For disclaimer see Chapter One

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The Consultant

Chapter Six

Reid woke early. He always did, even in his own apartment and more so in a strange bed and with an unaccustomed roommate. Taking a deep breath he rolled onto his side and pushed himself upright. His back grumbled in protest.

Morgan was still asleep. Reid grabbed one of his canes and his wash bag and moved awkwardly to the bathroom. His left leg was still asleep and if the twinges on the jet the day before were anything to go by it wouldn't fully wake up all day. Reid sighed as he turned on the shower. He'd have to find the time for a massage when they got back to DC or maybe some acupuncture.

As he stripped of his t shirt and sleep pants Reid contemplated the shower. He would have welcomed the hot water washing over him last night but he really was too tired to take a standing shower and unfortunately, whilst the shower did have a hand rail, it didn't have a fold down seat like the one in his apartment. If he hadn't been sharing a room he might have called down to reception to see if they had a plastic stool but he really, really didn't want to do that in front of Morgan. Even if things were a little easier between them Reid wasn't fully relaxed around him to the extent that he would feel comfortable advertising his physical shortcomings in such intimate detail. There was no one he trusted enough for that. He doubted there ever would be.

By the time Reid was done and out of the bathroom Morgan was up and on his cell phone. The conversation ended abruptly and as he snapped the cell shut he headed quickly toward the bathroom.

'That was Hotch. We got another body, a drowning.' Morgan called as he closed the door behind him.

Reid sat at the small table and flipped through the case file again. The pictures flew before his eyes as he started mentally skimming through each of the victims and the causes of death.

'Hanging, asphyxiation, drowning..., the elevator.' Reid rubbed his leg and stood up. His mind flew as page after page of text ran through it. 'They're anxiety disorders, phobias.' He muttered to himself.

'Morgan!' Reid moved to the bathroom door and rapped on it with the top of his cane. 'Morgan. There's a connection, I have a connection.'

Morgan opened the door, pulling his shirt over his head. 'What?'

'Your freak out, in the lift, last night.' Reid said excitedly.

'My freak out, I was the one freaking out?' Morgan questioned.

'That's not important, the elevator and the boxes in Jenny Whitman's shower stall, they're phobias, the five sub-types of phobia, as defined by the Diagnostics and Statistics Manual. The UnSub is creating situations in which his victims fall foul of their greatest fears. It's all about fear.' Reid gabbled. 'Think about it, Jenny Whitman was claustrophobic. She suffocated to death. If we look at the other victims we'll find similar phobias; drowning, being burned, being buried, those types of things. The phobia is the UnSubs weapon.

Morgan studied Reid for a second before grabbing his cell phone. 'Hotch. Reid has something.'

The team were tired but on a high as they entered the bullpen. The case had been a win for them. They'd traced the UnSub, psychiatrist Dr Stanley Howard, to the bogus Goodman Institute. They'd found his office, his journals and finally the doctor himself. There was no time to stop him from committing suicide but there had been time for Hotch and Morgan to pull his last victim alive from her grave in the basement of the abandoned building Howard had used to front his practice.

Reid recognised that finding someone alive didn't happen too often and he could see the positive effect it had on the team. Morgan and JJ had joked around on the jet and Morgan had headed straight for Garcia's high five when they pushed through the glass doors of the BAU. Even Hotch's demeanour seemed a little lighter, not too much, he was still as brooding as ever but his eyes seemed a little less clouded.

Out of all the team Reid found Emily to be the most transformed. She was laughing at Morgan and Garcia's banter, her usual "all business" composure melted away and Reid caught himself watching her and smiling also. He couldn't help but think how much her smile, when it reached her eyes, warmed her whole face.

He settled himself into his chair as he watched the three members of the BAU head for the coffee pot, their laughter still filling the early evening lull of the office. He was still smiling when the sound of Emily's voice made him jump and fumble the files he'd been sorting.

'What's amusing you Dr Reid?' Emily said.

'What? Oh, nothing, I was just thinking how different the team is when they're directly involved in saving a life, as opposed to the daily consults, you know, where you're just dealing with post mortem victims. It's good to see you all that way.' Reid said.

'Us.' Emily said.

'Excuse me?' Reid said, confused.

'Us. You said "It's good to see you all that way". It's good to see us that way doctor. You're part of the team you know, newbie or not.' Emily said firmly.

Reid flushed and fixed his attention on the files. 'Any established social dynamic, established in terms of longevity, naturally resists the inclusion of a new subject, often to the physical detriment of that subject. Nature clearly demonstrates the benefit of a slow introduction to an established pack. Based on that observation I feel it unwise to assume a ...' Reid stopped as Emily held up her hand.

'I'm going to resist the temptation to point out that we are not wolves or chimpanzees and just invite you for a drink. We're all going to Carlucci's for cocktails and by we, I mean the team, us, including you.' Emily said.

Reid hesitated, his mind quickly sifting through all the information he had about the bars in DC and settling on Carlucci's. It felt good to be invited, he couldn't remember the last time someone had included him in a social activity, but he knew that particular bar wasn't really an option.

'Thank you, but I... maybe some other time.' Reid said.

Emily sighed. 'OK, but these evenings don't happen that often Dr Reid, we don't win that often.'

Reid's eyes flickered up to meet hers briefly. 'I know.' He said softly.

Emily looked back to where Reid was gathering his things. She watched him as he leaned his canes against his chair and rested his weight on his desk as he deftly buckled his messenger bag shut with one hand. She could hear JJ laughing as Garcia teased Morgan.

'So my beautiful behavioural analyst, are you going to take a swan dive up the stairs at Carlucci's like you did last time, when you'd only "had one drink mama, I swear". Garcia imitated Morgan's smooth voice and JJ snorted.

'There are thirty steps down to that bar and they are lethal, going down and up.' Morgan said, laughing indignantly.

Emily watched Reid as he picked up his coat. He swayed a little as he shouldered it on, bracing his right thigh against his desk and grabbing for one of his canes as soon as one arm was through a sleeve. She noticed how white his knuckles were, a testament to how much of his weight he was putting on the single stick whilst he wrestled his other arm into his dark blue pea coat.

'Guys.' Emily said over her shoulder. 'I feel like Art's Bar. Let's go there for a change, ok?' She said as she walked back into the bullpen and toward Reid's desk.

'Change of plan. Morgan hates Carlucci's so we're going to Art's Bar instead. Sure you won't change your mind?' Emily asked Reid.

Reid buttoned his coat. Art's Bar, off Third and Rosemont, entrance straight off the sidewalk with two steps up and none inside. He catalogued the new venue as he picked up his messenger bag.

Emily raised her eyebrows at him, the silence carrying on for a moment.

Reid finally looked up at her and blinked. 'I think I will. Thanks.' He said.

The bar was lively but not too crowded. The team had taken possession of one of the booths at the back and Morgan and Hotch had returned from the bar with a tray of drinks. Morgan rolled his eyes as he passed Garcia an elaborate looking cocktail.

'Girl, that is the last time I order a 'Long, Sticky Kiss' for you. The barman didn't find it as amusing as you do.' Morgan said, shaking his head.

Garcia simply laughed and clapped her hands. 'It has nothing to do with the name my darling, I happen to like the drink.' She said.

'Of course.' Morgan said.

'Oh stop being a baby, Kevin will be here in a half hour and he's man enough to order me anything I ask for.' She said.

'And that has nothing to do with the fact that you have him wrapped around your finger so tight that he'd jump in front of a bullet for you.' Morgan said, laughing.

'He's coming? I thought he had that role playing group thing every Friday?' Emily said.

'He does. He cancelled when I called.' Garcia said sweetly.

'How is it that you have this guy obeying your every command Garcia?' Emily asked.

'I would love to know your secret.' JJ joined in. 'He sure does toe the line.'

'Ah, I cannot tell I'm afraid. Let's just say that there are very good reasons why that boy does as he's told, very good reasons.' Garcia popped the pink straw in her mouth and sucked sweetly.

'On that note I am going to get my groove thang on.' Morgan stood and headed for the dance floor. JJ beamed, took a slug of her beer and headed after him, pulling Garcia and her cocktail with her.

Hotch smiled and downed the last half of his beer. 'That's it for me. I need to get back for Jack.' He pulled out his wallet and dropped a roll of twenties on the table. 'Get a few rounds in and make sure everyone relaxes; Monday will be here soon enough.' He said to Emily as he stepped around the table and snatched up his jacket. 'Have a good weekend, both of you.'

Emily watched Hotch as he left. When she turned back to the table Reid had his messenger bag in front of him and was tucking a letter into the pocket. Emily couldn't help but notice that he looked distracted.

'You ok?' She said.

'What?' Reid looked up, shoving his hair out of his eyes.

'You looked preoccupied.' Emily nodded to the bag.

Reid frowned a little and shifted in his seat. 'Not at all, I just ... I was just thinking that this wasn't how I expected to spend the first night after my first case.' He said, his voice wavering slightly. He pulled the letter back out of his bag.

'Gideon?' Emily said.

'I expected that I'd be spending time going over the case with him, you know.' He said quietly.

'You were close to him.' Emily stated.

Reid nodded. 'I don't have ... Um... I lost contact with my own father when I was ten and when I met Gideon it was like having a little of that relationship back. He filled a void for me and at the same time he'd lost contact with his own son and I suppose I filled a void for him.' Reid cleared his throat and took a swig of the warm beer Morgan had set before him. 'Did you know that some of humanity's earliest known writings refer to the production and distribution of beer: the Code of Hammurabi included laws regulating beer and beer parlours, and "The Hymn to Ninkasi", a prayer to the Mesopotamian goddess of beer, served as both a prayer and as a method of remembering the recipe for beer in a culture with few literate people.' He rambled.

Emily ignored the blatant change of subject. Leaning across the table she placed her hand on the letter. 'Did he say if he was coming back?' She asked gently.

'No. I don't think I fill the void for him anymore; why would he come back to me?' Reid took another swig of beer and tried to ignore the scent of Emily's hair as she leaned across the table and the sinking feeling his stomach gave as he thought about his surrogate father.

'You and I could always talk cases through, if you want to.' Emily said.

Reid smiled briefly. 'Thank you.'

They both took a drink and Emily gazed out to the dance floor where Morgan was surrounded by a group of ladies and JJ and Garcia were dancing together.

'Less than ten minutes and he's surrounded.' Emily said, laughing.

Reid followed her gaze. He watched as Morgan wove himself between the women, his athletic body fluid with the music, his arms raised above his head. Reid couldn't help but wonder what it felt like. He'd always felt at odds with his own body, even before his accident. He'd been a clumsy child with thick glasses and too small for his age, until he'd shot up in his early teens but by then he'd been in a wheelchair and now he didn't know if he would have ever been graceful or not. Clearing his throat he turned back to Emily.

'So how long have you been part of the team? He asked.

'About three years. I joined right after the Bale case.' She said.

Reid opened his mouth to ask another question but was cut off.

'My turn doctor.' Emily said. 'So, what does a genius do in his spare time?'

'I usually spend it catching up on my dissertation work. I'm part way through my BA in Sociology.' He said.

Emily pulled a face. 'I'm going to classify that as work. What do you do for fun?'

Reid looked uncomfortable. 'Nothing that I think you'd be interested in.'

'Try me.' She challenged.

Reid sighed. 'I like science fiction, you know, Star Trek and Star Wars. I like Asimov and I like the Smithsonian. They have good visiting exhibits. And I have membership.' He finished lamely.

'That's more like it.' Emily smiled. 'I'm a little ashamed to say that I've never been to the Smithsonian.' She said.

Reid blinked. 'But you live in DC.' He said.

'True, but they don't make you visit the Smithsonian before they let you move into the area.' She teased.

'I don't understand.' Reid said. 'Why would you not have been?'

'I don't know. I just never have.' Emily said.

'I could take you.' Reid said, blurting the words before he could stop himself. He felt the heat rise in his face and he looked away from Emily's face. 'I mean, if you wanted to, I can get you into the national archives. The general public aren't allowed in there.' He said.

Emily jumped as two bottles of beer were placed onto the table in front of her.

'For you Agent Prentiss and Dr Reid at the request of my goddess on the dance floor. Dr Reid I presume?' Kevin wiped his palm on his shirt and extended his hand toward Reid. Reid awkwardly waved back in response.

'Hey, Kevin. I didn't see you arrive.' Emily said.

'I wasn't supposed to be here at all. I'm trying to get to level five warlock and this will seriously set me back in the game, but when Garcia calls.' Kevin drifted off, staring at Garcia as she swung JJ around the floor.

'Reid, this is Kevin Lynch. He's a technical analyst at the bureau and he's Garcia's boyfriend.' Emily said as Reid waved again and Kevin smiled, disappearing into the throng of dancers.

Reid pulled the fresh bottle toward him and contemplated drinking it. He didn't usually drink more than one in case he needed to take painkillers but something about sitting with Emily, the slight beer buzz, the alien feeling of socializing with friends made him relax and take another drink.

Emily was swaying to the music and drinking from the bottle Kevin had brought, her hair shone under the warm lights of the bar and Reid felt his mouth dry. He was still staring at her when she looked at him.

'What?' She said.

'Did you know that as far back as ancient Egypt saw hair dyes being made? The Egyptians would use recipes involving lead oxides and calcium hydroxide to administer to fair locks in order to darken it.' Reid said.

'Are you implying that my hair is dyed?' Emily said, setting her drink on the table, her hand brushing over her roots. 'I'm not that old.' She snapped.

'No! That's not what ... I just ...your hair is very black, that's all. I didn't ... The ancient Egyptians and the Romans also, coveted intensely black hair, they thought it to be the most beautiful colour and it became a symbol of social status, and of great beauty and you... Your hair made me think of that. That's all I meant.' He flushed and fidgeted.

'Oh.' Said Emily.

When the inevitable happened and one of the men in the bar asked Emily to dance, Reid found himself sitting alone. He watched as Emily moved on the dance floor. She kept her distance from her partner but her body language was open and Reid could tell that she was enjoying herself. She wasn't fluid like Morgan, but more sensual and Reid wondered what it would feel like to dance with her, to rest his head on her shoulder and breath in the scent of her hair, feel it sweep across his cheek, feel her hands on his back.

Closing his eyes he took another swallow of beer and mentally berated himself. Why was he doing this? It was the mental equivalent of testing a sore tooth with his tongue. Why did his mind insist on filling his head with thoughts that would never come to reality? He opened his eyes in time to see Emily's dance partner dip her skilfully, her hair skimming the floor.

'Hey!' Garcia flopped into the chair next to Reid and smiled at him, her eyes narrowing slightly as she noticed he was frowning. She followed his eyes. 'Huh.' She said as she took Reid's hand in her own, making him jump.

'Garcia. I thought you were dancing.' He said, his voice squeaking.

'And I thought you were talking to Emily and Hotch, not sitting here all on your lonesome.' She replied.

'I'm fine, really. Hotch had to get back to Jack and I think Emily was happy to be asked to dance.' He said smiling. 'I really don't mind.'

'Well I do junior genius.' Garcia said as Reid's eyes flickered back to the dance floor.

'Huh.' She said again.

'What?' Reid replied absently.

'Nothing, nothing at all sweetie.' Garcia squeezed Reid's hand. 'Just a look I noticed. It seems to be going around.' She said to herself as she watched Emily twirl.

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