Chapter Text
Reid knocked on the door of the cabin and was surprised when it swung open slightly from the force.
”Gideon?” He asked into the dark room.
When there was no response, he fumbled for his torch. Turning it on, he cast the beam of light around but found the cabin completely empty. After he turned on a light, Reid stared in disbelief at the badge, gun and envelope that lay on the dining table. The badge and gun that no doubt belonged to Gideon, and the envelope that was addressed to him.
Spencer,
I knew it would be you who came to the cabin to check on me. I’m sorry the explanation couldn’t be better Spencer....
He was gone. Disappeared into the night for all Reid knew.
He figured he should tell someone from the team, like Hotch or JJ, but he couldn’t bring himself to move just yet. However, that decision was not up to him. Reid steeled himself to move, but before he could, a blinding flash of light drowned out the outlines of his surroundings before fading into darkness again.
As Reid blinked the spots out of his eyes, he found himself sitting on a very familiar couch surrounded by the people he trusted most. Squinting, Reid realised that one of them was-
“Gideon?”
Reid’s voice was soft, eyes trained carefully on the man in question as he slowly turned around. He looked both tired and extremely relieved at the same time, meeting Reid’s gaze before speaking.
“I’m sorry Spencer.” He said, before looking around at the rest of the room. Those who had come to their senses and figured out their surroundings were watching the interaction closely. Garcia, who was clutching the back of a couch like it was her lifeline, looked at the expressions on the profiler’s faces.
“Oh, no,” she said, “Gideon, you-“
“You’re leaving the B.A.U, aren’t you.” Hotch said, walking towards Gideon.
Gideon heaved a sigh. “Yes.”
“And the best way to do that is by, what—walking out on us?” Demanded Morgan, moving past Hotch to get in Gideon’s face, “you didn’t even have the courtesy to say goodbye!”
"I did... It was just quiet." Gideon turned away, leaving Reid to step forward. He held out the letter and watched as the team crowded around Morgan to read it. As everyone’s attention stayed focused on either Gideon or his letter, static crackled to life from overhead.
“WELCOME BACK EVERYONE! I WOULD’VE LOVED TO WATCH YOU ALL CATCH UP, BUT DUE TO CERTAIN EVENTS,” there was a pointed silence and the sound of a throat clearing, “I DECIDED I’D GET YOU BACK TOGETHER SO YOU CAN FINISH THE VIDEO AND SOLVE THE CASE!” The Voice boomed from invisible speakers and there was another flash of light, this time landing everyone in their respective seats.
“But we've already solved the case, ages ago--oh, do we have to see our dear boy genius through the cameras again?” Garcia asked, “because I know I can’t do that a second time.”
“Cameras? What cameras? Why was Reid on camera?” Elle questioned.
“OH DON’T YOU WORRY AGENT GREENAWAY, YOU’LL FIND OUT SOON ENOUGH,” said the Voice, “AND GARCIA, DARLING? THERE IS SO MUCH MORE YOU’LL GET TO SEE.”
Garcia moaned, leaning into Elle for comfort. “You’ll be my blindfold for today, Miss Greenaway, congratulations.” She mumbled against her shoulder.
Morgan out a hand on Reid’s shoulder, and leaned out so he could face JJ as well. “Guys, if it gets too much for either one of you, I want you to tell me, got it?” JJ and Reid nodded, “You went through some bad stuff, and I don’t want you to feel worse than you already do about what happened. You'll be fine.”
“And Reid,” Elle chimed in, “The majority of us have had near death experiences on the job and watching it happen isn’t fun, but it’s just gonna be one of those things, y’know?”
Reid snorted and turned his attention to her. “Well considering that I did actually die and had to be revived by my killer afterwards, yeah I guess you could say that watching this happen again won’t be fun.”
“I'm sorry you WHAT?”
“Yeah… It’s a long story that I won’t be able to avoid sharing.”
“RIGHT! THATS ENOUGH CHIT-CHAT, LETS GET ON WITH IT SHALL WE?” The Voice said, “BUT FIRST, A RECAP FOR OUR DEAREST AGENT GREENAWAY.”
“I don’t need a recap, I can remember what happened last time—and I guess that doesn't matter, it’s going to show me anyway.”
PREVIOUSLY, ON CRIMINAL MINDS…