Felicity

V

Reid's POV

   "Reid, what's been going on with you? I get that you are still upset about what happened with Maeve, but you don't have to be here. You know that we all support you, but you are pushing yourself to be here when you shouldn't be," Blake said. 

   "Blake, I want to be here. As you said, everyone at the BAU supports me and cares about me. But when I am sitting alone in my apartment there is no one there. It gets lonely, you know?" I said, looking up at her.

   She smiled at me. I felt a lot better since Derek talked to me. I knew that I wanted to be here. Everyone always made me feel at home. The BAU was home to me. 

   "Thanks, Blake. For worrying about me. But I do want to be here," I said. 

   I suddenly heard Hotch's voice in my ear. 

   "We've got our unsub. Blake and Reid, head to the work address and the rest of us will head to her house."

   "Got it," I replied. I turned to Blake. "Let's go."

   I got into the SUV and I rushed down the streets to our unsub's workplace. Garcia said that she owned a restaurant. Suddenly, before I could say or do anything, I thought back to when Maeve and I were supposed to meet for the first time. I bit my lip and I tried to fight back the memory. I didn't realize how tense it made me until Blake put her hand on my arm and said,

   "Reid, you're speeding."

    I slowed down and I pulled over to the restaurant. I put my hand on my gun and I jumped out of the SUV. We both entered the building and went up to the counter. 

   "How can I help you?" The woman asked at the counter. 

   "Elizabeth Hall. Do you know where she is?" Blake asked. 

   "Why she left to go home about 10 minutes ago," the woman replied, looking a bit concerned.

   "Thank you," I quickly said as we both headed out and back into the SUV.

   When we arrived at the unsub's house, they were already making the arrest. I got out of the car and I looked around. Everyone on the team seemed fine. I walked over to Hotch. 

   "Everything's good here. We have to take her down to the station, but Morgan already got a confession out of her. We should be able to leave before night," He said.

   I looked over at Morgan. He was like a guardian angel to me and the whole team. He protected us like a family. He looked back at me and started to walk over. I didn't mean to look like I was staring. I thought, turning away. 

   "Hey, pretty boy, what were you staring at?" He asked, smiling. 

   "Your huge ego," I mumbled.

   It seemed as if Derek was so much bigger than me in every way possible. He was taller than me, stronger than me, but he was not as smart as me. I smiled at the thought of being superior to him in some way. 

On the plane later that night

   Everyone else was asleep on the plane except for me and Derek. I looked at him for a while. I noticed that ever since last night I had been looking at him. Sometimes, he seemed perfect. He knew what to say or do to comfort me and he protected the team. Not to mention the fact that he was an amazing FBI agent. I had always looked up to him ever since the beginning. We both joined at nearly the same time and the first time I looked at him, I knew he was someone I could always look up to. Of course, I never told him that. It was always a secret that I kept to myself.

   Derek suddenly shifted his head and looked at me. He was so weird. Watching over me, like a big brother and looking at me like that. His eyes pierced right through me and saw right into my head. It was like he saw exactly what I was thinking. I looked down, breaking my stare and I smiled a bit. After a second, I looked up at Derek and I said,

   "You know, you are like an older brother to this team. You know exactly what to do in all kinds of situations and I'm glad for that. I was scared to say anything about having nightmares because I was afraid of everyone's judgment, but you made me feel a lot better about myself," I said. 

   "Kid, I'd do a lot for you. You mean a lot to me, just like this team. You don't ever have to be afraid of my judgment," he replied, leaning forward.

   "I was trying to compliment you," I said, smiling. 

   "Thanks, pretty boy."

   I smiled in response. I found myself strangely wanting him to always be near me, he made me feel safe and comfortable, in a way that no one else did. But how was I supposed to tell him that? I looked at his smile a moment more. At the time, I didn't notice but looking back on the memory I could feel my heartbeat right through my chest. And before I knew it, I was asleep again, thinking of Derek.

   I opened my eyes, but I wasn't on the plane. I must be dreaming, I thought. I looked around. I was in a restaurant, sitting at a table. I was sitting in a position as if I was waiting for someone. Who am I waiting for? I asked myself. After a few moments, someone walked up to my table. I stood up and I saw that it was Maeve. 

   "Maeve?" I asked. 

   "Someone is here to see you," she said, smiling. She looked so beautiful. 

   "But I want to see you," I said, not wanting her to go.

   "I know. But you can't anymore. And there are other people out there. 'You see but you do not observe.'" She quoted. 

   "Sir Arthur Conan Doyle," I whispered. 

   "What I mean is that you need to look around you. See what you have instead of what you don't. Because deep inside you, you already know what you have. You just need to observe it."

   I bit my lip. Knowing how delusory this was, I was devastated.

   "She's right, you know," a voice said from behind Maeve. 

   Morgan stepped out from behind her. 

   "I had no idea how else you would listen to me unless she was the one to tell you," He continued.

   "Of course I listened to you!" I exclaimed.

   "I know, kid. But sometimes it's better to hear something over and over again. Plus, sometimes you don't look like you are listening."

   I shook my head. Derek walked towards me and put his hand on my shoulder. Suddenly, Maeve wasn't there. I could feel my heartbeat at that moment. Why am I having butterflies when all he is doing is touching me? Am I just not used to this? My mind went blank. 

   "Reid, I love you. The whole team does. All I want you to know is that we are here for you. I am here for you."

   I smiled softly.

   "I know, Derek. What I said earlier, about being like an older brother. I meant every word. I have no idea what I would do if you weren't on this team. And I know that you won't know what I am saying when I wake up but, I love you too."

Hey guys, I know it's late but thanks for reading. I wanted to make an important announcement. It is national law enforcement appreciation day so a special shout out to Criminal Minds and anyone who is working law enforcement. Anyway, thanks again for reading, love ya'll!!