This is my first ever fanfic, Criminal Minds or otherwise. I hope it isn't too disappointing for you, and any tips or suggestions would be gratefully recieved! Enjoy :)

Drip, drip drip. The harsh sound echoes violently inside the dimly lit room, accompanied only by the sound of a young mans' ragged breath.

"Please.. help me.."

The dissonant sound hit the concrete walls and bounces back, as if it were mocking him. The lights flicker, then plunge the room into darkness. The body in the center of the floor jerks hysterically as it tries to adjust, but fails, to the difference in atmosphere. A gust of wind blows unexpectedly as the click of heels stride across the stoned floor.

"Well, well, well - look what we have here..." says a husky female voice "not so tough without your bullet-proof vest and team of backup agents, are we Dr Reid?"

The sweet scent of musky fragrance mixed with the stench of nicotine from her lips washes over Reid as she bends to give him a lipstick stain on his cheek.

"See you later, my love..."

The sound of her stilettoes grow faint as Reid releases a cry of angst, and falls unconcious, defeated.

ONE WEEK EARLIER

The squeak of shoes across the newly polished marble floor echoes through the lobby of the FBI offices, as Dr Spencer Reid hurries through the otherwise silent building brushing a lock of hair out of his face and clutching a pile of case files. The large ice-white clock chimes; three am. The young doctor stifles a yawn as he pressed the elevator button with a long, pure white finger, unaware that this week would change his life forever.

Spencer Reid took a deep breath as the elevator doors opened before him. The low buzz of conversation flooded into his ears, the comforting sound of home. As he stepped into the BAU of the FBI, he caught the eye of Jennifer Jareau, or JJ to the team. Reid tore his gaze away from the gleaming pools of turquoise and set his bag and armful of folders on an already overwhelming desk.

"Welcome back, Spence!"

It was JJ again, this time flinging herself into Reids skinny torso. Spencer, known for being socially awkward, stood rigid unaware of what to do in this situation. The young genius was not used to such attention, even from his family in the BAU. Still raw from his ordeal, he cleared his throat and waited for JJ to release him from her grasp.

"Should you even be back at work this soon?"

The sound startled him from his chain of thought, as he looked around to see who was talking to him. He was shocked to see JJ was no longer engulfed into his chest, and was now faffing around his desk ensuring everything was right for his arrival.

"I..I'm fine, JJ. I-"

"Spence, you can't lie to me. If its too soon, Hotch will understand. We all will."

Their conversation was interrupted by the ringing of JJ's phone. She flipped it upwards, turning with her back to Reid. He heard her mutter a few words, then hang up. She turned to face him, and his instincts instantly told him what the phonecall was about. He had seen that expression too many times before.

"We'll continue this later Spence. Right now we need to gather the team - this one's bad."