Hope, the best comfort of our imperfect condition.
- Edward Gibbon
Chapter 01
3 pm Tuesday
"She's stronger than she looks"
He turned to look at the dark-haired, dark-eyed woman sitting on the grass next to him. "Is she?"
"Yes. She appears delicate and fragile because surrounding herself with delicate and fragile things brings her pleasure. But she herself is remarkably strong. She's a good choice for you."
"You were a good choice for me."
The woman smiled. "And you were for me. But don't let that stop you. You should complete the dance with her. Soon."
He felt himself blush as he responded to that slightly. "I wanted to dance with you."
"I know"
"I should have danced with you."
"No. That is for her, as her dance is for you. It's always been that way." She reached over and gently caressed his temple. "It's all about what's in here."
"But what about you? I thought you were my destiny."
"She is your destiny. Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone - we find it with another. If you turn away from love to honor my memory you will dishonor my legacy. Love and do wonderful things with that love and you will honor me forever more." The woman smiled. "Just never forget how strong she can be."
"Reid. Wake up."
Spencer Reid opened his eyes and blinked owlishly up at Morgan. "Wha? I said I was going to nap." They had had a string of late nights chasing this Unsub, as a result they were all taking naps in sequence. This was supposed to be his turn.
"You have to come see this."
Spencer found his glasses and balanced them on his nose. There hadn't been a video related component to this case, or even good pictures. And if another body had been found Morgan would have said so. "Something for the case?'
"Nope"
"Then why?" Spencer got up and stretched to get the blood flowing. "Is there coffee?"
"You're not supposed to have coffee anymore, remember?" Morgan handed him a cup of hot water spiked with lemon juice. "Davis wants us to watch it."
That instantly got Spencer's attention. "Davis?"
"Yeah."
"What did you say to Hotch?"
"Blake did."
Well, when it came to that Blake did have seniority. Spencer sipped at the brew, marveling once again at how refreshing it actually was when you had just woken up. "What is it?"
"Not a clue. Come on."
They assembled in the conference room, where the TV was on to one of the major networks, which was in the middle of a Breaking News Alert. "The President will be on any moment." The anchor was saying. "What's going on?" He asked Blake.
"I have no idea." She said.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the anchor said, solemnly, "The President of the United States."
The shot changed to the tradition setting, grand desk, gold curtains, outside the windows behind him fall was just starting to color the leaves in Washington. "My fellow Americans," the man at the desk said. "For the past several months there have been rumors going around Washington, the United States, and the world as a whole, increasing strength and credibility, claiming that alien beings have landed on Earth and have taken up residence within the United States. I am here tonight to forestall panic and explain the situation as wholly and honestly as I can, given the events unfolding. First off let me say that there is a base line truth to these rumors. Aliens have landed on earth and they are living among us now."
Spencer met Morgan's eyes, felt Blake's tension beside him. Oh boy.