Episodes and Incidents: 42. Something Stupid: Promise

[thefrogg]

Title: Something Stupid: Promise
Author: Frogg
Beta:  Jadesfire
Rating: FRT-13
Disclaimer: I don't own them.  Damnit.
Warnings: Will probably generate "What the hell?" until read with more prompted scenes.
Challenge: 50episodes – Criminal Minds, Morgan/Reid
Table:  2
Prompt:  42. Promise
Word Count: 429
Author’s Notes: Scenes are pieces of a larger story and will make more sense as more are written.

Morgan followed Hotch into an unused office and shut the door behind him.  "I need you to promise me somethin'."

"Go on," Hotch prompted, eyebrows drawn together in concern.

A sharply drawn breath, lips tight, jaw clenched.  Eyes anywhere but on his friend.  "We both know -- we all know -- that I fit the vic profile to a tee.  I need you..."  Morgan swallowed hard.  "I need you to promise me you won't let Reid..."

"Won't let him what?"

"Promise you won't let Reid do something stupid."  The words burst out in a rush of fear and frustration.

Silence, as they both thought and worried about Reid; the younger man had been running a gauntlet of caffiene-driven hyper awareness and sheer exhaustion trying to find the unsub, this unsub in particular.  They all had.  They all knew who would be next.

If they failed, Morgan would freeze to death, alone and helpless.

It wasn't any kind of death he wanted.

"I promise I'll do everything I can, Morgan."  Pause.  "Why me?  Why not Gideon?"

"Gideon would talk to him, try and talk him out of whatever he needs to do."  Morgan shrugged.  "You'd just help, give him support.  Watch his back.  Reid may not have a lot of experience, but I promise you, if it comes down to it..."  Morgan shut his eyes briefly.  "If it comes down to it, he won't take orders from anyone.  Especially not Gideon."

"If you're telling me that Reid-" Hotch started, his voice tightly controlled.

"Whoa, whoa, hold it.  Hotch, Reid's not Elle.  Not even close.  But you and I both know, even if the others -- besides Reid -- haven't pegged on it yet that the only way we're going to find this guy is for me to draw him out.  You may not be able to get to me in time.  You *know* that.  I can't do my job if I don't know that Reid's got someone at his back.  And after what went down with Elle, Gideon ain't the one I want there."  Morgan was breathing fast, ragged, eyes shiny with unshed tears.  "You gotta promise me, Hotch.  You want me to beg?  I will, you know I will."

"Don't."  Hotch reached out and gripped Morgan's shoulder, offering support.  "Don't do that.  I promise, I will do everything I can to help Reid.  To help you."  He watched silently as Morgan's eyes shut in relief, lashes wet and glistening.  "You up to doing this?  We can find another way."

"There's another storm coming.  We don't have time for that."

Comments

[fluffnutter.livejournal.com]

As long as you promise it will all make sense it the end, I won't complain now because I'm loving the Reid-in-peril vibe you've got going on.

[fireness.livejournal.com]

Was this supposed to be read before Winter? I think I read them out of order by mistake....?

MORE?!?! I need clarity.

[thefrogg.livejournal.com]

Well....Reid's going to...uh. Well, the possibility for him to completely go off the deep end is definitely there.

I promise, it *will* make more sense as more scenes get written.

[thefrogg.livejournal.com]

Nope, Winter comes first. The actual story/backstory is told as Hotch's memories.

Patience, grasshopper.

::flees, cackling madly the rampant OMGWTFBBQPB!!!::

[pinskitchil.livejournal.com]

um....ok... :) lol

I like it so far, and looking forward to more scenes.