Sometime, In Another Life
Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds. All recognisable characters, content, or locations belong to their respective owners. No copyright infringement intended.
Summary: Megan Masters is part of a past Spencer Reid is determined to leave behind. Megan, however, has other plans. Extremely OOC. AU. Reid/OFC
Rating: M for language, violence, character death, and adult themes.
Author: tlyxor1.
Sometime, In Another Life
Chapter One:
It's ironic, Spencer Reid decides, that life has fallen into routine. Given the nature of his job, one would think his days are as unpredictable as the winds, but he's a creature of habit, and he has been for years. He wasn't always, but he doesn't like to think about those days, and no one knows enough about his life to address the issue.
He sighs, studies his completed paperwork, and grimaces to himself. The thing with routine is that, in time, the routine gets dull. Repetitive. Boring. Most habits, however, are difficult to break, and Spencer is just apathetic enough not to try.
He knows, logistically, he should. In his line of work, he frequently sees how easy it is for un-subs to prey on those with fixed routines. He's not invincible, and it could one day rear up and bite him in the proverbial, but if he's being honest with himself, Spencer knows he won't change things. Boring his routine may be, but it's dependable. Reliable. Unchanging.
In his work, when he might visit three different cities in two weeks, it's exactly what he needs.
"Team B's on call this weekend," Morgan remarks, "Got plans, Reid?"
Spencer shrugs, contemplates his empty coffee mug, and replies, "Nothing in particular, Morgan. There's a 'Star Trek' marathon on the Sci-Fi channel on Saturday."
"Man, you need to get a life," Morgan remarks. He shakes his head, as though long-suffering, and not for the first time, Reid silently despairs.
How can they simply accept his words as fact? Spencer likes 'Star Trek', certainly, but he's never simply sat and watched it for 12 hours straight, and neither does he think he'd ever want to. His plans actually consist of a visit to an indoor rock climbing centre, among other things, with friends he's made outside of work, but his BAU colleagues have never bothered to look beneath the surface, and thus, Spencer has never bothered to let them in.
It's almost disappointing, really.
"Sure, Morgan, I'll work on that," Spencer answers glibly, rises to his feet, and approaches the break room. The coffee that the FBI provides is swill, at best, but it's better than nothing, and he drinks it gratefully. Then he returns to his desk, studies the stack of files in his inbox, and contemplates the time. It's almost 5 o'clock, and there are a dozen places he would rather be, but alas, work is work, and he needs to pay his bills somehow.
With that in mind, he pulls the first from the stack, clicks his pen, and reluctantly proceeds with the work he's been slogging through all day. Most of it's been consultations, but he's reserved the afternoon for the paperwork that's built up from their last case in the field, and Spencer's so bored, he's ready to start throwing wads of paper at Morgan just to pass the time.
Blessedly, distraction arrives in the form of his ringing phone. He answers it almost eagerly. It's probably Hotch, or maybe Gideon, but at this point in time, Spencer doesn't even care. it's a break from the monotony, and that's all he needs.
"Reid."
"Dr Reid? This is Caitlin, from the security desk. I've got a woman by the name of Megan Masters down here, asking to see you. Should I send her up?"
There's a moment of complete, unadulterated shock, but Spencer collects himself quickly, cards a hand through his hair, and offers Caitlin a confirmation. His voice is raspy, and he has no idea what the hell she's doing back in the US - and in Virginia, no less - but he knows that he can't send her away. Without a doubt, she's there for a reason, and moreover, if he doesn't see her, he'll simply be left wondering, and endlessly curious. Moreover, if there's trouble, he would need to know about it.
Forewarned is forearmed, and what have you.
With that in mind, he drains the last of his coffee, rises to his feet once more, and approaches the elevator. No doubt, Morgan and Greenaway are watching him, but Spencer's distracted enough not to care, and moreover, they're probably just as bored as he is.
Or was, rather.
Spencer leans beside the doors to the BAU, crosses his legs at his ankles, and bows his head in thought. He's not seen Megan Masters in close to three years, and moreover, their last meeting did not end amicably. Rather, it had ended in angry words and tears, and the certainty that they were well and truly done.
he'd not expected to see her again.
He'd not even wanted to.
In front of him, the elevator doors slide open, and Spencer lifts his head. He recognises her in a heartbeat, and for a moment, it's like nothing has changed.
The moment passes.
"Spencer," she greets.
Spencer straightens up, crosses his arms over his chest, and studies her as she studies him. She's not changed much, but she's grown out her hair, her figure is fuller, and there's a certain stoicism in her expression that he's never seen before. She's older, wiser, and just as beautiful as she ever was.
"Megan," he answers, tone guarded. "What are you doing here?"
She gives him a wry, mirthless smile. "No 'hi, Meg, it's good to see you. How've you been?'"
"I don't suffer small talk," he answers blandly. She laughs. It's cold and brittle, and he wonders what Europe's done to her. He doesn't ask.
"In that case, is there somewhere private we can talk?"
Spencer nods crisply, leads her into the bullpen, passed Morgan and Greenaway, up onto the mezzanine level, and into the conference room there. He closes the door and shuts the blinds, approaches the window, and crosses his arms over his chest.
He repeats his question. "What are you doing here?"
She sighs, inexplicably weary, and she suddenly appears small and frail. Gone is her bold, larger than life personality, and all that's left is a tired, empty shell.
He doesn't think he wants to know the answer.
"I need your help, Spencer."