Title: The Curtains Flew...
Author: Kuria Dalmatia
Rating: FRT, PG
Pairing: Gideon, Reid (Hotch)
Summary: Reid isn't spewing random facts or peppering him with questions or demanding explanations. That alone sends chills up Jason's spine.
Word Count: ~600
ARCHIVING: my LJ... anyone else? Please ask first.
SERIES: Criminal Minds
Feedback always welcome.
DISCLAIMER: The Mark Gordon Company, ABC Studios and CBS Paramount Network Television own Criminal Minds. Salut! I just took them out to play and I promise put them back when I'm done. I'm not making any profit just trying to get these images out of my head.
TIMELINE/SPOILERS: After 4th season's "Omnivore".
COMMENTS: Part of the "Letters" series. Sequel to "Struggle", "Vellum", and "Mail Call". Yeah, I'm quoting Blue Oyster Cult with the title. Can't help it.
Thanks to Pabzi for the encouragement.
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Jason ushers his guest in, handing him a thick blue towel to dry off with. He knows the younger man has been standing out in the rain for ten minutes sans umbrella, which is really foolish but he refrains from commenting.
Spencer Reid doesn't need - probably won't tolerate - a lecture from him.
Of course, Jason offers coffee, explaining that it will be French pressed because that's how he makes his tea nowadays; he doesn't own an automatic coffeemaker. He does this with a gentle smile, careful not to seem too eager or too pleased, but then wonders whom he thinks he's kidding.
He hears a "thank you" muffled by the towel as he puts the kettle on and measures out the coffee. The cabin is small, almost like a studio apartment with an open floor plan except that Jason's bedroom does have a door to separate it. There's a two-person table, a desk with a chair, and a futon. He does have a TV and a stereo system, but he has never been one to have the television on when someone is visiting.
When Jason turns back to his guest, he wants to be surprised that Reid is still standing with the towel now settled around his shoulders. At first, he thinks that Reid probably doesn't want to get the futon couch wet, so Jason opens his mouth to say, A little water won't hurt it, but stops.
No. That's not it at all.
There isn't small talk. Reid isn't spewing random facts or peppering him with questions or demanding explanations. That alone sends chills up Jason's spine. The younger man isn't carrying his weapon or even his messenger bag, so Jason tells himself that this isn't official business therefore Reid isn't here to tell him one of the team is dead.
At least, he hopes not.
Reid juts his chin toward the television, his gaze sharp. "Have you been watching the news?"
Okay. Maybe it was an official visit. But Reid would have called first. Jason's former protégé did have rather old-fashioned manners, something that he had found utterly refreshing and charming.
"What's this about, Spencer?" Jason asks cautiously. The younger man flinches at the use of his first name, and Jason's mouth goes dry. He wonders if Spencer will request to be addressed by his last name or title.
But… the letters. Surely Reid read the letters.
Or maybe not.
Abandonment issues, Jason chides himself.
"Boston doesn't seem like a good place for us," Reid replies bitterly. He pauses, looks around, and then adds, "There was another case there."
Right then, right there, Jason knows precisely why Reid is here. He has been watching the news. He still follows the team; he tells himself it is out of habit more than anything else. Oh. And concern for people he once called friends.
"Foyet," he says slowly. He keeps the rest of his comments - Hotch's first case as lead profiler. He never let that one go. - to himself. Or so he thinks.
Reid is staring at him. "Did you ever let Boston go?"
"Spencer…"
"Reid," the younger man corrects as he crosses his arms, but it's not the defensive posture from two years ago. It is Reid's version of the Hotchner "I'm thoroughly pissed off" Stance.
It's like a slap in the face. Jason looks away. He shakes his head. "Reid..."
"I need to know everything you know about the Reaper case."
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