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A/n, the ghost town in this chapter, is made up by yours truly. However, it lies in the same direction as Rhyolite, a real abandoned settlement one hundred and ninety miles outside of Las Vegas.

Reid stretched his arms over his head, took a sip from his latest cup of coffee, and stared out the window of his hotel. His heart was light, and he wanted to get out into the February sunshine.

It was a bit after one pm. Reid had returned from visiting his mother and hearing the news from her doctor that she was well. Diana had assured him that she felt better and he needed to get back to his life.

When he called JJ's number to let her know that he'd come home the next day, the call went to voicemail. Reid shrugged and thought that she probably had a case. As he thought about it, he realized he hadn't checked in at work. He pondered calling Hotch or Gideon, then decided it could wait for a couple of hours.

Ten minutes later, Reid carried a small, insulated bag with a couple of cold water bottles and his cup of coffee. He hurried out into the Nevada sunlight. He'd checked the temperature, and it was in the mid-sixties. The sky overhead shone as blue as JJ's eyes, which made him smile.

An hour later, Reid negotiated a curvy road that led to an old ghost town he'd visited twice when growing up. The first time had been with a school group and the second time, on his own before he'd left to join the FBI. The town had the unlikely name of Abundance.

When Reid rounded the last corner before the road stayed straight and level for the last half mile, he saw two sights, one he expected, the other he didn't expect. The first sight was the town, rising from the desert like the ruined skeleton of a leviathan. The second was sawhorses blocking the road and a sign warning off visitors.

Reid slowed down, pulled off to one side, and sat staring at the blocked road. The sign warned cars to turn back because the property ahead was owned by the US Federal Government and danger signs about weapons testing and live fire.

Reid rolled down his driverside window and listened hard. He heard the sound of the wind, but no weapons fire. He frowned and sat there for a minute before deciding to wait and see if any military personnel came into view and asked him his business.

Five minutes later, a large, black SUV topped a hill and sped down to the road. The vehicle pulled up to him, and a window hummed down. Reid raised his eyebrows when confronted, not by men in military fatigues, but by a man and woman in civilian clothing. "What're you doing here?"

Reid's eyebrows went even higher when confronted by this rude inquiry. "Excuse me. I believe this is a public road."

"This area is restricted. Get lost."

Reid sighed and pushed down the irritation building in his gut. These were not military personnel in civilian clothing. He reached beside him, and the fact that they didn't react to his sudden movement told him everything he needed to know.

"SSA Dr. Spencer Reid of the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit. Who are you?"

They cringed, and terror flooded their eyes at the sight of his badge and the scowl on his face. "Um," The man in the driver's seat tried a friendly smile. "We're security for Wild Horse Pictures."

Reid's lips twitched. So, they were an amateur security team. He decided to back off a little. "Sorry," he said and saw them relax. "I'm on personal time from the Bureau. I grew up in Vegas and wanted to come out and take a walk through Abundance for old times sake."

He gave them his best, we're going to be friends smile, and they looked at each other. "Um," said the driver, again. "We get a lot of paparazzi with long-lens cameras. We set up the roadblock to discourage them."

Reid said. "You want some friendly advice."

"Sure," said the driver.

"Take down the signs telling all and sundry that this is military." Reid swept his hand to indicate the landscape around them. "You might fool a paparazzo from LA, but anyone from Las Vegas will know better. For one thing, this is a historical landmark. The military can't use it for target practice."

"Right," said the driver.

"Doug ain't gonna like this," said the woman.

"Too bad," said the man. "I told him this wouldn't work."

The pair turned back to Reid. "We're sorry that we can't let you onto the set."

Reid held up a hand. ''Understood. I can come back anytime."

Later as Reid turned around and headed back to Las Vegas, the entire encounter made him feel like laughing. Whoever was in charge of the movie's security wasn't smart. Still, he'd had a nice drive and had a chance to get out of doors for a couple of hours. He decided to pick up a to-go order of his favorite Las Vegas comfort food, Chicken Fried Lobster.

CMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCM

Three hours later, Reid had finished his early dinner and had read three books when he thought he'd try to call JJ again. She hadn't returned his message, and he wondered what could be keeping her so busy. He hoped the team wasn't on a significant case without him to lend a hand.

Reid got up to find his phone when a knock sounded at his door. He stopped and stared at the door. Who was there at this time of day? He hadn't ordered room service, and no one in Las Vegas would visit him except his mom, and she was at Bennington. He grabbed his badge and approached the door as someone knocked again.

"Who is it?"

"Spencer," he heard from the other side, and he thought he recognized the voice.

"I'm armed," He called out and looked through the security peep.

The person standing on the other side of the door was the last person he expected, and his heart stuttered in his chest as two emotions rose there, annoyance and some interest, which made him angry.

"What are you doing here?" Reid greeted as he yanked open the door.

"Not a very nice way to greet a friend," said the woman standing in front of him.

"Lila," Spencer said. "How did you know I'm in town, and better yet, how did you find out where I'm staying and my room number?"

Lila Archer, dressed in a midriff-baring red tank, a pair of skin-tight blue jeans, strappy shoes that bared her red painted toes, with a gold handbag over her shoulder, and a pair of sunglasses sitting on her head, look him up and down. "Aren't you going to invite me in?"

Reid sighed, looked down the hallway to see a man, obese, sunburned, and wearing an inquiring look as his eyes crawled over Lila. The man leered at her and walked toward them.

"Come in," Reid hissed and shut the door in the man's face.

"Nice room," Lila said as she went into the living area and dropped her purse and sunglasses on one of the end tables that bracketed the sofa.

"Business class," Reid shrugged, but he didn't leave his door. "What are you doing here?"

"I heard you were in town, so I thought I'd come by and say hello."

"How did you – oh, you must be filming out at Abundance. How did you find me so quickly?"

"I overheard my assistant talking to security about an FBI agent outside the crappy little ghost town where we're filming. When I heard the security guy say something about you had a strange title with a doctor in it – I knew it was you. I got my assistant on it. She called an old friend from school that's a PI here in Vegas, and – here I am."

"A PI obtained my room number?"

"Well, no, but I have other ways to get what I want."

"You did all of that in less than three hours."

"I have good people."

"So it would appear."

"Spencer," Lila sat on the sofa and patted the space next to her. "It's your room. Come sit down."

"I don't think so. You need to leave."

"Why?"

"The fact that you have to ask that question makes me sure that I did the right thing when you tried to manipulate me into leaving the BAU."

Lila smirked at him and shrugged. "I thought I'd come by and see you for old times sake. Just because it didn't work out for us doesn't mean we can't –"

"Stop right there," Reid thundered. "Whatever you have in mind doesn't interest me. I'm with someone new, and I love her."

"Oh, anyone I know."

Reid gritted his teeth and said. "Lila, my personal life is no longer your concern. Please leave. Now and don't come back."

Lila finally picked up her belongings and strode to the door. Reid stood back as she opened it, then looked back at him. "You never used to be such an asshole, Spencer."

"Just go, Lila."

She shot him her middle finger and slammed the door when she finally left. Reid shook his head and went to sit on the sofa. He was sure to sit far away from where Lila had touched it, and then he felt ridiculous. He leaned back and put a hand over his eyes.

It was undeniable that Lila was still as beautiful, but she was still as high maintenance, and despite her attractive smile and curvy body, he rejoiced that she'd left.

Reid decided to contact the hotel manager and complain that someone had given his room number to a non-family member. Most likely, Lila had charmed the information from a naive male staff member, but he had to think about his security.

Fifteen minutes later, after Reid finished his discussion with the front desk manager, he was on his way back to his room when his phone buzzed. He looked at the caller ID and smiled. It was JJ.

"Hey," Reid greeted. "How are you, beautiful?"

"Spence."

Her tone made him stop in his tracks halfway to the elevator. "Jennifer. What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry. I know you're probably with your mom, but –"

"I'm not," Reid interrupted. "She's better, and I'm coming home tomorrow."

"Oh, thank God."

"What's going on?"

"We were called to a case in Georgia, a serial killer. Oh, Spence. The takedown went south, and the unsub shot Morgan."

"What?" A few people and the front desk staff looked at Reid, but he ignored them. "Jenn is he okay."

"Yes, um, it was his shoulder. He's going to be alright."

Reid felt his heart restart, and he continued to the elevator. "Jenn, I'm going up to my room. I don't know if I'll lose signal in the elevator. Let me call you back in a minute."

"Alright."

Five minutes later, Reid was in his room and calling JJ back. "Hey," he greeted.

"Spence. I'm sorry if I frightened you."

"I'm fine. Tell me everything."

Reid listened as JJ told him about Tobias Henkel and the shootout at his farm. She told him about the dogs in the barn that had torn apart at least one person.

"He had serious mental health problems," JJ continued as Reid listened. "Gideon found a journal, and there were at least two other personalities in his head."

"Is he dead?"

"Yes, Emily had to kill him after Mr. Henkel shot Morgan."

"Oh no. How is Emily?"

"I think she's alright."

"Jenn."

"I wish you were here," JJ said, in a whisper. "I miss you, babe."

"I miss you too. It's been a long and difficult week."

"I'm glad you're coming home."

"I can try to get a flight out tonight."

"No, don't do that, Spence. Morgan's fine to travel, and by the time you get here, it will be morning, and you'll have to turn around and get on the jet."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Alright."

"Um, Spence, one more thing. I never told you that Hotch knows about us."

Reid felt his stomach clench when he realized that it was probably time to tell the rest of the team. "Jenn, we should tell the team when we get home. At the very least, it'll cheer up Morgan."

JJ laughed, and Reid blew out a breath to hear the joy back in her voice. "You sure you're ready to let the cat from the bag."

"Yes."

"Alright, I'll see you later. Love you."

"Love you too."

Reid put down his phone and went to the window overlooking the strip. The day had begun with happiness that his mother would be fine and had continued with Lila showing up and then hearing about Morgan.

"What a day," he said to the desert.

He watched as the sun began to descend toward the gilded palaces of gambling. The last thought he had before going back to his living room was of JJ. He put his hand in his pocket and drew out the earring she'd given him. He smiled and wondered if he'd dream of her and the feel of her body in his arms.

A/n2 I decided to spare Reid his torture and addiction story.