Oh my heart

Excellent choice of opening quote, especially in connection with "Fathers." You do a great job with selecting those.

I really like the time you spent on Reid's age and Gideon's perception of him. It's true that Gideon always introduced him as "Dr. Reid" to ensure that others realized he wasn't just a kid, but of course Gideon would remember him as he was when he first knew him, and it's understandable that he would have a hard time letting go of that image, particularly when he is Reid's confidant on the team (btw, you only put an "e" on the end of "confidant" when it's a woman). It makes sense for Gideon to expect that Reid would not be quite so innocent as he used to be, but this was exactly the wrong time to "stop babying the boy," because he did need someone to be there for him. It is like Elle all over again, and again, I love how you make that connection, because I think it's crucial to understanding everybody's response to what happened with Reid.

This is a great line: "He needed answers, but the universe was being rather tight-fisted about them."

That conversation was a roller coaster ride. I love how bluntly you show us the raw ugliness of what the drugs have turned Reid into, that he lashes out at the people who care about him the most and even throws the most painful things in Gideon's past right into his face to deflect the attention from him and his problem. It's true and honest and horrible, and it's exactly what the show didn't give us but should have. Because that conversation with Gideon in New Orleans wasn't enough to hold him back. This entire mini-series has become part of my headcanon for the show. Thank you so much for this.

I absolutely love this, because it's very realistic. Nobody could just easily overcome the things Spencer went through.

He needs help

How much longer after this did he leave?

I really liked it. I would leave a longer review, but I'm short on time. :) Anyway, I liked it a lot and it's definitely being added to my favorites.
I wish there had been a scene like this in the actual show. I really didn't like that they never confronted Reid about his addiction. You did a good job fitting it in there so it wasn't necessarily AU. :)

Gideon is definitely the most patient and most willing to put aside his emotions in order to push just the right buttons when dealing with someone, and this came across really nicely here. It's from his perspective, so you get to see his thought processes and understand that what's happening is causing him pain too, yet you can also see him set that aside to say the right things to persuade Reid.

Again, really well written. A lot of fics centered on Reid's drug problem tend to be way too angsty or over the top, but this feels just right.

I'm fighting to keep from crying. His words were harsh, but they needed to be said. Even if they weren't true, even if that's not what he really thought, a small part of him did and for that, he had to find a way to let it out to heal.. doesn't mean I have to like the what it will make Gideon feel. :(

Another wonderful one shot. :)

Wow, Reid's words stung hard. But this was epic! So tender and heart breaking, emotionally awesome. I loved it. Thanks for sharing!

I love this story, I can't wait to see everyone else's reactions, and I think you're idea of teeling everyone's side of the story is very interesting. Can't wait to read the next part.

Wow biggest tear-jerker of them all...

This was very good. Very well done. I'm glad Gideon knew what he was going to say and that he had to get it out. Good job.

I am in love whith this series! I think your writing is definatly some of the best I've ever seen of the characers, you do amazingly well at staying in character when writing. I really hope that you will be posting more CM fics (and more from this series of stories!) soon. Thanks for the great stories, looking forward to reading more.

This is so amazing! You should write more fics about Spencey on drugs ] You're a great writer, usually when I find a fic I really like, it tends to be you who wrote it ]

damn it, i really wish that the writers of criminal minds had your story and had followed it. this would have been a great episode to watch. this story is so freaking amazing. i love it, love it, love it. of course i love any reidcentric story