A/N: Shout out to KMW1968 for reminding me about Reid's little trip for a conference at the beginning of "Outfoxed." Had to find some time to sit down and write that before moving on to the chapter I had planned to follow the last one in order to keep with our time line. Thanks for the continued support. Still pondering Charlie's life post-show a bit, but I appreciate all that sent me suggestions/feedback to think about.

"Games"

November 2009

Reid eyed Charlie from the passenger seat of the mathematician's car. He was oddly quiet, which was unsettling the profiler. "You okay man?"

That got a raised eyebrow and a quick glance from the driver. "Man?"

Reid shrugged and smiled, grateful he got him to at least speak. "Morgan's rubbing off on me, I guess. Now answer the question."

Charlie sighed. "Guess I'm still a little unsettled from this last case." He went on to describe the video game turned real life that sucked in Amita and nearly got her killed. Reid squinted in thought, wondering if that was just her excitement to help or something deeper from her experience months ago. He may need to call her since he doubted he'd get alone time with her this weekend. Not without raising any red flags and only the three of them knew Reid had been talking to her about her abduction.

"You know, you could've told me this before and I would've found a different way to Irvine for Dr. Fallon's presentation." Reid had heard of the talk on the team's way out of LA two weeks ago and immediately booked a ticket back to hear it. Charlie had offered to drive him down to the University of California's campus. He was going to meet up with some of his former students turned professors down there before bringing Reid back up for a day in LA.

Charlie shook his head. "No, it's fine. I needed some time to think and driving helps." At least Reid was okay without music on; something he was learning to deal with when in the car with Amita. He smiled softly, remembering their failed attempt to get to another conference.

"Mmhm," Reid murmured, deciding to let that go. He stretched his knee some, shifting in the seat. The public airplane trip hadn't been the most conducive for his rehab.

Charlie caught the movement out of the corner of his eye. "How's that knee? I was surprised I saw you on one crutch."

"Yeah, I think I'm steadier on one than two for whatever reason," he joked. "Doc finally gave me the all clear to downgrade as I feel comfortable. I'll probably switch to a can soon."

"Well, be sure to report that to Don or he'll never let me hear the end of it for not updating him," Charlie teased. The pair smiled; amused that Don had apparently decided to take Reid under his wing a bit.

"So how's that office working out for you?"

"So what you're saying is, increased levels of serotonin in the womb cause brain damage and create serial killers. And there's nothing we can do about," Don stated, taking a sip of his beer at the dining room table the next day. They were finally sitting down to that poker game after the rest of the team arrived. Amita was finishing up some grading, opting out of the game tonight. Again, something that Reid took note of. Currently it was just the Eppes men and the adopted Eppes man. "Well that's comforting."

Reid shook head as he finished chewing on his pretzel. "No. The monoamine oxidase A, or MAOA gene, contributes to create an environment with increased serotonin in the womb. That makes the adult version of the fetus unreceptive to its effects. That has the making of a psychopath like Posdner," Reid referenced his case with the team. "We've known that there was some genetic component to what creates psychopaths, this was showing what it appears to be." He leaned forward some, grabbing another pretzel off his dinner plate, the pizza already gone. "But, not all psychopaths become killers and not all killers are psychopaths."

Alan studied Reid for a moment. "So is there a way to test and do something about that?"

Reid furrowed his brow. "Test, yes, but I think it's too soon to start to implement something to change things. Besides, there are multiple variations of the MAOA gene, some of which are beneficial. Then you have to factor in that environment also plays a role in how some would turn into serial killers."

Alan and Don nodded. Charlie opened his mouth when David and Colby entered, the latter speaking. "Doc, finally going to show off these supposed card skills, I see?"

David shook his head as he headed into the kitchen to grab some food and a beer. "I'm gonna laugh when he takes all your money first, Colby."

Charlie and Reid shared an amused glance as Reid's phone buzzed. "No, you can't be called to a case right now," Don protested. He was curious about his poker skills too, but he'd seen how good Larry was and knew not to underestimate the younger man.

Reid dug out his phone and read the text from JJ. "No. I just have to meet them at the crime scene tomorrow after I land."

Alan shook his head. "Not sure if that's a good thing that it's in your backyard or not, Spencer."

Reid nodded and sighed. "Me neither." David returned with two beers and two plates of food, handing one of each off to Colby. They passed some idle chitchat as the guys ate, waiting on Nicki and Liz to get there.

Only the next phone to make noise was Don's. The group groaned. "Hey Liz." He nodded to the two agents who reluctantly pushed away from the table, shoving in the last of their pizza. "Yeah, we'll be right there." He sighed. "We're never going to have this game, are we?"

Charlie smirked. "It might be fate trying to tell you guys something."

Reid bit his lip, holding in a chuckle, before taking another sip of his beer. "Sorry guys." The agents nodded and waved as they headed out the door, leaving Reid with Alan and Charlie.

The senior Eppes turned to Reid. "Now, I know I'll likely regret this just as much as they would with poker, but Charlie has mentioned you like to play chess. I can't get him to play me anymore, would you like to play a game?"

Reid took a deep breath. He hadn't played a game since he had run through all the permutations after Gideon left. He hadn't even been back to the park where he'd mentor some of the chess kids in well over a year. Was he ready to play again?

Charlie studied him, knowing what he was thinking of. He had forgotten he'd mentioned that to his dad awhile back. He wasn't sure if he should be regretting that decision or not at this moment.

Reid looked up from his plate and met Alan's eyes. "Sure."