Friday afternoon arrived and Reid was finishing a letter to his mother. He had written about the case they had closed yesterday; a killer keeping the whole team including Garcia located in Hawkeye, Iowa for five days. He also told about finishing his B.A. in Philosophy in the next semester. He wasn't exactly sure what he'd do after it was finished, but there were always new challenges.
His pen danced at the end of his last written sentence. His mind drifted back to three weeks ago. His thoughts centered once again on the mythical creature known as Dr. Riley Parker.
Thoughts of her crept up at different times during the last three weeks. It was never anything distracting, just at times when his mind seemed to have a peaceful moment of no stress or pressure. Especially right when he was falling asleep. Last night had been the worst. He began to wonder what it would be like to fall asleep next to her. With that, he ended up having a restless night with her invading his dreams.
Talking or writing about her would just make this real and he knew that any infatuation he felt for Ri- for Dr. Parker, he had to get into the habit of her formal name- any infatuation would soon pass and he could move on.
He signed a goodbye, with a promise that he'd write tomorrow, and signed his name. Riley Parker was still in his mind's eye, though. It would be a little while before he was distracted enough to push her out.
As if by summon, Reid sealed the envelope and heard the sound of Hotch's office door opening. The sound of talking, animated talking, was heard. Reid took a quick glance in the direction and was shocked.
She was back. Dr. Riley Parker, in the flesh. She stood, talking to Agent Hotchner like they were old friends. She was holding a stack of files in her arms as they walked. Today, she still wore a skirt, with a dark blue shirt. Reid hadn't noticed her shoes last time. He smiled, admiring them. Not too many woman over the age of ten wore Mary Jane's. Dr. Parker was an exception.
"I'll be sure to hold you to that!" She said through a laugh and Reid was surprised to see Hotch laughing along with her. "Nice seeing you again, Hotch."
"You too, Riley, keep in touch." He said, shaking hands with her. "And thank you for all your help, you'd made this much less painful then it usual."
"Well, I've always been gifted!" she said through a perfectly misshapen tooth smile. Reid felt dizzy again as he stared at her. He watched as Hotch gave her a friendly tap on her shoulder and walked back inside.
With an almost childlike enthusiasm, Snow White hurried down the steps and towards the doors of the B.A.U. He hadn't planned on going after her, worshipping her from afar was enough for him.
Just then Morgan walked in.
"Well, if it isn't the vivacious and stunning Dr. Parker." He said, with his smile saved especially for conversations with very intriguing women. "Here for another useless government survey."
"Those useless surveys, Agent Morgan, are helping to pay my bills!" she said with the same smile she held when speaking with Hotch.
"Now you're telling me you don't have someone special to spoil you?" he asked. The flirting was obvious. Reid felt a slight twinge of jealousy, but he didn't think it was from that.
"Why, are you offering?" she asked. She batted her eyelashes and Reid had a sudden flash to Scarlet O'Hara. Morgan laughed harder and she continued. "No, I was just turning my boss's finally decisions over to your boss."
"Oh, I see," he said. "Uh… anyone get thrown under the bus?"
"Oh, don't worry, he didn't think your bed wetting was too much of a concern." She exclaimed, much too loudly. A few people looked over in curiosity as Miss O'Hara folded back her lips to keep her giggles in.
Morgan only chuckled. "Thanks, glad to know you have my back."
The jealousy in Reid's stomach had grown. He had a suspicion it was from the connection Morgan shared with Dr. Parker. Hotch had the same one. He didn't have that with her… of course, that was his fault.
But once again, his legs had taken control and drew Reid over to the lively conversation. The smile seemed to fade almost completely from Dr. Parker's face. Reid hid his disappointment. He silently applauded himself on how well.
"Hey, Morgan," he said, trying not to sound nervous. "Dr. Parker, right?"
"Correct," she said quickly. "Dr. Reid, I'm proud of you. You walked in front of me and I'm still standing."
"Well, I didn't want to step on your Mary Jane's this time. I'm sure a woman of your age needs to act like a child every now and then. I'd torture myself if I ruined that for you."
Without missing a beat, she shot him back using the most pleasing of tones. "Well, that's very considerate of you Dr. Howser- I mean, Dr. Reid. But if you boys will excuse me, I'm late for an appointment. Silly me, I'm a stickler for being on time, and I hate to reschedule. Have a nice day."
With that, with a little extra determination in her step, Dr. Parker headed towards the elevators. Her charming powers seemed at work as the elevator opened at just the moment she arrived. Morgan and Reid watched her until they closed. Still smiling, Morgan turned to the young genius.
"She is something worth talking about." He muttered
"Are you kidding?" Reid cried. "She's abrasive, impatient, and arrogant."
Morgan sneered and shook his head. "Oh, man, you are so hot for her."
Reid would normally protest, but instead looked away. "I know, she's going to drive me insane."
"Kid," he said. "It's what they do best."
…
Before the day could come to a close, Hotch called everyone to his office one by one to give them the confidential news of the analysis. Reid knew he'd be last, it was only fair and by the time he was finally called, everyone else had left.
"Reid," Hotch said, "Sit down."
Reid closed the door and slowly took his seat. He didn't want to hear what was written in that folder. Something inside him, a knot-like feeling in his stomach told him it was bad news.
"Reid," he said. "You're job is safe right now."
Reid exhaled a long breath he'd been holding. "Oh," he stammered. He knew there was more. "That's good."
"Yes," he said. "It's safe for now, but… Reid, they're not too happy with you. I'm going to be honest. The reason for this evaluation was simply for you. They only ordered the entire team to participate so you wouldn't be embarrassed."
"Oh," Reid said, not as relaxed this time. He retorted with a sarcastic remark. "That was considerate."
"Reid, they're concerned about you. You're a smart kid, but you've made stupid, life-threatening decisions. Decisions that had you not been as lucky as you were would have caused you your life and the lives of other agents. And the drugs-"
"I've been clean for over a year, Hotch! And I still go to meetings!"
"I know!" He urged, trying to remain calm. "But, with a stressful job like this, they know you are at a higher risk of a relapse then someone in even another department."
Reid nodded, afraid of what was coming next. Hotch waited for some response or negation, but it never came. He cleared his throat and continued. "So… the F.B.I wants you to see a psychiatrist."
"A psychiatrist?" Reid repeated. "For how long?"
"It's open-ended. They'll re-evaluate you in three months, see what progress you've made and decide from there."
"Decide what?" he asked.
"Decide whether you should continue seeing the doctor up to your annual evaluation, to discontinue the visits…"
"Or fire me?"
"Yes," he nodded. "And… they warned me. If, at three months, you do need to continue your psychiatric visits, they will transfer you."
Reid let out another long breath. "I see," he said. "When?"
"You'll start weekly visits on Sundays."
"Sundays?" He exclaimed shocked.
"Reid, we're not often out on cases on Sundays. I picked the day you'll go, so there won't be any point to argue."
"Yes, sir," he said. He stood to leave.
"You start this Sunday, Reid. You'll meet with Dr. Samuel Andrews at noon at his office."
Reid nodded, but didn't even bother offering a word of respect or even utter a goodbye before grabbing his things from the bull pen and heading out the door.
"Thanks, Dr. Parker," he said. He was starting to resent her. Good, maybe she wouldn't invade his dreams again.
Of course, he wasn't so lucky.
