OBLIGATORY DISCLAIMER: I don't own Criminal Minds, or any of its associated characters, plots, scripts or episodes.
'Doctor Reid.' They had no idea quite how much he hated it.
Years ago, when he'd asked Hotch why Gideon always introduced him as Doctor Reid it had made a certain sort of sense. He had looked like he should have been in college rather than travelling as part of a crack FBI unit. Now though, had he not proven his worth enough times to warrant the same respect that Emily got?
'Doctor Reid. That's right? Always Doctor, never Agent?' Because heaven forbid he just be thought of as a professional profiler.
A year ago he'd thought that Rossi had 'got it', when he made a point of calling him 'Agent Reid' in his words of praise. The feeling of euphoria at the two words had carried him through the next month. Before being brought back down again when he'd realised that it had been a one off.
For profilers they weren't very good at reading him or local law enforcement. Continually introducing him as Doctor and they may as well be saying 'We know he doesn't fit but we keep him around for his brain.' It kept him separate from the team, separate from the locals and made his life that much more difficult. If it wasn't the thrice damned Doctor it was Morgan calling him 'kid'.
Ironically this was all great fodder for another dissertation. A study in the subtle use of the workplace put down. Something to think about the next time the dead bodies kept him awake at night.
For now though, he'd suck up the 'you aren't good enough to be in our clique' that his co-workers put out. There was a killer to catch.