Adult-FanFiction.org : Television / Streaming

The Thirteenth Step	By : ExOnEv Category: 1 through F > Criminal Minds Views: 4503 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds or any characters wherein. No monetary gain for me from writing this, just beautiful and tragic moments in my mind's eye.

Chapter List
- 3
- 4
- 5
Reid shut his eyes and held them closed, letting the warm tears stream down his face. His lips puckered slightly as he swallowed. He sniffed, cleared his throat and only then reluctantly began to roll up his sleeve. He was done fighting.
This was killing Morgan to see Reid like this. There was no better way to say it. How could he get around essentially telling Reid that he didn't believe him?
Once Reid had moved the sleeve up as far as it would go, Morgan man-handled his arm, looking for a little red mark or an unmistakable injection point. He could see where Reid had been scratching and right at the center of that was a singular puncture mark. Any anger Morgan had left in him dissolved completely. "I'm- I'm so sorry, Morgan." Reid said, his voice cracking from the lump in his throat.
"I don't understand why, Reid. Why would you throw everything away?"
"I, uhh…" Reid started, knowing he would have no excuse that would satisfy. He tried to find the right words. "After last night, I felt like I was breaking inside."
"Over me?" Morgan was beginning to understand how deep Reid's feelings really were. He let go of Reid's arm and headed around to the back of the vehicle, bringing back a small first aid kit. Reid watched as Morgan readied an alcohol wipe. "Reid, man, you gotta do better than that."
"I don't expect you to understand." Reid's voice was quiet and his tone was honest. Morgan stretched his arm out and used the alcohol wipe on the injection area and wherever Reid had been scratching.
"You're right. I don't get it. We all got our demons. We all lose our way sometimes." Morgan held Reid's arm extended out as the alcohol evaporated. "But you threw away your recovery and you risked dying... Was it worth it?"
Reid didn't answer right away. Morgan got a band aid over the tiny wound. He had no idea if this would stop any infection or not, but he did know it wouldn't hurt. "I'll get back to you on that…" Reid finally said.
Morgan didn't like that little sidestep. He let go of Reid's arm and brought his hand to the side of Reid's neck and shoulder. Then Morgan leaned down into his Reid's space again and Reid felt a rush of heat come from his gut and travel all the way up into his shoulders. He tried not to shudder. "Promise me you won't do that again."
Reid cleared his throat. "Yeah… of course," he nodded.
"I ain't messin' around. You promise me." Morgan watched Reid very carefully who couldn't even make eye contact. "If it takes you callin' me every time it crosses your mind, I'll be there for you. Just promise me."
Reid saw an opportunity here. "I promise," he said. Morgan's face showed some relief and he pulled away from Reid, "but I need a promise from you." Reid looked at Morgan with hopeful eyes.
"Sure, man. Anything."
"Promise me you'll consider it? That you'll let it cross your mind?"
It took a second, but Morgan understood Reid loud and clear. And he didn't answer Reid. He didn't appear interested. He didn't even get mad. He just grabbed the first aid kit and walked around the front of the vehicle. He landed himself in the front seat, tossing the first aid kit into the back. Reid shut his door and turned briefly to look where the kit had landed. He buckled himself in and turned to watch Morgan. He was waiting for some sort of sign of acknowledgment. But Morgan started the SUV, buckled and pulled out into traffic.
After reaching work, Reid sat quietly in the SUV with Morgan. With the engine off, every noise each of them made seemed to be amplified. Even just breathing or the slight rustling of fabric echoed in Reid's ears. This only felt a little awkward. Reid was patient. He was waiting to follow suit. He would get out when Morgan chose to get out. "I'm not gonna tell anyone about this." Morgan turned to look at Reid. "You're okay to work?"
"Uhh, yeah. I think I'll be okay. I just need some food and distraction."
"You don't have any of that shit on you, right?"
"No!" Reid said quickly. "No, I- I don't."
"We're gonna have to keep an eye on your arm. Let me know if it gets infected."
Reid smiled just a tiny bit. We. He looked around the large parking garage and wished it was just a little darker. He wished he could just freely lean over to Morgan and kiss him. Taking in a deep breath, he could smell Morgan's cologne. It was such a familiar and comfortable smell. "Yeah, I will."
"If anyone cares, you didn't feel well, slept in, all that, okay?"
"Yeah," Reid repeated. He unbuckled, leaned forward and picked up his satchel from the floor board, throwing the strap over his head and shoulder. Then he waited. Morgan still wasn't getting out of the Suburban. "Is something wrong?"
Morgan turned to look at Reid while his jaw was actively clenching and then said, "Nah." With that, he unbuckled his seatbelt and opened his door. Nothing was said as they walked through the garage.
The elevator ride up felt like a short one to Reid, although any alone time with Morgan always felt like he was continuously being cheated. He didn't get nearly as much as he wanted or even hoped for. He began to feel some anxiety when they were three levels from their floor, having only one thought on his mind. "Come over tonight?" he blurted.
Morgan looked at Reid with a 'deer in the headlights' expression on his face until he righted himself. Reid raised his brow waiting for a response. He felt brave. His lock on Morgan was unwavering. A few more seconds passed and the elevator doors opened, slicing right through whatever had tethered them at that moment. Morgan moved to step out and Reid quickly stepped in front of him. Reid's aggressive behavior had taken Morgan off guard a bit. He was blatantly blocking Morgan and didn't act like he would budge without a slight scene occurring. "You got balls, kid. I'll give you that." Morgan looked around briefly before stepping around the boy genius and into the lobby.
Reid smiled to himself and followed Morgan into the BAU. Prentiss and JJ gave a warm hello as he sat at his desk. Morgan teased Reid in front of the girls and everyone laughed, including Reid. Things felt somewhat normal. After he had got settled at his desk, Reid watched Morgan get up and head into Hotch's office. He couldn't help but wish he was a fly on the wall in that room.
When Morgan walked out, Reid intently watched him and waited for an "all clear" sign of some sort, but Morgan wouldn't look at him. Then his desk phone rang. "Yeah, Hotch," he answered, seeing the extension number on the display. "Yeah, I'll be right up." He took a deep breath and caught Prentiss' eye.
"Everything alright?" she asked.
Reid just gave her a nervous half smile and pushed his chair in. He slipped both of his hands into his pockets and his shoulders hunched forward a bit as he walked. He took one look back to Morgan who wasn't anywhere to be found. His confidence tilted a little and he could feel his arm itch. He opened his eyes wide, blinking a few times as he walked up the small staircase. He wasn't high anymore, but he didn't feel 100% either. He tucked his hair behind his ears and cleared his throat before he knocked and opened the door.
"Have a seat, Reid."
And so he did. "Hotch?" he began. "I'm really s-"
"Don't apologize." Hotch's monotone voice was a tad jarring. Reid cleared his throat and pursed his lips. "Just don't let it happen again." He looked Reid over and continued. "You really don't look well. Are you sure you're alright?"
"I- I, uhh, I'm just really tired. I need to eat."
"If you're ill and need some time off, just say so."
"Hotch, I'm fine. I'm actually doing pretty well. I feel almost …good." Reid let an honest to goodness smile pass across his face.
Hotch's expression amused Reid. It went a concerned father to 'do I know this guy?' in about three seconds. But then Hotch stood up and walked from his desk to the door. Reid got up to walk out with him. "My door is always open… if you should need anything."
"I know. Thanks, Hotch."
Reid bee lined it for the bagels next. He really was starving. After spreading some of the whipped cream cheese on the two halves, he began eating it right at the counter. As he chewed, he readied some coffee.
"Hey, man."
Reid's heart jumped into his throat. That unmistakable voice. "Hey," Reid replied back. He wondered if he was glowing. He sure felt like it.
"Hotch easy on ya?"
"Yeah."
"Good," Morgan said. "Now get ready to go. We have a murder scene to go check out." He reached up and squeezed Reid's shoulder and proceeded to walk away. Reid listened as he got Garcia on the phone to ask her if she had found anything a search from this morning. As his voice trailed off, Reid turned around to face the wall and let himself bask in the vibe that Morgan just left him with.
- 3
- 4
- 5
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

The Thirteenth Step