Who's up for something cheerful? Every one of these women could be Reid's true love. I'll add an epilogue after fifty.

#15

"…above all, you have to love what you are doing. You cannot fake passion. If you love it you can fight through the rough times and enjoy the good times."

~Shannon Miller

Reid didn't know where he was going, he just knew he wanted to get away. The trial had ended a few weeks ago. He had seen his mother return to the Bennington Sanitarium. He was suspended from the BAU pending a formal hearing. He met with a counselor twice a week. Everyone kept asking if he was okay and all wanted to do was scream no. They wanted him back to being himself but all he wanted was space.

He found himself in a park in one of the poorer parts of DC. He watched as a girl who looked to be about fifteen perform an elaborate jumping exercise on a rotting balance beam two inches off the ground.

"You shouldn't be doing that there," he said. "You could get hurt."

She stuck her tongue out at him. "Who are you? My dad?"

"Just a concerned citizen," he said.

"Shove off," she said and did a back flip on the beam. It wobbled slightly.

"Please, stop!" he said. "You're going to crack your head open doing moves like that."

"I need to practice," she said through gritted teeth. "Now get away from before I call the police and say a stranger is bothering me."

He could walk away. He should walk away. But what she was doing was dangerous.

She spun around on the beam and suddenly it cracked. Reid rushed to grab her before she fell.

"Get your hands off me, you pervert!" she said.

"LILLY!"

Reid turned around to see a very pregnant woman rushing towards them.

"What the hell were you thinking?" she said ignoring Reid's presence. "You could have broken something!"

"Where else am, I going to practice?" she asked spitefully. "I got kicked out of the gym."

"I'm working on it," she said angrily.

Lilly looked at Reid. "What are you still doing here? Run off pervert, before I call the cops."

"I saw the whole thing," the woman said. "He was helping you."

"He was watching me," she said. "What kind of random dude watches a girl?"

"I wanted to protect you," Reid said desperately. "I didn't want to see you get hurt."

"Fine," she said. "Run off, hero. My coach and I need to talk."

Reid realized he was tired of getting talked down to. He turned away and began to walk.

"Wait," the woman said.

He stopped briefly.

"I'm sorry about my student's behavior," she said. "You did the right thing. I wish there were more people around like you who gave a damn."

"I was only trying to help," he said and turned away.

"Wait!" she shouted again.

Reid sighed inwardly. He should walk away and let what was going on not be his problem. But the desperation in her voice bothered him.

"Let me buy you dinner as thanks," she said.

"I didn't do much of anything," he said.

"You really want him around longer?" Lilly said. "Let him go."

"There aren't many people who care around here," she said. "Let me show you that I appreciate you as someone who does."

"Like you can even afford McDonalds," Lilly said with a snicker.

She stared daggers at her.

"Please," Reid said. "Your gratitude is enough."

The woman looked at him closely. "You look lost."

"I know how to get home from here," he said.

"You look haunted," she said. "What happened to you?"

"Some one's looking for a broken boyfriend," Lilly said in a sing-song tone.

Now he desperately wanted to walk away. Yet when he looked into her eyes, he saw a look of concern like nothing he'd seen before.

"I was in prison for two months for a crime I didn't commit."

"That's what they all say," Lilly said and looked at him. "I'm guessing minimum security for a white-collar crime your lawyer got you out of on a technicality."

Reid ran. He wasn't going to tolerate being treated like this anymore.

"Sir, please," he heard the woman panting behind him.

"Let him go Vera," Lilly said.

"Please, I'm sorry," she said huffing and puffing.

Reid turned around. He wouldn't let pregnant woman tire herself out. For some reason, she was desperate to talk to him.

"My boyfriend died of a drug overdose, seven months ago," she said tearfully. "My gymnastics career ended after I got pregnant at seventeen and had to drop out of school. Lilly's father is in jail. She is one of the most naturally talented gymnasts I have worked with. I'm trying to look out for her. Please just have a cup of coffee with me, even at McDonalds."

"The pregnancy hormones are really making her crazy," Lilly said and then making a twisting gesture with her index finger.

Vera sounded like she just needed someone to talk to. He didn't have anywhere to go so and it might be nice to spend time with someone who didn't know him.

"McDonalds has some of the best coffee," he said. "The way they brew it is different from other places."

"Interesting," she said. "I'm Vera Conrad and this is Lilly Felder."

"I'm out of here," she said.

Vera placed hand on her shoulder.

"Not until we have another discussion about practicing on old playground equipment," she said.

"So, I'm stuck in the middle of this date?" she said.

Reid was fed up with her attitude. He took a small step forward.

"My name is Dr. Spencer Reid. I have PHDs in Math, Chemistry, and Engineering. I was recently suspended from working for the FBI as a criminal profiler when I was drugged and framed for murdering a woman. While in prison, a man was killed in front of me to make a point. I may not look like much but I have had my share of suffering in life."

Vera was in tears and Lilly looked genuinely shocked.

He looked to Vera. "Let's go get that cup of coffee."

"Sure," she said.

"I'll stick to fruit punch," Lilly said. "Caffeine is bad for me."

Vera laughed. "It took a man sharing his darkest secrets to get you to take my diet advice seriously."

Lilly looked to him almost approvingly. "You're more interesting than I thought."

…

Vera didn't want to be saved by Spencer Reid. She wanted someone to talk to who didn't make her feel miserable about her life. He did exactly that. He listened without judgement about her one-night stand that resulted in pregnancy. There was no pity in his eyes when she described how she had to give up her son for adoption because her parents were both drug dealers and she couldn't support herself (legally). That was all she wanted.

But she sensed Spencer Reid needed a set of ears also. He described his mother's illness and having to support her and himself when he was young. His voice wavered as he described his protector in prison who kept him from a worse fate but had his own agenda. Reid sounded lonely despite having so many people who cared up him.

All the while Lilly listened intently. She was fascinated by hearing both of their stories even she knew hers. She barely touched her fruit punch. Reid was also curious about her and she described with pride in her gymnastic accomplishments. Finding a gym was now the problem.

"Thank you," she said at the end. "For listening and for being there for Lilly."

"You're welcome," he said and pulled out a card. "Call if you need anything."

She waited for a catty remark from Lilly but it never came.

"Have good life Spencer Reid," she said.

"Thanks," he said. "Good luck to you guys," he said.

"Thanks," Lilly said.

…

Two weeks later they were in a gym at midnight practicing when, Vera felt her water break.

Lilly leaped off the beam. "I'm calling nine one-one."

"Don't!" she shouted. "Then they'll know we're trespassing and you'll get kicked out of this gym I worked so hard to get you into." She let out a scream.

"It's not worth it," Lilly said. "I'm calling for an ambulance."

"Don't you dare, Lilly Barbara Felder."

"So, what, you're going to give birth on your own?" she said.

"Women have been doing it for thousands of years," she said and let out another cry.

"And you accuse me of being stubborn."

"You're not helping," Vera said holding her belly as she sat on the floor and leaned against a bench.

"What about that Reid guy we met a while back?" Lilly said.

"What makes you think he'll help?" she asked.

"Because he's the kind of guy who cares as you once said and I think we can trust him," she said.

"His number is in the front pocket of my purse."

Lilly rushed to grab it and dialed his number. She placed it against Vera's ear.

He answered after the second ring.

"What do you know about childbirth?" she said and let out a scream.

"When did the contractions begin?" he asked.

"About five minutes ago."

"How long between each contraction and how long do they last?"

"About every two minutes for about like five seconds."

"Is anyone else with you?" he asked.

"Lilly," she said and put it on speaker phone. "We're in a gym when we shouldn't be."

"Listen carefully for what I need you and Lilly to do then. I'll try to get there as soon I can. Just give me the address."

"You've delivered babies?"

"I have helped," he said.

Lilly looked in awe.

"What haven't you done?"

…

Ten minutes later he came in through the window as instructed. Lilly had prepared the wash cloths and had done everything as instructed without complaint. Reid gently removed the towel covering her lower half and began to work.

Spencer Reid only had academic degrees but he acted like medical doctor. His voice was calm and soothing. He kept measuring for dilation and counted between contractions. Lilly wiped sweat off her head and offered her encouraging words.

Then after three hours of labor, her second son was born.

"Can I name him after you?" she asked semi-seriously.

"No," he said. "Choose a name you're proud of."

"How about Clark?" Lilly offered. "Like in the super hero movies. Clark Kent."

"Clark," she said looking at her beautiful baby boy. "I like it. Clark Spencer Conrad."

Reid sighed but didn't object.

"I take you couldn't pick the lock to the front door," he said.

"Can you?" Lilly asked.

"Yes, but first we need to clean up. Lilly can you—"

"I am on top of it," she said.

"Let's get him to a clinic then," Reid said. "I know a doctor who won't ask too many questions."

"How do I thank you for all of this?" she said.

He shrugged his shoulders. "Invite me to her next meet."

"That's all?" she said.

"And make sure Lilly wins."

…

Vera, Lilly and Clark landed in Reid's life when he felt useless. He had failed his mother in some ways. His team devoted so much time looking out for him and his mother he didn't know how to thank them. Nightmares had been chasing him for months but after delivering Clark he slept well for the first time.

The meet came four weeks later. Morgan had invited him over to watch movies but told him he had plans. It didn't take long for Morgan to pull it out of him. The news spread like wildfire and he found himself being driven to the meet by him with J.J. and Garcia in the backseat.

Reid waved to Vera as they took seats in the stands. She did a double-take when she saw him with his friends.

Lilly looked overwhelmed when she heard so many people clapping when her a name was called for the balance beam. She smiled at Vera and looked to Reid. Six weeks made a world of difference.

Two hours later Lilly and Vera were crying as Reid and his friends cheered. Lilly had won her first meet. He looked around for anyone who looked like Lilly's mother but didn't see anybody. Reid made introductions and there were lots of hugs.

Reid looked at a radiant Vera. He didn't know where his life was going but he wanted her, Clark and Lilly in it.

Author's Note:

I'm not expanding this one. Write your version of what might happen next whether it involves a medal, adoption, another kid, or all of the above.