Profile//Spencer Reid//Criminal Minds

Chapter Twenty-One

I let the arrow go, hitting snack dab in the middle of the target.

I grinned, turning towards Reid. "How?"

I shrug. "Luck?"

"95% of American's try archery but only 24% are actually successful or stick to the routine," Reid starts mumbling. "There's a one in four chance of hitting the target every time-"

I look at him, waiting for an answer. "Yes, luck."

"Your turn," I smile as he picks up his bow. "And it's 23% as of three months ago."

He laughs, pulling his bow back, missing...again.

"Okay, maybe this wasn't the best idea anyways." He frowns.

"Here, listen," I say to him. "Look above the place you want to hit, exhale as you release, and pull back in one swift motion."

"Okay." He nods.

He does as I say, hitting the target. I cheer and give him a hug, he spins me around before my feet touch the ground.

"What would I do without you?" He smiles.

"Wither, maybe," I smirk. "Sit in the dark, reading books."

"You can't read in the dark." 

"I'm kidding." I grin, kissing him.

2 weeks later

"It's good to have you back, but we have a new unit chief and he's interviewing the entire team." Hotch says, standing beside me, his back facing Strauss' old office.

"They think that we're unstable and unprofessional." Morgan rolls his eyes.

"I'd say not to mention your relationship with Reid, do not emphasize it." Rossi suggest.

"Okay." I nod, nerves starting to rack my body.

"How was your trip?" Blake asks.

I fall back into my chair, sighing happily. "Oh my god, Alex, it was amazing. Romantic, beautiful-"

"Agent Heath." I look up, seeing a man standing outside Strauss' old office. I follow him into his office, as he closes the door behind me.

Uh oh, this can't be good.

He explains an old case, one where Reid and I were fighting, sending chaos through the team. But I remember everything so I tune him out, taking in the facts around the room. Profiling him.

"Once again, the team had bottled a monster and won. The future of the BAU is not in the balance here. The residual impact as a result of the investigations into the crimes and criminals you pursue is. Every cause has it's effect." He explains.

"You think I don't know that?" I grumble, obviously pissed off at the sudden interview. Making me think that my job was on the line, that I could be pushed off the team in a snap.

"I believe you are no longer effective-"

"The modern furniture, the strategically places magazines, the framed diplomas, the art on the wall, are all in conflict with your family photos. You have 3 children, but you favor the middle one, your son." I start.

"What do you think you're doing?" He asks.

"Of course, you love all your children, but not like your son." I shake my head.

"That's enough."

"The bonsai you obsessively nurture is to compensate for feelings of failure as a father."