ARDENT [A Spencer Reid/Criminal Minds Fan-Fic]

EIGHT | ASHES

(Spencer's P.O.V.)

Lauren was asleep, her feet in my lap. She was sprawled up on the couch. I was squeezed against the end, reading Lord of the Flies. She squirmed a little. Her stomach was poking out. She was now four months pregnant, making her stomach obvious. I tried to make times like these, us both relaxing, last. We both had work. Her's wasn't as spontaneous, but she had been taking a break. 

She worked as a therapist near the white house. While she was pregnant, and when she was caring for me and my leg, she had been referring her patients to other therapists. But, I still had work. I expected a call, always. I wouldn't let it take me by surprise when I was here with her. Speak of the devil. My phone began to beep. I pulled it up, reading, JJ: We have a case... you may want to check the news. 

I pulled up the remote to our television and flipped to the news. Lauren began to open her eyes, as on the screen it was showing a fire about seven miles away. I studied it.

"We are on the scene of the second fatal house-fire this week. The cause of both fires remains a mystery to authorities. There has been no survivors from either families." I turned it off, sickened. Lauren looked concerned at me. 

"Go." She demanded. I felt like she was angry.

"What?"

"I just- I hate the sound of that, Spencer." she closed her eyes, cringing. "Please, go find whoever it is and catch them." I nodded, reluctantly. I stood from the couch. She began to sit up, as I stopped her. I leaned down to her, and kissed her on the forehead. Then, I lifted her shirt, and kissed her stomach. 

"I will call." I promised. She nodded, understandingly. It was clear she was nervous. I didn't want to leave her alone here. But what can I do better than my job to keep this baby and her safe?

***

I opened the doors to the BAU, speed-walking in. I saw most of the people crowding around the TV, watching the news. I walked out to the round table, where I plopped in my seat. "Sorry I am late, I was telling Lauren good-bye." Hotch's emotion didn't change, he just turned his head to look at Penelope. 

"Okay." She began. "I am sure you have seen the news... two fatal house-fires. We are supposed to investigate, in the possibly of it not being an incident. The first, two days ago, a family of three." She clicked her remote, and three people appeared. "Susan, Marvin, and Preston Mingo, all killed inside of the house in the fire." 

A photo of the burnt bodies appeared. "And then, tonight, a family of four... and a half." She clicked the remote again, clearing all confusion about the half. "Sarah and Jack Harvey lived there with their son, Daniel, and Sarah's younger sister, Vanessa. Vanessa, unfortunately, was eight months pregnant. And, Jack Harvey managed to escape, however died on the way to the hospital." More disturbing photos appeared.

"The families are both a mom, a dad, and a son. Maybe it's a surrogate family for whoever this is." Morgan said, as I considered what I had known about the case so far. "What about their financial statuses?" 

"The Mingos were considered upper middle class, the Harveys lived on a nice block, they seemed to be more upper-class. Jack was a military JAG. Sarah was a cardiologist. Susan was a pediatrician, and Marvin a nurse."

"Well, could you consider both of the males to have nice jobs?" JJ suggested as a question.

"Probably not. If you want to see a similarity in their job, all three of Susan, Sarah, and Marvin worked in healthcare. Maybe they were the goal and the families just happened to get in the way?" I said, still thinking. 

Hotch stood up. "Do we have the family of the victims?"

Garcia nodded, "Sarah Harvey's mother and father, and Susan's sister and mother." 

"JJ and Blake can talk to them. Reid and Morgan go to the first fire, David and I will go to the second." He looked at Penelope. "Get more on the victims jobs, see if they had any reports about or from co-workers, bosses, or patients." Penelope nodded, jogging towards her office. 

***

I stepped out of the black sedan, examining the scene. There was barely anything left of the black, ashy house. "C'mon kid." Morgan said, stepping under the police tape. I looked around the darkness, trying to find something useful. I looked back at the house across the street. A girl was looking out the window. She looked nervous. She closed the blind, scurrying away. I stood from my crouched position.

"This fire happened in the daytime?" I asked one of the detectives. They nodded, continuing. I began to walk towards Morgan. "Hey Morgan, if the fire happened during the day, maybe one of the neighbors saw our un-sub." 

Morgan turned. "Possibly. I'd go talk to them. I'm going to keep looking around."  I nodded, charging towards the house. Once I arrived, I knocked forcefully on the door. A teenager cracked the door open. I pulled out my badge and flipped it open. "FBI, I'd like to ask some questions." 

She opened the door wider, allowing me in. "My parents aren't home." She stated.

"It's fine, may I sit down?" I asked her, in a rush. She nodded. 

"What's your name?" I asked her. 

"Meghan Damico." She said, looking down.

"Okay, how old are you?" I followed up.

"Sixteen."

"Were you home the time of the fire at the Mingos' home?" I asked. She looked around nervously, ringing her hands, peering out the windows. "Meghan, if you know something, please tell me. Anything can help us, and he can strike again any time." 

She stood up suddenly. "He left something here." She blurted.

I looked at her curiously, as she turned and grabbed a little sticky-note. She handed it to me. I grabbed it with my gloved hand. I read it, carefully. I stood up, calling Hotch.

"I think I've found something. And it's not good." I said, nervous.