A short story set during/after the episode Restoration in season 8. Characters, especially one is OC. Well maybe, who knows what's inside a person's mind right ;) Keep in mind how soulfully Reid looks at Morgan on the plane when he finds out that Carl Buford is dead.

I don't own Criminal Minds or any of it's characters.

He was waiting, for who he didn't know. In his mind he was hoping he'd return to see him again, maybe even stay with him. He didn't think so, but oh how he hoped. When the door opened he blinked, wondering where he had seen the man before. He was tall and thin, with brown curly hair hanging loosely around his face. And he was young… Carl Buford smiled.

"And who might this be?"

"I'm Dr Reid with the FBI, I have a few follow up questions regarding the list you supplied agent Morgan with earlier".

The young man took a seat opposite him, in the same chair Derek had been in. He couldn't help but compare the two.

"Ah Derek, I'm sorry Dr Reid, but I only talk to Derek, don't matter how cute you look. Altough" He clucked his tongue as he let his gaze sweep over the man's body once more "You look awfully young for both and agent, and a doctor".

"Well, that's what you like isn't it Carl? The young one's?"

"I liked Derek best" A smile, a taunt. Delivered with the knowledge that this young man was Derek's friend.

"I know that. He's why I'm here actually".

His brow furrowed. "I thought it was about the list?"

Dr Reid let out a laugh, shaking his head. "I couldn't give a fuck about the list Carl. I'm here because I want to tell you something, because I want you to know something. I've recently lost someone, and that made me aware of things I hadn't been before. Things I didn't understand are now very clear to me, and while I won't go into detail, one of those things are Derek. You see, Derek is a protector, someone who constantly puts himself on the line for others without asking anything in return and it's about time someone did the same for him. My recent 'loss' if you willm forced me to face feelings I've held hidden from myself and everyone I love. I'm okay with that, I'm not okay with your continued existence in this world".

Buford felt his heart speed up at the calm words and the look in that young man's eyes. "Guard!"

"He's gone for a smoke" Reid smirked, that small, very rarely seen smirk on his face that showed he knew exactly just how good he was. "I signed my book for him".

"You can't touch me here"

"And I won't. I'm just here to tell you that you will never see Derek again. I know you told him you see him on TV and such, how proud you are? Well, be sure to tune in tonight". Another smirk as he stood up. "Oh, and Carl?" he waited until the man looked him in the eye. "I hope you burn in hell".

He met the guard on the way out, waving as he strode to another room, where a friend was waiting.

"Ronald, good to see you. Did you get the books? I have a favor to ask…"

Later that night Carl found himself surrounded. As he was laying on the floor, bleeding from several wounds he saw another man approach, slapping the backs of the men who had assaulted him.

"Good work"

"No problem. Very glad your friend told you exactly what this scum is, and who".

"Me too, I liked the whole setup with the news. I didn't know you could act so surprised bro, honestly, if you hadn't taken to murder you could have been an actor".

The man in question shrugged. "You win some you lose some"

"I guess. Well I must be going, hey scum" he kicked Carl right over one of his deeper wounds and he wheezed painfully. "Dr Reid says hello".