They were all getting used to Reid not being the first one in the bullpen every morning. They were also getting used to him being the last to leave. Whenever he was asked to go on an excursion with them he declined, which again they were getting used to. It was disheartening but no one knew what to do. Sure they had several well laid out campaigns to change his mind but none ever went into effect or were discussed further then their initial formulation.

Spencer was lost and losing everything of himself fast. He wondered where the strength he used to possess had gone. Looking at himself he could only marvel at the person he'd used to be. It was almost certain that he'd succumb to the darkness slowly creeping in through the edges of his life. There would be no stopping it in his weakened state and if he was honest with himself he didn't care to fight another battle. He'd had his share of wins it was time he prepare for a loss.

"Reid," one of them called.

He's withdrawn so far he couldn't tell them apart. This was saying a lot considering half his team was females. Half of his family, but they were fading into the darkness consuming his life. Before anyone knew it he would just be a memory to them all. The kid on the team that no one really needed.

"Reid," the voice called again.

He looked up from his paperwork to the two team members sitting with him. Both were doing their work so he looked up to the cat walk. Rossi stood in his door way waving a hand at him. With a sigh Spencer stood and made his way to Rossi's office. Everyone was watching as he made his way up the stairs but he chose to watch the ceiling tiles shift over his head instead.

"You wanted to see me?" Spencer said disconsolately.

"Come in and sit down," Rossi said kindly.

Spencer made sure to close the door behind him as he stepped in. He knew this was going to be more than a talk and didn't want anyone to interrupt it without warning. Most of him was hoping the talk would be lighthearted or about the book Rossi was writing but he was a genius and knew the man before him wouldn't call for him in the middle of the work day something trivial.

"We're worried about you," Rossi stated flatly.

"You shouldn't be," Spencer sighed.

"Not the response to make me think otherwise."

Spencer was silent for a moment trying not to lie to the older man. They both knew they all should be worried but Spencer wouldn't tell them why. They would assume the worst, that he was shooting up again, but they wouldn't be correct and he'd rather them be wrong than right.

"I'm fine Dave. There's no need to worry," Spencer tried again.

"You're lying to me kid. What's changed recently to make you give up? You've got the strength of a god and it seems like you've been sucked dry," Rossi asked.

"Please Dave just let it go. I'm not using again. I'll piss in a cup of you want. There is nothing wrong and even if there were what would you do about it?" Spencer shot back.

He stood from his chair and turned away from the Italian. He hesitated at the door hoping he would say something, anything to stop him from leaving.

"Spencer sit down," Rossi called before he could open the door.

His shoulders slumped and David Rossi watched as Spencer's entire being shrunk smaller than a child. It was absolutely terrifying but he intended to get to the bottom of Spencer's problems and pull him out of the darkness.

"Is it the job?"

"It's everything," Spencer cracked.

"Help me out here kid."

"I'm not a kid. I'm almost thirty years old. Sure you're older than I am but that doesn't make me a child. I had no control over when my parents fucked," Spencer started to rant.

Rossi stood and made his way to the other side of the desk. Spencer stopped his rant and watched the other man move.

"I don't do it as a disrespectful name, I do it as a reminder to keep your youth," Rossi explained.

"I've never had a youth. I've been an adult since I was twelve. How do I even explain to you what's going on with me? You'd never look at me the same again and I don't even know if I want you to," Spencer sighed.

"Just tell me about the part I can help you with. Then if I'm not enough go to someone else who can help you with part of it and keep going until there's nothing left. Until that darkness that's threatening to swallow you whole is nothing but a shadow in your memories," Rossi offered.

"You know about the darkness?"

"Kid, Spencer, I've been around the block a few times. I've seen strong people brought to their worst by their demons and I've had that darkness eating my soul a time or two as well. We all have to deal with it and if you don't then it takes over and you lose who you are. You lose what everyone loves about you and you turn into a shell of someone that anyone would have tried to save if only they knew how," David offered.

There was silence for a moment. Rossi placed his hand on Spencer's arm and almost pulled away when he felt the flinch. He knew Spencer wasn't using again because there were no signs of withdraw and he wasn't running to the bathroom all the time as he'd seen in the past with drug abuse. Spencer was afraid of being pulled from the darkness, he was afraid to ask for help and he was stubborn enough to try and fight it on his own even though he knew he would lose in the end.

"Help me Dave, please," Spencer said quietly.

Rossi pulled him up and wrapped the slender man in a hug. It wasn't something he ever did but he knew Spencer needed it. He would do whatever Spencer needed because that's what family did. They put their needs aside to help the hurting.

"Anything you need Spence, I'm right here," Rossi said quietly.