Selcouth | Criminal Minds | Spencer Reid

Part 3: Chapter 2

A/N: Uh, so it's been a bit crazy? I frankly forgot about this book...but Coronavirus so yeah. I'm gonna try and update more regularly now. It's been a while though so please bear with me. If you see any errors; don't hesitate to point them out!
-Sierra

2 Days Later:

I was doing it again. I had dropped everything and ran off. I must iterate, again.

My current home-away from home consisted of a musty motel room that reeked of stale cigarettes and rotten eggs. The sheets with their odd stains and the fungus growing on the showerhead should've been enough to send me running back home; back to the family I still had.

But the past reached out, grasping and tugging at me; I owed my mother at least the dignity of catching her killer. I had created a life around catching the bad guy; if I let the one from my past get away, what was I to the BAU?

One word.

A failure.

I pull back from my thoughts and back to my phone. My fingers fly across the screen as I enter a location into Google Maps, groaning as I note the traffic congestion.

"No time like the present," I mumble halfheartedly before I snatch up my satchel and head to the door.

I only pause a moment to glance back at the wall; plastered with crime scene photos, maps, and general chaos still waiting to be deciphered.

My eyes land on my mother; her offering the camera a soft smile as she holds my sleeping-self in her arms.

She was beautiful; with her voluminous tresses spilling down her back, the soft smile that meant everything would be ok.

And then the next photos. The close up of her stomach, her cream blouse she had been wearing stained that dark maroon. The framing of her once lively eyes, cold and unsettling; dead.

I tear myself away and rush out the door; not even bothering to lock it. If anyone wanted to get in, they were more than welcome.

They were just as welcome to meet the muzzle of my gun. Some dream of seeing their father again; let's just say I'd be quite thrilled to find the bastard on my doorstep.

With that in mind, I head over to the idling taxi and climb into the backseat; shooting the driver a small smile before giving her my destination.

"The Washington Navy Yard please"

NCIS Headquarters:

Once I get past security; my presence is requested by the Director, Leon Vance. I had planned on a quick in and out, after securing the information necessary to find Turner.

Had I known I would be in such company, though; I would've changed out of my FBI sweats, stained with a couple splotches of Bud Lite (not one of my finest moments).

My eyes dart down to my phone; the screen lit up with a wide array of texts. The latest one from Spencer.

I click on his icon and the message opens;  We can talk about this once you get back; just please be safe. I love you.

I smile softly, feeling the familiar sensation of tears prickling.

After I had stormed out that day, I had shot him message after message. I didn't want to cut him out, but I still could realize I had screwed up. Rather than being angry; he had been understanding but rightfully hurt.

It was more than I deserved.

I type back a quick I love you just as the elevator dings.

I tuck my phone away and step out into what appears to be a very animated argument between Agent Dinozzo and Agent David just beyond the doors.