The first day on the case passed by in a single, horrible blur for Reid. Upon landing in Las Vegas, the team were whisked off to the local police station where a familiar stern-faced sheriff met them at the door. Spencer stopped in his tracks, instantly recognising the man as the quarterback of the football team only a few years above him in school. Now dressed in worn sheriff garbs with deep lines of worry that framed his features, Jo Moore was by no means the worst bully Reid had encountered during his time at school. In fact, all things considered he had been one of the nicer ones.
Jo Moore had never resorted to physical violence, preferring instead the age-old tradition of name-calling. usually relating to his age when they passed in the corridors. Although it was hard, Reid didn't take it personally after noticing that it seemed to be a rite of passage for students who had made it onto the football team to become - as Morgan would put it- 'douches', therefore ensuring their place at the top of the school pecking order through intimidation.
Reid gulped nervously as they shuffled into the room they had been given to work in. He ducked his head, trying to remain hidden, unsure how Moore would react to him. However, going unnoticed soon became impossible as Hotch reeled off everyone's names in superficial introduction. Moore politely shook the hands of each team member, going down the line until he reach Reid.
"And finally this is Dr Spencer Reid - oh, he doesn't do handshakes, too many germs" Hotch explained catching Moore's already raising hand. Reid looked up from his shoes to awkwardly wave at the man in front of him. Who after regarding Spencer tentatively asked.
"Have we met before?, you seem awfully familiar."
Using all of his profiling training Spencer analysed Moore, but this only revealed that true to his word Jo had no idea who he was. And just like that he let out a breath he didn't realise he was holding. "I have family that live in the area, I visit often so we could have met before." Spencer answered, purposefully keeping his answer vague.
"That must be it then." Not sparing another thought Moore turned to address the rest of the group. "Now if you need any help just ask, this is a priority case so you have your pick on people and resources. We're all on the same page, we just want to see this son of a…" before Moore could finish his sentence a deputy ran into the room, clutching the doorframe for support.
"A dog walker came across another body sir," It was clear from the emotion filled voice of the deputy that this was not the first time he had to deliver such grim news over recent days.
Hotch wasted no time going into business mode. Ordering everyone apart from JJ, who stayed behind to manage the pack of reporters massing outside the station, to the latest dump site. In the hope that in this clearly unravelling killing spree the UNSUB may be getting sloppy; Emily, Morgan and Moore, who had offered to direct them to the scene, pilled into one SUV. Leaving Hotch, Rossi and Reid in the other. During the ride over Reid stared out of the window, with each unwittingly familiar sight, long supressed memories began to play overtime in his brain.
Noticing Reids' odd behaviour Hotch gave Rossi a slight nod, wordlessly communicating. Rossi returned the motion in confirmation. As soon as they arrived at the scene Hotch climbed out, making a beeline for the officer who had secured the scene, leaving Spencer and Dave in the car.
"What's up Reid?" Rossi asked, noting the other agents' reluctance to get out of the car. Reid mumbled something under his breath that Rossi didn't catch.
"You're gonna have to do better than that if you want the likes of this old man to hear you." He countered.
Reid cleared his throat before trying again. "It's just down that street," he tilted his head to indicate the street to the left of them, "is my old school." Rossi turned to look and sure enough at the bottom of the street he could just make out a large academic looking building. "It wasn't a particularly happy time for me," he continued "I used to walk down this street every day to and from school, that lamppost in front of us was once where a group of bullies stole my bookbag and threw it onto that tree, it took me hours to climb up and get it. I tried so hard to forget all that but coming here brings it all back." His eyes glazed over, reliving past events.
Rossi wasn't having any of it, he had promised Erin that he would look after the lad. Seeing the grief that these bullies had put Spencer through, so horrendous that even over ten years later he was still traumatised, had his paternal instincts activated. Thoughts of what he would do to these bullies once he enlisted Garcia to track them down was put on hold. Right now he had a more important matter to handle, comforting Reid before he fell down the rabbit hole of childhood abuse.
"Hey." He grabbed both of Spencer's shoulders, snapping him out of whatever memory was playing in his head. "You listen to me," he started firmly "those bullies were just that, the scum of the earth that were jealous of you but in spite of the hell they put you through you're here. You know what that tells me about you?" Reid shook his head. "That you're tough, you survived the worst they could throw at you and still managed to be the youngest profiler the FBI has ever seen, assigned to a highly elite team of the best of the best in the profiling world, if I say so myself. You make a difference. You save lives. Don't ever forget that. Now let's go out there and show everyone how tough you really are."
After a minute of contemplation Spencer looked up at Dave, a determined glint in his eyes "Thanks Rossi, I needed that, Ready? "He asked as his hand hovered over the door handle.
"I am if you are." In response Spencer opened the car door and jumped out, both men ducked under the crime scene tape to join their team.
Later that day after the team had spent countless hours working on the profile Hotch finally called an end to the work and the team retired to the hotel for the night. It was in the lobby of the hotel that they began to split into pairs as keys were dished out.
"Come on pretty boy, got our key" Morgan called to his friend, who remained too quiet for his liking. Reid was stopped from moving towards Morgan by a hand on his shoulder.
"Actually Derek I was hoping to nab Spencer as a roommate, if that's okay with you." Rossi spoke directing his question to both Spencer and Morgan. Spencer nodded shrugging his shoulders to show he didn't object.
"Sure man, looks like you got me Hotch." Derrick commented, catching his bosses' attention.
"Come on Spencer let's find our room." Rossi said walking to the lifts. Once the room had been located David let Reid use the bathroom first, as soon as he heard the shower running he called Erin to pass on the day's events before preparing the DVD player and clicking the kettle on to fill two disposable mugs with hot chocolate. By the time Spencer emerged, hair still wet and dressed in dark red pyjamas Rossi was sat on his own bed, dressed in navy blue nightwear. One hand holding the mug of hot chocolate and the other the remote to the TV.
"Erin mentioned that you're a whovian." Rossi started after Spencer noticed the Doctor Who episode paused on the scene.
"You watch Doctor Who?" Spencer asked incredulously.
"Cheeky thing, do I watch Doctor Who? I've been watching it since you were in diapers." He scoffed. "Now come over here and get this hot chocolate down you." Spencer eagerly took the spot next to Rossi on the bed, taking a sip of hot chocolate he sighed contentedly.
It only took an episode and a half before Spencer was nodding off. Catching sight of Spencer's lulling head Rossi reached out to grab the now empty mug from his hands, placing it on the bedside table before Spencer's head finally dropped into sleep. From Reid's breathing Rossi knew that he was out for the count, so he turned off the TV and sat back on his own bed, resolute in his decision to never let another person hurt him again.
First thing let me apologise for the supper long wait for an update be assured I've no intention of abandoning this story however updates will be less frequent until my life calms down. Also let me apologise for not writing back to individual reviews for the last chapter, I really wanted to get this chapter up as soon as possible, but every review was read and I can't thank you enough for taking the time to review my story. Hope you like...