Tribulations

TRIBULATIONS

By hatochiisai

Disclaimer: I do not own "Criminal Minds" or any of the characters of the show.

Reidcentric

WARNING: This work includes nonconsensual homosexual intercourse.

Chapter 5

Reid stared, watching the computer screen. The door of the house opened, and a masked man stepped in. He looked at the computer camera, then walked out of sight. Reid sighed, waiting. Several minutes later, the man walked back into the room, talking on his cell phone. He was making angry gestures. After a moment, he turned and walked out the door, slamming it shut behind him. Seconds later, the door to the room Reid was in slammed open. Reid jumped, startled.

"You!" The UnSub spat, storming over and grabbing Reid by the front of his shirt.

"Guys! Get in here!" Emily shouted, and everyone came running.

"You knew they were gone!" The UnSub raged. Reid stared at him with wide eyes. "You chose them because you saw them LEAVE!" Reid blinked, then narrowed his eyes.

"Of course I did!"

The UnSub snarled, then shoved Reid back into the chair, and backhanded him across the face. "I will not tolerate this defiance!" Reid yelped, but turned to glare at the man.

"You think I care?" He cried. "You're going to hurt me anyway! I won't play along and help you hurt others!"

The UnSub glared at Reid for a long time, before removing the cuffs from his wrists and dragging him down the hall. He flung Reid into the middle room, sending him crashing to the floor. He didn't hesitate to kick him harshly in the stomach. Reid let out a strangled yelp and doubled over, clutching his stomach and groaning. The UnSub hauled him to his feet anyway and slammed him up against the bare spring mattress frame, using handcuffs in the corners to shackle him there. He picked up a knife and cut the t shirt off of Reid, then turned and looked over his tools… cattle prods, law enforcement tazers, jumper cables…

"Oh no…" Garcia whined. "No no no no… I won't watch this." And she fled her office again.

Morgan looked after her and sighed, but turned back at Reid's yelp. The UnSub was starting with low voltage shocks… over the next hour, they got stronger and stronger. Two and a half hours after the shock torture had started, Reid was hanging limply, whimpering in pain, and his body was covered in electrical burn marks.

The UnSub picked up the law enforcement tazer and turned, raising it and firing. The two prongs shot out and lodged in Reid… the FBI Agent convulsed and screamed, writhing and straining against the hand cuffs. The UnSub released the trigger for a moment, let Reid draw a few gasping breaths before pulling it, sending electrical currents running through him again. Reid hung from the cuffs, his legs unable to support him any longer. The UnSub lowered the tazer and walked over, reaching out and grabbing Reid's hair, jerking his head up.

"Are you sorry for being defiant?" The man hissed. Reid slowly blinked his eyes, trying to focus on the man. "I said, are you sorry for being defiant!" Reid's eyes slid closed. The UnSub snarled and unlocked the cuffs, catching Reid as he fell forwards into his arms. He lifted Reid and stormed out of the room and into the bathroom.

The team watched as he walked over to the bath tub, once again full of water. He stood and stared down at Reid, hanging limp in his arms, then dropped him. Reid yelped as he splashed into the freezing water, and thrashed, eyes wide in panic. But the UnSub seized his shoulders and forced him under. Reid struggled desperately…

Emily watched, rubbing her stomach and looking queasy. Garcia was crying into Morgan's shoulder, and JJ cried silently alone, a hand over her mouth. Hotchner and Rossi stood side by side, both pale with dark circles under their eyes. The team had hardly slept since this had started…

The UnSub stopped holding Reid under… the boy struggled to sit up, gasping for breath. The UnSub shook him violently.

"Are you sorry?" He demanded. Reid shook his head.

"N-No… Get off…" He cried, and yelped as he was shoved under the water again. This time, when the UnSub let him breathe, Reid lunged and brought his fist crashing across the UnSub's face. The mask fell to the floor as the UnSub stumbled back and Reid threw himself out of the tub, falling to the floor and dragging himself away. The UnSub growled, turning and pouncing Reid.

"GET OFF!" Reid cried, fighting back.

"No, Reid…" Morgan groaned. "Don't make it worse…" The Agent and the UnSub struggled with one another on the floor, Reid trying to get away, the UnSub trying to get him back under his control. But the UnSub was bigger, stronger and vicious. In moments, he was straddling Reid's hips and brought his fist across the boy's jaw.

The team watched in anguish as their youngest member fell victim to a brutal beating.

"Oh my God!" Gasped a woman's voice in the doorway, and Hotch turned.

"Haley!" He gasped and hurried over, putting and arm around her and steering her into his office. He guided her in and closed the door. "Haley?" He asked, concerned, wondering what she was doing there.

"Was… Was that Dr. Reid?" She asked, weakly. Hotchner sighed and nodded. "Oh my God… Aaron… Oh my God…" And she slowly sat down on the sofa.

"Haley… what are you doing here?"

"You… you were supposed to be off today. You were supposed to pick up Jack this morning. You weren't answering your cell. No one was." Haley said, and Hotchner closed his eyes and turned away.

"Dammit…" He breathed, now furious with himself. "Haley, I am SO sorry—"

"Aaron, don't." She said, holding up a hand. Hotch gave her a pained look. "That video you were watching… Was that… happening right… now?"

"… It's a live feed." Hotchner said, grimly, picking his cell up from his desk and sighing at the eight missed calls from his ex wife. Haley stood.

"... Don't worry about it, Aaron." She said. "If it were any other case, I might be mad… But as much as Jack needs his father in his life," Hotchner winced, "I think that Dr. Reid needs you more right now."

"Haley…"

"Can you save him?" She asked. Hotch sighed. Haley had always been fond of the socially awkward boy genius.

"We're doing everything within our power to do so." Hotch said, staring out the window. Haley nodded, then jumped when Hotch suddenly slammed his fist into the wall. "DAMMMIT!"

"Aaron…"

"This is my fault." Hotch said, turning an agonized look on her. "I'm his superior. He's MY responsibility."

"Aaron. You know more than anyone that you can't protect everyone from everything." She said, gently.

"He's going to kill him. If he does, I…" Hotch breathed, brokenly. Haley took the few steps needed to cover the distance between them, and wrapped her arms around him.

"You'll never forgive yourself." Haley finished for him. Hotch closed his eyes, returned her embrace, and wept. Haley let him. They stood there for a long time, holding each other. Finally, when Hotch got himself under control again, she stepped back and looked at him. "Do your job." She said, firmly. "Get him home safe. We'll reschedule a weekend with Jack when this is over. Don't worry about it." Hotchner stared at her. "You're needed here." Haley said with an affirming nod. Hotch sighed, then nodded back.

"Thank you."

"Get back to your team, Aaron." Haley told him. "… Let me know how it… turns out…" Hotch nodded, and leaned over slightly to accept the kiss on his cheek. The woman turned and let herself out of his office. Halfway across the bull pen, Hotch called after her.

"Haley?" She turned and looked at him. "Thanks." She nodded to him, then walked out of the BAU. Hotchner sighed and looked after her, then slowly returned to the meeting room.

"Did we ever see his face?" He demanded immediately.

"No." Garcia grumbled. "As soon as that mask came off he kept his head down."

"We got one lead." Morgan said. "He has blonde hair."

"Reid has definitely seen his face, though." Emily said, looking at Hotch. Hotch nodded, watching Reid being held under the water again, a pained expression on his face. The water was clouded with blood…

As soon as Reid stopped thrashing, the UnSub jerked him out and dragged him out of the room. Reid tried to stumble after him, but he was unable to get his legs under himself… eventually he gave up an just let himself be dragged. The UnSub opened the door to his basement prison, and flung him through.

Garcia jumped and covered her mouth with her hands when Reid sailed through the door and crashed down the stairs, slamming into the wall at the bottom. The UnSub slammed the door and left him where he lay, a dripping beaten mess.

Garcia leapt on the phone, hitting speed dial. Reid twitched when it rang across the room from him. Shaking, he lifted his head and stared at it. He winced, and began to slowly drag himself across the room. By the time he made it, tears were rolling down Garcia's face. Reid hit the answer button, dragging himself up to sit leaning against the wall.

"Reid!" Garcia cried. "Oh God, Reid…" The team huddled around the phone, but Reid didn't respond. He was struggling to stay conscious. Blood ran down his chin from a split lip and bloody nose, and another dribbled down his cheek from a cut under his blackening eye. His body was littered in burn marks and forming bruises, with several cuts… Goosebumps were pattering his pale skin as he began to shiver. He winced and clenched his teeth when they began to chatter.

"Reid, talk to us…" Morgan said, firmly. Reid grimaced, shaking his head slightly, then sat up and looked around. There was a pile of junk in the corner, including an old empty paint can. He threw himself towards it, and off camera, the team heard him gag and throw up. They waited. A few minutes later, Reid appeared back in the frame. He pushed the old cot closer to the phone and camera, then stripped off his wet pants and wrapped himself up in the blanket, lying down. He couldn't stop shaking, and coughed, violently.

"… He's getting sick…" JJ murmured, frowning in worry.

"It's probably just water in his lungs…" Emily suggested, weakly.

"That could turn pneumonia…" Rossi pointed out, crossing his arms.

"… You weren't kidding…" Said a familiar voice. "When you said you needed help." Everyone turned.

"Gideon!" JJ cried, jumping to her feet. Hotchner turned and walked over.

"Jason… Thanks for coming." He said. Gideon ignored everyone, staring at Reid on the screen.

"… What happened to him…?" He asked, sounding calm, but his undertone was murderous.

"If you really want to know, there are videos." Rossi said, slowly.

"Garcia." Gideon said, frowning. "Pull them up."

"Don't… don't you want to talk to him, sir?" She asked, suddenly.

"Talk to him?" Gideon asked. Garcia nodded and hit the button on the speaker phone.

"Reid?" She called, and Reid twitched, blinking his eyes open. "Reid, there's someone here to talk to you."

"… I'm tired…" Reid sighed, weakly. Gideon blinked, surprised.

"The UnSub lets you talk to him?" He murmured to Hotch, who nodded. Gideon sighed and slowly sat down. "Hey Spencer. How're you doing?" Reid's eyes opened wide, and he struggled to sit up.

"Gideon?" He gasped, falling off the cot and dragging himself over to the speaker, relieved surprise in his face. Gideon inspected every inch of skin that he could see, eyes lingering over every mark that showed as a testament to the abuse that his protégé had suffered. Reid pulled the blanket close, shivering and wiping his nose and mouth across the back of his arm, glancing down at the blood. Gideon looked tortured…

"That's right." He assured Reid. "I'm here to help." Reid finally cracked a smile, and a moment later a ragged sob escaped his chest. He bowed his head, hastily rubbing away the tears that were flowing.

"You don't know how good it is to hear you…" Reid gasped, curling up and leaning against the wall, giving up on trying to stem the flow of tears.

"… Spencer…"

"… I wanna go home…" Was the whimpered plea.

"Just hang tough, kid." Morgan said. "We'll get you home." Reid just stared despairingly at the camera, tears rolling down his face.

"Come on, Spencer." Gideon said, softly. "You trust us. Right?" Reid nodded.

"Yes…"

"Then have faith." Gideon said. "Now get some rest. We're on it. Garcia."

"Yessir." Garcia said, nodding, and led the way to her office.

The team looked up when Gideon walked into the meeting room. He looked near devastated, but determined. "How is he?" He asked, looking at Reid.

"He's sleeping…" JJ said, softly. Gideon nodded.

"I've looked over all the videos." He said. "All your notes and theories."

"And?" Rossi asked.

"I think you're right. There are at least three of them, and at least one is, or was until recently, FBI. And this team is the target. Reid was chosen as the victim because physically, he is the least imposing. He's a pacifist. Prefers to use words rather than force. He's easy to overpower. But he's smart with words. That's why the UnSub didn't let him talk when he abducted him. The UnSub knows Reid well enough to know that he can distract with words… talk someone down.

"But there's something else." Gideon said, leaning back. "The cases he mentioned… They're all earlier cases. The mot recent one was the one with the electric shock guy, and Jill." He nodded to Agent Rossi.

"That… WAS a while ago…" Morgan said, frowning.

"Garcia." Hotch said. "Check records. See if any agents were fired, quit… anything, between that case and when the first killing popped up."

"Yessir." She said, and started to turn, but stopped. "Guys?" She gasped, pointing at the screen. They turned and looked. Reid's eyes were wide open, and he looked petrified in fear. Behind him, boots were coming down the stairs. Reid's eyes darted around, then closed again, and he feigned sleep.

"Guys… That's… not the UnSub." Emily said, slowly. "He's smaller."

"You're right…" JJ gasped. The man was holding a tray in one hand, and a bundle under his arm. He walked over to the cot and stared down at Reid for a moment, then turned to the table that the camera and phone were one. He set the tray down on the table. Sitting on it was a steaming bowl of soup, a bottle of water and a couple of crackers. Then, the man turned and laid clean clothes down beside the tray; a new pair of sweat pants, and a fresh t shirt. He stared at Reid again for a moment, then left the basement.

"… Food… water… fresh clothes… the way he stopped to stare at Reid…" Emily said, slowly. "Remorse?"

"He's not the UnSub. He's either the camera man, or the murderer." JJ said.

"He's not the murderer." Rossi said. "He's too small. His movements are hesitant. Skittish. This is either the camera man, or a fourth UnSub." They watched as Reid slowly opened his eyes and turned, looking back at the stairs. Once he saw that the man was gone, he looked at the soup and clothes. He slid off of the cot, clutching the blanket around himself, and snatched the clothes. He tugged them on quickly then eyed the soup. He scooted closer and snatched the bowl, settling down on the floor, leaning against the wall with a wince, and started to eat. He gasped and almost sloshed soup down his front when the phone rang. He quickly reached out and hit the answer button.

"Morning." He called. "Or evening… I don't know…"

"Hey, Spencer." Gideon called. "Good soup?"

"You know… I haven't eaten in at least two days." Reid mumbled around a couple of crackers. Gideon smiled, slightly.

"How are you holding up?" He asked, and Reid sighed, pausing.

"… I'm still alive, aren't I?" He asked back, looking up at the camera. The strain was evident. He was pale, gaunt and scared. He winced, and turned his head, coughing violently. Gideon frowned.

"Reid. You were stupid." Hotchner said, suddenly. "You antagonized him. I told you to keep your head down and your mouth shut."

"… I know." Reid said, softly. "I'm sorry. I just… snapped."

"You're in a difficult situation." Gideon said, soothingly. "Maintaining control of yourself while enduring torture is… exceedingly strenuous at best. You're doing fine. But you NEED to concentrate." Reid finished the soup, setting the bowl on the table and gulping down the water, a drop running down his chin. He winced and doubled over, putting the bottle down and coughing, trying not to spit out any of the precious liquid. He swallowed then coughed loudly, grimacing in pain.

"Reid… you need to be careful." Hotch said. "If you die, I'll have to fire you." Everyone blinked and looked at him.

"Hotch?" Reid called, blinking. "Did… did you just make a joke?"

"Reid, hush." Morgan said, grinning. "Just appreciate the moment." Reid blinked, then grinned and nodded.

"Right." He mumbled, and Hotch smirked slightly.

"Reid. This time, keep your mouth shut." He ordered, and Reid nodded.

"Yessir."

"Reid, honey…" Garcia sighed. "PLEASE listen to Hotch. We want you home safe."

"Believe me. I want to GET home safe. But… if I don't…"

"You will." Hotch said firmly.

"If I don't," Reid pressed, "There's a letter in the top drawer of my desk, under the organizer."

"Reid…" Garcia breathed, trying to get him to stop.

"Make sure it gets to my mom." Reid finished.

"Reid." Gideon said, leaning forwards. "Believe me. We have NO intention of giving that letter to your mother any time soon. The next letter she gets will be another one telling her about your 'adventures'." Reid smiled slightly.

"Thanks. If you guys don't mind, I'm still really tired."

"Get all the rest you need, kid." Morgan said, nodding. "You need to keep up your strength." Reid snorted.

"WHAT strength?" He grumbled.

"Hey. Don't talk back. Or I'll have my girl put you over her knee."

"Ooh. That's dirty." Garcia purred, grinning. "And after the spanking, I'm going to play doctor with the good doctor." Everyone stared at her, and Reid stared at the phone, eyes wide, mouth ajar, and face red. Morgan burst out laughing.

"That's… disturbing on several levels." Reid finally stammered.

"Get some sleep, kid." Morgan chuckled, shaking his head. Reid nodded, smiling and crawling onto the cot, pulling the blankets up over himself.

"Morgan?"

"Yeah?"

"What time is it?"

"Almost nine at night." Morgan said, and Reid nodded.

"… Three days."

"Yeah." Morgan sighed. "Three days. I'm sorry."

"No need to apologize. These cases take time. I know." Reid said with a smile, curling his arm under his head to rest on so that he could see the phone and camera. "I wish… I wish that I could see you guys too…"

"You don't have to." Gideon said. "We are as we always are. Your mind will never be able to forget."

"… JJ is in the chair right in front of the screen." Reid said, smiling slightly. "Rossi is to her left. Then Emily. Then Gideon." Reid began to list. "Hotch is standing at the table between Gideon and Garcia. Then Morgan." Reid sighed. "My chair is empty."

Gideon smiled, watching Reid affectionately. "… Right. As always." The others were smiling too.

"We miss you, Spence." JJ said.

"I miss you, too." Reid yawned, eyes getting heavy. "Guys?"

"Yes?" Rossi answered.

"You get some sleep, too." Reid said, and everyone blinked. "You can't help me if you're all ready to pass out. And I can hear how tired you are. All of you. Promise me you'll get some sleep?"

Gideon smiled, shaking his head. "Of course, Spencer. I'll take this watch."

"Jason…" Hotch began, but Gideon cut him off.

"I'll call you if anything happens. But Reid needs to sleep, and so do you. All of you. Yes, Garcia, you too. Go. All of you." Slowly, with much grumbling, the team filed out. Hotch and Rossi went to their offices to crash on the couches they had… Garcia had a cot in her office brought in as soon as Reid went missing, so she headed that way. Morgan ended up on an inflatable mattress on the floor beside her. Emily joined JJ in her office with another pair of cots. Gideon settled down and sighed, watching Reid.

The young agent was staring off into space, his eyes glazed and half closed. He was exhausted, but he was scared. He wanted to go home. His eyes slowly closed, and he grimaced. His body was filled with a dull, throbbing pain. His eyes fell open again and he exhaled slowly.

"… Gideon?"

"Yes?"

"… Just making sure…" Reid murmured, eyes glazing over again.

"I'll be here, Spencer. I promise. Someone will be here every second. Even when you're asleep." Gideon reassured him.

"Thanks…" Reid sighed, his eyes falling closed again.

"Sleep, Spencer." Gideon called, gently. This time, Reid didn't answer. His soft breathing evened out, but a faint rattling could be heard every time he exhaled. Gideon frowned, worried. Reid was getting sick. And combined with the torture he was suffering, this did not bode well for him… the team would have to find him and get him out. Fast.