Disclaimer: I still do not own Criminal minds. I don't own anything here.
A/N: Well, chapter 3 is up. Sorry guys for the really quick updates. It's my rest day and I'm on a roll. Anyway, I'll be back to work and i won't be able to do anything for a week. So, chapter 3, let me know what you think. Any suggestions are accepted, just no flamers please? =). As usual, comments and reviews are very much highly appreciated.
Chapter 3
The case in Bakersfield was over and it was easier than they have expected. Their unsub was a paranoid schizophrenic who ran away the minute he saw the FBI pulling up in his home. One of the local police shot him in the leg and they were able to capture him.
The atmosphere in the jet was quite festive while the team celebrated an easy case.
"I need something to drink after this. Who's with me?" Prentiss raised her hand as she asked her question.
"I'll go with you. I need a strong shot of tequila, or maybe two." JJ replied, sighing tiredly as she sat lower in her seat.
"I'll come with! Kevin's out of town, and well, misery loves company." Garcia piped up from the speakerphone and they all laughed.
"Anybody else? Rossi?"
Rossi smiled. "I have a date tonight."
Hotch chuckled. "Working on wife number 4?"
"If I tell you, I'm gonna have to kill you."
All of them laughed and that's when they noticed Morgan was silent at one side of the jet, looking out the window. Reid, too was silent. He has an open book on his lap but apparently, he was not reading it.
Hotch cleared his throat. "Morgan? Reid? You guys up for some drinks after this?"
Reid cleared his throat. "Uhm, no. Maybe next time. Thanks, anyway. I have…things to do."
Hotch looked at Reid closely. "Everything okay?"
"Yeah! I just really need to do this thing."
Hotch nodded in understanding. "How about you, Morgan?"
"Sorry, Hotch. Headache. Maybe next time." Morgan replied, before closing his eyes.
Hotch looked at the rest of the team who was looking at both men with curiosity.
They all landed at the airstrip after a few minutes, and Prentiss, JJ and Hotch climbed to one car, while Rossi drove off from his. Morgan climbed to one SUV and noticed that Reid was walking. He got out of the car and approached Reid warily.
"Hey, Reid. Need a ride?" Morgan asked hesitantly, stopping a few feet from the young genius.
"Uh, no thanks. I'll take a cab." Reid mumbled, while hugging his bag to his chest, who never stopped walking.
"Why pay for a cab when I can take you?"
"Well, I'm going to stop at the bookstore for awhile."
"I can drop you off at the bookstore."
"No, that's okay. I don't want to bother you." Reid mumbled.
Morgan grabbed Reid's arm to stop him from walking. "You were never a bother, you know that."
Reid bit his lip. "Are you sure?"
Morgan let go of Reid's arm. "Reid, look at me."
Reid turned around but resolutely kept his head down.
"Reid, you were never a bother, I hope you knew that. I'm always here if you need me." Morgan bent a little to look in Reid's eyes. "Got that?"
Reid smiled a little. "Yeah. Got that."
Morgan swallowed. "I actually need to talk to you."
Reid nodded, looking directly at him now. "I need to talk to you, too."
"There's a small coffee shop beside the bookstore. Want to go there?"
"Doesn't matter."
"Okay."
The two men rode in silence, each lost in their own thoughts. They arrived at the coffee shop which was relatively empty since it was already 10 in the evening. They ordered their coffee and sat at one of the booths at the far side. Both were silent while they waited for their order, just looking out at the window, watching people scurrying, people hailing cabs, people waiting for the light to change.
The waitress went by their table and gave them their order. Still, silence ensued on the booth while they add sugar and cream to their coffee, tasting if it is the right amount of sugar, blowing on it since it was too hot. Both trying to procrastinate, both trying to hold off the much needed conversation.
"Nice coffee –"
"Are you hungry – "
Both started at the same time and both laughed, and the tension was somewhat lessened.
"Sorry, you were asking?" Reid asked.
"I wanted to ask if you were hungry. I noticed you didn't eat anything earlier."
"Oh. Well, I had an apple and coffee on the jet earlier."
Morgan frowned. "That's not enough. You should eat more. Would you like me to order you a sandwich? Maybe we should have gone to a restaurant instead."
Reid scowled. "Morgan! It's all right. I'm not that hungry."
"Are you sure?"
Reid sighed. "Yes. I'm sure."
Morgan looked at him closely before sipping his coffee. "All right. If you're sure."
Reid bit his lip, holding his mug between his hands. "I have something to tell you."
Morgan settled back on his seat. "I'm all ears."
Reid cleared his throat first, then pushed a lock of hair behind his ears, then fiddled with the hem of his sweater. He resolutely kept his eyes from Morgan as he looked at the contents of his mug: all indications that pretty boy was nervous.
"Reid? What is it? Tell me." Morgan asked softly.
"Ithinkweneedtoseeotherpeople." Reid blurted out.
Morgan frowned. "Sorry, what? You were talking too fast."
Reid laughed nervously. "Sorry. I said that I think…that we should see other people."
Morgan looked at him closely, before nodding. "I agree."
Reid thought he heard wrong. "Sorry?"
"I said I agree. That was actually what I wanted to tell you, as well. I mean, what we had was good, but let's face it, it's not as if it was long-term, you know what I mean?"
Reid tilted his head as he surveyed Morgan. "Yeah. Exactly." He then smiled uncertainly. "We're still friends, right?"
Morgan smiled softly. "I meant what I said before, Reid. I'll always be here whenever you need me."
Reid smiled. "Thanks, Morgan." He then looked at his watch. "Hey, listen I need to go before the bookstore closes." He then held out his hand for Morgan to shake. "Thank you. For everything."
Morgan shook Reid's hand, holding it a little longer than necessary. "My pleasure."
With one last smile, Reid slid out from the booth and out of the coffee shop.
It was a good talk. At least they were able to clear out the air. They're now both free. Morgan frowned as he sipped his coffee. Since when does freedom frighten him? They're both free now, right? He should be happy.
Right?
Morgan was jolted from his musing when someone tapped his shoulder. He turned around and saw a woman. Her skin was dark and smooth, her hair was like a waterfall falling from her back, the neckline of her dress should be made illegal and she has never ending legs, which she encased in black stilettos.
"Hey. I was wondering if you're finished with the sugar?" She asked, her voice very low and kind of raspy.
Morgan looked at the sugar bowl. It was already empty. He smiled; genius poured the entire contents in his coffee. "Sorry, I'm all out. You can check the counter."
She bit her lip and looked at him coyly. "Well, I think we both know that I'm not really after the sugar."
Morgan raised his brow.
She held out her hand. "I'm Chris."
Morgan took her hand automatically. "Derek."
She looked at his hand, then to his chest down to his stomach. "Pleasure to meet you."
"Yeah, you too. See you around." Morgan stood up from the booth to leave but she grabbed his arm.
"I feel really embarrassed about this. But, would you like to go to dinner with me sometime? Or maybe get a cup of coffee?"
He's free now. He should be able to do this. He should move on now. They need to see other people.
Morgan smiled. "Yeah. I'd like that."
Reid just went out of the bookstore, a book of 16th century poetry and art clasped protectively against his chest. A sudden gust of wind blew by and he snuggled deeper on his sweater vest. He looked at the coffee shop and he paused as he saw Morgan. He was talking to a woman inside the car. He was leaning against the door and even from a distance, Reid could tell that he was flirting. Hm. So he moved on already. That was quick. Well, they decided to see other people, didn't they? He should be happy now that he's free. But, as Reid walked away, he thought, since when did freedom felt like his heart was breaking in two?
Aww, i hate doing this to poor Spencer, but don't worry, things will get better. Anyway, reviews are very much appreciated =)
