Thanks for the support!
Chapter Four:
"Uno," Reid said sheepishly.
"Spencer wins again!" Aria said.
"This isn't poker," Darla said. "How are you beating us at this game?"
"I'm a natural," he said with a shrug.
"When are you going to teach me poker Aunt Darla?" Aria asked.
"When mommy agrees to it," Wright said.
"One more hand and some one's going home with me for dinner," Amy said.
"Can't I eat dinner with mommy?"
"Hospital food is only intended for people spend lots of time in hospitals and you don't," she said.
"Beside you'll like Uncle Tom's lasagna better," Darla said.
"Okay," she said.
"Let's play," Wright said.
"Hi."
Everyone turned to see Emily Prentiss standing in the doorway.
"Hi Emily," Reid said. "This is Chloe, Darla, Amy, and Aria. Guys, this is my supervisor Emily Prentiss."
"What's a supervisor?" Aria asked.
"A person who tells you what to do," Darla said.
"Like a teacher?" Aria asked.
"Except instead of grades he gets money for what he does," Amy said.
"Spencer get's the best grades," Prentiss said.
"It was nice to meet you Emily. We'll play another round another time," Amy said.
"Okay," Aria said. "Bye mommy. Bye Spencer. Bye Aunt Darla. Bye Emily"
She gave Wright a quick hug and left with Amy.
"I am going to get back to work," Darla said picking up the cards. "It was nice meeting you Emily. I'll see you tomorrow Chloe."
"I'm not going anywhere," she said as Darla left.
Prentiss let out a short laugh.
"Do I know how to clear a room or what?"
"Oh, Darla and Amy are just squeamish around authority figures," Wright said. "Give them blood and guts over any person who signs paychecks or reads resumes."
"It seems like you have a good support network here," she said.
"Yes, Darla, Amy, and I have been together since before we could buy beer."
"It's nice that you have that bond," Prentiss said.
"Spencer, why don't you annoy Darla? Or this is a teaching hospital, so there are students you can tutor."
"You two alright together?" Reid asked.
"We'll be fine," Prentiss said.
"Okay," he said. "I'll be back in fifteen."
"Take your time," Wright said.
Reid headed for the elevators and ran into Darla.
"Hey, did that Prentiss woman's death get faked?"
"How did you know about that?" he asked dumbfounded.
"I have friends everywhere," she said as they walked to the elevators.
"Really?"
"My friend was in town for conference not long after the death faking and said it was the creepiest thing she ever did, and she specializes in trauma. Prentiss' name had to be listed in the morgue, and she had a name assigned to her where was kept on the cardiac floor, I think. The amount of paperwork needed to be done was also enormous."
"How do you know it was Emily?" he asked as they got off the elevator.
"Because she also mentioned a blond wig and passports being brought in," she said. "Not to mention death faking isn't as common as soap operas would lead you to believe."
"It nearly broke me when she died," he said. "I sought J.J. out for comfort. I didn't want to bother Chloe at the time."
"You were never a bother to Chloe," she said as they got in line for coffee. "That girl would go to the moon and back for you. As far Mexico so far."
"She told me about that," he said. "Did you have to beat anyone up?"
"Obscenities were exchanged, and backs were thrown against the wall. Not much else," she said. "It wasn't as much fun as I thought it would be."
"Okay," Reid said slowly.
"Next time I go to Mexico, Tijuana is my goal," she said. "See how well I can still hold my liquor."
"Ever think of settling down?" he asked as he add sugar to his.
"I'm thirty-seven, not dead. I don't think marriage is in the books for me."
"I don't know where this relationship with Chloe will lead," he said.
"How about a recovery in your apartment?" Darla asked.
"Why?"
"Because Chloe's carpets are stained where she got shot and bled out. We're not letting Aria back in the place. My mine is a studio, and Amy's only has one spare room."
"I only have one spare room also," he said.
"Just something to think about," Darla said. "I really should get back to work. Save one life, one sinus infection diagnosis at a time!"
"I'll see you later Darla," he said.
"Adios!" she said waving at him.
Reid took the elevator back up and saw Prentiss walking away. Reid gestured for the to sit in the waiting area.
"She is really sweet," Prentiss. "And head over heels in love with you."
"I love her too Emily," he said. "I can't believe I didn't see what was in front of me for so long."
"She said she loved you since you saw what was going to be the end of her law school career."
"I've loved her since then too," he said. "She is just so sweet and so determined to do everything right."
"She also understands you might have residual feelings for J.J. she won't hold it against you."
"Chloe certainly does get me," he said. "What are your thoughts on how Garcia is handling all this?"
"Unprofessional," she said. "I told her as much when she called trying to tell me how awful Chloe was, and I shut her down. J.J. may have the brain tumor, but Chloe was the one who was shot."
"Garcia is very emotional by nature," he said. "I didn't expect her to fully grasp everything."
"She could have done better though," she said. "I'm going to get some sleep and prepare for tomorrow. Take as much time off as you need."
"Thank you, Emily."
"Spencer, this is going to get harder before it gets easier. I want you to be happy because you finally found the girl of your dreams. Just expect the team to have a mixed reaction."
"I plan to Emily."
"Go back and see Chloe and gossip about me. I really like her Spencer."
"I needed to hear that from you Emily."
She gave him a quick hug.
"You deserve all the happiness in the world Spencer."