A/N: Wow thanks everyone for being so awesome. I just realized thanks to PercyJfan1802 that I left off on a cliffhanger...it wasn't intentional but yeah I'm not sorry for it either. Anyhow Enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds.
Warning: Rated for the mention of drugs, language, and torture.
Chapter fourteen: Family
"Family means no one gets left behind or forgotten."
-David Ogden Stiers
Snow started to fall lightly onto the ground. Prentiss took a deep breath. The change in temperature made the world seem peaceful. Despite the fact that her friends, her family, was in danger nothing compared to the calmness of today.
Bates walked out with Reid slumped over his shoulder. He smiled when he noticed the snow fall. In minutes his head was covered in flakes. Perfect, he snickered. This would definitely hide any tracks or any mistakes made, if any. He took a deep breath and made his way far from the cabin. He walked for about ten minutes and then laid the limp body down on the hard cold ground. He began to dig a ditch to bury the dead agent.
Rossi pointed to the small cabin. Prentiss drew her gun out as Rossi knocked on the door. When no one answered Prentiss nodded and watched as he knocked it down. He signaled that is was safe at the moment. They heard each other calling 'clear' low but loud enough to hear from various places. When they finally gathered in the living room they hushed. They heard whimpering from an unlocked room they clearly forgot to check.
Rossi pushed it open wider and cautiously made his way down. Prentiss right behind her eyes grew wide in terror. Her friend was lying on the ground bleeding practically to death, skin torn, and bruises everywhere. She immediately ran to his side and tossed her gun to the side.
"Morgan what happened?" She asked.
"Reid...hurt...dead..." Morgan responded hoarsely with incoherent words.
"Where?" Rossi questioned.
"Out..." was all he managed before he blacked out.
Rossi grabbed his phone.
"Damn it!" He cursed under his breath.
Prentiss still heard him though.
"What?" she asked worriedly while holding Morgan in her arms.
"One bar of signal...Let's hope it's enough," he sighed.
He pressed call. The phone was answered on the second ring.
"Hotchner," came the gruffy tired voice.
"Hotch we found Morgan...Reid, however, might be dead. We need paramedics now!"
"Got it we're on our way," Hotch said as the call ended.
Hotch arrived and at the sight of one of his strongest members he paled. What the hell did they go through?
He snapped to his senses as the medics wheeled Morgan away on a stretcher. Hotch turned to Rossi and as soon as their eyes locked they knew they had to look for Reid next. They walked out from the back and found the footsteps imprinted on the snow covered ground.
"If we don't hurry the tracks will disappear," Hotch said.
"We also need to hurry before the snow becomes heavy making the trek dangerous," Rossi replied in agreement.
They got a small gathering of people who were willing to join them.
"We want to come," JJ interrupted quietly.
The blond liaison looked sick and exhausted. Rossi shook his head.
"What if he wakes up?" he questioned.
"He'll understand," she added quickly.
Both men noticed the slight sniffle that escaped her. They knew Reid was like a brother to her and after losing her biological sister due to suicide they couldn't blame her for caring about the people she now considers family.
Hotch sighed. He was about to say something but Prentiss cut in.
"They'll find him...Morgan needs us now," she said softly.
The blond liaison shifted her sad gaze to her friend.
"You better find him. What will...w-what will I tell Henry if he doesn't come back?" she choked.
"We promise we'll bring him back," Hotch nodded.
Rossi smiled sadly and gave her a hug for reassurance.
Hotch and Rossi looked one last time behind them before focusing on their valued team member that now depended solely on them.