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Chapter 30
'To be successful, you must decide exactly what you want to accomplish, then resolve to pay the price to get it.' Bunker Hunt
When Reid walked into the room Mavis looked up at him sharply. "Don't even bother" he said darkly "I'm not going to talk to your friend and I am not going to talk to you."
"Yes you are" Reid said quietly standing in front of Mavis who faltered clearly not expecting that from the skinny young man in front of him.
"What makes you so sure" he managed after a moment.
Reid moved forward a few feet and everyone could see that his eyes were dead; he didn't care what happened. He was going to do whatever it took to get Livie back.
"You are going to tell me" Reid said "or I will make your life hell. I'm not like the others. I have different motivations and believe me when I say I am not going to give up until you tell me what I want to know."
Mavis stared at him in confusion "who are you" he asked incredulously.
Reid looked up at him and tilted his head slightly as though evaluating him.
"Remember the agent that your friends took" he asked in the most dangerous voice they had ever heard from him "the girl with the brown hair and brown eyes… she's my girlfriend… and I swear to you… I am not going to stop until she is safe in my arms…"
Mavis stared at him obviously evaluating how truthful he was being before he looked towards the observation mirror. "Hey I don't want to talk to him" he yelled "get him out of here."
"They aren't listening" Reid said and then he nodded to the cameras "they aren't recording either see."
Mavis' eyes widened "you can't do that" he defended "I don't care" Reid said simply not moving from where he was standing with his arms hanging by his side, fists clenched. "That's a violation of my rights" Mavis tried clearly on edge.
"As far as I am concerned you have no rights" Reid snapped "I don't care what happens to me so long as she comes back safe. So you had better start talking."
"Screw you" Mavis growled slamming his cuffed hands on the table. "It's not me I'm worried about being screwed" Reid snarled leaning over the table.
Hotch looked at Morgan and jerked his head to him. Morgan quickly entered the room. "Reid" he said "you have to take it easy" he caught hold of Reid's shoulder and gently pulled him back away from the table. Reid turned to look at him and Morgan gave him a pointed look "you have to take it easy otherwise you'll get thrown out."
Reid looked back at Mavis who was watching them both warily. Then he slowly nodded and Morgan backed away watching them as Reid looked back at Mavis.
"You asked earlier what makes us different to every other cop." He said suddenly and Morgan looked up interested wondering where Reid was going with this as he slowly sat down.
"What makes us different is that we do actually care what happens to people. In our job we see a lot of bad things. And our job is to understand why people do these things. Why people feel the need to hurt other people. So we know about you and what happened to you as a kid. That enables us to understand whereas other cops don't."
"You know nothing about me" Mavis said.
"I know everything" Reid said "I read your file and I have and eidetic memory… it means I remember everything… and I also remember every case. It is horrible. Remembering all those people that we couldn't save… even the amount of people we do save cannot balance it out."
He looked over at Mavis. Then "I know your life has been hell from the beginning. How your mom died when you were three and you were sent to live with your aunt. She beat you so much that you were in the hospital at least once a month. I know that went on until you were seven and you were sent into foster care and you spent the next three years being bounced from family to family until you ended up with one. They had adopted another little boy hadn't they? Now those adoption records are sealed and our analysis is still working to unseal them so we don't know much about your adoptive brother.
But we do know that he was kind to you at first. He made you feel welcome and you couldn't believe how lucky you felt to have been accepted by him after all those times you had been pushed aside by all the other kids in the homes. You loved how he treated him like a brother.
Yet you always knew something was wrong with him. When he talked to women… he seemed… off… he would smile at them in this way that… frightened you… and when he talked about women, he talked about them in a way that wasn't right but you didn't dare question him. You didn't want to lose the only brother you had ever had.
And when he started hurting women you still did nothing to stop him. He talked to you, told you that women were nothing more than play toys for men to use as they pleased. Part of you disagreed… but you didn't dare argue with him. Then he began to take it too far and before you knew it he and his friends had started hurting people. And then he hurt Clara. You loved her didn't you? You hated how your brother treated her… that's why you helped her escape isn't it… you wanted to help her escape from that life because you knew how your brother could be."
He stopped and looked at Mavis who was staring at his clenched fists trying to stop them shaking. . In the background unnoticed by the two seated at the table Morgan slowly slipped out and headed back into the interrogation room where he found that Hotch had been joined by JJ, Emily and Rossi who all looked up at him as he entered before returning their gaze to the screen as Reid continued to talk gently now, trying to get through to Mavis:
"I know that there is good in you and that you don't like seeing all these girls get hurt" he practically pleaded.
Mavis looked up him "I never hurt any of those girls" he said almost desperately.
"I believe you" Reid said "but you aren't helping those girls now… you're hurting them, you're killing them and you have the chance to save them."
"I can't" Mavis said angrily "You have no idea what it is like… he controls me… I owe him everything."
As Reid stared at him he found himself remembering the very first case that Livie had joined them working on. He remembered how she had gone into the interrogation room hell bent on bringing Sophie home alive just as he was desperate to bring her home now. He remembered some of the things Livie had said to the unsub trying to get him to help them and he found himself echoing her words.
"Just because he took care of you when you were a child, it doesn't mean you owe him your life" he said "you have a life and it is your life to live, why should you waste it doing something you don't want to do".
Mavis stared at him uncertainly obviously uncertain and torn between wanting to follow Reid's advice and between being afraid of his adoptive brother.
Reid sighed and ducked his head before he closed his eyes. He found himself picturing Livie a few months ago at the Hamptons dancing in the sea laughing delightedly like a child.
"You know" he said quietly "the problem with having an eidetic memory is that sometimes you remember things that you don't want to remember; no matter what I do I will never be able to get some of the images I have seen this week out of my mind; like I will never be able to get the sight of Livie being hurt out of my mind. I know that it will never go away. I know it will haunt my dreams for the rest of my life. And the sight of her being hurt just to taunt me and my team… it kills me… I have no idea how I am going to move on from the knowledge that she was hurt because of me…"
In the interrogation room everyone shifted uncomfortably. They all felt the same way as Reid; that Livie had been hurt because of them but it was clear that it was hurting Reid a lot more than it was hurting them.
"Please" Reid whispered "if there is any feelings inside of you… please… help me… I can't lose her. She is the only one who understands me… the only one who I feel comfortable around, who I feel safe around… she is just the only one… if I lose her I'll never find anyone else who makes me as happy as she does." He broke off looking away to hide the fact that he was struggling to hold back tears.
"Imagine Clara" he suddenly added looking back round at Mavis "you love her… imagine her there in your arms… imagine the scent of her hair when she leans against your chest. Imagine the sight of her smile when she sees you… imagine the sound of her laugh… that beautiful musical sound that creates a warmth inside of you"
He paused looking at Mavis who was staring at him whilst his hands shook.
"Now imagine her gone" he said bluntly.
He got the reaction he was hoping for from Mavis because he flinched violently and exhaled sharply so he pressed on. "Imagine her gone. Imagine that empty feeling inside of you. A void that can't be filled."
Mavis stared straight ahead refusing to look at him whilst Reid stared at him praying that he was beginning to get through to him. "Please" he whispered "don't make me feel that for the rest of my life."
"I can't help" Mavis said "they'll kill me."
"No" Reid said frantically "we can protect you. If you tell us everything that happened I am sure we can persuade the jury to be lenient on you. You say you didn't hurt any of the girls… if that is true then you will probably end up in a minimum security prison for fifteen years compared to life in maximum security. Think Kieran. If you aren't concerned about saving the lives of Livie and all those other girls who are going to be murdered then think about yourself. Think hard about this Kieran…"
Mavis stared at him with trembling hands. For a very long time nobody spoke. Even on the other side of the mirror everyone held their breath praying that Reid had managed to get through to him.
Eventually Mavis sighed and looked up at Reid. "There's a warehouse" he said "abandoned off Highway 34… they renovated it to be exactly what they needed… added pens and chains… it's everything they need."
"Thank you" Reid whispered as he rose to his feet. "Wait" Mavis said catching hold of his arm "take me with you…"
"We can't" Reid said desperately wanting to be already on his way to saving Livie.
"You have to" Mavis said "the warehouse is hard to find and hidden by trees… if you want to save your girl and the others then you need me to take you there… all I ask for is a signed promise that I will get that fifteen year deal you were talking about."
Reid stared at him sceptically but looked up as the door opened and Hotch walked in. "Who are you" Mavis demanded.
"The one you want to be nice to if you want your deal" Hotch said bluntly "Now we don't have the time to sort things out but I can write down a signed promise that as long as we catch the others and find our agent alive then you will be given the deal."
"What if your agent is already dead" Mavis protested "then the deal doesn't stand" Hotch said bluntly "take it or leave it; it's the only offer you are going to get."
Mavis contemplated for a minute before he nodded "deal" he said.
Hotch nodded approvingly before he reached for a pad and pen and quickly but carefully wrote out a deal. Reid remained silent knowing that Hotch was going to have a fun time trying to convince a judge to go off on this deal.
"Now you are going to take us to that warehouse. If you try anything…then the deal is off" Hotch said as he signed it and then shoved it towards Mavis to sign. Mavis nodded so Hotch called Morgan in to ready him for travel whilst he and Reid headed for the conference room where they found the others all kitting up, strapping on their vests and reaching for extra ammunition.
Reid copied them but found his fingers were shaking so bad he could barely do up his vest. JJ saw and came over to help "breathe" she whispered "it is nearly over."
Reid nodded "we have to hurry though" he said "before they kill another."
JJ ducked her head as she double checked her gun and reached for an earpiece to slip into her ear. "JJ" Hotch said softy and she looked up at him. "Keep an eye on him" he said nodding towards Reid and they both looked over at him to see the dead look in his eye, and they both knew he wasn't going to stop for anything to get Livie back safe. "Don't let him get himself killed" Hotch added and JJ gave him a tiny smile "that might be harder than it looks" she whispered and Hotch nodded very slowly.
As they headed back to their cars with Mavis handcuffed between them Hotch reached out and caught hold of Reid's arm. Reid looked at him very slowly. "Don't you dare try and do something reckless" he warned "you cannot get yourself killed. Livie wouldn't want that."
"I don't think Livie wants to be held captive and assaulted either" Reid said sharply "I'm not going to hold back whilst she is in danger Hotch... I will do whatever it takes to get her back safe."
"Yes but I don't think Livie would like the guilt of knowing you get yourself hurt trying to save her" Hotch said "she has been through a lot these past few days and she is going to need you to be there for her to help her get through this do you hear me."
Reid opened his mouth to object before he realised that his boss was right and slowly closed his mouth and nodded. "Good" Hotch said before he looked at him "You know we are going to do whatever it takes to get her back too right" he said "we all love Livie and we will all fight for her until she is safe."
Reid nodded "Thanks Hotch." he whispered.
As he climbed into the car that Mavis was sitting in he sent out what he hoped was going to be the last silent plea.
'Hang in there Livie" he pleaded 'I am on my way just a little longer... please hang in there just a little longer and I promise you I will find you. Everything is going to be alright.'
And with that the convoy of cars set off heading to rescue their troubled agent.
XO
Livie was sitting in the first room they had taken to her struggling to remain calm. She had hated being forced to beg for her team to come save her. She hated appearing weak in front of them. But in truth she was terrified. These people had hurt her bad and she was struggling not to flashback to when she had been thirteen and in a basement prison that this room reminded her of. There was that same stench in the air that she knew would cling to her for weeks no matter how hard she washed and those same terrifying shadows that almost moved when she wasn't directly looking at them. It all terrified her and she wanted nothing more than to be home safe. With Spence.
Only a part of her wasn't surprised that she missed Spence more than anyone else. She was more worried about him right now than she was her family. Her mom and dad had been through her being abducted before. They would know how to cope. Spence wouldn't. She was worried about him being hurt and was desperate to see him and comfort him again.
She brought her knees up to her chest and rested her forehead against them, closing her eyes as she struggled to keep her breathing calm. She found herself remembering the night before they had come here when she had moved into Reid's apartment. She remembered being all playful with him, teasing him on the bed by wearing one of his shirts which she could tell he had liked.
Part of her wished he had never answered the phone that evening and the other part of her wished that she hadn't accepted this assignment. She wished that everything was different and that they were all happy and safe.
She heard someone coming in and she looked up fearfully as both the unsub who called himself Joe and Cody came in to the room and stood over her smirking. "How are we feeling my love" Joe asked but Livie dropped her head refusing to answer. She just wrapped her arms around herself trying to stay warm.
Whistling Joe came over and grabbed her hair yanking her head back making her cry out in pain. "Get off of me" she gasped struggling to get away. "Aw come now my love we just want to have some fun" Cody taunted a he came forward to join Joe but Livie struck out at him and her fist collided with his jaw and he swore at her in fury before he punched her in the stomach and Livie yelped again before she curled inwards around her stomach.
"Someone still hasn't learnt the rules" Joe commented wrapping his arm around Livie's neck making her choke. "I am sure we will break her soon" Cody said slyly coming in closer.
Livie whimpered kicking to get away but she was held firmly in place as she felt his hands slide slowly up her leg towards the buttons of her jeans. Livie scrabbled frantically clawing at the arm around her neck before she struck out at Cody again. He dodged but groaned loudly "I think she could do with being restrained if we are going to have some fun" he commented as he rose to his feet and moved over to a cupboard and pulled out a length of rope before he moved back over to Livie displaying the rope tauntingly in front of him.
Joe Mandaville tried to roll Livie over onto her back and pull her arms behind her back but Livie fought angrily. That was when Mandaville lost his patience and he lifted her up and flung her against the wall. Livie's head collided with the stone and she fell to the floor struggling to remain conscious as the world spun.
She felt her arms being yanked behind her back and then the ropes were being wrapped tightly around and she whimpered stirring. She looked over to see both Cody and Joe bending over her laughing at her. Squeezing her eyes shut to stop the tears Livie took a deep breath and prayed for everything to end…
'Hope is the expectation that something outside of ourselves, something or someone external, is going to come to our rescue and we will live happily ever after' Dr Robert Anthony
Thank you all for reading and I hope you enjoyed it.
Next up: the rescue. Will Livie and the other hostages survive? Or will the team lose one member?
I'll try and update as soon as possible but I love hearing what you think and reviews really help me find the inspiration and motivation to write so please review.
Thanks
Mysticgirl