To Solve

Chapter 7: The Popular Kids

"Judy, don't do it. You don't want to do this," Parker said calmly.

The young woman, Judy, shook her head. She stood behind Adaline, a classmate of hers, and held a gun to her head.

"Don't tell me what to do! You don't know anything!"

"Judy–"

Parker barely opened their mouth before Judy pulled the trigger and Adaline collapsed to the ground.

"Parker? Hey, Parker!"

Parker flinched, confused. It took them a moment to realize that they were sitting at their desk.

The young Agent ran a hand through their hair before they looked at Hotch, who had stopped next to them.

"Same dream?" the older agent inquired.

Parker told him about their nightmares when they started.

"Yep, same again," Parker replied.

They assured Hotch that everything was fine and turned back to work. Parker wanted to get some more work done before the BAU had their briefing.

"Okay," Hotch said. "If you want to talk, you know where to find me or Gideon."

The younger agent nodded.

"Good. We have a case, briefing in five minutes."

With that, Hotch disappeared. Parker let out a small sighed and let their gaze roam around the bullpen.

They recognized Spencer in the small kitchenette.

The young man also had nightmares– Parker noticed that Spencer was no longer there when they woke up.

And of course, Parker already asked their boyfriend about it, but Spencer assured them every time that everything was fine.

While the young Adult closed the file they just finished, Spencer made himself some coffee. Well, it was more like sugar with a bit of coffee flavor... but who cares.

"Easy there, tough guy. Have some coffee with your sugar," joked Derek as he also got some more coffee.

"I need something to wake me up," Spencer murmured, stirring his cup.

"Late night?"

"Very."

"My man."

"Not that kind of late night," Spencer replied.

Derek chuckled and put the coffee pot back.

"Okay, so tell me, what keeps young Dr. Reid awake at night?" Derek asked. "Wait, let me guess. Memorising some obscure textbook? No, no, no. Working on cold fusion. No, I got it, I got, I got it. Watching Star Trek and laughing at the physics mistakes."

"Actually, there aren't that many scientific errors in Star Trek," explained Spencer, being himself. "Especially considering how long ago it was made. There are certain improbabilities, but not that many outright errors."

The small grin on Derek's face disappeared as Spencer started babbling. The young genius was completely himself and didn't notice that Derek was joking.

"Right," was Derek's simple reply before turning to leave.

"Hey, Morgan?" Spencer then stopped the older agent. "Do you ever have dreams?"

"I'm sorry?"

"I guess nightmares would be a more accurate description," Spencer corrected himself.