Breakfast
Disclaimer: Criminal Minds isn't mine.
The team looked for Reid. They tried to find out what room he was in, but the snotty Brighton clone said he wasn't registered with them and was he really a doctor, and "wow, blimey, wouldnt've know would ya?" and many other things which Morgan and Gideon didn't understand. They tried to phone him, but unknown to them his phone was merrily ringing in the boot of the taxi somewhere in Surrey.
He seemed to have just disappeared.
Morning found Reid dry and a bit crispy from the salt water. His back still hurt from the fall down the stairs, his feet still hurt from walking on the beach and his eye hurt from the thumping he took from the big geezer, but any swelling had completely gone. Now his brain hurt too from having to fend off Mr White Jeans all night.
Gradually they were all let out. Reid was the last to go, as he had been the last to arrive. White Jeans pounced and kissed Reid fully smack on the mouth before he left, which caused Reid to spend the next half hour spitting and gagging next to the toilet. Finally the policeman came to get him.
"Sleep well?"
"No."
"You need to sign some paperwork before we let you go."
"Fine, but I need to be quick. I am a guest speaker today, and I need to make a phone call."
"You are not from around here are you." Stated the policeman
"Vegas." Said Reid.
"You get lost?" and there was a snort of laughter from behind the desk.
Reid closed his eyes and took a deep breath.
"I arrived in the country yesterday. I have lost my luggage. I don't know where my phone is. I am thirsty and hungry, and I just want to meet up with my team and change my clothes. If that is OK with you."
The slightly snotty tone Reid took was received with more snorts of laughter and some raised eyebrows.
"Your team huh?" and lots of guffaws.
"I am with – I am with the FBI – erm – BAU – the behavioural analysis unit. I am a p p profiler."
A polystyrene mug was plopped on the counter in front of him.
"Here calm down, and have a coffee."
He picked it up and sniffed it. "Do you have sugar?" and he proceeded to rip and pour eight packs of sugar into the grey watery drink they called coffee.
"D d do you have anything I could erm eat?" He asked.
"Yes Sir, Mr Profiler, we are also the local café."
"Dr Profiler." He mumbled, as he turned to leave with his too hot sweet drink in his hand.
"Here you can have this." And one of the officers chucked something at him which he caught, grinned at and he nodded a thanks to the officer.
"Thank you!" And Reid walked happily from the station clutching a drink and a fruit rollup.
…………..
He was feeling a lot happier now that he has sugar rushing through his system and the lovely taste of strawberries in his mouth. It was a sunny morning, and all he would have to do now was make his way back to The Valentine and find the guys. He walked back down the promenade people watching and doing mini profiles on them. He decided to just sit on a bench and take in the smells and sights of the English seaside resort for ten minutes while his coffee cooled down enough to drink.
"Excuse me."
A voice coming from in front of him.
"Yes?"
"I wonder if you can help me."
"Well I am a bit busy."
"Yes I can see, and I wouldn't ask but you look so right for what I need."
"For what – for wwwhat you nnneed?" he stuttered getting flustered and alarmed.
"I just need to borrow your body for a minute or two. I will pay you of course."
"Borrow my what?"
"For some quick photos down by the pier. The model didn't turn up, but you look just right. If you don't mind, and I will pay your full day's rate."
……
Meantime the team are frantically searching for Reid.
Hotch got Garcia to arrange a trace on Reid's phone.
JJ phoned the local hospital, but there didn't seem to be anyone fitting his description there and Morgan contacted the local police. He made his way down there and must have arrived shortly after Reid left. Emily joined him.
"Can I help you?"
"FBI." And the flash of a badge followed the raising of eyebrows and laughing from the local cops.
"Not another one! Its gay pride march next week mate. You are a week early."
"What?"
"Next week. You another lad from Vegas?" More laughing
"What?!" pounding fist on desk.
Emily stepped in.
"Excuse me. We are over here on a consult from America. We have lost a friend, a Dr Reid……………………"
"Are you serious?"
"Very."
"The guy in woman's clothing is a friend of yours?"
"Yes, was he here?"
"He spent the night here lady, he has gone now. He said he was looking for his team, or something."
"Damnit!" Derek shouted and banged his fist again.
"Enough of that yank. Your colourful buddy isn't here."
So with a huff they left and decided to retrace their steps back to The Valentine. Reid knew that was where they were. Why he had wandered off on his own they didn't know, but if there didn't find him soon they would all be late for the morning meeting.
They almost missed him. If it hadn't been for the gathering crowd and Morgan and Prentiss' nosey ways they might have missed him altogether. At first it wasn't clear just what they were watching. Some kind of modelling shoot for a fancy mag they assumed, but their eyes kept being drawn to the tall slim male model posing with half dressed women all over him. He was wearing what looked to be a very expensive suit. A black frock coat with white shirt and lose bow tie. He was looking down, and a mass of slightly wavy hair covered his face, one arm around a scantily dressed woman the other in his trouser pocket. It was when he looked up that Emily and Derek gasped.
"Reid! What the hell?" Shouted Morgan.
"Oh my god, he is lovely" gasped Prentiss
"That's Reid!"
"Yes! He is gorgeous!"
"But it's Reid!"
Morgan couldn't believe what he was seeing.
Reid called over to them.
"Just give me five minutes ok?" and he returned to his posing.
