Reid has a visitor in his dreams while in prison.
Dream a Little Dream
The only time Reid had ever been more afraid was when Tobias Hankel was torturing him. He never thought anything would come close again. Now as he laid in his bed in a prison cell, he was scared beyond words. His cellmate said they needed to stick together but he did not trust him. Reid knew he needed to be brave. His profiling skills would help him determine those who posed the greatest threat to him. He had to stay strong. Yet he was afraid.
Reid knew the team believed in him. They believed he was strong. That with his genius mind, he was capable of surviving anything. They promised to visit as often as possible. Despite everything, it was impossible to escape the loneliness that filled his soul.
He needed to sleep. He needed his strength for what tomorrow would bring, even if it was a new, living nightmare. Reid turned on his side and drifted into something that felt like sleep. There were tears in his eyes.
"Hey," a soft voice said.
Reid turned to see none other than Maeve sitting at the edge of his cot.
"I'm dreaming," he said drowsily.
"There are worse things to dream about," she said in a slightly cheerful tone.
"What are you doing here?" he asked.
"I'm here to remind you to be brave," she said gently. "I know you can get through this Spencer. You're stronger than you know."
"That's what people keep telling me," he grumbled.
"And they're right," she said. "You are so strong it is incredible to watch."
"But I couldn't save you," he whimpered.
"No one could save me, Spencer. Some time there are no other solutions. But not this time around."
"What do you mean?"
"You don't have to scared, Spencer. The people in here are no match for you."
"How do you know that?"
"Because I can see more than you can. And I can see that if you have faith in yourself and trust your instincts, no one can harm you."
Reid sat up slightly.
"How can you be so sure Maeve?"
She touched his cheek. It felt touch was warm.
"Because I want you to succeed," she a little louder.
"I miss you," he said tearfully.
"I am always with you Spencer," she said with smile. "I'll never leave you."
"Thank you," he whispered.
She slowly stood up.
"When you get out of this place, I suggest going to a chess tournament. You might meet someone special."
"But what about you?"
"I'll never leave you Spencer, but that doesn't mean you should be lonely beyond your dreams."
She walked to the door.
"Goodnight," she said and vanished.
"Goodnight Maeve," he said and rolled on his back. He fell fast asleep.
…
"So, who's Maeve?" his cellmate asked.
"Why?" Reid asked as he got up.
"You were saying her name in your sleep."
"My girlfriend who was killed in front of me by her stalker," Reid said.
He shook his head. "You have had one rough go as an FBI agent."
"It could be worse," Reid said. "It was a happy dream."
"How could a dream about your dead girlfriend be happy?"
"You'd be amazed at what love can do," he said. "It gives us strength and courage."
"Now you sound like a Hallmark card."
"Maybe, but it's true."
"Thank you Maeve," he said mentally.