Hi everyone! Thanks for reading and reviewing Family Always! Quick PSA: I currently have a poll listed in my profile about what the topic of my next story should be after I finish this one. I'll be closing the poll at Midnight next Friday, so please take the time to vote. Only one chapter for tonight, but I promise at least six will be published by the conclusion of the weekend.

To BJames: Thank you for the kind words! I felt there needed to be some stronger connection in order to rationalize Doyle taking Reid. As to whether or not he tells her, you'll just have to see. Be prepared for a major plot twist!

To kbf: You're on the right path ;). Here's a hint, you've met her. You're gonna have to wait until Chapter 17 for the explanation of Reid and Prentiss' relation.

To Tannerrose: Right you are, but that's why we love him. No drug dependency will form, the doctor would have used baclofen, which is an anti-anxiety medication. Luckily the medical background I have allowed me to write in a reaction and solution without using narcotics.

To ahowell1993: Yea, it bugged me that CBS never explained what his ailment was. I was just looking for one that would be plausible given his symptoms and age.

To everyone else: Keep reading and keep reviewing. Y'all inspire me to keep writing. -xoxo Elisa.

Disclaimer: I do not own criminal minds or its characters, but what fun that would be. This is solely for my and others' pleasure.

Chapter 16:

"How is he?" Reid woke to the voice of Doyle's partner outside his door. I thought I escaped. I saw the FBI building. Please, please let this nightmare end. He kept his eyes shut, using his fingers to assess his surroundings. Gone were the heavy iron chains, leaving nothing to restrict his movement. A thick wool blanket was pulled up to his waist and the ambient temperature of the room was at least twenty degrees warmer than the cell he'd been left in. He would have been relieved if not for the familiar pressure against his heart. I'm still there. Beep,beep,beep,beep,beep an alarm pinged in time with his racing heart. Fear paralyzed him, fueling his irrational belief that he was still in Doyle's clutches.

"Shhh." a familiar voice said, "it's alright Spencer. You're in a hospital, you're not there anymore." A soft hand squeezed his reassuringly, anchoring him to reality. Reid's eyes flickered open to see Seaver watching him, a weary smile on her face. "Hey," she said softly, "I haven't seen those big brown eyes for a few days. It's good to see you safe Spence." Except I'm not, not if one of Doyle's partners is outside my door. As his eyes bored into hers, Reid was translated from his hospital bed into one of the millions of memories his eidetic memory stored.

~1.5 Months Ago~

From Miller, Jackson:

To: BCC

BCC: Reid, Spencer; Seaver, Ashley

Subject: This Week's Meeting

Hello everyone. Sorry for the inconvenience, but we'll need to cancel this week's meeting. Three-quarters of the members will be out of the state for the National Federal Enforcement Expo. Please enjoy your week off safely and responsibly!

Best,

Jack

"Hey Reid, did you get Jack's email?" Seaver asked. Spencer glanced up from his book. "Speak a little louder why don't you?" he hissed, "I don't think the pilot heard you!" Seaver glanced around anxiously before taking the seat across from him. "Well, did you?" "Yes," he answered in a bored tone, "and your point is?" "What are you going to do with your night off?" "Read, watch Star Trek, read some more." Ashley rolled her eyes in exasperation, "you always do that!" she whined. "Don't you want to be spontaneous, just once?" He arched an eyebrow, "what did you have in mind?"

It was because of that one innocent question that he'd found himself outside Ashley's apartment two hours after they'd landed. Rap, rap. Seaver opened the door before he could knock a third time. "Ready?" she asked, after locking her door. Spencer nodded slightly, not trusting himself to speak. He'd always thought Ashley was pretty, but her work clothes had never done her justice. The deep sapphire blue of her skater dress brought out the deep blue of her eyes and her hair had been curled into soft, beachy waves. She wore no makeup, except for mascara and a light coat of lip gloss. A Monet to his Van Gogh. Spencer glanced down at his faded jeans and 'Beach Boys' t-shirt, he'd definitely underdressed.

"So," he said, finally finding his voice, "what mayhem have you suckered me into tonight?" Seaver laughed, looping her arm through his. "No mayhem," she promised, "just some drinks and an innocent game of bowling." "Alright, but I'm warning you, I am the bowling pro." He teased. "I'm gonna make you eat your words Spence!" she promised, leading him towards the Depot Street Bowling Alley.

After two hours of bowling and countless drinks, the score was Reid: 6, Seaver: 0. "You could have told me you were a bowling prodigy." Ashley whined, watching Spencer roll another strike. "It's really not that hard," he assured her, "You just need to remember Force equals mass times acceleration, and factor in torque and air resistance." Noting the blank look on Ashley's face, he added, "Here, let me help you." Reid walked behind Seaver and gently put a hand on her waist. He felt his cheeks warm as Ashley stiffened slightly at his touch before relaxing. Taking the fact that she hadn't punched him for touching her as a good sign, he used his other hand to control her dominant arm; pulling it back to the correct angle and then pushing it forward to release the ball. Clang, all twelve pins fell as the ball collided with them.

"Yay!" Seaver cheered. "I told you!" Spencer said, wrapping his arms around her. Seaver glanced up at him for a heartbeat before pulling his lips down to hers. Reid kissed her back and then pulled her out the doorway. What should have been a ten minute commute, back to his apartment, took double the time because they kept stopping to kiss. Click. Reid had barely unlocked the door before Seaver pushed him into his apartment. The 'Beach Boys' t-shirt he'd been worried about before was pulled over his head, and Ashley had started applying light kisses along his collarbone. Th-thump, th-thump, th-thump. His heart was pounding so hard, that he wondered if she could hear it, and his mind went blank as they fell onto his bed. "I've wanted to do this since the day I met you." Ashley admitted as his hands traced their way down her spine. "Why?" Spencer asked, unaccustomed to beautiful girls telling him things like this. "You're gorgeous, you're smart, you're compassionate. You make me feel safe." she murmured, kissing him after each statement. Reid looked at her, waiting for permission to continue, only to find that their night of drinking had caught up with her. With a rueful smile, he lightly kissed her forehead and went to the couch.

The following morning he'd woken to a pounding headache and horror over the night's events. Not only was there the FBI rule about supervisors not fraternizing with subordinates, but he had also kissed her while she was drunk. They would both get in so much trouble if anyone found out, even more if they let things pick up where they'd left off. After a shower and coffee, he'd sobered up enough to realize the despicable thing he was about to do; what he had to do. He needed to convince her that the previous night had occurred because they were both drunk, that he didn't feel the same way about her, that it would be best if they didn't hang out outside of work.

He hadn't even had time to mentally prepare himself when Ashley had walked out of his bedroom. She wore the dress she'd had on the previous night and a confused expression. Spencer cut her off before she could say anything, "Nothing happened. You were just really drunk and passed out; after telling me a few things." He watched her flush bright red and then eye him with a hopeful expression. "Before you say anything, I just want you to know that last night was a one time deal." "But you kissed me back." she said, confused. Reid shoved his emotion away and said coldly, "We were both drunk. It wasn't because I like you, it was because my inhibitions were lowered. I'm sorry if it seems like I've led you on, but there is and never will be anything between us. I think it might be best if you stopped going to the Beltway Clean Cops meetings with me and we only saw each other on a professional level." "But you brought me to those meetings to help me." she said, tears filling her eyes. "You'll find another support group," he said dismissively, "Beltway is normally for addicts only. I'm going to head to work. Be sure to lock up when you leave."

Reid sighed, it had taken all of his willpower to walk through that door. He had desperately wanted to tell her he didn't mean what he'd said and that things would be okay, but the potential consequences had frightened him. It had been weeks before Ashley could even bear to be in the same room as him, and another month before she could speak to him in a civil manner. It had killed him, knowing how badly he'd hurt her, but it had been necessary. Just like now. He'd have to do more than break her heart this time. He'd have to convince her, and then the team how much he utterly despised them. To weave a lie so thick, that none of them would ever want to speak to him again. It would break him, but he would gladly be broken if it ensured his family's safety. He only hoped he'd be able to live with the consequences of his actions.

-Please Read and Review!