Fic: Between The Extremes (Criminal Minds, Spencer Reid / Derek Morgan, Prentiss, JJ)
Title: Between the Extremes
Pairing: Spencer Reid / Derek Morgan
Fandom: Criminal Minds
Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Not mine, etc.
Criminal Minds Main List
Prentiss rushed into the bullpen and headed straight to her workstation. While her computer was starting up, she checked the population of the room. The lights were on in Hotch`s office, but the door and the blinds were closed. JJ walked down the stairs carrying a high stack of case files and gave her a sympathetic glance.
“How was the consultation?”
“Fine, but I had a little accident in the car with my coffee.” Prentiss pulled out a soggy notebook from her bag. “My notes are ruined so just want to get my report done while I can still remember what I wanted to say.”
“We had some drama here too. Morgan just called to say he and Reid are coming back from the hospital.”
“I thought they had a consultation for that narcotics case.”
“That’s what got them in trouble. It was one of those things that can only happen to doctor Spencer Reid.”
“That covers a lot of land, so just tell me what happened. Are they alright?”
“They let him out of the hospital, so it can’t be that serious. Morgan said there was a lead at the narcotics case they were working on, and they got a SWAT-team to raid a warehouse.”
“Did it get violent?”
“No, most of the people inside were too out of it to put up much of a fight.”
“Then how did he get hurt if it all went so well?”
“He went there afterwards with the narcotics experts to sort out the lab, and then… Remember the anthrax thing?”
“Of course I remember.”
“He just walked into something no one could have seen coming.”
“Just tell me what happened.”
“When they searched the warehouse, they found a box full of figurines. Those hand painted, really expensive ones. What do you think happens when Spencer has something valuable and fragile in his hands?”
“He drops it?”
“He accidentally knocked it on something, the thing broke and that was when they realized it was filled with product of the warehouse. It floated in the air, and Reid inhaled some of it.”
“What was it?”
“Something called Apeman.”
“Never heard of it.”
“Neither had I. The memo from narcotics says it’s a cocktail of stimulants, laced with synthetic testosterone. Basically it makes people energetic and very aggressive. It’s supposed to be the new In-thing for the rich and idle.”
“Did they say how long the effect lasts?”
“They couldn’t say, because they weren’t sure how much he had inhaled. Morgan said they gave him some meds to wash it away from his system and something to calm him down and counter the effects of the testosterone-”
“We’re back.” Morgan announced from the elevators. He had his arms around Reid’s shoulder, slowly pulling his into the bullpen. The genius’s undivided focus was on a half empty packet of cookies, and he was busily licking off crumbs from the tips of his fingers.
“That was good, we need more chocolate chips…” Reid sighed happily, then he noticed the two women eyeing him curiously. “Emmy, shoulders back, posture is important. You’re gaining five pounds just by slouching, and you really should get a haircut, that fringe makes your nose look like it should belong to the Wicked Witch of the West.”
Reid was already out of the room before Prentiss and JJ recovered enough to speak.
“It looked like Reid, sounded like my mother, and smelled like chocolate cookies.” Prentiss recounted slowly. “What the hell was that? And when did he start calling me Emmy?”
“Right now he’s on his milder phase.” Morgan said cheerfully. “They gave him a healthy dose of estrogen to balance the excess testosterone, but when he has all that other crap still in his system…” He grinned widely and snatched one of the cookies from the deserted packet. “He just goes back and forth. One minute he’s a big macho looking for a fight, and the next he’s like my mom on steroids.”
“What about my fringe?”
“It’s…” Morgan looked quite uncomfortable. “Well, he’s got a point there, that thing’s not doing your nose any favors.”
She turned around to face JJ. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want to hurt your feelings.” JJ explained awkwardly.
“Shhh.” Morgan shushed. The ladies were about to ask why, when they heard Reid’s voice booming from the break room.
“-greasy Godfather knock-off-”
“I think he just ran into Rossi.” JJ speculated.
“Sounds like it.” Morgan agreed. “Listen carefully, that’s the testosterone side talking.”
“-You wanna fight? I’ll kick your ass-”
“Should we do something?” Prentiss asked, but didn’t make a move to stop the potential fistfight. “He’s clearly not himself.”
“Rossi’s a tough guy in the field when he can pull out his gun, but right now I wouldn’t worry about it.” Morgan chuckled. “Reid can be a lot scarier than you’d think, even to Rossi.”
“Fine! Keep it!” Rossi yelled and marched out of the break room. His face was white as a sheet and he was obviously shaking. “What’s going on? The kid almost bit my head off!”
“What?” Morgan faked an innocent expression and the ladies followed his lead. “An experienced agent like you can’t handle a mild mannered triple-doctor?”
Rossi didn’t bother to respond, instead he went into his office and slammed the door shut. Reid walked into the bullpen holding a cup of coffee in his hands, his nose almost dipping into the dark liquid, as he inhaled the scent.
“Reid, what was that?” Prentiss asked carefully.
“What was what?” Reid raised his nose from the cup. His eyes were soft and dreamy, and his tone had gone several notches softer. “I got lucky, this was the last drop of coffee there was and Rossi was very understanding. Any more cookies?”
“Yeah, a few.” Morgan handed him the packet of treats and Reid snatched it like a greedy little child. Morgan pulled his hand back and pretended to count his fingers. “Like feeding a shark… Let go of the cookies or he’ll eat your hand.”
“Did you say something?” Reid’s question was muffled by a stack of cookies he had shoved into his mouth.
“Nothing. Just keep eating, it keeps you out of mischief. I still gotta do some paperwork about the consultation, so you could take a little nap on the couch. Doctors said you’d get tired when the effect of that crap starts to subside, remember? Take a little nap and I’ll drive you home when I’m ready, okay?”
Reid nodded, as he was temporarily unable to talk. He chewed his way through the cookies and swallowed them with a loud gulp.
“Okay, I’m kinda tired.” He turned to leave, but gave JJ a passing glance. “JJ…?”
“You want me to tuck you in?” The blond smirked.
“No, but you know how you always complain about pretty blonds having issues with professional authority?”
“What about it?”
“Those heels make you look like your place of business is on the street.” Reid yawned widely. He wandered away and into the break room, still munching chocolate cookies.
“This is a joke, isn’t it?” Prentiss stated gleefully. “You put him up to that, didn’t you?”
“No.” Morgan responded. “Why would I?”
“You really expect me to believe that estrogen makes him criticize stuff he wouldn’t normally even notice and act like a real bitch with a smile on his face? I’m not buying it.”
“If you think that’s offending, shouldn’t I be insulted that too much testosterone makes him pick a fight like a caveman and make Rossi cry?”
Both of them were quiet for a moment. Then Prentiss nodded slightly as a sign of surrender.
“Okay, I believe you.”
“-say that again and I’ll punch you-” Reid’s voice was increasing it’s volume once again, and Morgan hurried to the break room to check the situation. He came back with a crooked smile on his face and holding another snatched cookie in his hand.
“Don’t worry, ladies.”
“What was that?”
“Nothing serious. Our Pretty Boy is just having a little argument with one of the couch pillows.”