-1Disclaimer:

Jeremy proved to be every bit as stubborn as Gideon, waiting beside Reid's bed, patiently waiting for the moment would Spencer would awaken, when he could be truly sure that he was okay. When he could thank him, and apologize.

For two days, Jeremy sat as if in a trance, eating and resting minimally, as he waited for Spencer to open his eyes. Jeremy stared into every bruise, every verification of the pain that Spencer had endured, and felt his own tingle. Those extra two and a half days, Jeremy did not even think he could imagine them. Being a prisoner had been horrible, but being a slave, that must have been devastating. The FBI had not told him of all that Spencer had endured, but Jeremy knew that it must have been something unspeakable.

Gideon stared into the peaceful face of his sleeping friend, a son of sorts, but he saw beyond the mask of peace. He knew that Reid was suffering within the chasm of his dreams. Dark memories weaved themselves into fragments of dreams and hope, poisoning them. Prolonging his suffering despite his rescue. Gideon saw every twitch, heard every catch of breath. He saw the pain hidden within Reid's sleep.

Gideon was the first to see the flutter of eyelashes that beget Reid's awakening. The change in his breathing, the whispered moan. Gideon relaxed slightly, glad to see that Reid was awake, and looked down upon him with gentle eyes.

"Reid," He spoke softly, letting him know that he was really there.

Jeremy snapped away from the sleep he had been falling into, eyes falling immediately to Spencer's. A smile broke as relief rushed through his veins. "Spencer!"

Gideon turned toward Jeremy, glad to see the change in his manner. "Jeremy, go and get the others, please."

Jeremy nodded, his eyes wet. "Yes sir." And he was up, moving into the halls without hesitance.

"Gideon…" Reid's voice was quiet, adjusting to being able to speak again.

"Your safe now." Gideon assured him. "And so is Jeremy."

Reid nodded, closing his eyes, then slowly opening them.

There was an emptiness within those wide, brown eyes, a void where the light had been tainted with a darkness more cruel then shadows. It hurt to see into that darkness, to know, that it could overtake the whole of those soft, knowing eyes.

He struggled to find the words, afraid to use his voice despite the fact that he was in the company of a friend. "What happened?"

"Hotch shot him before he could shoot you. Morgan took care of him after that." Gideon smiled as he watched Reid's lips curl into a small grin.

"The others?" He asked, his voice still quiet, afraid.

Gideon placed a hand on Reid's, pained by the young mans flinch. "We were able to save a lot of young men because of what happened." He paused, letting his pain be seen. "I am sorry that we didn't get to you sooner."

Reid closed his eyes, remembering those last few minutes in Gregory's control. He shuddered, because remembering a few moments brought forth many more. "I-"

"It's okay." Gideon said, Hugging Reid softly, feeling his body tense in fear of contact. Gideon closed his eyes, listening to Reid cry. "None of this was your fault, he wont hurt you, or anyone else again."

A few long moments passed before Reid fully pulled away, shaking and aware of the approaching footsteps. Every footfall sent a new wave of fear through him, because despite knowing that Gregory was gone, it still felt as though he were coming after him.

He took a few steadying breaths, then smiled weakly at Gideon, thanking him. The fear left as he watched his friends enter the room, a steady calm entered him, ceasing the shaking in his hands. They smiled, and so did he, because they needed to know that he was okay.

Reid tried to hide all of his pain with that smile, and for now, they let him burry it away.

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A/N Well, that is the end of my very first fic ever, a lot longer then I thought it would be. Thank you to everyone who read through it and please, now that its over, tell me what you thought.

I am considering the sequel, where I will do a sort of aftermath thing, but mix it with another case, but it wont be up till I get my own working computer. Again, thank you everyone, you are awesome!!