OTA

[dr_spencer_reid]

Everything had been so quiet lately. His work life, his home life, even his mind seemed unusually still lately- And it was, honestly, making Spencer uneasy. It wasn't that he was hoping for a serial killer or anything like that- Even when he was desperate for some mental stimulation and a challenge, he never got quite that dark. But something, anything, had to happen.

...And then it did, and Spencer- Spencer's heart ached, the guilt he felt for daring to wish for more work to do spilling over and weighing him down. And oh, it was always harder when it was children. Always.

Three bodies in two weeks, all between the ages of six and eight. Girls, still in their school uniforms. Dumped, without any signs of remorse from their killer. It was, honestly, the worst case he'd been assigned to since coming to London, and as he stood at the police barrier, having just spoken to the woman who'd spotted the body, he realized that this wouldn't be like it was at home. The police wanted a profile from them, but they hadn't been invited to be a part of the investigation- Leaving Spencer with nothing but photos and paperwork, and the occasional update from the field.

Sitting in a cafe he read the report on the first body for the tenth time, wondering if this was really the best use of his talents. ...Wondering if maybe it was finally time to look at his other options.

Comments

[real_gun_hand]

Hotch had had to do a bit of work at the office but he'd told Reid he'd meet up with him at the cafe. He came in with another thick accordion file and sat down at Spencer's table.

"I have information on all the murders in the U.K. that match the evidence collected so far," he said instead of hello. "It looks like these aren't the first children found."

[dr_spencer_reid]

Spencer was downing in his thoughts, none of which seemed to be even vaguely related to the case at hand at the moment- So when Hotch sat down to join him, he looked a little like the kid who'd somehow managed to fall asleep in the back of the classroom.

"Oh, right, I- um, I'll start reading them," he offered. "If we can find enough evidence that the victims all share a killer, we can use the larger victim pool to find a calling card, or at least a clear MO."

[real_gun_hand]

Hotch nodded, but he'd noticed. He looked at Spencer critically for a moment and asked, "What were you thinking about before I interrupted?"

[dr_spencer_reid]

"Nothing," Spencer lied quickly- Before pausing and realizing it was really sort of pointless to lie to Hotch. The other man's gaze alone had cracked tougher nuts than himself, his voice had broken the resolve of dangerous killers, and the sharp line of his shoulders could make armed men quake. ...Really, what chance did he have against all of that?

"I- Well, um, I was thinking about, um- About other job opportunities that have come up recently."

[real_gun_hand]

"Oh? Like what?" he asked. "Going back to King's?"

[dr_spencer_reid]

Pushing his hair back behind his ears, Spencer looked down at his hands. The skin on his left index finger seemed dryer than the rest, and his eyes focused on the minute patch of flaky skin as he shrugged.

"Actually, Security Services approached me not that long ago," he admitted awkwardly, feeling almost like a traitor for even considering taking a job somewhere else.

[real_gun_hand]

"Good money?" Hotch asked, more happy that it meant Spencer would be staying in London than anything. Working for the legat's office was something where he could quit and leave at any time, but having SPencer here with him made him more willing to stay.

[dr_spencer_reid]

"I don't know, I didn't ask. ...It isn't about that though. It's- I feel stagnant right now, Hotch," Spencer admitted quietly.

[real_gun_hand]

"Stagnant? I can understand that. This isn't like Quantico, is it?" he asked. "We were always doing something there."

[dr_spencer_reid]

"Yes- And when there is work I find I often feel as though my talents aren't being used to their full potential. It's stifling, and it's starting to effect me outside of work," Spencer admitted.

[real_gun_hand]

"I know exactly what you mean. I've actually been thinking of going another direction myself. If not leaving England entirely, then starting an independent consulting service. Aiding local law enforcement but without the constraints of the legat's office. It's an idea I've been kicking around," he said.

[dr_spencer_reid]

"Don't leave England," Spencer said quickly, eyes going slightly wide as he looked at Hotch. The young doctor didn't mean to look like a kicked dog, but honestly- There was no better comparison.

And when he said 'Don't leave England', it was clear that what he meant was, 'Don't leave me.'

[real_gun_hand]

Hotch gave a single nod. "What are your thoughts on consulting?" he asked. "I couldn't do it alone."

[dr_spencer_reid]

"I haven't really given it serious consideration, to be honest," Spencer replied.

[real_gun_hand]

"Do," Hotch said with a nod. "What have you given serious consideration?"

[dr_spencer_reid]

"Nothing, yet. I haven't been that bold," Spencer confessed.

[real_gun_hand]

"Well, give my question some thought. I think we would make a good team on our own," Hotch said.

[dr_spencer_reid]

"I will," Spencer assured him with a nod. "I just- I worry our workload would still be very light."

[real_gun_hand]

Hotch nodded. "...But I have a contact at Scotland Yard and he was telling me about the backlog of cold cases. I think that sounds like an opportunity."

[dr_spencer_reid]

That did sound like an opportunity, and Spencer looked thoughtful for a moment, then nodded. "That would be better than what we're doing now. I hate giving profiles and then being pushed aside. It feels incomplete somehow."

[real_gun_hand]

"I know what you mean. I never imagined my life as a freelancer in London, but I think this is a real chance to make a difference. Maybe long after the fact, but the victims' families deserve closure," he said.

[dr_spencer_reid]

Spencer nodded in agreement, then looked down at the file again.

"I'll consider it," he promised.

[real_gun_hand]

"And what about this case? I know the ones involving children bother you the most," he said.

[dr_spencer_reid]

"Usually I'd assume sexual predator, but there were no signs of sexual assault. The lack of remorse suggests male though- If there was only one victim I'd have suspected a botched kidnapping, but three? That's unlikely. My working theory is actually an uncommon one- I think our unsub might be quite young himself. Still working out what he enjoys, maybe not even intending to kill them? The bodies aren't hidden well, they're dumped into the water not far out from the shore, which suggests the unsub isn't strong enough to throw them in from a height... It's just an early theory though," Spencer replied, chewing his bottom lip with a frown.

[real_gun_hand]

"Your theories tend to be right, though," Hotch replied, reaching to look at the photographs. "I wish they'd invite us in on this one. Of all the cases lately, this one is going to need a full profile."