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

[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.