Reid slowly opened his dark brown eyes. He had dreamt that same dream for the last week, why was it occurring now; it had been around 4 years since he spent that night with Cara Dustin. It was always the same, seeing her at the funeral than making love to her after. He didn't regret it exactly but he wished she had been more sober and that it was a different time, preferably not one where they had just lost someone.
Reid walked into the BAU at around 8am on a sunny Monday, rubbing his eye with one hand and holding his coffee with the other. It took him a few minutes to realise that everyone was looking at him. He turned to face his colleagues, JJ looked sympathetic, Morgan looked confused and Rossi, well Rossi's face was unreadable, even for Reid.
"Reid," shouted Hotch, whilst creeping up behind him. "Reid please, follow me to my office we have something's to discuss." He said standing straight. Reid looked up into Hotchners dark eyes searching for an answer; as per usual Hotch was expressionless. The only way Reid could tell he was In deep water was by the slight twinge of pain in the corner of hotch's mouth.
Reid followed Hotch to his office his head hanging like a shamed dog; he couldn't think what he had done wrong. He was terrified that he would lose his job, the one thing he couldn't bare to lose. "Spencer please take a seat." Hotch said his voice cold, Reid knew he was not in trouble as soon as Hotch said his first name, "What is it Hotch, is-is it my Mom is she ok?" Reid gasped suddenly panicked by the thought of losing his mother.
"No, it's not." Hotch said his voice ever so slightly more sympathetic. Reid blew out a breath relieved. "But I am afraid to tell you that your friend Cara Dustin has gone missing and is suspected to be dead." Hotchner said unable to look Reid in the eye. Reid couldn't talk, he had been having dreams about her for the last week, and it couldn't be a coincidence.
"There is another thing, Cara's mother rang us today, and she said that Cara had come to her the week before, begging her to take her daughter Eva. She also claimed that Cara demanded her to find you and make you take the child. Apparently it is very important that you and only you take care of her."
Reid stared at Hotchner flabbergasted; he had no idea what to make of it all. He couldn't take care of a child. He had hardly any experience, the only real experience he had was with Henry. "I-I can't, I didn't even know Cara had a child, I can't." he whispered pushing his hair back and looking at the floor.
"Reid, I know it's not really your business but I think you should, I mean we have already agreed to take the case on, and the child would be safest with you. Plus you knew her mother, none of us do and her grandmother demands it." He said while gently placing his large hand on Reid's thin shoulder.
"O-ok, but only for Cara, the kid might be able to help me with information about Cara," he said entwining his fingers in deep thought. "That's going to be pretty difficult." Hotch laughed. "Why?" asked Reid confusion circling his mind. "Well because she's only three and three year olds don't make the best witnesses."