A/N: Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
What Happens in the End
"So this is it?"
Spencer Reid just turned his head toward Emily Prentiss. Her hollow eyes held disbelief, or maybe it was hope that she had been correct. The year had been far too long, but the days had been far too short. The last thing the newly reborn agent wanted was something big and spectacular.
"This is it," Spencer nodded. The relief seemed to wash over her immediately, causing Spencer to have a similar reaction. The man motioned for Prentiss to sit down on a park bench mere feet away from them, and once they were both seated the two agents grew quiet again. They had agreed to meet for Christmas this year for two main reasons. For one, Prentiss was alive, but due to recent events Spencer realized just how easily that could change. He was done taking things for granted, starting with the people in his life. The most evident reason, however, seemed to be that it was Christmas, and they were both alone. 'Mine as well be alone together,' Reid had said.
"I didn't bring you a gift," Prentiss suddenly frowned. "I'm sorry."
"That's fine. I didn't bring you one either."
"Then what's in the bag?"
"Food." Reid then pulled the candy-cane designed bag, which, Prentiss presumed, was Garcia's doing, between the two of them. He then reached inside and pulled out a small salad, something Prentiss guessed would taste similar to chicken, two thermal mugs, and a small chocolate cake. He handed her a spork set and instructed her to 'dig in'.
"I've got some barbeque packs," Prentiss chuckled in return, digging through her purse until she pulled out three matching condiment containers.
"Merry Christmas, Prentiss," Reid laughed. "What a feast we've got h-" But he stopped.
"What is it?" Prentiss frowned. Her displeasure was mounted when she saw her young companion's smile grow from cheek to cheek.
"It's snowing."
Prentiss then looked up around her over the skies of the Virginia parkland. All around her snow covered glorious trees, unoccupied benches, grassy areas, and just about anything else it could get its hands on. Prentiss returned her eyes to Reid, who was staring ahead at the scene unraveling before them. She could tell something was on his mind, but by now she knew better than to ask such questions out loud to a profiler, especially to Reid. Suddenly he snapped back into focus and coughed in attempt to hide his discontent. Both agents shook it off, however, deeming it a useless act.
Prentiss then reached for the mug closest to her and placed the other one in her companion's hand. "Cheers," she said quietly, her voice betraying the 'cheerlessness' of her decision.
"Cheers to what?" Reid challenged.
Prentiss paused a moment, but recovered quickly. "Cheers….to whatever happens next, good or bad."
"I'll take that," Reid sighed, lifting his mug. "Cheers."
"Cheers."
And so they sat there just like that, with the snow falling and the cold wind blowing as they sipped stale-tasting coffee. In that severe moment the entire year was washed away. Prentiss had never 'died', Seaver had never came nor left, the team hadn't become even more strained than usual, and trust had no longer been tested by 'loyalty to loyalty'. Finally the BAU was turning the page and starting over.
"Merry Christmas," Reid breathed out again, his sparkling eyes turning to Prentiss.
"Yeah, and a happy New Year."
The pair exchanged a grin before turning back to the snow. Yes, it had been one hell of a year, but the new year approaching held promises of prospers and joy.
And, for now, that hope was enough, because what would happen in the years left to come couldn't possibly be any worse than the years of the past. Finally, what would happen in the end seemed as though it might actually be okay.
