Undercover Spencer

by NerdyLibrarian

Summary:

Kids are going missing from an elite boarding school. There's only one member of the BAU who could possibly pose as a student. What will happen when Spencer not only befriends the entire student body, leading to awkward social situations, but finds himself the unsub's next target?

Notes:

Please be aware that there is discussion of both child sexual abuse and underage prostitution. The most graphic it gets is Spencer being in a situation which makes him uncomfortable and causes him to realize what's happening. But, if these will trigger you, please use caution.

Someone was abducting children. Again. This time, though, they were taking them from a boarding school. Spencer Reid, twenty-six-year-old genius of the BAU, sighed, closed his eyes, and took another long drink of his coffee. His team hadn't made all the connections yet, clearly, which didn't really surprise him since they'd been called in at four in the morning on their day off after a night of clubbing. Still, this case was going to be frustrating in ways he didn't care to find words to describe. The children, though ... saving the children would make it all worth it in the end.

"Hotch," Spencer interrupted unexpectedly, "can you please just tell them the plan. I have a major hangover, and this isn't going to go over well however long you stall."

The entire team stared at Spencer. He never spoke up that way. Well, not unless he was pushed and there was the life of an innocent on the line. "As Dr. Reid has clearly reasoned, we'll be going undercover," Hotch said after a moment. His gaze was fixed on Spencer. "And we have only one agent who can possibly pass as a high school student. I'm sorry."

"I know you are. So am I. And it's ridiculous. I'm going on record now, though, to warn you that while I may have the appearance of a high schooler, that's the only way I fit your needs here. Somehow, while all of you know that, I'm not sure you factored it in, but I will do what I can. There are kids' lives at stake."

Morgan grinned. "You're going in as a high schooler? That should be interesting. I can't wait to see high school Reid." His grin faltered a bit at Spencer's involuntary shudder. "Kid, we're going to need to get you some clothes."

"Garcia handled that," Hotch intervened. "And no, Reid, I gave her very specific instructions. I've looked at them and you're not wearing anything pink or with sparkles. These will work."

Spencer gave a nod which showed his faith in his unit chief and returned to his file.

"Hotch, there's nothing in this file about my role. Who am I supposed to be?" Spencer asked in confusion.

"You're going to be an ordinary teenager, Reid. You can have your favorite color and food and sport and all of that as you do as your actual self. Just pretend to be younger," Hotch responded slowly.

Spencer sighed again. "Okay. Role play time. Ask me questions to get to know me, as if you're kids who have never met me, please."

The team looked at each other and JJ began. "What's your favorite color?"

"Purple."

Morgan snorted. "That's going to get you some interesting looks, but you already knew that. Okay, what's your favorite sport?"

"I don't watch sports. I was on a little league team when I was six to make my dad happy, but that's as invested as I've ever been."

"What's your favorite book?" Hotch tried.

"The Canterbury Tales."

"What's your House?" Garcia tried.

Spencer looked at her blankly. "I have an apartment?"

"At Hogwarts. What house do you belong to?" Garcia tried again nervously.

"What is Hogwarts?" Spencer asked, now getting nervous as well. Perhaps he'd proven his point sufficiently. "Hotch, I'm willing to do this. Just, you have to give me something to work with. Otherwise, they're going to figure out I'm not one of them in the first class period."

"Okay. We'll make you a cover. That's a valid concern. JJ, Garcia, Morgan, sit down with Reid and work on that on the plane. Wheels up in twenty."

Garcia showed up to the jet fifteen minutes late with an extra bag from the bookstore. "Sorry. Sorry. Just, the good doctor needed some background material and he's much faster with print," she explained.

Dumping the books onto the table, she sorted them into piles. "Harry Potter, Twilight, and Game of Thrones. These will give you enough to have conversations with everyone but the jocks and, honestly, they're not going to be your friends anyway, sugarplum. I've made a list of the order of the books. Think you can get through these in a couple of days?"

"Yes," Spencer said as he examined the cover of New Moon. "This is about vampires and werewolves?"

"Yes. Harry Potter is set at a magical boarding school in England, Twilight is about a human girl whose best friend is a werewolf but who falls in love with a vampire and Game of Thrones has different kingdoms and dragons. Add in some D&D and you can do this, honey. Just, don't ramble about medieval architecture and focus on the dragons instead, okay?"

Spencer gave her a hug. "You're a genius. This is exactly the kind of information I need. Do you have any clue which sports teams are popular where we're headed? And, um, which sports they're related to?"

By the time the jet landed in Seattle, the team felt confident in Spencer's cover. He still wasn't certain he could act like a teenager, but at least he now had answers to give about himself.

Spencer and his guardian, Rossi, arrived at the school shortly after lunch and met with the principal. Mr. Rosenberg. "Dr. Reid, thank you for agreeing to come. And, Agent Rossi, thank you and the rest of your team, as well. What can I do to help?"

Spencer took point, since he would be the one on the inside. "You're the only person here who knows about me, correct? The teachers all believe I'm a transfer student?"

"Yes. We explained that Mr. Rossi recently came to understand how much your previous educational opportunities were lacking in meeting your needs and sought us out. They're expecting an intelligent and curious student who can challenge them but who is slightly socially awkward and not comfortable with his peers due to previous bullying. We have a rather unique social structure at this school to prevent bullying, so that shouldn't happen here."

"Thank you," Spencer said with a bemused smile. "If they can prevent me from being tied to flagpoles, I'm certain this will be a far more pleasant experience than my last high school. It sounds like they're invested in their students and that will be very helpful. Are they aware of the FBI's presence? Will my team be able to meet with them?"

Mr. Rosenberg looked at Spencer with a new perspective, suddenly seeing him as an actual bullied child who was facing his fears to help save his students. He was more committed than ever to do what the BAU needed in light of Spencer's aid. "Yes. When would you like that to happen? Would you prefer to have a day to see them first in class and get a perspective on them or should your team meet with them immediately?"

"Generally, I'd prefer to meet them first, but time is limited. Our technical analyst gave me Harry Potter as background reading on the jet. Does everyone eat together in your school?"

"Yes," Mr. Rosenberg said with a smile. "We do. We don't have owls, though."

Spencer laughed. "I'm aware, sir. But my background with boarding schools is primarily from my studies of Dickens and I suspect you're closer to Rowling's style than his."

Rosenberg and Rossi also laughed. "Yes. That we are. And we'll introduce the teachers at dinner. That way you can start to put faces to names. We have one other new student, as well. He arrived this morning. His name is Oliver Jameson and he's a senior from Kansas. He's intelligent and athletic and, from what I've seen of his file, a gifted artist. His parents died recently and his grandparents are unable to provide a suitable education where they live, so he requested that he complete his education at a boarding school in order to have the best chances at an Ivy League college."

Spencer and Dave looked at each other. "I'll have Garcia do some checking, just in case. But, no, I don't think there's an issue, either," Rossi responded to Spencer.

Spencer turned back to Mr. Rosenberg. "There are few coincidences in our line of work and having a new student turn up today would be highly suspect. However, the abductions have been going on for several days already and if his story checks out, then we have no reason to believe he's a suspect. It's just something we need to rule out."

Mr. Rosenberg nodded. That made sense to him. "Sir, do you have my class schedule? Could you show me where I'm supposed to be sleeping, please? And I'm aware that students aren't supposed to have cell phones, but I do need to keep in contact with my team. I'll keep it on vibrate during class but if there is a break in the case, or there is a situation where I feel there are students at risk, I need to be able to communicate. Also, here is my number and may I have yours, please?" Spencer handed over a business card.

Mr. Rosenberg was a bit startled but handed over his as well, which Spencer glanced at and returned. He then programmed the information into his phone. When he looked up, he saw Mr. Rosenberg staring and Rossi grinning. "Oh. I think my team forgot to mention my eidetic memory. I'm just programming you in because that way I can have you on speed dial. It's faster in an emergency than dialing the numbers."

"Dr. Reid," Mr. Rosenberg requested, leaning forward eagerly, "I would have loved to have had you as an actual student. Since you're here with us now, though, please tell me a little bit about yourself. You have an eidetic memory?"

"Yes. I have an IQ of 187, I have doctorates in Math, Chemistry, and Engineering, bachelors in Sociology and Psychology, a few other degrees, I read twenty thousand words per minute, I can't play sports, and I have no identifiable social skills," Spencer said awkwardly, blushing.

Rossi snorted. "When we take him in the field a couple of people have asked how much we paid for the cyborg. But seriously, the kid here is a genius. He's the one who solves most of our cases, honestly. And don't let him fool you. He talks down our unsubs, our bad guys. He's the one who finds the humanity in them and convinces them to give themselves up into custody rather than having everything end in a firefight. He's the most compassionate person I've ever met. He just doesn’t always know how to interact with people in everyday settings."

Spencer ducked his head.

"Well, it sounds like you're going to be an amazing asset to our school. And, again, thank you. We're incredibly grateful to have your entire team here working to protect our students, and it sounds like you, specifically, will be able to see what's happening here. These children are our future and It's my life's work to guide them and finding and stopping whoever is trying to harm them is my most important goal at the moment."

Spencer looked up. "That, sir, is what our team does. We will do everything in our power to help."

Rossi made his excuses and Mr. Rosenberg showed Spencer his room and provided his class schedule and a map of the campus. His first class, chemistry, was beginning in five minutes and they walked there together.

"Ah, you must be Spencer," a middle-aged man greeted warmly. "My name is Mr. Michaels. Here is your textbook. We're about to begin chapter nine. Please let me know if you have any questions. Your transcripts indicated that you're highly intelligent, but all schools have slightly different curriculums, so if there's anything we've covered which you haven't yet, please let me know."

Spencer thanked him awkwardly and took the remaining empty seat, which was fortunately in the back of the room. Flipping to the table of contents he reviewed what the other students had already learned and then took a moment to survey his classmates. They seemed like an ordinary mix of teenagers: there were groups of friends talking together and obvious couples. Some were clearly jocks while others were the nerds. Some were the freaks and some the geeks. Some seemed like well-adjusted if average kids who just fit into the background. Spencer spotted Oliver immediately from the doodles all over his notebooks and obvious ink smudges on his wrists. The student was clearly gifted if Spencer's art degree meant anything.

The bell rang as Mr. Jameson left the room and Mr. Michaels stepped forward. "Good afternoon, everyone. We're going to dispense with the formal introductions, but we do have two new students today, Oliver and Spencer. Some of you met Oliver this morning, but Spencer just arrived after lunch. Please make them feel welcome in our family and if you see them lost in the halls, help them get to class, okay?" Mr. Michaels ended that with a smile, and everyone relaxed.

He then smoothly transitioned to the difference between ionic and covalent bonds. Spencer sat quietly and admired the way the teacher engaged his students. His teachers had never had that skill when he was in school. Finally, they reached a question none of the other students could answer. Mr. Michaels had explained it well, but it clearly hadn't reached the students. Spencer finally raised his hand. "Yes, Spencer?"

"Sir, if I understand correctly, an ionic bond requires a gift. One atom shares one of its electrons with the other atom to make themselves equals. Covalent bonds are already equals." There was a look of comprehension among the other students. That was something they could understand.

"Exactly, Spencer," Mr. Michaels beamed and continued with the lesson.

By the end of the day Spencer could honestly say that he was impressed with the academic and social standards of the school. The teachers were well-educated, clear, concise, and, most importantly, committed to their students. They actively encouraged work between peer groups, pairing the football quarterback with the drama enthusiast. They also had a no-tolerance policy for harassment of any form between the students and actively monitored to ensure that all students were working equally so that the less gifted were both made to participate and allowed the chance to do so.

Because the students were forced to work together often, there were fewer class distinctions than Spencer had expected. There were also fewer situations where weaker students were seen as vulnerable and targeted by the stronger. He had seen a student being bullied in the hall, but as soon as it caught his attention, the surrounding students also noticed, stepped in, and stopped the interaction. The students were also remarkably friendly towards Spencer, though he wasn't certain what to make of that.

At dinner Mr. Jameson announced that there were two new students, welcomed them, and then introduced all the staff and teachers. Everyone on payroll who interacted with students, from the librarian to the cook to the janitor, was present and Spencer got to see how the students reacted to the individuals. He was very grateful and decided he needed to send Mr. Jameson a thank you text later. There were a few adults the students seemed uncomfortable around. Mr. Matthews, the Calculus teacher, got several reactions, from dread to disgust. Mrs. Jones, the librarian, was met with absolute silence, as though the students were afraid of her. That seemed odd to Spencer, who had met Mrs. Jones and found her lovely. She was, though, fond of shushing noisy students, he reflected. Mr. Waters, head of the cleaning staff, made Spencer nervous and the other students squirmed under his gaze. He made a mental note to have Garcia do some research on all three.

Spencer's tablemates eagerly included him in conversation. They were active participants in the school's Dungeons and Dragons Club, and since Spencer was himself DM for his own group, this was a perfect topic. It eventually gravitated, though, to the upcoming dance. There was to be a Winter Formal in two weeks and Spencer's new friends were debating who would ask various students to attend. They asked if Spencer liked to dance and Spencer blushed, remembering the FBI New Year's Eve Party last year where he had fallen over, accidentally dragging his dance partner, Strauss, with him. "I'm a really bad dancer, actually. I can waltz, but anything with modern music, I have no rhythm. I mean, you saw me in gym. I'm kind of as much of a mess on the dance floor as I was on the court."

Spencer's new friends gave him sympathetic smiles and laughs. "Everyone has different gifts, Spencer," said Jake, the running back for the football team. "You do great with academics. I mean, the way you explained it in chemistry today? That made so much more sense. And you did that in a couple of other classes, too. That's your gift, like mine is sports and Alice's is music. And that's fine. If you don't want to dance, you don't have to, but we'd like you there, either way. And if you want to learn, we'll help."

Spencer tried not to tear up. "Thank you."

At nine o'clock all the students headed to their rooms. They'd done their homework in the common rooms and were now winding down for the night. Spencer called the team.

"Hotch?"

"Hi, Spencer. How was your first day?"

"It was … different. This is a really amazing school. This is the kind of place I'd send my kids, actually. This is the kind of place where Jack or Henry could thrive, too. The teachers really know their subjects and they teach them well. They make all the students work together and kind of force bonds so much that I saw one instance of bullying in the hall today and all the kids around me broke it up. It's just a really incredible place for students."

Spencer went on to tell them about his conversation about the dance and how, in this school, teenagers weren't profiling as psychopaths. It might be the environment, but every student Spencer had met seemed to be genuinely helpful and welcoming. "We need to save these kids, Hotch. These are good kids."

"Garcia, there are three people I need you to look into, please." He told them about the ones who had caused negative reactions during dinner. "I really think the librarian's okay. I think it's a learned response to her presence, but we need to rule her out," he concluded.

"It sounds like it's going really well," JJ said, pleased.

"This is far, far better than I expected," Spencer admitted. "I'm serious when I say that this is someplace I'd send my kids. It's amazing. The academics are excellent and the social support is far beyond anything I've seen in any school, ever. I wrote a master's thesis on educational philosophy and visited quite a few schools with excellent reputations. None of them compared to what I'm seeing here."

"What did you guys find out when you interviewed the teachers?" Spencer asked the team.

"Well, they seem pretty much how you've described them. The math teacher seemed a little off, almost too charming and helpful and friendly. If as you said the students have negative reactions to him as well, then that's something we need to look into closely," Hotch said.

"I have his class just before lunch tomorrow," Spencer said. "I should have observations for you tomorrow night."

"Sounds good. Get some rest. Let us know if you need anything, and Reid?"

"Sir?"

"Please be safe. We can't afford to lose you."

Spencer hummed an acknowledgement and hung up with a smile. That was as close as Hotch could get to admitting he cared.

The next day Spencer felt rather like he was in the Twilight Zone. Everything was as it had been t the day before, with two notable additions.

First, he was receiving invitations to the dance. The girls (and boys) who invited him made it clear that he didn't have to dance, but that they'd be interested in getting to know him on a more personal level. That made Spencer distinctly uncomfortable and he was withdrawing from everyone by the time he reached Mr. Matthews' class.

At the end of the lesson Mr. Matthews asked to speak to Spencer. Several of the other students attempted to loiter in the classroom and others simply waited right outside the door. They were obviously uncomfortable about leaving the two alone together, but Mr. Matthews managed to maneuver the last outside and shut the door.

"Spencer," he said, walking over and standing perhaps too close, "you seem troubled today. Is there anything I can help with?" He laid a hand on Spencer's shoulder and squeezed gently.

"No, thank you, sir. I'm just not used to be included at schools and I've had a number of students invite me to the dance. I'm still trying to process that. I'll be fine, though," Spencer said in a rush.

Mr. Matthews' hand ran down Spencer's arm. "Well, I can understand why they're inviting you. You're a handsome young man. And very intelligent. Is it making you uncomfortable? I can arrange … something … so that they'd leave you alone, if that would help."

"No, thank you, sir," Spencer said, squirming. He was not at all comfortable with Mr. Matthews who was now looking at him with all the wrong forms of interest. "I need to go now."

Mr. Matthews sighed. "Well, here. Take my card. If you need me, anytime, my personal cell is on here. Please call me. Anytime."

Spencer took it and thanked him and escaped.

Spencer's friends swarmed him and asked if he was alright. He wasn't, but he asked if they could talk. They went to the courtyard where Spencer could see anyone approaching. "Guys, I have to ask you a question. And I really need you to be honest, okay. Please? Is Mr. Matthews doing something inappropriate with the students here?"

Alice sighed and ran a hand through her hair. "It's never been anything provable. It's … little touches. Inappropriate comments when he's alone with someone so there's no witness. I will say that the kids who are missing are ones he was paying close attention to."

Spencer nodded slowly. "Okay. Thank you. Did the kids say anything about him giving them a business card?"

The kids looked at each other in confusion. "No. Even when he's been inappropriate with us, he's never mentioned one, either."

"Okay, thank you. He gave me one. I need to think for a bit, so I'm going to skip lunch. I really appreciate you all watching out for me, and it helps more than you know. Do you mind if I take some time and catch up with you in class?"

The others were reluctant to leave him alone but eventually went to lunch. Spencer went straight to Mr. Jameson's office and texted both Mr. Jameson and Hotch. By the time Hotch arrived, Mr. Jameson was handing a hyperventilating Spencer a cup of coffee.

"Reid, talk to me, please," Hotch asked gently, sitting down on the couch next to Spencer.

"We have two major problems. The first is Mr. Matthews." Spencer had Hotch record the story for the record and by the end both Hotch and Mr. Jameson were livid. "I'm certain that he's involved." Spencer pulled an evidence bag from his messenger bag, dropped in the business card, labelled it, and handed it to Hotch. "He's been inappropriate with students and the students who were trying to keep Mr. Matthews from being alone with me said that he's been paying close attention to the missing students."

"Okay. We'll get him out of here and start interrogations. What's the other problem?"

"Hotch, what do I do about all the students who are inviting me to this dance? They're telling me that they don't care if I dance, but that they definitely want to get to know me better. Some of them tried to kiss me! It was bad enough when it was just the girls, but by the end of second period, the rumor was that I'm probably gay. So, now the boys are inviting me, too! And I've turned them all down, of course, but it's getting out of control. The head of the Gay Straight Alliance cornered me in the bathroom to reassure me that being asexual isn't something to be ashamed of and that when I'm ready to come out as ace, they'll support me. Hotch, the entire concept of touching a child makes me sick. And they're coming up and making innuendos that would make Morgan and Garcia blush. There have been twenty-six kids who invited me and it's lunchtime. This isn't okay!"

Hotch and Mr. Jameson tried to hide their smiles.

"Well, what did you do when you got asked out in high school by someone you weren't interested in?" Hotch asked, not really considering his audience.

Spencer stood and paced. "Remember when I told you that the only way in which I met your needs for this role was my appearance? I graduated at twelve. I spent my senior year either shoved inside a locker or being punched between classes and then went home to medicate my schizophrenic mom and decide whether to pay the mortgage, buy groceries, or pay the power bill so mom could have the lights on and not go into an episode, because the only way to afford all three..."

Spencer trailed off, then shook his head as if to clear his thoughts. "When I was seventeen, Hotch, I was defending my first doctoral dissertation and working on my second doctorate. I was never a teenager. I don't have any experience with dealing with this!"

Hotch took a deep, steadying breath. "You're right. I'm sorry. I forgot. You're our expert at everything and sometimes we don't take into account that your life experiences didn't give you the same opportunities we had growing up. You're absolutely right that accepting a date would be a bad idea."

"Hotch, um. Mr. Jameson, I have a suggestion, but it's kind of awkward."

The two men looked at each other and nodded.

"How about we tell the students that something … bad happened and that right now I'm not ready to think about dating anyone. We don't have to go into what happened, and I'd really rather not, but it would at least get them to back off."

"Are you sure, Spencer?" Hotch asked, worried.

"I can do this, Hotch. I want to protect these kids and I need to be here to do that. There's every possibility that Mr. Matthews is a pedophile who was overly interested in the kids and that there's some additional party here trying to rescue the kids from him or that he has a partner in this. We can't just pull me out."

"Yes, you're right. But I have to ask this question. And I'm so sorry, because this is something I didn't want to ask you. I'm pretty certain that you can act as if this is all a trigger because there's something in your background where something really did happen. Is that correct?"

Spencer looked down and nodded. "You know how I avoid touch? And I'm, as you say, intensely private? How I go in as the submissive agent because I just naturally come off that way? I do date. Actually, I have a long-term girlfriend I've been wanting to introduce to the team. But there have been a few incidents in the past."

"Alright. I'd like you to meet with someone once we get back to Quantico, just so that you can be sure this didn't trigger the PTSD, but I'm not going to make that mandatory. Just think about it. And we'll say that you were very brave and reported Mr. Matthews and that the police arrested him and that your past came out in the middle of the story and that you asked Mr. Matthews to tell people that you'd like support but not to be pressured. How does that sound?"

Spencer sniffled and nodded. "Thanks."

"What else can we do?" Hotch asked.

"We both missed lunch. Can the three of us meet up with the team? I need a Garcia hug and something to eat and then I just want to be alone, please. And Mr. Jameson needs to have some background information and have you all prep him for this."

"Of course," Hotch agreed with a smile.

They all met the team at a diner and Spencer found himself tucked between Morgan and Garcia. He ate his burger and fries and drank his milkshake and basically dissociated through the whole conversation.

"Pretty Boy?" Morgan's concerned voice penetrated the fog.

"Hmm?" Spencer looked up.

"If we take you back to campus, what are your plans?"

"What I would like to do is go sleep, but realistically, I'm thinking I'll go to the library. I can just read until dinner."

"Okay. That sounds like a good plan. And you'll call us tonight as usual?"

"Yes. Dinner should be interesting."

The whole team grimaced.

"Sir," Spencer said, looking at Mr. Jameson, "will there be classes this afternoon? I don't think I can handle that. I promise I won't go isolate in my room, and I'll stay in the library where the teachers and the students can come check on me, but I don't think I can pretend not to know about the Revolutionary War."

"We're definitely canceling classes. There will be an assembly, and that's when I'll explain about you not being comfortable dating. You can absolutely be in the library this afternoon and this evening if that's what you'd prefer. The students are all going to want to talk to you, though. They're very taken with you, as a friend as well as a potential romantic interest, and they're going to be very concerned. So are the teachers."

"I'm willing to talk to the students and the teachers. I just … there's a great deal of my history I don't share with anyone, ever. And today has been quite a long day already. I'm not going to tell anyone, even the teachers, about what happened, but I'm willing to let them see that I'm alright."

"That's absolutely reasonable," Mr. Jameson agreed. "Now, I believe we should go back so your team can arrest my teacher," he finished grimly.

Spencer waited in Mr. Jameson's office while the arrest happened. He took a great deal of satisfaction in showing Mr. Matthews his FBI badge and explaining what the penalties were for assaulting a federal agent, especially as a pedophile in search of his next victim. Morgan grinned.

Morgan escorted Spencer to the library. "Kid, you know I'm here for you, right?"

"I know, Morgan. I know. And maybe someday. Just, not right now. I'm working on it all in therapy. I'm not yet at the point where I honestly believe the team could handle my story and I can't take that risk."

"Okay. I get it. Now, let's pick you out a few dozen books to read," Morgan agreed with a smile.

By the time Spencer was comfortably settled with War and Peace and Morgan was making his way back to the office, the assembly was breaking up.

"Sir?" Morgan looked at a group of teenagers who had had stopped him. "Mr. Jameson said that the FBI was involved with the search for the missing students and that Spencer told them about Mr. Matthews. Are you with the FBI? We're Spencer's friends and if there's anything we can help with, please let us know. Do you know how to find the office?"

He smiled at them. "I think I can find my way, but if you'd like to walk with me, that would be great. Spencer's in the library reading. He's a good kid. Is there anything you can tell me about the missing students?"

"Well, when we were talking with Spencer earlier, he asked us if any of them had mentioned Mr. Matthews giving them a business card. We said no, but it turns out he gave one to Marina. She's talking with the guidance counselor now. And Shelly looked a little startled when we mentioned business cards, but she didn't confirm anything."

"Thank you very much. That helps a great deal."

"You're welcome. I'm so glad Spencer spoke up and that someone took him seriously," Alice said. "We've been afraid that there wasn't any evidence to support what was happening and we wouldn't be believed."

"Kids," Morgan said, stopping and looking at them all seriously, "I'm very glad someone listened, too. What you need to remember is that what he did to you, whatever he did, wasn't okay. And asking for help, now and in the future, is a good thing. If you need someone to talk to, reach out, okay? There are people who will listen and help." He called JJ over and had her give them her business card. "Our whole team is made of profilers who know how to listen and help, okay? We're all willing to listen and help. So, if you find yourselves in a bad place, please call us or call someone you trust, okay? There are hotlines, too."

JJ nodded. "We run into people like Mr. Matthews all too often. Sometimes it doesn't really hit you right away. I've talked with people who were perfectly fine for years and then a decade later had a nightmare and it was like it was all happening again. You're surrounded by friends and teachers who care about you, so you're in a really, really good place to handle this. Just know that if you need support, now or later, it's there. Please tell that to your friends, too."

"We will," the students promised. "We're going to go see Spencer now."

As the students left Morgan turned to JJ and called Hotch over. "There's a student, Marina, talking to her guidance counselor now who got a business card from Matthews. And the kids say that there's another, Shelly, who looked startled to hear about the business cards but didn't admit anything. We're going to need to talk to both of them."

Hotch sighed and ran a hand through his hair. "This is where I'd normally send in Reid and JJ. Clearly that's not an option here. It seems like the kids are pretty comfortable with you, though, Morgan. Would you be comfortable going in with JJ?"

Morgan made a face but agreed. "Let's do this." Hotch requested that Mr. Matthews call in Marina and Shelly.

"Well, yeah, he did give me a business card. I threw it away, though. It just made me feel icky," Shelly said when the agents asked her.

"That's okay. We're just trying to put all the pieces together and having information helps. We have one of his business cards, so that's not a problem," JJ reassured her.

Both girls told their stories. Morgan and JJ gave them the same talk about reaching out for support which they'd given the other students.

"Will one of you tell Spencer this?" Marina asked suddenly. "We didn't mean to make him uncomfortable and now he's got to be freaking out."

Morgan and JJ looked at each other. "We spoke with him earlier. He's not upset with any of the students. He's upset with Mr. Matthews, of course, but not with any of you. And we talked with him about getting support if he needs it," JJ said.

"Actually," Morgan said, "he told me he already reached out. He has someone he talks to when he needs support. I think that's probably a big part of how he was able to immediately come forward with this. He'd have done it anyway, because what Mr. Matthews has been doing is wrong, but it was easier for him to do because he knows he's got people to talk to."

"So what you're saying," Shelly asked, "is that while this hurts now, if we work on healing, while things later might trigger feelings, it will be easier to deal with them if we get help now?"

"Exactly," Morgan beamed. He turned to JJ and gave her a questioning look, to which she shrugged. It was his choice.

Morgan turned back to the students. "Okay. I didn't tell my team for a long time, but this happened to me, too, when I was in high school. I was a football player, and I didn't tell anyone. Not telling meant that I didn't get help and it ate me up inside. Once I grew up I reached out for help and I'm in a far better place now. I have a job where I help protect people from the bad guys and I get to make a difference. But I wish there had been someone who'd seen when I was a teenager or that I'd reached out for help. I can't get those years back. So, please, do what Spencer did instead of what I did, okay? Don't let things fester."

The girls nodded and went off to see Spencer.

"Spence told you that?" JJ asked.

"Yeah. Apparently, he's working on it all in therapy. He says he's not ready to share everything with the team because he doesn't believe yet that we could handle his story, but he's working on it and he's getting help."

"Given that we deal with serial killers, that kind of makes me more concerned," Dave said as the team joined Morgan and JJ.

"He said, or more specifically prevented himself from saying something, earlier when he and I were talking to Mr. Matthews," Hotch said. "I suspect that his story is far darker than we've realized. None of us really thought his life had been easy growing up, but I think there's more than we ever imagined. He did say, though, that he has a long-term girlfriend he's been wanting to introduce to the team."

"Seriously?" Morgan beamed. "That's awesome."

"We'll have to arrange a dinner at my place once this is all over," Rossi decided.

"In the meantime," Hotch warned, "none of us are going to question Spencer about anything he hasn't chosen to share with us. Offer support, but if he doesn't want to share, or isn't ready to, that's his decision."

The team all agreed and headed back to the police station.

Meanwhile, in the library, Spencer wasn't getting much reading done. His friends had come to join him and they were sitting in chairs nearby. For once the librarian wasn't shushing anyone, though she did send pointed glances if they got too noisy.

"I heard you're reading Harry Potter," Susan said while she braided Alice's hair. "Which book are you on?"

"I fell asleep last night during book seven," Spencer answered with a blush. "They're really good, actually. I started the series yesterday and I wanted to finish it, but I just couldn't stay awake."

The other kids stared for a moment. "How fast do you read?" Oliver asked with a smile.

"Twenty thousand words a minute," Spencer answered nervously.

"That explains the piles of books," Josh said with a grin. "How many did you read before we got here?"

"Well, the FBI agents wanted to talk, so I wasn't here very long. I only made it through War and Peace and Jane Eyre," Spencer said.

"Who's your favorite Gryffindor?" Alice asked.

"Oh, that's a difficult choice," Spencer mused happily. "Probably Hermione. She's smart enough to be a Ravenclaw, but also brave enough to be a Gryffindor. She's caring and compassionate enough to be a Hufflepuff and she's enough of a rebel to be a Slytherin. She exhibits the best qualities of all of the houses."

"I never thought of her as a rebel," Oliver asked. "How so?"

"Well, she's the one who made the plan for the DA. She masterminded sending her parents to Australia and pretending the Weasley's ghoul has Spattergroit. She's the one who manipulated the situation where Umbridge ended up in the forest with the centaurs. She doesn't often go against the authorities, but when it's necessary, she will."

"I see," Oliver said, showing Spencer the drawing he'd made of Hermione. Spencer grinned and gave him a thumbs up. "That's a new interpretation of Hermione I haven't heard before, but it makes sense. She's kind of devious, but only in a good way and only when it's absolutely necessary to help the people she cares about.

"Exactly," Spencer agreed.

There was a lull in the conversation and Spencer turned back to Wuthering Heights. He didn't notice the stares as he read. It wasn't until Marina and Shelly approached as he finished the book that he looked back up. "Wow," Alice breathed. "You're not kidding."

"Hmm?" Spencer asked absently.

"About the twenty thousand words a minute thing," Susan explained. Spencer just blushed and shook his head.

"Hi there," Marina and Shelly said, pulling up chairs. "We just finished talking with the FBI."

"How'd it go?" Alice asked.

"They're really nice," Marina said. "They also really want us to reach out if we need to talk to someone. And Agent Morgan? He told us that this happened to him, too, in high school, and that he wished he'd reached out for help back then. He said he can't get back the years he didn't get help and he wants us to be proactive."

Spencer raised his eyebrows. He hadn't expected Morgan to share that, but he supposed it made sense. "He's a good agent."

"Um, Spencer? I hope this is alright, but we asked if they were going to tell you to reach out for help, and Agent Morgan said you already had. So, you're already getting help, right? I mean, you have people you can talk to?" Shelly asked.

Spencer nodded. "Yes. I have a therapist I talk to. We do phone sessions now, obviously, but she's helped me more than I can really explain. There are things I just can't talk about in everyday life but which I can feel safe sharing in therapy. She listens and then she helps me get perspective. One of the things we've worked on most is that none of it was my fault. And, guys, none of it was your fault, either. Please remember that. This was Matthews' fault, not yours. The adults are the ones with power and they're the ones who were responsible, no matter what decisions the kids made."

"We should have turned him in earlier," Alice said guiltily.

Spencer hummed. "Maybe. But, like you said, you didn't have evidence. And you're the kids here. This was a whole new issue for you that you'd never faced before, and you dealt with it the best way you knew how. You banded together to protect each other. You protected me. You did everything that you knew of to fix the situation. Would the adults have listened? I have no idea. What I can tell you is that you aren't responsible."

"Spencer's right," Mr. Michaels said, startling everyone as he came around a corner. "I'd like to think that any of us would have believed you. It's also a very serious accusation and you had no proof. Any of you, individually, might not have been believed. I hope we'd have believed you, but I can't say for sure what would have happened. And, at the end of the day, Mr. Matthews is the one who made the choices he made. He is the one responsible and the guilty party. You did your best and you should be proud of yourselves. You are all so much stronger than you realize. Spencer and the agents are correct, though, on something else, too. Reaching out and getting help when you need it is very important. So, if you need help, if you need someone to listen, please reach out."

"And it gets better?" Alice asked.

"Yes," Spencer said firmly. "I'm not going to tell you that it ever goes away completely. There are times I wake up screaming from nightmares. But my normal, everyday life is so much better now. I've got my therapist and I've got a whole lot of people who love me and support me and are always there and answer the phone when I call. Even if they don't know the whole story, we'll sit up all night and watch Dr. Who if that's what I need to feel safe and they're just there for me. So, let people be there for you. Morning always comes and it's better than the night was."

Spencer's phone vibrated and he glanced guiltily at Mr. Michaels. "It's okay, Spencer. Mr. Jameson informed us about your phone and that there are special circumstances where you need to be able to reach people. Go ahead."

Spencer thanked him and walked away to answer. "Hi."

"Are you somewhere you can talk?"

"I can be. While I arrange that, though, why don't you tell me about your day?" Spencer prompted.

JJ giggled. "Okay. So, interrogations went well, considering. Michaels admitted that's he's been inappropriate with the kids and exactly how far that went. But you're right about there being someone else involved. We don't think he's the one behind the kidnappings."

"Okay. I'm in my room now, JJ. So, you think he's not our unsub?"

"No. He was very clear that he didn't kidnap anyone and Garcia can't find anything which would point to it either."

"What about Waters? Did she find anything on him?"

"She isn't finding much of anything about him. He has no social media and his background is a little too clean. He had one parking ticket which he immediately paid in 1986. He graduated from college with a C average and has held a series of janitorial positions since then. He's never married, he's an only child, and his parents are happily married in South Dakota."

"And his financials?"

"Nothing. Garcia's not sure he even has a credit card."

"Is it possible that he has them under a different name?" Spencer asked. "Something about him is just off. I can't say exactly what it is, but he immediately gave me a bad feeling and the students here are uncomfortable around him." Spencer was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. "Guys, something's wrong here. I'm not feeling well. This all started when I got back to my room. I'm dizzy and it feels too hot here and"

"Spencer? Spencer?"

There was no response.

Hotch immediately called Mr. Rosenberg while the team got to the SUVs.

By the time Mr. Rosenberg arrived in Spencer's room, Spencer was unconscious and there was a man standing over him. Mr. Rosenberg shouted and the man jumped out the window. Mr. Rosenberg pulled Spencer into the hallway and asked a student to get the nurse.

Spencer's team gathered in the nurse's office around Spencer who was starting to come around. Mr. Rosenberg asked the nurse to tell the team what she knew and then to wait outside. She was clearly uncomfortable leaving her patient but agreed. "Spencer's blood pressure was low and his heartbeat was irregular. Both have stabilized. He was unconscious when Mr. Rosenberg found him but is waking up now."

"Morgan, go check his room, please. See if you can find what he was given and how. We know he wasn't aware of anything being administered, so it would have to be environmental or in something he drank."

Morgan nodded to Hotch who then turned to Mr. Rosenberg. "We were on the phone with Spencer when he announced that there was something wrong and that he'd started feeling ill once he'd returned to his room. He'd only been there a few minutes. Is there anything you can tell us?"

"There was a man standing over Spencer when I got there, but he jumped out the window when I arrived. I didn't recognize him."

"Hotch," Spencer said weakly.

Everyone turned to him. "This was someone new. Our unsub either isn't from inside the school or is working with someone in the school. But we're going to need a cover story for this."

"Wait, what?" JJ asked. "Hotch, we're pulling him out, right?"

Hotch studied Spencer carefully. "Why do you want to stay?"

"There's someone kidnapping these students. We need someone on the inside and the faculty and students are comfortable with me. We always knew there was a good chance I'd be targeted. It's just what our unsubs do. If someone's going to get kidnapped or held hostage or shot, chances are high that it will be me. Just let me keep doing my job, please. If anything, it looks like we've angered the unsub by removing Matthews and we're reaching a point where more kids are going to be at risk. You can either let a trained FBI agent be the one he goes after or let it be an innocent and unprepared teenager. Because he's coming back, either way."

Hotch sighed. It seemed to be becoming a habit. "You're going to be armed at all times. You're to keep your phone charged and with you at all times as well. You'll check in at the end of every class and when you wake up in the morning, in addition to our nightly phone calls. You'll use the codes you and Garcia made for the check-ins since you won't have much time between classes and that way, we're certain you're the one sending the messages. If anything seems wrong, contact us. I'm putting an agent in your room as well. That's non-negotiable, Reid. You can choose which member of the team it is, or it can be a rotation, but we almost lost you today. I'm not going to pull you out, but I'm going to keep you as safe as I can while you do your job."

Spencer nodded. "Morgan, please. Where's he going to sleep, though?"

"We'll have a folding cot sent over and it can go in through your window once everyone's in for the night. Morgan can come in through the window, too."

"Speaking of windows, there are footprints outside his," Morgan said as he came back in. "I take it I'm on Reid-watch? Does this mean I get to braid his hair?"

Spencer said something in Russian which made Emily laugh out loud and Morgan said dryly, "I'll take that as a no."

"May I ask a question?" Mr. Jameson asked.

"Certainly," Hotch replied.

"Your team is not quite what I'd expected from the FBI. I'm very impressed with your skills, of course, but perhaps more so with the way you handled the students and the faculty. And it seems like you view each other as a family more than a team?"

Spencer burst into giggles. "Sorry. Sorry. I'm still kind of feeling the effects of whatever that was. But, yes, we're definitely a family. Later on my big sister Emily is going to tell my big brother Derek exactly where I said he could put what, since she speaks Russian, and Rossi's going to turn to Hotch and ask exactly how they got left in charge of five kids."

Garcia's phone chimed. "The reports are back from the lab. Apparently, there were traces of nitrous oxide."

"That would explain it, then," Spencer sighed.

"Kid?" Rossi prompted. "For those of us without doctorates in chemistry, what did that tell you?"

"Well, nitrous oxide, or laughing gas, is an odorless gas often used as a sedative. It can cause a variety of symptoms, but in my case the primary issues were the asphyxia and drop in blood pressure, both of which contributed to loss of consciousness. The irregular heartbeat, while annoying and concerning as a general rule, is also symptomatic of nitrous oxide overdose. The unsub would have used this to incapacitate me knowing that with the window then open for him to use to remove me, he would have access to fresh air. As long as he was in and out of the room quickly, he wouldn't be in any real danger. And with the window open, it would dissipate quickly, and we wouldn't have evidence of how he subdued the students. He simply needed to have the window open a tiny amount in order to pump the gas into the room. I wouldn't have seen the window open. But it also means that it's someone who has access to my room as I left it locked this morning and left my door locked."

"What are the chances he'll try this method with you again?" Hotch asked.

Spencer thought for a moment. "Minimal. Mr. Jameson saw the unsub jump out the window. There will have to be a warning to all students to lock and check their windows. Otherwise, he'd suspect something. If we announce that there was an attempted kidnapping, and that the unsub knocked me out, but Mr. Jameson interrupted the attempt and the unsub fled the scene, then we don't have to include the gas at all in the story. I know it's going to have to go in the official reports, and I'll deal with all of that fallout later. But this is also something used as a recreational drug. You can't tell a bunch of high schoolers, no matter how well-adjusted they are, that someone is using inhalants to kidnap their peers. It's not safe. There's going to be an emotional fallout from this event, regardless of what we tell them. We don't have to make it worse, though. We can just say I don't remember anything beyond being on the phone and that we concluded that the unsub must have knocked me out. He did, just not the way that they'll assume."

"Pretty Boy," Morgan asked, "when you say this is used as an inhalant, what does that mean in terms of who has access to it?"

"Well, it's what is used in cans of whipped cream. The amount in that size container is enough to get a kid high, when inhaled directly, but not enough to displace the oxygen in an entire room. If we calculate sufficient displacement based on the size of the room, then that would give us a gas volume needed. But I'd say that we're looking at someone with access to a chemical supplier. There are medical and veterinary uses, so those would be good people to consider. What's also disturbing is that while this has legitimate medical uses, inhalants can be deadly when used the first time. Accidental death due to asphyxia happens. So, factor in that this is someone who likely knows how to handle medical crises. We're assuming that all the students are still alive, so it would contradict the profile for our unsub to be careless regarding the gas."

"Piccolo," Rossi said, sitting down on Spencer's bed, "I'm going to ask this once. Are you certain that staying here is what you want? You've made some statements that sound like you're leaning towards the unsub being an Angel of Mercy. But now you're saying that the students are likely alive. Those two are contradictory. And you're pretty clearly who the unsub wants next. If this really is all related to Matthews, which it pretty much has to be, then your removing him is what triggered the unsub to go after you. We can get someone else."

Spencer smiled. "Thanks, Rossi. But anyone else we brought in would have to start from the beginning and there's every chance that the unsub would assume that the person was sent in. Honestly, I'm concerned about Oliver's safety, since he may also be a target simply because he arrived when we did. If I were to leave, then the unsub would devolve further and we don't want that. If he goes after me, then I'm at least an agent rather than a teenager. With Morgan staying with me at night, then the unsub can't attack while I'm sleeping. He has access to my room and will know by tomorrow morning that someone's in there with me, though hopefully not who. We do need to position Morgan's bed so that he can't be seen through the window. And we'll have to keep the curtains drawn."

"What about the contradictory profiles?" Hotch asked.

"Well, I think the unsub genuinely does want to rescue these students. It became glaringly obvious today that I'd be in need of rescuing, as well. I just think that this particular unsub wants to do something with the students other than kill them. He might be planning to rehabilitate them or form a family unit where they'd be safe. There's really no telling. But I don't think he wants to hurt them, at least not right now. I'm less certain about the motives of the partner, and about which one is dominant, though."

"Spence," JJ said, "if you were giving the profile now, what would it say?"

"You're trying to figure out whether there are pieces I think you know but you haven't figured out yet?" Spencer responded with a smile.

"Well, not to put too fine a point on it, but yes," Rossi replied with a smirk. "There are things you just know. And while that's all fine and dandy most of the time, you're here, undercover, while we're out at the police station. So, we're not all together for you to just point them out when we don't respond the way you're expecting. Walk us through it."

"Okay. We have two unsubs. They're likely males between twenty-five and fifty and at least one is physically fit. He's capable of jumping in and out of windows with ease. Unsub A is employed at or has regular access to the school. He blends in there. Unsub B is unknown to school personnel and likely has some medical or veterinary training. He might be a paramedic or a firefighter. One of the unsubs has access to a chemical supplier. One or both were likely victims of childhood trauma and are now intent on saving the students from trauma. Whether this was childhood sexual abuse or the result of being forced into underage prostitution I'm uncertain. Because Unsub A is most likely employed at the school, we can expect that Unsub B is the one caring for the students' needs on a regular basis. There are three missing students and so the unsubs have access to a remote location or a location with sufficient soundproofing to disguise the students' presence."

"Okay," Morgan said. "So, firefighter?"

"Firefighters are first responders and have basic medical training," Spencer responded.

"Underage prostitution?" Rossi asked.

"Nothing about our unsubs quite fits what our unsubs usually do. The desire to rescue these kids and get them away safely might indicate that this is a different form of trauma than we see when family members or trusted adults are involved, more like attempting to rescue children from the streets. Additionally, it would fit with the empathy required. Prostitutes need to be able to make the client empathize with them and that requires them to be able to empathize."

"And soundproofing?" Hotch asked.

"I'm really hoping for a remote location," Spencer answered seriously. "These days you can soundproof almost anything. It would make absolute sense for a musician to order soundproofing panels because he needed to practice late at night without disturbing his neighbors. That he also used the room for holding his prisoners would be a happy bonus for him."

"You know, kiddo, there are days you scare me," Rossi said.

"This is why I work for the FBI," Spencer said. "I'm aware that Gideon recruited me for multiple reasons. It's irritating, but I get it. Just relax and appreciate what I can give you."

"I think I missed something," JJ said cautiously.

"He won't admit it, but Gideon recruited me in part to keep me from being recruited by less savory individuals. With my IQ and my particular combination of doctorates I would make a prolific unsub," Spencer said calmly.

"I … had not really considered that," JJ admitted. "Math, chemistry, and engineering all do go together to make you kind of dangerous if you were an unsub."

"What Gideon eventually realized is that I could never have been an unsub anyway, JJ. I have the skills and the intelligence, certainly, but I don't have whatever it is inside our unsubs which turns them into unsubs. Gideon knew about the trauma; he profiled that within five minutes of meeting me. He profiled the absent father and he figured Mom was ill somehow. I have the background most of our unsubs do. I just can't hurt people that way. It's not who I am."

The team nodded. "Well, given that you almost crashed the SUV to avoid the kitten, I'd say you're right," Morgan teased, ruffling Spencer's hair.

"Kitten?" Mr. Jameson asked.

"They don't let me drive often. I'm a more useful navigator, honestly. We were in Vegas, though, where I grew up, and it's just easier for me to drive there than to continually give directions. A kitten fell off a fence and rolled into the street. I didn't actually 'almost crash the SUV' despite what Morgan said, but I wasn't going to run over it if there was any way to avoid it."

"And this is why we're pretty confident he's not going to grow up and become a serial killer," Rossi told Mr. Jameson seriously, to which Spencer made another rude comment in Italian. Rossi turned beet red and the rest of the team burst into laughter.

"Okay. Last question. You're assuming that the unsub will know tomorrow that Morgan's staying with you. Do you think it would be better to be open about the FBI having decided to put a watch on you? We could also put one on Oliver, since you think he's also a likely target."

"It might be best," Spencer agreed. "We could say that because I was attacked and Oliver is also new, that the FBI wants to have us guarded out of an abundance of caution. Actually, Oliver might take it best if we all talked about it with him together. Would that be okay with you?"

"As long as we can do it without blowing your cover, yes," Hotch agreed. "Are you thinking now?"

"Yes. If Mr. Jameson got him and brought him in, then he could see that I'd been nearly kidnapped and then you all could say that you want to put a guard in each of our rooms. I have no idea who he'd be comfortable with. If it's Morgan, though, since he really likes you, then go with him, please."

"Okay, Kid. I'd rather be with you, though."

"I know, and you're my first choice. But he's not going to really feel safe with anyone. If you're the one he feels safest with, then I want him to have that."

"You think our presence will make him uncomfortable?" Hotch asked.

"Yes. He's a teenager, and you're the FBI. Outside of that, though, he's got some form of trauma history as well. It's not obvious but it's there if you know what you're looking for. It makes me more concerned than I would be if he were another new student because our unsub might also pick up on that."

"Can you think of any way to make this easier for him?" JJ asked.

"I don't know if he'd want this, but there are some larger rooms upstairs. Morgan and both of us could stay in one comfortably. Then he wouldn't be alone with an agent and one agent could guard us both. We'd just have to move in some beds."

"We could certainly arrange that," Mr. Jameson agreed.

"In that case, sir, would you get him and we'll talk, please?" Spencer requested.

Once the principal had left Spencer let his guard down and sank back into his pillows. He closed his eyes and just let the others talk.

"Spence," JJ asked quietly, sitting down next to him, "seriously, are you okay?"

"Yes? I need to call my sponsor. I'm not craving, but being knocked out by an inhalant just kind of makes me feel … wrong. And I need coffee."

JJ hugged him and stood as the door opened.

"Spencer?" Oliver asked, rushing over to the bed. "Are you okay? We heard you got attacked."

"I'm okay. Mr. Jameson stopped him. Evidently whoever's been taking students wanted to get me and knocked me out, but Mr. Jameson got there in time and I'm fine. Just really tired. The agents wanted to talk to both of us, though."

"Okay," Oliver agreed nervously.

"You're not in trouble, son," Rossi said reassuringly. "We're just concerned because you and Spencer are both new here and after what happened to Spencer, we want to make sure both you and he are safe. So, we'd like to put both of you in a room upstairs with an agent so that there's no chance of anyone trying to get you while you're sleeping."

"Spencer?" Oliver turned to his friend. "What do you think?"

"I think it's probably a good idea. I don't want this happening again. And, honestly, having an agent makes sense. They're trained to protect us. Is that something you're comfortable with?"

"If you are, then yes."

"Okay. Now, which agent?" Spencer looked up at Hotch.

"Which agent would you both be most comfortable with?"

Spencer looked at Oliver, who said, "Agent Morgan."

Spencer grinned. "He'd be my first choice, too."

"Sounds like that's settled, then," Morgan said with a grin. "Spencer, I'm going to help Oliver gather his things. Agent Rossi is going to gather yours, if that's alright with you?"

Spencer gave a half shrug and nodded. "Do what you need to do, agents. Oh, and Agent Rossi? Please make sure to get the charger for my phone?"

Rossi ruffled Spencer's hair and left with Morgan and Oliver. "So, how long do I have to stay here?" Spencer asked.

"I'll get the nurse," Mr. Jameson said after a look at Hotch. "If she says you're okay, then let's get you out of here."

"If you're released, Spencer, you and I are going to take a drive to the coffee shop and I'm going to take a walk while you make that call," Hotch said and Spencer smiled gratefully.

The nurse came back in and examined Spencer who seemed to be doing much better. "If you feel at all ill, you come straight back here, understand?" Nurse Phillips asked firmly.

"I will. And Oliver and I are moving upstairs so that Agent Morgan can guard us at night, so there's going to be someone with me tonight."

"Well, I must admit that makes me feel better," she answered. "You clearly have a good head on your shoulders, but a second pair of eyes is always a good idea after something like this."

"Yes, ma'am, it is," Spencer agreed.

Spencer and Hotch left after discharge along with the rest of the team. If anyone asked, Mr. Henderson would simply tell people that Spencer needed to go to the police station for a few final questions.

In the car, Hotch cleared his throat. "Spencer, I know you told JJ that you're not craving and I believe you. And I'm incredibly proud that your response to this is to call your sponsor. That shows so much growth. But is there anything I can do to help? You do know that this isn't your fault, right?"

Spencer stared out the window. "Thanks, Hotch. That helps, actually. And, yes, I do. It's just that being high for any reason, whether I chose to use or not, is disorienting, if that makes sense. I'll, um, I'll tell you what I'm really feeling if you promise not to overreact, okay?"

Hotch nodded.

"To start with, this is not where I'm at everyday right now. I'm in a really good place. My medication is working and therapy is helping and I'm okay. But being high takes me back to a place where I feel the best I've ever been, interspersed with absolute misery, mixed with this immense guilt. That guilt is because of what getting high does to the team, which causes fear that eventually I'll lose all of you. And that, in turn, is the most important thing getting high could cost me."

"I know you'd say that should be my life, but honestly, Hotch, the team is pretty damn essential to my survival. Back when I was using, knowing that the team needed me was the one reason I didn't turn my gun on myself when I woke up each day. Now, when I'm not in that place, a big reason that I'm not is the support the team gives me. Knowing that my family loves and needs me is … huge. And so, being drugged is kind of complicated for me."

Hotch took a steadying breath. "I'm sorry. Being drugged at all, for anyone, is difficult, but having it bring all that back, even temporarily, is something I didn't even consider. I really can't imagine. We do love you and need you, though. And I'm really, really glad that's not where you are every day now. If you get to that place again, please come to me."

"I will," Spencer promised.

They arrived at the coffee shop and ordered drinks to go. Spencer took his to the duck pond across the street and Hotch waited by the car where he could see Spencer but allow him privacy. Spencer sat on a bench and spoke with his sponsor for half an hour and when he came back, his eyes were red, but he seemed better. Hotch bought him another coffee and they went back to the school.

Spencer headed to dinner while Morgan stayed in Spencer and Oliver's new room getting it ready and Spencer left his coffee there. Hotch met the rest of the team at the station and they ordered delivery for dinner. Hotch was barely present, his mind on his youngest agent. The rest of the team worried and focused on the missing children.

"Spencer!" his friends called when he joined them at the table. "Oliver's been telling us about what happened and about Agent Morgan staying with the two of you. It really does sound like a good idea."

"I think so, too," Spencer agreed. "Hopefully they'll catch whoever's doing this soon but it's safer right now to have Agent Morgan here. I'm going to take food back to the room for him when we head to bed. He's getting things set up right now."

"Does he have everything he needs?" Jake asked. "My parents live not far from here. They could bring him anything."

"Thanks," Spencer smiled. "No, he travels for work so he's got everything. I think he's going to have to do laundry at some point, but he's set."

"You're taking this all really, really well," Alice said. "Are you sure you're okay?"

"I called someone and talked about my feelings and that helped. And the agents have been really helpful. They're doing everything they can and I trust them. I'm tired and kind of down, but I'm okay. Thank you." He smiled at her.

"Well, Mr. Academic, if you're sure you're okay, then I have a favor to ask," Jake requested.

"What's that?"

"Can you explain today's chemistry lesson to me after dinner, please?"

Spencer burst out laughing. "That, I can do."

Students from other groups came over to check on Spencer as they finished their meals and the process continued during the after-dinner time in the common room. More than a few stayed to hear Spencer explain the lesson.

By the time they got back upstairs, Spencer was exhausted. Oliver went to shower and Morgan and Spencer called the team.

"Spencer?" Hotch asked.

"Hi, sir. I'm back from dinner and Oliver's showering. Morgan's here with me."

"We're looking for anyone with any connection to chemical suppliers, but Garcia's found a very large list. Connecting someone to an individual at the school may take some time."

"Understood."

"How was dinner?"

"These kids continue to amaze me. They asked if I was really okay and then Jake asked me to explain today's Chemistry lesson. It's something you all would do, but these kids have only known me for two days. They're incredible. And Jake offered to have his parents bring Morgan anything he needs."

"Well, they do seem like good people. Your friends came up to Morgan to ask if he needed help finding his way to the office and they're expressing concern about you to all of us."

"They're good kids. So, we had an eventful day. We got Matthews out, determined Unsub A's motivation, found out how he's been subduing the kids, and we have a plan to locate Unsub B. Did I miss anything?"

"Well, I'd add in that you nearly got kidnapped again, but that kind of goes without saying," Morgan said dryly and Spencer shoved him playfully.

"That about sums it up, though," Emily agreed. "Anything else you want to add?"

Spencer shook his head and Morgan took the phone.

"I think we're good, thanks. It's about time we let Pretty Boy get some rest. We'll call you all around breakfast, okay?"

"Sounds good."

That night Spencer woke up screaming. Morgan shook him awake as he and Oliver stood over Spencer. "Hey, Spencer. It's okay, Kid. We're at your school and Oliver and I are right here. You're okay." Morgan soothed.

Spencer babbled in rapid Russian and gestured wildly.

Morgan got his phone and made a call. "Prentiss? Hey, yeah. Spencer just had a nightmare and I think he's stuck in Russian. Can you talk to him, please?"

Spencer made grabby hands for the phone and Emily calmed him down. The only word Morgan understood was Hankel, but that was enough.

"Sorry, guys," Spencer sighed, relinquishing the phone. "I'm okay now. We should go back to sleep."

"Are you sure you're okay?" Oliver asked.

"Yes," Spencer said. "This doesn't happen often anymore. It's just that today brought up some memories and they triggered the dreams."

"Do you want to talk about it?" Oliver asked.

Spencer thought for a moment. "Well, there was what happened with Matthews. There were memories of what happened to me related to that. Then there was the time I was kidnapped. I wasn't held for very long and I've dealt with it. I talk about it with my therapist. But, today was just kind of the perfect storm, you know?"

"There's a box set of Dr. Who in the common room," Oliver suggested. "How about we go watch some?"

Spencer looked hopefully at Morgan.

"Bring a pillow and a blanket," the older agent agreed with a smile.

"Thanks, guys," a sleepy Spencer said during the second episode. "This helps more than you know."

Oliver and Morgan smiled at each other as Spencer drifted off to sleep.

"You know," Morgan started, "I have to say that I'm impressed with you and your friends. There aren't a lot of kids your age who would have taken in Spencer and taken care of him the way you all have."

"He's a good kid," Oliver said. "He's smart and friendly and just wants to help. It's what we should do for anyone, but it's easy with him. I really think he'd make a good FBI agent when he grows up. Helping people is what makes him happiest, and it seems like that's what you all do."

Morgan grinned. "He'd be an amazing FBI agent."

The third day was far less eventful. Spencer made it to all his classes and answered questions when needed. The history teacher set aside her lesson halfway through to have a conversation with Spencer about the moral implications of the British choices during the Revolutionary War which left his friends a bit stunned and even his teacher was impressed with his insights. Spencer was almost giddy during dinner and his friends smiled to see him so happy. They completed their homework quickly and Spencer, who had made character sheets in his head during the day, suggested a game of D&D. He wrote down the sheets, which stunned his friends, and explained the campaign. Morgan sat by and watched, periodically taking pictures to send to the team. Spencer had arranged a very short campaign, which was easily completed before bed, but with a complexity and variety of scenarios which showed his genius, and the characters were tailored to suit the personalities of his friends. Mr. Jameson even joined Morgan on the couch to watch. He was impressed with the young doctor, who seemed in the moment every bit a teenager while at the same time also maintaining a situational awareness befitting an FBI agent. With the quest successfully completed, everyone headed off to bed.

The fourth day was challenging. Spencer slept through his alarm and was clearly hiding depression when Morgan woke him. It set off alarm bells in the older agent's head. Spencer was quiet during breakfast and ate his eggs, toast, and fruit while listening to his friends talk. He was quiet during lessons and spoke when spoken to, but the words were softer and slower. By lunch Spencer really just wanted to crawl back into bed. He knew there was something bothering him about Unsub B but he really couldn't place it. He made it through the rest of the classes and got called to Mr. Henderson's office after the final period.

Hotch, Morgan, and Rossi were waiting for him. "Spencer, what's going on?" Rossi asked.

"I don't know. It's a bad day in general, but there's also something about Unsub B. I feel like I should know what it is, but I can't place it. I just want to sleep."

"Well, let's talk through what we know about the unsub," Hotch suggested.

"He's a white male between twenty-five and fifty and physically fit," Morgan said.

"He's got some basic medical background, he's intelligent, and he has access to chemicals," Spencer said.

"He has a history of trauma, either childhood sexual abuse or underage prostitution," Hotch said.

Spencer stilled. "That's it. What if the reason we haven't found a connection is that Unsub A and Unsub B met while working on the streets?"

"What do you mean?" Rossi prompted.

"It's pretty common to go by a different name on the streets. It keeps you a little bit safer. I really think Waters is Unsub A. Can you bring me everything you have on him, please?"

"Okay," Hotch said slowly.

The team went through the information and compared the profile to a list of male teenagers arrested for prostitution in the area when Waters was a teenager. They found several potential matches.

Garcia got a hit almost immediately. "Junior G Man, he was arrested a few times with the same boy. Sending his name now."

"Can you also send me the list of people with access to suppliers, please?"

Garcia texted it to Hotch who printed it.

Spencer compared the name and the list and said, "Drew Jackson. Garcia, what can you find on him?"

Moments later the tech analyst said, "Wow. He's a firefighter in the next town over and he's been on vacation for the last week. And he's definitely connected to Waters. They were fraternity brothers in college and there are pictures with Waters on Jackson's social media."

"Okay. We have enough to bring in Waters. Prentiss, Rossi, I want you two to go to Jackson's house. If he's there, bring him in for questioning. If not, keep a watch in case he comes back. Garcia, in the meantime, keep looking for any secondary locations."

"On it, sir," Garcia said as she disconnected.

"Morgan, Reid, you two stay here. It's going to be obvious, Morgan, that you know about Waters. Reid, if you can avoid getting involved without exposing your cover, I want you to do that. But these kids are smarter than I'd have expected and may figure it out without your help, so if you need to admit you knew, then you have leeway."

"Understood, sir," Reid said.

Reid left first and his friends were waiting for him in the common room. "Are you okay? You've seemed off today."

"I'm not feeling great. But I talked with some friends and that helped. Actually, have you ever read Alexander and the Terrible, Awful, No Good, Very Bad Day?"

His friends laughed. "Yes. I love that book."

"That's kind of today. But tomorrow will be better. It always is."

The friends played Monopoly until it was time for dinner and Morgan joined them at the table. "Hey, kids."

"Hey, Agent Morgan."

"I have some news."

Spencer stilled. "What's that?"

"We have one of the kidnappers in custody and he's admitted everything. We have the name of the other kidnapper and we're searching for him now."

"That's awesome! What did he say about our friends?"

"He said they're okay. He wouldn't tell us where they are, but we'll be able to get that from the second guy. And if we can't, then we'll have enough information to be able to figure out the location."

"Good!"

Spencer smiled and continued with his spaghetti. Today was looking up.

Day five broke with no news on Jackson. He hadn't returned to work or his house. It was Friday and everyone was ready for the weekend. Garcia had located two cabins outside town, one belonging to Waters and the other to Jackson, but the kids were at neither. Then Spencer didn't arrive for his third period class.

His teacher immediately alerted Mr. Jameson and Morgan, who brought in the team. Garcia found video of a red Pinto leaving the school around the time Spencer disappeared. That car wasn't registered to either unsub. "So, do we have a third unsub or is there another alias?" Hotch asked.

"Well, I have a location on Spencer," Garcia said. "He must have been unconscious before, but he's activated his watch. Sending you coordinates now."

"His watch?" Morgan and Hotch asked in unison as they grabbed their vests.

"He had me put a tracker in it a couple of months ago," she answered. "He didn't want you all to know. He said we were all worrying about him too much already, but this was a safety measure which would make the two of us feel better."

Spencer was at a third cabin owned by a cousin of Jackson. The missing students were there, along with Jackson, and the cousin was buried in the backyard.

The team arrived in record time and, true to form, Spencer talked down the unsub while still tied to a chair.

"You have no idea what it's like! I mean, sure, somebody hurt you and that's why we need to save you! But being on the streets? That's different. You're nobody to anybody, just another body to use and discard. At least by saving all of you we can make a difference!"

"There are other ways you can make a difference," Spencer said softly. "And I do understand. I have to stop myself from checking my friends' cars for door handles before I get in. I still keep a pair of heels in my closet, just in case. But I got out, like you did. And now, I make a difference as an FBI agent. I've been undercover at the school. There are better ways to make a difference. We can help you find them. Let me help you."

The unsub had stopped waving his gun and stared, transfixed, at Spencer once he mentioned the doors. "You really mean that? You really got out and found another way?"

"I did. And I can help you find that, too. You can help so many kids in better, safer ways. Please let me help you. Don't you deserve help, too?"

Jackson handed his gun to Morgan and turned himself in willingly.

Spencer and the kids went to the hospital with Hotch and Rossi while the rest of the team went to the station to handle the paperwork.

"Spencer, what you said to the unsub, how much of that was true?" Hotch asked.

"All of it," Spencer said, looking down. "There aren't a lot of ways for twelve-year-olds to pay the mortgage and I was too young to sneak into casinos."

"Piccolo, I'm so incredibly proud of you," Rossi said giving the young agent a hug. "You've been through so much and you're an amazing man. You should be proud of yourself, too."

"Thanks, Dave," Spencer said quietly.

Hotch called the school to let them know that the kids were safe and Spencer requested an assembly to talk to the students. "I need to do this, Hotch."

Spencer got up on the stage and looked at his former classmates, his friends. "Hi. Um, my name is Dr. Spencer Reid and I'm an FBI agent."

There was a moment of silence and then Jack shouted, "Well, it finally all makes sense!" The room burst into laughter.

"My team and I are going to fly home, but I wanted to thank you first and to say a few things. This school, it's incredible. I have a master's degree in educational philosophy, and I've visited some of the best schools in the country. None of them come close to what I've found here. The teachers are subject experts and able to communicate that knowledge in a way that, usually, makes sense." Spencer paused with a grin.

"More importantly, though, they genuinely care about the students. Most teachers care, but I've never seen a faculty as committed to making sure that every student succeeds as at this school. No one gets left behind."

"What I'm going to remember more, though, are the students. You saw another random transfer student and I could have been anyone. I came in during one of the most difficult parts of your lives. And yet, you welcomed me. From the moment I got to my first class there were always students around who wanted to befriend me and take care of me. It would have been so easy, and so understandable, for you to focus on each other and deal with me later, but that never even occurred to you. It was instinctive for you to reach out to me."

"I don't know if you realize what amazing kids you are and how proud I am to be your friend. I'm really going to miss you. If you want to reach me, my contact info is on the Behavioral Analysis Unit website and I'd love to hear from you. If there's anything I can do for you, please let me know.

I did lie about the traumas being more recent than they were and not being ready to date. I'm not going to apologize for that because, well, there are two reasons. First, what Matthews did really did bother me a lot and brought back memories. Second, I'm twenty-six. As awesome as all of you are, going to the dance with any of you would be so incredibly inappropriate in so many ways we've all talked about these last few days. I think you understand that. But I couldn't tell you that without risking my cover and that would have put you all at the risk you were in before we arrived. I didn't know how else to handle everything while keeping everyone safe.

Please keep reaching out. I've talked with some of you these last few days about talking with friends and my therapist. Well, my family, my FBI team, are the ones I reach out to. When I had a nightmare in the middle of the night my big brother woke me up and called my big sister who talked to me until I calmed down and started speaking English again. This family, my team? They're my rock. Find yours and keep them close. And call me anytime you need or want to talk."

Spencer smiled and waved.

Alice raised her hand. "Alice?" Spencer called on her in confusion.

"You know you can't leave yet, right? There's a tradition at this school. Before a student leaves we have a farewell party. I heard you finally finished Harry Potter, so I vote we have a Gryffindor theme."

Spencer looked hopefully at his boss who said, "It appears that we have suddenly misplaced some important paperwork. I'll let the pilot know our flight will be delayed until morning."

"Thanks, Hotch," Spencer said and went to have one last evening with his friends.