Atlas: A Dr. Spencer Reid Love Story

Like Real People Do (Hozier)

WARNING: The following chapter discusses the subject of rape and sexual assault towards women; if these topics are triggering for you, please take caution.

-end of Season 8: 2013-

Silently, the team arranged themselves at the round table as Garcia planted herself beside the projection screen, her fingers fidgeting with the black remote control in her hand. Before anyone had time to settle in and look at the case file, Garcia started the briefing:

"There has been a spree of homicidal rapes over the past month in Charlotte, North Carolina – six women were found in back alleys near bustling clubs in the city," Garcia explained, the team waiting on bated breath for more information.

Spencer's ears perked up at the location – it was Veronica's hometown; she lived there with her mother before moving to D.C at eighteen for school.

"Why haven't the local PD contacted us sooner?" Hotch piped up in slight frustration.

Garcia gave a hard swallow, "Um, well, because they haven't actually contacted us..." she timidly spoke.

"Garcia – "Hotch began.

"Sir, please! At least listen to the case, and you'll understand why I think we need to do something about it," Garcia glanced over to Reid, his face full of intrigue.

Hotch let out a slow breath before giving a nod of affirmation to continue.

With one click, a headshot of each of the deceased women appeared on the screen.

"Well, he's definitely into Caucasian, curly-haired brunettes," Morgan remarked after noticing the similarities.

Spencer's brow furrowed as the image of Veronica appeared in his head.

"That's not the only trend..." Garcia trailed off, clicking another button - the women's faces disappeared as six new images of infinity symbols engraved upon their skin shown, "This was found on each of their lower backs."

"His signature," Rossi piped up.

Spencer's eyes darted around the photo, analyzing every detail. Before another thought reached him, his breath caught in his throat - his mind racing back to the first night he and Veronica spent together:

They laid in bed with the sheets piled over them, their skin caressing against one another's. Veronica's back faced Spencer as he trailed kisses across her shoulder, feeling the softness of her curls brush against his face. His hand traveled down her back as he felt gentle movements from her sleeping breath. Suddenly, his fingers felt an unusual small divet. His eyebrows furrowed as his fingertips continued to trace the oddity. His curiosity peaked, causing him to slowly pull the covers down to view her full back. Despite being in the dimly lit bedroom, he was able to decipher a scar in a familiar shape - one he couldn't yet decern. As he was leaning in to better examine it, Veronica drowsily turned over, a gleaming grin planted to her face. Her hands reached for his face, pulling his lips to her in a passionate embrace. At that moment, his thoughts escaped him and he embarked into the night with her.

Spencer's head shot up, his eyes wide with horror, "No," he whispered in disbelief, his mouth slowly opening as he felt his hands begin to shake. Garcia shared a sympathetic look with him before continuing,

"After some digging, I found out that this wasn't the first time this had happened. There was also a spree back in 2003 in the same area - three women were found murdered during the time, but there was a fourth woman who was able to escape and the cops have been using her statement for years in an attempt to find the suspect," Garcia took a deep breath as she clicked yet another button – a picture of a younger Veronica popping onto the screen.

Spencer felt the world pause for a slight second, the image burning his pupils as his throat tightened in shock.

"Veronica was 18 years old and back home from college for fall break, so she and a group of friends went out to a club that Saturday evening. A man kept sending her drinks at the bar, but the bartender refused to give them to her since she had a lovely, large X on her hand to signify she wasn't of legal drinking age. At around 1 AM the next day, she walked outside the club for a breath of fresh air and reported that a hand covered her mouth and drug her into a back alley; I won't say what happened next because we all know, and I'm physically unable to speak it. Afterward, he pinned her down and carved an infinity symbol into her back with a pocket knife. When he rolled her back over to, well, finish the job - she kicked him in you-know-where and began screaming bloody murder as she ran back into the street. A group of students found her and took her to the police station, and that's all we have. The police think the only reason she was able to escape is that she wasn't allowed to have any of the drinks the unsub kept buying her..." Garcia solemnly spoke, her heart hurting from having to retell the story. The faces around her held disturbed, vexed, and dismal appearances.

"Spence', did you know about any of this?" JJ blurted, cocking her head in Spencer's direction as her eyebrows furrowed.

Spencer continued to stare at the screen in disbelief. He peered over to JJ with a soft shake of the head, "No – I had no idea. I remember seeing the scar on her lower back, but I just assumed it was from an accident when she was younger..." He inaudibly whispered.

"Veronica is a very independent and strong-willed woman. She probably didn't feel the need to say anything about it because she had moved on in her life and didn't want to relive the events," Blake skillfully added.

"She may not have a choice but to relive it – we're picking up this case. Garcia, contact the Charlotte PD and let them know we want to be there as soon as they give us permission. If they refuse, I'll call the Director. We also need Veronica in protective custody with us. She'll be able to help us with this case more than anyone," Hotch ordered off.

"She's already on her way, sir" Garcia obediently nodded.

Reid nearly sprinted out of his chair into the hallway as he pulled his phone from his pocket, dialing Veronica's number, and pressing it against his ear.

"Veronica!" He frantically spoke after hearing her pick up.

"I'm in a taxi five minutes from your building," She curtly spoke. Spencer could hear the tension in her voice through the slight shake at the end of her sentence.

"Veronica..." He trailed off, disbelief still shrouding him.

"I'll explain everything when I get there," She solemnly replied.

"Okay...Veronica - I, um," He despondently added, his heart pounding faster as he couldn't form a sentence.

"I know," She trailed off, quickly ending the call and feeling the salty tears trickle down her cheeks.