Hello! I'm definitely new to the Criminal Minds section of fanfiction... but I've written plenty of other stuff on here over the last few years. I was very nervous about posting this as I feel CM is a very... hard to write fiction because of what it deals with in most cases. But I work at a grocery store and I found it simple to picture what would happen inside if something like this happened (actually, I've given it too much thought... lol.) It scares me, but it makes for a decent story. I hope you'll give it a try. As for Spencer, well, he's my favorite of the show next to JJ and Garcia, and I found he is pretty fun to write. Now, enough of an AN... enjoy the story! Please, let me know what you think and I would love POSITIVE ways to improve my writing, if you'd like.


He always ended up in these kinds of situations. Not matter what, danger seemed to find him. Even when he was 'off the clock', and trying to enjoy a rare day off. This was the first thought that ran through his head when he heard the barrel of a gun click and a deep voice tell him "move and you're dead". Dr. Spencer Reid sighed; put his arms up, and decided today was just going to be one of those days.

(Not that his life wasn't crazy enough. Come on.)

Two hours before this, and Spencer was at home, preparing for a day of leisure and relaxing. He was stretched out on his couch, a book in hand. It was one of his favorites, by an author not many had heard of. Such a shame, but it didn't mean he couldn't enjoy it. Next to him, were several more books, including one by his co worker, David Rossi. Since it was raining, and he didn't have anything else to do, it seemed like a good day to sit on the couch and read a book… with a cup of coffee.

Wait.

Coffee! He had forgotten the coffee. He chuckled to himself and rose from the couch, Dr. Reid walked into the kitchen and turned on the coffee pot. He opened his fridge to find that the milk was outdated. Frowning upon this, he shrugged. Black coffee it was. (But he really could use the calcium in milk... not that he was trying to give Morgan a run for his money or anything, but he was looking more thin than usual lately.) Chuckling at his own thoughts, he shook his head and prepared to get his favorite cup of coffee ready.

One of the many small coffee shops in DC supplied his favorite in bulk, and he always had tons of it on stock for these rare down days.

Or, apparently not.

Spencer stared at the empty cabinet in front of him, wondering how he could be so forgetful. No coffee… outdated milk? This was not him! He closed the cabinet with a heavy sigh and looked out the window at the rain. He couldn't possibly enjoy reading that book again without his coffee… but was it really important enough to go out in that for a cup of coffee?

He stared back at the books on the table and then nodded.

It would only be a short trip, after all.

Spencer prepared for his trip to the coffee shop and grocery store quickly, grabbing an umbrella and his wallet before leaving the small apartment. A song that Garcia had been singing recently came into his head. Something about standing under an umbrella and always being a friend… wouldn't any decent friend do that? Why would the singer need to tell said friend that? … wait, why was he thinking of this? Coffee!

He walked to the coffee shop, as it was only a few blocks from his house and bought the coffee. His favorite worker there was off that day, and the grouchy old man was behind the counter, scowling as if he hated life. Spencer thanked him with a smile, still, and continued on his way to the small grocery store up the road. He just needed a few things. He'd made a list after finding the milk. Eggs, milk, and believe it or not, sugar! He was really letting himself go here, obviously. He had also decided on getting himself lunch while he was there… something small, just to hold him over for dinner. Sometime earlier in the week, he had made plans with JJ to have dinner with herself, Will, and little Henry. He was excited, and hoped the weather would be much nicer by then.

Spencer grabbed what he needed and proceeded to go towards the checkout stands. He didn't like grocery stores very much. Many of the employees looked unhappy and the customers were rude and ungrateful for the service they were being provided. He could almost understand why so many of it's workers worked with frowns. But still. He was nice, they could be nice too. He selected a young girl toward the doors and started to place his items on the belt. It creaked as it moved forward, obviously old and needing to be replaced.

She greeted him dully and offered a weak smile, asking if he had a rewards card.

He shook his head and listened as she explained why he should sign up for one. After nicely declining, he watched as she rang up his purchases. That was when he should've noticed something was off. But he was very into watching her, almost intrigued by how slowly she was ringing his few items.

He handed her money and quickly packed his groceries in the reusable bag he had brought, thanking her when she handed him his change.

That's when the doors slammed shut and the voices started to rise. A few whispers, and then terrified screams. He was inching toward the door when the cold barrel touched his neck, and Spencer silently wondered why he ever got so addicted to coffee. Otherwise, he wouldn't be in another mess.