"Morgan, calm down." Hotch was following an irate Morgan out of the hospital. Since being unceremoniously evicted from Reid's hospital room, Morgan had slammed three doors, sworn multiple times, thrown a stack of paper cups across the hallway and stormed his way out of the hospital, jaw and fists clenched. As Morgan headed through the entrance doors of the hospital and out into the warm morning air, Hotch finally caught up with him. "Morgan-" He rounded on Hotch.
"What the hell does he think he's doing, Hotch?! He knows he needs support. We've been here before for god's sake! Why does he always have to do this?!"
"Morgan, you need to take a breath." Hotch said calmly but strongly.
"Fuck taking a breath, Hotch! I'm pissed! Him and his god damn pride!" Morgan slammed his hand against the brick wall of the hospital.
"I don't think this is a matter of pride, Morgan." Hotch said, his brows furrowed. "In fact, I think it's the opposite."
Morgan finally took a breath meeting Hotch's gaze with angry, watering eyes. "What the hell do you mean? Why else would he kick us out like that? He's always been the same, keeping shit to himself!"
"I don't think he has any pride left. I'd go so far as to say as to say he thinks he deserves it."
"Deserves it? How the fuck can anyone deserve that?!" Morgan's eyes were wild with fury and his breathing was fast paced. Hotch grabbed his shoulders.
"Derek. You need to calm down. You're going to start hyperventilating if you're not careful."
"Hotch, I just can't stand it." Morgan's breath hitched as an image of Reid on his knees surrounded by the three large men slammed into his mind.
"Relax your throat and breathe."
Tears were streaming down Reid's face as the large man in front of him pushed firmly on the back of his head. He gagged and sobbed painfully, desperately trying to escape the grasp of all the hands that were on him holding him down on his knees.
Sick laughter rang out all around him.
The man let go of his head and hit him hard across the face, knocking him to the floor. Morgan tried to call out to him but no sound came out. Reid cried as the three men were on him, kicking and punching him over and over. Reid curled inwards to protect himself.
"Please, help me! It hurts, Morgan!"
"Get up, pretty boy." The largest man grabbed him by the hair and threw him onto the bed on his front. His legs dangling off the side. Reid was sobbing, calling Morgan's name. He tried to reach him but it was like his feet were stuck in concrete. He couldn't move.
The man was now on Reid's back, pushing his head forcefully into the mattress. His hand reaching down to invasively abuse his friend.
"You like this, don't you? Your friend likes to watch too." The man bit Reid's ear and Reid once again shouted for Morgan's help. "You're nothing but a fuck toy. Look at you."
Distantly, Morgan could feel pressure on his shoulder squeezing.
"Morgan! Make it stop! Please make it stop!" Reid was thrashing around on the bed and the other two men were on him again, raining punches down all over his back and head.
"Morgan!"
Reid's face turned to Morgan, it was covered in blood. His eyes desperate and broken.
"Morgan! Come back."
"Why aren't you helping me?" His broken voice whispered as the man on top on him brought down a violent hit to his head that was sure to render him unconscious.
"NO!" Morgan shouted and suddenly he was back in the present, panting, shaking and crying. He felt a hard surface against his back and ran his hand along it. It was a brick wall.
"Derek, you're safe. Reid's safe... Open your eyes." The firm hand was still on his shoulder. Breathing heavily, Morgan opened his eyes to the brightness surrounding him. He found Hotch kneeling in front of him, a deep scowl marring his features.
Morgan panted, staring at his boss, his mind clearly still replaying what he had just seen.
"Take some deep breaths." Hotch spoke gently. He had never seen Morgan like this before. He was used to the anger, the frustration, even desperation. But the pure helplessness and guilt on his face was heartbreaking. And scary, if he was to be completely honest. Suddenly Morgan's eyes flooded with pain and he broke down into sobs, completely oblivious to the curious stares of passers by entering and leaving the hospital.
"I couldn't help him, Hotch." He moaned through the sobs. "I couldn't stop it."
Hotch felt tears sting his eyes. He put both hands on Morgan's shoulders and pulled him closer, not quite into a hug but allowing Morgan's forehead to rest against his shoulder. It reminded him of when Reid had broken down in the hospital after their conversation about Foyet.
"Oh god, I could hear everything. He called out for me to help over and over and I never did."
Hotch now rubbed his back soothingly.
"You couldn't, Morgan. You couldn't." He spoke the words but knew they would be of no help.
Hotch could empathise with how Morgan was feeling. The thought of watching those men brutalise Reid in front of him, then to hear everything that happened in that room: all that was said, all that was done. To know Reid was crying out for help and being unable to do anything to stop it. It went against everything they are trained for. They are supposed to help, they are used to helping. It took him back to his last phone call with Haley; Speaking to her, them both knowing what was coming and him, completely powerless to stop it. The only saving grace in that scenario was that he wasn't made to watch. If he had been, he was sure his mind would have broken. Every night his mind replayed that last conversation and concocted some imaginary scenario where he had watched her die in a variety of horrific ways. It had been soul destroying. To say he understood Morgan's pain was an understatement.
"You need to take some deep breaths." Hotch said firmly. "Breathe with me, in through the nose and out through the mouth." It said a lot about the direness of the situation that each BAU team member was now highly proficient in dealing with flashbacks and panic attacks. It was a skill they were familiar with previously but in recent months they had been given no choice but to hone it.
Morgan nodded against his shoulder. Hotch took him through the breathing exercise. It helped him too. They stayed, Morgan on the floor leaning against the wall and Hotch kneeling in front of him, for a good five minutes as they worked on getting Morgan's breathing back to a reasonable rate. Tremors had set in and Hotch could feel them vibrating through his body on every breath out.
Finally, Morgan lifted his head and Hotch moved back to allow him room.
"Thank you." Morgan said, giving one final breath out.
"Are you alright?" He still had a hand on his friend's shoulder. Morgan nodded and rubbed his face with his hands trying to dry away the tear tracks. "Can you stand?"
"Yeah.. yeah, man." Morgan started moving to get himself up. Hotch extended a hand out to him and Morgan reluctantly took it, allowing his boss to assist him to his feet.
"Come on, let's take a minute." Hotch gestured over to a bench and Morgan followed him towards it. They both sat, staring back at the hospital. Morgan sighed. "I don't think this meeting with John is a good idea." Hotch said plainly. Morgan shook his head.
"No, man. I've gotta do it. I have to. Reid can't go through a trial, you know that."
"I know. I don't want that for him either. But Morgan, you just had a severe flashback. I struggled to bring you out of it. If that happens in the room with John, then we're in trouble. He will only make it worse for you and I have to consider the welfare of all my agents. Not just Reid."
"Hotch, I get that but-"
"It's not just you , Morgan. I need to be able to remain focused to deal with him. And if you're not stable then I can't be either." Morgan was starting to look defeated. "From what you've told us about him, the more he sees you suffer the more he is going to enjoy it. And the more he enjoys it the less likely he is to give us what we want so he can keep stringing us along. That's a risk we cannot take. I don't think Reid's mental health can take it."
Morgan dropped his head into his hands. He was truly stuck in a dilemma. He wanted more than anything to do this for Reid. But he couldn't guarantee that those flashbacks wouldn't come creeping in. He knew from his youth that he was prone to them after Buford. What had happened to Reid with Jason alone had triggered a more than uncomfortable 'anniversary'. Hotch was right, for Reid's sake he had to be sure that he could do this and keep his head in the present. Any sign of weakness would give John the upper hand. He was a textbook sadistic psychopath seeking schadenfreude. If he got it, he would no doubt want it again. It was the very thing that made him ask to see Reid in the first place. He had clearly hoped he could recreate the distress and fear he had enjoyed so much. Morgan supposed he had settled for him as a secondary target given that Reid was off limits. The man knew what he was doing, because of that, Morgan needed to as well.
"You're right." Morgan said dropping his head into his hands. "What the hell are we gonna do?"
Hotch rested his elbows on his knees and sat forward. "I don't know." He said, a slight helplessness in his tone. "I will speak with Strauss and the Director. See if he will settle for just seeing me, or perhaps Dave can come with me."
"He's not going to do that, Hotch. He wants to relive it."
"All I can do is try. If we can't send you in there, it doesn't leave us with many options. It's that or nothing. So I have to try."
Morgan huffed out a frustrated breath. "God, I'm so sorry. I'm letting him down again."
Hotch turned to his colleague, his gaze sympathetic. "No, Morgan, you're not. We all know you would do it if you could. This is too important to mess up. We get this wrong and we could make it worse for Reid. You're doing right by him."
Morgan nodded reluctantly. If that was the case, why did he feel like he was giving up on him? He rubbed his eyes.
"I just want to see him." He growled in frustration. "I don't want him to be alone."
"Give him some time. He will come round." Hotch said calmly. He wasn't sure if it was true, but it was all he could say to provide some semblance of comfort. He didn't want Reid on his own either. When Reid was on his own that's when his mind was at its most powerful and Hotch wasn't sure that Reid's mind was a trustworthy ally at that moment. "We will try again later. In the meantime, get some rest. You look exhausted."
Garcia and JJ entered the hospital, they both looked depressed and tired from tears, worry and lack of sleep. Once Reid had been moved into recovery they all went home to get some rest but rest never came for any of them. Instead their minds were replaying Morgan's words about what had happened. Each one of them knew that this could be the straw that might break the proverbial camel's back and the thought terrified them. As they both approached Reid's room, JJ grabbed Garcia's arm bringing her to a stop.
"Penelope, remember we need to stay calm when we go in there. He's already kicked out Morgan and Hotch. We need to not push him."
"Jayje, I will be calm. Right now, all I want to do is see him and even if we just sit in silence then at least I know he is here and he's still with us. I just need to see him."
JJ gave a tight lipped smile. She couldn't agree more. That's all any of them wanted after watching him lose consciousness and be urgently wheeled away for surgery.
"Okay."
They started heading towards his room when they were stopped by a nurse quickly rushing in front of them.
"Are you here to see Dr. Reid?" She asked quickly. JJ's mouth dropped open, they both suddenly got a really bad feeling. Had something happened to him? Surely not. Surely someone would have called?
"Yes, we are." Garcia answered in a shaky voice. "Is he okay?"
The nurse nodded. "He is fine, only he has requested no visitors. So I'm afraid I can't let you in."
JJ and Garcia exchanged a shocked look.
"What?" JJ gasped, her eyes flashing angrily.
"He cant do that." Garcia said, mostly to herself. "He needs us. He needs his friends."
"I'm sorry." The nurse said apologetically.
"Can you at least tell him that we're here and see if he wants to see us?" JJ hoped that when he heard it wasn't Hotch or Morgan then Reid's defences would come down a little. "JJ and Penelope." She confirmed.
The nurse nodded again. "I can do that." She backed away and knocked on Reid's door then entered, disappearing into the room that teasingly held their friend on the other side. So close, but yet so far. She emerged shortly after, a dejected look on her face.
"I'm sorry, but he doesn't want to see you. He is refusing all visitors." JJ and Garcia stared at her dumbstruck for a few moments unable to move. This was an unexpected turn of events.
"Can you at least tell us how he is?" JJ asked, regaining some composure.
"He is medically stable." They waited for her to say more, but she didn't.
"That's it? That's all you can say?" Garcia asked in shock. Tears were threatening to leave her eyes.
"I'm afraid so." The nurse really did look apologetic.
"How is he.. in himself? Please tell us. We're all so worried." Garcia moaned. "He's our friend and he needs people around him who love him." She practically pleaded with the nurse. JJ put her hand to her arm.
"I'm really sorry. This is his request and under HIPAA I can't go against it." A tear ran down Garcia's face and she turned to JJ.
"Say something Jayje. He can't do this. He needs us." JJ just looked at her defeated.
"It's Federal law, Penelope." She said dejectedly, her eyes turning dark.
"Call Hotch. He must be able to do something." Garcia was grasping at straws and they both knew it.
JJ pulled out her phone and the nurse stepped towards them.
"I'm really sorry, but I'm going to have to ask you to leave the ward."
Garcia looked at her like she could kill her. JJ kept her grip on her arm and pulled her out of the ward. Garcia watched as Reid's room painfully disappeared from view.
"Why is he doing this?" Garcia's voice was high pitched and soft as it often was when she was confused and upset. JJ dialled Hotch's number and put him on speaker.
"I don't know." JJ sighed, tears threatening her own eyes now. This was a new experience for her. Reid usually trusted her with anything. Sometimes even more than Morgan. He would tell her things that he would never tell anyone else, mostly because he didn't feel the same need to keep up appearances for the sake of his manhood. He openly mourned the loss of Emily with her. A secret they both kept until her return. Even after Jason he had opened up to her with feelings that he wouldn't tell anyone else. This current situation was unheard of.
The phone was ringing out and then a stoic voice answered.
"JJ."
"Hey Hotch. Garcia and I are at the hospital and we have a problem." They could hear Hotch suck in an anxious breath. "Spence is refusing visitors." Silence answered them. JJ and Garcia looked at each other, frowning slightly. "Hotch?"
"There's not a lot I can do about that." Hotch said depressively.
"Is there no way around it, Sir? He shouldn't be on his own."
"It's his choice, Garcia. If he doesn't want visitors, he is quite within his rights to request it. Whether we think it's the right thing or not."
Sensing something in Hotch's voice, JJ spoke cautiously.
"Has something happened?"
Hotch paused for a moment. "Nothing you aren't already aware of." Referring to the developments with John Maloney and Nick Field. "Give him space. Hopefully he just needs some time to process the news."
JJ nodded with a sigh. This is exactly what she had expected from the call.
"Yeah, thanks Hotch... Have you spoken to Morgan? How is he?"
"He's not good. He's struggling with it. I've brought him back here for a few hours so he can get some rest."
JJ and Garcia looked at each other. If Morgan had accepted support from Hotch that rang alarm bells for his state of mind too. Morgan rarely accepted help from anyone.
"Okay, well tell him we're thinking of him and we'll see him soon." JJ said with a sympathetic smile.
"Tell him I'll call him later!" Garcia quickly added.
"I will." Hotch said simply.
"Thanks Hotch." They ended the call.
Hotch sat back into his couch, resting his elbow on the armrest. He put his hand to his forehead. Today was fast becoming hellish. Reid refusing to see anyone, whilst not completely out of character – he had behaved similarly after Hankel for some time – was concerning. Given the circumstances he needed the support of people who could keep him grounded. More than anything he needed the support of the man who was currently upstairs in his spare bedroom, hopefully sleeping. And that man needed Reid too. Without each other Hotch wondered how either of them were going to process anything.
JJ's call had just piled on the bad news. After speaking with Strauss it had been confirmed that John Maloney was refusing to speak to anyone other than Reid now. If he couldn't have Morgan then he was going to push for the most painful option. Strauss was still point blank refusing it, so John fully intended to drag it through the courts.
Hotch was also receiving pressure to obtain Morgan and Reid's statements on the events. Yet another painful necessity that he wasn't sure either was ready for yet. The only saving grace was that the BAU had been given permission to take the statements. After what happened with Nick, Hotch felt that was the only reasonable option. Thankfully, the Director agreed. The downside to this was the effect it would have on the team members he selected to do it. He remembered Prentiss' face when she recalled Reid's statement with Nick. She looked haunted. It was no doubt something she would never forget and he was under no illusions this time would be no different.
Sighing, Hotch eyed his drinks cabinet. It was 4pm and he was sorely tempted to grab himself a soothing whisky just to 'take the edge off'. Thinking better of it, he made his way to the kitchen and started making a coffee.
Hotch detected some movement at the door and turned. It was Morgan leaning up against the doorframe.
"I thought you were sleeping." Hotch said, resting against the counter.
"I couldn't." He ran a hand down his face. Hotch's expression tightened in concern.
"Coffee?" He asked, turning to his coffee machine.
"Please." Hotch stared out of the window as he set the pot to brew, his eyes turning despondent. "Maloney will only speak to Reid now." He heard Morgan sigh. "He's got us over a barrel."
"Well that's never going to happen." Morgan said tiredly.
"No. So he's going to drag it through the courts. All of them will plead not guilty." Morgan's eyes closed and he breathed out to calm himself.
"He really doesn't deserve this." His voice was sad and disappointed.
"I know." Hotch said depressively. "All we can do is support him." Morgan crossed his arms and looked to the floor.
"That isn't all I can do." Morgan said quietly. Hotch turned to look at him. "I can go and see Maloney."
"Morgan, we discussed this."
"I've gotta do it, Hotch." Morgan shook his head. "I couldn't stop him from going through it, but I can stop him from having to relive it."
Hotch stared hard at Morgan. "There's no guarantee that he will even see you now."
"He will." Morgan smiled sardonically. "He won't be able to resist." Hotch took a breath. He didn't want Morgan to do this, but that was when he thought they might have other options. Those options were now gone and all they were left with was the guarantee of a painful trial. That was something he thought he'd accepted. But when it actually became a reality, the thought terrified him. Now, he would do anything to keep Reid from having to suffer through it. Sensing Hotch's reluctant surrender, Morgan continued. "Let me do it, Hotch. If it doesn't work then we're no worse off. If he messes with us then we just cut him loose. We don't let him play with us."
Hotch nodded. It was a fair point. Even if things did go wrong, the worst that could happen is that Maloney would plead not guilty. Which was no different to their current situation anyway. Hotch grimaced, his reluctance showing.
"Okay. Let me see what I can do."
There was a knock at the door and Reid stirred out of the fitful sleep he had been in. His lifted his head from his pillow to see Dr. Marston at the door.
"Good afternoon, Dr. Reid. May I come in?" Reid closed his eyes again and rested his head back into the pillow.
"Sure." He said weakly. She entered the room and sat down on the chair next to his bed.
"I just wanted to talk to you, if that's okay?" He still didn't open his eyes.
"What about?"
"The nurses tell me that you are refusing visitors."
Reid opened his eyes and looked at her. "I was not aware that they are a prescribed part of my care plan." He said dryly.
She smiled a little. "Well, of course, they're not but-"
"Then I fail to see what concern it is of yours." He closed his eyes again.
Raising her eyebrows slightly, she sat for a few moments then tried again. "Dr. Reid-"
"Unless you have a medical reason for being in here right now - which I sincerely doubt given that I just had my meds thirty minutes ago, my stats checked an hour ago, have not reported any discomfort and I am clearly conscious - I would like you to leave."
"I wanted to talk to you about your mental welfare."
He still wouldn't open his eyes. "Have I harmed myself or others?" He quickly retorted.
She sighed. "No."
"Am I displaying any signs that I may be at risk of harming myself or others?"
She shook her head. This was clearly going nowhere. "No."
"Am I cooperating with your treatment plan?"
"Yes." She said reluctantly.
"Then my mental welfare is not a cause for concern and I would appreciate it if you let me rest." Now he opened his eyes, fixing a blank gaze on her. "Rest is a part of my care plan if I'm not mistaken."
She stared back at him for a few long moments, then nodded. She was clearly taken aback. He had run rings around her. She stood and moved towards the door. Taking a breath she turned to offer her support if he needed it but found his eyes once again closed. She pushed the words back and left the room. She had never been so brutally swept out of a patient's room before.
Reid felt nothing. Not a single pang of guilt, anger, frustration, upset. Nothing. Despite his cutting tone, his only goal was to get her out of the room and to have some peace. He didn't have the energy for any form of conversation at this point. Much less about his feelings.
The familiar sensation of fullness welled up in his chest and throat. He opened his eyes and his hand came up to try and relieve it but it didn't help. He swallowed around the lump that seemed to be impairing his ability to breath properly. He took a few deep breaths and closed his eyes again, willing his Mother's voice to come back to him once again. This time no comfort came.
Rossi sat back into Hotch's couch, drinking a coffee. Morgan and Hotch were sat with him. It was Sunday morning and the news that Maloney had accepted seeing Morgan and Hotch had come through a couple of hours ago. Naturally, Hotch had called Rossi for support.
"So the kid won't see anyone?" He said, brows furrowed.
"No. He's refusing all visitors." Hotch said sombrely.
"Well, that's not good." Rossi said dryly.
"The worst part of it is that he's asked them to keep his records private. So we can't even find out what state he is in. We've no idea."
"The kid is nothing if not stubborn." He looked to Morgan. "And how are you holding up?"
"I'm alright. I just really want to see him. I'm worried to death here. He could be having flashbacks and panic attacks and I really don't want him on his own."
Rossi put a hand to his shoulder. "I get that. You've been a rock for him Derek. He knows that. He'll come round."
"Well he's going to have to. I'm supposed to be bringing him home tomorrow."
Rossi gave a tight lipped smile. He hoped for both of their sakes that Reid would be receptive. Despite initial concerns, last time Reid had settled in fairly well. He had surrendered his pride and let Morgan take care of him. Now, no one knew what to expect. By all accounts his reaction this time had been quite different. Almost like his wires weren't properly connecting. It was hardly surprising. There is only so much a person can take before their mind shuts down. But Rossi worried that Reid's avoidance would eventually lead him down a road from which he couldn't return. They had seen enough times how the mind could snap after extreme trauma, even in cases where the person had supposedly dealt with it. The cases where it was avoided or dissociation happened could often be the most severe. For Rossi, this was his biggest fear for his young colleague. Losing Reid to the confines of his mind was a terrifying thought. His mind when working healthily was a scary enough foe, but in dysfunction? That would be a wormhole that few would escape.
"Let's hope so." Hotch said stoically. They all sat quietly for a few moments. Each lost in their own thoughts.
"So, what time are you going to see him?" Rossi asked, breaking the silence, a slight look of dread crossing his face.
"2pm." Hotch answered.
"He hasn't changed his terms?"
"Surprisingly, no. I wasn't sure he would agree once we backed out but it didn't take long to get a response." Hotch responded.
"You both need to be careful. I'm still not convinced that he is on the level with this. So don't get your hopes up. Jail is boring for someone like him. You could just be his entertainment."
"I have no doubt of that." Hotch answered with a deep frown.
"It's not going to be pleasant." Rossi looked to Morgan. "He is going to push your buttons."
"I'm ready for it." Morgan looked focused, but Rossi could see the slight tremor in his hands betraying his calm demeanour.
"I will be right outside the whole time, so if either of you need anything, you know where I am."
"Thanks, Dave. I appreciate that." Hotch said, nodding.
Rossi smiled. It was the least he felt he could do.
Hotch , Morgan and Rossi were patiently staring through the glass into a meeting room. They had been waiting at the high security Federal Detention Centre in Virginia for the last twenty minutes. They were waiting for Agent Wilks to bring in John Maloney.
Morgan's chest kept fluttering at the thought of seeing the man again. His face now haunted both his sleeping and waking nightmares. His voice would regularly and carelessly invade his hearing, teasing and taunting.
Morgan took his mind to Reid, conjuring a memory of him lay in the hospital bed , completely dissociated and covered in cuts and bruises. He had been so helpless and hopeless. And he knew he had been in that state for some of the time that he was in that bedroom. The men had been able to do whatever they wanted. The anger then took over and his hands would stop shaking and his determination would set in. Then the cycle of doubt to determination would start again.
Morgan looked to Hotch. His expression was hard and set firmly into a frown. He didn't look nervous. Morgan had seen this expression many times before. It was Hotch's way of detaching himself from his emotions.
The next moment, Agent Wilks emerged with a handcuffed Maloney. He was laughing as he entered the room. It wasn't clear if it was in response to something Wilks had said, but his face certainly didn't look amused.
Wilks sat him down and removed the cuffs, as previously agreed with Hotch and Morgan.
"One moment." He said plainly to Maloney and left through to the door into the room containing Hotch, Rossi and Morgan. He closed the door behind him.
"I detest that guy. He is an abomination." He said, shuddering. "Are you sure you guys want to do this? " He asked with concern. "He's certainly not gonna go easy on you.
Morgan was staring at him through the window, hatred radiating through his body. The man didn't look 'evil'. He looked like the type of man who would fix your car or serve you a drink in a down trodden bar. On first glance there was nothing to suggest the level of sadism of which he was capable. On a closer look, his eyes told the story. They were dark and calculating. Unfeeling and hard. There was a coldness that made Morgan's hairs stand on end.
"We have to." Morgan said simply, not taking his eyes off the man. It made him sick that this huge, disgusting older man had victimised his friend so badly.
"Is his lawyer here yet?" Hotch asked.
"He's on his way in. I will bring him through when he arrives. He has the paperwork from what I understand."
"Well, we may as well get started. I doubt he's going to dive straight into the confession." Hotch said with an air of reluctance.
Wilks smiled a tight lipped smile in knowing agreement.
"Best of luck to you both. If you need anything I will be just down the hall."
"And I'll be right here." Rossi said, reassuringly. Both Hotch and Morgan were happy to have his support. He was often a calming influence. And they couldn't guarantee that to each other today.
Taking a deep breath, Hotch moved towards the door and grabbed the handle. He turned to Morgan. "You ready?"
"As ready as I'm ever gonna be." He said, breathing out to relieve the tension that was building up in his body. He shook his hands and arms out to dispel some nerves then took another calming breath, setting his expression into a mask of indifference.
Hotch opened the door and they both entered the room confidently.
"Agent Morgan." John grinned then turned to Hotch. "And you must be Agent Hotchner." He extended his hand out for a shake. "A pleasure to meet you." Hotch completely disregarded the hand and stared back at the man, his eyes hard.
"Sit down." He said firmly. John gave an expression of mock hurt and pulled his hand back.
"Not one for pleasantries then?" The smile returned to his face as he made a show of slowly sitting down. "Better?" Neither Hotch or Morgan responded. Hotch pulled out a chair and sat down. Morgan followed his lead. His heart was pounding in his chest but he would be damned if he was going to alert Maloney to that fact. "So..." Maloney continued, holding out his hands expectantly.
"You asked to see us." Hotch said simply. Not entertaining any of the theatrics. Maloney's arrogant gaze turned to Morgan.
"Oh yes, I did, didn't I?" He leaned forward. "Tell me, Agent Morgan, how is the pretty Dr. Reid doing?" He stared at him hard, his eyes flashing with enjoyment.
"Fine." Morgan answered quickly, his jaw tightening.
"That's good." He said, still smiling and staring. Morgan unconsciously shifted under his intense gaze.
"What do you want, John?" Hotch cut in. His eyes switched to Hotch and the smile dropped from his face.
"Tell me, Agent Hotchner. Are you scared?" Hotch's brows furrowed.
"Scared of you?"
"Of being found out." He smiled again. Morgan's eyes narrowed a little. Hotch said nothing, allowing the man to continue. "For still being that frightened little boy that Daddy used to beat. You and I are very alike, Agent Hotchner. I know exactly who you are. I know what makes you tick." Hotch felt a lump leap into his throat and his heart rate increased rapidly. Noticing Hotch's face pale slightly, he leaned towards him. "We go to extremes don't we? Men like us. Some join the FBI." He gestured pointedly to Hotch. "Others take... another route." He smiled again. "Some of us grow and become who we really are." A sense of pride entered his voice. "And others, remain those frightened little children searching for surrogate monsters." He gazed sympathetically at Hotch. "Tell me, Agent Hotchner, did you catch your monster yet?"
Hotch's jaw tensed. "We are nothing alike."
"No?" John sat back. "Alpha male, Daddy issues, craves power, always needs to be in control." He turned to Morgan. "Does that sound like someone you know?" Morgan clenched his jaw tightly to keep from cutting in.
"Your need for power and control stems from the fact that you are a Psychopathic sexual sadist-"
"Where does yours stem from, Aaron?" He smiled again. "Don't tell me that you don't find yourself getting just that little bit hard when you give your orders and everyone follows them."
"That's enough." Morgan snapped. Hotch internally winced. That was the first obvious sign they had given that he was getting under their skin.
John's gaze slowly turned on Morgan again. "Don't even get me started on you." He lowered his voice and leaned towards him again, his hands clasped in front of him on the table. "Derek Morgan: Classic insecure alpha male, still feels the need to prove himself after all these years as an FBI agent. Protecting weaker personalities to reinforce his dominance and make him feel 'important'. To make him feel more like a man after his teenage years were so cruelly stolen from him." He said in mock upset. Morgan's eyes flashed with fear. They didn't know how he knew these things. "But really, he's just still that scared little boy, terrified that anyone might learn his dirty little secret. You're probably the most scared of them all."
Silence overtook the room for a few moments while Morgan desperately resisted the urge to answer the man. John sat back now. Regarding the pair. His attempts to extract an emotional reaction from the men had not worked.
"So, what possible reason could two alpha males have for being so protective over a pathetic 'beta' male? Hmm..." They knew he was referring to Reid. They didn't rise to it. He looked to Morgan again. "Do you fuck him?"
"No." Morgan answered quickly and firmly.
"Do you want to?"
"No."
"Those were very fast answers, Derek. Almost sounded a bit like denial." He smiled.
"Unlike you, I don't see men as sexual objects." Morgan answered through gritted teeth.
"Men? Oh no, Derek. Men are certainly not sexual objects. Your... 'friend' however, would we call him a man? I wouldn't." He tilted his head in mock innocence. "Perhaps that's why you like him so much."
Morgan's face twitched in anger. Sensing it, Hotch intervened.
"Is there a point to all of this, John?"
"You want your confession and your guilty plea, don't you?"
"You know we do. We wouldn't be here otherwise." Morgan spoke, trying to keep his voice steady.
John smiled again and swept his hands out as if to say, 'there you go then'.
"Tell me about your relationship with the pretty eyed Spencer... sorry, Spence. He loves that name, doesn't he?" He looked knowingly to Morgan, he frowned back.
"He's my friend and colleague. That is all."
"That is all? Are you sure about that, Derek? You looked very upset when I was touching him for someone who is 'a friend'." This was exactly the road they were expecting him to start going down so neither agent was surprised, but it didn't stop their palms from sweating or shivers running down their spines.
"You were attacking him. Of course I was upset." Morgan answered as calmly as he could.
John laughed a little. "I think he enjoyed sucking off that gun. And that tongue, Derek..." His voice clouded with arousal as Hotch's face filled with disgust. "I sure would have liked to make more use of that." He smiled, seeing the comment land on the agent's face. Morgan blinked back an image threatening to enter his vision. Of all the things he had seen, that was the image he knew would never leave him. It would stay with him right to the grave. "Of course, I told Bill, Ellis and Alan to take full advantage of it... he really does have a pretty mouth."
"Is this part of your confession?" Hotch asked, his voice steady. He knew Morgan was not in a position to speak right now.
"There is already a written confession ready for me to sign when we are done." Maloney turned to him. His face and voice suddenly serious. "You will get it when I am ready."
"Where is it?" Hotch's stare was filled with hate.
"My lawyer has it. Don't worry, Agent Hotchner, if I say I will do something, I will do it."
"Because you have such a strong moral code." Morgan spat.
"Ah, there's that sanctimonious alpha male ego I've been waiting for." Maloney sat back in his chair. "Have I given you reason to not trust my word, Derek? After all, I told you my men would fuck your 'friend' senseless. And they did, by all accounts." Morgan flinched and he grinned in response.
"You also told him you wouldn't see the inside of a jail cell. Yet here you are." Hotch retorted calmly. He spotted a flash of anger in the man's eyes then in a split second it was gone.
"Well things change, Aaron."
"What's changed?" He asked seriously, furrowing his brows. John just smiled again.
"Tell me about your relationship with Dr. Reid."
Hotch stared at him hard for a few moments before reluctantly speaking. "He's a colleague. A trusted member of my team."
"How did you feel when you saw him all naked and fucked out on that bed?" He waited for the comment to land then continued. "Did it make you want to flip him over and fuck him yourself?" Hotch's jaw clenched and he breathed out through his nose. "Did it make you hard, alpha Aaron?"
"How do you know he was on the bed?" Morgan asked with curious eyes.
John didn't take his eyes off Hotch. "I know everything, Agent Morgan." The agents realised he must have been communicating somehow with the other men. Given he was in solitary at present, that concerned them. "I bet you were furious other people were there. Seeing your 'subordinate' ready and prepped for you but unable to do anything must have been difficult. I feel your pain. I never got to open him up either. Did you imagine your hands around his throat as you fucked him hard? Did he cry for you to stop or did he enjoy it like the whore he is?" Hotch's hands were now shaking. John stared as though reading him. "You're an alpha so, of course, you like it rough. It's more fun when they fight, isn't it? Did you imagine tying him up, like Jason did, so you could use him over and over?" John leaned in, whispering. "Did you take a copy of that video, Aaron?" He watched the anger building up in Hotch. "Of course you did. Because you're just like me." Hotch suddenly stood up and reached across the table, grabbing Maloney by the collar, his face was furious.
"Hotch!" Morgan called out in shock, standing to grab his arm.
"You son of a bitch." Hotch spat through gritted teeth.
Suddenly Rossi was in the room with a hand on Hotch's shoulder.
"Aaron. Let go." Hotch's eyes were burning into Maloney's, he just stared back challengingly. The temptation to try and snap the man's neck was overwhelming. Feeling Rossi at his side, he knew he'd screwed up. Letting go of Maloney's collar, he stepped back, coming back to his senses. His disappointment in himself was obvious. "Take a break." Rossi ordered gently.
"Yes, take a break gentlemen. I'm not going anywhere." His gaze landed on Rossi now. "Hello Agent Rossi. Daddy." He smirked, referring back to the moment he was arrested. Rossi disregarded him, his focus was on ushering Hotch and Morgan out of the room.
The next moment, they were out and into the observation room next door. Morgan went straight to sit down and put his head in his hands. Hotch paced the room back and forth.
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't have done that." Hotch said in frustration. Morgan shook his head.
"If you hadn't, I would."
"I gave him exactly what he wants."
"You're human, Aaron." Rossi said firmly. "You wouldn't be normal if what he said didn't bother you. Hell, I'm not even in the room and my blood was boiling."
Hotch sighed, stopping his movement around the room trying to calm himself. He sat down. "Thank god we found you both when we did. He's truly deviant. I dread to think what he would have done if we hadn't found you." Hotch shook his head, imagining just how much worse things could have gotten.
"He could be all talk." Rossi suggested. "He had the opportunity to do what he wanted to Reid, and he didn't. Instead he chose to torment Morgan, the same as he's doing now."
They all sat in thought for a few moments. Morgan looked to Hotch.
"You know, Rossi's right. There was nothing to stop him from going into that bedroom. But he let his men do it instead. Hotch, what if he's impotent?"
"That could explain why he used a gun as a substitute when attacking Reid. Maybe he couldn't do the real thing." Rossi added.
Morgan shuddered.
"Let's take five. Then we'll go back in." Hotch said, relaxing back in his chair with a sigh. Neither one of them wanted to go back there, but they were held to his schedule. Until he signed that confession, they had achieved nothing.
"Take some deep breaths and remind yourselves why you're here. You're doing this for Reid... Keep him in your minds and you'll get through it." Rossi said gently.
"He is in our minds, and he knows it. That's the problem." Morgan said rubbing his face anxiously.
A knock on the door came and Agent Wilks entered. He looked surprised to see them all in the observation room.
"How are we doing?" He asked, looking between Hotch and Morgan. "That was quick."
"We've been better." Morgan said honestly.
Wilks huffed out a scornful laugh. "That's not surprising. He is one sick, perverted man."
"You can say that again." Rossi said frowning.
"Have you had any luck with the confession yet? His lawyer is here now with the paperwork."
"Not yet. He's enjoying playing games too much right now." Hotch said despondently. Wilks nodded.
"Sounds about right. Well, I'll be just outside if you need me. I have his lawyer waiting."
"Thanks." Hotch stood, looking to Morgan. "Come on, lets get this over with."
Morgan took a deep breath and followed suit.
"Remember. For Reid." Rossi said supportively putting a hand on each of their shoulders. They both nodded.
They re-entered the room.
Maloney watched as they sat down. They both met his gaze.
"Have we calmed down now, Aaron? I'm sorry if I upset you. I know it can be difficult to listen to the truth."
"That was not the truth and you know it. You know you and I are nothing alike and it bothers you. Deep down it kills you that you can't control your urges, so you have to bring everyone down to the same level as you."
"My 'urges' are just fine." He smiled. "If it means I get to do what I want to pretty little things like Dr. Reid, why the hell would I want them to stop?"
"But you didn't get to do what you wanted, did you?" Morgan countered. "All you could manage was pushing a gun down his throat. Is there a reason for that, John?" He asked with a knowing smile. Maloney stared hard at him for a few moments.
"Let's just say, I didn't expect to be interrupted."
"Is that all it is? I mean, we were in there at least two hours. That was more than enough time for you to do what you wanted to do... if you were capable."
"I can assure you, I am more than capable, Derek."
"Really? Now I'm not sure you are, John. Why would you let your guys have all the fun if you were so desperate to do it yourself? I mean, you talked enough about it." Morgan said challengingly.
He smiled. "You know I wasn't going to kill him."
"You told me you would." Morgan's brows furrowed.
"That was the plan. But as soon as I saw him and especially when you turned up, things changed."
"Now that just doesn't make sense." Morgan smiled a little. "You told me yourself, you don't make idle threats."
"Well sometimes I just start having too much fun. And trust me, Derek. You and especially your 'friend'... you were fun." He gave a sick smile.
"What was your 'plan' then?" Hotch asked bitingly. It was clear they didn't believe a word he was saying anymore. John kept his eyes on Morgan.
"As promised I was going to fuck him on top of you. Then, I was going to make him watch as I put a bullet through your brain."
"If you were going to do that, you'd have done it." Hotch said firmly.
"Would I?" He smiled knowingly.
"Yes." Morgan answered. "But you didn't. The longer you stayed, the higher the risk to you. So it doesn't make sense that you wouldn't just take what you want if you could."
"Do you know what I like most in a plaything, Derek?" They both furrowed their brows at the word 'plaything'. "Complete submission." He said with a hint of arousal. "Do you know the best way to get that?"
"Make someone feel completely powerless."
John smiled and clicked a finger at Hotch. "Bingo. What better way of doing that than raping him over and over in his own home, where he should feel safe. Then when it finally stops, claiming him for myself right in front of someone he loves and should be able to protect him. Then just when he thinks it's all over, killing that person in front of him." His hand unconsciously moved down to stroke his crotch. A look of disgust washed over Morgan's features. "Your agent would have been broken in before we even left the apartment. He would have done anything I told him after that."
Morgan and Hotch just stared at the man in front of them in disbelief. Nothing in John's delivery or body language suggested a lie. That was the most terrifying thing about it.
"You're sick." Morgan said in disbelief. It came out breathy. "Why would you do that to someone?" It was a question he couldn't help asking.
Maloney smiled again. "He killed my brother. It was only fair that I paid him back in a way my brother would approve of."
"Jason killed your brother." Hotch said.
"So the fuck toy said." He shot Morgan a teasing look at that. "But Jason's not here is he. And blood must be repaid."
"Is all of this in your confession?" Hotch asked directly.
"Everything. From him sucking on his own gun, to sucking on their... well, you know." He winked jovially. Morgan growled, standing and banging his fist on the table in anger.
"Will you sign the damn thing already?!" Morgan shouted.
"Just one more thing." Morgan rolled his eyes and turned, leaning his hands on the table standing over John.
"What?" He asked, losing his patience.
"I want you to tell me how you felt when you were chained to that radiator."
"No." Hotch said instantly.
"Then you can tell your pretty little agent that I will look forward to seeing him again in court." He smiled. Morgan closed his eyes. Hotch looked at him, concern on his features. This was purely to see Morgan suffer. "That will be fun, watching him squirm under my gaze."
"Fine!" Morgan surrendered reluctantly. Hotch looked at him, deeply worried about how this would play out given his flashbacks. John smiled and sat back, folding his arms.
Morgan remained standing but stopped leaning against the desk and paced a little about the room. "I was furious. I wanted to kill each and every one of you. I'd have ripped your throats out if I could."
"Typical insecure alpha male response, Agent. Not good enough."
Morgan shot him a look and continued pacing. "All I wanted to do was help him, get him away from all of you. I couldn't stand to see what you were doing to him."
"Keep going." Morgan suddenly stopped pacing and took a deep breath.
"I felt useless." His eyes started tearing up as the emotions he had been trying not to share came flooding in. "I promised I would protect him and I sat there and did nothing. After everything Jason had done to him, to watch you put him through that. It damn near broke me."
John smiled, finally gaining access to the emotions he wanted to see.
"What about when he cried out for you? What was it? Eight, nine times?" He asked cruelly.
Morgan's chest heaved as the tears finally made their way out. He shook his head. "Don't." He practically begged.
"Morgan! Please! Help me!" He mimicked with a tone of amusement. "I can't do this, Morgan!" He laughed with sick enjoyment. Hotch closed his eyes in a moment of sad reflection.
"Stop it!" Morgan slammed his fist down on the table, losing it now. The tears were running freely down his face.
"Beg me. Beg me to leave your friend alone, like you did then. And this time I will."
"That's enough." Hotch said firmly, turning to Morgan and standing up. "He's not going to sign anything. This is just one big game."
"My lawyer is waiting outside. This is your one opportunity. After that, the deal is off the table."
Morgan ran a hand down his face and looked desperately to Hotch. His jaw was tightly set. His eyes were telling him not to do it but he could see the acceptance creeping into Morgan's features. He would do anything if it meant protecting Reid. That much was becoming painfully clear.
Morgan turned to John, wiping the tears from his cheeks. "Please-"
"On your knees." Maloney ordered. Hotch's eyes flashed with fury and he looked away unable to watch.
Morgan faltered for a moment but then reluctantly lowered himself to his knees at Maloney's side. A look of victory swept over the psychopath's face.
"Please, leave him alone. He doesn't deserve any of this. Please, just confess, plead guilty. Let him get better-"
"I thought you said he was fine." Maloney raised his eyebrows In mock curiosity.
"Of course he's not fine! After everything that has been done to him, please, please don't put him through this. I can't bear to watch him go through any more."
"Why?" He sneered, a smile still plastered on his face.
"Because he's like my family. And I love him. Please. No more." Morgan's eyes were wide and pleading. Tears were once again streaming down his face. The emotions were genuine and John knew it.
"I'll sign it."
Morgan's mouth dropped open and he stared at the man for a few moments. Then his shoulders collapsed and he let out a large relieved breath, closing his eyes. He couldn't believe that had worked.
A knock came at the door and suddenly Rossi was in the room with the lawyer, complete with paperwork. Hotch was now stood in the corner of the room, arms crossed, watching the paperwork be placed on the table.
"I've checked it." Rossi reassured seeing the skeptical look on Hotch's face. Rossi was then at Morgan's side, helping him to his feet as John put pen to paper.
"Tell me one thing." Hotch's voice cut through the silence. Maloney lifted his gaze, his eyes now dark and emotionless. It was like looking at a completely different person. "Why confess? Why plead guilty when you don't have to? It's not guilt or remorse. So why?"
Maloney appeared introspective for a few moments then tapped the end of the pen thoughtfully against his lip. He then signed the paper.
"All good things must come to an end." He said simply. Then smiled at Hotch. He held his gaze for a few moments. It made Hotch's skin crawl and a shiver ran down his spine. Something about that response seemed wrong coming from a man like him. Something was wrong. "Thank you, Agents. This has been most entertaining."
Morgan would no longer look at him. Rossi took the papers from the table and guided the clearly unhappy but thankfully silent lawyer towards the door. Morgan and Hotch followed.
"Oh, and pass on a message to Dr. Reid." They all turned, their faces filled with contempt. "I gave my men orders. Sorry about the new scars." He smiled then bared his teeth, tapping them together twice to indicate biting.
Morgan's brain took a few seconds to connect the words to the action, then he saw red.
"You son of a bitch!" Hotch and Rossi were quick to react when Morgan launched himself towards the man. They grabbed him firmly by the forearms, holding him back. He struggled against them. If he got to him he would beat him to a pulp. "You got them to bite him! You sick, sadistic fuck! I will kill you! I promise you!"
"Morgan!" Hotch forcefully dragged him backwards with the assistance of Rossi, but it wasn't easy. Morgan was livid. They finally managed to pull him out of the room and Rossi slammed the door shut. The second they were out of the room, Morgan broke down falling to his knees. He cradled his face in his hands.
Agent Wilks was waiting for them looking incredibly uncomfortable. Rossi and Hotch were now breathing heavily, their faces pale. They had achieved what they had set out to do, but it had not been easy. The only positive was that it had been a lot quicker than they expected. Despite that, the interview would easily go down as the worst any of them had ever done or seen.
Rossi looked to Agent Wilks. "I know it's mentioned in the confession, but nothing was said at the hospital... Did they?" Morgan looked up hopefully.
Agent Wilks looked down to the floor, reluctantly giving them their answer. "I'm sorry." He moved to the table and opened a box that clearly contained evidence from the case. He flipped through some photographs and handed four over to Rossi. His face paled even further. They were pictures from the forensic exam at the hospital. Three deep and bleeding bite marks had been photographed on Reid's back. One high up on his left shoulder, another on his shoulder blade and the last on his lower back near the hip. There was a photograph of each one and a final photograph of his whole back, clearly showing the locations. Morgan snatched the pictures away from Rossi and stared at them. Depression had clearly taken over.
He dropped the pictures onto the table and left the room.