Deadlines and Difficulties

I do not own Criminal Minds. boo hoo

'Common sense is the knack of seeing things as they are and doing things as they ought to be done'~ Calvin Ellis Stowe.

xxxx

If there was one thing that Erin Strauss valued about herself, it was her ability to keep a poker face in any given situation. This ability was severely tested when Spencer Reid opened the door to his apartment.

She had not seen the young man for quite a while and to say his appearence was shocking was an understatement. The flannel pyjama pants he wore barely hung on to his slender hips. His once enviable head of hair was thin and greasy looking.

It was a moment before she realized he had spoken to her and she was just standing there staring.

"Chief Strauss? " he repeated.

She snapped out of it and answered him.

"Agent Reid, I've been told you had your final chemo last week and I wanted to see how you were." she said stiffly.

She stood in the hall awkwardly, she expected to be invited in. It seemed to be Reid's turn to just stand there gaping.

"Have I come at a bad time?" she asked.

"Oh no sorry, forgive my manners, please come in. The place is a bit untidy, I wasn't expecting company." Reid replied nervously.

He felt a bit flustered. He wished she had called first but he knew she would never do that. It was part of her MO so to speak. Strauss enjoyed the element of surprise and the simple fact she wanted that was enough reason to believe this was not purely a social call.

Reid gestured toward the couch. "Please sit down, I was having some tea, would you like a cup ?" he offered.

Reid was trying to act the genial host but it was difficult as he kept having to tug his pyjama pants up and he was vaguely worried his apartment might smell like puke.

"No thank you, I didn't come here to put you to any trouble," she said with an uneasy smile.

Strauss looked around at the agents rather modest apartment. There were books everywhere. It was easy to see where he spent his money. She sniffed the air, there was a strong odour of antiseptic and strangely enough a rather familiar chicken soup smell as well. She sat down on the well worn sofa.

"Please Dr Reid, sit down, we can talk." she said trying to keep her voice soft and even. She thought Reid rather looked like a frightened rabbit, like he might bolt at the slightest provocation.

Reid dropped into the chair adjacent to where she sat. She peered closely at him and saw the fine beads of sweat on his forehead, he was as pale as a ghost. The only thing that resembled the Dr Reid she was used to were those dark intelligent eyes of his that sometimes seemed as if they were looking right into her brain. The intensity made it diffcult to maintain eye contact with him at times.

"Agent Hotchner tells me you have had your last treatment and you may soon be returning to work," she said.

"Yes that's correct, when I'm recovered I will be returning to the BAU," he told her.

"Strauss raised her eyebrows slightly, "Do you think that's wise?"

Reid frowned, "What do you mean?"

Strauss inspected her nails as she spoke. "I mean you have been through quite an ordeal Dr Reid; you have so many talents. There isn't a department in the bureau that couldn't benefit from your knowledge and skills, not to mention you would have regular hours, less stress. I could only believe with your condition that would be something you would strive for. I imagine your mother would also feel relieved."

Spencers eyes widened at the mention of his mother

"My mother,...forgive me Chief Strauss but I was led to believe that my position would be waiting for me when I recovered, and Steven Bennet was a tempory replacement"

"Of course of course, I just wanted you to know that you had options Agent Reid. Though Agent Bennet is doing a wonderful job. He has really made himself part of the team, his intergration was seamless. I told you about his backround?"

"Yes you did, his grandfather and J Edgar Hoover, "

Strauss eyes lit up. "I know Steven's Parents as well, wonderful people; his father works at the Pentagon."

Reid felt slightly numb, 'do they not want me back?' he thought.

Strauss noted his ashen complexion, she stood up.

"Now I've wore you out. I hope you continue to recover. Please think about what I've said Dr Reid and let me know if you come to any decisons. The sooner the better, next week would be fine. No please, I'll let my self out."

Within seconds, he heard the door click shut and he listened as her hard and steady footsteps faded away.

Reid slumped back in his easy chair. His stomach was in knots and there was a strong acid taste in his mouth. The team was gone and there was no one he could talk to about this

His tea was now cold and his interest in the novel he was reading disappeared. He decided just to get back into bed but not before he had to rush to the bathroom to throw up.

XXXXX

Aaron Hotchner had been in a good mood when he first arrived at the office, that was until he found Erin Strauss sitting at his desk.

"Good morning Aaron" she said.

"Good morning," he answered. He stood in front of his desk waiting for an explanation of why she was lying in wait for him.

"Congratulations on the success of the last case," she said.

"Thank you" he replied. He felt wary, they had been home for two days and it was obvious she was there for something else.

She leaned forward and folded her hands in front of her. Her eyes met his .

"While you were away I spoke to Dr Reid," she told him.

Aaron felt his pulse quicken.

XXXX

Morgan, Prentiss and JJ stared at the window to Hotch's office. They could see their team leader standing in front of his desk apparently involved in a rather heated discussion with Strauss. Their voices were not raised but their body language suggested the topic of conversation was not a pleasant one. Strauss sat back in Aaron's chair, her arms folded over her chest, her mouth a grim line. Aaron 's posture was stiff,He held his arms straight at his sides. sometimes gesturing towards the bull pen.

Something was up and it wasn't good.

"What in hell is going on in there?." asked Morgan.

Emily shook her head, "I don't know but I'm glad I'm out here " The profliers continued to to watch the window like it was some bizarre silent movie.

The sombre silence was interrupted by the arrival of Garcia. Her cheerfuls greetings were ignored by her colleagues.

"Hello my sweets, no good mornings for your beloved tech goddess?" she chirped.

"Fraid not Garcie look over there." said JJ as she nodded towards the unit chief's office.

Garcia glanced over at Hotch's office and shivered. "Ooh I thought I felt an icy wind when I stepped in here," she joked.

Morgan huffed a laugh and smiled at his friend. "We'd better get to work before the ice queen sets her sights on us."

Prentiss frowned at the empty desk in front of her "Hey, does anyone know where Bennet is? I haven't seen him all day."

"He's taking a few personal days. I guess he's thinking about where his next assignment will be when Reid comes back." JJ told her.

"Does anyone know where Reid is, ? I tried calling him a couple of times, no answer. Babygirl, have you been calling him?" asked Morgan.

Garcia smiled ,"Not to worry my sweet, I call our junior genius at least twice a day. Yesterday morning he said he had to be away for a while to take care of some personal business,"

Morgan frowned " Really, did he say where he was going?"

"I know exactly where he is," boomed a male voice. They looked up to see Rossi sautering towards them, coffee cup in hand.

"Where?" said Morgan.

"He asked if he could use my cabin, I said yes. I guess he just wants some peace and quiet and get away from everyone," Rossi answered.

Huh!, Cabin in the woods doesn't seem to be Reid's thing. You know it's dark and scary, surrounded by woods". He wiggled his fingers at them as if that made the idea of Reid staying in a cabin more forboding

JJ shivered in spite of herself.

Rossi appeared insulted "Morgan,as you know my cabin is not your typical rustic retreat. It's outfitted with a hotub, full bar and a theatre only thing that's scarey is what I paid for it." grumped Rossi.

"How do you stand it?" said Morgan with a grin

Rossi was about to reply when they heard a door slam. They looked up to see Strauss striding out of Hotch's office. If she had been a cartoon character, steam would be pouring out of her ears.

"Agents, " she mumbled as she passed by.

The team stared after her; they had never seen her look so angry.

"Team." This time the one who spoke to them was Hotch. He was standing on the landing his face etched with weariness. I need to speak to you all. It's about Reid."

XXXXXX

Spencer couldn't believe what he had just done. His hands were shaking as he started up his vintage Volvo. He glanced in his rearview mirror one last time and looked at the house he had just left . It was Steven Bennet's house. He wanted to put as much distance between it and himself as possible.

He had asked Rossi for the use of his cabin. It was a good place to get away to. He needed solitude and Rossi's cabin offered that plus a host of other distractions. His mind kept putting the face of Steven Bennet front and centre in his mind. His memory wouldn't let go of the man's shocked expression. Reid had almost felt sorry for him, Almost.

XXXX

Morgan slammed his fist down on the Bau round table. It was an involuntary response to the news that Hotch had just shared with them.

"Morgan, that doesn't help " said Hotch sternly. He gave Morgan his best scowl.

"No, he should really be doing that to Strauss" JJ said. Her voice laced with anger.

"JJ please." Admonished Hotch. He pretty much felt the same way but the chain of command had to be respected.

"Sorry Hotch, but what is she thinking? replacing Reid with Steven, It doesn't make sense," .

"I'm sure it's a polictical move." offered Rossi, "Steven's bloodties are..."

"BULLSHIT!" shouted Prentiss, her usual calm demeanor replaced by an angry flushed face.

"Do you think we should call Bennet and talk to him" said JJ.

Just then Garcia walked into the room wearing a puzzled expression.

"What's wrong babygirl?" asked a concerned Morgan.

She looked around the room "I tried to Call Bennet at all three of his numbers, he wasn't at any of them, I tried his girlfriend and she said she didn't know where he was, She said he usually says where he's going, they're very coupley".

"Well that's not really all that odd," said Hotch softly

"Yes except I just tried to call Reid to see if he was alright and I couldn't reach him either"

"Hotch, did you say that Strauss said she already spoke to Reid." asked Prentiss.

"Yes I did."

"Does anyone find it strange that suddenly Reid wants to go to Rossi's secluded cabin?" Prentiss asked.

Actually everyone did. Rossi stood up abruptly and looked at his watch "Look I know it's not time to quit for the weekend but I'm thinking of heading up to my cabin, anyone care to join me ?"

He was met by a chorus of yes's. Ten minutes later all six members of the team were on the road heading north to Rossi's Retreat.

XXXx

Reid stood at the edge of the dock and stared at the cold still water. The sun was warm on his back but he knew how cold these mountain lakes could be. He started to sway slightly as he was becoming mesmerized by the rippling of the water. He stepped back and steadied himself. It wouldn't do to go through all that chemo and stuff only to accidently drown in a lake. This lake was extremely deep

Far across to the the opposite shore a motor boat went by. It was the first one he had seen since he got here. So he was truly alone.

He had been here before a few years back. Rossi had invited the team for a weekend. He didn't appreciate the beauty of the place then. All he had wanted to do was get back home to his books and away from all the bugs. The team raved about the cabin but Spencer secretly thought it looked like a place an unsub would hide a body. Rustic retreats usually didn't offer any pleasure for him. He had found Gideans letter in his cabin and before that he had been drugged and tortured by Tobias Hankle in a smaller one. Today was different, he felt like he had shed the skin of the old Spencer Reid and become a new one.

He laid down on the dock and closed his eyes. The face of Bennet floated in front of him again. He chased it away only to have it replaced by the face of Strauss. He could see her thin cruel mouth

"GO! " he ordered and she was gone. He laughed.

"That was easy" he thought, he yawned and within minutes he was fast asleep and soaking up the sunshine, oblivious to the fact that there was a carload of FBI agents coming his way.

...and there was something else coming his way, Something very close, something deadly.

TBC

AN :Please read and review, your reviews and comments are so motivating. Thank you.