Chapter Text
The case was in Seattle, Washington. Four people dead, both couples. The killer appeared to be attacking middle class newlyweds. The BAU had been in town for one day and were slowly tracking down the Unsub. The team came into the conference room to find their youngest member, Dr. Spencer Reid, already seated at the table. He was wearing a large brimmed hat and sunglasses which was odd considering that the weather report called for the sky to be overcast. He looked out of it, as if he hadn’t slept, his head buried in his hands. As the others gathered around the conference table, Reid raised his head and waited.
”So Reid, how was your night? It looks like you had some fun.” Morgan said
“I don’t know, I don’t remember much.” His voice was distant, and forcefully calm.
JJ went to get herself some coffee and Reid asked if she would get him some as well. She poured him some and put it on the table because Reid made no attempt to take it himself. Reid fumbled around before he grabbed it, and carefully drank it.
“Reid are you alright?” JJ asked
Reid ignored the question and continued drinking his coffee.
The team started going over the latest reports, another couple had been murdered last night around ten. Everyone noticed that Reid made no move to look at the case reports and just listened as the others commented. Hotch gave the orders
“Prentiss, you go to the morgue. JJ, start drafting a press release. Morgan, Reid, go the latest crime scene. Rossi and I will work on the profile and talk to any witnesses.”
Everyone moved to stand and leave except Reid
“ Hotch I can’t go to a crime scene right now”
“Why what’s wrong?”
“ I can’t see anything.”
“ What do you mean like your vision is blurry from drinking too much.” Morgan Joked.
“No as in I can’t see anything, I’m completely blind. “ Reid’s voice trembled slightly and he sounded scared
Everyone looked at him in astonishment, how did Reid go blind overnight. Morgan waved his hand in front of Reid’s face but he didn’t react. Hotch asked to see his eyes and Reid slowly took of his glasses. He looked up at Hotch than flinched in pain and quickly looked down putting on the sunglasses as quickly as he could.
“Kid what happened to you?” Rossi asked
“I don’t know. I remember meeting Henry at a restaurant than waking up blind.”
“Did he say what happened?” Emily asked
“No, Henry just woke me up and told me I was late. I asked him why I couldn’t see. He didn’t explain just said my sight would return soon. He then put a pair of sunglasses in my hands and told me to them on. Slapped a hat on my head, and helped me put my bag on. He then handed me a cane and led me outside to a taxi. He instructed the cab driver to take me to the police station, when I got here I had a police officer help me to the conference room and waited.”
”What cane?” JJ asked trying to distract Reid
Reid reached down under the table and pulled out a handsome wood cane. It looked heavy and custom built. The others asked more questions but Reid seemed out of it and just repeated what he had previously said.
“Alright Prentiss you go to the crime scene with Morgan, Rossi go the morgue, JJ work with the police on witness interviews,
I’m going to take Reid to the emergency room.” Hotch said
The others remained seated until Reid stood slowly leaning on his cane before they made their own moves to depart. JJ handed Reid his bag which had been leaning against his chair. Hotch moved over to Reid and tried to put an arm around him. Reid instinctively jerked away. He then took a deep breath and nodded at Hotch who gently put an arm around his shoulders and guided him out of the room.
The drive the emergency room was quiet, Reid occasionally rubbing his head where it had it the roof of the car. Hotch glanced at Reid a few times; it seemed as if Reid was lost in a day dream. When they got to the hospital Hotch helped Reid out and they went in. Hotch talked to the nurse and got the patient forms. They then found seats and waited for a doctor. Reid suddenly spoke
“Hotch, this isn’t a dream is it?”
Hotch looked at Reid piercingly. “No, how are you feeling?”
“Like I’m not quite here. It’s like I’m in a dream but I’m awake” his hands turned white as he grips the wood cane his voice slightly shaky “Could you get me some coffee please.”
“Of course” Hotch stands and gets coffee from the machine in the hallway outside the waiting room. When he comes back Reid is leaning over the cane head on his hands. He walks over and Reid looks up struggling to regain his composure. Hotch moved the cane and wraps his hands around the cup. He then sits down in his seat and finishes the paperwork. He asks Reid questions about his condition but Reid is vague in his responses. Hotch finishes the forms and after half an hour they are called.
Hotch leads Reid to a bed and helps him sit down. The doctor came in and introduced himself as Dr. Fletcher. He asked Reid to take off his hat and glasses and then flashed a light in his eyes. The second the light hits his eyes Reid lets out a muted scream and falls off the bed trying to avoid it. Hotch kneels down and puts a hand on his shoulder. The doctor had initially jumped back but crouched down and both men help Reid to his feet. The doctor helps Reid put his sunglasses on and asks the nurse if the slit lamp is available. She says it is. The nurse puts a hand on Reid’s back and guides him out of the emergency room. Hotch is asked by Reid to stay and he goes to wait in the waiting room.
After an hour the doctor comes out. He informs him that someone had doused Dr. Reid’s eyes in chemicals causing extreme light sensitivity, migraines and blindness. To do this the person had given Reid a sedative, than painkillers including opium to minimize pain and prevent him from waking up during the procedure. Dr. Fletcher says that Reid should regain his eyesight but he will need to wash out his eyes three times a day and keep away from any light.
Reid is led in by the same nurse. White bandages were wrapped around his eyes all around his head. The doctor handed Hotch the diagnoses, instructions and medicine. There is a prescription for the eye drops and one for heavy duty painkillers. Hotch moves to Reid and again puts a gentle arm around him, Reid leans on him slightly for support. They leave and go to the hotel where Hotch gets Reid a room with two beds so someone can stay with him. Hotch helps Reid to bed who has not said a word since the waiting room, then calls the team. He tells them an abbreviated version of what happened and that he’ll explain more when he returns to the station.
“Reid I need to go to the station, are you going to be alright on our own for a few minutes? I need to get back to the station but I’ll sent JJ over.”
“Yes. The doctor gave me something so he could do the exam; I’m going to sleep it off.”
Hotch puts Reid’s cell phone on the table near him and puts his hand on it. He informs him that his number is on speed dial and all he has to do is press one to reach him. Hotch leaves with some misgivings and goes to the station. The others are their waiting.
The case was coming together, a witness had seen a car leave the scene of the latest murder, and even better was some DNA evidence left under the female victim’s fingernails when had she fought back.
The team after they reported about the case demanded news about Reid. Hotch repeated what the doctor had told him. All of them looked slightly sick and Morgan said he was going to beat this guy into a pulp when they found him. Hotch asked if any of them had any idea who Reid’s friend was or where they could find him. They had no idea; Reid had taken a taxi to meet his friend and all he had told them was that this guy was an old friend from before the FBI.
Hotch calls Garcia who had already been contacted by Morgan and gets her up to speed. He asks her to track Reid’s cell phone and find out where he went last night. After getting the information Hotch lays down his plan. He and Rossi will track down the friend. Morgan and Emily are to work on the profile and then relieve JJ when they break for lunch.