After two months I bring you the next chapter. As promised there will be some more angst and drama in this chapter. I hope everyone had a good New Year's and will continue to have a good year!
SpiderKateCriminalMind: Thanks for your review. I'm sorry it took so long to update, but I hope you enjoy this chapter. Yes, do anticipate a fight.
Lpearson: Thanks for reviewing. Nope, Reid won't be suffering alone in this story. In this story we're going to pretend Gideon never left. He's going to be there for Reid through the whole recovery whether the young genius wants it or not.
Miso Muchi: Thanks for your honest review. Hopefully this chapter is more interesting. Seriously, I thank you for giving me the feedback.
Bonkers4Reid: Thanks for your review. I'm glad you liked the last chapter and I hope you like this one just as much!
On with chapter seven!
The first week passed with little event. Reid was faithful to his word concerning the meetings without so much as a complaint.
The first week was the most difficult. He had heard many times that the first step was always the most difficult, but once overcoming that first large hurdle the rest were not as scary. The nightmares had stopped at least for a moment. He knew they were likely to return any moment. He only hoped he was allowed a little more peace before the horrors of his heart brought up unfinished business from his restless mind. Even with the encouragement from his friends and momentary peace, he was always aware of the presence lurking ready for the strike.
With that in mind he made sure to remember there were those around who would help him through those difficulties. His family and acquaintances from the meetings were always there to cheer him on through the battle.
Reid had actually come to look forward to the meetings. The other members never looked at him with condescending pity or judgment. They were right there with him and understood just how difficult it was to overcome an addiction. They were all aware of how long the process could take, but they were willing to move in the step towards recovery.
He had become friends with one of the men who was not too much older than himself. Robbie was his name; he sat down beside Reid right before the meeting began.
"Hey, Spencer," Robbie said shaking hands with the mentioned.
At the last meeting Robbie told of how he used to be a cop and was shot twice in the leg. He lost a battle with prescription painkillers and nearly lost his job because of it. He spoke of how the ultimatum his supervisor gave him between his job and the drugs was his wakeup call to seek help. Reid found comfort in Robbie's testimony.
"You gonna speak today?" he asked.
Reid shrugged. "I—I don't think I'm ready to stand up in front of everyone yet," he said. "I'm just not good speaking in front of groups." *
Robbie squeezed his shoulder. "Don't worry about it," he said with a half smile. "You're doing good just being here every day." He released his hold on Reid and leaned against the back of his chair. "When I started out I was too embarrassed and felt so guilty that it made it hard for me to come here every day. I was lucky to be here twice a week."
Reid smiled. Robbie gave his shoulder another squeeze then turned his attention to where the coordinator was stepping to the front. Reid crossed his arms over his chest with a smile on his face.
Gideon called Spencer to the table for dinner. The younger profiler placed the medical journal he had been reading on the coffee table before following Gideon to the dining room.
Reid smiled at the pasta dish set for him. He sat down and picked up the fork, twirling the fettuccini noodles about the prongs. He slurped causing the garlic sauce to splatter. Gideon could care less about the mess for he was glad to see Spencer eating.
"You've been in a cheery mood today," Gideon commented.
Spencer nodded. He swallowed the food currently in his mouth before speaking. "Today's meeting went really well."
Gideon smiled. "Good," was all he said. He kept the thoughts to himself concerning Reid's sleeping patterns. The younger agent had slept more peacefully the past two nights. He only dreaded the moment the nightmares returned.
As far as he knew Reid had not had any cravings for the past two days, the possible explanation for why he had been in such a good mood. Friday night Reid confided in him that he had the sudden urge to use. Gideon talked to him through the craving until he fell asleep. When the young profiler woke the next morning he still felt drained, but the craving had passed. When thinking about what could have happened he figured it to be a good tradeoff.
The elder profiler almost considered not bringing up the next topic for Reid was in too good a mood. He figured it was better to remind him while he was in a cheery disposition rather than a low one.
"Don't forget you have another appointment with Dr. Brewer tomorrow," Gideon stated.
Reid dropped the fork noisily against the almost empty plate. He sent a glare towards Gideon that would have mortally wounded him had Reid's eyes possessed laser blasts.
"Don't give me that," Gideon said. "You said last time that it wasn't so bad."
"That doesn't mean I want to go," Reid replied. "You told me that I wouldn't have to go back after Thursday if I didn't want to."
Gideon sighed. He was well aware that Reid would react in such a manner.
"I said you didn't have to if you honestly could tell me it wasn't doing you any good," Gideon reminded his protégé.
"You can't just change the rules as you go," Reid argued.
"That was the deal, Spencer," Gideon said, his volume slightly rising. "Now, can you tell me that it's done you no good?"
Spencer averted his eyes from Gideon. He pouted which made him look more like a spoiled child being denied a favorite treat rather than someone who was seriously enraged. In the back of his mind Reid knew it was useless arguing with Gideon when his reasoning was sound.
"Spencer?" Gideon asked.
Reid glanced up. From the look on Gideon's face he could tell that the older man was waiting for an answer to his question. Reid let out a huff of angry air. He shrugged, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of being right.
"That's what I thought," Gideon said. "You know it's helping. We'll take in steps. Just finish out this week and if you feel it's not doing you any good next week then you can stop." He looked at Reid for any sign of an agreement. "We'll just keep taking it week by week until we return to Quantico. What do you think?"
Reid glared at Gideon. "You don't have to be so condescending," Reid spat. Gideon's face showed a mix of surprise and confusion. Reid selected to elaborate. "You're talking to me like some child. You don't have to try and appease me, I'm perfectly capable of making my own decisions."
"Not to offend you, Spencer, but I have to disagree," Gideon said.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Spencer snapped.
Gideon sighed. He did not like where this conversation was heading, but he figured it was about time he stopped babying Reid and let him know the truth. "You're in no state to be making your own decisions right now." He paused then added in a more serious tone, "Now, I told you that if I think something will benefit you—"
Reid stood up quickly causing his chair to crash on the floor. "You know, my whole life I was able to take care of myself without someone there to make my decisions for me!"
"And you need someone to help you right now," Gideon said moving towards Reid. He gently touched Reid's shoulder only to have his hand shook away. Gideon's eyes narrowed. "May I remind you that you came to me for help?"
"Well maybe that was a mistake!" Reid snapped.
Gideon stepped back. Reid could tell from the expression on his mentor's face that he was truly hurt from what he just said. Still anger proved to be the dominant force in his heart at the moment. He took advantage of Gideon's momentary shock to rush to the door.
By the time Gideon came to he noticed Reid had thrown on his coat and was heading out the front door. Gideon dashed to the door to see the figure of Spencer Reid running through the woods. Abandoning his own safety and comfort he ran out the door without a coat and feet in slippers.
"Spencer!" he called as he ran in the general direction Reid traveled. He was hit with the worry that at that time of night Reid could have easily gotten lost. He hoped that the genius would travel along the marked path, but people did foolish things in moments of anger.
Gideon figured that Reid's intelligence was leading him as usual. He ran down the path that led to town. He only hoped that Reid was working off some steam and would come back within the hour. Nonetheless he followed the path with the slim chances of catching him.
The lights and sounds of a car passing told the young profiler that he neared the town. He stepped through the clearing to find himself along a street that led into the small town. He stuffed his hand into his jacket pocket feeling around for the slip of paper. His fingers brushed against the rough edge and pulled out the thin, white sheet. He walked towards the neon sign of the gas station a few feet away. The name and address entered his brain and he walked off in the direction of the area.
Twenty minutes later Reid found himself nearing the building where his meetings were held. The apartment he sought was only two blocks from that building. Reid tightened his coat around his frame and pushed on.
After a few minutes more of walking he finally came upon the desired building. Reid ran up to the second floor of the structure. Having the apartment number fresh in his mind Reid headed straight to room 2C.
Spencer took a deep breath before knocking on the door. It suddenly dawned on him how impolite it was to show up unannounced. He never took into consideration if the person on the other side of the door had company over or was not in the mood to entertain guests.
It was too late to turn away as Reid heard the patter of feet shuffling towards the door. The door opened to reveal the face of his newest friend.
"Spencer, what're you doing here?" Robbie asked while looking for any signs of physical assault.
"I'm sorry, I don't know…" Reid trailed off. He gave Robbie a slight smile then said, "Do you mind some company?"
Robbie shook his head. "No, man, not at all, come in," he said then led Spencer into his one-bedroom apartment.
Oh no! What will happen next? Will Gideon ever find Reid? Will the two apologize or is it too late for mending? Find out in the next chapter. That sounded pretty cheesy, huh?
Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter.
*This is based on that scene in the second episode where Reid has trouble speaking in front of the classroom. It's something he overcomes as the series progresses, (as seen when he talks at the meeting in the third season) but I think he would still be nervous to speak before a large crowd at this point in time.
Until next time!
