Paranoia - s.reid

Just Yet

Monday had come and it'd been officially 3 days since Liz had slept in Spencer's apartment and the feeling was foreign to her. It was no secret that she missed him more than ever, and Spencer would be lying if he said he definitely didn't miss her.

Liz had managed to pull a few strings with her sister and got Chip Taylor a ticket to Spain, allowing him to start over and leave her alone.

Liz sat in the briefing room with Gideon, JJ and Hotch as she watched Spencer enter the room, his hair disheveled and dark shadows under his eyes. She couldn't say her appearance was better, though. Her concealer did a poor job at covering her own eye bags, her cheeks had hollowed out ever so slightly and her eyes appeared bloodshot and tired.

"St. Louis is in trouble. They've got two serial killers. The killer abducts his victims from public places, dumps them in the woods. They consulted us months ago after the third murder. Well, now it might be up to 6." JJ announced, turning the screen on. "Ellen Carroll's been missing since yesterday. The first two victims were found near Mill Creek, in Mark Twain forest."

"No wonder it takes days to find the bodies. The forest is 1.5 million acres." Liz sighed.

"and 78,000 of that is wilderness." Spencer added, eyeing his 'girlfriend' although she avoided making any eye contact. "Eight victims. All prostitutes. Latest is Marci Mitchell. She was killed last night with a 0.44 magnum. All are tied to a serial shooter claiming responsibility. He's contacted Jim Meyers, a reporter at the Missouri Herald." JJ's eyes darted to Hotch as she spoke.

"So he's not getting the attention he thinks he deserves. He signs it the Hollow Man, names himself for the press."

"Why Hollow Man? Does he feel empty inside or something?" Morgan furrowed his eyebrows. "No, he uses hollow point bullets." Liz replied.

"No one even knew this guy existed until he sent this letter. Well, he's killed more victims, but look who he's chosen. Hundreds of victims go unnoticed because they're social outcasts."

"When Mill Creek kills, the Hollow Man shoots another prostitute."

"It's like a competition between them. They're trying to one up each other. Almost like a sibling rivalry but they've been killing independently for over a year." Liz analysed the board of victims. "With each kill they're learning from the other.

-----

Liz chose to sit next to Hotch rather than Spencer, however the pair still sat across from the doctor, much to the young woman's dismay. "Did you know there are roughly 30 serial killers at large in the US at any given time? It's an incredibly rare occurrence to have them operating in the same city. It's happened 3 times. There was a guy killing at the same time as the Son of Sam. And then again in New Orleans, and most recently with the Phoenix murders." Spencer rambled, his eyes still trained on Liz as she slipped on a pair of sunglasses, closing her eyes but continuing to listen to the conversation.

She missed him so much, and he missed her. But they couldn't let the other know just yet.

"Serial shooters are typically loners. This guy likes to kill at night. His victims are prostitutes, so he may lack confidence with women or have poor social skills." Hotch shifted closer to the woman next to him, realizing the distance between her and Spencer.

"There's no rape, he could be impotent. A wannabe tough guy, even if he's holding a 0.44." Liz stated, eyes still being shielded by the sunglasses as she didn't object to the sudden close proximity between her and Hotch. She felt comfortable. "The gun gives him power and lets him maintain distance from the kill. This guy doesn't want to touch the bodies with his hands." Spencer finishes.

"Mill Creek Killer. Hunts during the day, targets middle class, well educated women. He'd have to look and act like they do."

"The women died from blunt force head traumas. He wants to be close and feel the life leave their bodies. They're polar opposites, just like their victims. They live in the same city but they're worlds apart."

"I'm gonna see if the shooter's victims have any families I can talk to. Reid, Elizabeth, can you take a look at the letter for handwriting analysis and psycho linguistics?" Spencer nodded.

"Of course."

"Actually, Hotch, I think I'll talk to the families instead." Liz protested, only to be pulled away by her superior. "Look, Elizabeth, I don't know what issues are going on between you two, but I need you both to get your heads in the game."

She grumbled. "Fine." The pair walked back, sitting down just a the rest of their team announced their roles in the investigation. "What are rooming arrangements like?" Morgan asked, his eyes darting between the distant couple. 

"Like normal, we all get our own rooms except for Liz and Spencer." Hotch stated.

"Actually, I'm going to be rooming with JJ, if you don't mind Hotch." The man nodded at Liz's request as JJ smiled at her.

-----

Liz and Spencer had managed to do their work silently with absolutely minimal communication. The team had decided to get some rest to fully prepare themselves for the investigation happening the next day.

"So, are you going to tell me why you and Spencer are looking at each other like lost puppies but refuse to interact?" JJ questioned, setting two glasses and a bottle of tequila down.

"First of all, we're not looking at each other like lost puppies. Second, we shouldn't be drinking and third, we're fighting." Liz rolled her eyes as she watched JJ pour the liquid into the small glasses. "No one will know we're drinking. Why are you fighting anyway? Is it about that guy who came storming in?"

"Yeah, he's an ex boyfriend. Did some crazy shit together that I never told Spencer and now he's mad. Ex boyfriend is no longer in the country, though. I shipped him off to Spain. Cheers." The pair touched glasses before throwing the alcohol to the back of their throats. Liz loved the burning sensation it left. 

"Spain? That's nice. I'm sure Spencer will come around if he already hasn't."

The two continued their shots, engaging in playful banter and girl talk. "You know Spencer wants you guys to move in together?" JJ slurred, a smile on her face.

"Really? Wow."

"He was going to ask you but then the ex boyfriend came, I'm guessing. Do you want to live with him?"

"Of course, I do. We kinda already live together except the past few days I've been in my own apartment. I wanna live with him." The conversation was cut short by a knock on the door. Liz swung the door open, revealing a disheveled Spencer Reid. 

The doctor narrowed his eyes at the drunk brunette before him. "Ellie?" She wrapped her arms around his neck, placing kisses onto his shirt because she couldn't quite reach his face. "Hi, Penny. I missed you."

"Ellie, you're drunk."

"Only drunk on my love for you." Liz slurred, a lazy smile on her face as she pulled him into the room, giggling at JJ's cheers. 

"Ooooh! Liz can I tell him? I'm going to tell him! When you and Liz were secretly dating," She put her finger to her lips, mimicking a 'shhhh'. "I asked if she had a boyfriend and obviously she said yes, but she didn't tell me who. And when I asked her how he was in bed she,"

"Jenny no!"

"She said that he was incredible, the best she's ever had! She also said his hands could make her go weak at any time! She was talking about you! She said a lot of other things too but I can't remember." JJ pouted as Spencer shook his head, turning to Liz.

"I came here to talk to you but I guess I'll do that tomorrow?" The brunette nodded vigorously at the doctor, grinning.