I love Criminal Minds, I live Criminal Minds, I go trick-or-treating with Criminal Minds, but sadly, I do not own Criminal Minds or any of its characters.

And finally, chapter 13 . . .

XOXOXOXO

7:30 Sunday morning Morgan and Reid both awoke to their cell phones beeping. The message on both was the same, "We have a case. Briefing at 10 on the jet."

Morgan groaned, "J.J., can't it wait a few more hours?" Sighing, he rolled out of bed, dressed and realized Reid had slept through the night. That was a good sign. He crossed the hall and tapped on the kid's door.

"Come in."

Morgan walked in to find Reid wide awake, sitting up in bed reading. Clooney was draped across his legs relishing the attention while Reid absentmindedly scratched behind his ears. "How're you feelin', kid?"

"A lot better, thanks." Though his voice was gravelly, he looked much improved, Morgan thought. Still, he wasn't taking any chances. He reached for the thermometer, but Reid waylaid him.

"I've already taken it. 98.3 actually." He grinned up at the older man, then surrendered to a deep chest coughing fit. Morgan thought it sounded horrible, but if the fever was gone, he had fought off the infection at least. Reid put down his book and looked up at Morgan, stating simply, "I'm hungry."

That was the best sign yet, "why don't you get cleaned up and get dressed while I make us some breakfast?"

Reid thought a shower sounded like a brilliant idea. He nodded his agreement, and as Morgan turned to go, Reid hurriedly said, "I'm sorry I was such a brat last night."

Morgan turned back to face the young man, "that was a blue-ribbon outburst, but I've dealt with worse. Don't worry about it, kid." He flashed him a smile and finished with, "Hurry up. Breakfast in 15 minutes."

As Reid got ready for the day, Morgan pulled out his blender. He threw in bananas, strawberries, milk, plain yogurt and a few scoops of chocolate protein powder. Throwing the blender into high, he let it run as he grabbed 2 whole wheat bread slices and threw them into the toaster. He clicked the blender off and waited for the toast to finish. When they popped up, he covered each slice with chunky almond butter and topped them off with a little honey.

Sounding like he was hacking up a lung, Reid strolled into the kitchen looking more refreshed than that cough would make him seem. Morgan handed him a piece of toast on a plate and a tall glass of the fruit drink. Reid didn't think this looked much like a breakfast, but he couldn't really classify the odd combination of foods, so he decided this time of day was as good as any to eat it. Uncertain where the appropriate eating location was, he looked at Morgan who directed him back to the living room. He had a dining room table, but it seemed a little too formal. Besides, he normally just ate in front of the television anyway.

Morgan clicked on the television and they watched Episode V while they ate. While they were still enjoying breakfast, Hotch called Morgan's cell, "Morgan. How is he?"

"Hey Hotch," he replied, more to let Reid know who he was talking to. Reid turned his attention toward the phone call. "His fever's gone, but he has a nasty cough."

Reid pulled a face at being talked about. It suddenly occurred to him that Hotch might pull him from this new case if he was sick. If he did that, he'd have to stay with – Garcia! He didn't feel that bad, and a cough wouldn't get in his way. He quietly yet emphatically whispered to Morgan, "I'm fine!"

In his ear Hotch asked Morgan, "What do you think? Should he work this case?"

Morgan looked skeptically at Reid, but he replied to their boss, "He'll need to take it kinda easy, but I think he'll be okay. Getting out might do him some good."

Hotch thought Morgan might be tempted to stretch the truth if Reid was sitting there pressuring him, "Are you certain?"

"Uh, yeah. He'll be fine."

Morgan was generally more self-assured, so Hotch was positive now that Reid was sitting right there, "Put him on the phone, please."

Morgan handed the cell to Reid. Putting the receiver to his ear, the young man tried to sound as chipper as possible, "Hi Hotch."

Hotch's tone held a stern warning, "Spencer, I know you don't want to stay home for this case, but I don't need a sick agent in the field."

Pleading generally got him what he wanted, so the young agent went directly to that, "Please, Hotch. I feel fine. I can do my job. I swear."

Against his better judgment, Hotch gave in. Since he was alone, he allowed himself a rare eye roll. How could he expect Morgan to stand up to this kid if he couldn't do it himself? "You can join the team – if you get the N.A. meeting list to Morgan, and if you promise to take it easy while you're here. If I decide you need to take a break, I don't want any argument from you. Am I understood?"

Eagerly, Reid responded, "Yes, sir. Absolutely! Thank you, Hotch."

"Oh, and Spencer, Morgan wouldn't tell me what happened between you two last night, but we will talk about it later."

Reid gulped, "N-nothing happened, Hotch. I . . ." he knew he couldn't talk himself out of this one. "Yes, sir." He dejectedly handed the phone back to a perplexed Morgan.

Back on the phone with his boss, Morgan listened to his instructions, "It's cold and wet out here, so make sure he packs warmly. He needs to get that N.A. list to you before you leave for the airport. It's a long flight, so I want him to rest as much as possible. Get him to take a nap if you can."

"Okay, okay. Hotch, I've got it under control."

Realizing he was acting like a mother hen, Hotch relented, "We'll see you late this afternoon then. Thanks, Morgan."

Both men hung up. Morgan said, "Well, you got your way, kid. Hope you don't regret it."

Reid was still thinking about the last thing Hotch had said to him, "Yeah, me too, man. Me too."

It was almost 9am. They would have to get a move on if they were going to get a go-bag packed for Reid before their meeting with J.J. Reid cleaned up the kitchen, and then went to the computer to find N.A. meetings in the Seattle area while Morgan took a quick shower and changed. The older man had his own go-bag in hand and was ready to depart in less than 20 minutes. He gave Clooney a goodbye pet and grinned as Reid did the same. He looked meaningfully at the younger man who simply handed him the printout of the meetings. Morgan briefly scanned the document. Satisfied, they walked out the front door.

On the short ride to his apartment, Reid queried, "Did Hotch tell you anything about this case?"

"Yeah, kid. He did. There's been a bunch of child abductions in the Pacific Northwest. They weren't able to put all the pieces together until recently because the incidences have been so spread out?"

This Piqued the young agent's attention, "Spread out? How far?"

The kid had picked up on the same thing Morgan had. He raised an eyebrow and answered, "Across state lines."

Going into college lecture mode, Reid raised one finger and began, "In cases of abduction an unsub is highly unlikely to work such a large area. Normally, they'll keep to a comfort zone with a radius of 50 miles or less depending on their access to transportation, and the ratio of viable candidates for abduction in that area."

Morgan knew the facts. He'd heard them time and again, "I know, I know. That's what I told Hotch, but he still believes there's a connection."

Tentatively, the younger man asked, "What's the unsub doing to the kids he's abducting?"

Morgan noticed the change in his tone and looked at his passenger concernedly before he answered, "I don't have all the details, but I know he's killing them, Reid." He watched the kid as the news sunk in.

Reid was shaken knowing he would again be working on a case involving children – who were being murdered. He had wanted so badly not to be excluded from this case, but he wasn't so certain now. The perfect excuse was already in place. Joining the team wasn't mandatory for him right now. But how would that look? What if the team thought he couldn't do his job? And there were going to be other cases like this. Was he going to make an excuse every time? No, he needed to face this. Out of the corner of his eye he noticed Morgan concentrating far too much on him considering he was driving. He cleared his throat, sat up a little straighter, and pretended to be thinking through relevant statistics that might be related to this case.

Next to him Morgan watched the varied emotions play across his friend's face. He saw the brave mask put in place as well. Morgan thought about suggesting he stay home for this one, but the kid needed to believe in himself again. If it took working a case like this, then the older agent was willing to let him try.

As they approached Reid's apartment, Morgan remembered his clothes were still at the laundry. He would need to pick those up before they left. Glancing at his watch, he realized they wouldn't have time to do that, and pack Reid's go-bag, and still make it to the jet on time. He grabbed his phone to call J.J. and tell her they'd be a few minutes late.

As the two men climbed out of the cab of Morgan's truck, Reid listened to the conversation. He again felt like he was imposing on Morgan. There was no reason they couldn't do both things at once. When the older man hung up the phone, Reid said, "You know, I can pack myself. If you run to get your laundry now, you'll probably be back before I'm even finished. It'll take you, what? Fifteen minutes?"

"Uh-uh. Hotch would have my head if I left you alone even that long. If we're a few minutes late, it won't be a problem. Come on, kid. Let's get a move on."

Feeling mildly ashamed that his friend couldn't trust him enough to be alone for even a few minutes, he led the way into his building. He was also feeling something else. Something deep in his gut. He wasn't sure he wanted to explore that feeling right now, but it was making him uneasy. Reid tried to push it away by concentrating on his packing. Morgan was pulling heavy sweaters out of his closet and throwing them at him. The young man obediently folded them and put them in his bag. When Morgan finished, he had just enough room for a couple pairs of slacks and the essentials. He was still feeling uneasy and distracted as he picked up his bag to go.

Morgan looked at him incredulously, "forget something, kid?

Reid looked at his friend, dumbfounded.

"Your weapon, kid. Where's your gun?"

Oh right! He mentally slapped his forehead, dropped the bag and went to his dresser where the firearm waited for him. He checked that it was loaded and the safety was on before attaching it to his side.

Ready to go, they were back in the truck and heading for the cleaners. Reid sat quietly, trying hard not to think about what, or who, the case involved. Morgan worriedly glanced at him, but let the kid alone for now. They would have time to talk on the jet.

Reid knew this part of town. He knew it quite well actually. The truck turned onto the street Morgan was looking for and slowed. It was filled with people. Reid had forgotten there was a large farmer's market here almost every Sunday morning. Finding parking would be nearly impossible. They passed the cleaners, both men scanning the street for a spot. Then it occurred to Reid. Pointing at the next right turn, he said, "There. Turn there. I know where there's a space."

Morgan didn't know how Reid knew about a parking spot before they were even on that street, but he turned anyway.

Reid pointed excitedly to a wide-open spot just around the corner from the laundry. Astonished, Morgan pulled up to it. Then he read the sign, "Loading and unloading only. Reid, we can't park here."

"Why not? I can stay with the truck so it won't get ticketed." Morgan was about to protest leaving him alone, but Reid was faster, "Look, it'll only take you five minutes to get your laundry. What could I do in five minutes?"

Sighing, Morgan relented. They weren't likely to find another spot anywhere close, "Okay, but you stay in this truck. And lock the doors. You hear me?"

His heart beginning to race, Reid silently nodded his head as Morgan jumped out of the cab. He turned to watch his friend disappear around the corner, then hurriedly jumped out of the cab himself. He dashed across the street to the bar he knew so well, jogged to the back and found the person he was looking for. Through a wheezing, coughing fit, he tossed money at the man and anxiously said, "dilauded." He was practically dancing in place waiting for the man to get a move on. Without a word, the man handed him a vile of clear liquid. Reid guiltily palmed it, turned and raced back out the door to the waiting pick-up. Outside the vehicle he succumbed to yet another coughing fit. Finally managing to clear his lungs, he hopped back into the cab, locked both doors and tried to calm his breathing.

He didn't have much time. Less than a minute later Morgan came around the corner, pile of clothing in hand. Reid unlocked the door for him. Morgan placed his items in the back seat, climbed into the cab and they were on their way to the jet.

The End

XOXOXOXO

Hope you enjoyed! Please read and review.

XOXOXOXO

Okay, psych! Not really the end, but the next chapter will be chapter one under a new title – haven't decided what that title will be yet though. Since this story is moving into of an episode-type, I thought it was fitting.