A/N: This chapter is is mostly fluff. A little more info on both Spike's and Anisa's lives before they knew each other.

Disclaimer: Although I love Flashpoint, I sadly own nothing related to hit.

Knowing Where You Need To Be

She couldn't get home fast enough. By time she reached her apartment she had composed herself and done her best to hide the evidence of tears. As she slid the key into the lock, she smelled lemon and garlic making her realize that she was hungry. Opening the door she saw Spike on the couch with a glass of wine on the table next to him. He turned to look at her giving a gentle smile.

"Hey," Anisa said closing the door as she entered the apartment. She approached the couch and noticed the book on Spike's lap. It was her wedding album. Her heart tightened thinking that she may have hurt him inadvertantly with her actions from the previous night.

"Hey there," he responded. He noticed the worry on her face as she saw the photo album in his lap, so he patted the seat next to him indicating that she should sit. As she did, she took his face in her hands and kissed him.

Pulling away, she said, "I love you, Mike."

"I know, babe. Sit with me. Tell me about Sean and your wedding."

"OK," she said feeling a little uncertain. It seemed strange to be telling her boyfriend about her wedding day, but she decided that maybe he needed to hear about it.

Spike was looking at the picture of the wedding party, "Who are those girls?"

"Melanie, Ryan's wife, Sue and Lynne, they were friends of mine," she replied with a smile. "Those guys are Sean's brothers Stephen and Mark."

Then he flipped to the picture of their first dance. "Whose the sourpuss in the back?"

"That would be Sean's mother Margaret."

"Oh yeah. Let me guess, that blonde next to her is Leslie, his ex-girlfriend that his mother invited to the wedding. "

"Yep."

Spike looked more closely at the picture and said, "Wow, she does look like Natalie Braddock. Weird." Spike was looking at the picture when a sweet smile crept across his face.

"What?" she asked wondering what made him smile.

Spike pointed to Sean's face and said, "Look at the way he is looking at you. He adored you."

Tilting her head to the side she looked at the picture for hundredth time, but seeing it differently this time. "Hmm, really? Maybe. That seems strange to say." After a pause, she continued, "Mike, can I tell you something."

Closing the book he said, "Sure."

"Last night I dreamed about Sean, the night he died and he seemed to be pleading me to do something." She looked at his face, then continued, "It shocked me since I hadn't had that dream in a long time. When I opened my eyes, the first thing I saw was the flag on the shelf. I got up because I couldn't sleep with all these thoughts running through my mind and then I pulled out the album." She took a deep breath before continuing. "Mike, I don't know how to explain this, but I think I was feeling guilty for loving you. When I saw these pictures, I was flooded with the feelings that I had for Sean, how much I loved him. But I couldn't stop my feelings for you from surfacing. I was trying to convince myself it was 'OK' to love you. But I was feeling guilty about no longer loving him. I fell asleep in a state of emotional confusion."

Spike was quiet and then asked gently, "Were able to convince yourself... to love me, I mean?"

"With a little help," she said handing him the note. "Ryan gave it to me today. He knew I was going through a bit of internal turmoil." Spike took the note in one hand and then drew her closer to him with his other arm.

He finished reading the note and looked at her. "You went to the cemetery to talk to him didn't you?" She just nodded. "So do you feel better?"

"I do. I know this sounds weird, but I feel like now I have his blessing, we have have his blessing. Rationally I know that we don't need it. But somehow I feel free, now." She looked down at her hands feeling a little unsure of how that sounded.

Spike reached over and lifted her chin with his index finger. "I know what you mean." He gently brushed his lips to hers. "I wish I had known him, he seems like a remarkable guy. But I think I am better looking," he teased.

She laughed and rolled her eyes which were brimming with tears, "It scares me how similar you are. Let's eat."

The rest of the week went by uneventfully with Anisa preparing for her trip to the States and Spike working. They had spent every evening together snuggling on the couch talking about their days or watching TV. It was relaxed and comfortable. Although she hated to admit it, Anisa loved having him around and she didn't want him to leave. She wondered what would happen when she was suficiently healed, would he go back to spending most nights at his home? She hoped not although she felt a little guilty keeping him from his family.

Spike was scheduled to work on Saturday until 5:00PM and the day seemed to drag on. He knew that Anisa was spending the day packing and researching the presenters at the conference because she wanted to be well informed. When Spike entered the apartment, he found Anisa at her desk, hair piled up on her head in a messy bun and dressed in baggy sweats and a t-shirt. She was surrounded by paper and books and was tapping away at her computer. She glanced up when she heard the door open and saw Spike walk in.

With a look of utter surprise on her face, she said, "Mike, what are you doing here?" Spike was confused.

"I thought we would spend the evening together since it was your last night in Toronto before you head to the US for the conference...but I can leave if you want," Spike answered sheepishly.

"Yeah, but you were supposed to be at work," she responded.

"I was. My shift is over."

Anisa looked at her watch. "Holy crap! It's 6:30?" she gasped in shock. "Mike, I'm sorry...I completely lost track of time." She was clearly flustered looking around at the papers and books strewn across the table.

Knowing it was safe, Spike closed the distance with a slight grin on his face. When he reached her he wrapped her in his arms and kissing the top of her head said, "Phew, that's a relief. For a minute I thought you didn't want to see me."

Anisa slid her arms around his waist and up his back allowing herself to be pulled against his chest. She inhaled deepl,y savoring his scent. Tilting her head up to look at him, she gazed into the chocolate pools that were starting to feel like home.

"I always want to see you," she whispered. A smile crept across his face as he bent down to kiss her. The kiss was gentle and meaningful.

Slowly pulling away he said, "Are you hungry?...'Cause I'm starved! "

"Dammit! I was going to make a really nice dinner and now it's nearly 7:00 and I have done nothing," she pouted. "Mike, I am really sorry. I bought a roast and now..." Anisa had planned a beautiful romantic dinner to let him know how much she was going to miss him, but because she had gotten so engrossed in her research it wasn't going to turn out the way she had hoped.

"Let's go out," he interrupted. "Come on we will go out for pizza or something."

"Yeah, OK. I guess that would be good," she conceded. "Give me a second to get dressed," she said as she entered the bedroom.

"Need some help?" he inquired smirking.

"Very funny...I'll just be two minutes."

"Where are we going?" asked Anisa as they drove away from her apartment.

"We are going to Sal's. The best pizza in town. I used hang out there when I was in high school," he answered driving in the direction of his neighborhood. He glanced over and saw her smiling as she looked out the window.

"What are you smiling at?"

Anisa turned to look at him and said, "I was just thinking that it will be nice to visit one of your old stomping grounds. Maybe it'll give me some insight into the Scarlatti mind." He chuckled.

They walked into the pizza shop and were immediately assaulted by the aroma of tomatoes, garlic and dough. It was crowded since it was a Saturday night. Anisa and Spike had not walked more than two steps into the shop when a woman in her 60's came out from around the cashier counter and said loudly in heavy Italian accent, "Mikey! Is it you?" She went up to him and gently took his face in her hands and kissed both of his cheeks.

"Hi, Mrs. Santora. It's so nice to see you."

"Mikey, it has been so long. How have you been?" she asked taking a step back to look at him.

"I'm good. How are you doing?"

"We are busy," she said with a smile nodding to the packed restaurant.

"I can see that," he said with a smile taking inthe crowd. "do you think we could get a table?" Spike asked.

Mrs. Santora ignored the line that was beginning to form at the cashier counter and said, "Of course, I will show you." But before she took a step to show them a table, she turned her appraising gaze to Anisa. Anisa shifted a little nervously wishing that she had thought to make herself look a little...prettier or something.

"Oh, Mrs. Santora, I'd like you to meet Anisa McConnell. Anisa this is Mrs. Santora, she and Mr. Santora own this place."

Anisa smiled politely and extended her hand, "It's nice to meet you." Mrs. Santora took her hand and shook it still looking at Anisa.

"Come, I will get you a table," and she led them to a table in the corner with a sign that said RESERVED on it. Anisa sat down and watched as Mrs. Santora spoke softly to Spike in Italian glancing back at her. As she left the table she gave Anisa a quick smile and nod.

Anisa crossed her arms in front of her, cocked her head to the side and asked, "What did she say to you just then in Italian?"

"Nothing, just catching up. Don't worry about it," he tried to deflect.

"I think I have a right to know because she was obviously talking about me," Anisa said in a slightly more demanding tone. "And, don't even try to lie to me, Scarlatti...you are not very good at it."

Spike smiled knowing that it was pointless to try to make something up. "She said that you were pretty."

Anisa raised her eyebrow and said, "What else! I know she said more."

Spike shook his head in defeat, "OK, she said you were pretty, but too quiet and...

"Too quiet?" she interjected indignantly. "I don't think anybody has ever said that about me before." She narrowed her eyes at him again, "Anything else?"

"She said you were too skinny. OK? Are you happy now?"

Anisa looked annoyed and said, "I'm not 'happy' about it, but I am satisfied. Thank you." Spike just continued to shake his head. "I think I am going to have to learn to speak Italian," she said causing Spike to chuckle.

A cute and very perky brunette with blue eyes approached the table. She looked directly at Spike and said, "Hi, I'm Jenny. I'll be your waitress, can I take your order." She never took he eyes off him and was very clearly gushing over him. Anisa inhaled and tried hide the eye-roll that involuntarily took over her face.

Spike, oblivious to her flirtations, said, "I'll have a beer. What about you?" directing the question to Anisa.

"Me too," she responded.

"OK, I'll be right back," said Jenny never once looking at Anisa.

Spike looked across the table and saw the look of amusement on Anisa's face. "What?"

"Really?" Anisa asked in disbelief.

Spike was genuinely confused, "Really...what?"

"Oh my gosh, you are so funny. That girl was flirting with you so blatantly that I am surprised that her head didn't pop off," Anisa explained with a smile.

"Huh? Are you kidding?"

Anisa was incredulous. "Really? You had no idea that she was flirting with you." Spike shook his head, still not believing her. He glanced in the direction of their waitress and saw her chatting with the other waitresses and giggling. She almost looked like she was blushing.

Spike didn't know what to do or say, so he said the first thing that came to his mind, "I'm sorry." He looked genuinely sorry.

Anisa smiled at him, "Babe, you don't have to be sorry. You didn't do anything wrong. She was flirting with you." Then very matter-of-factly, she said, "But if she tries anything with you, I will take her out." Anisa tried to keep a straight face, but it didn't last long. She started to giggle and Spike joined in.

They ordered a pizza and salads and shared information about their days. When Anisa told him about some of the cases that the BAU had worked to solve, Spike noticed her face light up. He just watched happily as she told him about one case after another. It somehow made him feel good that she was so enraptured with something. By the time they had finished their pizza the crowd at the restaurant had thinned significantly.

"Mike is that you?" came a voice from behind them.

Spike turned to look in the direction from which the voice came. He saw three rather large men approaching the table. Anisa watched Spike's face as his look of curiosity changed to recognition and a smile spread across his face. He stood as the men approached the table. One by one he shook hands with each of them and then embraced them in a one-armed man hug. Spike realized that he hadn't introduced Anisa yet.

"Anisa, these are friends of mine from high school, Nick, Tony and Doug. Guys, this is Anisa McConnell."

"Nice to meet you," Anisa replied. "Why don't you pull up some chairs and join us?" The newcomers smiled, grabbed some chairs and sat down.

Nick threw his arm around Spike's chair and said, "So I hear you made SRU... good job, buddy!" Spike smiled and nodded.

Tony joined in, "That's awesome. Pretty dangerous, though." He then looked at Anisa, "You must worry about him."

Anisa nodded her head slightly and responded, "Yeah, sometimes." She paused a moment, "But he is good at his job and he's pretty smart," she added with a wink.

"That he is," agreed Nick. He began telling stories about how Spike used to help them with their school work and they would hang around him to prevent him from being picked on. Anisa gathered that the three of them had been members of the hockey team with Nick being the team captain.

"Yeah, without Mike's help, I would probably never have gotten that scholarship to play hockey in college," Nick explained.

Tony jumped in and joked, "Yeah and Doug would still be in high school." The other two men laughed heartily with Spike bowing his head with a smirk. Doug, who was sitting next to Anisa, seemed to stiffen at that comment.

"Without us, though, Mike might not have made it out of high school in one piece. He was a total nerd," Doug said with a little edge in his voice. Anisa glanced at the man next to her and wondered if he was really a friend of Mike's. Deciding that the conversation may take a negative turn, Anisa decided to redirect it.

"Nick, you played hockey in college?" she asked.

He smiled as if remembering the good old days. "Yeah, hoped to go pro, too. That dream was dashed with a concussion that had me out cold for 10 minutes. I had sustained 3 other concussions in the previous 2 months. The docs said I had to make a decision quit hockey or risk permanent brain damage. I decided not to chance it so I quit the game. At least I escaped with most of my teeth," he joked.

"Wow, that is a shame. What are you doing now?" asked Anisa with interest.

"The good news is that I am not as dumb as I thought I was..."

Spike interrupted, "Nick, you are definitely not dumb."

"...as I was saying, I managed to finish college and then get a masters. Now I am working for a company developing alternative fuel sources and raising my family." His face brightened into a grin when he mentioned his family.

Spike then interjected, "These other clowns played in college, too. Right guys?"

Tony, the smallest of the group, decided to share his story, "Turns out that I am not as dumb as I look either. Once I got to college, my desire to play waned and was replaced with an interest in science." Spike got a big smile on his face as Tony continued, "Got my degree, went to Med school, now I am busy paying off student loans as I try to make a living as an orthopedic surgeon. So go break a leg... really I mean it." They all chuckled.

"Man, Tony, that is impressive. Your parents must be proud of you," said Spike a little awestruck and also a little saddened by his own father's feelings toward his career choice. Not wanting to leave Doug out of the conversation, Spike asked, "What about you Doug, what are you doing these days?"

"Turns out the NHL was not as interested in me as I was in them, so now I sell office products and coach kids' hockey," he sounded a little bitter.

"That sounds like fun," said Anisa, trying to alleviate some of the awkwardness of the moment.

Doug nodded in agreement, "Yep, it can be. So where did you and Mike meet?" He directed the question at Anisa placing his arm on the back of her chair. The action made her a little uncomfortable, but she pushed the feeling to the back of her mind.

"Um...," not sure what to say, she said, "at work, I guess," Anisa answered hoping to not have to go into too much detail. Sometimes guys got 'weird' when they found out she was a cop.

He laughed a little and said, "What, are you having a blonde moment? You can't remember how you met him?" He thought his joke was very funny and continued to laugh. The rest of the table sat quietly, but Spike watched Anisa's reaction intently. He would be happy to step in at her defense, but he was pretty sure she could handle herself with Doug, so he waited for her to respond.

Anisa had been around plenty of chauvinists in her career so this was not much of a challenge and she decided to ignore the jibe completely. "Haha, not exactly. It's is a bit complicated, but the first time we met was on a call for the SRU. If you'll excuse me, I need to use the rest room. Be back in a sec."

Spike was a little surprised that she didn't come right out and tell him she was a cop, but he didn't say anything. She was barely out of earshot when Spike's friends started to pummel him with questions.

Doug was the first to chime in, "Mike, she is a hottie. How did you manage that?"

Nick smacks Doug in the arm, "Don't be such a jackass."

"What? You were both thinking it, too, so don't act all high and mighty," Doug answered finishing his beer.

"Actually, I was thinking that she seems really nice and that it was about time a cute girl saw what a great guy Mike is," retorted Tony.

Nick added, "Well, I heard you dated Gina for a while. She was pretty cute."

Again before Spike could respond to that, Tony said, "Maybe, but she was crazy on a stick. In the end, she wasn't very nice to you either."

Finally, Spike was able to get a word in edgewise, "Yeah, I did date Gina briefly. And yes, Anisa is very nice, and I concur, nice looking. Trust me fellas, I am as surprised as you are, but I am not questioning it," he joked.

Doug piped up, "So I hear she is back in town." He followed the statement with a wink at Spike.

"Who is in back in town," asked Anisa sitting down.

"Mike's old girlfriend, Gina," said Doug paying close attention to her reaction, obviously trying to stir up trouble.

Anisa smiled at Spike. "I haven't heard about this one," she teased.

Nick came to the rescue, "Nothing to to tell. It didn't last very long." he then shot a look at Doug for him to shut up about it. Doug pouted that his fun was over.

Doug once again turn his attention on Anisa and asked, "So how'd you get those scars on your face? Did Mike not like your cooking one night?" He was joking but in very poor taste and Anisa had had enough.

In a stern, very controlled voice she responded flatly, "No Mike didn't touch me, but another police officer tried to kill me and these are some of the scars he left on me." There was a look of shock on all three of their faces. "He's dead now," she added matter-of-factly. She paused a moment and then pointedly asked Doug, "Anything else you want to ask me?"

"Uh ...no," he sputtered.

Nick was the first to say something. "Anisa, I am so sorry. We had no idea. And Doug can be a jackass." Doug looked wounded by the comment but didn't say anything.

Anisa's features softened as she said, "No worries." Realizing that her outburst had soured the mood and may have had a negative impact on Spike's relationship with his friends, she looked at Spike to gauge his reaction. He was leaning back in his chair with his elbows on the arms of the chair. His fingers were steepled in front of his face so it was hard to see his expression. She thought she saw a smile in his eyes.

In an attempt to salvage the evening, Tony said, "Hey, Mike, remembered Sammy? His band is playing at Carlo's on Friday, you guys should come. You can meet my better half, Kendra." He was smiling with sincerity.

Nick agreed, "Yeah, it should be fun. Steph and I are planning to go, too." The mood was beginning to lighten again.. Spike dropped his hands from his face and Anisa saw a trace of smile across his face. Anisa exhaled slowly.

"Maybe. Could be fun?" said Spike looking at Anisa for her input.

"I'm in," she answered enthusiastically. Doug just sat back and didn't say anything, his expression unreadable.

"Hey, 'Nis, we better head out, you still have some packing to do," Spike reminded her.

Anisa stood and answered, "Yeah, you're right." They said their good-byes and headed toward the door. Spike slid his hand into hers and walked next to her as the walked out the door and to his car. They were both quiet. Spike walked her to the passenger door and opened it for her releasing her hand.

She turned to face him and looking into his eyes said, "Mike, I'm sor..." but before she could finish he placed his hands on either side of her face bringing his lips down on hers. Anisa slid her arm around his waist drawing him close enjoying the safety of his arms. As they separated, she looked into his eyes and then, glancing down to his face, saw his dimples start to appear as a smile grew on his face.

"Nice to see Sparky is alive and well," he said with a grin then kissed her nose. "Let's go home."

She nodded and got into the car. On the ride home Anisa apologized again for ruining the evening.

"Mike, I feel bad about ruining the mood. You were having such a great time before I went all 'crazy bitch' on Doug's ass." Spike snickered.

"I think he deserved worse than he got. He hasn't changed much from high school. Nick and Tony were actually really nice guys once you got to know them. They were the cool kids so people were intimidated by them so they got rep for being snobby or too cool, but it wasn't really true. Doug was a good hockey player, but was more of a wannabe in that group. Nick and Tony we friends with him because he was on the team and he had a hard time making friends, if you can imagine that," he added snidely. "Nick and Tony came to my graduation from the academy, it really meant a lot to me. I guess they were probably my best friends in high school. I'm really glad that their lives have turned out so well."

"So who's Gina?" Anisa asked curiously.

Spike blanched. He didn't want to talk about his ex-girlfriend with Anisa. Truth is that this woman broke his heart. She had been everything he could have asked for. She was beautiful, smart and charming...Italian. His father had loved her. She was his first love. She had told him that she loved him for his brains, but that only lasted until somebody better came along. She had cheated on him with some good looking stock broker type. It had taken him years to get over her and more years after that until he would let someone else into his heart. As a matter of fact, Anisa was the first girl since Gina that he had been able to give "himself" to.

"Um. Well she is just someone I used to date," he answered trying to sound nonchalant. "No, big thing."

"OK, if you say so, Mike," she knew he was holding back but didn't want to push too hard. He would tell her when he was ready. "You know, I already know that you have dated other people before me. It doesn't change how I feel about you. I promise."

Spike glanced at her and smiled, "Nothing to tell. We dated we broke up. The end." He wanted to protect her because the feelings he used to have for Gina were gone and were nothing compared to his feelings towards Anisa.

"Ok," she said with a smile knowing that there was more to the story. She also suspected the reason he didn't want to talk about it had something to do with the way he felt about her.

Anisa gently placed her hand on his leg and smiled at him.

"What?" he questioned when he saw her smiling at him.

"Nothing new. Just considering how lucky I am."

A/N: I hope you liked the background story for Spike. Stay tuned for a little action in the next chapter and some more relationship angst. Be patient for my next post, I will be traveling and am not sure how much internet accessibility I will have. Thanks for reading.