Someone Like You

Disclaimer – I own nothing but the ideas

Sooooo I know some of you were worried about a lack of Reid in this, and I will admit Emily is going to be the overall focus, and I did wonder at one point about making it an Emily/JJ piece. Hopefully the next few chapters will redress the balance a bit.

. . .

You know how the time flies,
Only yesterday was the time of our lives,
We were born and raised in a summer haze,
Bound by the surprise of our glory days,

. . .

Spencer tried hard to focus on the text in front of him. He had no idea why he had decided on going back to studying after the few years break he had had, but for some reason he had decided that three Doctorates were not enough. Normally study was not a problem, he could devour enough books in a week, and the coursework was easy enough. But today, like yesterday, and the day before, Spencer couldn't settle. His mind was elsewhere.

Standing in the doorway Sophie watched as he stared at the same page for minute after minute. For anyone else this would not be unusual, but she knew Spencer well enough to know he should be half way through the chapter by now.

She didn't need to see his face to know he had that same sad glazed look in his eyes that he had had for nearly a week. In the five years that she had known Spencer, she knew how he was at this time of year. It wasn't that she resented the ongoing effect Emily had on him, it was just she hated to see him so sad.

Finally Sophie moved into his office and placed the steaming mug of coffee, she had made, next to him, on the desk. He barely moved in acknowledgement of her actions.

"Hey," Sophie whispered softly, rubbing his shoulders gently. She could already feel the knots of tension building there.

Spencer looked up at his wife, giving a half smile.

"Thank you," he added, wrapping an arm around her waist, and pulling her close. He rested his head on her now swollen belly, feeling a soft kick from their child.

Sophie run her fingers through his permently ruffled hair, carefully bending over she gave him a quick kiss on his forehead.

"Want to talk?"

Spencer shrugged. He knew full well the cause of his distraction, every year around the anniversary of Emily's death he was like this, it was ridicules. Ten years had passed since she had died, but he couldn't forget. To be honest it seemed like only yesterday, it was amazing how time passed.

"What can I say?" he finally answered, "We both know what the matter is, why should I bore you with more Emily stories, you had to put up enough of them the other night when we all got together."

Sophie squeezed his shoulders, "She was obviously important to you, all."

Long ago Spencer had tried to apply his skills to the team, and why Emily had such an impact on them. They were all close, a family, such a team; their reputation preceded them wherever they went. But it wasn't just that they had lost a member of their family. He believed a lot was to do with it all being so unfinished, so abrupt.

Holding his wife, his new family, near, Spencer wanted the rest of the world to disappear. Let it just be them, and their memories.

"I guess that's the problem with an eidetic memory, it makes it harder to forget," he sighed.

Taking a step backwards, Sophie tugged on Spencer's hand.

"Come on you, this can wait, it's not as if you are learning anything right now the mood you're in. One night off won't hurt."

"But I want to get this finished before Junior Reid makes an appearance."

"Well I think I can safely say that won't be tonight."

"I hope not, your only six months gone," Spencer suddenly looked concerned, "though there have been documented cases of babies being born at 21 weeks and surviving, however . . ."

"Enough," Sophie interrupted, holding her hand up for good measure, "I will sit here all night listening to anything, except a barrage of baby birth facts; trust me I don't want to hear them. I swear I have no idea how I got pregnant without you putting me off with all that you know. Sometimes you really scare me."

Spencer looked hurt by her comment.

"And it's no good sulking," she added, pulling him onto the couch with her.

Spencer cuddled up, feeling safe and secure once more. He wanted to talk, it was one of reasons Spencer had proposed to Sophie, the fact he could tell her anything. But right now he didn't know where to start. If he started at the point he wanted to, he was certain she think he was mad, certifiable. So instead he lay there with her in silence.

After what seemed like half the night, he finally managed, "Every year I come back to the same problem, I never said goodbye."

Sophie never said a word, just gave him an encouraging squeeze.

"One minute she was standing there in a room full of people, all of us together. We were all listening to Hotch's briefing. When he finished she was gone. Only Morgan saw her again."

Spencer went silent again.

"She just disappeared. . . Gone . . . Forever."

Sophie had heard it before; she had spent hours talking to Spencer and knew how difficult it was for him to cope with abandonment in any form. He'd told her about his father, Elle, Gideon and Emily. Each had left him in their own way, in a way that he didn't understand, no matter what his IQ.

"I understand the theory of why she did what she did," he begun again, "but I still don't truly understand why she walked away. That's the thing that gets me over and over again, the fact that I can't get the answers to my questions. I am use to finding an answer, I need an answer."

Sophie found herself subconsciously trying to sooth him, as she caressed his arm.

"I think it is driving me mad."

"Come on Spence," Sophie couldn't stop herself.

Spencer sat bolt upright, looking her straight in the eye.

"I saw her Sophie; I swear I saw Emily, twice."

Sophie gave a look that mixed pity and sympathy.

"Don't look at me like that," Spencer jumped, "I knew you'd think I was mad."

"I don't think your mad Spencer, you are tired, you are still grieving for a lost friend, combined our mind plays tricks on us. You happened to see someone with some similar features, and because Emily was in your head, you projected that image on to the person."

"She was watching me at the grave," Spencer continued, "she was crying by a tree. I heard her. I've never believed in ghosts, I can quote you reports and articles and research, that prove there is no such thing as ghosts, but how else could Emily be there with me?"

Sophie had no answer that would sooth his tortured mind.

"Then yesterday, when I went to work, she was outside, in a car."

"Ghosts don't drive cars!" Sophie exclaimed.

"I know that, I said you would think I was mad. But I saw her," Spencer insisted.

Sophie didn't know what to say. What could you say?

"Then explain it to me Sophie, how did I see her if she's dead?"

. . .

Sorry for the cliff hanger, Ok I'm not at all sorry. Hope this has made up for the lack of Reid so far, more in the next chapter – promise.

As always let me know what you think – I really appreciate it. Thank you to everyone who has reviewed, favourited or alerted.