Chapter 36

David Rossi looked at Spencer, who was hunched over in his seat on the jet. He looked so fragile and depressed. Rossi knew the last few days had been a terrible emotional ordeal for him and Dave was trying to decide how best to help. Rossi let his mind review the events of this last case.

The team had been in Las Vegas for a missing child case, and it had triggered some suppressed memories for Spencer. Apparently he was having dreams about a murdered boy; and in his childhood there had been a boy killed who fit the description of his dream. Reid had always thought that the name 'Riley' was an imaginary friend he had had, but apparently a 'Riley Jenkins' had been murdered when Reid was 4 years old. Rossi learned all this from Morgan; as they had been walking to the jet after the missing child case had been successfully resolved, Morgan had said he was going to stay behind with Reid. Dave questioned him and he shared what he knew; Rossi had no intention of going back to Quantico until Spencer's issues had been resolved. When Reid had told them he thought the murderer was his father, Rossi panicked. He knew Reid's vulnerabilities, the life he had had to endure; although he knew Reid had extreme inner strength (he had had to in order to survive and thrive), Rossi was afraid if this was true it might be the breaking point for Spencer. Rossi, Morgan and the rest of the team back at Quantico did all they could to resolve the case, supporting Reid as best they knew how; but Reid's internal rage at his father's abandonment coloured his view of the facts. When Reid decided to undergo hypnotherapy to recover some of his memories from his childhood, Rossi had jumped right in and insisted on going with him. Reid had been a bit taken aback, as he had naturally assumed Morgan would go with him, but he was extremely glad of the support. During the session, Reid was in obvious distress and Rossi could no longer hide his emotions. He had rushed to the sofa. "Wake him up" he pleaded with the therapist, "Wake him up." Rossi had wanted to hit her, she had made his sweet, gentle Reid relive a horrendous memory. During the meetings with Spencer's father, Rossi could sense the tension and hostility from Reid, it rolled off him in waves. Dave had kept his voice and demeanor neutral, professional, though all he wanted to do was yell at the man and ask him if he knew how much damage he had done to his son. Truth be told the whole team had felt the same way about William Reid, but they all stayed calm, and did what they had to do for Reid, to provide 100% support to their friend.

Now the case was over. The man who'd killed Riley's murderer was in custody (neither, thankfully had been William Reid) and Reid, Rossi and Morgan were on their way back to Quantico. Once again Reid was suffering silently, alone. Rossi couldn't take it any longer. He grabbed his FBI windbreaker, walked over to the seat beside Reid, sat down and placed the jacket over his lap. "Hey kiddo, how you holding up?" Spencer turned his head and looked at Dave with the saddest eyes he had ever seen. Reid's usual dark circles around his eyes seemed nearly gray against his pale skin. The raw emotion Dave saw on Reid's face went straight to his heart. He took a chance; lifting his arm he gently placed it across Reid's shoulders. Spencer stiffened at first, unaccustomed to the physical contact, but then his shoulders slumped and he tilted his head back slightly so it rested on Rossi's arm. "Give yourself some time Reid. Let your mind process everything at it's own pace. Just remember, you did a good thing back there resolving Riley's murder, that's what you should try to focus on later, when the memories come. And always know the whole team is with you, you don't have to deal with anything on your own. My door is always open." Rossi hoped he was helping Spencer, even in a small way. He stayed as long as he could, but when Rossi felt his scrotum begin to tighten he knew he had to hurry. He gave Spencer's shoulder a little squeeze and removed his arm, "Take all the time you need kid, to work it all out. Try to grab some sleep." "Thanks Rossi", these were the first words Reid had spoken, and as he looked at Dave he gave a little smile. Rossi smiled back, then rushed up the aisle to the washroom as he could feel his orgasm beginning to build. He just closed the door and unzipped his pants in time. Rossi groaned into his FBI windbreaker as he climaxed, his body still tingling with pleasure at the physical contact with Reid.

As he cleaned up Dave was more determined than ever that Spencer Reid would soon have all the emotional and physical joy, happiness and love he could ever want.