A/N: First foray into the Criminal Minds fandom. Admittedly I am becoming slightly obsessed with Dr. Spencer Reid. I just got done watching Zugzwang and was compelled to write this. I do not know if it's canonically accurate as haven't seen anything after this episode yet.
"be darkness to my experience,"
Thomas Merton
"Wait!"
The word echoes in slow motion only to drown seconds later in the reverberation of the gunshot, bouncing on the walls.
Reid's face crumples, the sound he makes is guttural.
On his knees, sunken to the floor, hands trembling he reaches towards Maeve.
Morgan pulls him back sharply by his shirt.
"Just let me!" Reid sobs, "Let me touch her Morgan."
"You know you can't do that kid."
"I don't care. I don't care!"
Derek is on the floor beside him, pulls him around and buries Reid's head against his chest.
It's futile.
That image is going to haunt Reid forever.
All he can offer is a brief reprieve from the sight of his girlfriend bleeding out in front of him.
"I never told her".
The words are hoarse, barely a whisper into Morgan's vest.
"She knew"
Reid's fingers grasp at the fabric, his sobs unabated.
Morgan cradles the back of his head.
"She knew."