Disclaimer – I don't own Criminal Minds or any of the characters.
Author Note – at the end of Hindsight, I said I had ideas for a sequel, I meant I had ideas for a few sequels. This is one of them, set approximately two years after Hindsight.
Standing up – chapter 1
"Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen."
WINSTON CHURCHILL
On Sunday's when he hadn't been called into work, Spencer Reid could be found in the park playing chess. He could block out the distractions of people peering over his shoulder as he contemplated his next move, people had been doing it since he was a child.
And that's how Morgan found him. Not wanting to disturb his concentration on the game, Morgan sat on the bench a couple of feet away. He could wait; they didn't have a case.
He knew the rules to chess, but never really played. He'd been in London when Emily had tried to teach him but he couldn't recall anything she'd said, only the excited gleam in her eyes she'd had while explaining the various moves she made around the board. She had looked up at him when she realised she was babbling, embarrassed her inner-nerd had exposed itself. Emily expected teasing in his eyes, but found none, only adoration. Ducking her head down to hide her blush, she continued her explanations at a slower pace. When she was done he simply took hold of her hand and tugged slightly to pull her into a straddling position over his lap. His other hand came to rest on her cheek, brushing her hair slightly out of the way as he looked into her eyes. Their lips met halfway.
Smiling at the memory, Morgan returned his gaze to Reid. His quick moves slowed as he got further into the game. Morgan knew he was mapping his opponents' movements, like Gideon had taught him, figuring out a strategy that would lead him to checkmate. Over Reid's shoulder, Morgan noticed another observer watching the board, but rather than following the moves, her eyes would glance to where next move should be made.
"Someone beat me at chess. Her name's Helen."