Echos of a Genius | Spencer Reid

Trauma Pact

Stephie

Something about us BAU agents, I feel as though we're all connected on a deep level of trauma. Derek, who I thought was safe, wasn't. His trauma recently was revealed during his Chicago trip, which ended up turning into a case of course. His story breaks my heart, truly. I know JJs story about her sister, I'm one of few people who know. I knew Elle's, Spencer i'm working in and now Emily, I know she has it somewhere, same with Hotch. Gideons has to be when the six agents died because of him, well I don't mean to blame him but, that's what happened.

Besides that, The Auld Dubliner is buzzing with the energy of Super Bowl night, a perfect setting for the BAU team to unwind. The bar is filled with the lively sounds of cheers and laughter, the clinking of glasses, and the hum of conversations. The whole team is here, minus Gideon, but Hotch's wife, Hayley, has joined us, her presence adding a lightness to Hotch's usually stern demeanor.

Emily is fitting in well. She just returned to the table with a fresh round of drinks, effortlessly balancing the tray while Derek, ever the charmer, dances with random women who can't seem to resist his smooth moves. If I had his confidence and looks, I'd probably be doing the same thing.

"Cheers!" The sound of glasses clinking together rings out as we all take a sip. The taste of beer is cold and crisp on my tongue, a welcome distraction. Hayley leans in to ask Emily how she's finding the BAU, while Penelope and I share a look of amazement at Derek, who is practically gliding across the dance floor.

"Look at him move," Penelope mutters, her eyes locked on Derek. "He's like a cat,"

I turn at the sound of Emily scoffing playfully. "More like a dog!" she laughs, nudging me with her elbow. I chuckle, giving her a light push back.

"He didn't ask them to dance, they asked him," Penelope points out, returning to her own entertainment, completely engrossed in Derek's moves.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see Hotch and Hayley heading to the dance floor, which catches me off guard.

"Is he dancing? Is he drunk?" I ask, wide-eyed, turning to Emily, who just shrugs with a laugh.

Penelope rises from her seat, handing her drink to me. "Watch this for me, will you? I'm off to the bathroom," she says, and I nod, taking her glass. JJ is nearby, engrossed in a game of darts with a couple of guys, her focus sharp.

Emily leans in closer, her eyes scanning the room. "Where's Reid tonight?" she asks, her voice curious.

I smile and nod toward a table a few feet away, where Spencer is in deep concentration. "He's playing a drinking game, but of course, he's not actually drinking. It's a memory game, almost like trivia. Everyone takes turns asking questions, usually about classic movie quotes or obscure facts. Spencer remembers everything, so he's pretty much unbeatable," I explain, watching as Reid effortlessly recalls another movie quote, much to the dismay of his opponents.

Emily grins, shaking her head. "He's weird," she says, but there's a hint of affection in her voice.

I laugh. "That's Reid for you."

Just then, the front door swings open, and JJ steps inside, a serious look on her face. I didn't even realize she'd left the bar. She walks over to us, her expression somber.

"Hey, we've got a case," she sighs, and I feel the weight of the night suddenly pressing down on me. With a groan, I drop my head onto the table, the festive mood of the evening evaporating in an instant.

"You know, it never fails. Just as I'm getting my groove on, bam—we're back at the BAU." Derek says, walking from the coffee machine to his seat at the round table. We're all inhaling coffee like it's air.