"Derek, I need to talk to you."

The words came out of Laura Reid's mouth a little softer than expected and Derek lifted his head from his files and his eyebrows raised, clearing his throat. Laura had never expected to end up here, seeking advice from the man who had essentially brought her and her husband together. She had only assumed that Derek knew Spencer a lot better than she ever did and needed someone - anyone - to confide in about their issues. She could only imagine how small and vulnerable she looked. She felt like an ant and only more so when the 6'1" agent stood up beside her, took her small hand in his and led her up the stairs and into the conference room.

Laura only expected that he knew what was going on. Spencer had his way of discussing everything about their relationship with everyone except for her. Derek shut the door behind them, ignoring the stares of the rest of his team (minus Spencer, who was meeting with Aaron).

"He told me about the divorce papers, Laura," Derek said, not making eye contact with her. She could sense his bitterness towards her and she didn't blame him, she was breaking one of his best friend's heart.

"He's changed, Derek. I didn't know what else to do," Laura said, her voice shaky.

"You could try talking to him about everything. Don't get me wrong, I love you and you're one of my best friends, but you married someone I have spent the last seven years spending almost every day with."

"Derek, I have tried. He does not open up to me like he used to," Laura said, crossing her arms over her chest. It was cold in the conference room and she hadn't looked at Derek since he had brought her up here.

"Well, there's still something there. He said you agreed to go to Charleston with him," Derek said, sighing, "I suggest you guys just lay low and talk."

"I mean, I'm still in love with him, yes, but I don't know if this can be fixed. We've done nothing but fight for months now."

Derek shook his head and propped his hands up on his hips, "You remember when I came to you for help with that girl I was dating? Do you remember what you told me?"

"To keep your chin up and that you were a great catch and that if she didn't want you, she was an idiot. How is that even relevant?"

"You told me not to give up if I thought it was real," Derek said, "So please don't give up, because you make Spencer thrive."

Laura sighed, looking up at Derek. She knew she had been defeated, "Imagine how awkward the ride down is gonna be."

Derek chuckled and engulfed Laura in one of his bear hugs, "Maybe you guys can talk it out on the way down there and then not leave the bedroom for a week."

"Derek!" Laura said, laughing. She smacked his arm and then her face dropped, remembering the last time she and Spencer had been together romantically. It had been six months. He had been working late and taking more cases, she had been working with more models and shooting around the clock. After two months of trying to keep their marriage above water, Laura had given up trying to keep Spencer interested and started bringing her laptop to bed with them.

"Aw, c'mon, Laura," Derek said, "You guys stopped the physical stuff, too?"

"We've stopped everything, Derek. I feel like he is just a roommate helping with the mortgage," Laura said, shrugging, "I have to get home and pack. We're leaving when he gets home."

"Well, you guys have fun. Keep your phone off and focus on him," Derek said.

Laura nodded, handing Derek the blue lunch bag she had been carrying, "Can you get this to Spencer? It's lunch."

"Sure," Derek said, laughing softly, "I can't believe you're divorcing him and you're still making him lunch."

"Maybe he'll change my mind."

ooo

Seven o'clock that evening found Laura standing over the stove, letting some hamburger meat simmer. Spencer was late coming home again, but she was used to it. She half figured he had another case and didn't bother calling, but Spencer was always good at letting her know when he wouldn't be there. It wasn't until seven-thirty that she heard the front door open and shut loudly. She stayed as quiet as she could in the kitchen as she stirred the jumbo shells in their pot, and when she felt Spencer's presence in the kitchen, she kept her gaze down.

"Hey," he said, softly. She could imagine his hands in his pockets and his tie loosened, and only proved herself right when she turned her head to smile softly at him. This used to drive her wild and make her want to jump him right there in the door way, but now he just made her nervous. She wanted them to work things out, but she didn't want to go trough the process. She just wanted it all to go away.

"Hi."

"Whatcha cookin'?" He asked, leaning against the door frame. He looked so relaxed and comfortable and like nothing in the world was bothering him, but she could tell in his eyes that he was mentally exhausted and not the happiest.

"Uhm, stuffed shells. I figured we could have something light before we leave," Laura said, as Spencer walked across the kitchen and stood beside her. She froze, Spencer was only this close to her when they were asleep, and her heart nearly jumped out of her chest when he let his hand rest on her lower back.

"Thanks for lunch today, it was great," he said, leaning in to kiss her temple.

Laura could feel the tears welling in her eyes and she sighed, moving away from him to dump the hamburger meat in a large bowl. She began mixing the ingredients together and managed to hold back her tears and choke out an 'you're welcome'.

"I'm going to go pack," he said, his voice suddenly bitter. He brushed by her and she sighed, leaving the mixture on the counter as she followed behind him.

"So, should I just sign those papers or are you actually willing to work on this marriage with me?" Spencer started, throwing his suitcase on the bed. He looked up at Laura and then unzipped the suitcase forcibly and moved back to the dresser to grab some of his clothes.

"Spencer," Laura started, but he cut her off with a sharp "no".

"Do not stand there and tell me you want to work on this and then refuse to put in the effort. I have no idea what I'm doing. I've never been married before, and you haven't either. That is why we've got to start communicating," Spencer said. His voice went from bitter to soft and Laura crossed the room to stand in front of him.

"I love you, Spencer. That's why I married you."

"Then why are you divorcing me?"

The words stung, ripped right through her heart like an bullet and finally, the tears she had been holding back for months let go and she found herself near hysterical in front of her husband, "I don't want to divorce you, Spencer! You're a fucking genius and you can't even figure that out. I just don't know how to deal with our problems. We've let them go for so long that it's just too much to work out at once."

"So we'll take baby steps," Spencer said, pulling Laura against his chest, "Baby, you just have to talk to me. I'm here whenever you need me, okay? I married you for a reason."

"Spencer, you have to talk to me, too," Laura mumbled into his work shirt, "I feel like we haven't spoken in months."

"We haven't, honestly. Just calm down. We can get out of this mess," Spencer said, he was running his fingers through her hair trying to comfort her.

They stood there for what seemed like ages and when Laura finally pulled away from Spencer's embrace, she offered a soft smile and then headed to the bathroom to wash her face, knowing she probably looked like a mess. She sighed and rested her palms on the edge of the sink. It hadn't been much but she appreciated the effort Spencer was making. At least he had agreed to work on it with her. They were late leaving for the beach and she heard Spencer begin packing his things. She took this chance to gather her bath things and her makeup.

When she exited the bathroom, Spencer was shirtless. Her breath caught in her throat when he turned around to look at her. To say that he looked great would be an understatement. He had been working out, obviously. His usually thin, undefined torso was now toned, tan, and looked rock solid.

And as much as Laura wanted to jump him right then and there, she refrained. After all, there would be plenty of time for that during the week.