Hotch arrived back at the hospital carrying takeout bags from Bobby Flay's Mesa Grill.
"You're my hero!" Carrie exclaimed as soon as she saw the logo on the bags. "How did you know? I love Bobby Flay!" Hotch winked at her.
"A little bird told me," he replied. Bethan and Will followed him into the room. "I brought enough for everyone. I wasn't sure what you would all want, so I got a variety." Carrie sat up and crossed her legs. The painkillers had kicked in and she felt a little better, just hungry. Hotch began taking styrofoam takeout boxes from the bags and passing them out. Everyone got quiet as they dug into the food, passing the boxes around and each trying a bit of everything.
"I never thought I would say this sitting in a hospital bed, but I am so happy right now." Carrie laughed, taking a big swig of sweet tea, which Hotch had specially ordered for her and Will. "How did you get them to make sweet tea?"
"Good things come to those who show FBI credentials," Bethan laughed, winking at Carrie.
"I hate to ruin the moment, but we should get down to business," Hotch said, setting aside his fork and glass as Bethan took the food from him, digging into what was left of his Mango and Spice Crusted Tuna Steak. "Carrie, I need your official statement as to what happened in your room this morning."
Carrie held up her index finger as she chewed a huge mouthful of sauteed spinach. She swallowed, took a drink of her tea, and told Hotch what she'd told Will and Spencer earlier. Hotch made notes in a file he'd carried in with the food.
"When do you think I can get out of here?" Carrie asked as Hotch produced another takeout bag, this one full of desserts. "Although if you're going to feed me like this the whole time I'm in the hospital, I think I can handle staying a little bit longer." She blew a kiss at Hotch as he passed her a huge piece of her favorite, Pineapple Buttermilk Upside-Down Cake. Will answered.
"The doc says he'll release you in the morning as long as all your vitals are good." He reached over with his fork as he spoke, stealing a bite of Carrie's cake. She playfully shook her fist at him as he chewed.
"You just eat your Chocolate Corn Bread Pudding and I won't put you in your own hospital bed," she laughed. The others joined in, laughing around mouthfuls of dessert. Spencer was indescribably glad to see Carrie back to normal so quickly.
"Considering all," Bethan started, taking a sip of her drink, "I think I'm starting to like your country. I wouldn't mind a holiday in Vegas, maybe." She punctuated her statement by taking a huge bite of corn bread pudding. Hotch actually smiled at her, with a glint in his eye. The others politely pretended not to notice.
As they finished their desserts and piled the trash into the takeout bags, Hotch announced that they should get back to the hotel and get some rest so they could start fresh in the morning, now that a more likely suspect was in custody. Hotch, Bethan, and Will each kissed the top of Carrie's head and patted Spencer on the back as they left. When it was just the two of them, Carrie sighed, placing her hand on Spencer's shoulder and tickling his neck with her fingernails. He laughed, and she stopped, resting her palm against his neck, liking the warmth and smoothness of the skin there. Spencer leaned forward and kissed her again, grinning at the taste of pineapple that still clung to her lips and tongue.
"You know what, Spencer Reid?" Carrie sighed, pulling away and looking into his eyes. He kissed both her cheeks before replying.
"What, Carrie Scarlet?" She grinned at him.
"This relationship would work out a lot better if we could go a week without one or the other of us being on our death bed." She laughed, and he took her head in his hands, planting kisses on her forehead, eyelids, and cheeks, before lingering over her lips.
"I don't mind if I'm on my death bed," he whispered, his lips gently brushing hers, making her whole face tingle with anticipation, "as long as you're sitting beside it." He pressed his lips against hers once more, and she thought to herself,
"Sometimes the good overwhelmingly outweighs the bad."