Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds.
Chapter 1: A Mother Knows
The phone in Spencer Reid's apartment rang.
It was late at night. Most nights at this time, he would be asleep or trying to go to sleep. Tonight, however, he just woke up from a bad dream. Right after the dream, he thought about going to a meeting. Then he thought about calling his sponsor. Instead he tried to read, but his mind kept going back to his dream. And then to the case his team and just finished. That horrible case that ended with Hayley Hotchner dying.
The phone ringing broke him out of his thoughts. It couldn't be for work, they would use his cell phone. He picked up the receiver," Hello?"
"Spencer? It's Dr. Norman." Dr. Norman oversaw his mother's care in Las Vegas.
"Dr. Norman? Is Mom okay?" Spencer's mind raced, thinking of all the things that could be wrong.
"She's been a little agitated. She been insisting that she speak to you. Normally, I wouldn't indulge her like this, but I think if she hears your voice and knows you're all right she'll calm down.
"It's OK Dr. Norman. Put her on."
"Spencer? Are you all right?"
"I'm fine mom. Are you OK? Dr. Norman said something's been bothering you."
"Are you sure you're OK Spencer? Are sure nothing's wrong? Nothing bad has happened lately?" Her voice sounded worried. Like she was any other mother calling her son.
"I'm fine mom."
"Don't lie to me Spencer. Something's been bothering you, isn't it? Something bad happened, didn't it?"
It isn't possible that she knows, Spencer thought. There is no possible way. "Something did Mom. Not to me, but to someone else on the team."
"Spencer, you are such a brave special boy. Don't be brave for me. Tell me, how bad it is. I knew something bad happened, I know."
Spencer Reid couldn't talk for a minute and then he said, "I felt so powerless Mom. There was nothing I could do. " he paused then began again, "Do you remember Agent Hotchner?"
"The serious looking one, yes."
"His … his ex-wife was murdered. It was one of ",he almost said unsub then thought better of it,"one the people we've been looking for. He targeted Hotch and his family."
"It isn't your fault Spencer. This man, whatever you call them, you caught him?"
"Yeah." Spencer decided not to tell her that Hotch killed him.
"It will be OK, Spencer. You did what you could."
"How do you know Mom?" as soon as the words were out of his mouth he regretted them.
His mother didn't miss a beat, "Because I know you. I know you would do anything you could to help. You've grown to be such a good man. I want you visit soon, so I can see you're all right. I've been worrying about you. I just knew something bad happened. A mother knows. I love you Spencer."
For some reason, that made Reid feel better. He would try to understand why later.
"I'll visit soon Mom, I promise."
"Don't just write a letter, Spencer. Visit. Soon. In the mean time go to sleep. You're reading right now, aren't you?"
"Mom…"
"Books are good Spencer, but you need to sleep. Your body and your mind need their rest."
"Of course, Mom I will. If you do the same."
"I'm fine now Spencer. I was just worried about you. I'm less worried now. I'll be even less worried after you visit. Good night."
"Good night Mom."
A few minutes after he hung up the phone, Spencer went to sleep. He had no more disturbing dreams that night.