Zack Addy x Spencer Reid friendship
Brief history:
Spencer and Zack met while Zack was they were both completing their engineering degrees.
Set during after the season 3 finale of Bones and after the Criminal Minds Season 2 episode 22: Legacy.
"Nothing is permanent in this wicked world, not even our troubles. Charles Chaplin."
You would think that Spencer would know. That if troubles weren't permanent, routines and "normalcy" weren't permanent either.
Everyday Spencer would do two things without fail. Write his mother a letter and call Zack Addy. Neither of the geniuses' coworkers knew of their friendship. No one knew that they bonded over being bullied in high school, their Asperger's Syndrome, and their love of engineering. Of learning.
So when Spencer received a call at work from Zack's number, he wasn't too surprised. Sure, he HAD just called him last night and Zack hadn't answered, which was a tad bit strange. So maybe Zack was just calling back.
"Reid."
"Hello, Dr. Spencer Reid? This is Dr. Temperance Brennan, I'm—"
"Zack's boss…he's told me about you. Why are you calling?"
"Zack's in the hospital."
"What? What happened?"
"You know about the Gormogon case?"
"I've heard about it, yes."
"Well…Zack was taken in by his rhetoric and ended up giving himself 3rd degree burns in order to provide distraction so Gormogon could steal the silver skeleton and Zack also killed a lobbyist."
There was a tense silence.
"Zack has agreed to plead guilty, but he will be committed to a mental asylum rather than sent to prison. He begged me…to call you. To tell you that he's not ignoring you and that he's sorry, but he won't be able to fulfill that promise. …I know this isn't my place…but it seems like the two of you were close friends. I might be able to convince the prosecutor to allow you to see him."
"I'll be there."
Spencer hung up and sighed. Somehow…he knew this would happen. Zack…was easily taken advantage of, and Zack…Zack had refused help after his 3 month stint in Iraq. Typical Zack, refusing help.
Spencer got up and walked to Hotch's office, knocking on his door.
"Come in."
"Hotch, I need to take a few days off."
If Hotch was surprised at all, he hid it well. "Starting when?"
"Now would be best."
"Do you want to tell me what this is about?"
"The fine line between genius and insanity."
At this, Hotch was alarmed. "Is this about your mother?"
"I wish," Spencer paused. "This is about a promise made between old friends."
Spencer turned, left, gathered his satchel and made to leave the bullpen.
"Where will you be?" Hotch asked, he had come out of his office while Spencer was packing up.
"DC," with that Spencer disappeared from the bullpen.