Fic: A Demon of Empathy (1/1 Criminal Minds)

[thefrogg]

Title: A Demon of Empathy
Series: Of Innocence and Empathy
Author: Frogg
Beta: Nilandia
Rating: FRT-13, non-explicit slash
Disclaimer: I don't own them. Damnit.
Challenge: 50episodes – Criminal Minds, Morgan/Reid
Table: 2
Prompt: 50. Watching the Clock
Word Count: 178
Author's Note: Third in the Of Innocence and Empathy series, following Knowledge and Innocence, and And the World Cried Out.


Derek fought his way out of the tangle of sheets to sit on the edge of the bed, chest heaving from remembered panic, a specter of terror left behind. Swallowing against the rawness in his throat, he scrubbed at burning eyes and willed his racing heart to calm, breath to slow.

The clock showed 3:18 a.m.

"He's not dead," Derek whispered to himself, a shudder ripping through him at the word. "Not..." He swallowed again, knowing he'd blown his voice screaming in a nightmare the likes of which he hadn't had since before he and Spencer had first started rooming together.

First started guarding each other's dreams.

Spencer had always woken him long before that point.

Derek reached for the phone, then stopped. Spencer was probably in a drugged sleep. Or he'd read Derek's number on the caller ID. Either way, he wouldn't pick up.

And hearing Spencer's voice wasn't going to be enough.

Not now.

Choking with guilt and pain, Derek threw jeans and a t-shirt on and grabbed the key to Spencer's apartment off the dresser.

~~~the end~~~

Previous:  And the World Cried Out
Next:      Silent Empathy

Comments

[decarnin.livejournal.com]

I admit I'm confused. But I liked the scene between Gideon and Reid. Reid's death was a dream, and that one and this one here both come *after* the Gideon break-room one? Right? But it seems like there should be one before that too -- I mean -- telling the story of the broken window and the hostages? Was that a series with a different name? Or was that an episode on tv?

Like I said, confused. :-) But liking the story, even though M/R is not my pairing.

[thefrogg.livejournal.com]

The case with the hostages and the broken window and such came just before Knowledge and Innocence. It's just background to the series, and I don't intend to write it, more than I've spelled out in Morgan's nightmare and Gideon's and Reid's discussion in K&I. Mainly because all that's really necessary to know is that there *was* a hostage situation with the window, etc.

It wasn't an episode on the show. However, considering how many times Reid's been taken hostage/prisoner/whatever and how well he manages such situations...well, his talent for getting into and out of such things struck me and boom. Story. Or rather, consequences of that particular tendency.

I'm actually kinda surprised no one added Reid's injuries in K&I to the hostage situation in Innocent Blood and came up with..."That's gotta be a nightmare or what-if or alternate scene or something."

As of right now, I have three ongoing series:

Of Innocence and Empathy (This one). There are at least four more stories coming in it.

The as-of-yet untitled series starting with Personal Hell-anyone have any suggestions on a series title? I hate calling it the "Personal Hell" series.::grumble::

Something Stupid, which is actually a case-centric story with a side of M/R, but I've only written a few scenes for it.

Anyways, thanks for reading, and I hope you stay through the rest of the series.

[panijeziora.livejournal.com]

yey, you did not do this! now im happy, but poor morgan, such vivid nightmares!

[fluffnutter.livejournal.com]

OK, had to re-read the first two drabbles, but I get it now. Thank you for not killing Reid (I hate deathfics).

I'm hooked now and looking forward to part 4.

[thefrogg.livejournal.com]

I hate deathfics too. Typically, the only ones I read are either A) by people I betaread for, or B) by people whose fic I admire greatly and can't pass up even though it's something I don't like.

Part 4 may have to wait until after finals.:(

[prettychemistry.livejournal.com]

Okay, yeah... Totally didn't pick up on the flashback thing, but it now seems so obvious! Anyway, I really like this. This was my favourite bit thus far, entirely for the line, "guarding each other's dreams". I knew Morgan wouldn't be able to handle it! (That is, before I thought the flashback wasn't one...) Looking forward to the confrontation.

[thefrogg.livejournal.com]

A friend of mine reminded me of The Popular Kids where Reid tells Morgan he's having nightmares, so we know they BOTH have them. It occurred to me that they might well start rooming together on cases, if only on really bad cases to help each other out in that department.

Oh, there's more in store for Reid and Morgan before I'm through tormenting them!

I just hope I can manage to finish out the series without diluting the impact of Knowledge and Innocence.

[(Anonymous)]

I totally got it. And it rocked. Now we need a follow up at Spencer's place, she says hopefully.

[thefrogg.livejournal.com]

Yay! Someone got it. Yeah, there will be a follow-up at Spencer's place. Probably not the one people *want*, but there will be.