Change My Mind ~ Criminal Minds (Aaron Hotchner x OC)

99.0: Expectations

A/N: Continuation of 8x03 Through The Looking Glass

TRIGGER WARNING: DEATH OF CHILDREN MENTIONED, R*PE, CHEATING, AND DRUG USE

"When you no longer perceive the world as hostile, there is no more fear, and when there is no more fear, you think, speak and act differently."
― Eckhart Tolle

Garcia had called the team with some info, it was small, but it was their only connection between the families. Both had vacationed at Ravenwood Camp that was outside of Topeka, it was last year and at different times. It was again a longshot, but it's the only thing they had to link the two cases together. They were going to check the staff of who had contact with the family to hopefully get some overlaps, right now Crystal was making herself some tea to calm herself. 

Crystal walked back to the board room and saw that only Reid was there, "Hey, where'd everyone go?" Reid looked up from his file, "JJ and Rossi went to go see if they could get anything else out of Mike's brother, Blake went with Hotch to go talk with detective Carr, and Morgan is on the phone with Garcia." Crystal hummed and sat down, "I thought you and Blake were gonna head to the camp?" 

"We are."

Crystal smiled at this and put her mug down, "Alright, I'll bite Doc. Is there something you wanna talk to me about? Something that's private that you asked for the team to give us some space?" Reid put his file down too and cleared his throat, "I uh, I don't think I should write a speech for your wedding."

"Oh, did you change your mind about it?"

"No, I just....I let Morgan read what I wrote and he laughed and said it was a bit boring." Reid confessed and Crystal rolled her eyes, "Morgan is always teasing." Reid shook his head, "But he's right, I don't know anything about how to be romantic and I've been told multiple times that I'm rather boring. You even tell me in a nice way that I'm boring and should find people who would appreciate my talking, I don't think my speech will be right for your wedding." Crystal smiled at him and reached for one of his hands, she held it and squeezed it gently. "Okay, answer this for me then. Do you want to give a speech for my wedding?"

Reid hesitated before squeezing her hand back, "I do, but-"

"Then that's all that matters, Doc. I don't care if it's going to be somewhat boring, I want to hear the words that you want to say to me. It doesn't have to be romantic, if I wanted romantic then I would tell Garcia or Rossi to give a speech, I'm pretty sure that Rossi is giving one, but I want to hear what you have to say to me Doc. I want to hear something...factual." Reid frowned at this, "You do?"

Crystal nodded at this and let go of his hand to grab her mug, "I've dealt with lots of teasing from the team already, and I'd like if my wedding had something other than that. You're a man of science and you base things on the truth, so just give your speech on the truth. I don't want some overly sap thing about how me and Aaron were blind for three years about our feelings, but through the power of love we found each other or whatever Garcia goes around telling people. I want to hear something more real and not overexaggerated, I know you wouldn't say something sappy to make me happy. I know you'll say something true, so that's why I picked you. Do you get it now?"

Reid smiled at this, "Yeah, I think I get it now. I'll do my best, I'll make sure that it's the best speech out there." Crystal sipped her tea and smiled, "You don't have to make it the best, whatever you say at my wedding will already be the best one I'll have." Reid seemed more happier and relaxed, he got up and left the room to most likely go to the camp now. Morgan walked back in and sat down, "What did pretty boy want?"

"Derek."

"Yeah?"

"Stop picking on Doc so much."