Chess
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the ideas
This is my first ever drabble. This idea came to me tonight and I just had to go for it. Enjoy.
. . .
It wasn't that he was a technophobe, more a techno-when-necessary person. He had finally found a use for it – for a very specific reason.
Sat down next to the chess board, one of two he permanently set up in his apartment. This one was part way through a game; the other was ready to start a fresh. He got his cell out and opened the Skype message. It simply said: Knight F3.
He moved the white piece and studied the board momentarily. A smug smile slowly crept across his face. Knowing he was luring her into a trap he moved his queen taking out a white pawn from the board. He sent back a simple message: Queen G3, check.
Glancing at his watch he knew not to expect an answer. It would be just after 1am in the UK, but this was how they played. It was rare that he was able to speak to Emily, the time difference making it increasingly difficult. So instead they played chess.
It was something they had always done. They played when they were stressed. They played when they needed time out. They played just because they could and Emily had insisted that being in another country did not mean that they couldn't continue to play. She had got Garcia to set him up on Skype and so the matches had begun. Each sending a move to the other as they competed from a distance. Somehow it helped him to feel close to her and silently they could check on each other. If more than 48 hours went without a move they would check in and see if everything was ok. No frantic calls, just a quick: All ok? They both understood the other's busy schedules a simple response: Got a case, was enough to know that it may be a few days until the match continued. However it always did.
He got up and made his way through to the kitchen to make a pot of coffee before he started his own game. Pausing on his way as he heard his cell bleep he turned around and returned to the table. Picking the phone up he read the message: I sense a trap but here goes, Pawn G3.
Spencer took his Queen from the board as he moved the white pawn. Smiling he delivered the final blow: Bishop G3, Checkmate. Sending the message he paused. Quickly he added: Is everything ok?
There was a long silence. Spencer stared at the screen, willing it to do something. In frustration he threw it onto the couch and walked away.
When he returned there was an alert on the screen: Urgh bad case.
Want to talk? He sent back
Yes please.
That was all it took to turn the messages into a call.