This is a little bit shorter, but that's because the beginning of the chapter was posted early (CH. 3). Let me know what you think!
Bridie steps in to the lair of the blonde techie. The woman is absorbed in her computer screen, which is showing the personnel file of one Bridget McDuffy. Bridie internally laughs. Of course the techie would be looking in to Bridie—who would want a complete stranger working with their family?
"You could just ask me, you know," Bridie says, startling the blonde. The chair turns and the woman has a face of guilt. Bridie laughs. "There's really not much I have to hide from you." She hands Garcia the pack of pretzel M&Ms she picked up from the vending machine as well as a brownie from the break room. Bridie sits down in an extra seat. "So you know I'm Bridget McDuffy. But you can call me Bridie." Garcia nods.
"I'm Penelope Garcia, tech analyst for the team. Most people just call me Garcia." Bridie nods. "So, uh, Bridie, are you really Rossi's daughter?" Garcia's eyes are wide and sparkling, and Bridie nods.
"Yeah. I'm his first wife's daughter. Born in Brooklyn, lived in Quantico, and then moved to a small town in Ohio." Garcia nods, listening carefully. "Went to Juilliard, but I dropped out my sophomore year. I enrolled in Ohio State University for psychoanalytical linguistics and received my master's degree. Then I went to Ohio University for Criminology and Psychology. I'm considering going back for a PhD in linguistics." Garcia's eyes are wide, totally drawn in to Bridie's life.
"Why wouldn't you go back?" Garcia asks desperately. Bridie still didn't know how she felt about sharing her secret. She sighs.
"The same reason I came down here to talk to you: a secret." Garcia's eyes twinkle with interest. "You see, I met my father five years ago—the same time frame after I finished my criminology and psychology degrees. It was also the same time I found out I was pregnant." Garcia's mouth forms a small 'o'. Bridie continues before Garcia can interrupt. "It was a result of a one night stand that I totally regret. My son is the one good thing that came from the whole thing." Garcia raises an eyebrow.
"But your son isn't the secret, is he?" Bridie shakes her head. Garcia sits, waiting for her to continue.
"It's his father—he'll complicate things." Before Bridie can continue, Garcia hands her a small slip of paper. Garcia gives her a look of friendship.
"Your secret is safe with me, beautiful." Bridie smiles before standing up and leaving the lair. She looks at the card and laughs. It's the same business card she handed Spencer Reid the day before.
~CM~CM~CM~CM~
Reid parks in his rarely used parking lot. He was running later than usual and was upset he couldn't stop to get his usual coffee. He sighs and grabs his messenger bag before exiting his Prius. He wasn't paying much attention until he smelled someone smoking—rare, because most agents didn't smoke. He looks in the direction of the smoker before he realizes who it is.
"Bridie?" Reid asks, extremely confused. He walks over to the redhead and immediately notices the obvious—her hair is down and longer than he imagined. Her curls are almost to her waist. The woman smiles at him, raising an eyebrow. Reid smiles back, but then frowns. "Every cigarette you smoke takes six minutes off your life." Bridie shrugs.
"I know." Reid finds he is annoyed at her relaxed reaction about the fact. Bridie sighs, putting the cigarette out. "I'd rather be addicted to nicotine than go back to my old addictions." Reid raises an eyebrow but doesn't ask about her addictions. Rule number one amongst cleaned-up addicts: never ask what the drugs were. Reid smiles, at least glad to know she was sobered up. Bridie takes a hard look at Reid. "You're not going to ask?" Reid shakes his head and Bridie shrugs again.
"No," Reid says, "but I will ask what you're doing here. Are you stalking me Bridget McDuffy?" Bridie laughs.
"That's Agent Bridget McDuffy to you." Reid looks wide-eyed at her. His jaw drops and his lips turn up in a smile. Before he can register what he's doing, he's pulled Bridie in a hug. They both freeze, and Reid pulls away.
"I mean, uh. I mean I-I'm glad you g-got the job." A blush flushes his cheek and Bridie laughs.
"Spencer Reid, you are too shy for your own good." Bridie stares at him. "How about we hang out tonight? Maybe watch a movie or something?" Reid finds himself look down in to Bridie's eyes. He nods, unable to find his voice. "Good," Bridie says. She stands on her tiptoes and presses a kiss on his jaw line. Reid blushes again and watches Bridie walk into the BAU. He doesn't move until the alarm on his watch goes off: he's late.
Bridie is a cheeky one, that she is.