always you² | derek morgan. ✓

15 | guilt.

derek morgan.

I rush downstairs, searching the basement before my eyes land on Charlotte -- standing there startled, a kid resting his cheek against her shoulder.

"Hey, are you okay?" I ask.

Charlotte gives me a small nod, "This son of a bitch murdered more children than we had in mind." She mutters, stepping out of the doorway so she can show what she means by that.

My lips part slowly in shock as my eyes land on about half a dozen children lying on the ground, soaked in their own blood and cold from the freezing ground.

Charlotte turns to me, her eyes meeting mine, her glance longing, "Louie is the only one who made it, so the unsub was either waiting for the right time to dump these bodies or saving the best for last." She whispers, grimacing at her own words.

"Jesus." I mutter under my breath, gesturing for Charlotte to give me Louie so she can take a minute to herself, take a breath.

She nods, going to hand me Louie, but Louie just clings onto her for life, refusing to let go.

Charlotte smiles softly, giving me a small glance before looking at Louie, "Hey buddy, meet Derek, he's my partner. You're safe with the both of us. We won't let anything happen to you, I promise. I just need you to go with him for just one second, okay?" She asks, her tone soft and steady, careful not to startle Louie in any way.

Louie nods, turning to me. His lips stay pouted as I grab him into my arms, "Hey bud, do you wanna go outside with me?" I ask, unsure of what else to say to him.

Louie gives me a small nod as I grin, "I have this really cool car. Do you like cars?" I ask as Louie gives me a wordless nod, "My car has sirens. That sounds cool doesn't it? Do you wanna go check it out with me?" I ask, trying to be as gentle as possible with him.

Louie gives me another small, wordless nod, but this time, a smile escapes onto his lips. I grin softly, "Let's go check out my car. I'll even let you take a ride with me, with the sirens on." I state.

I grin softly as I make my way outside, Louie finding comfort as I hold him in my arms. I let out a sharp exhale as my eyes land on everyone standing outside -- SWAT, FBI, and the team, all standing there with their guns locked and loaded.

I stop in my tracks, shaking my head slightly as I try to avoid Louie getting scared all over again, "Surrender your firearms! I repeat, put your firearms down!" I call out, my tone loud and clear.

I watch as everyone surrenders their firearms, putting them back at waist level before I fully step outside with Louie.

"Reid!" I call out as Reid rushes over to me.

Reid's eyes land on mine, his brow furrowing slightly, "What's going on in there? Is Charlotte okay? The crime lab should be here any second." He asks, his tone low as he rambles on, worriedly.

I nod slightly, "Everything's fine with Charlotte, I think, I'm not sure. She just found over two dozen kids knocked out on the basement floor. I don't know how she's gonna react to this all. I told her to take a breather, thinking that she'd go outside or something, but instead she just took a deep breath and went back to work." I pause, glancing at Louie before looking back to Reid, "I need to take care of him, so I need someone else by Charlotte's side right now, just to make sure she's okay." I state in a low tone, Reid's eyes searching mine as I speak.

Reid nods slightly at my words before glancing over to Louie, "Hey buddy. Did my friend here show you his car already?" He asks as Louie shakes his head slightly.

Reid grins softly, "Well, I have a secret." He states, leaning forward, "My team, they're over there--" He pauses, pointing towards the rest of the team, "They all have the coolest cars in the world -- all of their cars have sirens. Do you wanna check them out with me or my friend, Derek?" He asks.