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LYSSA'S HOUSE
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 1
The shades covering Lyssa's bedroom window hadn't been closed the night before and Reid awoke to the warm feeling of the sun on his face. Shielding his eyes with one hand Reid glanced over at the clock that was on the nightstand and when his brain registered what time it was he sat up quickly, a horrified expression on his face. Eight o'clock. He should have been at work an hour ago. Reid couldn't believe that he'd overslept. That never happened to him.
"Oh no!" Reid exclaimed as he jumped out of bed and began quickly pulling on his clothes.
"What's wrong Spence?" Lyssa asked in a groggy voice as she watched him get dressed.
"I'm late for work," Reid replied as he hurriedly gathered up his things. "And Hotch is going to be furious."
"I'm so sorry," Lyssa said, now wide awake and gazing at him with an apologetic look in her blue eyes. "I should have thought to set an alarm."
"It's not your fault," Reid told her, momentarily ceasing his frantic scurrying to lean over and give her a kiss. He thought about the night before. "And it's not like we planned any of this. Don't worry, it'll be okay."
Lyssa nodded. "There's some clean clothes in the laundry room. You left them here the last time and I washed them for you."
"Thanks," Reid said gratefully. He hadn't been relishing the thought of wearing the same clothes that he'd had on yesterday as he was fairly certain that his very observant colleagues would notice. Reid left the bedroom and made his way to the laundry room. He found the clothes that Lyssa had been talking about and quickly changed into them. Then he rushed back into the bedroom to tell Lyssa goodbye.
Reid leaned over and gave Lyssa a kiss. "I'll give you a call after work."
"Alright," Lyssa said. "Love you."
"I love you too."
Reid quickly left his girlfriend's house and headed in the direction of Quantico however, despite the fact that he was already an hour late, Reid didn't drive any faster than the speed limit. He had no desire to get into an accident or get pulled over for speeding.
BAU HEADQUARTERS
LATER THAT MORNING
When Reid arrived at the FBI training facility he practically sprinted all the way up to the floor that housed the BAU and when he arrived, slightly out of breath, he saw that all of the desks were unoccupied. That could mean only one thing; Hotchner had called the team up to the conference room for a meeting and that meant that Reid's day just got ten times worse.
The young agent stashed his messenger bag under his desk and then quickly made his way to the conference room. After pausing at the door for the briefest of moments Reid warily opened the door and stepped inside the conference room. All eyes were immediately focused on him and Hotchner said, "Nice of you to finally join us Reid."
"Sorry sir," Reid said, his gaze downcast. "My alarm didn't go off."
"I'll overlook it this time," Hotchner said, his countenance no more stern than usual. "Try not to let it happen again in the future."
"Yes sir," Reid said with a nod.
Now that the confrontation with his boss was over Reid lifted his gaze and surveyed the room before taking a seat and he was shocked to see Special Agent Don Eppes sitting at the table beside Gideon.
"Hey Spencer," Don said as the young agent sat down in his usual spot beside Morgan. "Long time, no see."
Reid nodded. The last time he'd seen Charlie's brother had been when the BAU had helped him track down a serial killer out in LA. The young agent arched a brow, a curious expression on his face. "What exactly are you doing here Don?"
It was Hotchner and not Don who answered that question. "Agent Eppes and his team are on the trail of a group of terrorists," the Agent in Charge told his young subordinate. "And the trail led them here."
"So the higher ups decided that we should work with the BAU to track them down," Don said. "We're pretty sure that they're in D.C. so time is of the essence."
"Agent Eppes' team will be here tomorrow," Hotchner informed his team. "At which point we'll go over the details of the case. Spend today finishing up any work that you're behind on. As of tomorrow the terrorism case is our number one priority. You're all dismissed."
The members of the BAU all got to their feet and left the conference room. Most made their way back to the bullpen area and half way there Reid noticed that Don Eppes was following him.
"Charlie said that you were supposed to contact him when you guys got back to Virginia," Don said as he followed the younger agent down the small flight of stairs. "But when I told him that I was meeting with you guys today he seemed surprised."
"I meant to send him an email last night," Reid said, a slightly guilty expression on his face. "But. . . um. . . something came up."
"This wouldn't have anything to do with your girlfriend would it Spencer?"
Completely caught off guard by the question Reid was at a loss for words.
"Oh-ho," Don exclaimed, needing no further explanation. The look on the younger agent's face, coupled together with the fact that Reid was currently unable to speak, told Don all he needed to know. He offered Reid a knowing look and slapped him good naturedly on the bicep. "Don't feel bad Spencer. In the same situation I would have made the same choice. I'm sure Charlie'll understand."
"Did Charlie come with you to Virginia Don?"
Don nodded. "That's why he wanted to know the minute you guys got back. He thought that the two of you could hang out."
Feeling guilty that he hadn't answered Charlie's email, Reid turned to face his best friend's brother. "Tell him to come over to my place tonight." Then as a sort of an after thought he added, "You're welcome to come too Don."
Don nodded. "I'll tell him."
REID'S APARTMENT
FRIDAY FEBRUARY 1
SIX O'CLOCK PM
Reid had just arrived home from work, having had to stay an hour late to make up for having been late, and as soon as he stepped inside his apartment the young man pulled his cell phone from his pocket. He quickly dialed Lyssa's number.
"Hey Spence. I was starting to get worried about you. You're home kinda late aren't you?"
"I stayed over to make up for being late."
"I'm so sorry about that."
"I told you that it wasn't your fault. Listen, Charlie's in town and he and his brother are supposed to come over to my apartment later. Would you like to join us?"
There was a brief pause and then Lyssa replied, "Think I'll take a rain check this time Spence."
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure. You have fun with your friends and I'll talk to you tomorrow okay?"
"Alright."
"Say hi to Charlie for me."
"I will."
"Love you."
"I love you too."
Not long after Reid spoke to Lyssa he heard the sound of someone knocking on the door. He quickly walked across the room and pulled the door open.
"Spencer!"
As soon as the door opened Charlie pounced on Reid, embracing the younger man and practically knocking the breath out of him.
"Hey Charlie," Reid said as he pulled free from his friend's grasp and attempted to catch his breath. "Hey Don. Glad you could make it."
"Are you kidding? Wouldn't have missed it," Don said with a smirk, his gaze shifting back and forth between the two younger men. "The two of you together is always good for a laugh."
"Ha ha," Charlie said as he and his brother entered the apartment. "Hey Spencer, I brought a deck of cards. What do you say to the two of us annihilating my brother at poker?"
"Oh, now that's not fair," Don said, shaking his head. "You're both geniuses and Spencer's from Vegas."
"Deal with it Donnie," Charlie said.
"You know I thought you might pull something like this," Don said as he pulled his backpack from his shoulder. "Which is why I brought this." As he spoke Don unzipped his backpack and pulled out a Scrabble board.
Charlie's eyes widened in horror. "Now who's not playing fair Donnie?"
"Ah turnabout's fair play Chuck," Don said with a smirk.
"Fine," Charlie said with an exaggerated sigh. "I'm sure Spencer will avenge my horrific defeat. He actually knows how to spell."
"Hadn't thought of that?" Don admitted.
Reid just smiled.
BAU HEADQUARTERS
SATURDAY FEBRUARY 2
When Reid arrived at work the next morning (twenty minutes early just to be safe) he found Don and his team waiting in the bullpen area with Hotchner. The group all gazed up as Reid walked across the room.
"Good morning Reid," Hotchner said as Reid stowed his messenger bag under his desk.
"Good morning," Reid said quietly.
"Good to see you again Dr. Reid," Agent Megan Reeves said, offering the younger agent a smile.
Reid nodded as Colby Granger and David Sinclair both offered him a friendly wave.
Half an hour later the members of the BAU, along with Don and his team plus Charlie, were assembled in the conference room. As they all listened intently Don went over the details of the case. They were on the trail of a group of terrorists who'd moved from LA to DC when the FBI had begun to close in on them.
"We know that the terror cell was planning an attack in LA," Don told the group. "They uprooted just as we were about to nail them and I can only assume that they'll attempt to carry out an attack here."
"This said we have very little to go on since Agent Eppes and his team tracked down the terror cell's hideout but not the actual members," Hotchner told the group.
"That's right," Don said. "This isn't going to be easy but together I'm sure we can do it."
The rest of the agents all nodded.
The two groups of FBI agents, the BAU members and Don's team, spent the first part of the day going over the case files and discussing likely targets for the terrorists. Then they split up into groups and began to work on the case.
REID'S APARTMENT
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 5
Reid had just arrived home from work and he was exhausted. They had been working the terrorist case for four days now and they had all been pulling twelve hour shifts. Reid had just sat down on the sofa when his cell phone began to ring. Thinking that it was Hotchner calling him back to work Reid groaned under his breath before he pulled out his phone. He briefly glanced down at the screen and saw that it was Lyssa and not Hotchner who was calling him. He flipped the phone open.
"Hey Lyssa."
"Hey Spence. You haven't been answering your phone."
"I've been working on a case. We've been pulling long hours. Really long hours."
"What kind of case are you working on?"
"I'm sorry Lyssa but I can't say. It would be a breech of security."
"Oh."
"I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it Spencer. Look I was just calling to make sure that you were okay. I'll talk to you later."
"Alright. I love you Lyssa."
"Love you too."
Reid flipped the phone closed and sighed. He knew that he'd upset Lyssa just now but he wasn't allowed to talk about the case under any circumstances. It was confidential. The general public got spooked any time terrorism was mentioned and Hotchner wanted to avoid causing a panic.
Lost in thought Reid was startled when he heard a knock on the door. The young man groaned as he got to his feet. "Now what?"
Reid walked across the living room and pulled open the front door, revealing none other than Charlie.
"Hey pal," Charlie said, noticing the expression on Reid's face. "Is something wrong?"
"It's Lyssa," Reid said quietly as he stepped aside and allowed Charlie to enter the apartment.
"Are the two of you still having problems?" Charlie asked as he and his friend sat down on the sofa.
"She seems distant," Reid told his friend. "I know there's something wrong with her but she still won't tell me what it is."
"I'm sorry Spencer," Charlie said, knowing that his friend was concerned about his girlfriend. "I wish I could help but I don't know what I can say."
"It's alright Charlie," Reid said in a quiet voice. "This is something that I'm going to have to deal with on my own."
Charlie nodded, wishing that he could help his friend but knowing that Reid was right. This was something that the young man would have to figure out for himself.
"So," Reid said, breaking the somewhat awkward silence that had fallen. "Did you have a reason for coming here Charlie or can you just not get enough of my presence at work?"
"Just thought you might like some company," Charlie replied. "Don't tell me you're not happy to see me Spencer."
"That's not it," Reid said, shaking his head. "I'm just exhausted, that's all."
"I thought so," Charlie said, reaching into his backpack and pulling out a couple of DVDs and holding them up for Reid's inspection. "That's why I brought these. No games that require thought, skill, or concentration tonight. Just some good old fashioned mind numbing television."
Reid smiled, appreciating the thought, and Charlie did have a very valid point. It might be nice to spend an evening without thinking.
BAU HEADQUARTERS
MONDAY FEBRUARY 11
The group of FBI agents had finally come up with a decent lead on the terrorist organization that Don and his team had chased from LA. They still didn't have any ID on the suspects however what they did have was a possible location for their hideout. Now they were preparing to head on to the supposedly abandoned farm out in the Virginia countryside to find out if their hunches were correct.
"Hang here Charlie," Don told his brother as the mathematics professor started to follow the group of agents, who were making their way toward the elevator. "We'll be back in no time buddy."
Charlie was reluctant to remain at BAU headquarters however Don had that look in his eyes and he knew that his brother wouldn't back down from this. So he sat down at Reid's desk to await their return. "Be careful you guys."
"Of course," Don said.
The contingent from FBI piled into two Chevy Tahoes and made their way out to the Virginia countryside. When they reached the address that Charlie's equation, coupled together with the work of the profilers, had led them to Hotchner parked his SUV at the end of the driveway and Sinclair, who was driving the other Tahoe did likewise. The agents all climbed out of the SUVs and began to don their bulletproof vests.
"Alright," Hotchner said as they prepared for the raid. "Garcia said that the property has a house, a barn and a detached garage. Don, Reid and myself will take the house; Morgan, you, Reeves and Granger take the barn; Gideon, you, Prentiss, and Sinclair take the garage."
Everyone nodded to show that they understood his instructions and then split into their assigned groups. They quickly made their way up the driveway, making sure to keep low in an attempt to remain undetected.
Hotchner motioned toward the house and Don and Reid nodded. The trio of agents positioned themselves around the front door and, once Hotchner kicked it open, they all three rushed inside, weapons drawn. Hotchner and Don worked on clearing the rooms downstairs while Reid cautiously made his way upstairs. The young agent held his gun at the ready as he walked through the rooms upstairs. They all appeared to be deserted and he was just about to declare the upstairs clear when he noticed that one of the closet doors was slightly cracked open. Now Reid knew that this more than likely meant nothing however there was also a slight chance that someone was hiding in there.
Reid cautiously made his way over to the closet and, holding up his gun with one hand, he quickly pulled the door open. His gaze quickly swept over the small space and found it unoccupied. The young agent was just about to heave a sigh of relief when his gaze fell upon what at first glance appeared to be a digital clock.
Reid's blood ran cold as he watched the red timer counting down, instantly knowing exactly what the device was. It was a bomb and they were almost out of time. Reid raised his hand up to his mouth so that he could speak clearly into the wireless microphone that was clipped to the cuff of his sleeve. "Hotch I found a bomb! We have to get out of here now!"
Hoping that his boss, as well as Don, had heard the warning Reid turned and sprinted across the room toward the door. He'd just made it out of the room and to the top of the stairs when there was a deafening explosion.
TBC. . .