A/N: We're nearing the end. I'm going to leave the poll up for what to write next until I post the last chapter, so please go vote if you haven't yet. Also, if you have any ideas for plots, feel free to send me a message or leave it in a review. I may not go with it, but it might help give me an idea, which I need right now. :)
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Through Thick and Thin
Chapter 14: Good Enough
By Ann Parker
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Dave Mustaine once said, "Moving on, is a simple thing, what it leaves behind is hard."
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Reid slowed his vehicle down as it reached a dead end on a dirt road and climbed out; the cabin about 50 yards away. He drew his weapon as he began to sneak up the small hill to the back door. He heard a woman scream and ran faster, afraid he was going to be too late. Just as he was about to climb the stairs he could hear them talking.
"Gregory, why are you doing this?" the woman pleaded. Reid could tell it was his mother talking, trying to understand why her son had turned against her.
"It's Gremory and just shut up!! You're the whore that betrayed father for this!" The back door was open a crack and Reid could see that Gregory's hunting riffle was now pointed at his own father, who was beaten and bleeding on the floor. All were turned away from him. He knew he needed to make a move and fast.
"Gremory, this is the FBI, you don't want to do this," he yelled, slowly opening the door a little more to have a better shot at him. The young man spun in his direction and that's when Reid realized that he didn't have a vest on. Great.
"Get the hell out of here! If it weren't for you I would have already completed my task," Gregory replied.
"I'm afraid I can't do that, Gremory. You see, not only did you attack my wife at the hospital, but that's my father on the ground that you are about to shoot," Reid stated.
Now Beth and Gregory looked at him with confusion. "His son? William said he didn't have any family," Beth whispered.
Reid shrugged, "There's a shocker, right, dad?" William only groaned, which was quiet enough for Reid to hear the faint sound of sirens in the background. "You see, Gremory, I can't let you shoot him because if anyone has the right to do so, it's me. I'm the one he abandoned with his schizophrenic mother when he was ten. I'm the one that even after all these years, he still hates because I intimidate him." As he spoke, he continued to inch closer. He could see that Gregory was slowly lowering his guard.
"Is that true?" he asked.
Reid nodded, "All of it. Look, I know he's hurt you. I know you're angry that your mom married him right after your dad died. I get it, Gregory, I really do. But this manifestation into a demon, taking it out on innocent girls…its just your way of masking your pain for losing your dad and your resentment towards your mother. At least you know he loved you. Mine probably wouldn't care if you shot me right now if it meant you didn't shoot him." He was now just inches away from Greg. He could hear the rest of the team making noise in the woods and knew they would soon be there. "Don't do this, Gregory."
The young man glanced at William, lying on the ground, and then his mother before looking back at Reid, his resolve faltering. He lowered his gun, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
"FBI!" Morgan yelled, busting through the front door. Gregory, startled, turned in Morgan's direction and Reid took that moment to disarm him. "Down on the ground!"
Gregory did as he was told and Morgan quickly came over and cuffed him. Gideon, right behind him, took the shotgun from Reid. "Good work, Reid," he commented.
Reid nodded, "Thanks. I think Mr. Reid over there needs some medical attention." Even in the chaos, Gideon noticed the icy tone of Reid's voice. Before Gideon could respond, Reid walked over to Beth. "Ma'am, we need to get you examined. Can you walk down to the road?" he asked, his voice back to his usual friendly, gentle tone. A tone none had heard since he came out to join this case and found out about his father.
Beth looked at him and nodded slightly, still in shock. She started to walk, but her left ankle gave out and Reid had to catch her. "I've got you, its okay. Here, lean on me and I'll help you." Gideon, fascinated with the scene in front of him, completely missed that JJ and Emily had a paramedic attending to William Reid and that Morgan and Kass had taken Gregory away. He simply watched as Reid helped Beth out of the cabin and down to the waiting paramedics before grabbing his phone.
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Sarah was trying to keep herself from pacing in Erin's room, needing to be calm for the teenager, who was now awake and very alert of what was going on. So was Susan, who had shown up shortly after Reid had left. At first she had been very agitated to see Sarah had been left alone with her daughter again, but she calmed down when Sarah explained they were en route to capture the attacker. She knew that the rest should have gotten there before Spencer had gotten himself in trouble, but that didn't make her feel better until she knew for sure. Just then, a sharp knock at the door made her jump slightly. She drew her weapon and headed to the door.
"Who is it?" she asked.
"It's Hotch, Sarah," was her answer. She quickly opened the door to reveal her superior. "They've got him in custody; he even confessed when Morgan put him in the back of Kass' cruiser." He looked over Sarah's shoulder at Erin. "You're safe now, Erin. You can go home." Erin smiled for the first time since they had arrived and hugged her mom. Hotch looked back down at Sarah and whispered, "Reid's fine too."
Sarah looked at him and nodded, "Thank you." Hotch nodded as Sarah turned to hug Erin goodbye. He sighed to himself, knowing there was going to be a discussion when they got on the plane.
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Reid and Beth made it to the road and he helped her into an ambulance to be looked over. "Thank you," she stated. He nodded and began to turn away. "Wait a second," she called. He looked back at her, knowing what she was going to ask.
"I'm afraid that really was all true. There is a side to William Reid you don't know." He dug out his wallet and pulled out one of his cards, quickly writing down his personal contact information. He climbed into the ambulance and knelt down by her. "Don't let him run away from you without answers. You deserve to know. But if you ever need to reach me, here's my information," he added, handing her the card.
"Thank you…"
"Spencer. Dr. Spencer Reid," he supplied.
Beth smiled, "Thank you Spencer." He nodded and headed out of the vehicle just as they finished wheeling his father down. He hesitated, but chose to walk over by him. The rest of the team tensed as they watched on.
"How bad is he?" he asked a paramedic, ignoring his father's eyes that were staring up at him.
"A few cracked ribs and some cuts and bruises. He should be fine in a few days." Reid nodded and started to turn away.
"Spencer," William croaked, causing him to turn back. He walked over to him and looked down at his father. "Thank you for saving my life."
"I did what I had to in order to disarm him, to keep him from shooting your wife or myself, and to bide time until the rest got here. I didn't do it for you," he replied. "Because for once in my life, I don't care what you think. I've been spending my whole life trying to get you to love me, to approve of me, and I've finally realized that I don't care anymore. I don't need it. I finally know that I'm a good person, not matter what you think of me. As far as I'm concerned, you did die back in that cabin." He began to walk away, but stopped, and turned back. He bent down so he was mere inches away from his father's face. "And if I find out that you abandoned your new wife when she's going to need you to cope with this I will hunt you down, even if it's the last thing I do. You hear me? For once in your life, be there when someone needs you."
William nodded, unable to respond due to the emotions consuming him. He wasn't prepared for Reid's sudden, although justified, outburst. Reid stood up and looked at him once more before walking away for good. He headed to his car, only to be met by Gideon. Gideon patted him on his shoulder and took the keys from him. "Let's go home, son."
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