How Dare You [ReidxReader] - 2nd Edition

(16) Another case about drugs (Part I)

note: The case is very much inspired by the show Killing Eve.

TW: references to drug use (heroin), mentioning of injection and syringes

ɤɤɤɤ ɤɤɤɤ ɤɤɤɤ

"We have a case." Hotchner declares as soon as you enter the bullpen. You blink quickly to get rid of the tears. He is already in his suit again.

"Guess I'm getting out of buying you coffee then."

"Just today." He retorts and then stalks towards the conference room.

Morgan and JJ walk in, she speaks up: "Heard you made quite a scene in the gym."

You gulp. You thought no one was in the bathroom with you. "What? I was tired, I just-" You try to make up an excuse for violently sobbing in the shower.

Morgan grins: "It's okay, just admit that Hotch beat you."

You let out a sigh. Right. That happened. You force a chuckle: "Fine."

After a pause you add: "Well, Hotchner said we have a case, so..."

The three of you walk towards the conference room, Rossi quickly catching up with a cup of coffee in his hand.

"Where's the kid?" He asks. You don't like when he calls Spencer that.

"No idea." JJ replies. You don't say anything.

"How come you don't know? Aren't you living together?" Morgan jokes. You throw him a deadly look over your shoulder as Hotchner is already in earshot.

"No, we're not." You reply coldly. Morgan looks irritated by your gruffly reaction but shrugs it off. Oh to have that kind of resilience.

"Morning!" Garcia greets you while starting up her cursed power point presentation. It's difficult to be unfriendly to her, so you fake a bright smile.

You sit down in one of the chairs that has a copy of the file on the table in front of it. Not really paying attention, you flip through the pages. You just try to keep busy, so that you stop wondering where Spencer is. You just try to care less about him in general. Your attachment has obviously grown unhealthy.

"Should we wait for Spencer or-"Garcia asks Hotchner who checks his watch.

"He's late." He states with an indifferent voice.

You didn't realize that that's the case. It makes you shift in your seat. You get out your phone and check for missed calls from Spencer. Nothing, not even a message. You're not sure if that's a relief or not. Why is he late? He is never late. You run your fingers through your hair, letting your fingertips wander over your undercut.

"Should I call him?" JJ offers when Hotchner doesn't say anything else.

"Give him a minute." You speak up without thinking.

Everyone looks at you, making you immediately regret it.

Hotchner lets his eyes linger on you a moment longer than the others before turning back to Garcia and ordering: "We're starting without him."

You straighten your back and brace yourself for the pictures you're about to see but cannot shake the nervousness. Is he using again? Did he overdose? Why didn't he say anything?