Chapter 6: If you fall
Morgan excused himself from the kitchen. He was still confused. Him and Emily? Really? In his reality it was clear they were comrades, yes, friends, of course, he would take a bullet for her… but was that all?
He recalled some plane talk Reid had given him one time when Emily had first joined their team, they had something in common. Vonnegut. JJ appeared beside him.
"Well, that was odd." She stared at Morgan and when he didn't respond she glanced down at her hand. "Why would you think-"
"I have to go."
Walking off, he had to gather his thoughts. He began to walk down the street of cardboard colored houses. The sun was beginning to set. If he slept tonight, would he dream in this life, or would he wake up in his past life. The life he knew, the life where Spencer Reid existed. The life where he was with all the woman he wanted.
Why was this bothering him so much.
Reid walked towards the door. He could feel Morgan retreating and wondering if he should follow. As Morgan continued to put distance between he and Reid a feeling stayed with Spender. It was a feeling of knowing exactly where Derek was and exactly how to find him if he needed to.
Until he begins to come back Reid is deciding to be helpful in other ways. He knows this case far too well and had an idea. He won't tell them exactly what to do, but he'll give them little clues.
This case always stayed with him. It's what lead him to figuring out the childhood dream that used to recur. Riley Jenkins. Maybe that has something to do with this. Only one way to find out.
JJ was still in the doorway, staring at her hand.
"Why would I be engaged. I'm not even seeing anymore…" Reid glided over to her. Did the case in New Orleans never happen? Had she never met Will?
"I can't believe him." Emily stood next to the blonde liaison. "Like nothing happened, and then proceed to explain that 'nothing has happened."
"I'm sure it's not like that Em-"
"Why do I bother with men."
Reid observed that there was not much of a difference between Prentiss and JJ from this life. No Rossi, Hotch and Garcia seemed normal too. Maybe his effect on his colleagues was not a big influence on character. Then again most of their character had been shaped by childhood.
Derek and his tragic childhood of being sexually abused. JJ's sister committing suicide. Emily and well, her family. Garcia's bubblyness still showed. JJ's phone rings.
"Hey Garcia."
"You ladies taking good care of our Morgan."
"He actually just ran off."
"What, now why would he-wait- did he ask you about some girl Radi, I think he said his name was."
"Who, Garcia?" Emily asked; inching her face closer to JJ's phone. Was there someone else?
"When he called in Philadelphia he was mentioned someone, like I should know him: Radi, Readi-"
"Reid!" Spencer spoke for himself.
"Reid?" Muttered JJ, looking into the wind. Had she heard him?
"Yes, I think that was it!"
"Do you think it's another case?"
"No, he spoke of him like I should know him."
"You should know me." He muttered.
"Think I should look into it?"
"Well, he hasn't asked us…" Emily interjected.
"Oh, honey, like that stops us!" With that Garcia hung up.
"Find out what you can when you have time Garcia, we've got other worries." At that moment both heard the distant sound of the phone in the Bridges home begin to ring.
Reid felt Morgan continue to move further away, but he wasn't about to move to find him. Garcia was about to look into what the fate was for Spencer Reid.
Morgan approached a forest. The little moonlight that captured the negative space between the trees showed a golden light and for a moment he thought maybe this is a light he should follow. Maybe it would lead him home.
He felt and heard the tree branches snap between his feet. He weaved through the trees not knowing what to expect. Leaves fell before him during his walk, his fingers grazing bark, and moss.
Then a fall.
Loosing his balance he quickly collapses under his own weight falling head-first into a tree.
There was no more light guiding him. Only darkness once again.