I know what I'm doing, now go to sleep. We need our energy. Heaven knows what's going to happen tomorrow," Spencer sighed.
JJ nodded and climbed into the bed. Reid pushed the oxygen to the chair and sat there. He put on the mask and began to relish the sweet pure oxygen. He fell asleep and somehow was able to ignore the pain as his back rested against the cushion.
A/N: SO a sweet little moment between JJ and Reid. It seems to me that time is running out! You know Strauss thinks she's right... It's basically impossible for her to step down! More chapters later! Feel free to R&R lol