I hope you enjoy this.
Chapter Ten:
Reid stared at the ceiling. He didn't know what to think. For once in his life he was tired of thinking. Everything felt overwhelming. He just wanted to close his eyes and drift for a while.
Sloane bounced in. Reid inwardly sighed and open his eyes.
"Hi Sloane," he said, trying to sound cheerful.
"Hi," she said brightly. "The director said you were given the choice of living with us in Denver for a while. Have you thought about it?"
"A lot of bad people are after me Sloane," he said. "I don't want you to get hurt."
"Bad people have come after me and my family too," she said. "I'm not afraid."
"You're still young," he said. "Too young to know about what real fear is."
"I've hunted unsubs too," she said impatiently. "I know what it is look to be afraid of losing people. I know what it is like to lose people. I'm not afraid of losing you."
"I am also damaged Sloane," he said thinking of his visions of Shaw. "I need a lot mental help."
"You're not damaged Spencer," she said. "You're a survivor."
"I didn't escape unscathed."
"Why won't you accept stronger pain medications?" she asked abruptly. "They would help you heal and make you sleep better."
"I was tortured into becoming addicted to narcotics years ago," he said sadly. "This is what I mean by being damaged. You don't want someone with this many demons living in your house."
"I don't believe in demons," she said. "In the original Greek, 'demon' refers to benign spirits."
"These aren't benign spirits though," he said. "I need help."
"Then let me help you," she said desperately. "We'll get you to see the same psychologist Cassie sees. She's helped her a lot."
Reid looked into her clear blue eyes. He didn't want to disappoint her. The director must have told her to put pressure on him and it was working.
"Sloane, I'm not perfect," he said reaching out for her. "Please know that first. I need your patience."
"You have everything you need Spencer," she said holding his hands. "We'll be safe together. I promise and you will heal."
"Anything for you Sloane," he said. "Anything."
…
Sterling sat in the director's office late in the evening.
"He agreed to it?" she said.
"Yes, he did," Briggs said.
"I don't like the idea of leaving him and his team out of the loop, Tanner," she said.
"If it means catching the most powerful of the emeriti, it is worth the risk," he said.
"I hope you're right," she said.
