I've never written for Criminal Minds before, but I love the show so I thought I would take a crack at it. I'm sure this idea or basic plot has been well over done, but oh well. I appologize. Side note: This takes place shortly after Emily's return.

Waiting is the key to life. Waiting and watching. You cannot have one without the other. Those who cannot wait are not able to watch, at least not fully. I am very excellent at both, the waiting and the watching. Just about my whole life has been centered on it. I enjoy watching. Humans are fascinating creatures in all honesty, and I do mean creatures in every sense of the meaning here. Despite efforts to thrive, the human species has fallen well behind our animal brethren in a mess of hypocrisy and confusion.

Confused- that is the best way to describe the current state of humanity, or at least the vast majority of them; those who cannot wait. People are far too impatient to focus on anything other than themselves these days. Too busy stuck on their own lives to notice the flaws in the world around them and more importantly in themselves. It is up to those who are patient enough to see to show them the way. I have made it my mission to help those in such dire need, to guide those blinded by their faults. It is my life's purpose.

David Rossi has become my latest misguided sheep that I will lead. I found him a few years ago after sitting in on one of his lectures. He was intriguing, but I could not quite make up my mind about him. I submerged myself in his life; reading every book of his that I could get my hands on to, following him around campuses to hear him speak, spending hours upon hours researching him on the Internet. All in all I am not too impressed. For a man whose job it is to watch people he was very, very blind, especially when it comes to himself. His arrogance and sinful lifestyle out shines any potential in his ability. It will take extreme measures to bring him to light. But I have never been a man who shies away from the extreme.

I have decided to attend yet another one of his lectures. I know it will be boring; I have heard just about everything he has to say before. They are all the same really. He drones on and on about his career, all of the cases he solved. Like anyone cares. Occasionally he will bring a guest lecturer along, often being one of his co-workers. The girl with dark hair is rather bearable. Sometimes she will reply to David with a snippy remark. Lately he has been dragging around some young man, a genius of some sort. At one of earlier the lectures he made a comment about how many PHDs and various degrees he had. It was impressive, at least someone of his age. He looks no older than his twenties. He is quite the opposite of David. He is so quiet and mild mannered, but socially awkward to the point it is uncomfortable for everyone. It is obvious that it frustrates David. You can see it in his face; he gets so tired of his young companion's rambling.

But the two appear to get along well for the most part. I've heard David affectionately refer to him as kid when they are away from the stage and there is no need for formalities. Their relationship is interesting. I keep an eye on the doctor. He could be the tool I need to guide our David.

Today the doctor is with him again. I am pleased. At least it will be a little more interesting. David leads much of the discussion. The doctor adds in when queued, but stumbles over his words. It's cute in a way. So smart yet so dumb.

I sit patiently as David continues to ramble on about some case he worked several years ago. I have lost interest in him. I know everything about him. Nothing is entertaining anymore, just nauseating. My attention lingers on the doctor. I watch him carefully, studying his facial expressions. His discomfort with his situation is obvious, but when he looks at his partner he appears more relaxed. His eyes shine with something- admiration, perhaps. See what I mean about being so dumb? How anyone could admire a man as nauseous as David Rossi is beyond me. But the devil comes in many tempting forms.

A student in the crowd asks a question. David directs it to the doctor. The young man answers, but it is much too thoroughly and quickly for anyone to follow. He eventually trails off after catching a disapproving look from David. Poor thing. He looks so disappointed with himself; it seems he can never get the social thing quite right. I will make him worth something.

Rossi has never really enjoyed taking Reid along on lectures. At first it seemed like a great idea; the kid was much younger than him and would hopefully be someone more relatable for student audiences. That theory, however, did not last very long. Rossi knew that Reid was socially awkward, but was not entirely sure to what degree. It was apparent from the first try that Reid was not going to be able to make that connection as previously been hoped. He was too far ahead of the students; too far ahead of most people in general for that matter. He would stumble over his words once he realized he was losing his audience, and would only falter more as he noticed his own mistakes, sending him into one jumbled, rambling mess.

But he's a good kid, a great kid even. For the life of him Rossi can never understand how someone as mildly tempered as Reid ended up wanting to work for the FBI. He had no desire to play the role as hero or take any of the glory. He even rarely showed any hatred towards the most vicious of criminals they came across. Reid sticks to the facts and does what he does best; figuring things out. He does well when it comes to picking apart minds, but when it comes to talking to actual people it's a whole other story. As previously stated, he's a good kid; just a pain to drag around sometimes.

Reid fidgets with the strap on his bag as he waits for Rossi to finish chatting with a small group of people. He hates this part, more so than the actual talking. After the lecture people would always flock to Rossi, eager to ask questions and get his opinions on things. Reid would be left on his own, standing off to the side as he waited patiently for the time to leave. It was in these moments he would realize that aside from the very small corner of the world he had created for himself, he didn't really belong. Completely belonging to his group was a stretch itself. As much as he knew and understood about the world, it was just something he never really fitted into.

Reid sighs and looks longingly outside the windows. It's a nice day. He could wait outside instead of the auditorium. There would at least be more interesting things to look at. Just as he is about to walk towards the door, he is stopped by the sound of someone calling his name.

"Excuse me, Dr. Reid!"

Spencer pauses and turns towards the direction of the voice. He only recognizes the man as the professor, Mr. Lastine, who had requested that the two would stop by and do a lecture. They had been guests a little over a year back and apparently made a good impression, although Rossi could not remember the man's name. Reid had to remind him several times on the way there. They had spoken briefly before the lecture, but it was quick since Rossi hurried through it. It was strange; part way through the conversation he seemed to become agitated with Professor Lastine and he quickly excused Reid and himself for some private talk before the lecture.

"What was that about?" Reid asked as he tried to keep up with Rossi's pace. He looked over his shoulder, back at the professor, who was left alone and looking confused.

"The way he was looking at you," Rossi answered. "I could have hit him."

"At me?" Reid turned around to look at the man again. "I-I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary."

"You're oblivious, kid."

"Maybe you're just over profiling."

"Maybe."

Reid rocks back and forth on his feet slightly as the professor hurries over to him. The man seems to be a little out of breath. "Dr. Reid," he repeats again. "I'm so glad I caught up with you. I was afraid you had already left."

"Oh. No," Reid replies, smiling. "Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Well." Professor lets out a burst of laughter. "Well, I was wondering if you would be interested in taking a look at something I have been working on. I would really like to hear your opinion. I mean, if you aren't too busy."

Reid looks over at Rossi. His co-worker is still busy chatting with one of the students. He would have more than enough time to look at whatever it was Lastine wanted. At least it would be something to do. "Sure," Reid replies. "I should be able to."

"Good! Good!" the professor exclaims. "My office is just this way. It will only take a moment."

Just as they are about to walk away Reid sees his co-worker walking towards them. His expression is cold and serious. Reid cannot tell who or what he is upset at. "We need to go," Rossi says.

"Did we get another case?"

"Yeah," Rossi says as he continues to walk. He lightly touches Reid's shoulder and pushes him along, but Reid stalls.

"Uh. Where are we going?"

"I don't know. Somewhere in New York or something."

"Oh. I guess we should get going." Reid looks at the professor and smiles apologetically. "I'm sorry. Maybe I can look at your work some other time?"

"Of course!" Lastine says quickly. "I don't want to get in the way of your jobs. It sounds pretty urgent. Exciting too."

"I wouldn't call it exciting," Rossi says.

"Yes. I- I mean exciting as in not the enjoyable kind, but-."

"It's ok. But we really should be going now. Thank you for having us."

"Yes! Of course! Thank you for coming! It was really interesting. The students seemed to learn a lot. Hopefully we can do this again sometime!"

"Sure," Rossi says with half interest. "Come on, kid. Let's get back before Hotch chews us out."

As they walk away Reid turns around to wave goodbye to the professor. Lastine waves back, but stands in his places. He remains there, stuck in his own thoughts, even after the two agents have left his sight.

"So, what's the new case?" Reid asks as they get into the car.

"There isn't one."

"But you said-."

"I didn't feel like staying. These things take too long."

Reid sits quietly for a moment as Rossi starts up the car. "You don't like him," he says rather than asks.

"Who?"

"Professor Lastine."

"Oh, him," Rossi says as they drive out of the parking lot. "I have nothing against him."

"Why didn't you want to talk him then?"

"Like I said, these things go too long. I've been to enough of these; you just get tired of it."

"Why do you do it then? If you're tired of talking?"

Rossi considers the question. He has been doing lectures for years; it's become part of his routine. "Don't get me wrong, I still enjoy it. But between this and work, it gets busy."

"You can take a break."

"Kid, you know we never take a break from this work. It just never ends."

Reid smiles slightly. "So, we really don't have to go back to work?"

"No. At least not yet. Knowing our luck another any minute now. How about we get food first? I'll treat."

It's late now, well past ten in the evening. I have been waiting inside the doctor's apartment for hours now, and he has yet to return home. It is not surprising. Many nights I had sat outside, watching for him, and he arrived even later than tonight. Still, the closet is getting cramped. It is filled with more books than clothes; not the most ideal place to hide.

As I wait I finger the clothing, taking in everything that I can to learn more about him. I debate about when I shall make my move when he returns. Should I attack as soon as he enters the room, or would waiting until he has fallen asleep to carry on? There is the possibility of him opening the closet himself and finding me. It would catch him by surprise. He won't be expect it at all. It was very horror movie like. That would be fun.

Suddenly, I hear a noise. The door to the apartment is opening. For half a moment I panic, but I quickly regain my composure. This is it; this is the moment I have been waiting for. Fate has been set in motion, and there isn't anything anyone can do to stop it.

I'm sorry it's so short! The first chapters always come out shorter than I would like them to. Oh well. Thank you to those who read and/or review!