Hi, I hope you like this chapter, sorry Marley seems a bit weird but I thought it would make sense that she's a bit of a cow. Please let me know what you think! Idril

9. Goodbyes

"The reason it hurts so much to separate is because our souls are connected. Maybe they always have been and will be. Maybe we've lived a thousand lives before this one and in each of them we've found each other. And maybe each time, we've been forced apart for the same reasons. That means that this goodbye is both a goodbye for the past ten thousand years and a prelude to what will come." ― Nicholas Sparks,

Spencer Reid POV

"Jesus Christ Reid!" Morgan exclaimed as I spat yet more blood into the kitchen sink. I leaned heavily against the counter. My sides burnt from the blistering attack minutes earlier. Jesse had been like a thing possessed, I'd managed to put in a few punches to try and buy some time but I'd never been the best fighter and Jesse had been taking lessons from Morgan. Plus he had a baseball that smashed into my side, just missing my ribs but blasting the wind out of me as I fell back against our hardwood floor. I whimpered, waiting for the inevitable blow that would knock me unconscious. Or break some ribs. A blow came alright, but it didn't land on me. Morgan's fist smashed into Jesse and sent him flying into the coffee table. He hadn't lost his mind enough to try anything against Morgan, merely panting on the floor and glaring at me. That was where he'd remained since Morgan had pulled me up and taken me to the sink.

"It's not as bad as it looks." I mumbled although my chattering teeth and blood choked throat making it almost indistinguishable.

"Have you called the police?" Morgan asked as he pressed his hand against my chest, checking for any injuries. Out of the corner of my eye I noticed Jesse straighten up a little, fear floating through his eyes at the thought of being arrested.

"Why?" I muttered, downing a glass of water and wincing as it forced its way down my bruised throat.

"Why? The guy broke into your home and beat seven shades out of you! Kid, if you'd slept with Lila it wouldn't warrant that." He snarled focusing on Jesse as he spat out each word. Jesse sat up a little straighter and glowered at Morgan, arrogant kid actually thought he could stare down Morgan. Needless to say he was the first to look away.

"I call the police it'll end any chance he has of getting into the bureau. My mistake might have cost me my marriage; it shouldn't cost him his career." Morgan looked like he was about to argue, as did Jesse who looked like he wanted to continue the fight. Morgan grabbed his phone from his pocket and pressed several buttons, muttering "relax, I'm not calling them" before pressing the phone to his ear as Jesse and I waited with baited breath.

"Hotch, it's Morgan. You need to get over to Reid's and pick up Marley's guard dog." He turned to Jesse, covering the receiver with his hand. "When he's done with you, you're going to wish I called the police."

/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\

The sound of the door squeaking open made all of us swivel round, unnaturally nervous that someone else had come to take a swing at me. Jesse had sat silently glowering since he'd heard that Hotch was coming; I knew it was only an attempt to hide his nerves. Even Jesse wasn't stupid enough to think he could stare Hotch down. No dressing down I'd ever gotten, even after the Owen Savage debacle, would match what was coming his way. Especially not when it wasn't Hotch who came all guns blazing into my apartment but my fuming wife. She pushed a strand of black hair behind her ear, she looked pale, unwell even; the dark glasses she'd pushed onto her head suggested she'd turned to drink last night. I winced, drink wasn't exactly her strong point.

"Christ." She whispered as she eyed me up; usually when I came home battered and bruised she'd run at me, gently stripping me of bloodied clothes, kissing my wounds and curling up with me until I stopped shaking, until the nightmares went away. Now she coldly eyed me from the doorway; if I thought the pissed voice last night had been bad but seeing the hurt written all over her face killed.

"You need to control that brother of yours. Just because the two of you have some problems it doesn't mean you can release him like some pet Rottweiler. He honestly thinks he can join the bureau with that kind of attitude?" Morgan angrily snarled and I gripped his arm tightly to try and stop him; tearing a strip of Marley would hardly get me back in her good books. Jesse looked like he was about to argue but Marley turned and sent him a glare that somehow managed to trump the one she'd greeted me with and he shut his mouth with an audible snap.

"Don't worry, I'll speak to him. I did not use my brother like a 'pet Rottweiler,' if I wanted to kick his ass I'd do it myself. And let's not forget why he was pissed off last night, hey Spence?" She glowered in my direction and I squirmed, wishing that I was anywhere else.

"Marley, she kissed me. I swear to God, I only lied because…"

"…Because Morgan told you too. Aaron told me your juvenile excuse. I mean seriously? How old are you? We've had food in our fridge longer than any of his relationships and you honestly thought taking marital advice from him was a good idea?!" She shrieked, her voice rising up an octave into the tone she reserved for special fights.

"That's unfair." Morgan snapped although he quickly shut up when I shot him a pointed look.

"It doesn't matter. I just came to get Jesse and speak to Spencer not have an argument about your morals." Morgan held up his hands while Marley silently headed passed her misfit brother and headed down the hallway towards our bedroom. Wordlessly I followed her. She'd already sat herself down on our bed, I hadn't made it yet, and ran her hands over the ruffled sheets while I stood clicking my knuckles waiting patiently for the verdict. Her eyes flicked around the room, taking in the home we'd build ourselves a year ago. Pictures were spread on every surface of the room and our favourite books lined one of the walls. I loved this room, I didn't even need a light on to sleep in here.

"I'm sorry about Jesse, don't worry he's dead when we get home. He should never…"

"It doesn't matter. I deserved it, I just want to speak with you Marls." I finally moved to sit beside her and reached out a shaking hand to touch her bare shoulder. She flinched against the contact and I was transported back to our first meeting where I'd shied away from every touch.

"I love you. I love you so much that I let it blind side me, Spence. I trusted you unconditionally and this is what happened…"

"You can trust me. I swear to God… no, I swear on your life, the most important thing to me, that it was a mistake. Fine, you don't believe me when I swear on your life, I'll swear on my Mom's, on Jack's, on anyone and everyone that I love because you mean the most to me. Without you I don't know what I'd do. Marley please." I begged, my legs actually shuddering as if wanting to go down on my knees and beg for her forgiveness.

"Do you remember the first night of our honeymoon? In that little hotel in Venice where we kept the curtains open and watched the stars. I was curled up on your chest, half asleep and I'd never felt so safe in all my life. I want that feeling back. I want to look at you and feel as if the whole world could explode and I wouldn't give a damn if I was with you. Instead I'm sat here picking up my idiotic brother who tried to murder my husband." She barked out a laugh but the tears that were desperately trying not to break over her eyelid told me that she was a millimetre away from cracking. Well so was I. The tears were already streaking down my face and catching on my neck as I wrapped my arms around my chest. I was going to kill Lila. And myself for good measure.

"I will spend the rest of my life making it up to you. Just give me one more chance. Please." I choked out, knowing my time with her was quickly running out and desperately trying to make the most of it.

"I know. I need to go. Just give me some time." She smiled sadly, the first time she'd properly looked me in the eye since she'd got there. I wished she hadn't. It felt suddenly different; we didn't feel connected any more. It felt like I was looking at a stranger. She stood up but before leaving she bent and pressed a kiss to my temple. The familiarly moist lips made my heart flutter but I resisted the urge to grab her and pull her back to me. "Bye Spence."

I stayed sat on our marital bed as my wife walked out the door. I leaned back until I hit the mattress and let the tears fall; knowing there was nothing else I could do at this point in time.

"You want to know something Marley?!" Morgan's yell startled me from the desolation of my own thoughts and I jumped off the bed, racing towards the living room where it seemed my best friend was determined to ruin any chance I had with my wife. "You want to know some home truths? I think deep down you believe him. You know he didn't mean to do anything with her, she was some jumped up movie star who thought she could get anything she wanted. No, you're angry because you've been humiliated. You think everyone's laughing at you and you'll look weak if you just accept what happened and don't punish him but you won't. He didn't mean to do it so stop punishing him."

"I'm sorry that my marital problems are bothering you so much but why don't you let us work it out, hey? You really think I'm so self-obsessed that I'm only bothered because people are laughing at me? I'm pissed because my husband kissed another woman. Yes the fact everyone knows is not helping but it's not my biggest issue right now!"

"I'm sorry. I never meant any of this." They both jumped when they heard me; too engrossed in their own argument. It seemed ridiculous really that Marley was arguing about our marriage with Morgan rather than me.

"I know, maybe you are. And maybe I'll forgive you but not today and not right now. Take care of those cuts okay?" She sighed, her hurt eyes glistening in the morning light before turning and walking out the door.

She didn't need to say the "I'm never coming back" this time. I already knew.