A/N: This is my first Criminal Minds fan fiction, please tell me if you like it!

Spencer Reid hurried to get to the BAU headquarters, he'd gotten a call from Gideon and judging from the tone of his voice it was serious… and personal. Indeed when he reached his destination there was only Gideon awaiting him.

"Morning, Reid!" was the brief greeting he received and returned before asking:

"Aren't the others coming?"

"They'll be here later, I want to forewarn you."

"Forewarn me because of what?"

Reid inquired when the older agent paused.

"This new case takes us back to your college, you might want to prepare yourself for that and… you know the vic."

Reid swallowed, taking in what Gideon had just revealed. Just for one moment he allowed his mind to show memories and to dwell on possible victims, then he forced himself to focused. His voice was calm when he wanted to know:

"Who? How? When?"

"Your former English professor, Dr. Malcolm Trent. He was stabbed 9 times yesterday."

Reid's memory bombarded him with memories of Dr. Trent, a tall, brown-haired man with a soft voice. He'd always had a close connection to him, when he had gone to college as well as afterwards. The professor had been one of the first he had called when he had gotten accepted at the BAU. The lively guy had been overjoyed at the news… Reid had imagined his dark green eyes sparkling and his body almost dancing from excitement and happiness for his young friend.

"Thank you for telling me before…"

"No problem, now let's get the others and find the unsub."

With a determined yet quivering voice Spencer Reid answered:

"Yes, let's get him!"

Never before had he wanted to catch an unsub that badly… This guy would be punished for killing his friend, the young agent would make sure of it.

The rest of the team was already waiting for them and without delay they headed for their plane.

After the briefing JJ took a seat next to Reid. Spence – as she called him – might not be the type of man most women adored (he was socially too inadequate), but she had come love him for who he was, not just for his genius brain (well, she admired that too, of course). She knew she could trust him, that he would be there for her no matter what and those things ranked higher than social skills, at least for her. When he had made the first careful move on her two months ago, she had not turned him down. It had been the right choice, Reid was not only utterly sweet and caring, he was also a very attentive lover.

"Spence, are you okay?"

Concern was obvious in her voice and made it clear she wanted an honest answer. Reid contemplated for a moment before he looked up directly in the eyes of the woman he loved.

"I don't know, JJ… I really don't know. It is hard to imagine he is really dead and I won't see him again. He was always there for me, you know? After my father left and Mom got sick, he was kind of a replacement father for me. I talked about everything with him… I remember when we disagreed over a book of Kant. Our discussion got really heated and we almost yelled at each other when none could convince the other of his point of view. But in the end we both realized how ridiculous it was, so we started laughing…"

JJ smiled and took his hand. She really could imagine Reid during that discussion, of course he had quoted from the book they had talked about…

"I'm so sorry. He must have meant much to you, Spence… I wish I could've met him."

"He would have liked you. 'Someday the right girl will come along', that's what he always used to say… and he was right, I finally found her."

With those words he softly caressed her cheek, trying to tell her how much he loved her. JJ felt happiness welling up inside her, understanding the unsaid meaning. Moving closer so that she was leaning against him, she whispered:

" I love you too."

Now, despite his grief, a smile formed on Reid's face. How could JJ always know what he wanted to say and what he needed to hear? Her quick perception had always amazed him. Unconsciously he put an arm around her waist and drew her closer.

A few minutes later, Morgan interrupted them:

"Hey, lovebirds, we're landing. Buckle up!"

Reid had insisted he'd go to the college, but now he wished he hadn't. The still familiar surroundings conjured up so many memories – most of them not exactly good. He saw a few familiar professors, but didn't talk to any of them, he just couldn't. It was as if he was back to being a small student, withdrawn, untrusting, alone… Thank God JJ was with him! So he focused on doing his job, not noticing the eyes full of hatred following him and his partner…

Two days later they caught the unsub. It was another professor who had been envious because he wasn't as well liked as Dr. Trent.

Reid was glad when they were finally flying home, of course he was completely unaware that the man whose eyes had been burning with hatred was also on his way to Quantico and the real "fun" would soon begin…

A/N: I know you want more, do you? Come on, press that little button and leave a review! Thanks!