Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds or its characters.

I appreciate reviews and comments! Last Chapter!

Reid sat silently in the corner by himself, simply enjoying listening to the hum of the plane and the accompanying silence in the cabin. They were a half hour into their flight home, and Reid was slightly surprised that everyone had let him have his space so far.

A body plopped into the seat across from him, and he wasn't really surprised to see that it was Morgan.

"So," Morgan began, "no fifth victim?"

"I've been thinking about that," Reid replied honestly, because Morgan obviously knew it was still bugging him. "I think Pierce was referring to Gracie Adams."

"He didn't kill her, Reid."

"I know," Reid said slowly as he looked out the window. "But I think the lines may have blurred for Pierce. He couldn't make the image of her body leave his head... and eventually realizing that he liked seeing those images... I think he began to feel guilty and blamed himself her death."

"Reid, you're nothing like him."

Reid looked at Morgan. "I know," he repeated. "But I know how it feels to want to push something from your mind, but can't."

"Chances are he would have snapped even if he didn't have a photographic memory, you know."

"Yeah..."

"Anyway," Morgan leaned forward, "the real reason I came over here was to properly apologize to you."

"For what?"

"For not looking who it was before I opened the door."

"You were expecting the rest of the team, and we had no reason to believe Pierce knew I was alive," Reid countered. "I probably would have done the same thing."

"He could have killed you, though... and me."

"But he didn't."

Morgan made a noise half-way between a chuckle and a grunt. Reid knew why. The conversation was sounding very similar to one they'd already had, but with their roles reversed. They sat in silence for a few minutes before Reid spoke.

"Hotch said they found a maid's key in Pierce's pocket that he must have lifted. He would have gotten in even if you hadn't opened the door."

"What?" Morgan asked. "Why didn't Hotch say anything to me?"

Reid glanced to the other side of the plane where Hotch was sitting. "Because, I'm sure he knows you'd still feel guilty until you talked to me." Reid looked back at Morgan. "And you'd talk to me sooner if you didn't know."

"What ever happened to the no profiling each other rule?" Morgan chuckled lightly.

"It gets thrown out the window on occasion," Reid smiled before sighing. "If you don't mind, I'm kind of tired, so I think I'm going to lay down for awhile."

Reid carefully got up from his seat and moved across the aisle to the couch as he heard Morgan saying, "I hope you know you're not going to be able to use that excuse so easily once you're better."

Reid smiled again as he lay down and closed his eyes. A couple minutes later, he felt the warmth of a blanket over him. He couldn't pass up the opportunity to return the teasing.

"I could get used to this," Reid mumbled quietly, pulling the blanket closer.

"In your dreams, kid."

Anyone can give up, it's the easiest thing in the world to do. But to hold it together when everyone else would understand if you fell apart, that's true strength. ~ Unknown

~ The End ~

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