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"Random Subject Prompts"

Chapter 083: Spencer Reid

Sequel to: Chapters 70 & 71

TV Series: Criminal Minds

Prompt: Restless

*Chapter Warning(s): Mentions of drug use & drug addiction [trigger warning]

Author's Note: Takes place after Season 2, Episode 15: "Revelations."

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If they were still in the Warring States Era, she would've killed him without a second thought.

The tails of her white doctor's coat flailing behind her, Kagome briskly walked through the hospital as if she owned the facility. Her amethyst orbs were hard, focused. Her facial features mimicked live porcelain, emotionless and cold. Her petite frame was stiff, unbendable. The moment anyone caught sight of her, they quickly got out of her way knowing she was on the warpath.

She only had one destination in mind and if anyone stood in the way, she would not be responsible for the bodily harm she would – and could – inflict.

Finding the room she needed, ignoring the other agents gathered outside and their questions, she entered without knocking and shut the door behind her. Her eyes immediately connected with hazel, and she was finally able to breathe. A tightness in her chest that she hadn't noticed before loosened, shoulders relaxing the slightest bit.

"Kagome," Spencer Reid said, obvious relief in his voice. The moment the others had rescued him from Tobias Hankel, the one person he'd needed to see the most had been the raven haired beauty. Now that she was standing in front of him, he knew everything was going to be okay.

The doctor overseeing his case turned to the newcomer, a frown on his face. "Excuse me, Ma'am," he started.

"Get out," Kagome ordered, cutting him off.

"Ma'am," he started once more, displeasure coloring his voice now.

Her voice was like ice, sharp and lethal. "I'll be taking over Dr. Reid's case. I'm with the BAU. I won't repeat myself a third time: Get. Out." She was positive she would be hearing about her rude behavior from Hotch later, but right now her focus needed to be on Reid and his recovery. While she was sure the other doctor was more than adequate at his job, she wouldn't trust anyone with her team's care, especially Reid's. It wasn't just her job to treat their wounds. They were her family, and she cared about the brilliant young man on a more personal level.

After being forced to watch as Tobias Hankel tortured and drugged Reid for two days, it had become very, very personal.

Again, Kagome wished they were still in the Warring States Era. She wasn't typically the bloodthirsty type, but she would've relished killing Hankel with her bare hands. The psychotic serial killer was lucky she had been in-transit to Atlanta when the team had rescued Reid. But she supposed she would have to settle, breathe through her roiling emotions. Reid had shot and killed Hankel, freeing the other man from his tortured life and multiple personality disorder. Her heart gave a painful pang when she thought about Reid having to make that choice, but she also knew it had been the correct one. If there had been another way, another solution, he would've found it.

Because, in the end, no matter what Hankel had put him through, Spencer Reid was still one of the most kind-hearted people she had ever met.

When they were alone, Kagome's eyes finally softened and her near-angelic features became warm. She moved until she stood by his bedside, close enough to touch but didn't. The brilliant young man had just been through a mental and physical nightmare. She was worried that any sort of human contact would be too much.

"Be honest, Spencer. How are you feeling?"

Reid gave a small smile. His hand reached out until he could link their fingers together. He took comfort in the way she squeezed their appendages. "Better, now that you're here," he answered.

Her own smile was relieved. "Good. Now, let's get you home."

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~A Few Days Later – Reid's Apartment~

His hands were starting to shake again. Sweat was beading on his forehead. His body couldn't decide if he was burning hot or chilled to the bone. Even his stomach was cramping, trying to either eat itself or vomit whatever he had ingested earlier that day. His entire system was at war, yanking him in one extreme direction to the other.

Restless, Reid vigorously rubbed his arms as if trying to warm himself, pacing back and forth. Back and forth, back and forth. If he didn't stop soon, he would ruin his carpets. Yet he couldn't stop the way his feet carried him back and forth, back and forth. He couldn't stop.

Was this what descending into madness felt like? Was he falling into insanity?

Reid closed his eyes tightly. No. No, he wasn't losing his mind. He knew what these symptoms were. There was no way his brilliant brain wouldn't know. How many times had he seen it in his career alone?

Withdrawal. He was going through withdrawal. The drugs that Hankel had forced upon him during captivity – and the drugs the hospital had administered to help heal his body – was wearing off in the worst way.

His fingers started to twitch, becoming restless. He was fidgeting with the sleeves of his cardigan, picking obsessively at lint that wasn't actually there. He needed something. Anything. He had to take the edge off. There was no way he would survive otherwise.

Remembering the Dilaudid he'd snatched from Hankel, he made a desperate beeline to the place he'd hidden the drug. Later, he wouldn't be able to recollect palming the bottle or finding the needle. He wouldn't remember finding the vein he would use to feed his addiction.

Reid, however, would remember the sheer euphoria he felt when the substance entered his system and chased his inner demons away, taking the pain and suffering with them. He would remember the relief his nerves finally found.

From the dining room, his cell phone's screen flashed with an incoming call. The name 'Kagome' appeared. But the call went ignored, the screen turning dark when it wasn't answered after several rings, as Reid slid to the floor and let the Dilaudid take him into oblivion.

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Knock, knock, knock!

Reid startled at the unexpected summons, blinking rapidly to clear the fog within his mind. How long had he been sitting there for? He couldn't remember which was highly unusual. His brain normally recalled everything. At the time, however, all he had cared about was the relief he'd sought.

Knock, knock, knock!

Quickly, he stashed the bottle and used needle. Shame burned through him, yet he couldn't bring himself to completely dispose of his dirty secret. Even as his mind knew he shouldn't form such a habit, he also knew he wasn't strong enough to fight the urge. Not for long. He may resist for a time but it would eventually lure him back, like a siren's call.

With a glance around the room to make sure everything was in place, he nervously fixed his hair as he finally answered the front door.

"Kagome?" he questioned, brows raised in surprise.

The raven haired beauty smiled. "Hey, Spencer," she greeted.

"Not that I'm unhappy to see you but what are you doing here?"

In answer, she held up a package that boasted a familiar take-out place near his apartment complex. "You didn't answer your phone when I tried calling earlier," she explained, a mild pout curving her lips. "I wanted to see if you wanted to grab dinner with me."

"I apologize for not returning your call," he said, true remorse coloring his voice. But a small, boyish smile appeared. "But… But you know I wouldn't say no to having dinner with you."

"Good. So, are you going to let me in?"

Reid opened the door wider, allowing her entrance. "Please, come in. I'll get the drinks," he offered. "Though, I can't promise much of a selection."

Kagome lightly laughed. "That's okay. I'm not picky," she reassured. "Whatever you're having is fine with me."

Once the drinks had been poured and the take-out boxes were opened, the couple enjoyed their meal in silence for several moments, simply basking in the others' presence. Halfway through, however, Kagome couldn't help but notice that Reid started to get a little… restless. He probably didn't realize his actions. They were so subtle and unconscious. The only reason she had noticed was because it wasn't his usual charmingly awkward fidgeting.

"Are you okay, Spencer?" she asked, finally breaking the silence.

Reid blinked, eyes shifting back and forth, his fingers tapping against the table. It took several seconds but his gaze connected with hers and held. "Why do you ask, Kagome?" He was starting to break out in a cold sweat. Was the Dilaudid already wearing off? That couldn't be possible. His last dose had been administered not too long ago.

This can't be happening. Not now. Not in front of her.

Kagome cocked her head to the side. "You just seem… off… that's all," she answered. Going into doctor-mode, she asked, "Have you been resting like I told you to? Are you eating properly?"

A soft chuckle escaped. He couldn't help it. She was too adorable.

Holding up his hands as if in surrender, he answered, "Yes, I've been resting. I barely leave my apartment, in fact. And I've been eating well." Despite being take-out food, he could easily tell she'd selected only nutritionally-balanced items. His hazel eyes softened. "You've been taking very good care of me."

A light blush dusted her cheeks. "Well," she said, softly clearing her throat, "I'm not just the team's doctor." Her eyes connected with his meaningfully. "You mean a lot more than that to me, Spencer."

It was his turn for his cheeks to be dusted with a light blush. But he smiled his boyishly charming smile that she adored.

Reaching until his hand could cover hers, he said, "You mean a lot more than that to me, too, Kagome."

In the back of his mind, however, a dark whisper tempted him with thoughts of Dilaudid.

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~Several Weeks Later – Kagome's Office~

Pinching the bridge of her nose, fingertips moving her glasses further up her face, Kagome sighed tiredly as she closed her eyes. She had been trying to read the report JJ had given her to review, yet the raven haired beauty couldn't find the concentration to make the words stick in her brain. She was too worried about a certain hazel-eyed genius that had stolen her heart with his awkward, shy, and boyish ways.

It wasn't hard to spot, especially when one knew the signs to watch for. As a medical professional and member of the BAU, she could spot a person showing drug addiction and withdrawal a mile away. The fact that she had a personal connection made it even more obvious.

Spencer Reid was exhibiting all of the alarming signs of a drug addict anticipating his next fix. He was restless. Moody. Withdrawn. Secretive. It was driving Kagome crazy.

Sighing, she leaned back in her chair. What was she going to do? It wasn't like she hadn't tried to coax Spencer into talking to her about it. During those conversations, he would turn uncharacteristically defensive and closed off. While he would assure her that nothing was wrong, she could see it in his eyes. Her sweet, kind-hearted Spencer was fighting demons he didn't know how to defend against.

How could she help him? If she pushed too hard, he would shut down completely. He might even run and disappear. But if she didn't push, he would continue down a destructive path he would never be able to come back from. Either option felt like a lose-lose situation. She hated it.

Knock, knock, knock!

At the sound, Kagome looked towards the doorway as Hotch and Gideon entered. The concerned expressions painted across their faces were enough to tell her that this wasn't a social call.

Resigned, she gestured to the guest chairs situated in front of her desk. "Gentlemen," she greeted, "what can I do for you?"

Hotch and Gideon took the offered seats, both grim faced. The former answered, "Dr. Higurashi, we wished to speak to you about some concerns we have regarding Reid."

In response, she closed her eyes and mentally braced herself. "Alright…"

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~A Few Months Later – The Beltway Clean Cops Meeting~

It had been a long and difficult road, but Reid finally felt light again. While he still experienced cravings that would sucker punch him at the worst times, he felt more confident in his self-control and ability to resist the addicting drug that had plagued him for so long. He knew he wasn't completely cured – he never would be – but he could stand taller now. He no longer had to feel ashamed about his affliction. He could battle his inner demons – and win.

His main weapon, his constant champion and support, waited for him in all of her glory. He couldn't stop the way his lips curved upward in a smile at just the sight of Kagome.

"Hey," he greeted, catching her attention. "Thanks for waiting for me."

She smiled. "It's never a problem, Spencer."

Their hands linked together, fingers interlaced, as the couple walked away from the meeting room and towards the parking lot. They walked in contented silence until the hazel-eyed genius broke it.

"Thank you, Kagome."

The raven haired beauty blinked, confused. "For what?"

Reid squeezed her fingers tenderly. "For not giving up on me," he answered. "For not giving up on us. For everything." She had saved him. When he had been in his darkest moments, she had stood beside him. She had been an unwavering force, determined and unflinching. It had been exactly what he needed, especially when he'd been at his most volatile. No one, not even Morgan, had been able to reach Reid during that time. But Kagome had. She had plunged into the darkness without hesitation and pulled him free. He owed her everything.

Cheeks flushed an adorable pink, Kagome grinned. "There's nothing I wouldn't do for you."

I didn't want to dig too deep into this subject, but it was an idea that had been floating within my mind for a long time now. Hope everyone enjoyed it! I just love the developing relationship between Kagome and Spencer. How about the rest of you? What did you think?

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Have a great and safe weekend,

Celestial Law