Second Chances (Spencer Reid Story)

State-Border Bombings

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"If pain must come, may it come quickly. Because I have a life to live, and I need to live it in the best way possible. If he has a choice to make, may he make it now. Then I will either wait for him or forget him." –Paulo Coelho, 'By the River Piedra I Sat Down and Wept'
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State Border-Bombing

Everyone was gathered in the conference room and seated at the very old but famous round table. Spencer was going over the new case files for the umpteenth-time, and Derek was watching his every move, eyeing him like a hawk.

He still felt awfully weird and uncomfortable with what Spencer had told him earlier, and he most definitely wanted to know about his new mystery woman, though he didn't ask Spencer about it more than he already had, considering the last time he had done it resulted in what happened to Maeve.

One would think that Spencer would be over Maeve's death and out and about with his life once again, considering the fact that she had been dead for about 6 months now, moving onto 7, though Spencer did the exact opposite. He moped around in his apartment, had to be dragged over to the BAU sometimes by him or another agent, and sometimes only ever spoke when spoken to.

Seeing him shrug it off and act like none of it had ever happened made Derek worry for his friend. But, if Spencer really was finally starting to accept the fact that Maeve was gone forever in less than 24 hours, then this mystery girl Spencer had mentioned must have left a dang good first impression on him. She'd also have to be very special.

Spencer though was feeling the exact opposite. Although Gabby did leave a pretty strong imprint on him and had slightly changed his way of thought, he still felt like hell. He had barely gotten any sleep the last few months and hadn't eaten an actual healthy meal since who knows when.

Sure, he was able to lessen his thought on Maeve since he'd met Gabby, but realizing what was happening, that he was starting to think less and less of Maeve, made him feel like he was betraying her. He felt as though he was just forgetting Maeve and playing it off as if she was actually nothing even though she was everything, which was exactly what he was doing right now.

He was trying to push the thought of her away from his mind and replacing it with Gabby. He was trying not say or mention anything that had to do with her, he attempted to get rid of every single solitary thing that reminded him of her, and he even went as far as refusing to say her own name. Out loud, at least.

It took about 10 months to build up everything he had with Maeve. The letters, the phone calls on the pay phones, their first actual (and only) date, the first time he heard Maeve say "-love you" to him. All of that started to become nothing in less than 5 minutes. Was it really worth giving up?

Everything he had worked for to be able to be with and protect Maeve, was it worth forgetting for another person he had just recently met and probably wouldn't see again? Spencer didn't know. He didn't want to know. Not yet. He wasn't ready.

He kept looking over the case file, or at least trying to. He only looked over the files over and over again to avoid eye contact with anybody who saw anything that had happened earlier that morning at his desk, but mostly just Morgan.

Though he did already read over the case files in pretty much less than 5 seconds, considering the fact that he could read 20,000 words per minute, he decided to continue looking over it. At least until someone actually decided to speak.

The Unit Chief Aaron Hotchner coughed silently and waited patiently for everyone's attention to go to him. His usual look was plastered on his face; lips stretched into a straight line and eyebrows pulled together, indicating that what he was about to say was going to be important.

That and the fact that he was leading the briefing and not Garcia, who was sitting next to JJ tapping a cute little rubber ducky pen, with a rubber duck bouncing at the top, on her chin. She was wearing the usual; a bright fun neon top with a slightly matching skirt.

Hotch began to speak, his voice as serious as ever, indicating that this case was a very important one indeed. "Over the past 2 months, there's been bombings by the borders of the states in America. They are awfully close to the border line if not exactly on it, and it has caused the death of many people."

He looked around the room, making sure that he had everyone's undivided attention before continuing. "So far, there have been 3 bombings in total. One by the border of California crossing over to Nevada, another by border of Nebraska and Kansas, and the last right on top of California, by the border where Oregon meets Washington territory.

Each of the bombings were about two weeks apart, the last one being last week, which means he's devolving. If we don't catch this guy soon, he may result in bombing the borders crossing over to other countries." Hotch said as he showed pictures of the bombings, their areas, and the victims that were killed.

"It sounds to me like an act of terrorism. This person may have started from bombing towns and cities, probably houses and buildings, all leading up to eventually bombing the borders between states." Rossi says. "Though he may be working with a partner or a group. That would pretty much be the reason as to why this person is able to bomb different state borders at such a short amount of time, considering the fact that they'd have to prepare the bomb and find a place to keep it before it actually goes off."

"That is true" Emily Prentiss agrees, nodding her head and licking the corner of her lip before speaking again. "But if that's the case, how would they manage to get the bombs past the border. I mean, yeah they're already on the border, but they'd have to go past inspection before being able to cross to the other side in a vehicle." She pauses before speaking again. "That is… if they do have a vehicle."

Derek Morgan speaks next. "Well, our Unsubs could be working by the border and letting whoever has the bombs through. But then again, most of the bombings aren't at the borders, they're somewhere close to it. They could just be parking off the road and getting out of their car and away from the bomb right before it explodes."

"That is very true." Hotch agrees. "Unfortunately, we'll have to continue this conversation on the jet. We've been ordered to take this case. We'll be working on it as well as some other teams on the bureau. Tomorrow, we'll be meeting some people from the DIA and CIA, we'll also be working with 2 under cover spies. All of you should rest as soon as we get on the jet. I'm sure that none of us will be getting any sleep for a little while. We might as well do it while we can." Hotch says as the rest of the team gets up to get their go-bags.

"Wheels up in thirty."
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A/N:That was chapter 3! For those of you who don't know, the DIA is the Defense Intelligence Agency. They are the main foreign Military espionage of the U.S and are located in Washington D.C. I thought it'd be fun to add the DIA. I'm also not sure if spies (as in "James Bond" spies) do exist, I'm pretty sure they do, but if they don't… then what the heck! It'll still be in the story no matter what! Anyways, I hope you enjoyed the chapter! I'll try to update soon!

Oh, and if any of you are wondering what Gabby looks like, her hair color, what she wears, or even what her hairstyles are, then go check out my profile page. I've got links that'll take you right to the picture of it! I think that this'll help with the story and all, being able to know what the characters look like. Disclaimers are by the links. Thank you.