Hello everybody, I had some free time last night despite my crazy life at the minute and I decided I,d try and write something. Looking over 'Confusion' however, if you care, I was uninspired. That story line seems to have dried up for me during this break, along with the sequel to 'Follow Through'. I probably will complete them, it's just I had to get this out of my system first. It starts out a bit like 'Follow Through', but I'm hoping to take the story in a different direction afterwards (and write this one better lol).
This is set in the present, but as if Henkel NEVER EXISTED. It does have a drug theme, but Henkel isn't responsible for it. This is only a short intro, more is on the way. Hope you enjoy it, reviews and constructive criticism are much appreciated.
Disclaimer: I own nothng to do with Criminal Minds.
Reid was alone in his dark empty apartment, drinking a glass of water as he stared abstractedly out of his window. He had such promise, such intelligence. What had it gotten him in the end?
The metro was too busy, dozens of strangers crammed together closer than would be anywhere near acceptable in any other circumstance. It always amazed Reid how every person managed not to make eye contact with any other person despite the limited space. Lost in thought, he hurried to work.
They weren't out on a case today; Reid and Rossi were going to Orlando to brief the police force out there on basic profiling. Reid wasn't looking forward to the one-on-one time with Rossi. As much as he liked him, it was very hard to hide anything from him. He'd done a good job; he spouted off random facts and didn't snap at people. But he wasn't right, he did his best to be healthy, but deep down he knew he wasn't. And Rossi might realise that too.
"Ready to go, kid?" Rossi greeted him at the SUV carrying a go bag.
"Yeah, are we taking a commercial flight?"
"Yep, lucky us. I've got the tickets. We're already booked into a hotel. We're going to get you a tan kid, and boy do you need it" Rossi joked, taking in Reid's waxy pallor. Reid laughed along with Rossi as he climbed in the passenger seat.
The flight passed quietly, Rossi was looking at some case files and going over their presentation for the Miami police whilst Reid stared out the window. The silence wasn't uncomfortable, the two men sat side by side and Rossi let him have his time to think, even when dinner arrived and Reid didn't touch a bit of it.
The police presentation was trying, they were always such sceptics. It was always the same doubts and questions they had to field. Reid hated it. It was a relief to escape the too cold air conditioning in the station as the wall of hot air outside hit him.
"Want to go get some dinner?" Rossi's voice cut through the thick air beside Reid.
"No, sorry, I think I'll get an early night."
"Alright, kid. I'll see you in the morning?"
"Yeah, see you." Rossi watched Reid walk away. His face was unreadable. Slowly, he turned and walked towards the hotel restaurant.
Upstairs Reid drifted away surrounded by thin, sweat drenched sheets in his single room. His sleep was deep, unnatural.