Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds

A/N: Special thanks to mablereid for all her support and encouragement

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"So these kids are being taken, kept for three days, then killed and left on church steps all dressed in white." Morgan had just summed up JJ's presentation of their latest case.

"Sounds like," Reid interjected, "that the killer's dressing them in white could be because he thinks they are pure or putting them on the church steps because he views them as angels."

"You could be right about that Reid," Emily agreed, "because he overdoses them with sleeping pills, he doesn't appear to punish or injure them in any way."

"Yeah," JJ added, "they're just laid our like they were sleeping."

The phone on the desk beeped. Hotch picked it up, "Hotchner. Well Anderson, we're kind of busy right now." He listened to Anderson's response. "Well how did he get in here if he won't give his name? Yes that's always the way. Okay Anderson you can bring him up. A matter of life and death, this better be good."

Hotch hung up the phone and said, "There's a man here to see Reid. He won't give his name and won't speak to anyone else. He says it's a matter of life and death."

"So how did he get in here without giving his name?" Gideon was curious.

"Apparently he knows Senator Denton from Ohio; they used to teach together at Penn State. Well, you know Denton used to be FBI, and I guess he talked to the director and the director provided a letter to get this guy in here. He must feel it's important."

There was a knock at the door. Morgan was the closest and got up to answer it. Anderson was standing there with a man who appeared to be in his fifties. He was just less than six feet, had brown hair that was graying at the temples. He looked at Morgan and said, "I was told I could talk to Spencer Reid here."

"Yes, he's in here."

Reid stood up as the man walked into the room, "How can I help y…" He stopped dead at the sight of the man. His eyes widened and his mouth gaped. He blinked and looked again as if to assure himself that what he was seeing was really in front of him. "What are you doing here?"

"Maybe we could talk in private."

"You could use my office if you want Reid," Hotch offered.

"No thanks Hotch, he won't be staying."

"Please, if you could just hear me out, it's important."

"I'm not the least bit interested in anything you have to say. Now please leave, that's something you're good at."

The team was somewhat shocked at Reid's attitude. He was usually so easy to get along with. They had never seen him treat anyone like this.

Gideon said to the man, "Is there something that one of us could help you with Mr…"

"Reid," Reid replied, "his name is William Reid and he is my so called father."

They all stared at the man they now knew to be Reid's father. Hotch's eyes hardened and his usually unreadable demeanor took on an intense scowl. A steaming anger burned in Morgan's eyes and he kept clenching and unclenching his fists. The usually pleasant JJ and easy going Garcia, both stood there like statues, living examples of the expression, if looks could kill. Emily, aware of Reid's childhood but not as familiar as the others with his situation, became alert to the sudden tension in the room as her eyes darted from Reid's father to her team members. Gideon's countenance went through a myriad of emotions, first, curiosity, to finally see the man whose selfish actions had been largely responsible for the hardship in Reid's life. Secondly, puzzlement, as if he was looking at some specimen under a microscope trying to understand how or why it did the things it did. Thirdly, sadness, that this father had given up on such a wonderful young man but then his expression changed to one of concern, not for William Reid, but for Spencer.

"Agent Anderson intimated that you said this was a matter of life or death," Gideon said. What is it you think we can do to help you?"

"There's nothing any of you can do," the senior Reid said, indicating the team. "Spencer is the only one who can help me."

"Why is that," Hotch inquired?

"I have another son, his name is Evan, he is thirteen years old, and in eighth grade. He's a great kid but he's suffering from acute lymphocytic leukemia. We have done everything we can, been through every kind of treatment but nothing has worked. He's had chemotherapy, radiation, drug therapy, holistic medicine, all to no avail. The boy is dying and the doctors feel that the one and only thing that could save him is a bone marrow transplant. He's been on the list for a while and we haven't been able to find a match. The doctors all tell me the best chance for a match would be a brother, even a half brother."

"Let me get this straight," Morgan piped up. "What you're telling us is you want to scavenge the body of the son you deserted and left in charge of a mentally ill mother at the age of ten, the son you left to raise himself, the son you threw away like so much garbage, to help your other son."

"I know it sounds awful when you put it that way but…"

"Well, how would you put it dad? You went out for a walk fifteen years ago and just haven't made it home yet."

"Look, Spencer, I know you hate me and you have every right to…"

"Oh, ya think," Garcia interrupted.

"Maybe it would be better if we talked in private."

"No, I am not going anywhere. These are my friends and they are more family to me than you'll ever be, so if you have something to say to me, you can say it in front of them and if they want to give you flack, well you'll just have to suck it up or better yet, you can just leave, like I said before, you're good at that."

"Look, I know I probably shouldn't have come here but if any of you are parents, I'm sure you understand that you'll do anything to help your child."

"I'm your child, why did that sentiment never apply to me. What did you ever do to help me?"

William Reid stared back at his son, unable to come up with a satisfactory reply.

"What were you doing when you were ten years old, dad? Were you in little league and boy scouts? Well, let me tell you what I did. I made our meals, I cleaned the house, I looked after the yard. I made sure Mom got out of bed and took her medication. I had to help her get bathed and dressed some days. I attended high school where I was smarter than students six and seven years older than me. I spent a lot of time locked in my locker and recovering from bully attacks. You remember that nice big house we had with the library and games room upstairs. I had to sell it. I couldn't look after it; I was just too damn little! Oh yeah and all the correspondence from your lawyers, had to deal with that. I got us through, no thanks to you and you have the gall to come here and ask for my help. I'm sorry guys, I gotta get out of here, I can't stand to look at his face any longer." Reid brushed past his father and out the door, leaving the team and William Reid staring at each other.

William looked at the others. "I know I have no right to ask but if any of you have any influence with Spencer, could you please try and make him understand that Evan really needs his help." He took a card out of his pocket and put it on the table. "He can reach me at this number if he changes his mind." William turned and walked out of the room.