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Tribulations	By : hatochiisai Category: 1 through F > Criminal Minds Views: 19381 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: No profit is made from writing this. I don't own "Criminal Minds" or any of the characters.

Chapter List
- 13
- 14
- 15
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 14
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The next morning, Reid followed Rossi into the BAU.
“So… how was it?” Emily asked, grinning as Reid sat down.
“… Rossi snores like a freight train.” Reid grumbled, and Morgan and Prentiss burst out laughing.
“I heard that.” Rossi called over his shoulder as he went into his office. Reid groaned and folded his arms on his desk, letting his head drop onto them. Morgan grinned.
“Didn’t sleep well, I take it?” He asked Reid, and Reid snorted.
“Not at all.” He said, his voice muffled in his arms and desk. “And he makes lousy coffee.” He stood and moved across the room to the kitchenette to make himself a cup of DECENT coffee.
Rossi walked out of his office and into Hotchner’s.
“Aaron. I think we need to talk.”
“… Of course. Sit down, Dave. What’s wrong?” Hotch said, blinking.
“I’ve been thinking… Ryan Vanderwal is good. He used to be FBI. He knows how to cover his tracks. He’s not going to make a mistake.” Rossi said, leaning back and folding his hand before him. Hotch stared him in the eye. “… I think we’re going to have to accept the possibility that we’re not going to catch him unless it’s during an attempt on Reid’s life.” Hotch stared at Rossi for a long time, then sighed and looked down.
“I think you’re right.” He said.
“Reid suggested something yesterday.” Rossi continued. “He wants us to set a trap. And he wants us to use him as the bait.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“He wants us to WHAT?!” Morgan blurted as the team sat around the table. Reid was out in the bullpen. Hotch hadn’t let him attend this meeting, using the excuse that Reid wasn’t technically on duty yet.
“Reid wants us to use him as bait to set a trap for Ryan.” Hotch said again. Morgan looked out at Reid, pouting at his desk in the bull pen and playing solitaire at… almost inhuman speeds.
“I think we should do it.” Rossi said. “The fact is, we aren’t going to catch this guy until he makes a move on Reid. And he will move on Reid. Better to have him make that move on our terms than on his.”
“I don’t like it.” JJ said, shaking her head.
“Neither do I. But I think it’s Reid’s best chance.” Hotch said.
“We have to get Ryan.” Rossi said, frowning. “THEN Reid can heal. He’s still having nightmares.”
“He’s gonna have them for a long time, whether we get Ryan or not.” Morgan said. “Our boy seems prone to nightmares.”
“… I’ve noticed that too…” JJ said.
“So are we in agreement?” Hotch asked.
“… Let’s do it.” Prentiss sighed.
Reid looked up when the team filed out of the office, staring at him.
“Reid.” Hotch said. “You still up to set a trap for Vanderwal?” Reid stared at him, and gulped.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“JJ?” Hotch asked.
“The press knows what to do.” She said with a nod. “They’re announcing Neil Vanderwal as the bomber. They’re naming him as the brother of the man who died when he assaulted an FBI Agent who was in the hospital. And as the brother of a former FBI Agent who was fired when he failed his psych eval. They know that they need to have the attention on their lead reporter, but that they need to have us in the background. Ryan will be watching. He’ll see Reid drive away alone. They’ll mention that one Agent, the one who was attacked, is going to the coroner’s office to pick up some evidence that was found on the bodies. From there, we keep Reid under surveillance. And then… hope.”
It all went smoothly. The news report talked about the case, showing a photo of Ryan Vanderwal and saying that he was wanted for the abduction and murder of a dozen victims and the abduction, assault and attempted murder of an FBI Agent. The team was seen in the background. Reid separated from the group, getting into a car and driving away. He was tailed by Hotch and Morgan. He got to the coroner’s office. He lingered there for a couple of hours, waiting. Nothing. He called Hotch, and they agreed to head back to the BAU. But Reid didn’t go inside. He stood out in the parking lot, talking to Hotch and Morgan.
“Do you think he’s watching me?” Reid asked.
“By now, yes. He’s waiting for an opening.” Hotch said.
“Will he try to kill me right away? Or try to kidnap me again?”
“… I don’t know.” Hotch said.
“I’m going to go to my apartment. See if I can salvage any of my things.” Reid said. “And… give him the opportunity to make a move.”
“… Okay.” Hotch said. “Be careful.”
And so Reid went home. He walked into the remains of his apartment and looked around, sadly. He sighed and picked his way through the debris. He knelt and picked up a charred book, watching the blackened pages crumble to dust in his hands. He slowly stood and turned, walking across the room and kneeling again, picking up a framed photograph… his mother. He smiled slightly, brushing ash away from the glass. It was cracked, but other than that, it was relatively undamaged. He slid it into his messenger bag.
There was another photograph beside it. It was a picture that JJ had taken years ago. It was Hotch, Gideon and Reid himself. The three of them were sitting in a line on the jet, fast asleep. They were all in the exact same position; all had their heads leaning to the left, with case files in their laps, beginning to slip from their fingers. On the end was Morgan, looking down the line, grinning in amusement. Reid smiled, sliding that photo into his bag as well.
There was another one in his room. Reid went back to his bedroom to find it. It had been on the dresser, but now it was gone. He frowned and managed to move it slightly. There. He reached behind the dresser and picked it up. The glass was blackened and broken. Reid turned it over and removed the picture from the frame. It was slightly distorted from the heat of the explosion, but he could get another copy from JJ… she had taken that one, too. It was right after Reid had joined the team.
He was on the jet and had fallen asleep and slumped over to the side. He had ended up with his head on Gideon’s shoulder. When his head had landed there, Gideon had turned and eyed him, before shoving him off. JJ had snapped the picture right before Gideon had shoved him… it was Morgan’s favorite… Reid, asleep with his mouth open, leaning on Gideon, and Gideon with a very “what the fuck?!” look on his face, as Morgan had described it. Even Hotch had laughed when he saw THAT photo.
Reid spent almost two hours at his apartment, salvaging what he could… personal items… memories. He pulled down a shoebox from the top shelf of his closet. He smiled and opened it up. He laughed slightly at the picture on top… it was him at his high school graduation. Big front teeth, broad goofy smile, in a graduation cap and gown that was too big for him… He had been so proud that day. It seemed a lifetime away. Now he stood there, fifteen years later, in the charred remains of the life he had built for himself… Reid frowned and looked around. Books. Furniture. Walls. No. He was wrong. This was where he came to sleep at night. His life was the job. The BAU… it was the team.
Reid nodded to himself and turned to leave.
“Good evening, Dr. Reid.” Reid gasped, slightly startled. But he calmed quickly.
“… Ryan.”
“Let’s go.” Ryan said, holding the gun level on Reid.
“… Alright.”
“Alright? Just like that?” Ryan asked, cocking his head.
“Just like that.” Reid said. He slowly put down the shoe box, removed his messenger bag and his gun, laying them down on the remains of the sofa. “I’m not going to let anyone else die because of me.”
“How noble. Move.”
Reid obeyed, calmly walking down the stairs and over to the car Ryan indicated. He had ditched the Chrysler Sebring.
“You downgraded.” Reid commented, looking over the old Impala.
“Give me your cell phone.” Ryan commanded. Reid sighed and obeyed. Ryan looked at it, then tossed it aside. “Hands.” Reid held out his hands and let Ryan cuff him. “Get in the trunk.”
“No tazer?” Reid asked.
“Not this time. Get in.” Ryan said, his voice getting impatient. Once again, Reid obeyed. Ryan slammed the trunk. Reid waited until the engine started, and the car began to move. Then he reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell, glad that they had given him an old extra… and glad that Ryan had bought it. He hit speed dial.
“Speak, baby love.” Reid blinked. Baby love? Whatever…
“Garcia. I’m with Ryan.”
“… Oh my God!”
“Track me, okay?”
“Are you alright?”
“Yeah. He hasn’t hurt me. I’m in the trunk. He’s driving a champagne Impala. License plate Z94-HJA. And remind the others… this is his End Game. Either I die, or he dies.” Reid said.
“Oh, honey…” Garcia gasped.
“Are you tracking me?”
“I won’t lose you, kiddo. The team is following at a safe distance.”
“Okay. Thanks Garcia…” Reid said.
“Sure thing, Reid.”
“And Garcia?”
“Yes?”
“… Stay with me?” Reid asked softly, and Garcia closed her eyes, heart clenching at the fear that finally appeared in Reid’s voice.
“As long as you want me to, baby.” She told him.
“Thanks…”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Is everyone on track?” Hotch called over the radio.
“Garcia is talking to Reid.” Morgan said. “I’m just behind you one block west.”
“Rossi, where are you?!”
“One block east, as planned.”
“Good. Prentiss?”
“I have swat behind me. We’re about eight blocks behind you, Hotch.”
“Good. I want everyone ready to move in a moments’ notice.”
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Garcia…”
“Yes Reid?”
“I have to go now… He’s slowing down.”
“… Oh… Okay Reid… please be careful…”
“I will. And… Thanks.”
“… Good luck.” She whispered, and Reid silently hung up and slipped the phone back into his pocket. He heard a soft rumble of thunder, and the engine shut off. Reid took a deep breath, closing his eyes momentarily, sending up a small prayer for a good outcome.
The trunk opened and Ryan stared down at him.
“Let’s go, Dr. Reid.” He said. Reid sat up and slowly crawled out of the car.
“May I ask how you plan to do me in?” Reid asked.
“… And ruin the surprise? No. I don’t think so.”
“Where are we?” Reid asked, looking around.
“By the river.” Ryan said. He looked at Reid. “You like the river.” Reid nodded.
“I do.” He looked at Ryan. “You’re going to drown me.”
“Maybe.” Ryan said, and he and Reid stared at each other. “You killed my brothers.”
“No.” Reid said. “I killed Graham. Neil killed himself. He was hoping to take me with him, yes, but… he set off the bomb.”
“It doesn’t matter.” Ryan said, walking over to Reid. The pair stood face to face. Eye to eye. They were the same height, but that’s where the similarities ended. Reid was thin. Ryan was well built. Reid had chestnut hair and brown eyes. Ryan had blonde hair and gray eyes.
“You’ve taken everything from me, Dr. Reid.” Ryan hissed. “My brothers… my career… my dream. You took my dream first.” Reid shook his head.
“You never passed your psychiatric evaluation, Ryan.” Reid said, gently. “You never could have joined the BAU. Even if I had never been there.”
“… You lie.” Ryan hissed. Reid blinked, then looked away. “This way.” He turned and walked away from the car and down a slope into the brush. Reid sighed, and followed. He slipped and stumbled down the hill. A moment later, Ryan turned on a flashlight. He waited for Reid, then took his elbow and guided him along. There was a flash of lightning and thunder rolled over the riverbank. Reid blinked when they rounded a bend and found the river spread out before them.
“Shall I get in?” Reid asked, looking at Ryan.
“Not yet. Come over here.” Reid blinked at Ryan, and followed him. They ended up under a tree. Reid looked up. There was a rope hanging from the branch of a tree. He grabbed Reid’s hands and raised them above his head, tying the end of the rope around the chain of the handcuffs. Reid winced as sore muscles cried out in protest. But he made no sound, nor any resistance. He didn’t even flinch when Ryan used a knife to cut his shirt off.
“Now what?” Reid asked.
“… Now you pay for what you’ve done.” Ryan said. He walked over to the tree and picked up a golf club that looked like it had been stolen from a miniature golf park. “Forgive the… simple brutality. I didn’t have time to arrange something more fitting.” And he swung the club.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“I’ve got the car!” Hotch shouted into the radio, pulling over. Morgan and Rossi’s cars screeched to a halt behind him. All three ran over, guns drawn. The trunk was open.
“They’re gone…” Hotch said, looking around. “They have to be on foot!”
“Unless he switched cars.” Rossi suggested.
“Guys… we’re by the river.” Morgan pointed out.
“Wait for SWAT.” Hotch said. “We’ll spread up and down the bank…”
“We need to hurry.” Morgan said, looking up at the sky. A moment later, a light rain began to fall. They waited for SWAT to arrive with Prentiss.
“Where’s Reid?!” She asked.
“I’m on it.” Morgan said. “Garcia! I need you, baby girl. Where’s our boy?” He said into his phone. He frowned, listening, then turned. “You sure? Okay. Thanks.” He turned to the group. “He’s that way. On the bank of the river.” Morgan said. They started down the hill, but then, a shot rang out… They broke into a run.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Reid hung limp, blood running down his arms from where the handcuffs had cut into his wrists… again… like before… His body hurt… He was covered in freshly forming bruises from the golf club, and welts and cuts from the belt that Ryan had tossed onto the ground… He had whipped Reid with the belt for a bit, then turned it around and hit him with the buckle end of the belt as well. And through it all, Reid was silent, save for a few whimpers and soft sobs.
“Tell me, Dr. Reid…” Ryan gasped, panting with his exertion. “Did you really think I wouldn’t know that your team has been following us…?” Slowly, Reid looked up at him, trying to focus. Ryan smirked, picking up the knife and slicing through the rope. Reid collapsed to the ground with a grunt. Ryan knelt, rummaging though the pockets of his jacket, which he had tossed onto the ground. A moment later, he stood and began fumbling with whatever it was he had. Reid stared at the jacket. Ryan had finally made a mistake…
He had copied so many UnSubs… Done the same things. And this was the opportunity that Reid had been waiting for… Just like with Charles Hankel, there in the pocket of the jacket, gleamed the gun… Reid reached out and took it, slipping it into his pocket. Rain began to fall, gently… Then, Ryan turned. He was holding a syringe. Reid stared at him as he knelt, picking up the belt and wrapping it around Reid’s upper arm, tightly. Reid watched him, silently.
“What did Tobias say to you, Dr. Reid? Tell me it d—“
“Don’t.” Reid snapped, harshly. Ryan blinked, startled. “Don’t you dare…” Reid hissed, eyes burning in anger. “I won’t let you twist his words like that…”
“Ah yes… I forgot… Tobias was your savior…” Ryan snorted. “He gave you this…” And he slid the needle into Reid’s vein, injecting the Dilaudid. Reid stared at Ryan for as long as he could, but soon he moaned, his head dropping to the ground. Ryan smirked, turning and moving over to his jacket, rummaging through it. Then, he stopped. “Hey… Where’s my…?” He turned, eyes wide. Reid was holding the gun, focusing everything he had while he still could… he pulled the trigger.
“AHH!” Ryan yelped, falling back and clutching his leg. He had been hit in the thigh, and was bleeding profusely. Reid groaned, the gun falling from his fingers. Ryan hissed, stumbling to his feet. He didn’t care if he bled out… and he WOULD bleed out; Reid had hit the femoral artery. Ryan only had one concern… finishing what he had started. He stumbled over to Reid, kneeling and removing the handcuffs. He gathered Reid up into his arms and turned, wading into the river.
Reid gasped and twitched slightly on feeling the cold water. Soon, he was floating on his back, gently held in place by Ryan’s arms. He opened his eyes slightly. The clouds lit up as lighting streaked across the sky. He vaguely registered thunder again, and the rain began to fall harder until it was coming in torrents…
“Shhhh…” Ryan hissed. “Good night, Dr. Reid… sleep well…” And he let go.
Reid sighed softly, and then felt himself sinking beneath the waters. All was quiet, save for the distant sounds of the storm, and his own pulse pounding in his ears. And even that began to grow slow, and soft… it began to fade… Reid wasn’t afraid. He was ready to go.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The BAU team raced through the brush, ignoring the sharp twigs tearing at their hands and faces. They focused on the bouncing beams from their flashlights.
“THERE!” Morgan yelled, seeing a glint of metal. They ran to the bank of the river. There was a bloody golf club, a belt, handcuffs, a gun, a jacket, and a bottle and syringe.
“… Dilaudid.” Prentiss said, looking at the bottle.
“… Where’s Reid?” Rossi asked. Morgan pulled out his phone.
“Baby girl… He’s not here. Where is he… what? Damn…” He hung up. “Reid’s phone turned off. But it never moved from this spot.”
“THERE!” Hotchner shouted, and everyone turned, shining their lights into the river. Ryan was wading towards them, a smile on his face. He climbed out, stumbling. They could see the dark blood on his pant leg. He stumbled again, falling, but climbed back to his feet.
“It is finished.” He said calmly, as he was pounced and handcuffed.
“Where is he, Vanderwal?!” Hotch demanded. Lightning split the sky.
“There!” Rossi shouted, turning his flashlight into the water. Another flash of lightning, and they got a glimpse of the body floating down the river.
“REID!!!” Morgan shouted and Ryan smiled, watching the man dive into the river and swim after his friend. SWAT dragged Ryan away. Hotch and Rossi ran down the riverbank, following Morgan. He had finally reached Reid.
“Reid… Reid…” Morgan gasped, reaching out and snatching Reid’s wrist. He pulled Reid back to him, trying to ignore the sticky wounds around his wrists. “Come on, kid…” Morgan gasped, wrapping an arm around Reid and beginning to swim to shore. The current was getting stronger. Hotch splashed into the river, reaching out to Morgan and pulling him into shore. Rossi knelt on the edge, hooking his hands under Reid’s arms and dragging him out onto the bank, laying him out in the grass. Emily knelt, holding out the flashlight so Rossi could see. Rossi looked up when Hotch and Morgan splashed out of the water.
“He’s not breathing.” He said, urgently, pressing his fingers into Reid’s throat; the boy’s lips were blue. “No pulse… Emily, go get the paramedics! Now!” He said, taking the flashlight from her.
“Move…” Morgan gasped, swinging a leg over Reid and straddling his hips, pressing the heel of his hand to Reid’s chest. “Hotch…” He said, and began thrusting down onto Reid’s chest.
“Open his airway.” Hotch told Rossi, who tilted Reid’s head back. Hotch silently counted Morgan’s thrusts, then bent over and covered Reid’s mouth with his own, pinching Reid’s nose shut and exhaling sharply. Reid’s chest swelled as the air filled his lungs. Morgan continued, sweat mixing with the rain and river water on his body. Every now and then, he would stop and let Hotch breathe a couple of breaths into Reid’s body.
“Come on, kid…” Rossi gasped, his voice harsh and almost choked. “Don’t you give up now.”
“Dammit…” Morgan gasped.
“Switch.” Rossi ordered, and Morgan nodded. When Hotch gave Reid a couple of breaths, Morgan scrambled off of Reid and Rossi took his place.
“His ribs are ready to go…” Morgan panted, shaking his head. “REID!” He yelped, suddenly. Reid jerked and gasped, then gagged and retched. Morgan jerked Hotch back and Rossi flipped Reid over as he began to cough up water, then vomited. He began to struggle.
“Reid… Reid!” Hotch shouted, grabbing Reid and pulling him close, holding him. “Reid, it’s okay… it’s me… you’re safe.”
“We’re right here, Reid…” Rossi said, holding tightly to Reid’s hands. Morgan reached out, grabbing Reid’s shoulder, shaking him slightly.
“Stop fighting Reid… it’s all gonna be okay. Look at me, man… It’s me… Morgan…” He said. Reid slowly stopped struggling, and he stared at Morgan, eyes wide with fright. Slowly, he pulled a shaking hand away from Rossi and gripped the arm wrapped around his chest.
“… Hotch…” He gasped.
“I’m right here.” Hotch said. “Hold on, we’ll get you out of here.”
“Ryan?”
“We have him, kid.” Morgan assured him, and Reid closed his eyes, a look of relief washing over him. A thunder clap startled the four men, and they all looked up at the sky. Rossi looked down a moment later.
“We have to go. The river is rising. I’ll go grab the evidence before it gets washed away.” He said, standing and jogging over to the tree. Morgan stood, and Hotch lifted Reid up into his arms.
“Come on, Hotch.” Morgan said, and the pair began to stumble up the muddy hill, Morgan helping Hotch to stay on his feet and not drop Reid. They met the paramedics halfway, transferring Reid onto a stretcher and taking him to the waiting ambulance.
- 13
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Tribulations