A/N: I was planning on waiting to get some reviews to contune but my sister was really pressuring me. She says she knows what she's talking about... So here it is. Please R&R :)

Shield

"Look at the design he paints of their faces," JJ pointed out. "They're always some sort of symbol for love, or sympathy. It's like he feels guilty for killing them."

"Or maybe he pities them," Hotch added.

"Also, pay attention to the intricate details of his designs," Spencer knelt down to further examine it. "He uses shading and perfect symmetry. He takes a lot of time with it; he's definitely an artist."

"We just have to figure out why he wasted his talent on serial killing," Hotch said remorsefully.

Reid settled on his hotel bed, trying to get comfortable. The bed was too firm, and the pillows were too soft. Too many pillows at that. He sighed and just sat in the chair at the small dining table, going over some of his notes he took that afternoon. Rain was pouring outside and occasional roars of thunder shook the room. The noise was distracting, and eventually, Spencer gave up trying to do anything else related to the case, and just sat and rested his eyes.

He must have dozed off for about a few minutes before he heard a familiar knock n the door. He got up, walking to the door and looking through the peephole.

It was Morgan.

He paused for a moment before opening the door.

Morgan greeted him with a small smile that Spencer returned.

Spencer felt nervous and flushed and he didn't know why.

"Can I come in?" Derek asked.

Spencer nodded, awkwardly stepping aside to let his friend in. When he closed the door behind him, it sounded too weird, too wrong.

"You doin' alright?"

Spencer nodded. Was this all he wanted to talk about again?

"That's good… Listen, I just wanted to tell you that you did some really amazing work back there. I can see you've been working on getting better, moving on."

"Yeah…" Spencer agreed, the side of his mouth rising to form a half smile.

It was quiet for about a moment, but it seemed like an hour.

"Well, that's it, man. Just want you to know I'm proud of you. Get a good night's sleep, kid; we gotta give the profile tomorrow morning."

Morgan began to walk towards the door.

"Morgan?" Spencer called out in a small voice.

"Yeah, Reid?"

"Can you- well…" Spencer looked at the floor, then back up at Morgan "Can you- stay?"

Morgan squinted, unsure of what Spencer had just asked him. "Um, stay?"

"I- I just wanna talk, if that's okay."

Morgan looked at him for a moment, but then nodded. "Yeah, sure, Reid."

They sat down at the table, Spencer avoiding his eyes. He was doing that a lot lately, Morgan noticed.

Spencer shifted uncomfortably, darting his eyes around the room. He began to pick his nails nervously, taking a deep breath.

"Okay… Well you told me if I ever needed anything, you wanted me to come to you. Well, I am. But I'm trusting you not to say anything to anyone, Morgan. Do you understand?

"Of course, Reid; I wouldn't do that to you."

Spencer looked into his eyes and saw his promise was genuine. There was so much care and concern in those chocolate brown eyes for Spencer. He had never seen him give that look to anyone else.

He felt a warm feeling in his stomach and cheeks at the thought, and realized how terrified that made him.

"The Dilaudid… it's- I've really been craving some lately..." Spencer whispered.

"What? Reid, are you using?" Morgan asked, his voice full of worry.

"No! No, I haven't. I really don't want to, Morgan. I really don't. I know the consequences of relapsing, I know the risks. I don't wanna do something that dumb. But- it's hard, Morgan… and I- I don't…" Spencer paused as his voice broke, feeling vulnerable but he had to let everything out. He had dealt with this far too long. "I don't know if I- if I keep doing this much longer… It gets to be too much." Reid was sobbing now, his face in his hands.

Morgan paused. "Reid, you can't keep doing this to yourself. I know it's hard. I think about her everyday. But you can't it break you down, kid. You have to be strong."

Reid wiped his eyes, red and swollen. His head was throbbing painfully. "I'm trying," he whispered.

"I know."

Reid turned his head, tears streaming down his face, but he was quiet.

Morgan couldn't stand to see Spencer in so much pain. It triggered something in him. He knew he had to do whatever to help him. Spencer was so fragile; he didn't handle stress well. He knew that.

Morgan stood up and walked over to the sobbing FBI agent, wrapping his arms around him, hugging him, protecting him, and shielding him.

He felt a cold wetness seep onto his skin through the thin fabric of his shirt, but it didn't matter.

A/N: I love writing sweet scenes like these. Please R&R! I'm planning on a particularly dramatic chapter ahead…