Reasonable Doubt

by manwathiel elensar

Reid's life is ripped to pieces when he falls victim to a sadistic sociopath. With his life irreparably damaged, things seem to keep getting worse as the team realises that the picture is a lot bigger and scarier than they initially thought. Will Reid ever feel safe again? And can the BAU do anything against such an intricate web of betrayal?

60. Chapter 60

A/N: Thank you so much to anyone still reading this story on here and for any comments. I am really grateful for the support.

---

Stubbs and Strauss arrived at the hospital, entering the ward Rossi had been moved to after the CSIs moved in following Fickler's stabbing.

They were met with the depressed expressions of the BAU team. JJ was stood in the corner with her arms crossed, clearly keeping herself at a distance. Hotch and Prentiss were sat on one side of Rossi's bed and Garcia was on the other, with tears streaming down her face. The sense of shock in the room was palpable. It was hanging in the air.

Stubbs held his hands out and shrugged.

"What the hell happened?" There was a bite in his tone. Strauss was frowning beside him.

"Now just hold up." Rossi held his hand up. "Before you come in here with that tone, why the hell weren't you making a move to arrest him? You had more than enough probable cause. Or even better yet, when you became suspicious of his activities, why the hell didn't you share it with us? Don't you think that was something we needed to know?" He spat.

"Agent Rossi, my suspicions were just that: suspicions. Sharing my thoughts at that time would have been reckless. Even dangerous."

"More dangerous than what actually happened?"

"You were happy for us to share our suspicions about Wilks when we had no evidence. Or does he not matter because he's not the Director of the FBI?" Prentiss said with fake joviality.

Stubbs' gaze dropped for a moment and he swallowed.

"Okay." He said in acceptance. "I understand your point of view. I accept that it would have been helpful to you if you had been aware of my suspicions."

"Helpful?" Hotch said fiercely. "It would have completely prevented this. We never would have let him into a room with Reid had we known."

Strauss stepped in now.

"We were trying to avoid alerting him to the fact that he was being investigated."

"He could have disappeared, gone underground. We didn't want that." Stubbs added.

"Well you got what you wanted then." Rossi snapped. "He certainly wasn't hiding."

"This is not what we wanted, Agent Rossi." Stubbs shook his head. "Please, let's start over. This is an emotional situation for everyone."

"Emotional?" JJ snapped. "I just watched my best friend being arrested for attacking someone in self-defence. Someone who has been responsible for his rape, torture and torment for months. Yet he is the one in cuffs while Fickler is still a free man. 'Emotional' doesn't even begin to describe it. It's a fucking disgrace." Her gaze flicked quickly to Hotch. She was still angry with him. Then she looked back to Stubbs. "And you want to come in here and ask what the hell happened? You know what? You're right. You should be asking that question! You're the only one who can answer it! How could you let this happen?"

"Agent Jareau-" Strauss tried but was cut off.

"No, she's right. This never should have happened. So, tell us, what are you going to do about it now? Is there a warrant for his arrest?" Rossi said firmly.

Stubbs swallowed.

"No." He said quietly, clearing his throat.

The team looked at him in shock.

"What? Why not?!" Garcia asked in distress.

"The US Attorney felt the evidence was not sufficient to issue a warrant."

"Are you serious?" Hotch looked at him in disgust.

"I'm as angry and surprised as you are, trust me. But this is why it's really important we talk about exactly what happened here. They are not going to put a warrant out for the arrest of the FBI Director without more evidence."

"That's if he even survives! If he doesn't then it's just Reid's word against Fickler's reputation. And I wonder whose side they will take." JJ said angrily.

"So none of you saw what happened?"

Hotch shook his head. "When we entered the room Fickler had already been stabbed. It was the gunshot to Reid's shoulder that alerted us.

Stubbs grimaced. That was not what he was hoping for.

"I will need statements from each of you."

They all frowned in response but nodded.

"What will happen to Reid?" Garcia asked in a small, terrified voice.

"He is in custody. We have an agent posted at his bedside." Stubbs took a breath not wanting to say the next words. "No charges have been filed yet but there is the usual 72 hour period. Agent Stevens from Quantico is running the investigation and will speak to Agent Reid as soon as he is capable. Right now he's still sedated."

"They can't charge him. It was self-defence!" Garcia said desperately.

"Even in cases of self-defence, they can and do go to court. It will all depend on what information Agent Reid is able to provide. If it is deemed to be a definite case of self-defence then charges will likely be avoided."

"But convincing the FBI and the Attorney's office that it was a genuine act of self-defence is going to be difficult. Especially if it involves the Director." Hotch said flatly.

Stubbs nodded sternly.

"Yes. It's going to be a hard sell."

"And if he is charged?" Garcia asked nervously.

"He will be kept in custody. Once he is signed off medically he will be taken to a detention centre."

"You can't do that to him." She shook her head in horror. "He's not well enough. It will kill him."

"His mental state will be taken into account." Stubbs said grimly.

"This can't be happening. Not after everything he's been through. He won't survive it." Garcia's voice was once again shaking.

"I understand your concerns. I have analysts working on uncovering anything to do with Fickler's involvement in the trafficking ring, but so far the text messages are all we are able to get him with. And that's not enough in the eyes of the Attorney's office."

"What about a search warrant?" Hotch asked.

Stubbs shook his head depressively.

"They won't issue one without more evidence."

"So it's a catch 22." Rossi said in frustration. "We need more evidence but in order to get it, we need more evidence. And who said the US justice system is fair?"

"So unless we drop lucky, the evidence is stacked against Reid." Hotch shook his head then dropped it into his hand.

"At the moment. I assure you we are working hard to find any other evidence of his involvement."

"What about Agent Hall? Have you found her?"

Stubbs frowned and looked to Strauss.

She took a sharp intake of breath.

"She won't be able to help."

"Why not?" Rossi asked with a hint of dread.

"Agents found her dead in her vehicle 15 minutes ago. A gunshot wound to the head, looks like suicide."

"Oh my god." Garcia's mouth dropped open. "But she... she was the only one left that could identify him."

Strauss nodded grimly.

"Yes."

"Oh my god, he's going to get away with this, isn't he?" She gasped.

"Not if we can help it."

"What can we do to help?" Hotch asked.

"Nothing, Agent Hotchner. You are currently witnesses in the assault on Director Fickler. The board feels it would be best, given everything you have dealt with over the last few months, that you all take a leave of absence."

"So, you're kicking us off the case?" Rossi said angrily.

"I couldn't keep you on it even if I wanted to. The board have assigned a specialist task force and will also be taking over the trafficking investigation."

"You will be given 8 weeks' compassionate leave." Strauss said firmly. "And I expect you to use it to rest. You will all be provided with mandatory counselling sessions. When you come back it will be business as usual."

"You seriously expect us to rest whilst Reid is in custody for attempted murder?" Prentiss scoffed.

"Agent Prentiss, there is nothing you can do to assist this case. You are now material witnesses. We have already cut the BAU a lot of slack in allowing you to investigate the trafficking ring."

"Allowing us to investigate? You mean we had to investigate because the man running the investigation was involved? Don't make it sound like a favour, Erin."

"David, don't think I don't understand what you have all been through. As a team you have dealt with an unprecedented amount of stress. And you will be recognised for your work on the trafficking case."

Rossi scoffed. "Recognised? You think this is about recognition?"

"That's not what I meant-"

"Well what did you mean, Erin?"

Normally Hotch would step in between the pair to calm down the situation. But at this moment he was firmly in agreement with Rossi and did not feel like rescuing Strauss from the situation. He knew it wasn't her fault, but it was about time someone recognised exactly how bad all of this had been.

"David, I am not to blame here." She said firmly.

"No, Erin. You're not. But you are responsible for this team. And if we can't rely on you to have our backs, then what do we have?"

"I have had your backs throughout all of this." She snapped. "Why do you think you even got to run the investigation in the first place?!" Strauss was raising her voice. For the first time they were actually seeing a passion in the woman.

"Do you think you've had Reid's back?" Hotch asked plainly.

That caught Strauss off guard and stopped her in her tracks. She stammered over her words for a moment.

"I- I would say so, yes."

"And do you think you have his back now?" Rossi asked.

"I am trying. But this situation is incredibly difficult."

"Trust me, we know how difficult it is. It's been impossible for months!" Rossi said angrily.

Strauss huffed out a breath and stared at him for a moment.

"What would you have me do, Dave?" She asked flatly.

"Support us. Don't take us off the case. Fight for us, Erin. Allow us to fight for Reid."

"She can't do that." Stubbs said simply. "The Vice President is involved. He is consulting with the board. The decisions are way out of our hands now."

Rossi sighed. 'So, what do we do?" He asked, finally giving up.

"You take your rest." Stubbs nodded. "All of you." He looked around the room. "You have done all you can now. You have to allow the task force to take over and get to the bottom of this as much as they can."

"And we just leave Reid to his fate?" JJ asked in frustration.

"We will do everything we can to support Agent Reid. I promise you."

"Can we at least see him?" Garcia asked worriedly.

Stubbs closed his eyes. "Not right now, no."

Her mouth dropped open. "Why?"

"We are all material witnesses, Garcia. They will need to take all of our statements, including his before we can see him." Hotch said, dropping his gaze down sadly.

Garcia looked devastated. "Oh."

Stubbs' phone rang and they all looked up.

He checked the caller ID and flipped his phone open to answer it.

"Stubbs." He greeted.

They watched as his face paled slightly and he nodded. "Okay." His gaze flicked up nervously around the room . "Right. And has he said anything?" He shook his head in disappointment and listened intently.

"Right." His voice was heavy.

The team all watched him with frustrated anticipation. They were desperate to know what was being said. Every nod, every grimace, every hum of understanding was making their stomachs churn further.

Stubbs nodded with a deep frown on his face and then sighed, his hand coming up to his forehead. He eyed the team with a look of dread.

"Okay, thank you for letting me know." He said flatly.

He flipped the phone closed, ending the call, then sighed again deeply.

"What's happened?" Hotch asked apprehensively.

Stubbs cleared his throat anxiously. "Director Fickler didn't make it off the table."

The shock rippled through the room. The team exchanged terrified glances.

"Oh god." JJ gasped in complete devastation.

"That's not all... Agent Reid is awake. Agent Stevens has been to take his statement but he is refusing to talk. He's refusing an attorney. All he's said is that he wants to see Agent Morgan."

"He's not saying what happened?"

"He's saying nothing at all. He said he wants to see Agent Morgan and then shut down completely. He won't even look up or interact."

"Oh Spence." JJ said despairingly.

"He's just making things worse." Prentiss said sadly.

"He's not in his right mind." Rossi said defensively. "He's giving up."

"I'm afraid there's more." Stubbs said darkly. The team all looked at him.

"He's been charged with Director Fickler's murder."

Gasps came out around the room. Strauss turned away from the group for a moment, her hand going to her mouth.

"How can they do this?! Do they not realise what he has been through thanks to him?!" Garcia cried out. She was trembling all over.

"This is a joke." JJ said angrily. "Spence is the victim here. Yet he's the only one being held accountable! This is fucking disgusting."

"Seriously, you have to do something to help him. This could kill him." Hotch said, his eyes welling up. "He's already on the edge. I'm not sure how much more he can take."

"I will do all I can to support him." Stubbs reassured.

"Please can we see him?" Garcia begged.

"Not right now. I want to speak with him myself. See if I can get him to understand how important this is."

Rossi shook his head. "He knows how important this is. He just doesn't care anymore. Think about it from his perspective. The FBI has done nothing to protect him and now he's being charged with murder for trying to protect himself. He's not going to trust any of the Agents coming through those doors to speak to him. He probably thinks 'what's the point?' And I can't say I blame him."

"But he has to tell them what happened!" Garcia said desperately.

"He doesn't know who he can trust. For all he knows, if he says the wrong thing he ends up dead, or worse. He thinks Maloney is still alive. Fickler convinced him of that and now he doesn't believe a word anyone is telling him."

"And why would he?" Hotch answered. "The FBI hasn't exactly shown itself to be a trustworthy source of information."

"Why would he ask for Agent Morgan?" Stubbs asked curiously.

"Morgan has been like Reid's right arm since all of this began. Especially since Maloney became involved. He feels safe with him." Hotch said softly.

Stubbs nodded in understanding.

"If anyone can convince him to talk, it will be Derek." Garcia said anxiously.

"Right. Well in that case, I will do all I can to make sure he sees him."

"That would be appreciated." Hotch nodded.

"When do you get out of here?" Stubbs turned to Rossi.

"I'm just waiting on my discharge papers."

Stubbs nodded. "We're going to need you all to come into Quantico to give your statements."

They all exchanged glances and nodded.

"Agent Stevens will be in touch." Stubbs turned to Strauss. She looked deeply unhappy. "I'll go to speak with Agent Reid now. If you want to take the SUV I'll get a ride back with Agent Kaur."

Strauss simply nodded, her eyes were glistening with tears.

"After you have given your statements, go home and get some rest. I don't want to see any of you in the office for 8 weeks. I will keep you updated daily with our progress."

Hotch nodded depressively.

"Take care of yourselves." Stubbs said kindly.

Stubbs and Strauss left the room, leaving the team in stunned silence.

Hotch had his head in his hand. Rossi had rested his head back against his pillow and closed his eyes. JJ and Garcia both had tears streaming down their faces. JJ's expression was stern and angry. Prentiss was covering her mouth with her hand, resting her elbow on her knee.

They were all in complete disbelief.

"I- I can't believe this." Garcia was the first to break the silence with a small voice. "What are we going to do?"

The group sat in silence, unable to find any words.

"Murder." Prentiss sighed under her breath., shaking her head in shock.

"He won't survive this." JJ said angrily. "If he ends up in prison... he's not strong enough. He won't survive."

"Oh god. It won't go that far, will it. He- he can't... they won't... will they?" Garcia stammered in distress.

"It's possible." Prentiss said flatly.

"They can't put him in prison. He's not tough, he's- he's gentle and kind and... they know what happens to guys like him in prison... they can't do that to him." Garcia was practically sobbing now.

JJ closed her eyes. The thought of Reid being surrounded by murderers, rapists and abusers was a scary enough thought under normal circumstances. But now, after everything he had been through, he'd be lucky to make it one day. He'd be a walking target and the thought of him going through anything else at the hands of evil men killed her.

"Why did you do it?" She spat. They all looked at her to find her gaze fixed angrily on Hotch. "You just had to arrest him, didn't you?"

He looked at her slightly wide eyed.

"Couldn't help yourself, could you? You just had to follow the letter of the law. It's a good job we didn't do the same after Foyet, isn't it?"

The team looked at her in shock.

"JJ!" Prentiss gasped.

"That was different." Hotch said firmly.

"Why? Because you were armed and wearing your FBI vest?" She spat. "Spence didn't have that luxury. He was in a room alone with him, in a hospital gown, completely concussed. The fact that he managed to defend himself at all is a miracle!"

Rossi put his hand up.

"Jennifer-"

"No, Dave! Why is it one rule for him and another for Spence? Spence is right, he has no rights anymore!"

"That's enough!" Hotch snapped. "You can blame me if it makes you feel better. But the fact of the matter is that Reid would have been arrested one way or another. Now would you prefer it to be done by someone he knows and trusts or should I have just let agents he doesn't know enter the room and cuff him? In their eyes, he brutally stabbed the Director of the FBI. Do you think they would be gentle with him? Do you think they'd have cared about his trauma?"

"Aaron is right. Like it or not, the second Reid stabbed Fickler, the FBI was going to arrest him. Better it was done by us than by others." Rossi said calmly and Hotch nodded slightly in agreement.

JJ's jaw tightened and her eyes shone bright with tears.

"JJ, I only ever had Reid's best interests in mind. I just wanted to do right by him." Hotch said gently.

JJ reluctantly nodded, her lips were tight and her arms were wrapped firmly around herself. She looked like she would break any moment. She looked to Garcia, whose eyes were still streaming. Garcia nodded, her lip quivering. JJ nodded back then her face crumpled.

"I'm sorry." She gasped.

Prentiss stood and wrapped her arms around her distraught friend and JJ grabbed onto her tightly and broke down into sobs.

"I'm so sorry, Hotch." She gasped through her sobs.

"JJ, there's no need." He said quietly, shaking his head slightly.

There had been too many apologies for emotions recently. He had to admit, her words had hurt, but he knew it wasn't personal. They were all terrified and desperate to pull Reid out of this horrific situation.

"I'm so scared for him. We can't lose him. Not now." JJ sobbed.

"I know." Prentiss rubbed her back gently. "He's survived so much."

"It's not fair. We can't even bring him home with us." JJ pulled away from the hug and wiped her cheeks free of tears only for them to be replaced by more.

Looking around the room, the rest of the team were in a similar state.

"None of this has been fair." Rossi said, his eyes glistening.

There was a knock and a doctor popped his head around the door. Both Dr. Cohen and Dr. Andrews had been questioned by the FBI and sent home with some time off to recover from the shock of what they had experienced.

"Hi. I'm Dr. Owens." He was a lot younger than the other doctors and was completely taken aback by the sea of emotion he had waded into. "Is this a bad time?" He asked innocently.

Rossi wiped his eyes. "No, come on in, Doctor." Rossi said respectfully.

He stepped into the room cautiously, he had a sheet of paper in his hand.

"Thank you. I'm just delivering your discharge papers. You are free to go."

Garcia put a hand to Rossi's shoulder and squeezed.

"That's great news." She said encouragingly with a small smile.

Rossi smiled at the young man.

"Thank you."

"You must allow yourself to rest at least for the next 48 hours. You may experience some dizziness or nausea. If any of these symptoms become severe or you lose consciousness at any point, you must come straight back to the emergency room. Can I confirm that you have someone to stay with you? At least for tonight?"

"He can stay with me." Hotch said confidently.

The doctor nodded. "Perfect. Well, in that case, you are free to go, Agent." He smiled.

"Thank you, doctor." Rossi responded with a kind smile.

Once the doctor left the room, Rossi looked seriously at Hotch.

"You don't have to take me in, Aaron."

"You're not going home alone, Dave." He answered sternly.

"What about Jack? You've barely seen anything of him as it is. Now I'm moving in."

"Jack is with Jessica. I have been keeping her updated with all the developments. She understands what a mess this whole thing is and she's more than willing to help."

"But Aaron-"

"No buts. It's only one night and after that I have 8 weeks to focus on Jack. No arguments."

Rossi sighed and rolled his eyes. "Okay, fine." He smirked a little. "I feel like a nomad at the moment."

"My hospitality probably isn't as good as Morgan's but there will be fresh coffee in the morning and none of that rap music you love so much." Hotch quirked a slight smile at the man.

Rossi scoffed. "Sounds good to me."

"Come on, let's get you out of here." Prentiss said, grabbing his bag containing his belongings.

"Hold on. Talking of Derek. I think there's something we need to do before we leave."

Hotch's face dropped into a frown, then he nodded.

This was not going to be easy.

---

Hotch and Rossi entered Morgan's room. He was sleeping peacefully. They were taken aback by how bad he looked. He was severely bruised, covered in cuts and had an almost grey pallor to his skin. His arm was in a cast and he wore an oxygen mask on his face.

"Are we sure this is a good idea?" Hotch said quietly.

"No... But imagine if we didn't tell him. If Stubbs is going to try and bring Reid to see him, then we need to get this out of the way before he does. The last thing Reid needs is Morgan flying off the handle." Rossi said confidently.

Hotch nodded in agreement and acceptance.

They moved to either side of the bed and sat down.

"I almost don't want to wake him. He looks so peaceful." Rossi said regretfully.

Hotch hummed in response. He clearly felt the same. The news they were about to deliver would shatter his world.

Rossi put a gentle hand to Morgan's unbroken arm and shook it slightly.

"Derek?"

He didn't seem to stir. He was in a deep sleep. Rossi tried again, but firmer this time.

"Derek?"

He took a tighter grasp, giving a harder nudge and Morgan began to stir. He groaned slightly and his eyes fluttered open and closed again.

"Derek, it's Aaron and Dave." Rossi said firmly.

Morgan's eyes snapped open at the sound of Rossi's voice.

"Dave!" And almost instantly he was wide awake. He pushed himself up into the pillows to sit up.

"Whoa, slow down, kid."

"Man, am I glad to see you guys." Morgan said, his voice slightly muffled by the mask.

Rossi's lips quirked up into a smile.

"It's good to see you too. That explosion did a real number on you." He said, looking Morgan up and down.

"It could have been a lot worse." Morgan said ominously. Then he looked to Hotch. "How's your ear?"

Hotch unconsciously put a hand to it.

"It's okay. Not as bad as last time at least."

"That's good, man. I heard you went through a window?" Morgan grimaced.

"Yeah. I think oddly it broke my fall."

Morgan smirked a little and scoffed behind the mask.

"Only you could say that, man." The room descended into silence as Morgan's gaze became thoughtful. "I assume you know about Fickler?"

Rossi's brows furrowed.

"I can't believe it." Morgan continued. "Reid must be beside himself." He shook his head, holding onto his mask as he did.

"And why's that?" Rossi asked carefully, putting out feelers to see if Morgan had somehow heard about the developments. He suspected not, he was way too calm about it.

Morgan looked at him incredulously.

"He's Seth, Rossi. Don't tell me you don't know." He looked between the pair of them in disbelief.

"Oh no, we know." Rossi answered darkly.

Hotch and Rossi exchanged a look which Morgan caught instantly.

"What's happened?"

They both looked at him in surprise.

"I know that look. I've seen that look too many times recently. What's happened? Is it Reid? Does he know? Is he okay?'

A wheeze was building in Morgan's chest again. Rossi put a hand to his shoulder.

"Derek, stay calm. You're not well."

Morgan attempted to calm himself. He did not want a repeat of earlier. It had taken nearly half an hour for his breathing to return to normal and his chest to stop hurting. The whole time he was reminded of Reid after Jason and then after Maloney and the amount of pain he must have been in. At least he could take decent painkillers to help. Reid was stuck with Tylenol and Advil and he'd barely complained.

"Okay... I'll stay calm... Just tell me."

Hotch took a deep breath. "Fickler went to speak with Reid under the pretence that he was taking his statement."

"What?" Morgan's eyes opened wide with terror. "How could you-"

"This was before we learned about him. He spoke to me, then went in to see Reid." Rossi admitted.

"While he was in there, Emily and JJ came to tell us about him. But it was too late."

"Too late?" Morgan's voice shook.

"There was a gunshot so we were straight in there. We found Reid on top of Fickler, he had uh, stabbed him in the neck and chest multiple times." Rossi said, paling slightly.

Morgan's mouth dropped open.

"Oh my god... and the gunshot?"

"A through and through to Reid's shoulder."

"So, he's okay?" Morgan sighed in relief. His hand going to his chest.

"He's alive." Hotch said honestly.

"And Fickler?" Morgan asked curiously.

"Dead " Rossi said simply.

Morgan closed his eyes and nodded.

"He went to kill him, didn't he?" Morgan said, it was more a statement than a question.

"We believe he went to find out what he knew and Reid caught on. Then yes, we believe he tried to kill him. Or at least make Reid kill himself." Rossi answered.

"Kill himself?" Morgan shook his head in denial.

"He told Reid that Maloney is still alive. According to Reid he told him to kill himself and it would all be over. There would be no more pain and he would save all of our lives."

Morgan let out a breath and closed his eyes.

"Thank god he didn't listen."

"There's more." Hotch said firmly.

Morgan looked at him apprehensively.

"Reid has been... charged with Fickler's murder "

Morgan just stared at him then broke out into a smile, his eyes were searching. Rossi and Hotch looked at him seriously.

The smile dropped from Morgan's face and they saw his body begin to tremble.

"What?" He asked as if he couldn't possibly have heard Hotch correctly.

Hotch just nodded with a scowl. Morgan's gaze then quickly moved to Rossi, desperate for someone to tell him this was a joke. Rossi had a similar expression.

Morgan took a gasping breath in.

"No!" He said desperately. "But- but he's the victim here!"

"Not according to the Attorney's office. They weren't taking action on the evidence against Fickler. They didn't feel it was even sufficient for a warrant."

"That's complete bullshit!" Morgan shouted. "There were fucking messages from his damn phone! How much more do they need?!"

"It was enough to issue a warrant for Agent Hall, but not the Director of the FBI it seems. They are being overly cautious." Hotch said with veiled anger.

"Protecting him, more like!" Morgan spat.

"Well either way, we need more evidence of his involvement."

"You need to find Hall." Morgan said seriously.

"They did."

Morgan turned to Hotch hopefully. "And?"

"She's dead. Suicide."

Morgan's eyes suddenly filled with tears.

"Oh god. And she was the last person who knew-"

Rossi nodded and put a hand to his arm.

"Where is he? I need to see him." Morgan said firmly, pulling his legs out of bed.

Rossi got up in front of him, keeping him from moving any further.

"You can't. He's under federal custody. We aren't allowed to see him until we have given a statement."

"Well I don't need to give a fucking statement so I want to see him!" Morgan snapped, removing his mask and trying to push himself up to his feet.

"Derek, you can't. You are not well."

"I don't give a shit, Rossi! Do you realise what this is going to do to him?! I need to see him for god's sake. He needs someone who cares about him by his side."

"Stubbs is going in to support him." Hotch spoke.

Morgan scoffed. "Stubbs? And you think after this he's going to trust any FBI bureaucrat?

"He's going to have to, Derek." Rossi shook his head.

"Would you? Would you fucking trust them? After what they've done to him? And now they've charged him with fucking murder?!... Oh god." He collapsed back down to the bed holding his chest. "He can't go to prison." He gasped. "The things they would do to him in there. He won't be able to protect himself."

Rossi closed his eyes. That was his biggest fear too. Reid was an attractive and naturally submissive young man with very little physical prowess. At his best, prison would be a nightmare for him. But with his current mental vulnerabilities, he would be completely defenceless. He would be taken as someone's property the second he landed in there and his nightmare would begin all over again. And like before, there would be no escape from it.

That was if Reid even made it to that point. If the charges stuck, the chances of him actually making it to trial were miniscule.

"Hopefully it won't come to that. But we need him to talk and he won't." Hotch said sadly.

Morgan shook his head. "He's probably not even capable. If he's shut down then it could be days before he comes out of it."

"Well, he did say one thing..." Rossi looked at Morgan with a soft expression. "He wants to see you."

Morgan's eyes filled with tears.

"Oh, kid." He dropped his forehead into his hand. "God, I want to see him too. I've not even had a chance to talk to him about what happened with Maloney. I don't even know what that bastard did to him... Did you find out?"

"No. It's safe to say it was bad though. He's calling Maloney his master now."

Morgan closed his eyes and blew out a breath.

"He broke him." He curled his lip in disgust. "He fucking said he would. If that's where the kid's head is at, he has no hope of fighting a murder charge. I need to see him. I need to see if I can talk some sense into him."

"Stubbs is going to try to make it happen." Rossi reassured.

"He better fucking had, Rossi. Because if he doesn't, I'll be breaking down every fucking door until I get to speak to him. And if Stubbs just so happens to be in the way, so be it. I don't give a shit. I'll lose my job before I see him go down for this. It's not fucking fair. I mean, what are they trying to do? Kill him?!"

Tears were running down Morgan's cheeks. Rossi extended his hand out to his shoulder when his chest began to wheeze again.

"Okay, Derek. Calm down." He said kindly.

"Calm down?" He laughed. "Fuck your calm down."

"Derek..." Hotch said warningly.

"No! You watch him suffer night after night, day after day, watch him get a little of himself back just to have it ripped away from him. You fucking listen as he is repeatedly raped and beaten and ripped to pieces. Then start the process all over again. You watch months and months of pain and suffering, every day and night and then tell me how the fuck you would feel! Calm? I want to fucking kill someone! And now, when he should be getting support from the FBI... apologies, protection, some shred of recognition of what he has been through, they turn on him. They turn him into the criminal! I just... I can't even..." Morgan's chest tightened like a vice as he ran out of breath from his passionate and furious rant.

Hotch and Rossi had no answer. They knew he was right. He spoke on behalf of them all. But no one had felt the strain more than Morgan. No one had witnessed the extent of the suffering Reid had endured more than him.

Morgan took some deep breaths, keen not to attract the attention of the medical staff again.

"Derek, the last thing Reid needs is you keeling over. In order to help him you have to look after yourself. And that means allowing yourself to get better."

Morgan stared at him as he breathed deeply for a few moments. His eyes flashed angrily then seemed to soften into acceptance.

"Come on, let's get you back in bed and get this mask back on you." Rossi said kindly.

Morgan followed his advice and shuffled back into the bed, allowing himself to rest back on the pillows. He had to admit, once the mask was back on his face, breathing became easier and he started to feel more alert. He hated that. Being so compromised was not something he was used to.

After a minute of taking in as much oxygen as his injured lungs would allow, he looked to Hotch.

"So, what happens next? Is Garcia looking further into the communications? Are you able to get a search warrant?"

Hotch's face dropped again. "We can't do anything. We are all material witnesses. The BAU as a team has been ordered to take 8 weeks off with mandatory counselling. An Agent Stevens has been put in charge of the investigation into Fickler's death and the trafficking ring."

Morgan's eyes went slightly distant and he just nodded.

"Are you alright?" Hotch asked softly.

"No." Morgan said quietly. "I've met Agent Stevens during fitness training. He's ruthless. He's no Bureaucratic suck up... but he is ruthless." He closed his eyes and shook his head. "How are we going to help him if we can't do anything?" Morgan asked sadly.

Hotch had expected another outburst of anger at this news, but it seemed even Morgan was reaching the limit of what he could handle. They all felt exactly the same. Helpless and completely bereft. It had been one thing after another for months. Deep down, they all desperately needed the 8 weeks off.

"Honestly, Morgan. I don't know." Hotch shook his head.

"We hope. That's all we can do." Rossi said sadly.

---

Agent Stevens sat at Reid's bedside. He'd just delivered the news to him that he had been charged with the murder of the FBI Director. Much to his frustration, the news garnered no reaction from his suspect.

Reid had been simply staring at the foot of the bed since he entered the room. As a result, Stevens had ordered a psychological evaluation to take place later in the day with Reid's psychologist, Ruth.

He had been trying to get him to talk for the last fifteen minutes, but the lack of response was starting to frustrate him.

"You know what I think Agent Reid? I think you've been through a lot. You've had some terrible things done to you. I mean, how many men have assaulted you? Seven? Eight?... Nine?" He blew out a dramatic breath, but Reid didn't appear to react. "That's bound to make anyone angry. All that trauma... it could make even the most stable person a little... unbalanced. You're an FBI agent, and the FBI haven't protected you right?" He stared at Reid for a few moments. "Now if I were you, I'd be feeling pretty hurt by that. Maybe even a little betrayed." He stared at Reid hard.

He was still getting no reaction. He had tried everything by this point. He'd been sympathetic and understanding. That had gotten him nowhere.

He'd tried scare tactics. The suggestion of life in prison wasn't enough to get any reaction out of the young man.

He knew if he was going to get any response he was going to have to cut deep. He needed to access his emotions, which were clearly heavily guarded at this moment. He knew it was a trauma response. A mentally healthy person would try to defend themselves or at least ask for an Attorney. Reid had done none of it. As though his fate was sealed and he was powerless to stop it. Reid appeared to be completely shut down, mentally, emotionally and physically. Stevens thought he knew how to get round it. But it wouldn't be pleasant.

"All those attacks. Beatings, torture... rapes."

He watched Reid again for any reaction. Nothing.

"And not one higher up in the FBI cared... All those years of service. And they allowed you to be used over and over again. Now if you ask me... I would want revenge. And what better revenge than taking out the person at the top of it all?"

He once again stopped and watched Reid for reactions. There wasn't even a twitch.

"Did it feel good to jam that scalpel into him?" He said, leaning forward and speaking conspiratorially. "I bet it did. You really got your own back on the FBI, didn't you? How do you feel now?... Better?"

He stared again.

"No. You don't, do you? You know why, Spencer?... Because it doesn't change how you feel about yourself. How dirty and disgusting you feel. How used and abused you have been. It takes none of that away, does it? Killing him doesn't make you strong... It makes you weak. Taking your pain out on others is weak. It's what cowards do. And all you have done is pass your pain onto others."

There was a gentle knock at the door and Stevens turned to see Stubbs stood outside the partially opened door. Stubbs beckoned him outside.

Stevens took one last look at Reid then sighed. He stood up and left the room, closing the door behind him.

"How is it going?"

Stevens shook his head in disappointment.

"Not good. He's not talking. I'm not even sure he can actually hear me." Stevens huffed.

Stubbs took a glance through the window.

"Oh, he can hear you." He said confidently.

"What makes you say that?" Stevens asked curiously.

Stubbs nodded through the window at Reid and Stevens shifted to take a look.

Reid's eyes were still fixed on the end of the bed but his eyes had filled with tears and they were running down his cheeks. His hands grasped the bed sheet for comfort.

Stubbs tutted and turned away, taking a deep breath in. He glanced at Stevens and was surprised to see an expression of guilt in his features.

"You went very hard on him there. You know you don't have to interrogate him anymore. This can be handed over to his Attorney and we can say he refused to give a statement." Stubbs said reassuringly.

"I know." Stevens said, still staring at Reid. He looked as though he was holding his tongue somewhat.

"Then why are you still here?"

Stevens looked at him anxiously.

"I- I just want to know what happened."

"Well, him not talking isn't going to help him. He's the only person who can tell us what happened in that room. And refusing to give a statement screams of guilt." Stubbs said, eyeing Stevens. He saw the man's jaw tighten.

"Yeah, I guess..." Stevens said unsurely.

"You don't think hes guilty?" Stubbs asked curiously.

"No, no, I'm not saying that." He held his hands up, incredibly conscious of who he was talking to.

Stubbs stared at him a few moments longer, watching the man trying to find the 'right' answer.

"How do you think he got the weapon in there?" Stubbs asked innocently.

Stevens took a breath out and shook his head.

"Right now, I uh... I don't know. He came straight from the court. He was stripped on arrival to his underwear and put in a gown. Then he was stripped of his underwear for an examination..." He lost confidence at this point. "Not one member of medical personnel says they saw any weapon... nor do they stock that particular make of blade at this hospital. They use a different supplier." He gave a quick glance to Stubbs and shook his head. "But what that means, I'm not sure right now."

"It means that Fickler probably brought it in." Answered Stubbs plainly.

"Sir, I'm not saying that-"

"No... I am." Stubbs looked back through the window at Reid who had now turned on his side and hidden himself under the sheet. He could see the movement of shoulders shaking as he clearly continued to cry.

Stevens looked at him in surprise.

"...Sir?" He asked unsurely. He wasn't expecting this.

"Have you been made aware of what has been found in relation to Director Fickler?" Stubbs asked.

"I am aware there are some messages that may implicate him in the trafficking ring, yes. I'm aware a request for a warrant to arrest was made and denied." Stevens said uncomfortably. Discussing this with the Assistant Director felt dangerous. Possibly career limiting, if he said what he really thought.

"Right... I made the request." Stubbs answered.

Stevens looked at him in shock.

"You did?"

"Yes." Stubbs answered plainly.

"So... you think he was involved?" Stevens asked carefully.

"I think he was more than involved. I think he was up to his neck in it." Stubbs said simply.

Stevens breathed out, almost in relief and nodded.

"Honestly? That's why I'm still here." Stevens admitted.

Stubbs looked at him with intrigue, inviting him to continue.

"Something just doesn't feel right about any of this. I know this kid, not well, but he's done a consultation for me in the past and he's no killer. He's a kind soul... I know people can be driven to it, but premeditation? Arming himself with the intention of killing someone? I'm not even sure his mind could concoct that at the moment. And under normal circumstances, the thought wouldn't even cross his mind."

Stubbs nodded in agreement.

"I need you to continue looking into Fickler as part of your investigations. I'm sure the board will be happy to drop it now with him dead. But for Agent Reid's sake, we can't let him fight this alone." Stubbs said firmly, looking back through the window again.

Stevens nodded. "I was already planning to, Sir."

"Good. I'm going in to talk to him. If I can't get him talking, I will take him to see Agent Morgan. If we can't find any further evidence against Fickler, then this statement could be the difference between freedom and life in prison."

Stevens nodded. "Agreed. I've tried everything I could possibly think of to get him to talk. But he's given me nothing."

"Yes, well what I heard before... don't ever do that again. He's been to hell and back. He's close to the edge. We don't want to push him over."

"Yes, Sir. I know I shouldn't have done it, but I was out of ideas." Stevens' cheeks flushed slightly.

"I understand, but he's the victim here. We need to remember that." Stubbs gave him a pointed look.

"Yes, Sir. It won't happen again." Stevens said resolutely.

"The BAU are on 8 weeks mandated leave but I would recommend talking to them about the investigation. Their documentation is likely not up to date. Speak to Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner and also their Tech Analyst, Penelope Garcia. They will get you up to speed." Stubbs advised.

"Thank you, Sir. I will be in touch to take their statements later today."

Stubbs nodded and looked back to Reid and sighed.

"The things that young man has been through. It doesn't bear thinking about." He shook his head.

Stevens nodded. "I've never heard anything like it. He's made of strong stuff though. Not many people would have kept going."

"Absolutely. He's also had some good support from his team. I think without them, things might have turned out very differently. It worries me what he is going to do without that."

Stevens stared through the window at the shivering Agent and sighed.

"I will do the best I can to find the evidence we need."

"You need to do it fast. I don't think he will hold on much longer." Stubbs said sadly. "I'm going in to talk with him now. Keep me in the loop with any developments."

"Yes, Sir." Stevens nodded, taking one final glance at Reid as Stubbs opened the door to the room.

Stubbs closed it behind him and approached the side of the bed.

Sitting in the chair, he found Reid lying on his side, hand to his injured shoulder and tears streaming down his face. He'd pulled the sheet right up to his face in a protective manner. His other hand was cuffed to the bed rail.

He was just staring at the wall.

"Agent Reid? I am Assistant Director Stubbs. I would like to speak with you about what happened."

He saw a flicker of fear in Reid's eyes. He wasn't surprised. Reid would know that he worked closely with Fickler. It wasn't too much of a leap to assume that Reid believed he may also be complicit in the trafficking ring.

"I can assure you that I am on your side. I was working with your Tech Analyst, Penelope, to get the evidence we needed to bring Director Fickler to justice."

Reid blinked a couple of times and his eyes drifted up to meet Stubbs'. His brows were slightly furrowed and his bloodshot, tear-filled eyes had an unreadable expression. Somewhere between skeptical and barely caring.

"Agent Stevens is also on your side."

Reid's gaze dropped away at this.

"I know he was hard on you just now. That won't happen again. But he is worried, like I am, that if you don't start talking, you are going to be found guilty of murder. Neither of us want that to happen."

Reid took in a shuddering breath.

"I believe Director Fickler came in to see you to find out what you knew. And I think you realised that he was involved, and when you did, Fickler tried to silence you... Would you say that's accurate?"

Reid just continued to stare at the wall and gave no response.

"Agent Reid. We really need to know what happened in that room. Did Fickler bring the scalpel with him? Did he threaten you?"

Reid pulled the cover up over his face so he couldn't be seen. Stubbs sighed in disappointment.

"I know what you have been through has been horrific. And I'm sure you don't trust anyone right now, but I promise you, I am on your side. But the evidence against him isn't enough. We really need your statement."

He waited a few moments, hopeful that Reid would pull the sheet away and begin to engage. But he was left disappointed. The young man was completely shut down.

"Stevens told me that you want to see Agent Morgan."

He saw Reid's body tense under the sheet.

"How about I take you to see him? And maybe he could sit with you whilst you give your statement."

Finally the sheet was pulled away from his face and Reid's eyes met his.

"But I'm in custody." Reid said nervously, not sure if he could believe what the Assistant Director was offering.

"And I'm the Assistant Director of the FBI. Soon to be appointed acting Director. If I want to take you to see your friend, I'd like to see someone try to stop me." He smiled slightly.

Reid looked at him through wide and unsure eyes.

"I can see him?" He asked anxiously.

Reid sounded so young in that moment, Stubbs felt the need to extend a hand to his shoulder. But he resisted.

"I will have to keep the cuffs on you, but yes, I will take you to see him."

He saw Reid swallow slightly.

"Come on then, sit up for me and we will go."

Reid eyed him carefully for a moment, then pushed himself up, wincing as his shoulder complained.

For the first time, Stubbs took in the bite marks and hickeys covering the young man's neck. It made him shudder.

Stubbs called in the Agent standing guard outside the room and asked him to detach Reid's cuff, explaining what they were going to do.

"Agent Kaur will be outside the room at all times but I will allow you to have some time alone." Stubbs advised and Reid nodded watching as his wrist was detached from the bed and Stubbs took his other wrist intending to cuff them together.

Reid's blood ran cold and he snapped his wrist back and his breathing picked up.

"Agent Reid, I have to keep you cuffed." Stubbs said firmly.

"Please don't." He gasped. His mind was being pulled back to Maloney cuffing him in the bathroom.

Stubbs took hold of his wrist and pulled it back towards him.

"I'm sorry. I have to." He kept a firm hold and snapped the cuff on.

Reid tried to pull his wrists apart but he was stuck. His heart jumped up into his chest. He could feel his pulse in his throat. He closed his eyes as he could feel Maloney rubbing his erection against his hands. His lips were back on his neck and trailing up to his ear.

'My perfect fuck toy.'

"Agent Reid?" Stubbs said curiously, watching as the younger man's breathing picked up and he twisted his hands trying to escape the cuffs.

"No." Reid whispered, clearly in distress.

"Agent Reid. Is everything okay?" He asked in concern.

"God, you're so tight."

Reid shook his head from side to side.

"Stop." His voice sounded breathless.

Stubbs extended a hand out to him, touching his forearm and Reid gasped as if he had been burned. Stubbs quickly pulled his hand away.

He looked helplessly to Agent Kaur.

"He did this earlier." He said anxiously. "I called in the doctor, she said it was a flashback."

Stubbs frowned and shook his head in disgust at the state he was in. Stubbs hit the call bell and the next moment a nurse entered the room.

"Is everything okay?" She asked kindly. Her eyes drifted over to Reid and her mouth dropped open slightly. "Oh my, let me get his doctor." She quickly left the room, clearly unsure of how to handle it.

A few moments later, Dr. Marston was entering the room.

"He is having a flashback?" She asked Stubbs. He looked back at her with a confused and slightly panicked look.

"I- I don't know... I think so." He said, moving back to allow the doctor to approach.

She stood in front of him.

"Spencer? This is Dr. Marston. You are safe here. You are in the hospital and you are safe. What you are seeing is memories. It's not real. You are not there."

She turned to Stubbs again.

"What triggered it?"

"I think it might have been the cuffs."

"Can we take them off?" She asked.

Stubbs shook his head.

"He wasn't cuffed like this earlier." She said questioningly.

"I'm taking him to see Agent Morgan."

"Oh." She nodded in understanding. She looked back at Reid. "Would it be possible to cuff him to a wheelchair or something? This is obviously triggering some memories for him. From what I understand he was cuffed during his attack. We have to reduce triggers as much as possible."

"I guess so." Stubbs said in agreement. It was a good idea and preferable to uncuffing him. He could only do so much.

Dr. Marston nodded to the nurse to get a wheelchair.

"Please Master." Reid whispered with a shudder.

"Spencer, you do not have a Master. You are in hospital and you are safe. You need to listen to my voice and come away from the memories."

He shook his head.

"You belong to me. Your body belongs to me."

"Master." Reid whispered. His whole body shaking.

"Spencer. Can you feel my hand?" She took hold of his hand and squeezed tightly. He returned the grip tenfold, squeezing until Dr. Marston winced. "Okay, Spencer. Focus on my hand, come on. Come away from the memories and come back. You are safe. What you are seeing is not real." She rubbed the back of his hand gently and soothingly.

His breathing seemed to calm slightly and his grip on her hand loosened somewhat.

"Can you hear me, Spencer?"

His face contorted and his features scrunched up, but he nodded.

"Good... good, keep coming back to me, Spencer. Focus on my voice and my hand."

Stubbs and Kaur watched, exchanging disturbed glances. It was truly distressing to witness.

Reid suddenly gasped as if he was in pain.

"Spencer, keep coming back to me." Dr. Marston said urgently. "What you are feeling is just a memory. He is not there. You are not there. You are safe."

Reid's grip on her hand loosened and he started trying to twist out of the cuffs again. Kaur then stepped in and uncuffed one of his hands.

"Thank you." She said gratefully.

Reid's hand then started exploring the bed, looking for something to cling onto. He twisted his hand in the sheet, feeling the smooth texture.

"That's it, Spencer. That's the bed sheet." She kept rubbing the back of his hand then he grasped her hand again.

"Can you open your eyes for me?" She said softly.

He shook his head quickly and nervously.

"Spencer, you are safe. He is not here." She reassured him. She stroked his hand over and over. "Open your eyes for me. You're doing amazing."

Reid's eyes flickered open but they looked straight through Dr. Marston. Tears ran down his cheeks. His mind was clearly still with Maloney.

"Spencer, try to focus on me." She waved a hand in front of his eyes. "You are safe. I've got you. You're going to see Derek now." She smiled. "Don't you want to come back and see him?"

"Derek." Reid whispered, blinking a couple of times.

"Yes, he's waiting to see you." She smiled again, knowing this would surely break through any memories he was seeing.

Reid squeezed her hand again, as his blink rate increased. It was obvious he was fighting against the images invading his senses.

"That's it. That's really good." She encouraged.

Suddenly his eyes came into focus and they landed on Dr. Marston.

"Hey." She said softly with a smile. "Are we back now?"

He swallowed, staring at her for a few moments, then nodded as though he was on delay.

"Good... now take some deep breaths for me." She said, feeling his hands trembling.

"I want to see Derek." He said shakily.

"You'll be going in a minute. I just want you to get your breath back, okay?"

Reid nodded, closing his eyes.

"Keep your eyes open, Spencer. Keep your eyes on me."

He opened them again and his scared hazel eyes fixed firmly on hers.

"Take a deep breath in through your nose... and out through the mouth."

Reid followed her direction. His body shuddered as he breathed deeply.

"Good... good. And again. In... and out."

She sat with him for a few minutes bringing his breathing back down, allowing the adrenaline to leave his body. Now he was just left shivering.

She looked to Agent Kaur.

"Can you pass me that blanket, please?"

Once it was in her possession, she wrapped it tightly around his shoulders.

"Better?" She asked kindly.

Reid nodded, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment as they usually did after a flashback.

"Good. Just give us a moment and then you can go."

She nodded to Stubbs and Kaur to come out into the hallway with him.

"I was not informed you were taking him off the ward."

"My apologies." Stubbs said quickly. "We are trying to get a statement from him... regarding what happened earlier. We thought that Agent Morgan might be able to help with that."

"He is a very unwell young man. He needs someone with him at all times. Do you understand?"

"Understood." Stubbs nodded.

"I wouldn't normally allow it, but I think given the circumstances he needs all the support he can get." She said, her expression turning dark. "And do not cuff his hands together." She said pointedly. "I think the fact that he is even under arrest is completely disgusting, but the least you can do is try not to trigger his PTSD." She said, her tone biting.

Stubbs looked a little surprised.

"You don't think he did it?" Stubbs asked curiously.

"He obviously did it. He was caught doing it, but he would not have done it without good reason. Spending even two minutes with him should tell you that."

"You sound familiar with his situation?" Stubbs asked.

"I met him months ago when he was first attacked by Jason. So I am familiar with him as a patient. And I'll tell you something, if he stabbed that man, then that man did something to him. Spencer is not a violent person. His PTSD can make him hit out sometimes, but he's a gentle character. It's disgraceful that after all of this, he's the one who is looking at prison time. He's had no justice at all. You should be ashamed of yourselves."

Stubbs nodded. "I will be doing everything I can to help him. I don't want to see him in prison either. But he's not helping himself. He needs to talk to us." Stubbs said in exasperation.

"Trauma is very complex. And he's had nothing but trauma for months. His thought processes are going to be very compromised. He may not even fully comprehend what is happening to him, he could be blocking it out or he could just be scared and unable to trust anyone. He needs a lot of patience... and kindness."

Stubbs nodded. "When do you think he will be discharged?" He asked.

Dr. Marston shook her head. "I don't know yet. He needs a psychological evaluation. He's currently suffering with a concussion and medically he could be discharged tomorrow. But mentally, he requires further care, whether that is here or at a specialist facility." She looked at Stubbs curiously. "What will happen to him when he is discharged?"

Stubbs sucked in a breath. "He will be taken to a federal detention centre."

"Oh god." She gasped, putting her hand to her mouth.

"Once he is medically stable, he will be transferred to USP Lee High Security."

"Will they keep him separate from other prisoners?" She asked with concern.

"Honestly, I don't know. Once he's in the system he will be assessed and they will take it from there."

She shook her head. "He is not fit to be in prison."

"I don't see the legal system taking it easy on him. He killed the FBI's Director. As far as they are concerned, he will be a high category prisoner. Seen as a risk to national security. They have already been pushing to transfer him to a Federal Hospital for treatment but thankfully there is a waiting list, so he can remain here for the time being. If he's deemed mentally unstable enough, he may be transferred back to St Elizabeth's onto one of their high security wards with other prisoners."

"You mean a facility for the 'criminally insane'." She said shaking her head.

His jaw tightened for a moment. "Yes." He answered simply.

"That may be preferable to a detention centre." Dr. Marston sighed. "But not by much. Being imprisoned is going to trigger a lot of panic for him."

"All I can do is find evidence to help his case. His statement is a key part of that."

"Right, well I'd better let you get on with it. Ruth will be doing his assessment at 8pm. She is doing a split shift to support him. I'll speak to the staff on Agent Morgan's ward and ask them to take his observations in the next hour."

"Okay, thank you. We may be there for a while."

"Well, good luck. I hope you can get him to open up. And remember, patience and kindness." She said firmly.

"Yes, ma'am." Stubbs nodded. He wasn't used to being spoken to in this manner. He had to admit, he rather liked Dr. Marston.

He re-entered the room to find Reid still wrapped tightly in the blanket and shivering. He pushed the wheelchair towards him.

"Okay, Agent Reid. Are you ready?"

Reid looked up at him and furrowed his brows.

"To see Agent Morgan?" Stubbs added.

Reid's mouth dropped open and he nodded.

"Come on then." He said kindly, gesturing to the wheelchair.

He felt like he was dealing with a child. The young man's mind was so delayed and clearly not on top form. Reid was well known within the FBI for his intelligence and stories of his genius had spread quickly upon his arrival within the BAU. To think this was the same kid he'd heard so much about was almost unbelievable. It was incredible what trauma could do to someone.

Reid stood and slumped into the wheelchair.

"Can you give me your wrist, Agent Reid?"

Reid fumbled his arm out from beneath the blanket and Stubbs took hold of it.

"I'm sorry, but I have to keep you cuffed." He attached the cuff to the arm of the wheelchair. Reid watched as he did so.

"Okay, other wrist." He gestured to Kaur for another set of cuffs.

Reid trembled as he gave him his other wrist. Stubbs then cuffed it and attached it to the other arm. Reid pulled a little on the cuffs and let out a nervous breath.

"It's okay. You're safe with us, Agent Reid." Stubbs reassured. "Are you ready?" He said with a smile.

Reid looked at him with tears in his eyes and nodded.

"Let's go."

---

Morgan sat in bed staring at the wall. His heart was pounding. The anger was practically coursing through his veins. He was devastated to learn of Reid's predicament. Everything was so unfair.

He was worried to death about him. To learn that after everything, Reid was closer to being sentenced to life in prison than Jason, Maloney and Fickler would ever be made him sick to his stomach.

Throughout all of this, there had not been a single piece of justice for Reid. He'd had to kill Jason, allowing him to escape. Maloney had reached court and been granted bail, allowing him to rape him in the very court house that should have protected him. And now, again, Reid had been left alone and forced to defend himself because there was no one else to help him. Fickler had escaped justice, just like the rest of them. Yet Reid had been attacked over and over but he was the one now in handcuffs.

The world sickened him.

His jaw tightened as he thought of how Reid must have felt when he was handcuffed and arrested. He had been told that Hotch did it, to spare Reid any potential abuse he may garner from other FBI agents. The fact that Hotch even had to consider that upset him more than anything.

The FBI would show little mercy to someone who had supposedly murdered their Director in cold blood. The thought of Reid landing in a high security federal prison was terrifying. He knew the types of people who were in there. Hell, three of his attackers were in there. He would be joining the very people who had brutally victimised him and no doubt, Reid would be considered a higher risk prisoner than three sadistic rapists. It was simply unbelievable.

Morgan rubbed a hand over his head. He couldn't believe any of this. Reid had never been considered a threat to anyone. He would never intentionally hurt someone, let alone murder them. He absolutely would not cope in prison. He wouldn't know how to defend himself.

Morgan's eyes filled with tears. He was just desperate to take Reid and hide him away somewhere. Let him escape from the cruelty of the world for a while.

Maloney's death was supposed to be a good thing. But nothing good had come of it. If anything, it had made things even worse.

Morgan glanced up as there was a knock on his door.

"Agent Morgan?"

AD Stubbs popped his head around the door. Morgan's heart started pounding. This meant that Reid was outside. He sat up quickly in anticipation.

"Is he here?" He asked eagerly.

Stubbs gave a small smile.

"He's here. May we come in?"

"Yes, yes, please!" Morgan staring at the door expectantly.

Stubbs pushed the door open and when Morgan's gaze landed on Reid, a sob broke out from his chest.

His friend looked completely broken. His eyes were glazed and lost. His neck was once again covered in claiming marks. He could also see a bandage sticking out from his shoulder where he knew he'd been shot. His gaze drifted down to the cuffs on his wrists, keeping him secured to the wheelchair.

"Oh, Reid." Morgan said sadly.

Reid stared at him, his lip quivering. Stubbs pushed him towards the side of his bed and Morgan slipped his legs out and sat on the edge of the bed to meet him.

Reid looked him up and down, taking in the cast, the cuts, the oxygen mask. His eyes were wide and disturbed.

"I... I thought I'd lost you." Reid's voice shook with emotion.

"I'm never leaving you, kid." Morgan said, removing the mask from his face, tears streaming down. He extended a hand out to Reid and brushed his hair back from his face. Reid closed his eyes as his hand made contact.

Morgan looked to Stubbs.

"Thank you for bringing him. Do we really need these cuffs?"

Stubbs looked to Kaur and then nodded. The Agent moved in and uncuffed both of Reid's hands from the wheelchair, much to his relief. Then he cuffed one of Reid's wrists to Morgan's bed.

Morgan closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. His instinct was to lose his temper, but Reid looked so fragile sat in front of him, he really didn't want to spook him.

The next moment he felt an arm wrap around his neck and a head land on his shoulder.

Stubbs was so close to telling them not to touch, but the sight melted him. It was the first real interaction he had seen the young agent have. He couldn't bear to pull him away from it.

Morgan wrapped his good arm around Reid's back and squeezed him tightly.

"Oh god, Reid." Morgan said, shuddering as upset overtook him. He could feel a familiar trembling in his grip. "Have you had a flashback?"

"Yeah." Reid said quietly into his shoulder.

Morgan glanced at Stubbs and shook his head. Stubbs just gave a tight, sympathetic smile.

"We'll leave you to it. We will be just outside, whenever you're ready." Stubbs gave Morgan a pointed look.

Morgan nodded slightly, understanding that they wanted him to try and coax a statement out of him.

The door closed and Morgan gripped Reid even tighter.

"Oh god, I'm so sorry, kid. I'm so, so sorry."

He felt Reid's shoulders begin to shake as he finally broke down.

"You left me." Reid said pulling away, his lip quivering.

"What?" Morgan asked, wiping at his eyes.

Reid sat back down in the chair.

"You left me with him. I was right there. And you left me." He voice cracked as he broke into a sob and dropped his face into his hand.

Morgan stared at him for a few moments as guilt hit him like a truck. He already felt guilt-ridden, but for Reid to call him out on it was uncharacteristic. It showed just desperately Reid had needed him in that moment.

Tears streamed down Morgan's cheeks.

"I had no idea, Reid. If I had known, I'd have broken down that door and ended him. I'm so, so sorry. I really had no idea."

Reid's face was still hidden in his hand.

"I tried to call out to you, but I couldn't." He sobbed, his shoulders shaking.

Morgan stroked a shaky hand through his hair.

"I will never forgive myself for not helping you."

"I gave up, Morgan. I can't fight it anymore." Reid said shamefully.

Morgan titled his head slightly. "What do you mean?" He asked gently.

Reid shuddered and shook his head. "He won." He whispered.

"Reid, he didn't win. He is dead. You are still here."

Reid's eyes lifted and a haunted look overtook his expression. He whispered to Morgan as if telling some secret.

"He's not dead. He's coming back for me. They keep saying he's dead but I know he's not. I can feel it."

Morgan looked at him with concern. "He is dead. I promise you."

"No." Reid shook his head. "He's my Master. He won't leave me alone now."

Morgan's jaw tightened. "Reid, he is not your Master." He said firmly, his anger was bubbling beneath the surface.

"He is. He was right. I belong to him. I tried to resist it, but I couldn't. He was right all along." Reid said in disgust with himself. "He will come back for me and I won't see you again."

"Reid, stop it!" Morgan snapped. "You do not belong to him. He is not your Master. Now you are just talking stupid! He's dead, Reid. Dead." His anger was bubbling over. It

Reid looked at him, hurt flashed in his eyes. It was not like Morgan to lose his temper with him.

"You're angry with me." Reid whispered.

Morgan stared at him for a few moments, taking him in again. The lost look in his face, the marks on his neck, his wrist cuffed to the bed and how gaunt he looked. All anger washed away.

He extended his arm out to him.

"Oh, no, kid. No, I'm never angry with you." He gestured for him to lean in for a hug.

Reid shook his head.

"You won't want to touch me. I'm disgusting."

Morgan bit his tongue, feeling the urge to snap again.

"You don't know what I did." He gasped slightly, hiding his face again.

"Reid, there is nothing you could do that would make me think you are disgusting."

"I tried to kiss him." Reid said, cringing. "He told me to, and I did. He was right. I wanted it and he was right." He broke down into desperate sobs.

Morgan took in a deep breath. This was all Maloney had been working towards. Every attack had been breaking Reid down to that moment. Making him his personal puppet was his ultimate goal and it seemed like he had achieved it. It made Morgan sick. But not with Reid. Never with him.

"Hey kid..." He patiently waited for Reid's sobs to calm slightly, but Reid didn't look up.

"Kid..."

Reid's eyes shifted self-consciously towards Morgan's face.

"Come here." He patted onto the bed next to him.

Reid shook his head, refusing to allow himself close.

"Reid... come here." Morgan said more firmly.

Reid stared at him for a few moments then dropped his gaze and moved to Morgan's side on the bed, manoeuvring around the cuff awkwardly keeping him fixed to the bars.

Morgan grabbed his head and tilted it onto his shoulder and wrapped his arm around him, pulling him close.

"Kid. For months he has been working on you. Telling you you're not worth anything, that he owns you, that you belong to him. None of it is true. But your head snapped. There is only so much you can take. It's not your fault. And it does not make you disgusting."

Reid tucked his face into Morgan's shoulder.

"He is dead you know, Reid? Whatever Fickler said to you, he lied." Morgan said gently.

"I killed him, Morgan." He whispered into the older man's shoulder.

Morgan's eyes closed. "I know, kid. I know." He hugged him tighter. "But I also know you wouldn't have done it unless you absolutely had to... Will you tell me what happened?"

"I- I shouldn't have done it. I've made such a mess of everything." Reid sobbed. "I'd be better off dead."

"No. No, Reid. Never say that."

"I'm going to go to prison." He gripped tightly onto Morgan's hospital gown and sobbed more.

Morgan saw Stubbs glancing through the window at the sound. He quickly turned away when he was clocked, a pained expression flashing on his features.

"No, no you're not. Not if I can help it." Morgan said fiercely. "But you need to talk, kid. The only person who can say what happened in there is you."

Morgan's voice shook with emotion. Reid's pain was overwhelming.

Reid kept sobbing into Morgan's shoulder. The older man just hugged him close, allowing him to experience the emotions he had clearly been holding in. Reid hiccupped and sniffled until the sobs finally subsided. He still cried, but silently now.

"I'm so tired, Morgan. I can't do this anymore." He said quietly.

"I know you're tired, kid. I know. But you have to keep fighting. Just one more fight and it will all be over... you can't go down for this, man. Not after everything." Morgan took in a shuddering breath as he held back the tears. "Don't let him win."

"He told me to kill myself... I wish I had."

Morgan frowned deeply.

"No, you shouldn't. Never." He whispered, stroking Reid's head. He turned and kissed into his hairline. "Why didn't you?" He asked quietly.

Reid shifted uncomfortably, pulling away from Morgan. He kept his head down, his hair hung in front of his features, hiding him somewhat.

Reid then shook his head, squeezing his eyes shut suddenly.

"What is it, Reid?" Morgan asked, looking at him curiously.

There was something Reid really didn't want to say but Morgan was desperate to know.

Morgan frowned deeply, his expression darkening. "What did he do to you? Did he touch you?" His voice hardened.

Reid didn't answer. He just closed his eyes again.

"What did he do?" Morgan pressed, his heart rate picking up as the familiar feeling of dread swept through him.

Reid's eyes remained closed as the memories washed over him.

"It will all be over. You can save everyone. No more pain."

Fickler's eyes seemed to pierce deep into his soul, he felt pinned by the gaze. The next moment he was moving the scalpel towards his wrist.

"That's it... Just let go." Fickler said gently, bringing a hand to stroke through Reid's hair. "I'll be right here with you."

Reid frowned at that. His hand moving the scalpel away from his wrist.

"What are you doing?" Fickler asked, as he watched Reid seemingly have second thoughts.

"I don't think I can do this." Reid gasped, thinking of the reactions of the team. Hotch, Rossi, JJ, Prentiss, Garcia. They would all be so devastated. And Morgan. God, Morgan. He would never forgive himself.

"Do you really want to be a fuck toy for the rest of your life?" He asked harshly. "Living only for the pleasure of other men? You'd be nothing more than a doll." His hand crept down to Reid's neck, stroking at the tattoo there. "This tattoo... it's a reminder of exactly what you are. What you have become. I wouldn't want to live that way."

He wrapped his hand around the back of Reid's neck and pulled him close. His lips brushing up against Reid's. "Or maybe you want to be used?" Fickler whispered, feeling Reid tense under his grasp. "Maybe you enjoy being controlled?"

"No." Reid tried to pull away but Fickler's hand kept him in place.

"It's hopeless, fuck toy. You escape, or you do what you were made to do. There are no other options, because he will come for you."

Fickler watched him carefully for a few moments, he could see the internal struggle going on in his head. He needed to do something to push him over.

"I may even keep you for myself." He smirked and Reid's eyes flashed with fear.

Fickler then kissed Reid, pulling him firmly towards him. The kiss was slow and deliberate. Fickler's other hand crawled down Reid's side making him shudder. It crept round to his gown at the back and slipped under, moving down to the waistband on his boxers. He skimmed them teasingly.

Reid's hand went to stop him.

"Don't." Fickler said commandingly.

Reid's hand stopped in its tracks and he froze.

"Its either the scalpel, or this." He whispered, pulling him into another kiss.

Fickler's point was a more than adequate demonstration of what he wanted Reid to believe his life would become if he were to change his mind. That nothing awaited him other than being used, and he made the point well. And if he got to kiss the young man from some of his favourite videos in the process, then he wasn't going to complain.

He could feel the fight leaving Reid's body. He almost went pliable under his touch.

"You are such a good boy, aren't you?" He said, deepening the kiss. At this point Reid gasped and pulled back. Fickler followed him for a few seconds, forcing the kiss further, wanting to display his control in the situation. He then released him.

"Please don't." Reid said quickly, tears streaming down his face.

Fickler moved Reid's hand with the scalpel towards his other wrist again.

"Then you know what you have to do, don't you?" He pulled his head towards him again and whispered in his ear. "You have no choice. It's this." He breathed against his ear and licked, causing Reid to shudder. "Or that." He stroked the hand holding the scalpel.

Reid closed his eyes. The feeling of Fickler against his ear returned him back to the bathroom with Maloney. The helplessness, the frustration, the anger he felt as the man pressed him against the wall and he couldn't do anything to stop it. The way the man had teased him about how weak he was.

Reid's jaw tightened.

Fickler remained at his ear. "Come on, Agent. Make your decision."

The word 'Agent' sparked something in Reid. He was an Agent. An FBI Agent. And this was his boss. The man responsible for the whole bureau. Reid knew he might escape, but the team wouldn't. What if he turned his attentions onto them? What if he decided that the BAU were too close to it all? Too close to revealing who he was? The team would never give up trying to identify Seth. Especially if he killed himself.

Another breath on his ear and a wet sensation slammed through his thoughts.

"There's no point fighting it." Fickler's voice whispered in his ear.

Reid's mind was taken back once again to the bathroom. Those exact words repeated in his ear. A hand was wrapped around his mouth. He could feel the cool wall pressing against his body, his pants around his thighs and fingers invading him. Nips, licks and bites were peppered on his exposed ear and as much as he tried to push away from the wall, the superior weight from behind kept him there. Trapped.

His anger flared. Every frustration at the helplessness of his situation hit him all at once and his hand tightened on the scalpel.

A hand crept around the back of his neck again. He couldn't let this happen. Reid's head went to all of the victims who had been recovered so far, to all the threats that had been left. The dead young man who had been carved into for the sake of a taunt. The photos. The videos. Morgan trapped in his apartment... Rossi.

Before Reid could even consider what he was doing, his hand came up and planted the scalpel firmly into Fickler's neck. The man gave a choked cry and pulled back, his hands immediately going to his neck.

Reid opened his eyes to the sight of Fickler with a scalpel sticking out of his neck and blood pouring. Jason flashed before his eyes. He'd been here before.

The man clumsily pushed himself out of his chair in a panic and stumbled backwards. Just as Jason had.

Anger filled Reid's veins and he stood from the bed and followed the man. Something he'd been desperate to do all those months ago back in the basement.

In complete frustration and disgust, Reid shoved the man and he fell backwards onto the floor, slipping on his own blood. Reid found himself straddling the man, feeling the rush of being in a position of power for the first time in a long time. He violently pulled the scalpel out of the man's neck and thrust it into his chest, over and over. Images of Jason, Maloney, Ellis, Alan, Bill, McDonald and Richards all flashed through his head. He was stabbing each and every one of them.

Fickler's hand managed to fumble its way down to his service weapon and he shakily lifted it just enough to point it in Reid's direction. The young man was so lost in his anger and memories that he barely noticed.

Fickler desperately pulled the trigger, the last bit of strength his body would gift him with. The bullet met Reid's shoulder.

Reid flinched as the bullet made its way through his flesh. The pain only served as a reminder of recent months. It sparked a fury in him. Reid wrenched the weapon from him and threw it across the floor. He looked down at the man who was supposed to represent everything he'd aspired to be since being a kid.

He landed a punch to the man's face. Then another, and another. Until he physically couldn't stop. Every moment of helplessness, every time he'd been chained, restrained, held against his will, forced to do things that he didn't want to do, they all flashed in front of his eyes. And he couldn't stop.

Suddenly he was pulled up and away from the man and strong, familiar arms were wrapped around him.

"Reid!" Morgan's voice finally broke through the memories and Reid jumped at its sudden clarity. It sounded so loud, so close.

"Kid, come back to me." His worried voice said again. He felt a hand squeeze on his and he squeezed back twice.

He heard a sigh of relief.

"Oh, thank god." Morgan whispered.

Reid realised his wrist was stinging badly.

"Is he okay?" Came a voice he now recognised as Stubbs.

"Reid? Are you back with me?" Morgan asked, squeezing his hand again.

Reid felt himself reattaching to his body and he moved his head, becoming familiar with the heaviness of it again. He nodded.

"Can you open your eyes for me? Let me see those eyes." Morgan said kindly.

Reid smiled a little. There were many moments where he thought he would never hear that voice again. But none more than after the explosion. He was so grateful for the fact that he was still there with him.

"What you smiling for?" Morgan gave an anxious laugh. "You scared the hell out of me there, kid." He said with fake frustration. His voice shook. "Open your eyes, come on."

Reid felt a weight in his eyelids and fought against it to pry his eyes open. He was met with smudged colours, his vision was blurred, everything was so bright. He squinted and blinked a few times and each time his vision became clearer. His eyes finally focused and he found Morgan's bloodshot and terrified but relieved eyes staring straight at him.

"Reid?" He said gently.

Reid's hand left Morgan's and came up to touch at Morgan's face.

"I'm real, kid. I'm here."

Reid took a shuddering breath out as though he'd been holding it in for hours. He went to move his other hand but it was stuck. It stung terribly. He looked down to see his cuffed wrist covered in blood.

"You had a bad flashback. You were fighting a lot."

Reid stared at his wrist. "Did I hurt you?" He asked quietly and guiltily.

Morgan ran a hand through his hair, brushing it away from his face. "No, kid. No, you didn't."

He shot a glance to Stubbs. If he didn't know the sort of person Reid was before, then he certainly would now.

"Will you call in a doctor?" Morgan asked Stubbs.

The man nodded in response and left the room.

Reid turned to Morgan, his eyes distressed.

"I couldn't let him live." He whispered. His whole body was once again trembling.

Morgan wrapped an arm around him and pulled him in tightly.

"Don't think about that now. Let's just get your wrist sorted. Then we'll talk." Morgan spoke softly.

He closed his eyes as Reid's whole body weight slumped against him. The kid was exhausted. Morgan genuinely didn't know how he kept going. He had been running on fumes for so long now, he was surprised his heart hadn't just seized up. It was a genuine concern.

Stubbs returned to the room followed by Morgan's doctor. He'd obviously been informed of what had happened. He was pushing a metal trolley complete with wound dressings, saline and stitches.

He took in the exhausted young man leaning against his patient. He looked positively ill, like his body could give out at any moment.

"That cuff needs to come off." He said to Stubbs.

Stubbs moved in and removed the cuff, taking Reid's other wrist, intending to cuff it to the bed again.

The doctor looked at him like he was insane.

"I don't really think that's necessary, do you?"

Stubbs cleared his throat awkwardly. "He is in Federal custody."

"I think I'll take my chances." He said dryly.

Stubbs' jaw clenched. That wasn't the point. Custody was custody. Regardless of the threat presented by the prisoner. But he took a step back, allowing the doctor to take a look at Reid.

"What's your name?" He asked Reid gently.

"Fuck toy." Reid whispered back sleepily. His eyes were closed and his head rested on Morgan's chest.

Morgan's eyes opened wide.

"Dr. Spencer Reid. His name is Spencer." He said, feeling his cheeks flushing. "Your name is Spencer." He whispered into Reid's hair.

The doctor didn't react. Morgan was eternally grateful for that.

"Spencer, I'm just going to clean up your wrist, okay?"

Reid didn't answer, he appeared to be drifting off to sleep.

The doctor gently pulled Reid's arm towards him, examining the wound to his wrist. He placed a sterile sheet underneath it and began washing it with saline.

"This may sting a bit." He warned.

Reid was seemingly too out of it to take it in. The exhaustion had hit him hard. Three flashbacks in the space of a couple of hours had left him wiped out. Add to that the trauma of the court house, Maloney, the explosion, Fickler and then his arrest, the fact he was even still awake was a miracle.

Being in the safety of Morgan's presence was finally allowing him to relax. Even if he was surrounded by men he didn't know or trust.

"This is just superficial. He doesn't need stitches. I'll bandage it up but he shouldn't be cuffed there for a couple of days until the skin has healed. He already has scarring on his wrists and I wouldn't like to add to it." The doctor said firmly to Stubbs.

He'd obviously taken in the state of Reid's irreversibly marred skin. Once again, Morgan was grateful that the doctor didn't ask what the previous scars were from. He supposed looking at them, it was obvious they were from some form of crude restraints.

"Thank you." Morgan said gratefully.

The doctor worked quickly to bandage up his wrist. Once done, he took Reid in again.

"He really should return to his ward for some rest. He needs to sleep."

"Please, let him stay a little longer." Morgan said holding him tighter. Reid stirred slightly, feeling the sudden tension in Morgan's body.

"I'm concerned for his health, Agent. That young man is barely conscious. He needs his own bed."

Stubbs sighed. "I can always bring him back later?"

Reid's eyes flickered open.

"No." He slurred, pulling his head up from Morgan's chest and wrapping both arms tightly around the older man. His heavily lidded eyes looked at the doctor and they teared up. "Please." He shifted closer to Morgan.

"Come on, Spencer." Stubbs extended his hand out but Reid instantly moved back, sliding himself onto the bed and behind Morgan.

"Agent Reid, I have to take you back to your ward. I will bring you back later." Stubbs said firmly.

"And you should have your oxygen on." The doctor said to Morgan.

Morgan rolled his eyes.

"Okay, can everyone just please give us a minute, for god's sake!" Morgan snapped, feeling his irritation overflowing.

The doctor and Stubbs both nodded in agreement, staying quiet. The tension in the room was palpable and it certainly wasn't helping anything.

Morgan shifted on the bed, turning to speak to Reid who was now on the other side of it, his back resting against the bars.

"I'm so sorry, kid. If they want to take you back, then you'll have to go back. Go and have some rest and I'll be here waiting for you."

Reid shook his head, grabbing on to Morgan's hand.

"You'll be safe with them, Reid. You need some rest. You look exhausted."

"No, I'm awake, I'm awake." He said quickly. He looked to the doctor and Stubbs, prying his eyes fully open. He looked awful.

Morgan pulled his hand free from Reid's and put it to his cheek.

"I'm always here for you, kid. Always. But I can't stay with you. Not how it is right now. We will get this sorted. I promise you. But until then you're gonna have to be strong for me. Okay?"

Stubbs found his eyes stinging with tears and he turned away self-consciously.

Reid stared at Morgan desperately for a few moments.

"Please." He said quietly, begging him not to let them take him away.

Morgan just pulled him in for another hug and Reid dropped his head onto Morgan's shoulder. He squeezed Morgan tightly and then let go suddenly, shifting himself away and off the bed.

Morgan watched in surprise as he unsteadily lowered himself into the wheelchair. He dropped his face into his hand.

"Reid?" Morgan asked with concern.

"You ready?" Stubbs asked and Reid nodded.

"Reid, look at me." Morgan said, his worry building. Reid had conceded a lot faster than he expected.

The younger man just kept his head down.

"Reid?" Morgan reached out grabbing the wheelchair and pulling Reid towards him.

The doctor and Stubbs frowned as he did.

"Agent Morgan?" Stubbs asked curiously.

"Reid... please." Morgan said one last time.

Reid finally looked up. His eyes were dead.

Morgan stared at him hard and a shiver ran down his spine.

"You can't take him." Morgan said, still staring at Reid.

"What?" Stubbs said, his brows furrowing.

"He can't be alone. He's going to do something stupid." Morgan still stared at him but Reid dropped his gaze down.

Stubbs put a hand to Morgan's shoulder. "He won't be left alone, Agent Morgan. I can promise you that."

Morgan grabbed Reid's chin, pushing his head up to look at him. But he kept his gaze low.

"Reid! Please don't do what I think you're going to do. Please, you've gotta fight this, man!" His chest was tightening again.

"Agent Morgan. You need to calm down, you are going to make your chest worse." His doctor said, moving in. "Get him out of here. They both need rest." He said to Stubbs.

Stubbs manoeuvred Reid away from Morgan and towards the door. Reid kept his head down, his hair hanging over his face.

"Reid! Please look at me!" Morgan shouted after him. "Dammit, don't take him!"

He watched desperately as Stubbs wheeled Reid out of the door. Reid looked up and gave him a small smile and mouthed 'love you' as he disappeared through the doorway.

"Reid!" Morgan stood but a pain shot through his chest and he found himself bent double as his damaged lungs struggled.

"Oh god." Morgan wrenched out as the doctor quickly moved to his size and guided him back into bed.

"Agent Morgan, you must rest. You need to calm down. Your friend will be back later."

"No." Morgan choked out.

The doctor placed the mask over his mouth again as the machine began to beep frantically as his oxygen levels dropped into unhealthy levels once again.

"Please Agent. You will see him later." He put a hand to the man's shoulder to calm him. "You need to steady your breathing."

"He's going to... do something... stupid." Morgan managed to breathe out from his pained lungs.

"Okay, Agent. Okay, I will call Dr. Marston once he is settled back in and make sure he is alright. How does that sound?"

Morgan nodded frantically as he struggled to recover his breath.

"Thank... you." His chest wheezed painfully and Morgan grimaced.

"No problem, Agent. Get some rest. I will come back to check on you shortly."

Morgan rested back against the pillow and closed his eyes. The image of Reid being wheeled out of the room flashed in his mind and he broke down into tears again.

He was trapped by his own compromised body. He could only hope that they were true to their word and Reid would never be left alone.

---

Ruth entered the ward, greeting other members of staff along the way.

Her sole purpose for returning in the evening was to run Spencer's assessment. She had managed to mostly clear her diary for the next few days so she could support him and hopefully direct him towards services that could help him. However, that was before the arrest. The arrest had turned everything upside down.

His assessment was now a legal matter. She would no doubt be summoned to give her assessment at his trial and the importance of the information she was going to gather suddenly held so much more weight than it did before.

The assessment would be comprehensive, given his extensive trauma. It would dig deep into his mood, his affect, emotions and cognitive functioning. Ruth had been keen for Spencer to get some rest before the assessment took place. After everything he had dealt with over the past day, he was bound to be both physically and mentally exhausted.

Dr. Marston had called her earlier to let her know that he was visiting Morgan, which Ruth hoped would have given him some comfort. She hadn't had an update since then and hoped all had gone smoothly.

As she approached Reid's room she found the door ajar. Peeking around she pushed it open to find Reid's bed empty and Agent Kaur sat in the chair next to the bed.

Her brows furrowed.

"Good evening. Where is Spencer?" She asked curiously.

Kaur smiled. "Evening." He gestured to the bathroom. "He's just in there."

"Oh, okay." Ruth smiled back. "How has he been?"

Kaur grimaced.

"Not particularly good. He's had a few of those flashback things. And they've been bad."

Ruth nodded in understanding.

"How did it go with Agent Morgan?"

"Not great as far as I was told. He had another one which left him exhausted. The doctor ordered him back to his room, so Stubbs brought him back after about 20 minutes. Agent Morgan wasn't happy about it apparently."

"And Agent Reid?" She asked with concern.

"He's been... quiet. He's not talking again. Just sits and stares. The first thing he's said since he came back was to ask to go to the bathroom."

"Did he get any sleep?" She asked hopefully.

"No. Not from what I've seen. He desperately needs it, I can say that much, but he's fighting it."

Ruth nodded. "Agent Morgan is his main source of comfort and safety, so that's not surprising. I was hoping that seeing Morgan would help him to get some rest before we did this." She looked to the door. "Is Agent Stubbs still around?"

"He said he would be back to speak with you before the assessment, so he should be here any minute."

Ruth nodded. "Okay, good."

Kaur furrowed his brows.

"Jeez, I hope he's feeling okay. He's been in there a while."

Ruth's gaze snapped towards him.

"He has?" She asked quickly.

"Yeah."

"How long?"

Kaur shrugged. "Probably about 10 minutes?"

"10 minutes?" She gasped.

Ruth looked at him in horror then rushed towards the door. She knocked on it quickly.

"Spencer?" She called out, hoping desperately that he would respond.

She listened carefully but heard no response. She knocked louder, feeling panicked now.

"Spencer?! Please answer me!"

Kaur was now at her side, looking incredibly anxious.

"What's wrong?" Stubbs asked, entering the room, looking at the pair now banging on the door.

Ruth's shaking hands fumbled with the safety lock, trying to open it from the outside, but she couldn't get her grip with the adrenaline rushing through her.

"I'm breaking it down." Kaur said stepping back and landing a hard kick to the door. The doorframe cracked and the door swung open.

"Oh my god!" Ruth gasped as she ran into the bathroom. Reid was hanging from the shower rail, his gown was wrapped tightly around his neck. His body hung limply.

"Shit!" Stubbs ran in behind her.

Kaur instantly grabbed him by the legs, trying to support his body weight.

"Get him down! Get him down!" Ruth shouted desperately. Stubbs worked frantically on untying the gown from around his throat, his hands were shaking. Ruth ran across the room and hit the emergency alarm.

As Stubbs finally managed to loosen the gown from his neck, Reid's body fell forwards, sliding off his shoulder. Ruth just managed to catch him before his head hit the floor. They lowered him down quickly and Ruth started chest compressions instantly.

The next moment Dr. Marston entered the room tailed by two nurses.

"Oh god, what's happened?" She asked and turned to the nurses. "We need a crash cart in here!"

"He hung himself from the shower rail." Stubbs said, his hand going to his mouth in shock.

"We need you to step back, Sir." Another doctor said as he flew into the room to assist.

Stubbs stumbled backwards, landing against the tile wall of the bathroom. For the first time he saw exactly how much damage had been done to Reid over the last few months. He was emaciated, his flesh pale under the harsh hospital lights but his body was marred with dark scars. Bite marks, cuts, a surgical scar, the sliced word on the inside of his arm. His body was permanently changed thanks to the horrors he'd endured. No amount of time could ever wipe it away.

Guilt washed over him as he thought about pulling him away from Morgan earlier. It was obviously the only place he felt safe and comfortable and they had dragged him away from it. He couldn't help but feel responsible for this. Perhaps if he'd let him have more time, he wouldn't have given up.

And Agent Morgan had warned him. He'd seen it.

The doctors were pumping heavily on Reid's chest and giving rescue breaths as a nurse entered with a crash cart.

Dr. Marston quickly grabbed a laryngoscope in order to intubate. The other doctors continued with the compressions. A breathing tube was quickly inserted into his lungs and Dr. Marston passed the bag to the nurse for inflation.

Other staff were working to hook him up to an ECG as they continued to try and revive him with CPR.

The room was buzzing with frantic activity.

"How long has he been out?" One of the Doctors asked frantically.

"We don't know. Up to maybe ten minutes." Ruth said, standing back in the corner, her hands fidgeting nervously as she watched the drama.

"That is not good." The doctor said darkly.

A loud, straight beep rang out from the machine when it was turned on. It was the clear sound of a flatline.

Stubbs' blood ran cold and he exchanged a terrified glance with Ruth who was looking deeply upset on the other side of the room.

"He's in asystole! No rhythm, defib will be ineffective." Dr. Marston's voice called out. "Prep Epinephrine! Get a cannula in situ." She took over pumping away on his chest. "Come on Spencer." She spoke in rhythm with the pumps. "Don't do this now!"

The other doctor worked on inserting a cannula into his arm ready for the dose of adrenaline.

Stubbs just stared in shock at the unconscious young man as the sound of a flatline continued to blare painfully throughout the room. As the doctors kept working, hope was getting further and further away.

"We need you to wait outside." A nurse said to him and Kaur who were both stood in complete stillness. Her voice seemed to jolt Kaur back into the present. He tugged on Stubbs' jacket and guided him outside. The nurse quickly shut the door behind them, pulling so they could no longer see what was happening. Stubbs knew this was never a good sign.

He and Kaur stared at each other for a few moments, both completely overwhelmed by what they had just witnessed. Stubbs collapsed down onto Reid's bed, unable to process what had just happened. Today had certainly been one of the worst in his career.

He glanced to Agent Kaur and saw tears streaming down his face. The Agent slumped into the chair opposite and both men fell into their silent thoughts, whilst the medical staff fought a losing battle on the other side of the door.