Disclaimer: Criminal Minds does not belong to me - thank you so much for all your support - it means alot! :)
"Um, Mr Reid are you still there?" Sandra asked, sighing as if she was expecting that reaction. Spencer Reid, for the first time in a long time, was speechless. He opened and closed his mouth, unable to speak. He had a sister? As in... an actual sister, that was related, to him? Prentiss and Morgan shared looks with one another whilst JJ almost dropped her files she was carrying.
"I understand this is a lot to take in but it really is a matter of urgency - you're her only relative that is liable to take her in before she gets put into foster homes" The woman explained while Spencer continued to sit, completely flabbergasted. "Is there somewhere we could meet? Maybe at your work to discuss things - i would rather do this in person"
"Uh..." Spencer said, shaking his head to clear his thoughts, "What about her dad, i m-mean our dad...?" He asked, he doubted his mother was in the right mind to have another child which left the only viable donor... his father.
"Mr Reid signed off all his parental responsibility soon after Cora's birth - he has no right to look after her" She explained and Reid ran a shaky hand down his face.
"Okay... yeah, yeah i guess... we c-could meet" He stuttered, trying to find the right words.
"Great" The social worker exclaimed and Spencer could just imagine her grinning from ear to ear. "Do you need an address?" He practically whispered, legs jittery, fingers tapping the desk.
"Oh no, no I'm here already - just about to take the elevator up - I'll see you in five Mr Reid" didn't have time to prepare, to explain, no time to do anything. What a nerve of that lady.
"Hey Spence... what was that about?" JJ asked kindly, propping herself at the end of his desk while Morgan and Prentiss looked up in interest.
"Social w-worker" Spencer managed to get out, turning his wide eyes to his three friends, "Coming... now" He said, shaking his head slightly, "Sister" Was all he mamaged to get out, shocking his friends into silence - Reid was never speechless.
"You have a sister?" Prentiss exclaimed, large doe eyes confused. Spencer just looked up, a kind of wild glint in his eyes, "I have a sister?" He squealed as if only coming to terms with the idea, his whole body quaking.
"Okay Reid calm down" Morgan repeated for the millionth time, placing a large hand on his shoulder.
"Calm down? You want me to calm down?" Spencer squealed, looking flustered, eyes bugging from his skull, "I have an estranged sister that I'm apparently supposed to look after, not knowing a thing about her, a teenage girl, a teenage girl" He repeated for emphasis and JJ rolled her eyes.
"Okay Spence, i think we established that she's a female" JJ tried to inject some humour but Spencer whirled around to face her.
"I don't know anything about girls" He protested and Morgan smirked.
"Oh we know Reid" And Spencer glared at him - couldn't they see this was a serious situation? It was no time for joking about.
"Okay look, here she comes now" Prentiss said, nodding her head towards a tall, red head, walking purposely towards them, head held high - she looked completely out of place here and that was how Reid could tell she was a social worker, that and the fact she had a badge pinned to her outfit saying 'Child's protective services'.
"Okay Reid, all you have to do is hold your nerve, don't look scared and show her all your charms... good luck" Prentiss smiled before dragging JJ and Morgan away, leaving Spencer standing there feeling like he was about to collapse on the spot - he had faced down rapists, kidnappers, murderers, all of the worst scum on this earth and he couldn't face a social worker?
"Spencer Reid I assume?" Sandra, the social worker, asked, thrusting out her hand - she was tall and slim, large amounts of make up and a strong jaw. Reid blinked several times, getting his bearings before finally, with a small wince, placing his hand in hers - he never did like shaking hands, too much contact, but Prentiss' advise floated back to him - he had to hold it together.
"Y-Yes" He stuttered, taking his hand back as quickly as possible - he led her to Rossi's office - he was out with Hotch - so it shouldn't be a problem... hopefully.
An hour, six cups of coffee and a near panic attack later he had read every possible file Sandra had took, listened to her rambling on about his sister's, god that sounded weird, life and watched as she prepared the paper's that would make him her legal gardian.
Cora Dawn Reid, just turned fourteen as of last week, good student, sharp tongue, had lived with her mother until she was murdered a few months ago, killed by a gun - Cora had seen the whole ordeal, ended up in the hospital for a few days. The social worker generally described her as a caring young girl who enjoyed reading and photography.
"I'm not going to lie Dr Reid - she's a troubled young girl, her life was already bad before the whole ordeal from her mother'd death, but that is why she needs stability, someone that can, and is able to look after her - she's fourteen years old, perfectly capable of looking after herself... she just needs a guiding hand" She explained and Spencer ran a hand down his face.
"I work" He said feebly, his voice weak, "I can be gone for days at a time - that's not something I would call 'stability'" He told her and Sandra rolled her eyes.
"Cora prefers to be alone and she's a strong girl... but...if you honestly don't want to take her in then that's your choice, the foster homes will be fine for her i'm sure - i'm not trying to pressure you into anything" She said sternly and Reid let out an aggrivated sigh, that's exactly what she was trying to do - he knew about human behaviour.
Could he honestly look after her? Was he capable of such a feat? He was so used to being alone, just him and his thoughts, everything would change having another person around - it would disrupt his thinking, distract him when he was on cases, and was it kind to her to be by herself all the time? That just seemed cruel.
Yet on the other hand, Spencer felt guilty - he may not know his sister but it seemed everyone in her life had let her down, would he just be another face she thought bitter thoughts of, turning her away because there might be hassle.
Spencer was so confused.
"I see your mind is made up Dr Reid" Sandra sighed, packing up her papers, slightly angry, "I'm sorry for wasting your time" She prepared to leave but Spencer jolted to the present.
"Wait" He called urgently, and Sandra turned around, a guarded look on her face, "Where do I sign?" He asked nervously - he guessed his mind was made up.
Cora Lay down on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, moving her long chestnut brown hair from her face and sighing heavily - the social worker had left a couple of hours ago, off to meet with her brother. Honestly, it was a waste of time in her mind... he wasn't going to take her and look after her, who would? She was a mess, a complete and utter mess with enough baggage to weigh them both down - better she just be left alone, that way she wouldn't cause anymore trouble.
And anyway, she was dangerous, her mother had debts to be paid to important people and if they didn't get it... Cora shivered, she saw the things they did to her mother - made her a shell of her former self, made her a hollow mess... and her twisted brother thought it would be kinder to end it all for her.
Tears sprang to her eyes but she blinked them away. No, she wasn't going to be weak - not now, not ever.
She picked up her ipod, blasting the killers full blast in her ears - it lessened the pain, just ever so slightly. The social worker returned not long after that, bright and chipper like her dream had just come true.
"It's good news Cora, we tracked down your brother and he's signed the papers – all we have to do now is deliver you to him" The social worker said, looking awfully chipper and Cora rolled her eyes.
"So… what? Fast track or standard delivery? Nah, it's probably express by the look on your face" She sighed, sitting up and rubbing her eyes – man she was tired. The social worker, who she really couldn't be bothered to learn the name of, gave her a stern look.
"Now young lady, you can cut that attitude right there, Mr Reid was kind enough to take you in – the least you could do is act civilised" And at that Cora really did have to chuckle. Her – civilised? Ha!
"Yeah yeah, I've heard the speech a million times" Rolling her eyes she pulled her red suitcase off the bed, clicking the handle into place, "So, who is this guy anyway?" She asked, pulling on her black jacket and zipping it up.
"Your brother's name is Spencer Reid, he's twenty seven and he's an agent at the FBI – or rather a profiler/agent" And Cora blanched – aw crap! She had never really gotten along with authority figures, always ended up saying the wrong thing, and now she was going to live with one? Seriously, could this get any worse? – well yeah it could, she just hoped he wasn't famous, god she hated the spotlight.
"He's well known - 'boy wonder' people call him – look him up, there's plenty of articles online"
Cora cursed under her breath – yup, officially, the worst day ever, and that was saying something. The social worker saw her look and grabbed her suitcase, "Just be thankful you've got somewhere to stay, the children I see moving from foster home to foster home is awful... Spencer's kind and gentle, he'll be a good guardian" She said seriously, dragging the suitcase out the door.
Cora just exhaled - yeah, it was true... it was nice of him - but was he really like that or was it just a cover? She always second guessed people. Taking one more look around the dusty orphanage, checking she had everything, she left - not looking back.
Spencer sat at his desk, fidgeting nervously in his seat - he really wasn't cut out for this at all but his conscience wouldn't allow him to just leave her, it would plague him for the rest of his life.
"Reid, you look like you're about to get the death sentence" Rossi chuckled, "Calm down, she's a teenage girl, not a rottweiler" And Spencer swivelled around, digging the palms of his palms into his eye sockets.
"Uhhh, i can't do this, what was i thinking?" He mumbled and he saw everyone share a nervous glance.
"Reid, i'm not saying this is going to be easy but she's family, and i can guarentee you it won't be as hard as you think" Hotch advised, crossing his arms over his broad chest.
"And anyway, it's a bit too late for that now" Garcia giggled, nodding her head behind him. Spencer swivelled around wildly, long gangly legs getting trapped under the chair. The social worker was back. Already. Walking with long strides and behind her trailed a young girl, glancing around in appreciation, her long chestnut brown hair fell wildly around her face, like she had been sticking her head out the window of a high speed car. She was wearing black skinny jeans, leather clad boots, a dark blue vest top and thrown over the top of it was a zip up jumper with the doctor who symbol on the front.
"Dr Reid" Greeted Sandra, a gleaming smile on her face. Spencer glanced between her and his friends nervously, unsure what to do. Garcia ruffled his hair playfully, "On you go reidy kins" She encouraged, pushing him forward and he stumbled, falling towards Sandra.
Immediately the young girl looked up, her bright blue eyes meeting his - she looked wary and guarded, much like she was unsure what to make of him and Spencer gulped nervously - she was scrutinising him, like he was a complicated science experiment.
"Well, this is Cora, Cora this is your brother Spencer" She introduced, looking between the two of them in anticipation. Spencer soaked up her image - she vaguely looked like him, the same hair colour and jaw line but other than that he assumed she looked more like her mother, especially those piercing blue eyes - no one in his family he assumed had that colour of eyes, the colour of a deep ocean.
"Hi" Cora said, trying to smile but her eyes couldn't seem to meet his, "Yeah, I'm Cora - your estranged half sister who you don't really know, or want, i assume so maybe it's best if i just..." She trailed off, taking a step back but Sandra grabbed her arm gently.
"Don't be so silly" She exclaimed, trying to be light hearted, she turned back towards Spencer with a impish smile, "She's just nervous is all" She explained and Spencer could clearly see that - the way she kept moving from foot to foot, biting her lip and tapping her hand on her thigh.
"Hello back" Spencer said, his voice croaky.
"Now, if there is any problems feel free to contact us and we'll do our best to help but I'm confident everything is going to go swimmingly, now, if you'll excuse me i have another case to handle - young boy, terrible story, must dash" Sandra said quickly, looking like her duty was done and Spencer's eyes bugged.
"Wait" Cora said urgently, grabbing the social worker by the arm, "Seriously? You're just going to leave me here? With someone I don't even know? He could be a killer… or a druggie… or under that whole awkward innocent routine could lie a mad man – 50% of all violent crimes are perpetrated by people we come in contact with AND family violence has increased by 3.8%, how do you know he's not a part of that statistic" She rambled, the facts flying straight from her mind.
"Wow, she really is your sister" Morgan chuckled as his friends moved forwards and Reid just glared at him – he had to admit, he was impressed, albeit, slightly offended and shamed – he wasn't a murderer but he is, or rather was, a druggie and that made him look down.
"Not everything comes from statistics" The social worker said, putting on a smile, "Now, you know how to contact us if there's any trouble but Dr Reid is squeaky clean and more than capable of looking after you – you have a good day Cora" She bid farewell, high heels clinking down the hallway but Cora just smirked.
"Oh I will, but I doubt you shall – your husband is sleeping with your secretary at the hotel across from your office and is meeting with his lawyer after and filing for divorce… have a good day" She mimicked before rolling her eyes and facing the BAU team, each looking shocked in their own way.
"What? I observe things" She defended before shrugging and staring at the ground, folding her arms not really knowing what to do… or say for that matter.
"Wow… well…" JJ smiled warmly, extending her hand, "I'm Jennifer Jareau, but people call me JJ – this is Derek Morgan, Aaron Hotchner, Penelope Garcia, David Rossi, Emily Prentiss and, uh… you've obviously met Spencer" She said, trying to diffuse the tension and Cora admired that about her – she already like this JJ, she was kind and smart and caring, much like a mother hen.
"Nice to meet you" She said, as if on autopilot, looking polite - she was surrounded by FBI agents... that just made her slightly nervous, "Nice guns - Glock 22 pistol?" She asked. What? It was the first thing that came to her mind!
"How do you know that?" Rossi asked, quirking an eyebrow.
"I had a brother, bit of a dick really, loved guns – loved them enough he shot my mom through the head – I'm starving, is there any good pizza places around?" She asked, rambling – she tended to do that when she was nervous, or switched subjects rather abruptly, all of which she was doing now.
"Actually scratch that, I could eat a Chinese, the food - not the people, I'm having a craving of chow mein – or mix that with pizza, that seems like a good combo" She said, taking a deep breath, looking into the team's saddened then shocked eyes, "Sorry, I ramble" She apologised and the guy who she recognised as Morgan, smirked.
"I wonder who that sounds like" He teased, nudging Spencer's elbow who just exhaled in exasperation.
"Huh, must run in the family then – always wondered where I got the bad genes from" She said without thinking and then felt like smacking herself on the head, "Not that you're a bad egg or anything, I'm sure you've got plenty of great genes, I just-"She cut herself off when she saw the BAU team trying to stifle their laughter, even Spencer gave a grudging smirk and managed to look affronted at the same time.
"I really shouldn't be allowed to speak" She muttered, shaking her head.
"Reid, take the day off early, get acquainted, but make sure you're here on time tomorrow" The Hotchner guy stated, giving a stern look but a ghost of a smile was spread across his face.
Immediately Cora's face fell and she was sure Spencer's did too.
"W-What? No, he can't do that, there's got to be some serious ass kicking he could do before five, I can wait in the car – wait, you do have a car right? You better have a car" She told him, whirling around and facing him.
"Um… yes, yes I have a car" He said and Cora sighed in relief as Hotch chuckled.
"Don't worry Cora, Spencer's not as scary as he looks" JJ whispered, holding in a laugh and she just looked between JJ, Hotch and Spencer – him and her alone, trying to make fruitless conversation made her cringe – how the hell were they supposed to build this relationship? It would just be awkward.
"Um... okay, t-thanks Hotch" Spencer said, looking like a lost puppy. Cora dipped her head and grabbed her suitcase. Okay... this was it, this was it...
She watched as her brother grabbed his jacket, almost knocking over the pile of files next to it and smiled lightly, trying to cheer herself up. But as soon as he turned around and she saw the look of complete fear and awkwardness on his face.
Yeah, this was going great.
Alot longer than the first... so please review and let me know what you think, enough reviews and i shall update quickly! :) cheers! :)