Thank you for reading ch. 1 (if you haven't yet, please do). This is my first ever FanFic, and in retrospect I've realized I probably should have stated a few things first. I missed that opportunity, so I'm doing it now. This is a total rip off of Elephant's Memory (3X16), but to my mind there were a great many issues left unattended. If you haven't seen that episode, or don't remember it, I'm afraid this bit of writing won't make much sense to you. It is rated M only because after about chapter 3, this will start delving into a more, shall we say, hands-on disciplinarian role for Hotch? The first three chapters will be fairly vanilla. I'm sorry if what I do afterward offends anyone, but consider yourselves forewarned. Thank you for reading, and please do review. I love to hear from you.
I love Criminal Minds, I live Criminal Minds, I eat Criminal Minds for breakfast, but sadly, I do not own Criminal Minds or any of its characters.
And now, chapter 2 . . .
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Reid was alone and feeling the isolation like he had never felt it before. He desperately wanted to shoot up right now. Quickly, he went through his options of where to find a vile of dilaudid in this small town. Drugs and alcohol usually run rampant with kids in these towns, but he wasn't sure if his drug of choice would be so easily accessible. Sighing, he stepped out of the SUV and headed toward his room. He didn't have much to pack, so he unceremoniously threw what little he had into his bag, took a last look around, decided he was ready to go and returned to the lobby.
He had managed this in less than five minutes, and no one else from the team had returned yet, so he wandered outside still thinking about how badly he wanted to get his hands on some dilaudid.
The evening was comfortably warm, and he could hear a baseball game nearby. The crack of the bat, the cheering crowds, indicated a possible large gathering of teenagers. Reid quickly calculated how long it would take him to get there, find a possible source, make his purchase and return to the hotel in the eight minutes remaining before everyone was due back. Fully feeling his craving, Reid's genius mind tried to convince him this was possible. He took two confident steps in the direction of the noise, and faltered. Behind him, he heard the hotel door open, then the unmistakable sound of Rossi clearing his throat. Reid's confidence in his plan shattered as he guiltily buried his hands in his pockets, and turned to face the older agent.
Rossi's first words surprised the young man, "I wanted to apologize, Dr. Reid."
Reid's confusion played across his face. He was certain Rossi was planning to chew him out too. An apology was the last thing Reid expected, and he had no idea what Rossi was apologizing for. He gave the senior agent a befuddled look.
Rossi watch Reid's confusion, but also detected a hint of guilt. He wondered what thoughts he had interrupted in coming outside. "Back in DC, when you came in late saying you were in the middle of watching a movie, I don't know what you were really doing, but it was none of my business. I shouldn't have pushed you for answers. I'm sorry. I suppose it's the profiler in me", he gave a small, sincere smile.
Reid returned the gesture, "Thank you." He didn't know what else to say, and he certainly didn't feel like explaining anything to this man he had only known a few months. He dug his hands further into his pockets and felt the cool metal disk he had been given just before starting this case. At the time, Reid hadn't understood why the man had loaned him his one-year medallion. As his fingers caressed the edge of the heavy coin, he thought he might be starting to understand.
There must have been a good play because the crowd at the baseball field erupted. Reid saw Rossi's keen eyes glace in that direction and his eyes tighten. He turned his attention back to Reid and saw the hand-in-the-cookie-jar expression return to the young man's face. All of Rossi's instincts told him to dig further, but hadn't he just apologized for exactly that reason? It was really none of his business, but this kid was clearly in some kind of distress. He offered the best thing he could think of, "You know, if you want to talk about anything . . .". Rossi cut off when he saw Reid tense up.
"Ummm, yeah. Thanks. But I, Uhhh." He was saved from this awkward moment when the rest of the team exited the hotel and headed for the SUV. He also didn't miss the sharp look Hotch shot him on the way. Feeling intensely deflated knowing he wouldn't soon be seeing any of the drug he was craving, he hung his head and shuffled to the vehicle. The team took their original seats. With the exception of Reid, everyone seemed a bit more relaxed knowing they were headed home.
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Finally, on the jet and in the air, the team settled down for the flight. Sitting side-by-side Rossi and Prentice buried themselves in their latest novels. Across from them J.J. did her best to curl up in a seat for a nap, and Morgan pretended to sleep though he was actually losing himself in his music. Hotch sat beside them, finally feeling like he could see the situation clearer. He glanced up at the seat in the back of the jet containing his errant young agent, the top of his head just visible. Reid was sitting facing away from the team, not moving. He hadn't even poured himself a cup of coffee for the flight. He just sat there.
Hotch tried to decide what to say to the young man he had worked with for over nine years. Could it have really been that long? Why did this kid seem younger to him now than he had back then? He had been through so much over the years. Deep down Hotch knew the kid probably needed a father more than a friend or boss right now, but on this jet, he was still the boss. He hated this part of the job. In the end he decided to just start talking and trust he would say the right things. Rising from his seat, he determinedly walked to the back of the jet and took the seat facing Reid.
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Reid was nervous, but he knew he couldn't stop what was coming. He waited passively for his boss to appear. His assignment had been to think about why he'd chosen to react the way he had, but he didn't need to think about that. He knew why he'd done what he'd done. Reid wished, however, that he'd put more trust in his colleagues instead of pushing them away. He knew they would be there for him if he ever needed them. How had he forgotten that?