The Intelligence Control and Analysis Program

Chapter 1

Maybe this shouldn't be temporary. It isn't like we're adding someone to the team, we're just adding another perspective and a headful of knowledge. It's like adding a piece of equipment. We could take him along on a case... see how he interacts with the locals... figure out if his brain is worth the risk.

Hotch engaged the emergency break on that train of thought. Before he started considering the next case, he needed to handle the one in front of him. Genius was asleep, but the unsub was not, and the clock was ticking. Hotch could think about Genius when the case was closed and Angela Hayes was safe and sound.

But really, Genius was a walking, talking supercomputer. He was an incredible resource.

What harm could it do?

***

It was late when they returned to Quantico, and Hotch was quick to send everyone home. Nobody refused, and each response to the order was half-hearted and worn, a sick silence settling over them as they ambled around their desks and grabbed what they needed.

They had made the arrest, and there was no doubt they got the right guy, but Angela Hayes died on the way to the hospital. They hadn't saved a single victim, and that was the kind of case Hotch knew would knock them all on their backs for a while.

"Do we know what we're doing with Boy Wonder tonight?"

Hotch froze at Rossi's question, realizing he had completely forgotten there was a genius sleeping in the conference room. "I didn't think about it. I'll... call the number on the return card and wait for them to come pick him up."

Rossi shook his head and waved it off. "Don't mess with it tonight. I'll take the kid home with me. I think my security systems are enough to satisfy any government regulations they might have for geniuses."

Hotch rubbed his face briefly. "I..." I can't think at three in the morning. "If you really don't mind, I would appreciate it." He started walking toward the conference room, Rossi on his heels. "He should still be in here."

Hotch opened the door and saw Genius in the same corner where they left him, though he was most definitely not sleeping. He was, however, rocking back and forth, smacking his left temple with three fingers, and chewing on the knuckles to his right hand.

"Genius?"

Genius' head snapped up before jerking right back down, movement never ceasing. He mumbled something under his breath, his words rapid and slurred together incoherently, teeth closing hard around the skin of his hand.

Rossi stood at Hotch's right, maintaining a casual air with his hands resting comfortably in his pockets. "Speak up, kiddo."

"I said you left me!" Genius screamed the phrase but still didn't look up, rocking slightly faster and changing the taps to scratches. "You left me. You can't do that. You can't do that. I'm not supposed to be alone."

"You were sleeping," Hotch said carefully, approaching the corner with one hand outstretched. "We didn't want to wake you."

"I'm not supposed to be alone!" Genius looked up at him and glared, but there were tears in his eyes, and he seemed more upset than angry. "What part of that don't you understand? You got me in trouble. You got me in big trouble. Big—" He put his head down and scratched harder, little droplets of blood forming on his cheek. "I'm in so much trouble. I'm in so much trouble. They're gonna take my music and my book. I love my music and my book. It's not fair. I didn't do anything wrong. I wasn't bad. I was just sleeping. I was just sleeping."

"Genius." Hotch carefully lowered himself to the floor, reaching out and taking the scratching hand in his. "I want you to stop panicking and listen to me for a moment."

Genius kept scratching despite Hotch's attempt at interference, and he started to chew on his knuckles again, but he didn't speak. He scratched and chewed and rocked.

Hotch gently pulled the hand away from Genius' face, not wanting the marks to get any worse, and he spoke as softly as he could. "You are not in trouble, Genius."

Genius started nodding right away. "I am. I am. I am, I am, I am. I'm in so—"

"No, you are not." Hotch reached for the other hand and started to pull on that as well. "You are not in trouble. I will not let you be in trouble. If someone tries to tell you you're in trouble, you tell them they have to talk to me."

Genius locked his arm so Hotch couldn't pull away his chewing hand.

"Genius, I don't know if this is part of your Tourette's or if—"

"It isn't. I don't even have Tourette's. I hate it when they say I do. They're wrong. They're stupid. You're all stupid." Genius bit down on his hand a little harder, the red and swollen skin beginning to bleed. "Tourette's is involuntary, and it wouldn't make me chew on myself. Dermatillomania, maybe, but that's involuntary, too. I can stop ticcing whenever I want. I just don't, because it makes me feel better." He panted in between his words, growing more distraught with every passing second. "It's just anxiety. Why do they have to put me on so many medications? I don't like them. I don't want that many pills. I don't want them to put me on any more. I didn't do anything wrong. I don't need to be medicated again."

"Genius, I need you to take your hand out of your mouth." Hotch pulled on the limb again, being as tender as he could. "If you need—"

"Don't need."

"If you want to," Hotch continued calmly, speaking as though the interruption hadn't happened, "you can tap on the walls or the floor. You can even chew on my hand, if you want, but you've started cutting through the skin on yours. You've got to stop. Okay?"

Genius nodded sporadically, dropping his hand to the floor and smacking it faster than Hotch had ever seen a hand move. "I can do that. I'll do that."

Hotch opened his mouth but found he had nothing to say, his brain failing to provide the next course of action. He heard Rossi move behind him, and he closed his mouth. He would let the more experienced agent talk for a little.

"Hey, kid. You're gonna come home with me tonight. I'll set you up in my guest room, and we'll come back here to Quantico in the morning." Rossi took the hand Hotch was holding and started to pull Genius to his feet.

"You can just call. Send me back." Genius got to his feet anyway, and he didn't let go of Rossi's hand, but the tapping and smacking and drumming on every surface within reach didn't stop. "Unless you want my help again?"

Hotch and Rossi exchanged a glance.

"We... haven't decided yet." Rossi spoke carefully, turning his eyes back to Genius. "We'll see what's waiting when we come in tomorrow. Tonight, we're going to go home and sleep."

Genius' leg started to shake, the lack of rocking apparently bothering him. "Okay. I can do that. I can do that. Now?"

Rossi nodded his head. "Yup. Right now, kiddo."

"Okay." Genius made a beeline for the door, leaving them behind in favor of completing his task as quickly as possible.

"Looks like I better run." Rossi started after Genius, throwing a brief wave over his shoulder. "Goodnight, Aaron."

"Night, Dave."

Hotch stood there for a moment, heaving a sigh and letting his shoulders slouch just a bit. I need a drink... and about fifty hours of sleep...

Unfortunately, he could only make one of those things a reality. Still, he would take what he could get.

I'll call ICAP in the morning.