The End and What Its Worth-Epilogue

Everything's Not Lost

".....Alright, so now that this is over, I am going to post the prologue to my new SLASH story that Ive had written for a while.....AFTER I manage to update FR. Thnx everyone for holding in there! I know its been a bumpy ride, but I hope everyone enjoyed it! Thnx everyone! I LOVE YOU ALL! Ps- inspired by coldplays everythings not lost."

5 Months Later

Reid had finally recovered from his injuries a few months after the Foyet case. Hotch had finally adjusted to life without Haley, but he would never truly get over her. All in all, the team was recovering.

The BAU had just finished up their latest case when they decided to go to the bar. They laughed over dinner as they caught up with what was going on in each other's lives. Half way through their dinner, Reid dismissed himself to use the bathroom. The team just smiled obviously as Hotch followed behind him.

Not to Hotch's surprise, Reid walked past the bathroom doors and walked outside to the restaurant's balcony. Reid sat down his cane as he leaned against the rail of the gates.

"Exactly five months ago I was stabbed and shot because of Foyet." Reid said, sensing Hotch was behind him.

"Exactly five months ago you were saved from Foyet." Hotch replied. Reid sighed, getting Hotch's point. "You still think about it a lot, don't you?" Hotch was now leaning next to Reid by this point.

"Yeah, wouldn't you?" Reid mumbled.

"I wouldn't know; I don't know what you went through." Hotch said, resting a hand supportively on Reid's shoulder.

"It's just.....It feels like it was just yesterday, you know? It seems like I was there with Foyet one moment and gone the next. I...." Reid sighed, looking for the right words to describe his feelings. "I just don't see why he did it. There doesn't seem to be a point to it all."

"I know Spencer, there never seems to be a point to an UnSub's motive. You'll never forget what he did to you, but you'll come t terms with it. In the meantime, just let us help you." Hotch said softly, trying to ignore the fact that Reid seemed to be leaning more and more of his weight into him.

"You called me Spencer." he smiled. "I know that really wasn't the whole point in your conversation, but it helps."

"Helps how?" Hotch asked, confused.

"I'm always called 'Agent Reid', 'Dr. Reid', 'Reid', 'Pretty Boy', 'Spence' even, but never my real first name. It's just good to hear someone on the team call me it; it helps me remember that I'm not just an agent or just a genius or just a friend.......I don't know. I guess it's stupid, really." Reid mused aloud. Hotch smiled at the look on Reid's face.

Thoughtful. Contemplating. It was a look that had been missing on Reid's face for a while- that innocent look that reminded everyone that he was still young enough to enjoy life without needing anyone to take care of him anymore. That look made Hotch sure that Reid was going to be okay.

Hotch missed that look.

"It makes perfect sense Spencer. It helps you remember that you're a person too- that you're not just an FBI agent with a smart head on his shoulder- that you have a life outside of the BAU. I used to feel the same way, but the team's helped me get over that feeling." Hotch let a small silence fill the air before continuing- letting the light breeze wash over he younger man as he stared out into the darkness of night. "We can help you too." Reid's eyes locked with Hotch's, both of them serious but light-hearted at the same time.

"I....I can't deal with this by myself. I know that I will need the team's help, and I've accepted that. I just....I guess I just feel that I have to do this alone to prove that I'm strong enough, but I know that I have nothing to prove to the team. I know that you all know how strong and how weak I am." Reid responded, lightly swaying on his toes,despite the fact that it was hurting his leg. Nervous tick, Hotch thought.

"The way you're feeling is normal. You know that already. You'll feel like this for a while, but soon enough things will get back to normal, I promise." Reid smiled at Hotch, who smiled back reassuringly. "Now, are you ready to get back in there?" Reid nodded with the same smile on his face, and Hotch lightly pushed Reid on his back toward the door.

"Hotch?" Reid said before entering the restaurant.

"What is it?"

"Thanks." With that, Reid turned and joined his team at the table. Hotch stood at the doorway for a few moments, taking in the scene of his team. Smiling lightly to himself, he started walking again and closed the door....

'Maybe everything's not lost.....

The Official End

".,....Nice and fluffy :) Once again, thank you everyone and I hope you guys read my other stories! How about one more review....? hehehhehe....."