Title: You Broke My Bones
Rating: M
Summary: The BAU becomes too much for Reid to handle. But his old and current jobs are bound to collide.
Previously: Reid decided to leave the BAU and become a Doctor
This Chapter: In the pouring rain, Morgan reveals more about the BAU to Reid since his departure.
Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds but I own any OCs and the plot
Status: In-Progress
Note: You know in TV shows where it says, "Next Week on…"? Well, I decided to add that with my Fanfics.
Chapter: 1. Rain and Talk
It was raining in Virginia. Large, heavy raindrops fell, collecting into puddles, spread around the ground. The sky was dark and black, with a sense of gloom. The normally white and fluffy clouds were grey and heavy with the load of the fat raindrops, pressing down on them, as if suffocating them. Somewhere in the distance, sharp lightning was cracking the Earth like a whip.
Dr. Spencer Reid, MD watched the skies with a mix of wonder, fascination and horror, as he realised the rain meant slippery roads, car crashes and a flood of injured people in the ER.
It was this last thought that crossed his mind when a dark man, an old friend of his, sat down next to him, wrapping his arms around himself in the cold.
"Are you still sure about this?" The man asked, huddling as a gust of wind made a shiver run down his spine.
"I already told you." Reid replied. "I'm staying." He added, turning to his old friend, Derek Morgan, who right now reminded him of a drowned rat.
Morgan nodded and started rocking, determined to keep the rain and cold out. Reid rolled his hazel eyes and suppressed a grin.
"Reid, man, you know you're welcome back anytime." Morgan said, glancing at him once as he continued his quest to remain warm. Reid nodded, reverting his eyes to the diner diagonal from the hospital entrance, and the people inside, laughing and talking in the warm.
"And why do we always meet here?" Reid asked. "Why not there, in the dry and warmth?" He added, nodding towards the diner. Morgan followed his line of sight. He shrugged and glanced away, starring at his black boots which had suddenly become interesting to him. Reid noticed the shift in attention. His brow creased slightly as he realised something was bothering his friend, and annoyed that he hadn't needed his vast knowledge in psychology to notice it.
"Next time then." Morgan suddenly replied, his attention still turned to his boots.
"Morgan?" Reid asked and Morgan finally glanced up to look at his younger friend. "What's happened?" He asked, concern creasing his face. Morgan shook his head and finally looked up, straight ahead.
"Nothing. It's just." He hesitated.
"It's just what?" Reid pressed. Morgan sighed and looked at him, the pain on his face obvious.
"Nobody talks anymore." Morgan finally said. Reid looked away. "I mean, man, you didn't tell anyone you were leaving until the day before you were due to leave." Reid felt his chest tightening. He didn't want to remember that day.
"And JJ. We only just found out she and Will have been separated for a few months. And Garcia and Kevin broke up. Hotch and Rossi haven't spoken a word other than the case in at least a month." Morgan said, watching Reid as Reid tried to avoid eye contact. They sat in silence for a minute.
"And Prentiss?" Reid asked. Morgan frowned as Reid finally looked up.
"What?" Morgan asked, confused.
"You didn't mention Prentiss." Reid said. Morgan sighed and leaned back. He shrugged.
"I know nothing about what's going on in her life right now. We just don't talk now, man." Morgan finally answered. Reid looked down and leaned back too.
"I'm sorry. But it's not my fault." Reid said. Morgan shuffled uncomfortably.
"Man, it was like this even before you left. You didn't even tell us you wanted to quit, to be a doctor." Morgan said.
"I know you don't approve of my career change Morgan." Reid said, still avoiding his friend's eyes.
"It's not that I don't approve." Morgan said. Reid raised an eyebrow and sighed. "It's not that." Morgan said firmly.
"Then what is it, Morgan?" Reid asked, getting slightly angry. "Why do you insist we meet each week, in the pouring rain, just for us to have the same argument?" Reid asked, his voice raising and disturbing nearby birds.
Morgan looked shocked.
"Reid. I-I'm sorry." Morgan said. Reid sighed again as Morgan stood up.
"Morgan wait-" Reid said.
"Sorry I wasted your time, Dr. Reid." Morgan said stiffly. Reid watched as his friend hunched his shoulder and dug his hands further into his coat pockets. He jogged, his flexing muscles invisible underneath his many layers of clothing, to his old car parked nearby. He didn't look up as he climbed into the car, welcoming the warmth.
He watched from the warm interior of his car as Reid watched him from the entrance to the hospital. He saw Reid visibly sigh, his face weary, and walk back into the hospital, only glancing back once.
Next Chapter: Another member of the BAU visits the hospital with mixed results.
Hope you liked it. Please review!