AN: You may have thought I'd given up on this story. Not yet. Here's a new chapter!
Spencer stood in a dark corner, farthest from the window in Hotch's crowded hotel room. Ever since his death, Spencer found himself drawn to shadows. He compared his new desire to remain in the dark to his fear of the dark when he was alive. It was just one of the many changes that had taken place since getting shot. No more fear of darkness, no need to eat or sleep, no need to breathe.
That morning, Hotch and Prentiss had come to Spencer and warned him that the time had come to break the news to the rest of the team. Spencer hadn't argued. Death had made him very compliant. From the moment Hotch begged him not to die, Spencer had obeyed nearly every one of his requests. Why should this be any different?
Spencer had wanted to wait until the case was solved, but Hotch and Prentiss insisted on letting the rest of the team in on the secret now. Spencer got the feeling there was something his boss and co-worker weren't telling him. They had even asked Garcia to fly up from headquarters to be a part of this meeting. The situation gave Spencer a bad feeling.
Hotch finally stood to address his team. Morgan and Garcia sat on a couch by the window. Emily sat on the bed leaning against the headboard with her legs dangling sideways so her shoes wouldn't mar the bedding. Rossi sat at the table with Hotch. JJ sat on the end of the bed. Spencer could see them all from his station in the corner. He saw that every one of them had solid faith in their leader. Guilt rose up in Spencer as he thought about how Hotch was about to destroy that hope and trust.
"I apologize for distracting you all from the case, but an urgent and time-sensitive matter must be disclosed," Hotch said.
"What's going on, Hotch?" Morgan asked, impatience and anger apparent in his tone.
"Is someone getting fired?" Garcia squeaked, her hand reaching out to clutch Morgan's arm.
"No one is getting fired," Hotch explained, "But if we don't act quickly, we will lose a member of this team."
"Who?!" several voices demanded.
Hotch held up a hand, stilling the shock and fear. He looked briefly at Spencer, who stared back without reacting. If he had lungs, Spencer would have been holding his breath.
Hotch looked back at the team and began to speak. "Six months ago, Spencer was shot by an unsub. You were told his wound was critical and that he survived. In truth, it was fatal. Spencer died of a gunshot wound."
Spencer saw his teammates turn to look at him. Only Hotch and Prentiss had expressions of determination and support. Everyone else appeared confused. JJ looked scared.
"What are you talking about?" Morgan asked, his voice even angrier than before.
"This isn't funny, Aaron," Rossi added, sounding just as upset as Morgan.
Hotch kept the same stoic expression when he said, "As impossible as it is to believe, Spencer Reid has been dead for the past six months."
"Spence is dead?" JJ said, her tear-filled eyes still on Spencer.
"What are you talking about?" Rossi asked, sounding sick now.
Spencer wanted more than anything to sink through the wall behind him and disappear from the horrified gazes of his team. Being a ghost, the idea wasn't impossible. But he knew it was important to stay and face his friends.
"It's true," Prentiss said, sitting up so she could talk. "The situation is extremely rare, but sometimes individuals who die will remain among the living for a period. That is the case with Reid."
Now JJ and Garcia were both crying.
Morgan sat up straighter, shaking Garcia's hand from his arm. "Hold up. Are you trying to tell me that Reid is some kind of...spirit or something? You really want us to believe that for the past six months, Reid has actually been dead? I'm not buying it."
"We would have seen it," Rossi said. "We would have noticed if one of our teammates was a ghost."
"Are you sure?" Prentiss asked.
"Of course," Rossi countered. He turned to glare at Prentiss who didn't flinch under that threatening look. "You think we wouldn't notice? That the world's greatest profilers wouldn't even notice that one of their team members wasn't alive?"
"It's just that we've been talking about this for five minutes now and not a single one of you has thought to ask Reid if it's true."
A shocked silence followed Prentiss's insight. Yet not a single person took her up on it.
Prentiss shook her head and continued. "It's because your subconsciouses have already accepted the truth. You see no reason to acknowledge Reid because you already know he isn't here anymore."
"He's right there!" Garcia shrieked. "He's in the corner!"
"What is he wearing?" Hotch asked steadily.
"The same thing he always wears!" the blond tech cried. "Kakhi pants, tie, dark red vest."
"Look closely," Hotch said. "Is his vest red?"
Spencer looked down. He couldn't take the scrutinizing looks of his team. He couldn't watch as their eyes focused in on the stain on his vest, as they finally identified it as blood.
He could avoid their looks, but he couldn't avoid their gasps.
"No way," Morgan whispered.
"Six months..." Rossi's voice trailed off as his mind put the pieces into place.
"No, Spence," JJ said from behind hands covering her mouth.
"This can't be happening," Garcia sobbed.
"I'm sorry," Spencer said, though he wasn't sure they could hear him.
"Now that you all know, it's time to discuss the next step," Hotch said.
"If the next word out of your mouth is 'exorcism,' I'm retiring again," Rossi grumbled.
"No Dave," Hotch said. He looked at Spencer and something in the room changed. Spencer had no idea what was about to happen, but for the first time in six months, he didn't feel like Hotch was struggling. The idea gave Spencer some hope. Perhaps he wouldn't leave his friends in misery after all.
"Prentiss knows how to bring Spencer back," Hotch said.
Or perhaps Spencer wouldn't have to leave his friends at all.
"What?!" He leaned forward so some of the light from the window touched his face and hair. He looked between Hotchner and Prentiss. They both watched him with smiles touching their lips.
"It's going to take all of us," Prentiss said. "That's why I wanted you all in on the secret. I need everyone's help if we want to pull this off. But I think it will work. I think we can bring Reid back from the dead."
"I'm in," JJ said with no hesitation.
"Whatever it takes," Garcia agreed.
"You know I'd do anything for pretty boy," Morgan added.
"I still have questions," Rossi said, "but I'll help however I can."
"Good," Hotch said. "We need to act fast. Let's get started."
Spencer smiled as he watched his friends grow more enthusiastic. They were so eager to help. Their selfless actions made Spencer feel self-conscious. He looked down and realized he wasn't as solid as before. His hands were flickering as he became more transparent. Seized with sudden panic, he looked up. His team was deep in discussion over the plan to rescue him. Unfortunately, it seemed they would be too late. Before Spencer could say or do anything, he faded completely.