Chapter 1 Flowers
Reid walked up the flight of steps to his apartment. In his arms were the books that Hotch had promised him. He was going to read through them this weekend.
The team was supposed to have the weekend off. This was going to be time to relax. It was something that Reid knew the team needed right now.
It was something that he needed right now.
In truth, he was still reeling from the revelation that his boss, his mentor, the man that he had truly respected was a werewolf. This was compounded by the experience of meeting another werewolf face to face. A werewolf that Reid knew was going to kill him.
That werewolf in question had in fact been the Un-Sub they were searching for.
Hotch had killed the Un-Sub when he started to change into a werewolf. If he had not acted the werewolf would have attacked him.
That particular case had occurred over a month ago. The agent was still processing the information.
Reid wasn't sure if the team would have solved the case, especially as quickly as they did, without the aid of Hotch's abilities as a werewolf.
Hotch had kept the fact that he was a werewolf secret from the team. The team didn't even know of their existence.
The reason that Reid even knew now was because Hotch told him. If he didn't any statements made by Reid would have raised questions.
Hotch had used his abilities as a wolf in front of Reid.
The Unit Chief had told Reid that his wolf self would increased his senses. It was because of those senses he was able to identify and track the Un-Sub.
The rest of the team didn't know the truth about what happened with the showdown at the abandoned house and barn. Hotch had saved Reid's life by shooting the werewolf Un-Sub before he transformed.
In the end, two boys were returned home. Other families were able to receive closer for their own missing children. That was what was important.
Since that case, the team had not had an opportunity to slow down. There was paperwork and other responsibilities that team needed to fulfill.
Reid had not had time to stop and process everything.
Both Reid and Hotch had preferred it that the team remained in the dark about what happened.
Reid would undoubtedly be questioned and babied by both Prentiss and J.J. Morgan would interrogate Hotch about not revealing the truth to them.
Hotch had confided in Reid at the time for necessity. It was to protect him from the Un-Sub who was a werewolf as well.
Reid had agreed to keep Hotch's condition a secret.
He also wondered if he should even refer to his boss being a werewolf has a condition. The way that he understood it, Hotch had it under control. It didn't affect his life or his abilities as an agent.
When the case was over they had flown back home. After reaching the airstrip the team had gone back home. Hotch had caught up to Reid before he left.
Hotch had thanked Reid for not saying anything and backing up the cover story. Hotch had also said that he would bring Reid some books so that he could better understand werewolves.
According to Hotch the mythologies and stories were mostly wrong. The books he had presented werewolves from a scientific standpoint.
Reid was anxious to read up on the werewolves and talk with the medical and support personnel that worked with the werewolves.
This weekend would be the time that Reid would take to fully process the information.
When he reached his floor Reid turned and walked towards his door, but he stopped. What he saw by his door took him by surprise. There was a bouquet of flowers sitting by his door.
The arrangement was beautiful and rather large. There were red, purple, white flowers scattered throughout. Reid had quickly identified the flowers as anemones, asters, and gardenias. He also knew the meaning behind the flowers. They were anticipation, patience, and secret love.
Carefully, Reid picked up the flowers and looked for a florist's name or logo. There was none on the wrapping around the vase.
He pulled his key out of his pocket and brought the flowers inside. He gently placed the flowers and on the counter.
In the middle of the arrangement, there was a plastic stick holding the tiny envelope for the card. Reid picked up the envelope. There wasn't a name or logo on the outside of the card either. He opened the small envelope and read the card.
It had been signed simply has My Dearest.
The writing was cursive.
Immediately is training took over and he analyzed the handwriting. It was clearly a female.
Reid assumed that the flowers were delivered to his place by mistake.
He didn't know who the flowers could have been for.
This was certainly something of a secret admirer or surprise gift with the message. He had never heard any of his neighbors describe their spouses with that phrase. It was unique in a way.
On Monday morning Reid went into the office as he usually did. Nothing special or unusual occurred on his commute to the office. It was the normal start to his week.
When he got into the office he grabbed the chair from his desk. He pulled it over and sat down next to Prentiss at her desk.
"How was your weekend?" She asked turning to Reid. Prentiss knew that Reid wanted to talk.
"Surprising," Reid answered.
Prentiss smiled at that. "What happened?"
"There were flowers at my door," Reid answered. "There wasn't a florist name on it. It was a large arrangement."
Prentiss seemed engaged in the conversation. "Was it signed?"
"Only with My Dearest," Reid answered. "There wasn't a name of a florist on the flowers. So I can't call them and try to trace the purchase."
"You know Garcia could knock that out for you real fast," Prentiss said.
"What can my Baby-Girl do fast?" Morgan asked pulling his own chair up.
"Reid got flowers from a secret admirer," Prentiss said mischievously.
"Alright, my man," Morgan said giving Reid a pat on the back. "You know it is pretty special when a girl sends you flowers. I mean we can only assume that it is a girl, right?"
"The handwriting indicated a female," Reid answered. "They could have been met for someone else."
"What are you going to do with the flowers," Prentiss asked.
"Keep them I guess," Reid answered. "I wouldn't know what else to do with them."
Reid thought about asking Garcia, but it seemed like a waste. They could have been purchased with cash or delivered to the wrong address. There was no way she could track every purchase.
Throughout the day the team took turns teasing Reid about the anonymous flowers that had arrived. Rossi had even joined in with Morgan for one round. They provided Reid with dating advice and how to treat a lady.
At the end of the day, Reid went home and wondered about the flowers that were now sitting on his table by the window. He had left them there so they would get enough sunlight.
He looked at the flowers and wondered about the relationships like that, where strangers would send flowers to another.
Reid then picked up one of his books and settled himself in on his couch. He soon fell asleep on his couch with the book in his hand.
On Tuesday the team sat with their paperwork. They were finishing reports and writing consults.
The flowers were almost forgotten. In truth is actually a slow day, maybe the week would remain the same.
Wednesday came and that day had brought an assignment to the team.
A serial killer by the name of Benjamin Settles had agreed to be a part of the BAUs criminal personality research project. He was being held in a prison in Colorado.