Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds
Morgan had finally made it home. He opened up the front door and realized how cold and lonely the place was. It was almost the complete opposite of Reid's cabin. At least over there is was warm and cozy. You could be alone yet feel perfectly surrounded. The smell of Christmas was non-existence. For once, his home didn't feel like home.
His dog was most likely still with the sitter, so he knew Clooney wasn't coming home anytime soon. It would just be him and maybe the television. Then again, he didn't have to be alone. He knew Prentiss would probably be dying for an excuse to get away from her mother. Could he call with a fake case?
It was worth a shot.
He grabbed his phone and autodialed Emily. On the second ring she picked up.
"Prentiss," She said rather quickly.
"Hey uh we have a case," Morgan lied.
"Really now," Prentiss said in a tone that told Morgan she knew he was lying.
"Yeah, but I understand if you want to spend time with your mother," Morgan said knowing that Prentiss didn't want to be with her mother.
"I'm on my way Hotch," Prentiss said before hanging up. Morgan smiled happily. She played along. After a good ten minutes she texted him if he was at his house. He replied and waited another ten minutes for her to arrive.
"You were pretty close by," Morgan said as he let her in.
"Yeah well, when you are the one choosing the place to have a classy Christmas party, of course it will be close to your job," Prentiss said automatically taking off her shoes.
"How was hanging with your mom?" Morgan asked.
"One of you guys couldn't have called any sooner," Prentiss said shaking her head. "And why are you here? Garcia told me you were spending Christmas with Reid? I'm glad you two worked everything out. I thought I was going to have to be mad at you for a while," Prentiss admitted with a nod.
"Well we did work everything out, but you might as well get mad at me again because I ruined everything once more," Morgan admitted. Prentiss frowned at the news.
"What do you mean? What happened?" Prentiss asked sitting across from Morgan.
"Well I finally did what you guys wanted and told him," Morgan explained. Prentiss looked at him in surprise.
"No," She said quietly. "What happened when he found out? Wait, how did you tell him? Details are needed. Good thing you called me this is practically a case now," Prentiss rambled in thought.
"Well, believe it or not, but Reid actually has a girlfriend. One that he's actually comfortable around. So of course I get a little jealous, but I guess I let it get out of hand and of course Reid's cabin is in the freakin' woods so you know I left and he followed, but Reid sucks at navigation so he gets lost. I find him practically dead in that storm. Next day he's alive and BAM! I tell him," Morgan summarized quickly. Prentiss stared at him for a few seconds.
"Did he ask you to tell him?" Prentiss said trying to break it down.
"Well yeah, he wanted to know why I left. I mean, I wasn't going to leave for good. I knew he would come after me so I went in a non-Derek Morgan direction," Morgan shrugged.
"Okay, so basically you almost got him killed and he wanted to know why you did what you did. So you told him that you liked him. What happened after that?" Prentiss asked.
"Well, he did the one thing that he always does. Asked me why I didn't tell him. He was bothered by the fact that he was probably hurting me inadvertly," Morgan admitted.
"So he wasn't mad. Just concerned," Prentiss said in confusion.
"Yeah well, then I decided to insult his girlfriend, and then him," Morgan said shaking his head. "Then I asked him out and he looked at me like I was crazy. I basically asked him to leave her," Morgan frowned.
"Ooh that wasn't a good move on your side Derek. How did he take that?" She wondered trying to think of a way to fix the issue before they all head back to work.
"He didn't. The last thing he said to me was that he couldn't handle this. He left. So while he locked himself in a room, I packed up and came here. I figured that I had finally broken the camel's back," Morgan sighed.
"So you haven't see him ever since that last argument?" Prentiss clarified.
"Yeah, I haven't. I mean, what I said about his girlfriend was wrong, and I sort of ignored some of the things he was trying to tell me. I don't know Prentiss. Something was wrong with him ever since that last day of work. I saw it, Ethan sort of knew it, and Reid wouldn't divulge in the information," Morgan complained.
"Okay look, I'm going to talk to JJ. Maybe she could get through to Reid," Prentiss said calmly.
"Does JJ even know?" Morgan asked quietly.
"About you? Um, I don't know, but I don't think she'd care. She might find it exciting and tragic. You know, JJ's a sucker for romance," Prentiss shrugged. Morgan nodded in agreement, but still couldn't get the weird feeling out of his stomach. He wasn't sure what it was, but something bad was coming and he could just feel it. His mom always told him to be conscious of his instincts. He only wish he knew what it was about.
"Well, I don't want to ruin her Christmas. Maybe we can wait," Morgan said as his phone rang. He picked it up and immediately frowned.
"Or not," Morgan said hanging up the phone.
"Was that Reid? Is he in trouble?" Prentiss said already standing.
"No no, relax. That was just Hotch. We have a case," Morgan said before Prentiss turned into superwoman.
"Oh. Ooh," Prentiss drew out in an awkward fashion.
"This is going to be awkward," Prentiss said.
"Yeah. It is," Morgan said as he called his sitter. Clooney may need a few more days.
One by one, they filed into the Conference room. Morgan was slightly nervous to see Reid. He practically ditched and now they have to see each other after a couple hours of fighting. After a good ten minutes Reid finally walked in. They all couldn't help but take in his slightly haggard appearance.
"Okay, the case in New York, so it's not that long of a flight. But apparently we have a serial killer ruining the holiday season for five families," Garcia informed as the pictures of five women came onto the screen.
"Five? Why are they just now calling us?" Morgan asked looking at the pictures of the victims.
"Well that is because victim number two and three seemed completely different than numbers one, four and five. They then realized that there was a small signature on each victim," Garcia said as she hit the button.
"Victims one, four, and five were already dead and the family had a funeral. When police checked their grave, our killer's actual victim was found in the grave. Victims two and three were not in someone else's grave, but they had on the clothes from the dead people he dug up," Garcia said looking at the slightly confused faces of the team.
"Wait, what?" JJ questioned.
"Basically, our unsub dug up some graves of men and women who had just died in effort to hide his own murder. He kept their clothes to make the already dead people lay naked. However, he just put those clothes on non-hidden victim's two and three to make it seem like a different MO," Reid explained. JJ nodded in understanding.
"So the question is, what other graves has he dug up to place bodies in," Prentiss said.
"Or how long has he been doing this? It's pretty obvious that he's had some practice given that no one has caught him dig up the graves," Rossi explained.
"So our unsub is organized, skilled, and physically built for the demands of each victim," Hotch said with a frown.
"Is it possible for our guy to work as a grave digger?" JJ asked looking at them all.
"Could be. That would make sense given his skill," Morgan agreed.
"What do you think Reid?" Rossi called out. They all looked at Reid who seemed strangely over-relaxed.
"About who are unsub is?" Reid questioned slowly.
"Yes Reid," Hotch said wondering what in the hell was different about the id today.
"Um well for all I know he could just be some hella buff dude who reads the obituary. Hell, he probably works in the funeral home. Brings the body to work. When it's time to transport the body switch them out," Reid shrugged. He actually felt really good today, but he hoped the slight buzz would go away. He gave them a sweet smile when they proceeded to stare him.
"That's actually not a bad hypothesis," Prentiss finally said.
"It does make sense," JJ agreed as well.
"Okay Garcia, search for people who work in funeral homes and who worked at the funerals," Hotch stated.
"Reid, work on a geographical profile, Morgan you can help him. JJ and Prentiss I want you to talk to the families. Rossi and I will visit the dumpsites," Hotch finalized.
"What about the ME?" Morgan asked.
"Right now, Reid's our ME," Hotch stated and Reid looked up.
"What happened to ME?" Reid asked.
"She was one of the victims who was found dead. So, um, no other Medical examiner wanted to take the case, because she was our latest victim and he left a note," Garcia explained.
"Well that should have been stated during the brief," Reid frowned as Garcia handed him the note.
"She was so sweet. What a shame she was working on her fate," Reid read aloud. He nodded.
"That was kind of creative," Reid admitted gaining curious looks from his team members.
"So, we have a profile. Let's get to the jets. Wheels up in 20," Hotch stated. Most of the team members got up, except for Hotch and Reid. JJ ruffled Reid's hair as she walked out, giving Hotch a pleading look.
"Reid what's going on?" Hotch questioned softly. He didn't want to scare Reid, although he couldn't help but follow JJ's instruction. Sometimes she knew Reid better than anyone else.
"What's going on is that I may have drank before you called about this case. I'm not fully here, Hotch," Reid admitted. Hotch nodded.
"Did you drive here?" Hotch questioned his eyes narrowing.
"Hotch I'm not inebriated," Reid defended.
"Reid, you could have hurt someone," Hotch said getting sterner. "You're judgment isn't at its best."
"But Hotch, I didn't drive," Reid said and Hotch's face steeled slightly.
"Are you lying Agent Reid," Hotch demanded.
"No, I hate driving in the snow. I had a friend drive me. But I'm not drunk. I just wanted you to know that," Reid smiled. He knew he was annoying Hotch and frankly he didn't care.
"Reid can you work this case. It depends on whatever you find," Hotch questioned pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Yeah, sure I can work the case. I just have to get as much data as I can before he decides to kill me," Reid said as he frowned at the prospect of that happening.
"That is why I have Morgan helping you. If anything happens I know he is the most capable of handling the situation," Hotch said knowing that Reid wasn't exactly the biggest threat physically for some of the unsubs.
"Okay," Reid agreed.
"Now, don't ever scare me like that again Reid. I literally thought you drove here," Hotch reprimanded.
"You didn't look scared Hotch. You seemed, ready to fire me," Reid admitted.
"Good," Hotch said before standing up. Reid stood up too and followed Hotch out of the conference room.
Reid wasn't thrilled at the prospect of having to work with Morgan, but he will try. After all, the lives of future victims and justice for current victims are more important at the moment.
They sat on the plane, most of them brooding at the fact that they had to leave their families for Christmas.
JJ sat next to Reid and Prentiss joined. Morgan decided to pretend to listen to music while Hotch and Rossi discussed the case.
"So how was your break coming along before you got here," JJ asked. Prentiss still hadn't had the chance to tell her.
"Yeah Reid, you seem a little off this morning," Prentiss admitted.
"Oh yeah, well this break wasn't so bad. Maybe the worst part about it was being called in," Reid admitted. Prentiss rose her eyebrows at that.
Morgan, who was sitting behind them frowned at that.
"Why do you say that Spence?" JJ chuckled.
"Because I'm not exactly in my right mind to be doing this," Reid stated with a shrug.
"Explain," Prentiss prodded.
"Well, some things may have happened a bit earlier and so I may have had something to drink and now I'm comfortably buzzed," Reid explained not caring that he just admitted that. He was more surprised with himself. He was quieter when he showed up to work high, now it was like he had no reservations.
"Wait why were you drinking? Did something bad happen?" JJ asked. Reid simply shrugged.
"I don't know if I can say it was bad," Reid said in thought.
"What happened?" Prentiss prodded knowing exactly why Reid should have had a bad morning.
"Well remember when I told you guys that if it got serious then I would tell you?" Reid asked. JJ nodded getting happy. She knew it would get serious!
"Well, it was serious and I dumped her like she was worth nothing. The worst part is that I told her she was nothing. I was really happy saying that to her, but now, I feel kind of bad—not really," Reid said wondering why he was even telling them this.
"Wait… Reid… Were you drinking before you dumped her?" JJ asked.
Reid nodded.
"Reid, no! You have to go back to her. Tell her before she takes you seriously," JJ gasped. Reid couldn't mess this up.
"I don't know, if she believed him then maybe she wasn't worth it," Prentiss said secretly trying to keep Reid from going back to the other woman.
"She really wasn't. I told her I was a drug addict and I think she would have left me if I hadn't left her. If she couldn't deal with me being on drugs then it really would have been a waste of my time," Reid explained.
"Wait… Why did you say that?" JJ asked wondering if Reid hasn't been telling them something.
"Well, I think it's safe to say that we all know I was a druggie a while back. One major trigger would have me back in that life and if she can't handle it, then she would just leave me. So, I just decided that she wasn't worth it," Reid explained. JJ nodded slightly relieved. She was also slightly proud. Spencer wasn't exactly broken up about it and he seemed just fine.
"Wait was Morgan there to see this? I know he was staying with you over the break right?" Prentiss questioned innocently.
"He was?" JJ asked.
"Yeah, Morgan's plane got cancelled due to the snow storm," Prentiss informed.
"Oh," JJ said in surprise.
"Yeah, Morgan wasn't there when it happened. He had just left," Reid said vaguely. He knew not to go into details. He knew that Prentiss knew about Morgan's feelings, but Reid wasn't going to explain it to JJ.
"Wow," JJ said running a hand through her hair. "You've really got your life figured out," JJ smiled ruffling Reid's hair once more.
Morgan listened and felt the hope slowly come back. Reid left Heather and that could only be of two reasons. One, what he had told Reid actually sank in. Two, Reid most likely reciprocated the feelings. He smiled as the ladies chatted on and Reid spouted a few facts that gave them way too much information on the current subject. Eventually the plane landed and Morgan found himself alone with Reid in an SUV.
It was too quiet for Morgan, but he also didn't want to turn on music. If Reid decided to talk to him, then the music would only be a barrier. He wasn't sure what Hotch wanted them to do first, so he decided to ask Reid.
"So do you want to start with the geographical profile or the autopsy?" Morgan queried.
"I can do them at the same time," Reid answered staring out the window. Morgan sighed. Reid wasn't acting the same. He had ruined it when he told him.
"How's Heather?" Morgan asked.
"I don't know, why don't you call her and ask," Reid snapped. "Oh sorry about that. I didn't mean to snap," Reid apologized making Morgan's head spin.
"I know you guys broke up," Morgan finally stated.
"Of course you do Morgan," Reid said dryly still staring out the window.
"I think we have to talk about this," Morgan said pulling over.
"I think that you should keep driving before our unsubs drives by us and starts shooting," Reid said folding his arms across his chest.
"Not until we figure this out," Morgan said taking the key from the ignition. Reid glared at Morgan not wanting to talk about anything. Was it enough that Morgan had left? Now he wanted to tell him why he left? Reid knew he was being a jerk to Morgan. He didn't need Morgan confirming it and making him feel worse about himself.
"What is there to figure out? You said you like me and—"
"And you said no because you were dating Heather," Morgan reminded. "Did you leave her because of me?" Morgan asked. Reid wanted to die at this very moment. He did not want to have this conversation.
"Morgan, you were part of the reason, okay?" Reid admitted and huffed.
"Why? Was it something I said?" Morgan asked automatically regretting it as Reid stared at him blankly.
"Okay so it was something I said," Morgan said holding his hands up in defeat.
"Can we just go? I'd like to find something that may help this case before another girl dies. I mean unless you want to explain to Hotch why you kept me from doing my job," Reid said holding Morgan's stare until he put the key back into the ignition.
"At least you're talking to me," Morgan mumbled and Reid simply rolled his eyes, but deep down he was slightly glad that Morgan was still talking to him too.
They rode the rest of the way in silence and Reid finally got to the lab. He was secretly excited to do this. It was completely different for the geographical profiles that he did case after case. He smiled as he looked at the different tools and Morgan simply watched the younger man as he did whatever he figured would help solve the case.
Morgan was awed by the way Reid worked. I was almost the kid had a sickening glee. Morgan wondered how Reid didn't cringe at what he was doing. I t was almost as if Reid didn't realize that there were once people.
"Did you find anything?" Morgan asked feeling like he was ruining Reid's perfect little world.
"Um, maybe," Reid admitted. "But everything I've found will be sent up," Reid admitted as he turned to the geographical profile and placed the pins on them.
"Um, Reid when did you start on that?" Morgan asked.
"When you saw me writing, that's when I was working on it," Reid admitted as he began covering up each body.
"So when did you learn how to do that?" Morgan asked. "Was there a class?"
Reid thought for a moment and shook his head.
"No, I've never taken a class. I think Hotch just has too much faith in me. Maybe the PhD in chemistry," Reid shrugged. He didn't know what Hotch was thinking, but Reid definitely liked doing what he just did. That's what his next degree would be based on. Then again, he knew it would take years to pull that off. Then again, Reid could probably do all of it within a few months. He has the memory and speed to get it done.
Morgan chuckled at Reid's revelation and nodded.
"That is quite possible. What did you find?" Morgan asked.
"Hair, fibers, and I tested some blood, took a few swabs. It appeared that there was some type of asphyxiation. And one of the girls was buried alive," Reid informed.
"Are you serious Reid?" Morgan asked.
"Yup. Another had broken blood vessels across her face so, she died of asphyxiation, but he didn't strangle her, when I looked in her trachea I found some cloth which is also being sent up," Reid explained. "This guy fixates on the throat. The question is why?" Reid said as they walked out of the lab. However, Reid was slightly leery about being outside of the lab. With the unsub killing people who help on the case, Reid didn't exactly feel safe just walking around. He also didn't like how easy going Morgan was being. For some reason he felt that with one distraction the unsub could kill them both. Then again he already had what he found being sent up, so if the unsub kidnaps him, there's a chance that he would be found about a day later. If not, then he dies. Not that big of a deal.
They got back in the car, and the tense silence loomed over them. Reid hated it and he tried his best to act like everything was perfectly fine. He had to try. This was his job.
"When are we going to go back to normal?" Morgan questioned keeping his eyes on the road.
"Normal? I don't know what you're talking about," Reid said feigning ignorance.
"Reid don't do this," Morgan begged quietly.
"If we both pretend that anything this week happened, then everything will be normal," Reid suggested.
"No Kid, I can't do that," Morgan frowned.
"Then don't be surprised by my silence," Reid mumbled.
"Kid, do you just have something against me?" Morgan asked stopping the car once more. Reid looked at him and smirked.
"What could I have against you Morgan? I mean, our friendship for the past few years were most likely you just flirting or trying to charm me or whatever method you use to pick up those chicks at the club. Maybe I'm against you thinking that I would just walk away from a relationship to be with you. Then again, I ended up walking away. Maybe I'm just against this situation because you may have forgotten the fact that we work together and now our jobs are based on how mature we act about this situation. Ignorance is bliss," Reid ranted hoping Morgan would finally get the message.
"Reid, I wasn't faking our friendship all those years and I wouldn't treat you the same way I treat the people I meet at the club. I'm sorry that I ruined your relationship—"
You didn't ruin it Morgan, you just made it end faster," Reid grumbled. "You were right about her in a sense," Reid admitted. He couldn't let Morgan think he ruined his happiness.
"Then why are you so pissed at me?" Morgan asked upfront. "This time I want an answer."
"Morgan I'm not even pissed at you. I'm pissed at myself, so if you don't mind letting me enjoy my personal hell, I'd like to get back to it," Reid finalized ending their conversation. Morgan was beyond frustrated. He couldn't understand Reid at all. He knows Hotch roomed them together as always, but how was he even going to function with Reid giving him the cold shoulder.
Once again Morgan started driving. That's when he realized the car behind him.
"We're being followed," Morgan said trying to act like he hasn't noticed. Reid simply nodded as Derek started driving towards the Police station.
"It's a 2003 Ford," Reid said glancing at the side mirror before looking straight ahead. "Can you get a look at the person driving it?" Reid asked.
"No it's the windows are tinted to dark," Morgan admitted before parking in front of the station. Reid watched as the vehicle passed them by and absorbed the license plate number like a sponge.
"Please tell me you got it," Morgan begged.
"Yup I do," Reid said getting out of the SUV.
Morgan got out as well and quickly got to Reid's side. If the unsub was after Reid, then he needed to make sure Reid stayed safe.
"I never did say thank you," Reid said as they walked through the station.
"For what?" Morgan asked.
"For saving my life," Reid admitted.
"Oh, you don't have to thank me for that kid," Morgan admitted.
"I know, but I just think that you should know that I'm grateful for it, despite the way things are," Reid said entering the conference room before Morgan could say anything. Morgan held in the frustration. One moment Reid was friendly, the next it was like he was mad again. Morgan wasn't sure where they stood any more.
Morgan walked in and saw Hotch.
"We were followed, Reid knows the license plate number and He found some things in the autopsy room," Morgan informed quietly.
"What about the geographical profile?" Hotch asked.
"He did that too," Morgan informed.
"One more thing," Hotch said before Morgan could walk away.
"I've noticed that there's a rift between you and Reid. I advise that you guys fix it before I have to," Hotch informed. Morgan nodded feeling his stomach drop at the prospect. He walked over to Prentiss who was reading some notes on the families.
"Where's JJ?" Morgan asked.
"She is still talking with the Turner family," She said as she watched Hotch and Rossi walk out of the room.
"Prentiss where's JJ?" Reid questioned.
"Turner family," Prentiss said and Reid nodded heading out.
"So how was it?" Prentiss asked now that they were alone.
"I don't know, he's confusing the hell out of me. One second it's like we're friends, the next we are strangers," Morgan admitted. "I don't know how much longer I can do this little dance with him. I feel like he doesn't want to fix at least our friendship."
"Maybe he doesn't know what to feel or what to do. I mean you told him you liked him. You insulted his now ex-girlfriend, and mind you he's been drinking. He probably just wants things to go back to normal," Prentiss said putting down the file and turning to Morgan.
"I don't think things can go back to normal when your best friend admits they have feelings for you. What am I supposed to do? Pretend it never happened?" Morgan asked.
"No Morgan. You need to get him to talk in a non-hostile environment. Maybe you keep bringing up this conversation at the wrong time. How about tonight when you two can actually scream at each other and bro it out, or whatever boys do when they fight," Prentiss shrugged.
"I just don't want to lose him," Morgan admitted.
"Lose who?" JJ questioned walking in.
"Reid was looking for you," Prentiss informed.
"Oh yeah, he found me. Now who are we talking about," JJ questioned as she sat down.
"Might as well tell her now," Prentiss said mainly to herself. "We are talking about Reid. If you haven't noticed there's something going on between Reid and Morgan."
"Yeah I noticed. Morgan is this still from the other day?" JJ asked.
"No, this was from today. Me and Reid sort of had another argument," Morgan admitted.
"Over what? Reid and I have little arguments all the time, but we are never get mad at each other," JJ frowned.
"Well Reid could never be mad at you, but I told Reid something that I should have kept to myself," Morgan said vaguely.
"No, you told him. It's what needed to be done," Prentiss disagreed.
"What did you tell him?" JJ asked feeling nervous. There are some things that could absolutely hurt the boy, and she prayed that Morgan didn't say or do any of those.
"I told him I had feelings for him and then insulted his girlfriend and then tried to get him to go out with me," Morgan explained feeling ashamed of himself. JJ looked at Morgan in shock. That was the most bizarre thing she's heard all day.
"No way," JJ said in disbelief.
"Yup, and he's pretty pissed at me and I still can't find out what the true reason is! I know it can't be just about me insulting Heather or basically asking him to cheat," Morgan said running a hand over his head. He couldn't even focus on the case.
"Yeah Morgan. Spence is mad at you for more than just that, and you know I love you, but he has a right to be pissed," JJ said patting Morgan on the shoulder.
"You know why he's mad at me?!" Morgan jumped up in surprise.
"You may be Spence's best friend, but he's like the brother I never thought I wanted," JJ admitted before giving him a sweet smile and walking off.
"JJ help a brother out!" Morgan begged.
"Sorry, I'm helping my other one," She admitted before walking out the room.
Prentiss sat there laughing. Morgan simply sat back down.
"How come she always picks his side," Morgan grouched causing Prentiss to laugh a little more.
"Reid's the baby. He'll always win," Prentiss said grabbing another file.
"Give me one," Morgan said snatching the file out of her hands. He would just have to wait until that night.