They waited in the lobby for the elevator. Reid had been so nervous when he picked her up this morning, especially when he saw her in jeans and a jersey while he wore his usual dress shirt and corduroy pants. He felt so out of place. It had taken awhile for most of his anxiety to go away, and the questioning eyes at the stadium hadn't helped. But it didn't matter, this girl just seemed so pleased and carefree. She didn't give the impression she felt obligated to be around him, like the handful of other girls he'd gone out with had. Not that this was a date… at least he didn't think so… JJ seemed so happy to be with him, especially now… but that could just be because the Redskins won.
He listened to her as she talked on their ride up in the elevator. JJ lived on the fifth floor. Reid didn't know much about girls and dating, but he did know it was proper to walk a lady to her door. He wanted to be a gentleman. Although he couldn't stop thinking what would happen once they got there.
"Thanks for explaining the game to me today." Reid said as the doors opened again.
"Oh, no problem." JJ lightly brushed his arm, sending a wash of panic over him. "I didn't mind. This was your birthday present, Spence, you deserved to have a good time."
"I had a great time," Reid said with a nod and a tense smile.
"Good, I'm really glad," Her grin was much more relaxed than his. Reid took a calming breath, hoping there wasn't sweat forming on his forehead. She stopped before door 513, "Well, this is me. Thanks for walking me to my door. It was very chivalrous. There are so few gentlemen left in the world."
"Thanks for… coming with me today, Jennifer." Reid felt anxious. He knew what he wanted to do… but did he have the courage?
"I keep telling you, Spence, call me JJ." She clarified. "It's what all my friends call me."
He had only kissed a few girls in his life, he'd slept with even less, and had never initiated the first move. Despite his awkwardness, however, he had to at least try this. Once.
Leaning down, he brushed against her lips, leading her into a kiss. He kept his hands at his side, not wanting to touch her and overstep his boundaries. The kiss was innocent and gentle, and he was grateful she didn't push him away.
It ended and Reid backed away. He met JJ's blue eyes, searching for an answer. He waited, his breathing heavy, dripping with fear.
"Spence," She muttered. The fear in his stomach grew, believing he'd just ruined everything. "I had a lot of fun today… and it's not that I don't think you're a great person…"
With a despondent nod, Reid back away. "I'm sorry… I'll just… go."
"No, listen," JJ reached out and grabbed his arms so he wouldn't leave. "Please don't take this the wrong way. I think you are a great person and very handsome… if we didn't work together, I wouldn't have a problem… but we do. And I just don't think there's enough of an attraction to… take a chance on that."
"I guess… I was making something out of nothing." Reid said, staring at his shoes. "I was so shocked a pretty girl like you would even want to spend time with me…"
"Why are you shocked?" JJ stepped forward. Her hand lifted his chin so he would meet her eyes again. "Don't sell yourself short. You're a great guy. Any girl would be lucky to be with you. And I went with you today not because you were taking me to the game, but because you're a nice person and I like spending time with you. I want us to become good friends… and I hope you do, too."
A small smile finally crossed his sad face. "I'd like that, too, JJ."
Pleased, she reached up and kissed his cheek. "Don't worry, Spence. I'm sure there is someone out there for you. Someone amazing, and she'll be both the love of your life and your best friend, who gets into your head and changes your whole world."
"Do you really think so?" He asked, skeptical.
"I know so," JJ assured. "Just like there's a guy out there like that for me."
"You deserve someone like that." Reid gave her a small grin. "And… I'm really glad you're my friend."
"Dr. Reid!" Nathan cried. "You're trying my patience. Make your decision. Which girl do you save?"
"Spence…" JJ whined. "Are you crazy? Save your mother!"
"I…" Reid stammered. He didn't know what to say. If he saved JJ, he would be condemning his own flesh and blood, the woman who had loved him and cared for him since he was a little boy. And if he saved his mother, one of his best friends would be dead. He wasn't taking one life, either, he'd be taking two. And Henry would be devastated without his mother. "I can't… I can't do this! Nathan, I won't choose!"
"Either you choose or I'll kill everyone in this car!" Nathan cried. "You're the one who believes he can choose who lives and dies! If I wanted to take my life, you should have let me! You have to take the consequence of your actions, however good they might have been. Now choose… or I'll be sure you die first. You really want your poor mother to -witness your death? It wouldn't matter, she'd be dead in a few minutes anyway!"
"Spencer!" His mother whined. "Please just do what the man says!"
"Mom…" He was starting to get emotional. "JJ… I can't do this to either of you."
"Take your mother!" JJ cried, tears coming down her face. "I will be fine, just go! I'm begging you."
"Spencer… please…" Diana sobbed. "…please don't let us die here."
Despite JJ's assurance, he couldn't just leave her. And he couldn't leave his mother. He was running out of time. Nathan was getting impatient. The gun fidgeted in his hands, waiting for a decision. He wanted all of this to be over, and Dr. Reid was dragging this out.
"Make up your mind, Dr. Reid," He pointed the gun at Diana's temple. "Unless you wish for me to make it for you."
As the metal pressed against her head, she let out a whimper. "Spencer…" she cried. "What's going on… why won't you save me?"
He didn't know what to tell her. "Reid," JJ grabbed his attention. "Just take your mother and go! It's alright, I'm okay."
"How can you be okay?" Reid asked. "I can't leave you. I can't leave either of you… I…"
The seconds ticked by, each one Reid suspected to be the end to Nathan's patience. His eyes pierced him through the green glow, demanding him to make a decision. Reid suspected this was the real plan all along. Nathan would have known he wouldn't be able to choose and he could destroy Reid's like by killing both of them and then himself. His mind, usually so quick and amazing was a blank. He had no idea what to do or what he was supposed to do.
A screech was heard at the other end of the train. "Nathan," a voice cried as a figure moved into the train.
"Riley!" Reid exclaimed. "What are you doing here?"
"I knew you were going to sneak out," Riley explained as the entire group looked to her. "I couldn't let you go like this. I followed you down here."
"Riley, are you insane? Get out of here before he kills you, too!" Reid urged. Diana and JJ stared at her in shock, like the reason she came here was nothing short of suicidal.
"No!" Riley cried. "Nathan… I've been standing out there for ten minutes. I heard everything and I know your plan. But… I'm sorry, it's wrong."
"Is it, Dr. Parker?" Nathan asked. The gun hung at his side, waiting to hear Riley's reasoning.
"Yes," She rationalized. "Both these women are important to Spencer, and either of their deaths would greatly affect him. But me… I am the most important person to Spencer. And I know you know that."
"Riley…" Reid exclaimed. "What are you doing!"
"I'm the one you want. If you're intent is to hurt Spencer, hurt him beyond help, to make him suffer as badly as you have, then you need to kill me."
There was a shocked silence, and Reid seemed to have lost his voice at first. "Riley…" he managed to croak. "Get out of here! You're crazy! How dare you do this to me!"
Riley was crying by now. "I'm sorry, Spencer!" She cried, "But you don't understand! You can't make this decision! I know you, you're too good a person to sentence either of them, or anyone you care about! If he kills me, I'll die, but you being dead is worse than death! Spencer, I love you and I'm sorry… but I can't lose you again!"
Her words seemed to change Nathan's mind. "She's right."
"No!" Reid yelled, "Nathan, no! You can't shoot her! Please, don't kill her. Listen to me,"
With the gun poised at Riley, Nathan froze. Riley never flinch nor moved, but stood her ground. Like a prisoner waiting to be executed. He listened as Reid spoke.
"I know you're a good person. You may not realize it, but it's true… you tried to get better. You wanted to get better. I know that there's hope for you." He cleared his throat, frantic for him to lower the gun. "I know… you don't want to hurt people. You want to be apart of people, not harm them. It'll be hard… but you can fight this. You're stronger than this… Nathan, you are better than who you think you are. I'm sorry Sandy hurt you… and I'm sorry you've gone through all this for four years… but you deserve to have a good life. I think you're capable of good… I want to help you. I'm sorry I didn't before… but if you want to be helped, the first thing you've got to do is put down the gun."
Nathan's eyes never left Riley. He listened to Reid's words, letting them soak in. He wanted to believe him, he wanted to trust that to be true. But his mind was too far gone… or maybe it was his soul.
"No, Dr. Reid," Nathan at last muttered, "It's over."
And with that, he pulled the trigger.
The gun resonated through the train, deafening everyone. Diana covered her ears in pain. JJ and Reid watched as the bullet hit Riley in the chest, watching her fall to the floor.
The power of the gun shook through him. He could think of nothing but the hot, vibrating metal in his hands. In the midst of his distraction, Reid rushed forward, tackling Nathan to the ground. It knocked the gun out of his hand.
He didn't struggle, which Reid was thankful for. Nathan was skinny, but had gotten bigger in four years and would no doubt easily overpower Reid's recovering body. He instantly went limp in his arms. Reid pulled him up, pinning his arms behind his back.
JJ was trying to pull herself up, staring at Riley in shock and terror. Tears were spilling down her face at the still body. Lights were shining through the window now, giving a real picture to the scene. Her eyes landed on Reid, surprised. Though he looked worried, he was much more composed than she suspected he would be.
One person pulled himself onto the car, gun and flashlight poised. Nathan didn't move, completely dead weight in Reid's hand. He couldn't bring him to his feet. "Federal Agent!" Morgan's distinctive voice announced.
"It's alright, guys," Reid informed. "His gun fell over there."
Morgan went to fetch it. "JJ, you okay?"
"Yeah…" she mumbled, completely dazed. Didn't anyone care that Riley had just been shot in the chest? "We're… both okay."
At that, Morgan glanced across the car at Diana. "It's okay, Mrs. Reid. We're going to get you out of here in just a minute."
She was catatonic with fear and remained still, watching the scene. Reid was grateful she was cool and not screaming. Hotch and Gideon suddenly appeared, following Morgan's path. Gideon hurried over to help Reid as Hotch bent down to check the fallen body.
"How is she?" Reid finally asked, frightened.
"She's breathing," Hotch assured. He lifted her off the filthy floor into his arms. "She'll be alright, let's give her a minute."
JJ was confused as Gideon came over. "Nathan?" He asked.
Without a word, Nathan met Gideon's eyes. He was that little boy again, who had been so scared of what his mind was capable of. Gideon took him from Reid, helping him up. "It's okay, Nathan," he assured.
Morgan took out his handcuffs and locked the boy's wrists. Mostly precaution; Nathan was too defeated to try anything now. Morgan led him from the train who had no desire to be gentle with him, as the others had. Gideon helped Reid to his feet, meeting his eye.
"You know…" Reid muttered. "I trusted you… but I can't believe this actually worked."
A loud spurt of coughing was heard and a desperate gasp of breath. Reid looked, seeing Riley come back to life. She clung to Hotch's arms, trying to replenish the air in her body. "Okay…" Hotch said, holding her close to him. "You're okay."
"Oh… God…" She moaned, coughing a few more times. "Oh, God… that hurt."
Reid sighed with relief as Gideon gave a small smile. "I told you it would."