Spencer slowly opened his eyes, blinking several times so that his eyes could adjust to the harsh light of the day shining through his window. He silently cursed Morgan and his idea to go out the previous night – his head was punishing him for it. The previous night's memories slowly leaked through the fog of his hangover like a train wreck, Reid growing increasingly pale and feeling sicker as he realised what he'd done. Jolting up in bed, eyes wide he ran both hands through his hair in hopeless frustration. An absolute idiot he was. How was he going to face the team come Monday? Seeing the blinking light on his phone indicating a text message he made the informed decision to make coffee before looking at the device.

How are you feeling? You drank a fair bit last night.

I'm guessing you're still asleep.

You must be a deep sleeper when you've had a lot to drink.

Reid?

Seriously man, this is my fifth text – either you're ignoring me or you're really tired…

Are you dead? If you don't answer in the next half hour I'm breaking down your door – and I won't be paying for it if you are alive. It'll be your own damn fault for NOT ANSWERING YOUR PHONE!

The genius just sighed as he read the several texts from Morgan whilst drinking his coffee. As he got to the last one he quickly shot a text off to his best friend confirming that he was in fact alive before the apartment door was unjustly terrorised for the younger man's crimes. Why did he have to fall for the trap of guilt trips and social outings with friends under the pretence that he could be normal and have a drink with them without ruining his career and potential relationships with the people he thought of as family? Another sigh and another sip of his coffee went by before Spencer decided that it was a moot point anyway. He'd spent his whole life fumbling by making a fool out of himself and being unable to read social cues or saying the wrong thing to the wrong people at the wrong time so it was only appropriate that the team get a dose of it too.

The shocked look on his team's faces ran through his mind and the younger man visibly cringed. He had tried, earlier in the night to tell them that he didn't drink – that he didn't handle alcohol well but they thought he meant he was a lightweight. Spencer sighed. He really wished he was. He also wished he didn't remember the events of the night before. He'd never believed in the phrase 'ignorance is bliss', at least he didn't up until he'd woken up not quite sober but completely aware that there'd be certain repercussions to his actions.

. - . - . - . - . - . - .

"Hey slow down, Kid." Morgan suggested lightly. The team had been watching their youngest guzzle beers for the few hours he'd been at the bar and all had become slightly concerned by what they'd seen.

"I'm fine, Morgan. Back off." Reid's words slurred only slightly, a direct contradiction to his statement. In a show of rebellion, the genius ordered another drink from the bartender in front of the team, his actions sure and practiced.

"Spence…" JJ started.

"I'm not a child, Jennifer. I don't need to be coddled. I can handle my alcohol a lot better than you think I can. Trust me." Spencer told her, a bite in his voice as he cut her off before she could properly begin speaking.

"Reid, you're the one who told us you didn't handle alcohol well." Rossi pointed out.

The genius smiled. "Yes, and you bought me a drink anyway." As if to prove his point, the man took a long gulp before continuing.

Hotch took a step forward, a frown on his face. "Reid, stop. We're your team and your family and we're trying to look out for you."

Spencer stared at his boss for a moment before letting out a breath. "Well then, I guess I'll shut up. And apologise."

- . - . - . - . - . - . - .

Reid picked up his phone, considered texting his team. Apologising. He then put his phone back down with a grumble – there wasn't anything he could say over text. He'd hurt and embarrassed people that he cared deeply about. All he wanted to do was sit and drown in his memories of the previous night - penance for his crimes.

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