The Chase (Criminal Minds)

Good News

"I think I've got some good news," Morgan announced as he entered the Police Station.

"What is it?" Emily and JJ asked in sync. They both smiled at each other before turning their attention back to Morgan.

"Follow me," Morgan said as he made his way towards the kitchenette.

He took a few steps before stopping to look around the room. Emily and JJ stopped abruptly behind him.

"You too, Pretty boy!" He hollered in Reid's direction.

Reid spun around, clearly confused, but followed anyways.

When they made it to their destination, Morgan started to brew up a fresh pot of coffee and told the team to take a seat.

"What's this about?" Reid asked, anxiously.

He sat up straight in his chair to draw attention away from his aching limbs. He had jogged around the local park all night, afraid to sit still and let his mind take over what little peace he had left. His hair and clothes were disheveled from hurrying this morning. He was almost late for work when he ran out of his hotel room, realizing he missed the bus. He had to run three blocks to the nearest taxi to get a ride, arriving at work with a minute to spare.

Morgan looked him over, concerned, before he began talking.

"It's about your mom," He started as he poured himself a cup of coffee and sat down.

Reid's eyes widened with fear.

"Is she okay?"

Morgan smiled and gave him a pat on the shoulder.

"I said it was good news, remember?"

"Oh...Right," Reid sighed in relief. He could use some good news right about now.

Morgan took a sip of his coffee as the three team members stared at him, impatient.

"So, I was talking to Garcia on the car ride here, just a few minutes ago, and we both came upon the conclusion that Diana Reid is in the least amount of danger out of the other three suspects, because she worked separately from all the other Literature Professors at UNLV, meaning, she probably didn't make as much contact with the unsub then the rest of them did."

Prentiss gave Morgan a weird look.

"If they all worked as Literature Professors, how did Reid's mom work separately?"

"She worked with the mentally challenged, didn't she?" JJ stated, taking Morgan's thunder.

Morgan stared at her, surprised.

"How'd you know that? It wasn't even in her UNLV records!"

"Remember that one time she came to visit the FBI building?"

The group nodded.

"Well, we talked for a little while she was there and she told me all about her days working at the University and how she loved teaching literature to her students in unique ways only they could understand. She said she loved seeing their bright, happy faces and knowing she made a difference in their lives." JJ smiled as she looked back on the memory.

Reid felt an aching sadness linger in the pit of his stomach.

Emily and Morgan smiled in reply to JJ's story as they got up from their seats, pouring out the remaining coffee in their cups, and headed back to the bullpen to find the rest of the team.

JJ watched Emily and Morgan chat as they walked down the long hall and turned left, out of view. She turned her attention back at Reid, who was looking at the half empty coffee pot near the sink. JJ took Reid's hand, holding it in her own.

"Spence, your mother is going to be fine. There's nothing to worry about."

He turned his head to look at JJ, giving her a small, but genuine smile.

"Thanks."

They both got up and filled their mugs before meeting up with the rest of the team.

it was going to be a long day.