The New Reid by ajoytowrite

I do not own Criminal Minds

A/N: Here is the last chapter. Sorry, I never intended on it being a long fic. Thanks for all the great reviews and ideas. I'm thinking of going a different direction that I usually go. I'm torn between cancer and romance (this being probably Emily). My love of kick-a**reid will never change though, I'm just running out of ideas. Let me know your thoughts. As always please R&R. Thanks and enjoy!

Chapter 4

Later that day, Morgan found himself standing outside of Reid's apartment door with an armful of the resident genius' favorite Indian food. He could hear Beethoven drifting under the door and grinned. He knew Reid never kept normal hours, and that included eating. The kid probably hadn't eaten all day and his stomach was a soft spot for forgiveness.

A quick rap on the door. The music stopped and footsteps approached the door. It swung open to reveal Reid. Surprisingly he was wearing jeans and an old Star Wars T-shirt, along with the large glasses he hadn't been wearing as much lately. On his feet were two different socks, one electric blue and the other neon orange. Though Morgan expected Reid to be cross, the genius actually looked resigned and thoughtful as he moved to let Morgan in.

Then Morgan heard his stomach growl.

"I knew it would be easy to make you forgive me. All it takes is food." Morgan laughed.

Reid shrugged his shoulders as he took the bag from Morgan's hands and wandered toward his small kitchen, "I'm not really mad."

He returned a moment later and handed Morgan a fork and a carton, "Morgan, I'm sorry about earlier. I didn't mean to snap at you…I…just wasn't expecting you there." Reid sat cross-legged on his old rust-colored couch.

"Reid, I get it. That was your thing…your escape. It's where you let down and it's completely yours."

Reid nodded, also beginning to shovel in food. "Yeah, for once I'm not competing with you. (He said this with his mouth full).

Morgan lifted an eyebrow, "Since when are we competition? We're a team."

"I know, but there I'm the best."

Morgan nodded thoughtfully. Then he smiled, "So let's talk about how awesome that was today."

Reid actually laughed, "That was nothing…just some idiot that thought he knew it all."

"But still, you are REALLY good, Reid…I'm proud of you."

Reid stopped eating a minute, "Thanks Morgan."

"So how did you get into martial arts?"

Reid's eye clouded over for a moment, a darkness appearing that Morgan's hadn't seen for years, "After Emily died, I was really down…I guess we all were. I felt like this job was eating me alive. I felt the pull of addiction, but I knew I couldn't let it win. You may think this is funny, but I googled it."

"Googled what?"

"Stress relief…and I didn't really think yoga looked that cool, so I decided to try Tae Kwon Do. Plus, I wanted to be ready…you know, in case." He looked down into his near-empty carton.

Morgan understood, "In case we got a shot at Doyle."

"Yeah, I wasn't going to be a weak link. That's also why I worked on shooting too."

"That really came in useful didn't it?" Morgan smacked in on the arm.

Reid absently rubbed his arm, "Got my shot in, didn't I?"

Shifting to less depressing subjects, "So…how did you get so good so fast?"

"Physics."

"Physics?" Morgan gave him a confused look.

"Taekwon Do is simply a culmination of physics problems. It combines the laws governing momentum, force, velocity, and precision….all things easily measured and applied to everyday situations. I look at each match as a grid before me, mapping out moves and assigning variables. Once I had seen a number of matches, a pattern began to emerge and I could detect certain subtleties in the movements of others. That's how I could tell about the guy this morning."

"Whoa kid, you lost me at momentum," he chuckled. "Still impressive though."

Several moments of silence passed as they finished their food.

"So are you still angry at the team?" Morgan asked quietly.

Reid thought a moment, "No…I'm not mad. I just need a little time before I can trust the way I used to."

"I get that. Just know we are always there for each other. We're a family and families hit hurdles, but they are still family."

"I know that…But, thanks for the reminder." Reid stood and walked back the kitchen to throw his container in the garbage can.

Morgan stood as well, "So, are we good?"

"We're good," Reid gave a crooked smile.

"Good, because you scare me now…you might try to kick my butt."

Reid laughed, "Not if you keep bringing me food."

Morgan began to walk to the door, "Well, I'll get out of here and leave you in peace."

"Actually…it's been a little too peaceful for my liking. Wanna see who's up for a movie night? I'll call JJ, Prentiss, and Hotch. You call Garcia and Rossi."

Happy that his family was slowing knitting it's way back together, he replied, "I'm in…but I vote we meet up at Rossi's."

"Sounds good to me…let him know we volunteered his house for an impromptu party when you talk to him." Both laughed as they pulled out their cell phones. The team was back together.

Does anyone else miss the brotherly moments between Morgan and Reid as much as I do...and the goofy moments between team members. There just hasn't been enough banter this season. There also has NOT been enough Reid! Let's just make next season an entire Reid-centric season. lol. Thanks for reading!

:) ~M