The Chase (Criminal Minds)

Feelings

“That’s all for now,” Hotch reassured the team as they were on the jet, headed to North Dakota.

“Everyone should get some rest.  If our unsub is devolving, he could attack at any time.”  He said, dismissively and leaned back into his seat, closing his eyes.

Silence filled the aircraft as they glided through an endless sea of fluffy, white clouds.

Spencer sat at the back of the jet, coffee in hand, and looked out the window.  If Morgan was going to talk to Reid, now was the perfect opportunity.  He got up from his chair and walked over to the kitchenette.  He found a bag of popcorn in one of the cabinets and put it in the microwave.  He watched the timer carefully, making sure he took out the popcorn before the timer rang, so he wouldn’t disturb anyone.  He thought Reid might be more willing to talk if he knew no one else was listening.  He grabbed a napkin and made his way towards Reid.  He sat down in the chair across from him and held out the bag.

“Want some?”  He asked.

Reid took a second to acknowledge his presence.  For a moment, he almost took a handful of popcorn, but raised his hand up to decline and turned his head towards the window, again.  Morgan pushed the bag to the side and leaned forward.

“Reid.” He said in all seriousness.

Reid continued to stare, but then turned to face him.  As the light hit Spencer’s face, Morgan could see the tired look in his eyes.  He couldn’t even imagine what Reid did all night with a genius brain like his.  Reid stared at his mug, realizing it was empty, and started to get up.

“Wait.”

“What.”  Reid snapped.  Morgan knew Reid got easily agitated when he was sleep-deprived, but never like this.

Morgan took the mug from Reid’s hands and sat it beside him on the chair.

“You can have this back after you tell me what’s going on.”

“Why does everyone always think there’s something going on?!”  He yelled in a hush voice and slammed himself back against his seat.

“Reid, calm down!  All I want to do is talk!” Morgan said, suddenly feeling offended by how he was being treated.

Reid messed around with a hair-tie on his wrist.

“Talk about what? Talk about how I fell on the floor, making a fool of myself? Or how you caught me sneaking out of a Supply closet like a complete loser?” He questioned, a saddened tone settling in his voice.

Morgan reached across the table and patted him on the arm.

“You’ve got to stop beating yourself up about everything,” Morgan pointed out.

“Sure, it’s a little weird seeing a Federal agent trying to sneak out of a Supply closet, but no one’s judging you, Reid.  We all have our flaws.”

Spencer didn’t seem convinced.

“So, you’re not even going to ask why I was in there in the first place?”

Morgan gave Reid a genuine smile.

“Not unless you’re willing to tell me.”

He thought about it for a second and then changed the subject.

“Ever since we started this case, something has felt wrong to me,” He began.

“Are you getting migraines, again?” Morgan sat up, concerned.

“No, not that kind of feeling,” He brushed his fingers through his long, wavy hair.

“I honestly don’t know what it is, Morgan.  I just want this case to be over with.”

Morgan could relate to this “unknown” feeling he was having.

“From personal experience, I think your self-conscience is trying to tell you something,” He stated.

“You’re just going to have to wait, though, to find out what it is.”

Reid smiled.  Even though their conversation wasn’t very eventful, he still felt comforted.  He felt bad for treating his friend so unfairly.

“Thanks…for everything.”

“Anytime, Pretty Boy.” He said, with all honesty as he returned Reid’s coffee mug and walked away, a smile spread across his face.