Misperceptions

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Chapter Three:

It's mid-morning when they arrive at the police precinct. His father is there, drawn and weary, with Charlie in his lap, and a coffee mug in hand. Spencer himself is exhausted - Vega is too - but Spencer honestly doubts any of them can catch a wink of sleep until they receive some information. Instead, the profiler hugs his father fiercely, greets Charlie with a cuddle, and enquires about an update on the case.

"They've called in the FBI," William informs him, "I believe your team will be on the case shortly."

Spencer considers that revelation briefly. On the one hand, he's not going to appreciate the complete and absolute invasion of his family life, but on the other hand, he knows that his team will stop at nothing to find his brother. It's all he can ask for, really, but in the meantime, the helplessness is exhausting.

He nods his head. "That'll be good. They're good at their jobs."

"One of the officers want to question you," William says, "I told him no one knows Lawson better then you do. He just wants some information."

"Of course," Spencer acknowledges, "Who's on the case?"

"Chief Saunders," William answers, "He's in his office, when you're ready."

Spencer nods, drains the last of his coffee, and approaches the man's office. He's never met the man, but he's not particularly surprised when Chief Saunders turns out to be a portly man on the far side of middle-aged, with a stern demeanor, and the obligatory 'I've-been-in-this-business-too-long' scowl.

"Spencer Reid, isn't it?"

"Yes," Spencer confirms, "You wanted to ask me some questions?"

Saunders nods his confirmation, and gestures for Reid to take a seat. He does so without protest, and drums his fingers against his knee while Saunders organises himself.

"Dr Reid, when was the last time you spoke with your brother?"

"Three nights ago." Preemptively, he continues, "He wasn't acting unusual, as far as I could tell. It was just over the phone, though, and I had just come off a case, so I may have missed something."

Spencer doubted it, though. He'd spent the last several hours going over that phone call with a fine-tooth comb, in search of anything amiss in his brother's tone, and in the words he'd said, and he'd come up with nothing. Lawson, if anything, was happier than ever, with the explanation that he'd made the decision to propose to Patricia, and he'd already bought her a ring.

"Do you know of anyone who would want to hurt your brother?"

Spencer shrugs. They've both had a lot of rivals over the years, and before college, a lot of bullies too, but he doesn't think any of them could be malicious enough to attack Lawson. Mostly, their academic rivals would just throw themselves into their studies in a useless attempt to outdo one or both of them, and that usually winds up being the end of it.

As for the bullies? Well, both Spencer and Lawson have not had to put up with such individuals for a long time.

"No one comes to mind. I'm sorry."

The questions continue. Spencer tries to be as helpful as he can, but by the end of it, he's pretty sure the Chief - and whomever is on the case with him - is still at square one. As such, he leaves the office with a resigned sigh, approaches the small huddle that is William, Vega, and Charlie, and settles in to await the arrival of the BAU.

"How long have they been missing for?" Spencer asks.

"They were last seen at eight o'clock last night - by the babysitter," William answers, "She's been thoroughly questioned, and cleared as a suspect."

It's been a little over 14 hours then. The thought fills Spencer with dread, and he begins to consider all the possible tortures they're currently enduring.

"Hey," Vega murmurs. She takes one of his hands in both of her own. "Get those thoughts out of your head, Spencer Reid. They won't do you - or Lawson and Trish - any good. Focus on right now, okay? Why don't you help the cops prepare for the BAU team, and then you can help Will and I keep Charlie occupied."

He acquiesces, and an hour later, he's got Charlotte seated on his lap, one of her storybooks opened in front of them. She's sucking on her thumb, attention on the pages as Spencer guides her through the words she's only recently begun to understand. William's asleep on an available couch, and Vega's not far from nod, herself, but of course, their momentary piece is disturbed before she can truly sleep.

"The BAU has arrived," Chief Saunders explains, "They're setting up now."

Spencer nods his acknowledgement, small smile on his face. "Thanks, Officer. We'll be here when they need us."

Spencer turns back to his niece and her storybook, but before he can continue where he left off, Charlie addresses him.

"They gonna find Daddy and Momma, Uncle Spen?"

"They're going to try really, really hard, Princess," Spencer answers, unwilling to give her false hope.

She's too perceptive for that, anyway. Charlotte may not have inherited he and Lawson's IQ, but she's got an entirely different sort of intelligence, observant and intuitive far beyond the capabilities of any other four year old Spencer has ever come across. The capabilities of her memory haven't yet been determined, but either way, Spencer is certain she'll be a force to be reckoned with when she's older.

"Okay," she answers, dejected. Spencer rubs her small back, and wishes he can give her better news. "I'm hungry, Uncle Spen."

Vega sits up, rubs at bloodshot eyes, and determines, "That's my queue to go buy lunch. Micky D's alright with everyone?"

"Yeah," William rasps, groggy. He rattles off he and Charlie's order, Vega retrieves her wallet and the keys to their rental, and leaves with a kiss to Spencer's cheek. When she's gone, William smiles at him, weary. "She's really something, your girl."

Spencer's smile, although genuine, is feeble, unable to muster up anything else in the face of Lawson and Patricia's absence. "I know she is."

"Uncle Spen." Charlie tugs at his sleeve, and Spencer glances at his niece. "Gotta go potty."

With a nod of acknowledgement, Spencer sets down Charlie's storybook, gets to his feet, and walks with his niece towards the bathrooms. The girl's been clinging to him since 'Grandpa' had explained what was going on, and although Spencer knows it's because of his resemblance to Lawson, he's not protesting it. A part of him takes comfort in her presence, too.

At least this part of his brother is safe. He'll guard her with his life.