be the one ⇢ s. reid

iv.

Melanie spent a couple of hours at work do some research on the current shootings and find any kind of information that would be needed to help out her BAU family. From what she could gather up, it didn't seem like there was a direct shooter. There were no footprints at any of the crime scenes that indicated that the shooter was in any of the two buildings.

This case was one of the most interesting ones that Melanie ever read about, or even worked with. She was intrigued and became invested. How was it possible that at the first shooting, the unsub was able to take down a trained security guard? Or how the shots came from a high angle, according to Luke who had texted her about what the team had thought of.

Melanie figure that the unsub didn't have a preference on who he was killing since the victims seemed to have different ethnicities and gender. The journalist thought maybe they were targeted. As for what exactly, she couldn't figure it out.

After finishing up her notes, she decided to make her way back down to the police department to share her ideas and theories with the BAU. When she arrived, she was happily greeted by the team.

"I'm so glad you could help us out with this." Emily said as Melanie took a seat at the table.

"Happy to be here," she commented.

For the next hour, they all began to throw theories out to one another to see if they could come up with a conclusion as to why this was happening. They knew they had to think fast and come up with something to prevent another shooting from occurring. But they could only work their brains so much before getting exhausted and have somewhat of an overload of thinking too much.

"Alright, I'm calling recess. I need a break. I'm gonna go on a food run. Anyone wanna come with?" Emily said. JJ volunteered to go with Emily while Tara, Rossi, and Luke decided to get coffee.

"How about you, Mellie? In the mood for anything?" Matt asked.

Mellie gave him a small smile and shook her head. "Nah, I'm good. I think I'll hang back here for awhile."

Matt nodded. "I'll bring you back a coffee. Seems like you need it." With that being said, the male gave the girl a squeeze on the arm before getting up and leaving the conference room.

That left both Spencer and Melanie to be by themselves. Weirdly enough, it wasn't as tense as the journalist expected it to be. Maybe because she wasn't thinking about it...or maybe it's because Spencer paid no mind to her while he looked over the geographical area of where the shootings took place on the board.

It was silent between the two of them for awhile before Spencer spoke up.

"I read your piece about Scratch." He said, his eyes not tearing away from the map. "It was beautifully written. Can't say the events were beautiful but...ironically I forgot what an incredible writer you are."

Melanie raised an eyebrow as she looked up at the man. The last person she expected to read anything she has written in these last couple of years was Dr. Spencer Reid.

"Y-You read it? Well, Luke did say everyone on the team did but for some reason I didn't think you would've." She told him.

Spencer nodded his head. "Yeah. I was just as surprised as you are."

This was the first time since breaking up the two had an actual conversation. Melanie didn't know whether to feel a type of way about it. But being civil was exactly what she wanted after the break up. She couldn't help but to smile a bit knowing that Spencer read her piece.

"Thanks, Spence." Melanie said. The journalist didn't know what to say more after that. She glanced down at her notes and twirled the pen she had between her fingers.