Reid staggered through the elevator doors of his department. Morgan looked up at him from the files he was looking through "Hey man, you ok?" He said his deep voice edged with concern for his younger co-worker and friend. Reid looked over at Morgan, his stomach aching from having eaten nothing, and from nerves. Today was the day that Cara's daughter Eva would go into his custody, and Reid had been unable to sleep all night due to worrying about Cara.
"Uh um yes I'm fine" He said his light voice scratchy today. "Are you sure? Man you know its ok to be scared." Morgan said standing up from his desk and walking over to Reid. "It's fine." Reid muttered as he pushed past Morgan and walked up to Hotch's office. Reid lightly knocked on Hotchner's office door, and then when he didn't answer he knocked harder, until Hotch opened the door.
"Hey Reid, are you ok?" Hotch said his voice cool but his eyebrows furrowed with concern for his friend. "I'm fine, I just want to get things done, has there been any leads on Cara's disappearance?" Reid asked hoping there had been something. He had spent hours last night trying to remember everything he knew about Cara.
"We found some evidence towards why she left, or was possibly abducted." He said looking Reid in the eye as he spoke. "Well what?" Reid said his tone slightly inpatient, Hotch's mouth turned up for a second as annoyance circled his eyes. "Her mom had told us that she had had a boyfriend, Todd Cyril who had repeatedly been arrested for assault on her, mostly physical but some sexual. She had been separated from him for a few weeks but she had been getting threats saying he would come and force her back to him, and if she didn't comply he would kidnap Eva who he believed to be his child."
"Oh," Reid muttered trying to remember who Cara had been dating when they were teenagers. "So we believe that he could have her, and she knew he was coming for her and her daughter so she had given Eva too her mom, who would give Eva to you." Reid moved his hand to his head feeling a headache coming on. "Does anyone know his whereabouts?" Reid asked while trying to sort through all of the information in his head.
"No, Rossi and JJ are down in Las Vegas now, talking to his friends and family." Hotch said, Reid reached for his phone that had been in his front pocket, "Ok I'll give a call and try to get them to send the jet back for me." He said while dialling JJ's number. "No, Reid you need to go and meet Cara's mum Ms Dustin and pick up Eva. You have everything ready, right? Reid put his phone away remembering Eva, and nerves settling back into his stomach.
"Yeah I think so, I best go and meet them." Reid muttered his stomach in knots, hoping he had everything he needed to take care of a three year old child. "Ok there going to be at the Airport in an hour do you want me to come with you? We can take the SUV." Hotch said resting his hand on Reid's thin shoulder.
"I would appreciate it, you know what my driving's like I don't want to scare her" He said making Hotch chuckle.
They arrived at the Airport; Reid's hands had started to shake with nerves. He had turned his second bedroom which had been used for storage, and kind of as a small library, in to a nice little room for her. He didn't know how long he would have to take care of her. What if Cara died? What the hell would he do then?
"Hello Spencer." A small slightly croaky voice came from behind Reid. He turned around and spotted Ms Dustin a few feet in front of him, holding a small child's hand. The little girl looked scared. Her big dark brown eyes, looking up at Reid. Reid had a quick flash of recognition, had he met her before?
"Hi Ms Dustin, how are you?" he asked his eyes moving to Ms Dustin. "Fine" She said nodding her head as she did, a strange knowing look on her face. "Hey there, Eva right?" Reid asked his voice soft as he crouched down in front of Eva. Her Dark brown eyes, that looked similar to his own, peered into his, like she was looking into his soul. She smiled, it was small but sweet.
Eva then looked up at her grandmothers light blue eyes, and mousy blonde hair. "Cuddle Nana?" she asked as she smiled at her ageing grandmother. Ms Dustin picked her up into her arms, kissing her forehead and tickling her as Eva giggled.
She put Eva back down, and Eva walked up to Reid, a shy smile playing at her mouth. Reid put his hand out, for her to shake. Hotch coughed trying to signal to Reid that children don't shake hands usually. But she took it, a wide smile spreading across her cute face, making Reid smile back, and then she climbed into Reid's arms and cuddled him.
Reid was shocked for a moment, and then settled into the hug. He knew that his time with her would be filled with happiness, and that once he got used to having a child around, it would come naturally to him. As he put her back down next to him, he knew by the look in her dark eyes, that she was a special child.