✔️As Neighbors Do | (Spencer Reid)

Introductions

in·tro·duc·tion
Noun
a thing preliminary to something else, especially an explanatory section at the beginning of a book, report, or speech.

A fluffy slow burn for the one and only Spencer Reid with angst, and a lil bit of spice.

Summary

Spencer continues to grapple with the darkness of his past, and present. He's having trouble sleeping, and his therapist thinks he needs to have more "normal conversations." Just in time, he seems to be unable to stop thinking about his neighbor, Maxine Brenner.

Max has secrets. The dark and ugly kind. The kind she tries to keep to herself because, well, she doesn't trust anyone... or herself for that matter. She just wants to be normal, but... as uneasy as she feels about getting close with an FBI agent, she just can't help herself.

Crossovers with FOX's Prodigal Son.

Timeline: "takes place" in season 15 right before, and then replacing Spencer and Max's meeting in "Saturday" (15x4,) and beyond.

Content warnings (so far:) alcohol use, suggestive sexual language, implicit and explicit mention of mental health episodes (anxiety attacks, anger outbursts, disassociation, CPSD,) discussion of drug use, abuse, murder, cursing.

Story currently being written and edited.

In many ways, this is a rough draft that I hope to continue to perfect over time.

Recommended reading: Font size +1 in Courier

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I for one was a little *meh* about the finale as far as Reid's love life goes. We literally waited 15 seasons for some J.J and Reid fan service, and a silly park meet-cute with Max. I think the writers did GREAT—- but can you blame me for wanting MORE?

I liked Max's character, at least what we got of her from the writers, so I will be taking some creative liberties to flesh out their meeting a little more, and change / add more to her character.

Let's see how this goes. Criminal Minds fans; you're welcome.... Or I'm sorry. You tell me!

Mentioned so far:

Matthew Gray Gubler as Dr. Spencer Reid: Does he really need an introduction? Spencer is 38 years old, and continues to grapple with the grief of his mother's up and down health, work life balance, and the trauma of his past. He has continued insomnia, and his therapist says he needs to find friends outside of work.

Rachael Leigh Cook as Maxine "Max" Brenner: Max is a 33 year old psychotherapist working with troubled children. Her desire to help seems to stem from a compulsion to atone for the sins of her past. Unfortunately for Max, the past has a way of not staying hidden forever.

She has been Spencer Reid's neighbor for several years. They exchange pleasantries in passing, as good neighbors do, but random circumstance (and a little push from Reid's therapist and Max's best friend, Michelle) keep allowing them to "run in to each other."

Blake Lively as Michelle James: Michelle is Max's best friend. She is fashionable, stubborn, loyal, and blunt. She aspires to make partner at her firm soon. She is also Max's lawyer, just in case.

The team: David Rossi (Joe Mantegna,) Penelope Garcia (Kristen Vangsness,) Emily Prentiss (Paget Brewster,) J.J Jareau (A.J Cook,) Luke Alvez (Adam Rodriguez,) Matt Simmons (Daniel Henney,) and Aisha Tyler (Dr. Tara Lewis.)

More new and familiar faces coming soon! 🤎 & comment who else you want to see!

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"It's like you become more you, but now it's ok. Because the person chose to take all that on. All that weird stuff, whatever is wrong or bad or hiding in you. Suddenly it's all right. You don't feel like such a freak any more." -Suzanne Warren, Orange is the New Black.

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I do not own the characters of the Criminal Minds or Prodigal Son universe, so all credit where credit is due because we love to see it!! However, I am taking many creative liberties with Max- so, yeah. Any other characters and plot points are my own.