Title: I Need a Murder
Rewrite/Tag to Season 1 Episode 5 "The Trip"
Malcolm took a moment to compose himself before entering the dining room to meet his mother for breakfast. His many sleepless nights were certainly taking a toll but he didn't want his mother to worry. He took a deep breath and greeted his mother with a cheery "Good Morning."
Jessica took one look at her son and knew something was wrong. "Don't lie to your mother.
You look exhausted." She could see the dark circles under his eyes and the fake smile he pasted on his face for her benefit. "If I have to bring you to the hospital, my whole morning will be shot."
That was the last thing Malcolm wanted so he hurriedly reassured Jessica that he was fine and abruptly changed the subject.
"You don't have to worry about me. What are you so busy with?"
Jessica immediately perked up with the change in subject. "I am taking meetings for my charitable work. I've been thinking that maybe you were right."
"Impossible." Malcolm quipped with a raised eyebrow.
Jessica continued to talk about her charity work and Malcolm tried to remain engaged but Jessica could see that her son was zoning out. His hand started shaking and his eyes had a far-away glassy stare.
She grabbed Malcolm's hand to stop the shaking and to get him to focus on her. "Talk to me."
"About what?" Malcolm replied tiredly.
"You've always listened to my issues. I want to be here for yours. These nightmares, your...memories, they're getting worse?"
In a moment of candid honesty Malcolm replied with the truth. "Yes. They are becoming more vivid. I haven't slept in days."
Jessica wished she could help her son. He shot down her idea of barbiturates and told her the only thing that would help was to solve a murder which was met with a disapproving look from Jessica.
Malcolm thanked his mother for breakfast and left for the precinct.
As soon as Malcolm was out the door, Jessica immediately gave Gil a call.
"Jessica?" Gil responded. "What's wrong?"
"Hello Gil. It's Malcolm." She goes on to explain the conversation she had with her son. "Please, do you have anything for Malcolm? He just needs something else to focus on, to take his mind off the girl in the box."
"Look Jess, I don't have anything right now. Well, not anything that requires a profiler." Gil wished he could help. He would do anything for Malcolm.
"What? No murders? This is New York City. There's gotta be a murder." Jessica said in disbelief.
Gil sighed into the phone. "I might have something." Before Gil could say anything more Jessica thanked him and hung up the phone.
Not a minute later Malcolm walked into the precinct and goes directly for Gil. His kid looked terrible. There's a manic energy buzzing around him and he looked like he hadn't slept in days.
Malcolm's looking for a murder but Gil tries to dissuade him. "C'mon kid, you can't keep using your job as a coping mechanism. Maybe you should schedule a session with Gabrielle."
"More therapy isn't going to help Gil." Malcolm started to get worked up. His voice rose. "But would you believe that homicide appears to be the only thing keeping me sane?"
Everybody in the bullpen stopped what they were doing and openly stared at Malcolm.
Malcolm quickly amended his statement. "Solving, not doing."
But the damage had already been done. Malcolm looked defeated. "I need this." He pleaded to Gil.
Gil could see that his kid was spiralling and he couldn't stand idly by and do nothing. So reluctantly he agreed to take Malcolm to the crime scene.
It was a drug hit….nothing too weird. Besides what could go wrong?