Chapter 1
AN: This is just a thing that popped into my head. I was watching season 3, and my heart really went out to Reid (See the "elephant's memory" episode. I blubbered!). Of course, I don't own Criminal Minds.
Spencer Reid was in the bar with the rest of the team. He normally didn't go out drinking with them, but Garcia badgered him saying that he didn't have "team spirit." He tried protesting, but Morgan and Emily joined into the mix with a chorus of "C'mon, Reid!"
It was an incredibly tense week. Spencer felt like his head was going to explode; he had so much information, pictures, figures, that he was on overdrive. He was tense, he was tired from being on crutches, and going out didn't sound that fun. Frankly, being in social situations, he didn't excel. He thought he'd go home and listen to Mozart and relax.
Obviously, that didn't work.
He was nursing a beer first, then Morgan slapped something in his hand that appeared to be tequila. "Have at it kid! Relax." He dumped that on the floor, hoping Morgan didn't notice. He was going to be sick in the morning as is without Tequila. This was not a good idea, and he thought he'd tell them too. Then he looked around at the rest of the team.
Morgan and Garcia were on the dance floor, dancing so shamelessly it was hard to watch. He wondered if it was legal to do the things they were doing? The song had a good beat; they were taking advantage of that fact with their bodies. They were obviously relaxed, as much as two people in that physical contortion could be!
Rossi was very relaxed playing darts with an equally relaxed Hotch. There was a definite competition there, and the physics angle interested him. He logically deduced with a bit of fine tuning, he could master that game. He would do some research in the morning.
J.J. and Em were sitting with him, laughing, eating peanuts, relaxed too. Emily was teasing him about his tie and sweater. "You look like a librarian, Reid. Who is going to hit on you, looking like a librarian?" Emily said.
He did a quick glance about the room. No one else was wearing a tie. He undid the tie, not wanting to feel too much like an oddball. Considering his entire life he was mostly considered an oddball, not feeling like one at a bar was almost ridiculously important to him. "Is this better? Do I fit in?" he said, smiling at J.J. hopefully.
J.J. held her breath a little. Her heart broke a little bit for Spencer. She ached for the little boy that would have loved to be 10% as "cool" as Morgan. The little boy who went to see a girl and was tortured by the high school team for it. The little boy who watched his mother slowly descend into madness. And the man that deemed himself "socially awkward."
She was angry too. There was nothing "socially awkward" about being a kind, loving, good man. There was nothing "socially awkward" about being intelligent, or having a strict set of morals. There was nothing "socially awkward" about triumphing over drug addiction. Yet, he felt he had to change to fit in.
J.J. leaned over and looked into the face that she saw of courage and strength, of fighting against all odds and winning. She smiled and touched his cheek. "Yes, Spencer, and you are wonderful. Just the way you are."