Chapter 10

David Rossi poured himself a second cup of coffee as Jennifer sat down at the table, muffin in hand. Hotch skimmed over the local newspaper, and Prentiss contemplated which coffee would get her through the day. The hotel dining area was quiet, with only the team and a few others occupying it. The four agents looked up as the sound of heavy footsteps filled the room.

"Good morning," J.J. greeted.

"Morning," Morgan grumbled as he made his way over to the coffee pot.

"Sounds like someone had a rough night," Rossi quirked an eyebrow.

"Don't get me started…" Morgan grabbed a mug and poured some coffee as Prentiss took her place next to J.J.

"Hey, is Reid up yet?" J.J. asked with slight concern.

"Hmph!" Morgan grunted, walking towards the others.

"I guess that's a 'no', then." Prentiss stated.

"He's usually the first one down here." J.J. pointed out. "He's almost never this late."

"It isn't 8:00, yet. He still has time."

"I know, but still…"

"The kid could do with some rest." Rossi commented. "Yesterday, I expected him to fall over."

"Morgan," Hotch said, entering the conversation. "How did Reid seem last night?"

Morgan scoffed and shook his head in memory of the night. "I don't know what is going on with that kid."

"Do we still think he's using?" J.J. asked.

Morgan sighed. He took a moment to think before saying, "I'm not sure. I thought he was using before, but after last night…I'm starting to doubt it."

"Why do you say that?" Hotch wondered.

"I asked him. He denied it. But, Hotch, it wasn't like before when we knew he was using. He seemed so genuine. He actually seemed hurt that I thought he was using. He even let me search him. Hotch, obviously, there's something not right with Reid. But I'm not convinced that it's drugs this time."

"What else could it be?"

"I don't know." Morgan shook his head. "I really don't know."

Everyone sat quietly for a moment before Hotch spoke again: "Based on your observations, would you declare Reid capable of continuing as an active agent on this case?"

Morgan looked at his boss. He could already tell what Hotch thought. Morgan sighed as he considered his answer. "I believe…it would be best…if Reid was taken off the case."

The team was silent, signaling that they were all in agreement. A few moments passed until everyone looked to see Spencer Reid entering the room.

"Hey, Spence," J.J. offered a weak smile.

"Hi." Reid began to migrate toward the coffee area before he stopped himself and got water instead. Nobody said a word. Reid sat down at the table, next to Prentiss. He took a sip of his water.

"You know, there are some muffins over there." Prentiss said.

Reid stopped at the mention of muffins. He couldn't help but remember what happened last time he was near muffins. "Um, no, I'm fine."

Everyone finished their breakfast in silence. At 8:10, Hotch announced that it was time to head back to the station. Every gathered their things and prepared to leave. Reid was lifting his bag around his frail figure when Hotch stopped him.

"Reid, can I have a word with you?" Reid looked at him confusedly before following his boss into an empty lounge room. "Reid, you aren't well." Hotch held his hand up to stop Reid from protesting. "I don't know what the problem is, but I do know that it is affecting your work." Hotch held his hand up again when he saw Reid opening his mouth. "I don't want to do this, Reid, but I cannot allow the recklessness of one team member effect the outcome of a case. That is why you are off the case until further notice."

"HOTCH!"

"I'm sorry, Reid, but I need to think about this case, and you've made it very clear that, at the moment, you are incapable of giving your best performance on it."

"But—"

"And until you have proven that you can think and behave properly, you are to stay here. Is that understood?"

"Hotch, please, I—"

"Is that understood, Dr. Reid?"

Reid hesitated for a moment in disbelief before finally resigning. "Yes, sir, I understand," he said in a defeated voice.

Hotch nodded once. "Reid…I'm not doing this to punish you. I'm doing this because I am concerned about you. We all are." Reid didn't respond. "If you need help, all you have to do is ask. Any one of us would be more than willing to help you with whatever is going on." Reid remained still. "Keep that in mind, Reid. We care, and we just want to see you better." With that, Hotch left.

Reid slowly walked toward a window where he saw his teammates entering their SUV's and driving away. He felt empty. He felt worthless. He felt helpless.

He felt alone…

A/N: Hmm, well this chapter didn't go as planned. Originally, Hotch was going to give Reid another chance. Whoops…
BTW, anyone who understood the "Traders Hotel" reference from the last chapter earns MASSIVE cool points.

REVIEW RESPONSES:

CM-Reider: Yes, they are definitely going to feel bad for accusing Reid (which may or may not be happening within the next few chapters…)

Namira O .O: Thank you, how flattering. :) I'm never quite sure how good a chapter is because I usually upload it as soon as I'm finished writing it, so I don't have the chance to re-read it (which is why you'll find so many little mistakes). But getting compliments like yours lets me know that I am communicating my ideas well.

MW3addict: Yeah, Reid is not having an easy time…..and it's about to get worse… (evil grin)

Couragexoxo: Okay, so you've gone from pleading, to complementing, to thanking, back to complementing, to full threatening. Umm…okay….At least now I know who has been mailing me those letters…
By the way, saying "Imma beat ya" isn't exactly "waiting patiently". At least, not by my definition.

Love of Blood: Yes, I am a god over these characters. I want them to kneel, I need simply write it. If I want them to break out into dance in the middle of the street, I have that power. But the downside to it is that I can never appreciate my own story as I may appreciate another. Every time I read my own work, it is with a critical eye instead of an intriguing one. But there's a good and a bad to every writer, just as there is to every one of their stories.

SpencerReid27: Thank you. I feel that Reid would have a lack in self-restraint if in this position, but he would still know when he is out of line. It can be a little hard to keep Reid in character when he is doing something that would obviously cause him to be out of character. But that gives me more options.