Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds

Chapter 02 A – Spencer Reid

The sound of his doorbell being rung fills the apartment and, cursing silently under his breath, Spencer cast a quick glance to the clock hanging in his kitchen.

Eight in the morning.

A sigh passes his lips and quickly Reid makes his way to the front door. It's bound to be Morgan, he tells himself.

The man promised to pick him up for work yesterday after, again, dropping Spencer off on his way home. Morgan had been doing that for the past week, ever since Reid had returned from his short trip to Las Vegas.

Spencer appreciates that and the first time Derek had offered he'd jumped at the chance of not having to travel by public transport and not arriving at the BAU alone.

If he is honest, Aaron's rejection has hit him hard and because of the emotional strain it takes him to get out of bed every morning, to live his life, he is tired most of the time. Having not to worry about dragging himself to work is a relief as well as a safer option to other road-users.

"Hey,"

Spencer smiles a bit uncomfortably when he opens the door, revealing a yawning Derek standing on his doorstep.

"Morning, Kid." The dark man greets and nods towards the direction of the elevators. "Your landlady held the door for me. Lovely lady."

Spencer grins, stepping aside to allow Morgan the opportunity to enter his apartment. "Her son moved away a year ago, she misses him." He says before darting into his kitchen. "I'm running late, make yourself at home." He calls out.

For the next five-or-so minutes he busies himself about his apartment to gather his things, ready his go-bag and shove some sugar-coated cereal down his throat which shouldn't be allowed to be named breakfast.

"You're going for a sugar-rush that'll last until lunch?" Morgan asks teasingly from the kitchen-doorway.

Spencer looks up, his spoon shoved into his mouth and bowl of cereal in his free hand, and swallows. He chuckles at Derek's statement and in an amused voice says: "Lunch? I'm hoping I'll last until my first coffee."

He's always had a thing for sugar yet nowadays eating it kept him perky and lively.

It wasn't that he couldn't live his life anymore. Things just seemed a bit more dull for a while and Spencer knew it would pass when his sub-consciousness got over the fact Aaron would never love him.

Because even though he wasn't a sobbing mess, didn't break down when seeing Hotch, that didn't mean he wasn't hurting. Because every time he saw Aaron his heart ached yet it was something that had faded slightly and he knew it wasn't the end of his life.

Minutes later, with the dashes standing dirty in the sink and clothes still loitering his bedroom floor, Derek and he are on his way to the BAU.

While Morgan drives, Spencer fumbles with the radio. He sits back in his chair, satisfied, when a soft jazz sounds from the speakers and he sighs, almost happily. "Thanks for picking me up." He says with a small smile.

To him, though, it means more. Because he wants to thank Derek for being his support, for comforting him when he's at his lowest and for picking him up every morning to ensure Spencer that even though Hotch doesn't love him, he's not alone.

Derek chuckles and shakes his head. "Don't mention it." He replies.

And Spencer leans his head against the head-rest with a grin, grateful he's got a friend like Morgan who cares so much.

TBC.