Hotch | Reid | Rossi | Morgan
Thursday, October 21st
(Thurs 7:35 am)
Iron Man.
(Thurs 7:58 am)
Can I safely assume you're unharmed?
(Thurs 8:23 am)
Nothing some gauze and Tylenol couldn't fix.
(Thurs 8:25 am)
Oh? What happened?
(Thurs 8:27 am)
No one likes being arrested. I'm glad we managed to take him alive, but he struggled. He even bit me at some point during the process. I'm not entirely certain when.
(Thurs 8:28 am)
Please tell me he didn't break the skin.
(Thurs 8:30 am)
I wish I could.
(Thurs 8:31 am)
That is moderately disturbing.
(Thurs 8:32 am)
...
(Thurs 8:32 am)
What?
(Thurs 8:33 am)
Are you a germaphobe?
(Thurs 8:34 am)
Of all the possible conclusions you could come to, how did you manage to draw the correct one?
(Thurs 8:36 am)
It was the only one that actually made sense.
(Thurs 8:36 am)
It also wasn't that big of a leap.
(Thurs 8:38 am)
There are so many illnesses that are transferred through skin contact or even saliva. Everyone should be concerned by that.
(Thurs 8:40 am)
This is an interesting development. Are you against skin contact in general?
(Thurs 8:41 am)
I'm not sure I understand what you're asking.
(Thurs 8:42 am)
What do you do on dates? Avoid touching the other person?
(Thurs 8:43 am)
I've never had a date.
(Thurs 8:46 am)
You're kidding.
(Thurs 8:49 am)
I kind of figured that would be obvious. Most people my age are actually quite boring, and I've never really been around people who weren't older than me by several years. It's a bit difficult to get a date when people think you're a kid.
(Thurs 8:50 am)
I didn't quite think that through.
(Thurs 8:52 am)
It's fine. I know you didn't mean anything by it.
(Thurs 8:58 am)
Please don't feel like you have to tread lightly because of what I told you the other day. I don't generally get offended easily. It's a skill I had to develop growing up.
(Thurs 9:14 am)
You say that like it's supposed to make it better.
(Thurs 9:16 am)
Hotch, it was all in the past. Just because my personality was marginally affected by it doesn't make it entirely terrible. I needed to learn to adjust to how society would treat me.
(Thurs 9:19 am)
I wish it were possible for everyone to be open and accepting of others, but that's an unrealistic view of the world, and you know it. I consider myself lucky for finding the people I have. If anything, it's only made me appreciate those people to the full extent they deserve.
xxx
(Thurs 2:47 pm)
Do you like coffee?
(Thurs 3:19 pm)
That's more random than our usual messages, but yes. I require coffee to function.
(Thurs 3:27 pm)
It was something Dave and I were discussing. I thought you might be a tea person.
(Thurs 3:29 pm)
I drink hot tea, as well, but usually only when I have migraines.
(Thurs 3:30 pm)
If I had to guess, I'd say you're a coffee kind of guy. Most likely black.
(Thurs 3:33 pm)
You would be correct. And for some reason, I imagine you either use a lot of sugar or a lot of creamer. So much that the coffee is probably a light tan color when you're done.
(Thurs 3:34 pm)
Morgan likes to ask if I'd like some coffee with my sugar.
(Thurs 3:35 pm)
I can believe that. Does he enjoy his black?
(Thurs 3:37 pm)
Typically, yes. I sometimes see him use creamer, though. And he tries to hide it from me, but his favorite kind is Cinnamon Vanilla Crème.
(Thurs 3:40 pm)
How do you know?
(Thurs 3:42 pm)
Because one time when I went to his place, he had several containers stocked in his pantry.
(Thurs 3:42 pm)
That's not very conclusive evidence.
(Thurs 3:43 pm)
I wasn't finished.
(Thurs 3:43 pm)
The last time I went over, almost all of them were gone, and he had his next to last one sitting on the counter because he'd just used it.
(Thurs 3:45 pm)
It doesn't sound like he tries to hide it, then.
(Thurs 3:46 pm)
When I asked him about it, he told me he kept it for the women that stayed over. I didn't tell him I'd seen the ones in the pantry a few months prior.
(Thurs 3:54 pm)
Remind me to never let you in my residence without constant surveillance.
(Thurs 3:58 pm)
...
(Thurs 3:58 pm)
What?
(Thurs 4:04 pm)
What?
(Thurs 4:06 pm)
I wasn't aware I'd ever be at your home.
(Thurs 4:13 pm)
Unless you actually happen to be some sort of serial killer, I assumed you'd come over at some point. Isn't that what friends typically do?
(Thurs 4:15 pm)
Well, yes. I just didn't think...
(Thurs 4:15 pm)
These circumstances aren't exactly normal.
(Thurs 4:19 pm)
You thought we'd just text forever?
(Thurs 4:21 pm)
No.
(Thurs 4:22 pm)
I thought we'd text until you grew tired of me.
xxx
xxx
(Thurs 7:45 pm)
Hotch, I'm sorry. I panicked, and I said something I didn't mean. If I could take it back, I would.
(Thurs 9:32 pm)
Hotch?
(Fri 7:28 pm)
Reid, where are you?
(Fri 7:32 pm)
I'm not feeling well, so I'm staying in tonight.
(Fri 7:34 pm)
You need anything?
(Fri 7:36 pm)
No, I think I'm going to take some Tylenol and go to bed. I didn't get much sleep last night.
(Fri 7:36 pm)
Thanks, though.
(Fri 7:38 pm)
No problem. I'll keep my phone close, just in case, so just text or call if you need me.
(Sat 11:24 am)
We need to talk.
(Sat 11:26 am)
I'd prefer to do it as a phone call, but texts will work.
(Sat 11:27 am)
Actually, no. I'd rather our first actual phone call not be filled with tension, so ignore that.
(Sat 11:30 am)
I know you're not asleep this late, Spencer.
(Sat 11:30 am)
Stop.
(Sat 11:32 am)
We'll talk, but it's not happening right now. I haven't been able to sleep the past two nights, and I'm currently wearing sunglasses in my bedroom with blackout drapes pulled over the windows.
(Sat 11:34 am)
My phone vibrating is hurting my head. Typing this is hurting my head. Hell, even my hair is currently hurting my head. I'll text you when my migraine is gone.
(Sat 11:36 am)
And because I'm pretty sure I know you'll blame yourself, it's not your fault. I have chronic migraines, and this one started around noon on Thursday. I mistook it for a normal headache because it came on a lot slower than usual.
(Sat 11:39 am)
Of course. I'm sorry. I hope you feel better soon.
xxx
(Sat 11:39 am)
Morgan, it's happening again. Can you come over?
(Sat 11:41 am)
Of course. I'll pick up some tea on my way, so you'll have some to tide you over until I can make the tea in your apartment. You have a preference for what kind?
(Sat 11:43 am)
No. Thank you.
(Sat 11:44 am)
I'll be there soon, kid.
xxx
(Sat 11:50 am)
You went from grim to worried, and I can only imagine one reason behind that.
(Sat 11:51 am)
Not now, Dave.
(Sat 11:52 am)
I'm being considerate by texting you, Aaron. Either tell me what's going on, or I'll draw everyone's attention to it.
(Sat 11:55 am)
I told him I wanted to talk, and I thought he was ignoring me because I hadn't messaged him in a while, so I sent a few more texts. Apparently, he gets chronic migraines and has had one since Thursday around noon.
(Sat 11:56 am)
That sucks for him, but that doesn't explain why you look the way you do.
(Sat 11:56 am)
He didn't insinuate the migraine was your fault?
(Sat 11:58 am)
No, Dave. In fact, he took the effort to send a text explicitly stating it wasn't my fault. He knew he had a headache on Thursday, but he wasn't aware it was one of his migraines.
(Sat 12:00 pm)
Then I'm afraid I can't see the issue.
(Sat 12:01 pm)
Aaron, what else did he say? If it's not that, what is it?
(Sat 12:03 pm)
He mentioned not having gotten sleep the past two nights. I have a difficult time believing the migraine kept him up Thursday evening.
(Sat 12:04 pm)
So you're feeling guilty for not answering him.
(Sat 12:05 pm)
Yes. He's expressed concern for saying the wrong things several times.
(Sat 12:06 pm)
And he wanted to have the "Captain America" code in place so he'd know you weren't replying because of work, not because he said something wrong.
(Sat 12:08 pm)
We both know that someone like him needs almost constant reassurance when starting a new relationship, even a platonic one. He's gone through life being judged for simply being himself, and it's left a mark.
(Sat 12:10 pm)
I'm aware of that, Aaron. But he's an intelligent kid, and he knows you dislike his self-deprecating remarks. Perhaps after you discuss it, he'll think twice about making them.
(Sat 12:11 pm)
That's at least borderline abusive, if not entirely.
(Sat 12:12 pm)
So is saying something you know the receiver hates to hear.
(Sat 12:13 pm)
I'm not condoning what you did. But you were frustrated, and speaking to him at that time would have caused more problems.
(Sat 12:14 pm)
He'll understand. Now stop with the self-loathing before Prentiss starts profiling you again.
xxx
xxx
(Sat 9:54 pm)
I'm not entirely better, but it doesn't feel like I have white-hot needles stabbing my brain intermittently.
(Sat 10:32 pm)
Give me five minutes.
(Sat 10:38 pm)
Sorry. With everything going on, I believe I forgot to tell you I was on a case.
(Sat 10:40 pm)
It's fine. I've screwed up my sleeping schedule, so I should be up for a couple of hours, at least.
(Sat 10:42 pm)
So... How much trouble am I in?
(Sat 10:43 pm)
[Incoming Call]
"..."
"Spencer?"
"Um, hi."
"Hello."
"I thought you didn't want to do this as a phone call?"
"That was before I knew I'd be at a police station nearly all evening. Calling was the better option. I don't have much time, though."
"Right. Sorry."
"For someone with an eidetic memory, you seem to have difficulties recalling what I've said about apologizing."
"It's... I'm nervous."
"I always imagined you would ramble when nervous."
"I typically do, but when I have headaches, it hurts to talk too much. ...plus, your voice is almost exactly like I imagined, and it's soothing. So the less I talk, the more I get to hear you speak."
"..."
"And the less I say embarrassing things. Please keep me from saying anything else."
"I suppose I can even the playing field since you've done it for me before. I don't know what I expected you to sound like, but it's nice to finally know. And I think it's endearing that you like my voice."
"...Endearing? Like a child?"
"If that's the example you want to use..."
"Hotch, that's—are you laughing?"
"I'm sorry. I know it shouldn't be funny, but I couldn't help it."
"Didn't you say you only had a little bit of time?"
"You're right. First, I wanted to apologize for not answering you before. That wasn't fair to you, and I hope I haven't betrayed your trust in some way."
"You haven't, and if anyone should apologize, it's me. When I first sent that text, I wanted to say something that would keep you from replying, but I didn't want it to be... well, that. I wasn't even aware of what I'd sent until I looked at it later, and then I just sat there trying to think of how I could possibly make it better. The only thing you've ever tried to stop me from doing was put myself down, and I just kept thinking that if I were you, I would've cut ties because I basically attacked you in the one way I knew would hurt you—"
"Spencer."
"..."
"You were scared and you lashed out."
"..."
"I need a yes or no from you."
"Oh. Yes."
"And you weren't aware of what you said."
"Not initially, but my subcon—"
"It doesn't matter. You didn't say those exact words in an effort to verbally attack a weak point for me."
"Of course not! I've been bullied my whole life, and I hate it. I would never want to bully someone else."
"All right. Is it safe to say you won't freak out again?"
"Hotch, I can't promise that. I didn't know I would freak out this time."
"One moment. ...Dave, I'm almost done. I'll be inside soon."
"..."
"Sorry. He's partially fetching me because I'm out of time and partially trying to eavesdrop. Now, I think you were about to say you won't react the same way when I bring up meeting you in person again?"
"Hotch, that's—"
"Spencer, we both have area codes for the same region in Virginia. It would be different if we lived in different states, but we probably even live in the same city. I don't know who's left you, or even how many people have done it, but I'm not going anywhere. I don't have many bright spots in my life, but you are definitely one of them, and I'm not sure if I'll ever be willing to let that go. So if anyone grows tired of this, it'll be you when you realize I'm just as boring as everyone else."
"...That will never happen."
"Then what will it hurt to be open to the idea of us meeting in person? It'll be tricky with my job, but if you're willing to work with me, I can't think of a reason not to. Can you?"
"Aside from the fact that one of us could be a serial killer? Not really."
"Good. I'm not saying it has to be soon. I don't want to make you uncomfortable. But it would be nice if, within a few months, I could introduce my new friend to my other friends."
"I'd really like that, Hotch. And I'll let you know. But now you really should get back to work. You're the team leader for a reason, and I'm sure they need your help."
"I'm going. But Spencer, if you're ever panicking over anything, I want you to know you can call me. Even if I'm on a case, I'll answer. It's more acceptable than texting."
"Thank you. The same goes for you, too. I'm not sure how much help I'll be, but I don't mind listening, at least."
"I'll keep that in mind. Goodnight, Spencer."
"Goodnight, Hotch."
[Call Disconnected.
Duration: 0:06:24]
(Sat 10:51 pm)
Oh, I forgot: try not to get bitten again.
(Sat 10:52 pm)
That has to be some sort of record.
(Sat 10:52 pm)
What do you mean?
(Sat 10:53 pm)
How quickly you went from uncomfortable and nervous to devious and cheeky.
(Sat 10:54 pm)
It's one of my finer qualities.
(Sat 10:54 pm)
I thought you had a headache.
(Sat 10:55 pm)
I thought you had a job.
(Sat 11:00 pm)
Your point has been made. I'll stop distracting you now.
xxx
(Sat 11:01 pm)
Now, don't get me wrong. I'm glad you got everything resolved.
(Sat 11:02 pm)
But we *are* waiting for a homicidal maniac to give us a call, and smiling at your phone is a bit unprofessional.
(Sat 11:03 pm)
Just in case you wanted to know.
(Sat 11:04 pm)
There we go. Your "shut the hell up" glare is a much better expression.
(Sat 11:05 pm)
Dave.
(Sat 11:06 pm)
You're welcome.
(Sun 9:02 am)
Morgan?
(Sun 9:02 am)
Hey, Pretty Boy, how are you feeling?
(Sun 9:03 am)
Much better, actually, thanks.
(Sun 9:04 am)
What's up?
(Sun 9:07 am)
Reid, I know you didn't text me for no reason.
(Sun 9:08 am)
I talked to Hotch.
(Sun 9:09 am)
You talk to him a lot.
(Sun 9:10 am)
No, I mean I *talked* to him. On the phone.
(Sun 9:11 am)
Oh.
(Sun 9:11 am)
How'd it go?
(Sun 9:12 am)
Considering what we were discussing, much better than I thought.
(Sun 9:13 am)
I'm glad to hear it, man. Does he check out?
(Sun 9:14 am)
Really? That's the question you're going with?
(Sun 9:15 am)
Hey, I said you could talk to the man, not that I trusted him.
(Sun 9:17 am)
I sort of heard his friend Dave in the background, and I know I heard other voices at one point, so if he's putting on an act, then he's definitely taking steps to ensure he doesn't slip up.
(Sun 9:19 am)
I still don't trust the guy, but the fact that you've spoken on the phone makes me feel a bit better.
(Sun 9:20 am)
You know how I told you what I thought he would sound like?
(Sun 9:21 am)
I remember, yeah. Why? Does he sound totally different?
(Sun 9:22 am)
No, I was right.
(Sun 9:23 am)
But there was one thing I didn't think about.
(Sun 9:24 am)
And what's that?
(Sun 9:25 am)
How attractive it would sound.