While Spencer laughed the two men stared at him confusedly.
"What's so funny?" – Asked his father after a while.
"Ah." – The genius said as soon as he'd managed to catch his breath. – "It was good. Real good, I appreciate jokes sometimes. But, okay, honestly: why are we here?"
The professor looked at him funnily.
"We really want you to come back to Caltech with me." – He confirmed.
"But… Professor Hughes…" – Spencer incredulously said. – "I'm an FBI agent now. I have a job. And I live here, I have an own apartment and all."
The professor didn't seem able to say anything to that so it was his father who continued for him:
"And I don't think it's an adequate environment for you."
"Excuse me?!"
"Come on, Son!" – A glare. – "Spencer then. It's dangerous and absolutely not for someone like you."
"Oh, really? And then, pray tell, what would be for someone like me?" – The boy spat. – "What does that mean anyway? Someone like me?"
To say that the genius was angry would be a huge understatement. He should have listened to Hotch and Gideon and never come. Or, at the very least, he should have brought someone with him.
"Spencer, my boy. You're a unique genius. One of a kind. You shouldn't waste your talents on the FBI when you can change the world doing research."
"Professor, I do change the world. Every day. Every time we save someone's life or catch a killer before they could take another victim. Always when we help the families get over a loved one's death by giving them closure. I don't think I could do more good anywhere else." – He explained patiently, hoping his kind teacher would understand. Spencer had always admired the man greatly and thought the world of him.
"That's all very good but not for a genius to do. Let the agents handle this part and do what you do best: teach, learn, research. You could be the one to finally solve the Goldbach Conjecture or the Riemann Hypothesis!" – The old man's eyes practically sparkled just thinking about all the possibilities that having the boy presented. – "What about the Twin Prime Conjecture? You were very interested in it when we worked together. You always said you would prove that there are an infinite number of pairs of twin primes!"
That was true, Spencer had indeed said that. When he'd been a student at Caltech who hadn't seen anything of the world. Who hadn't known about the real danger out there that threatened people every day. He'd been a child back then, painfully naïve. Gideon had shown him how to really make a difference and it wasn't by writing papers or blackboards full of numbers.
"Professor… That was before."
His father rolls his eyes in exasperation.
"Before what? Before you decided to play Agent Mulder and chase the bad guys with a weapon in your hand?"
Now it was Spencer's turn to roll his eyes, showing that, to some level, they really were father and son.
"If you insist on putting it that way, then: yes." – He answered cheekily.
"This is ridiculous, son." – A glare from Spencer, a sigh from William. – "Sorry. This is ridiculous, Doctor Reid."
"Don't mock me!" – The genius hissed, giving off the impression of an angry cat.
"Well, but it is! Just think about what you could do and what you're doing instead! You're making a fool of yourself and getting yourself into dangerous situations for nothing! Absolutely nothing."
At that, the riled up boy jumped to his feet and grabbed his messenger bag roughly.
"I'm done with this conversation. If that's all then I'm going!"
He had already turned to leave when the professor called:
"Will you come with me just for the weekend?" – Spencer had opened his mouth to say 'no' but before he could utter a sound, the old man held up his hand to signal he wanted to continue and Reid should listen before saying anything. – "Just for two days. I'd like to show you what I'm working on. Maybe you can help me; I'd like to hear your opinion. Even if you won't stay. Please."
Spencer contemplated the offer for a moment. His father was a jerk, no question about that, but he'd always respected Professor Hughes a lot and, to be honest, he had missed working on mathematical problems since joining the FBI and focusing solely on Psychology.
Decision made, he nodded.
"All right. But he doesn't come with us." – He said, pointing at his father.
William narrowed his eyes dangerously but muttered a 'fine' anyway. The professor agreed easily; he only cared about the younger Reid after all.
So, it seemed like for the weekend, he would go back to Caltech.
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"He's just going to show me what he's working on, that's all. He promised my father wouldn't be there! Honest."
Spencer didn't know exactly why, but he'd been explaining his decision to the entire team for the last half an hour and nobody seemed to understand him even after all his efforts. It was slowly making him more and more frustrated, especially because – he would never admit it out loud – he himself had doubts about the plan.
"Come on, Kid. That's just crazy." – Morgan voiced what Reid knew was everyone's opinion even though most of them were too polite to just say it bluntly like that, opting for asking questions and leading him to their desired conclusion instead.
"Why? He was my professor. My mentor at Caltech. He helped me a lot and I owe him that much."
"Spence: you don't owe anyone anything." – JJ insisted. – "He was doing his job."
"No, he did much more than that: I was just a kid, nothing like a real college student! It was so much more difficult with me, and you all must know that better than anyone!"
He looked at Gideon for help who just shook his head.
"There's nothing difficult about you, Kiddo."
Hotch agreed:
"Having you around is an honor; it's no trouble. I'm sure it wasn't for that professor either but if it was, then it's his problem, not yours."
Spencer blushed at the covert praise but his determination didn't waver.
"I'll just go, look at what he's working on, offer my ideas if I'll have any and then I'll come back. That's all and then this whole thing will be over with."
"And if they're planning something?" – Elle asked. – "Please, just think about it: did that professor of yours even know your dad when you were at Caltech?"
"I don't think so. My father was out of the picture." – Spencer admitted reluctantly.
"Did your father even know or care you went to Caltech?" – Spencer looked away and Elle nodded as if he had just proved her point. – "So, what's that sudden friendship and their interest in you? I hate to say it, but you're a genius, meaning you're worth a lot to some people who want to use you. And that professor surely sounds like he wants a 'legacy' before he retires. He even said that so, didn't he? And your father? Maybe he's got something to gain with that as well."
Reid blushed in shame and anger.
"It might be difficult to grasp, but maybe some people can be interested in ME instead of what I can do, Elle." – He spat.
The dark-haired agent gasped horrified.
"I… didn't meant to imply-"
"It doesn't matter." – Spencer suddenly stood, knocking back his chair, making it tumble over with a loud crash. – "I've made my decision and I'm old enough to do what I want."
With that, he left the conference room in a hurry, never looking back at either of his stunned teammates.
"Well…" – Garcia, who had been silent until now, said with teary eyes. – "That went well…"
Gideon looked around, shooting a dark glare at the team and especially Elle.
"Maybe if you had handled this with a bit more tact, he would still listen to us. Now, it's no use anymore."
Elle hung her head.
"I didn't mean to hurt him." – She whispered.
"I know you didn't." – Hotch assured her. – "Let's just hope this weekend will pass without problems and then we'll really be over this."
Morgan snorted.
"And if not?"
"Then we'll have to cross the bridge when we get there…"
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Being at Caltech again felt almost surreal, even though it hadn't been so long ago that he'd studied and spent his days studying and researching here. But since then, his life had changed so much that he was particularly a different person, and his memories about this place felt like a movie he was watching but didn't participate in. He didn't feel like he belonged anymore.
The students he saw walking down the corridors in pairs or groups or smoking outside on campus were still mostly much older than him and, as such, some looked at him funnily, as if asking what a kid was doing among them. It didn't help that Spencer looked much younger than his real age and was dressed like somebody's grandfather. The fact that it was Saturday and there were no classes didn't appear to make much of a difference when it came to the dreaded crowd.
Of course, he still remembered how to get to Professor Hughes' office while spending the shortest possible time surrounded by people outside. It seemed like he still had his survivor's instincts intact. So, not long after entering through the front gate, Spencer was already standing in front of a plain brown door on the third floor, staring at it and trying not to change his mind at the twelfth hour.
He gathered his courage and knocked. The door was immediately opened.
"Spencer, my boy! It's great that you have come! Come in, come in!"
"Hello, Professor… Ahm… It's good to be here." – Actually, no. It wasn't. It was very awkward and he felt like he had regressed years since he'd entered the grounds. He couldn't wait for the weekend to be over.
"It's good to have you back." – Reid wondered whether he should remind the professor again just in case that it was only for two days but then he decided against it. Especially because the teacher led him to the enormous blackboard Spencer himself used to fill with equations in his days as a student and started to explain: - "So, this is what I've been working on. But I'm stuck. See there…"
After that, the professor gave a long lecture about his theory he wanted to prove and the difficulties he had encountered. Reid was drinking the words and within five minutes, all his previous misgivings and reservations about the situation were forgotten.
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- I'm worried for the Kid. – Morgan said as soon as JJ picked up the phone.
- It was Saturday and Spencer had only been gone for a few hours but his teammates were already anxious for him to be back safely.
- I know. Me too. I just talked to Elle, she couldn't even sleep. She feels guilty.
- She shouldn't. It's not her fault.
- Tell her that…
- I talked to Baby Girl, she couldn't sleep at all either… We're all a mess.
Meanwhile, Gideon and Hotch were together at Hotchner Residency, drinking coffee and worrying just as much as their colleagues…
"I shouldn't have let him go." – The dark-haired younger agent said for probably the third time in five minutes as he was staring into his cup absent-mindedly.
"You couldn't have stopped him." – Gideon countered, having decided to be the voice of reason, however difficult it was. – "He's old enough to travel alone and has a right to do whatever he wants." – If only it were this simple…
"I know." – He did. And it didn't help. – "Do you think this is simply a visit to help with a project? Nothing else behind it at all?"
Gideon sighed.
"I hope it is."
"But you doubt it." – The unit chief guessed.
"Yes. I doubt it."
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Spencer felt like a child in a candy store as he worked on the mathematical problem relentlessly; he was fully in his element. Before joining the BAU; before even meeting Gideon, that had been his dream: to do exactly that. And to work with his favorite professor.
"Impressive." – The man marveled. – "Absolutely incredible. You still have it, son."
Spencer smiled at the praise and continued to work. He knew he could solve this. As a matter of fact, he could already just see the entire solution in his mind even though he was only in the middle of writing it down yet. It was as if his brain was working faster than the rest of him; for example, he wasn't able to scribble as quick as he wanted and stumbled at the blackboard to catch up to his thoughts. This had always been like that and he loved the feeling of soaring through the problem. Like speedreading, it was a talent he could lose himself in and forget everything else. And much like Gideon, his beloved professor used to make sure he didn't overdo it and accidently kill himself in the process because after a while, his head started to pound and he sometimes even passed out. He hoped it wouldn't happen now; he needed to finish this.
He ignored the knock on the door and didn't look up when their dinner was delivered. He didn't acknowledge Professor Hughes when he tried to press a fork into his hand along with a paper plate bearing a single slice of pizza. He didn't even drink the water the man had poured for him.
He was working and enjoying every second of it.
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"When did the Kid say he would be back?" – Asked Morgan as soon as Garcia let him in.
She blinked a few times, not having expected company that weekend but then just shrugged. She didn't mind Morgan's presence at any time of the week.
"By Monday." – She answered and started the boil the water for coffee, knowing her friend would want to drink something.
"Yeah, yeah, I know! But what does that mean!? Sunday evening or afternoon or Monday morning or-"
"It means he'll be back by Monday for work, Derek." – Garcia sighed. – "I don't know any more than you do."
"I stopped by his apartment earlier. He wasn't there!"
"Of course he wasn't. It's only Saturday, he just arrived at Caltech a couple of hours ago and don't forget the time difference either. You can't expect him to be back already."
"Why not!?" – Seeing her smile slightly, he added: - "Baby Girl, you know what he's like when he's engrossed in some work! I'm worried!"
"We already established that we all are. Still, we can't do anything but wait for him to get back." – Garcia reminded the ex-cop turned agent, handing him his coffee. – "Careful, it's hot."
Morgan took the proffered cup and stared into it, feeling lost.
"I hate this."
"Come on, my Chocolate Thunder, my coffee can't be that bad…"
"I meant Reid being away."
"I know. I hate it too."
"But he'll be back soon, right? I mean, you don't think he'll choose not to come back…?"
"Of course not!" – She gasped, horrified he would even think something like that. – "I bet the boy will be happy to be home with us!"
"Let's hope so."
