Author's Note: Ohmygawsh, you guys! I never thought this would receive the kind of response it has in like, less than a week. Thank you so, so, SO much for the incredible reviews! People actually LIKE this, and I can't give words to how much that means to me, because I like writing this. It's been a wonderful way to vent, and I love relistening to the song to chase my inspiration.
Something a few people expressed concern about; the length of this fic. I doubt it'll be more than 20 chapters, MAX. I just wanted to explore Spencer's side of the bullying things, and give him some friends he never had before. And I wanna put all of my favorite CM characters in here somewhere, so we'll keep an eye out for them. We'll meet a few of the best in the next chapter (which is already partially written), but right now, I wanna cement the relationship between Morgan and Reid and . . . someone else . . . a little bit. Make of it what you will, my lovelies.
Warnings: Chapter names are borrowed from the "I'm With You" song lyrics. Major AU, kid!fic with two of my favorite CM boys, series-wide Criminal Minds spoilers, angst, melodrama . . . think of everything you hated about being a teenager, and multiply it by Spencer Reid. Ye have been warned.
Kudos: (I'm so sorry, but I legitimately have neither the time nor the internet connection to answer everyone in PM's like I normally do. I sincerely regret this, since I love talking to my readers, especially those who are kind enough to leave reviews. Once I'm back home, this shouldn't be a big issue anymore. In the meantime, thank you all!)
DarkJediQueen:Thank you for the kind words! I'm so glad you're liking the dynamic — although more smiles will come eventually, there's plenty of angst slightly to the left. Keep your eyes peeled.
Sue1313: I love Derek taking care of Spencer, too. Or anyone taking care of him; our favorite genius just seems to inspire that kind of reaction in people, amIright?
.144: I like your optimism — a great start leads to a meaty middle, or so I'm hoping. Let's keep our fingers crossed, chalk we? And, heck yeah, ALL of the team will make some appearances — old, new, and some surprise guest stars in the later chapters.
Anneber03: I knew your review would be my favorite — it always is. I'm sorry I love bringing up Reid's past so much, but I can't help myself most of the time; as you said, it makes for so many good stories! And, no, while Reid was contemplating what would happen if he fell over the bridge, I do NOT intend to have him kill himself. This won't be that kind of angst — just sweet, tortured little Spencer. And I'm flattered you gave this story a try, despite it being far from your comfort zone. I hope it lives up to expectations — I'm already typing Chapter #3!
Kas3y: While I can't deny how much I adore slash, I'm fairly sure that this isn't going to be a romantic story. Spencer's so young, I don't think I'd be okay with that. Poor baby. But I'm glad you like it otherwise, and I hope it pleases you, no matter what turns it takes.
Beata666: Gracias! Tu complimento es muy sympatico, y me gustalo.
Angelus Candida: Hey, thank you for the compliment! More is definitely coming — I can never leave a story incomplete, once I start one. Dunno how long this one'll be, but it's definitely gonna be a little bit before I click that 'complete' button.
silverwrym: Always amazing to hear your critique. I know it's a little odd for a 12-year-old and 17-year-old to bond, but I've always figured that Derek is a little young for his age, and Spencer a little antique; besides which, they're gonna be a bit like brothers that amicably tolerate one another, rather than best buds or boyfriends. ya know? But I'm so glad that you like this thusfar— AUs are a HUGE guilty pleasure of mine, and kid!fics are definitely the most addictive. I've got plenty of recommendations, if'n you're interested. And again, I'm not sure how long this'll go on for, but I've got some small plot things lined up; you'll have to wait and see. *winks*
Disclaimer: As much as it breaks my heart, I own neither Criminal Minds, nor Fanficnet, nor the wonderful ballad to which this story was written. I just adore all three from the bottom of the place where my heart is supposed to be. *Grins*
Enjoy!
Chapter Two
Listening, But There's No Sound
"How can you see where you're going?"
It was the third time that that the kid had asked something like this, and Derek had to simultaneously bite back a chuckle and a sigh of irritation.
"I know the way," he chose to say instead. "I've been down here often enough."
"Down here?" Reid panted, his voice echoing faintly into the darkness.
There was small clatter, a tumbling sound, and an "Ooph!" from behind Derek, and he turned around quick as a flash, instantly on alert.
He had to hide a smile at the sight; apparently, the kid wasn't as graceful as the ex-athlete was, on top of not being accustomed to the terrain that Derek could navigate with his eyes closed, and he had tripped over a few loose rocks. Now sitting firmly on his rear, the younger boy was staring stubbornly in his direction with a confused and irritated look.
Derek held out a hand, and with some reluctance, Reid took it, still rubbing his sore back and hoping against hope that there wouldn't be more bruises to cover up and explain.
"Why, exactly, are we down here?" He asked, the slightly stern note in his voice more apparent than before. "I thought that we were going to your house?"
"I said we were going to my place, kid. I never said nothing about a house." Derek's response was swift.
Reid halted in his tracks. "Wait," he said, looking around rapidly. "We're not going to . . . ?"
Suddenly, it seemed to hit him. "You – you live under the bridge?"
Derek turned around, raising an eyebrow. "That a problem?"
Reid cringed back from the sharp tone the other boy used. "N-no, I just – I – uhm . . ." His eyes darted around wildly for a moment, as though seeking an escape, and Derek instantly felt bad for scaring him. Again.
"Kid, I – "
"How old are you?" Reid blurted out.
Somewhat surprised by the question, it took Derek a moment to respond. "I'm – I'm seventeen."
"How can you be homeless, then?"
Derek's face darkened. "Who says I'm homeless?"
Reid's posture tensed up again, and when he spoke, he couldn't meet Derek's eyes. "I m-mean . . . why don't you live with your parents?"
Derek's response was clouded, old memories rising to the forefront of his mind, and he tried not to let his voce choke on them. "I moved out here to take a job."
At that, Reid finally looked up, surprise etched clearly all over his face. "You're not from here?"
Derek had to laugh. "Do I sound like I'm from fucking Las Vegas, kid?" He shook his head. "Windy City, born and bred."
"Chicago . . ." Reid murmured, shaking his head. "Why would you leave a place like that to come here?" He waved his arms around, gesturing to the general vicinity and all that surrounded them; the overpass, the city, Nevada in general.
Derek had to think for a moment; and when his response came, it was slow on his tongue. "Here," he said, "is home for me, kid. I had a pretty good job up in Illinois, working at this restaurant chain. They offered me a manager position, but it was a coupla' states over . . . I was already emancipated at that point, and it would be a lot more money to send back to my family. So I took it. I've been down here for nearly two years."
Reid only really focused on one of the things that Derek had said. "Why are you emancipated?"
The older boy's eyes flashed, something furious and unfamiliar slithering back there – and Reid had to hold back a shudder at the expression.
After a moment, Derek seemed to calm himself, the only sign of his feelings beneath the surface his clenched and slightly trembling fists by his side. When he finally answered Reid's question, it was through clenched teeth. "I was . . . It was kind of a tough . . . I mean . . ." He sighed. "There was some shit going on at home with one of my community-center instructors, and I wanted to get away from it all. The job offer came at exactly the right time, for the right price, and I hauled ass to jump on it." Derek paused, a faraway look in his eyes. "I've never regretted it since."
Seeming to think that this closed the line of conversation, Derek abruptly turned heel, and continued the arduous and half-blind walk down the quarry, heading to the underbelly of the vast bridge. Not wanting to be left behind, Reid scrambled after him, ignoring the slight pain in his legs from his earlier tumble.
It was nothing compared to what else covered his body.
"You were actually serious," Spencer breathed out, wonder and curiosity lacing his voice as he gazed around the huge, cavernous underside of the Tillman Bridge.
Derek, who was just thankful to be out of the freezing rain and back on familiar turf, barely heard the kid. "Hmm?"
Reid gulped, brushing the wet stands of hair our of his face, and shyly glancing around the area again. "You actually live under here."
Derek began wringing out his soaking T-shirt. "Yep."
Reid spoke hesitantly, not wanting to seem like a baby. "I just . . . how do you not get scared?"
"Scared?"
"With all this," Reid cleared his throat, the sound echoing hugely. "Being here, a new state, new job, living under a bridge by yourself . . ."
At that, Derek finally turned to face his equally-dripping companion, something soft in his expression. "I told ya, kid, this isn't new for me; I've been down here for awhile, and this – " he gestured, much as Reid had just done, to their surroundings, "is as much a home for me as Chicago ever was."
He looked Reid over again from head to toe, and saw how the boy was shaking from the cold. Sighing slightly at his own ignorance, Derek gently took the boy's elbow, and began guiding him towards the other end of the underpass, his feet familiar with the ground and easily carving a path through the encroaching darkness.
"Besides," he finally spoke again, his tone light. "Who says I live here alone?"
"Der-Bear!"
The loud squeal came out of nowhere – seemingly, much like its' source, and Reid had to jump out of the way in record time as some sort of bright rainbow (from which the noise seemed to be eminating) flashed by him, and latched onto Derek Morgan.
Of course, the genius wasn't known for his graceful limbs, and as he moved out of the path of destruction, he stumbled on his own feet and fell down, landing on the cemented floor with a small oomph!
Looking up, Reid was relieved to see that no one seemed to have noticed his lack of poise. Derek had big smile on his face, sure – but it was directed not in a mocking manner at Reid, but rather in a loving manner at the girl he was holding tightly in his arms.
Upon second glance, Reid could see how he'd mistaken the chick for a rainbow.
The girl was somewhat shorter than Derek, but Reid was sure that she was just as old as, or older than, the boy. Bright blond hair that was highlighted with streaks of purple and green was braided down to just past her shoulders, and a pair of cat's-eye glasses gave her the peculiar look of a 40's secretary. Or teacher.
Of course, her clothes rather contradicted that image. Even Reid knew that the maroon sweater, gold-and-white-striped peasant skirt, and combat boots weren't exactly what all the kids were wearing these days. Nor were the armload of jangling bracelets or bright, colorful, gumball-machine rings quite the standard.
Of course, maybe it was Reid's admittedly unheard-of IQ, but somehow, he deduced that nothing about this girl was quite the standard.
"Oh, my sweet, sweet Chocolate Thunder, I've been waiting for you all day!" The girl dramatically threw her head back, and a grin lit up Derek's face. He pulled her tighter into his embrace, and kissed the top of the girl's head.
"Silly goose, I told you I had to work."
"I know that. Wouldn't have stopped me from missing you and fantasizing about removing your big, bad managerial uniform, piece by piece." She giggled, and then shook her head. "And anyways, I thought that you got off at seven today."
"I did," the older boy murmured, his voice vastly different than any other time Reid had heard it today. "But the busses shut down early from the storm, and I had to walk. And I got a little . . . sidetracked."
"Sidetracked – ?" Before the girl could even completely voice the thought, her eyes landed on Reid, and her entire face lit up.
"OhmyGawd, and who is this cutie?!" She squealed as she broke away from Derek's arms and took a step towards Reid.
Slightly overwhelmed, the boy backed up frantically until he had at least a few feet of space between them, his eyes wide as saucers and form faintly trembling as he gazed up at the girl.
A hurt and confused expressing lining her pretty face, the colorful one turned to face Derek, a question just on the tip of her lips.
But Derek spoke before she could even ask.
"That's Reid," he explained, stepping in and securely wrapping an arm around the girl once more. "I found him waiting for one of the busses up-high."
"Oh!" the girl exclaimed, understanding flashing in her huge, brown eyes. She turned to face Reid, who was in the process of untangling himself from the floor. "All of the public transportation's spotty at best dear; they're down often, and in the blink of an eye."
"So I'd gathered," Reid muttered, swiping at the dust on the knees of his slacks. He finally looked up to see both of them intently observing him, and instantly tensed up, hating the attention.
"Reid," Derek spoke, his tone unsure, "this is Penelope."
There was the sound of a smack, and Derek's slight woof of pain, before a soft hand was touching Spencer's cheek.
The graze was so gentle that the young genius didn't jump or even flinch – a rare feat for him. He looked up into what had to be the warmest, kindest pair of eyes he had ever seen apart from his mother's. He blinked, and the girl smiled.
"Sweet-pea, are you okay? That was quite a tumble you took there."
Slowly, Reid nodded, and after another moment of searching his face, the girl seemed satisfied enough, and she backed off, nodding to Derek.
"Now you can introduce me, you big galumph."
"Right," the boy grumbled, rubbing a spot on his arm. "Reid, this is Penelope Garcia."
"Penny, actually. PG, if you like, although I often prefer something more adult." The girl waggled her eyebrows, and Reid felt his own lips tug up in a bit of a smile.
"Most people just call me Garcia, though. And this statuesque teddy bear prefers Baby Girl, himself – "
"You know it, mama," Derek grinned.
"– and I am the Keeper of Keys and Games here at Hogwarts," Penelope continued, seemingly without taking a breath. At Reid's confused look, she flashed that brilliant smile again, and explained, "I'm a tech-whiz, kiddo; I can fix anything, as long as it's hooked into the internet. I keep us informed and up-to-date. Besides that, I'm an expert baker, shoulder to cry on, and Supreme Goddess of Fashion for the Lair."
"The Lair?" Reid coughed, another shiver working its' way down his spine.
"It's what we call our little hidey-hole here – oh, but never mind that! Sugar, you're shivering!" Penelope fussed, hovering over him like a protective mother-hen. "Goodness, it's freezing out there, why – " Suddenly cutting off her own rambling, Penelope turned to face Derek, a positively scandalized look on her face.
"You!" She said, pointing an accusing finger at the bewildered boy. "Why didn't you cover him up? Lend him your jacket or something!"
"Now, Baby Girl, – "
"Ugh," she sighed, taking a step back from both of them, and reaching her hands under her sweater. To the shocked silence of the two boys, Penelope quickly removed the maroon knit, revealing a bright yellow T-shirt underneath. With no hesitation, she tossed the shirt towards Reid, who stumbled back and somehow managed to catch the thing.
"Change out of that soaking wet shirt and put that on, okay, sweetie?" She directed tenderly. "Bring it over when you're done, and we'll have it dry by the fire in a jiffy."
She turned to Derek. "And you . . . Hotch says that dinner's almost ready, so get your delectable butt over there, okay?"
"Alright, sugar," the boy murmured, pulling her in closer by the wrist, and planting a small, quick kiss on her lips.
Giggling, Penelope broke away, and scurried off into the darkness, calling over her shoulder, "I'll be waiting!"
Derek watched her go, shaking his head with that goofy little smile still on his face, before turning back to Reid.
The younger boy was quickly unbuttoning his sopping shirt, blushing nervously, and taking a hint, Derek cast his eyes away again.
After a second, the kid spoke. "She's your girlfriend?"
Derek nodded, even though he knew Reid couldn't see him. "Yeah. Best friend, little sister, . . . basically, Penny's my everything."
"H-how long have you been together?"
Derek shrugged. "Pretty much my whole life. She was my best friend in preschool, we got married on the playground in kindergarten, fought in middle-school, reconnected for the better in eighth grade . . . we've been dating since . . . freshman year, I think. After I got emancipated and took the job down here, that damn crazy woman told me she was coming too."
"Weren't her parents upset that she dropped out of high school? That she left?" Reid asked, slipping the sweater over his pale form. It was so warm.
Hearing the kid wad up his dripping shirt, Derek finally looked, and held out a hand to take the fabric. "That's something you'd have to ask her about, kid. I learned a long time ago not to argue with Penelope. And, well . . . here we are, now."
"Do you love her?"
"Absolutely." There was no hesitation in Derek's voice. "I couldn't live without her."
"Hmm," Reid replied, his voice considerably calmer now that he was covered and dry. "Does . . . Does she live down here? W-with you, I mean?"
"Penny?" Derek snorted. "Good God, no. She has an apartment that's funded through her college or something. Wish they wouldn't make her have the roommate too, but, there you are." He took another step forward as he spoke. "She spends pretty much any time that she isn't sleeping down here. Luckily, everyone else loves her, so it's never been an issue."
"Everyone else."
"Yeah." Derek smiled just thinking about his whole group – the Team, as they jokingly called themselves. "Aaron, Jage, Emz – well, all of them. You'll meet them here in a bit, and maybe some of the others."
"O-others?"
There was a sudden silence behind him, and Derek whipped his head back around.
The kid had come to a halt several feet back, and was now standing stock-still in the darkness, his wide eyes plastered on Derek, voice shaking as he spoke.
"You – y-you and Penelope d-don't live here by yourselves?"
Derek cocked his head. "God, no. Have you seen this place? It's huge! We share it with plenty of others."
"H-how many?"
Derek shrugged. "About three dozen, I s'pose."
Reid glanced up in his face, searching, something like true fear glimmering in his eyes now.
"With so many people, how – how do you control them?"
Derek frowned. "Control them?" He shook his head. "Kid, listen up, here; it's not my job to control them. These are all kids like you and me; transients, homeless, and friends. And this place here," he gestured to the cavernous area around them, "is a safe haven for anyone who can find it. Most of us live together in groups, and we all have our own little territories down here. If we can, we get along, and if not, then we keep to ourselves. The point is, though, that this isn't like the outside, where one person is in charge and all heel his command; we work together down here, to stay hidden, and to survive."
Reid still looked uncertain. "How can you t-trust all of them? N-not to cause trouble, or d-do something reckless?"
"First off? I've known most of the people down here for years, and you for just under an hour, so why don't you check yourself and calm the judgment?"
Derek's tone was sharp, and the kid flinched back from it, a look of shame filling his delicate features. Instantly feeling guilty, the older boy tried to soften his voice when he continued.
"And secondly . . . We're all different people down here, Reid, but we all have the same goal; finding some comfort until we can make a better life for ourselves. And that doesn't happen if we don't find away to coexist."
"But I'm not one of you," Reid murmured, eyes locked firmly on the ground. "What if they – w-what if they try . . . ?" His voice trailed off, and Derek watched the way the kid picked at his sleeves, gripping his heavily-bruised wrists in his hands, a look of terror flashing across his face.
Trying to figure out exactly what had the kid so scared was a problem Derek intended to deal with later. Right then, all he wanted was to diffuse the situation peacefully. Gently, he reached out, cupping the boy's chin in one large hand, and gently tilting his head up.
Reid gave no resistance, and when his shining eyes locked onto Derek's, the older boy nearly stumbled back form the power in that hazel gaze.
It took him a few moments to catch himself and begin speaking. "Reid . . . I know it's foreign being down here, and you're probably out of your mind wondering what's going on . . . but I promise you, on my honor, that everything is okay. These people we're going to? They're my kin. No one, and I mean no one, is going to harm you; odds are, they'll totally love you, especially with Penny right there and spreading tales of how she's already met you." He laughed. "You'll probably have a nickname before the food's even hot."
Reid looked minutely less frightened, and Derek continued, unconsciously taking a step closer to the boy as he did so.
"No matter what else you think, remember what I said outside; I'm with you. And no one – nothing – is going to harm you while we're down here, okay? You can trust that, kid."
Reid's eyes flittered to him, this time settling, and his gaze was softer, warmer, when he replied. "I trust you."
Derek felt a rush of something pleasant in his belly. "Is that right?"
"Y-yeah," the kid nodded. His body becoming less and less tense under Derek's palm. "You haven't given me any reason . . . I m-mean, you don't . . ." He paused, flustered. "You're . . . you're good."
That make Derek light up inside, even if his face just showed a very light tug in his lips, the smallest of smiles. Well, hell . . .
His tone much lighter than before, he said, "I'll be a lot better once I get some grub in me, kid. Whaddaya say to some dinner?"
"I – I think that sounds good," Reid replied, just as his stomach let out a low gurgle. Derek laughed.
"Sounds like it. C'mon, Pretty Boy – let's go meet the family."
And. Slinging his arm over the younger boy's shoulder, the two of them meandered more deeply into the darkness, finally disappearing completely.
Author's Endnote: I DID do the research, and while I found a number of bridges in and around Las Vegas, most of them are on cliffs, and don't have an underground part where people could actually live feasibly. The Tillman Bridge is one such example of this, according to Google and Wikipedia. I'm really basing it off of the Lane Bridge in my hometown, where there is a trope of sheltered people who make a home under the thing. It seemed like the right spot for this story, so I'm begging you all to have patience with me, and remember that this is, in fact, an AU. Thanks, again.