Detective Reid (Criminal Minds / One Chicago FanFic)

Chapter 19

Intelligence Unit, 21st District Police Department, Chicago Illinois

The team closed the case after Polly Carlton the 12 year old daughter of the Carlton family got out of her 3 day psych hold and managed to give a sketch artist a good enough description of her family's murder and with that, they were able to ID and arrest the man responsible. 

The detective sat at their desks writing out the case note from their investigation. Lauren sat at her desk sipping her coffee and silently filling out the paperwork when her phone rang on the desk in front of her. Lauren picked the device up noticing Spencer's name flash across the caller ID. "Hey Spence, How's it going?" Lauren asked answering the device holding it to her ear with one hand while filling out the case notes with the other. 

"Not too bad the team just wrapped up a case in Florida and we're heading back to Virginia. I figured I'd call and see how you were doing?" her older brother asked. "I don't even wanna know, I'm currently finishing off some case notes from the investigation the team just closed," she replied as she continued to write her notes out. "Your back at work?" Spencer asked, "Yea, I was going to go mental from boredom," Lauren replied. "Don't you think it's a bit soon to be back?" he asked, "Spence it's been a month, and I was fully cleared by Dr. Halstead," she replied. "I know but you fractured 3 ribs, got a mild concussion then you got shot and had 2 major surgeries all within 2 months, not to mention in my medical opinion you should give yourself more time," Spencer said. 

"Thanks for the medical history lesson doc and I love you but I don't think Dr. Halstead really asked for a second opinion Spence," Lauren replied not meaning to be as sassy as she was. "I just worry about you, more now than ever," Spencer said causing Lauren to stop writing and set her pen down. "I know but I'm okay, plus I'm on light desk duty mostly so try not to worry so much," Lauren told her brother. "You're doing okay though? No headaches, dizziness, flashbacks these would all be- Spencer the only headache I have is the one I'm getting from telling you I'm okay," Lauren said with a sigh. 

"I'm just making sure, I'll let you get back to work. Be careful and I'll call you tomorrow," Spencer said. "I will, safe travels. Love you, Spence," she said through the line. "Love you too Laur," her brother said before she hung up the call. "I take it you brother's not thrilled your back?" Jay asked his partner. "He's just worried and more overprotective than ever now, but I don't really blame him," Lauren replied as she went back to finishing off the file notes. 

"I mean you got shot and your back here in a month, that's a little soon don't you think?" Atwater asked her. "Who wants to get outta here and get a cold one from Molly's?" Jay asks raising his hand as he looked around the room. "Sure," Dawson replied, "I'm In" Lindsay added. "I'll go if your buying," Ruzek commented to Jay. "I'm in, what about you Reid?" Burgess asks the brunette. "I'm probably just gonna head home, kick back for a bit have some wine, and probably crash for the night," Lauren replied honestly as she got up from her desk taking her shoulder bag off the floor and her phone off the desk. 

"You sure you don't wanna have a drink and hang out for a bit?" Jay asked Lauren. "Maybe some other time, thanks. You guys go have fun," she said sending them a small smile before she pushed her desk chair in and made her way down the stairs, through the gate, and out the front door of the station. 

Lauren walked around the building to the back parking lot where her candy apple red mustang sat. The brunette walked over climbed into the muscle car and started the engine before she drove off toward her apartment. 

Detective Lauren Reid's Apartment, Chicago Illinois

 Lauren parked her car along the curb out front of the building in its usual spot before she turned the car off and walked into the building locking the doors behind her. The brunette walked up the flight of stairs and down the hall to her apartment before she unlocked the door and walked inside. 

Lauren shut and locked the door behind her and took her shoes off before she walked into the kitchen to get a glass of wine but paused looking at the spot on the floor where she got shot. The brunette let out a shakey breath as she continued into the kitchen pouring herself some wine as she remembered the sound of the gun going off followed by the ripping pain and inability to breathe. 

The detective took a shakey breath noticing her hands were shaking at the memories. Lauren pulled her phone out of her purse and message mouse even though her hands were still shaking. 

Hey, I know it's late but I got a lot on my mind and I could use some company -Lauren 

Hey, it's not that late. I'll be over in 10 and I'm bringing Pizza, -Mouse 

Lauren set her phone down on the counter as she took a sip of her wine trying to push the sound of Kohn's voice out of her mind as she set the glass down holding her head in her hands as her elbows rested on the counter. "My poor sweet Lauren it's too late for that' POP! the sound of the memories echoed through her mind as her gaze stared off into space at the spot on the floor where she got shot. 

The sound of a knock on the door caused her to physically jump, Lauren stood up from her seat and walked over to the door looking through the peephole to see Mouse standing outside the door with pizza and beer. The detective shook her hands before she opened the door hoping to stop them from shaking. 

"Hey," Lauren said softly forcing a smile as she let Mouse inside shutting the door behind him and locking it. "So I brought pizza, beer, and," Mouse said pulling a small bag out of his pocket to reveal a blunt. "That sounds fun, but I'm back to work and I don't think Voight would be happy that one of his detectives is getting stoned," Lauren said walking back towards the kitchen but pausing her gaze locking on the spot on the floor. 

"I mean your on desk duty for a bit," Mouse said putting the beer and pizza on the countertop in the kitchen turning toward Lauren who went silent. The brunette was staring at a spot on the floor and Mouse knew from her reaction she was reliving what happened. Something that occurred to him for almost a year after he returned home from his tours in Iraq with the rangers.

"Hey, why don't we have some pizza," Mouse said walking over to Lauren who looked up at him at the sound of his voice. "Um... yea. Sure" she replied coming back to reality and forcing a fake smile as she walked into the kitchen taking a seat at the counter. "Have you thought about maybe moving out of here?" Mouse asked her as he opened a beer and took a seat next to Lauren. "Because moving on detective pay is a pain in the ass, not to mention there's nothing wrong with this place," she replied taking a sip of her wine but stopped noticing her hands were still shaking. 

Mouse must have noticed because he took one of her hands in his, "How long have the flashbacks been happening?" he asked her. Lauren furrowed her brows and looked at the shaggy haired brunette slightly confused. "How- I served 2 years in Iraq with the Army Rangers," mouse explained. "I've seen that look many times," he added. Lauren sighed, "A couple of weeks now," she replied honestly. 

Mouse stood up and walked over to the window off the kitchen that led to a small fire escape. "What are you doing?" Lauren asked him slightly amused watching him climb out onto the fire escape. "You coming?" he asked her popping his head back in the window to look at her. Lauren let out a small laugh and genuinely smiled at Mouse before she walked over climbing out onto the fire escape with Mouse who pulled the blunt out and lit it taking a few deep puffs before he handed it to her. 

"You're stuck with me for the week at work," Mouse pointed out. "But if I get tested- when was the last time Voight made anyone in intelligence take a drug test and its legal marijuana," he adds as Lauren took the blunt taking a few puffs and exhaling clouds of smoke as the CBD and THC started affecting her nervous system causing her to relax physically and mentally.