Agents and Answers

Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds.

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'The supreme happiness in life is the conviction we are loved' ~ Victor Hugo.

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The first thing Reid felt when he awoke was confusion. It took him a couple of seconds before he realized where he was. He had fallen asleep on the dock at Rossi's cabin; he felt stiff and achy and shivered with the cold. The sun that had been so warm and soothing was now settling itself in the west. It's seductive promise of warm weather was erased by the chill of the spring air and the equally cold breeze. They were both stern reminders that hot summer nights were still several months off.

Spencer hauled himself up and headed back to the cabin, if it could really be called a cabin. He thought Garcia's nickname, Rossi's little mansionette in the woods was a far more accurate description; all the comforts of home plus some. How different it was from Gideon's cabin. Gideons' on the surface was small and rustic and seemingly simple, yet hidden underneath lay some of the most high tech security equipment Reid had ever seen.

As Reid explored Rossi's kitchen he hoped the older agents supply of coffee was as great as his stock of expensive liquor and vintage wines. He need not have worried. Reid could have opened his own cafe with the selection he found lining the shelves of the pantry. He busied himself making a pot of an extra strong French brew and tried not to think about Steven Bennett or Strauss. He felt he had made a mistake in going to Bennetts house but what was done was done. He poured himself a cup and sat down on the sofa that faced the window. Spencer tried to concentrate on the beautiful view of the lake that lay just outside. He discovered not for the first time that it was extremely difficult to force yourself to not think about something. His thoughts strayed back to Bennett and the look on the man's face when he opened his door to see Reid standing there.

He almost became lost in the memory when he heard a snapping sound just outside the cabin. It startled him back to the present. He sat up and listened attentively and then 'CRACK' he heard it again. It was as if someone was walking around outside stepping on dry brush. He got up and peered out the large picture window. He could see no one. Reid was about to check outside when he saw a small brown rabbit scurry across the lawn and disappear into the wooded area. Reid almost laughed.' Frightened by a bunny rabbit" he thought. Morgan would have loved to have seen that.

He settled himself back on the sofa and finished his coffee. He couldn't believe how tired he was even though he had been sleeping just a short while ago. The chemo really took it out of him, but he was thankful he wasn't as nauseous as before, the anti-emetics helped. He yawned and leaned his head back and closed his eyes. Rossi's taste in furniture tended to lean toward the most comfortable as possible side.

He stopped fighting his need to sleep and began to dose off. Thoughts of Bennett, Srauss and the BAU evaporated. He did not stir nor did he hear the heavy footfalls outside in the vanishing light, ones that paced back and forth, patiently waiting for it's prey.

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"Man oh man, I can't believe this, this sucks!" Morgan hit his fist on the steering wheel in frustration.

"Sweet boo, getting angry isn't going to help. Would you like me to teach you some relaxation techniques to help with road rage?" Garcia offered from the back seat.

The two Suvs that had originally been tearing down the interstate were now stuck in bumper to bumper weekend traffic.

Morgan pursed his lips and did not reply. Rossi shook his head.

"I should have known we would have run into Friday night traffic, everybody wants to take off for the weekend, nothin we can do but wait," he said

JJ who sat in the back with Garcia nodded her head in agreement. Her cell rang, she saw it was Hotch calling from the other SUV that he and Prentiss were in.

"Ok Hotch , I'll tell them." she said as she ended the call . "That was Hotch, he said a tanker jacknifed up ahead and that's what's caused all the hold up. No ones hurt but we may be sitting here awhile." she told them.

Morgan sighed and turned off the engine " No point wasting gas" he said as he leaned rubbed his eyes.

"Garcia have you tried Reid's cell again," asked Rossi.

"Yes I have and Bennetts, no one is answering. I'm worried," she said.

"Babygirl, we all are," Morgan said.

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Reid knew he was in a dream when he saw the beautiful dark haired woman leaning over him. Her long ebony locks cascaded over her shoulders and breasts, she smiled at him and caressed his cheek.

'Soon" she said and laid her head against his chest.

He stroked her hair and she made a sound that almost sounded like purring. Her deft hands stroked his body through his clothes and he felt soothed instead of aroused. There was a peacefulness that radiated off of her. She lifted her head and smiled at him again.

"Soon?" she whispered

Reid was about to ask her what she mean't when a loud clamor roused him from his thoughts.

He sat up 'What is that?' he asked 'Ive got to go see what it is ' he pushed the woman off him and tried to stand up.

The woman slid to the floor and grabbed his arm as he tried to leave.

No!' dont" she cried.

Reid ignored her and headed for the door.

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Spencer woke with a start. He was still on the couch. He didn't feel like he'd had a nightmare, he felt just a vague heavy sense of unpleasantness. He shook his head as if he were trying to physically shake off the dream. He looked around the room almost expecting to see the woman but nothing seemed amiss.

It was barely dusk outside and there was still enough light to see the lake. He wondered if he should call someone and tell them he was ok. He was sure Rossi told everyone where he was. Still they were a bunch of worriers and surely they must have heard about Steven Bennett by now. He put his hand in his pocket about to check his cell when he discovered his phone was not there. He searched the sofa cushions and then the kitchen. He suddenly reallized where he had last seen it. He looked out the window toward the lake and even from this distance he could make out the little dark outline of his phone sitting on the dock.

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Morgan saw the traffic ahead start to move, he started the car; Garcia clapped her hands and JJ sighed with relief. They had been sitting there nearly a hour; within minutes they were once again tearing across the interstate. Morgan was driving so fast that he caught up with Hotch and passed them.

"We're on our way prettyboy " Morgan murmured under his breath. He checked his rearview mirror and laughed when he saw Hotch directly behind him.

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Reid sauntered down to the dock. There was a real chill in the air now. He thought about having another cup of coffee. He couldn't seem to get warm. He made a mental note not to fall asleep on the ground again.

He stood at the end of the dock and admired the last vestiges of light from the setting sun. Once again his thoughts wandered back to Steven Bennett and their interaction earliar today.

Bennett had answered his door looking unlike himself. Any time Reid had seen him he thought he rather resembled a younger, lighter haired version of Hotch, with his dark suits and stiff white collars. He looked like a tried and true G-man to the core. Of course he really hadn't made an effort to get to know the man since the circumstances seemed so awkward. Now the young agent stood before him in cargo shorts and sweat shirt looking more like a preppy college student than a fed. He had looked suprised to see Reid at this door

" Dr Reid, this is a surprise, what can I do for you," Bennett had asked amiably.

"I wonder if we might talk,"

"Uh, sure I'm going out soon but please come in, have a seat, can I get you something to drink." Bennett offered.

Reid stepped inside the small but upscale townhouse. It was very contemporary in design with every modern convenience. Everything was smart and stylish and new, much like Bennett himself. He was everything Reid was not. It was no wonder the Bureau felt Bennett was a better representative than him.

Reid declined Stevens offer of a beverage and sat down. Bennett sat across from him, his expression could not hide how perplexed he was by this strange visit. He noted how pale and fragile the man looked. He felt a twinge of pity for him as the Dr seemed extremely nervous and under some sort of duress. He waited for Spencer to speak

Finally Reid found his voice. "I was talking to Chief Strauss yesterday, she came to my apartment," Reid began.

"Oh yes, Aunt Erin," Steven said.

Spencers jaw dropped, "she's your Aunt?"

Steven laughed and waved his hand "No not really, she's an old family friend, us kids always called her that," he amended.

Reid breathed a sigh of relief and began again "Well, she came to my apartment and told me your plans,"

Bennett stopped smiling. "She told you my plans?" he said.

Spencer noticed the change in demeanor in the man across from him. "Yes, she strongly hinted that I should step aside..." Reid then proceeded to tell the young man verbatim of the conversation between himself and Strauss.

Bennett listened quietly, his lips pursed in a thin line; he looked angry. He suddenly jumped out of his chair and paced back and forth in front of Reid and then he started to laugh. It wasn't a happy laugh.

"She shouldn't have said those things," he said.

Reid was about to speak when Bennett held his hand in front of Reid and ordered him to "sit right there"

Spencer was puzzled as the young man bounded up the stairs and yelled at him to "'stay there for a second"

Reid did as he was told, curious to what was going on. Within minutes Bennett came back into the living room with a grin on his face and a small black leather bag in his hand. He sat across from Reid again and leaned toward him.

"This is something even Hotch doesn't know about, " he confided. He reached in the bag, removed the item and held it in front of Reid's face.

"This it what my plans are Spencer,"

Reid gave a little gasp.

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Reid shook his head at the memory and once again cursed himself for going to Bennetts in the first place. He picked up his cell phone and placed it in his pocket. It was then that he heard the noise behind him, a low gutteral moan; it was very close. He knew what it was even before he turned around .

Very slowly he turned and there before him not even 20 feet away was a creature with coal black eyes, three inch claws and sharp white teeth, perfect for tearing meat away from flesh. It was the Ursus Americanus, in other words, a large aggressive looking North American black bear. Reid estimated it probably weighed more than three hundred animal stood there staring at him and swatted the ground.

Reid was frozen with fear. He felt like his feet were cemented to the dock and his entire body trembled. The animal was out of hibernation and hungry. It was too early in the year for the forest to provide its usual sustanance of roots, berries and grasses for this omivore to feast on The tall skinny mammal in front of him looked like an easier prey for a tired and hungry animal.

Spencer still could not move, his mouth dried up instantly. He wondered if the bear could sense he was sickly and weak and was easy prey. His mind whirled with all the facts he knew about black bears. He looked at the safely of the cabin not more than a hundred yards away but he knew it was impossible to outrun a bear, they were fast and excellent tree climbers. Reid considered jumping into the lake behind him

but the water was icy cold and bears could swim as well as well as they could run. His eidetic memory recalled the bear spray on Rossi's kitchen counter, little good that did some said the spray merely made the bear angry.

The animal swatted at the ground again and made huffing noises, he paced a little back and forth as if attempting to circle Reid. It slowly moved a few feet closer. Reid remembered what he had at hand He had his cell, but who could he call, the bear police? and have the bear arrested? His gun was back in his apartment. The animal slowly moved closer.

Reid surmised this was a male, these animals rarely attacked humans. He knew it was a common myth that the mother bear with cubs was the most dangerous when in fact 92% of attacks on humans were by a predatory lone male, 63 people in North America had been killed by black bears in the last 110 years, 86% of that number since 1960. These statistics did little to help.

The large animal began to swing it's head from side to side while making vocalizations that chilled Reid to the bone. His black eyes never left Reid as it advanced on him further.

"What a stupid way to die," Reid thought in a panic. After all he had been through, to be eaten by a bear just seemed ridiculous. As the animal closed in on him he thought that he could lie in a fetal position and cover his head and neck but no. The fear began to drain out of him and was replaced by an indignant rage. He wasn't going to lie down. He was going to go out fighting.

He looked into the eyes of the animal. Suddenly the bear represented everything that had gone wrong for him over the last year. The bear was cancer, it was the woman who tried to kill him, the various medications that made him sicker, Strauss, his weak father. It became all of these things.

Reid stood tall, raised his arms above his head and screamed.

"FUCK OFF BEAR FUCk OFF!"

He stamped his feet and waved his arms trying to appear larger than he was. He yelled til l his voice was hoarse. The animal was startled and began to back off. Reid stepped forward and continued to yell. The bear sensing killing this strange skinny mammal was just too much work suddenly turned tail and ran away. Reid continued yelling till all signs of the animal were gone His heart was beating rapidly the adrenline was puimping fast and furious through his system. He felt like he was in shock, his body shook uncontrollably and he started to laugh, though it was more from hysteria than amusement.

"I did it," He took a deep breath and a step back or rather a mistep. He had forgotten how close he was to the end of the dock . It was too late, he lost his footing and reeled backwards into the icy spring depths of the lake.

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When the two Suvs pulled into the drive of Rossi's cabin it was dark. They saw the lights of the cabin on and smoke coming from the team got out and walked into the building They were astonished at the sight in front of them.

Spencer Reid was sprawled out on Rossi's leather sectional wearing a plush monogrammed robe belonging to Rossi and he held a rather large snifter of Brandy in his hand.

Reid looked up at the team calmly, "Hi guys," he said.

The team noted Reids clothes in front of the fireplace and the glassy look in The young agents eyes .

Rossi smiled "I see you made yourself at home, everything ok Reid," he asked

"Reid hiccupped as he tried to sit up " Just dandy,oh, I had to borrow your robe David; I hope you don't mind, I kinda fell in the lake," he slurred.

Hotch lifted the half empty bottle and showed it to Morgan. Morgan raised his eyesbrows as he and Garcia took a seat on either side of their friend.

"So kid , we were kinda worried about you, you know with the visit from Strauss and everything" he said gently.

JJ and Prentiss took a seat on the other end of the couch.

"Poor baby's frowning his sorrows in Brandy,"Garia whispered to Hotch and Rossi who sat down beside her.

"Yeah, 80 year French brandy, those sorrows should be good and drowned ," Rossi groused.

Spencer looked around at the team "Hi guys,"

"Spence, we were afraid you were upset about what Strauss wanted to do with Bennett" said JJ

Reid frowned, "Oh yeah, Bennett. I went to see him, he's gone now." he stated.

Prentiss and JJ exchanged looks. "What do you mean gone?" Emily asked.

Reid giggled "I went to talk to him and he showed me something, man it was big," he widened his eyes. "Biggest one I've ever seen "

Hotch was starting to become annoyed. He reached over took the glass from Reid's hand and set it on the table.

"We would appreciate it Reid if you told us what your're talking about" said Hotch in his most Hotch- like manner

Reid stared at his empty hand and pouted at the loss of his drink.

"REID!"

"Spencer picked up his snifter again "A diamond ring. A big two carat diamond, that's what he showed was going to purpose to his girlfriend . He wants to move across the country with her, transfer out of the BAU, maybe leave the FBI. He said it was never his dream to be here. It was what his mom and dad expected him to do his entire life and aunt Erin was helping."

Reid yawned and leaned back against the sofa

Everyone looked both relieved and astonished at the same time.

"It looks like everyone rushed up here for nothing" said Morgan.

Hotch stared at the wet clothes hanging from the fireplace " Maybe not" he said quietly "In any case I have to go home to Jack, so since all is well here..."

"I have to get home too. we can ride together" said JJ .

"Look out for bears ," Reid mumbled.

Rossi stood up," Hey I have some great sauce in the freezer, dont leave till I feed you. Morgan, Penelope, Emily are you staying or going?"

The three agents grinned. "I think I could stay one night,"said Morgan."Babygirl, Prentiss are you in?" The two women nodded.

Garcia looked at the now sleeping Reid beside her "What shall we do with Sweetcheeks here?" she said as she pushed the still damp hair out of his eyes.

"Just leave him, we'll wake him when dinners ready, Now c'mon, I need a sous chef." ordered Rossi.

The cabin became a hub of lively actiity. It felt good to be together again.

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When Reid awoke that night, no one quizzed him on why he had gotten so drunk. They asssumed the stress of recent events must be at fault. They sat down to dinner together, they toasted Reid and then they toasted Bennett.

The next morning Rossi got up early, made a pot of coffee and walked down to the dock to enjoy the view. He had been there nearly half a hour when he heard a vehicle pull into the drive. He was surprised to see a state trooper get out of a truck

"Can I help you?' Rossi asked.

The middle aged man walked over .

"Good morning, just going by to talk to anyone staying in these part, There has been some bear activity in the area. A couple of the older cabins up here have been broken into. The animal made a real mess, mostly looking for food I suspect, since people's dry supplies were ripped open. We're just warning folks to stay on the lookout and not to leave their garbage or any food outside ,"

"Hey you don't have to tell me twice." Rossi he thanked him.

The trooper nodded and got back in his vehicle and drove off.

As Rossi headed back to the cabin he saw something that chilled him . He saw foot prints on the still moist ground .There was his and then he saw the larger shoe tracks of Reid and then finally what were obviously large bear tracks.

Was this what had gotten Reid so drunk last night?, had he faced down a bear and if he did, why didnt he speak of it?. Rossi shuddered to think what they might have found when they arrived last night.

He walked into the cabin to find the others awake. They were gently teasing Reid about his Brandy consumption. Rossi poured a mug for Spencer and squeezed his shoulder .

"Reid can partake of my bar anytime," said Rossi.

"Hey why does he get special treatment,"said Morgan in mock complaint.

"Because, he's Reid and that my good man is enough. Now who wants Breakfast?"

TBC.

AN: Hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please Read and Review.