As they walked into his apartment, Reid could sense Emma's curiosity as she glanced around. He had never really thought about it before, but he had set his apartment up using his college dorm room as a pattern. Most of his furniture he had inherited from Gideon, just adding some bookshelves and updating the electronics. And, although he had described it to her in detail, even Maeve had never actually seen it. Now she would never – He quickly put that thought out of his mind.
Reid headed into the small kitchen and set his bags of groceries on the counter while Emma placed her backpack on his leather couch and parked her small pink suitcase next to it. She then followed him into the kitchen.
"Dr. Reid, you deserve a full explanation, and it's easier for me to think when my hands are doing something," she explained. "Is it okay if I fix dinner? Is there something you had planned?"
"Well, everything's there – I really don't know – " Again, Reid felt at a loss as he gestured towards the bags of groceries. He wasn't used to having other people in his apartment.
Emma seemed amused. "I'll improvise – I'm good at that," she told him.
She began sorting out groceries, pots and pans, and other kitchen implements, talking as she went.
"This story really should start with 'Once upon a time'," she told him. "So that's implied – Here goes – "
~~~~~~~
Later, after they had finished eating dinner and were sitting with the dirty dishes on the kitchen table between them, Reid felt he finally understood the situation.
"So my father and your great-uncle had an agreement or, actually, a written contract? This was really good, by the way," he commented, indicating the empty plates.
Emma smiled at him, "Thanks! It's amazing what you can do with pasta."
Unable to stop himself, Reid began, "Well, considering pasta is made of flour and either water and/or eggs, it generally adapts the flavor of whatever it is mixed with. It originally dates back to Italy in about 1154, although references to it can be found in the writings of Horice in the1st century BC." He trailed off as he noticed Emma was looking at him with an amused half-smile.
"You know, you are exactly as your father described you," she commented. For some reason, that statement didn't annoy him as much as it would have earlier in the evening.
"And, yes, according to your father he thought he could easily get out of the contract before the terms kicked in. Unfortunately, circumstances intervened and the bill came due – So to speak. And, you and I are stuck." Emma made a face.
"My dad is looking into it?" Reid already knew the answer, but he liked listening to Emma talk, and he had enjoyed having someone share his dinner.
"Yes. He is busily checking into the legalities of everything," Emma assured him.
"Let me start clearing up," she continued, standing up.
Reid quickly intervened, "I'll do it. I know where everything goes." He wasn't ready to completely relinquish control of his kitchen.
"Fine, I won't argue. I still need to find a place to stay tonight." Emma walked over to pull a piece of paper out of her backpack. "I found this place on the Internet. I should be able to get there from here." She held the paper out for him to read.
Reid glanced at it. "You can't stay there - It isn't safe!" he protested.
"So, I'll lock and block the door, make sure the windows are secured, spray disinfectant on everything, and stay put until morning." Emma wasn't about to be discouraged.
Reid shook his head "You don't understand. That neighborhood is not where you want to go."
Emma looked at him. "Spencer, you don't understand. I am a grad student working two part-time jobs. If I am lucky, I might cover my monthly bills. I scramble constantly to stay ahead of the bill collector, and I have a shitload of student debt. It took every spare cent I had to get here and, if I am careful, I might be able to manage for three days. This place is what I can afford!"
Reid felt his face turn red. He had breezed through school on scholarships and grants. What work had been required of him, he had easily handled in one of the school's labs or as a teaching assistant in the classroom. Three PhD's and multiple undergrad degrees and he owed nothing.
"I could make arrangements to pay for a hotel room, or you could stay here," he offered hesitantly.
Emma tossed her head. "Spencer, I pay my own bills, and I know what I can afford! I stay within my budget. And, as for staying here – I can't put you out!"
Reid thought he saw the problem. "I can sleep on the couch and you can have the bed," he offered.
Immediately he began to regret it. He had never had anyone spend the night, even as a child. But, there it was, he had made the offer.
Emma surprised him by laughing. "Spencer, look at your length and look at the length of the couch. You will never fit. Tomorrow morning you'll have a massive kink in your neck, your back will ache, and you'll be miserable all day."
Reid felt himself getting uncharacteristically frustrated. "Okay, it's getting late and we both need to get some sleep. Let me get you a pillow and a quilt and you can spend the night on my couch. Will that keep you out of trouble?" he demanded.
Surprisingly, Emma agreed.
Later that evening, Reid was in his bathroom quietly making a call from his cell phone.
"Garcia, I know it is late, but could you check something for me first thing in the morning?"
The instructions he gave the long-suffering computer guru were quite specific.
