Chapter XI
Over the course of the summer Grace gained invaluable information working with the BAU team and was looking forward to her final year at Georgetown As she stood outside her brother's office surveying the scene below her in the bullpen, she was incredibly hopeful about her chances of getting into the Academy.
The past week had been hard for Grace after the fight she and Spencer had on Saturday night. They hadn't talked and Grace hadn't tried to force the issue. She had also steered clear of being left alone with Spencer, who seemed to be distracted all week. He hadn't tried to talk to her and even skipped their normal Wednesday lunch at Nikoli's Place. She had gone hoping Spencer would meet her as usual, but he never showed up. Niko, the owner, had fussed over her when she told him it was going to be her last visit for a while since she was heading back to school the next week. He had asked where Signor Reid was. Grace gave Niko the lame excuse of work for Spencer's absence. She could tell Niko didn't believe her, but he was too polite to pry.
Garcia was standing in the bullpen between the two pods of desks motioning Grace to join the group. She walked down the short flight of stairs and as soon as Grace reached the bottom step Garcia rushed over, grabbed Grace's arm, and pulled her over to the rest of the group. "Since today is our little Hotch's last day with us this summer, we all need to go out and have dinner and a little fun tonight. Where shall we go? I won't take no for an answer."
"Garcia, this isn't necessary. I'll still be able to see you all on occasion during the semester, and I can come back and work over Christmas if we can get it approved," Grace said looking at the group.
"No, no, no! We will be going out. Now, either you decide where or I will. And remember, I have an evil streak," a grinning Garcia stated matter of factly.
"Alright I'll pick somewhere. How about that nice Mexican place? It also has salsa dancing. That way, Morgan over there, can get his groove thang on!" JJ, Emily, and Garcia all started laughing at Grace's comment. Morgan just said, "Don't hate the playa, hate the game, ladies."
Spencer, at this point, looked up from his crossword puzzle asking "What's so funny?" Which only made the whole group laugh harder. The slightly hurt and confused look on his face made Grace feel bad, so she explained, "We aren't laughing at you Spencer. We were laughing about something that happened a few weeks ago when we were all out together." This seemed to placate Reid, but it concerned Grace that he thought she could ever laugh at him. They had been completely out of sync all week.
Spencer had already gone back to work at his desk, so Grace separated herself from the rest of the group and walked over behind Spencer's chair. "Spencer," Grace said quietly, lightly leaning on his shoulders. Turning his head to look at her, they found themselves only inches apart. Grace felt the overwhelming urge to lean in the last few inches to kiss him, but restrained herself since Spencer had made himself perfectly clear on Saturday that he wasn't interested in taking their relationship beyond friendship. Their eyes were locked, but neither said a word or moved. Grace was silently willing him to understand what she was feeling. The spell was fractured when Reid snapped, "What do you need Anna Grace? I'm rather busy."
Grace never could figure out why he insisted on calling her by her full name. Faltering at histhe curt tone of voice, she asked, "You will come tonight? I would really like it if you did. It won't be the same without you there." She finished, looking away, while waiting expectantly for his answer, "Everyone's going, so you won't have to be alone with me."
Spencer noted there was something slightly off in Grace's voice. She had avoided being alone with him all week and he hadn't tried talking to her after the scene on Saturday night. He felt guilty because he knew he'd hurt her, but he didn't know what to do to fix things. Turning, he looked at her again more closely asking "Are you ok?"
"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" Grace cleared her throat and stood back up. As she turned to leave, Spencer pushed his chair out to stand up, catching Grace off guard. Realizing what was about to happen as it occurred, Reid reached out and caught hold of her around the waist to keep her from falling.
"Sorry about that. I just wanted to stop you before you got away. I didn't mean to knock you over." Continuing, "are you sure you're ok,? You just . . ." Interrupting him without looking at him, Grace said, "Please, don't try to profile me Dr. Reid. I'll be fine. Thank you for your concern." With that, she turned and slipped out of his arms. As quickly as she could, without drawing more attention, she left the bullpen, leaving Spencer completely baffled as to what had just happened. She rarely called him Dr. Reid. He realized, though they had spent the better part of the summer together, Saturday night's fight might have ruined everything. Grace had become his best friend and he knew he was going to miss her.
Garcia and Morgan had both noted the discussion between the pair and the end result of Grace escaping quickly out the door. Both knew about the fight Saturday night. They also knew neither of them had really spoken to the other all week. Morgan nodded at Garcia to follow Grace and see if she was ok. Garcia caught up with Grace as she turned the corner into the ladies lounge. "Gracie wait," Garcia said catching Grace's hand. That was all it took for Grace to burst into tears.
"I don't understand Garcia. How he can be so smart and yet so stupid at the same time? I'm not ok with the decision he made for us without even asking my opinion and now I'm just supposed to be able to go on like nothing at all is wrong? You know what he asked me just now? He wanted to know if I was ok. It was as if he had no idea what might be wrong. I wanted to scream at him, no I'm not ok you adorable idiot. I'm hurt and I can't keep acting like nothing's wrong" Grace sobbed.
"Oh honey," Garcia cooed while rubbing Grace's back. "Reid is a genius and total sweetie, but definitely not a genius when it comes to women."
"I know, I know. We haven't talked all week and he skipped out on our weekly lunch. I ended up eating alone because I assumed he would meet me there like we've done all summer. He never showed or apologized for skipping out on me. I've been so miserable all week. How is it possible to miss someone who's sitting five feet away from you? What I am supposed to do?" Grace hiccoughed.
"I don't know sweetie." Garcia said.
"What do I have to do? Hit him over the head with a sign that says I love you?" Grace questioned.
"That might work, but would lead to all kinds of other icky questions and issues." Garcia said laughing.
Grace smiled at Garcia's comment. "I know it's hard and it sucks that he's so clueless and hasn't noticed that the beautiful young woman that he's been paling around with all summer is head over heels for him, but it will get better, I promise. You are heading back to school and he'll realize what a mistake he's made when he doesn't see you every day. I promise, he'll figure out how much you really mean to him."
Grace snorted and smiled sadly saying, "I appreciate it Garcia, but don't get my hopes up. I think space will be good. Maybe it will turn out this was just a passing crush."
"Oh, baby girl, I don't think it's a passing crush, but we'll see. You should come stay with me some during the school year on your free weekends to keep your mind off all this. Come on let's get back." Garcia commented.
Returning to the bullpen, the girls went their separate ways. Morgan glanced at Grace and Penelope noting everything seemed to be ok before turning back to his work. Spencer saw the girls coming back in together. He also saw Morgan watching them as if he knew what was going on. "Morgan, do think Anna Grace is ok?" Spencer asked suddenly.
"Sure, why wouldn't she be?"
"I don't know. She's avoided me all week and something about the way she's been the last few days, today especially, seems off. I just can't quite figure out what it is." Reid said.
"Have you tried talking to her? You guys have never seemed to have trouble communicating before this." Morgan commented.
"Yeah, I did, but she blew me off telling me she ok and not to profile her. She's never not talked to me before and she called me
Dr. Reid." Spencer said thoughtfully.
"Reid, that big brain of yours is working overtime. Don't worry about it. She'll talk to you when she's ready. It's probably just that today is her last day with us and she knows she's going to miss us." Morgan said trying to placate Spencer.
Morgan knew it was much more than that, but it wasn't his place to tell Reid that, or that he was a complete idiot sometimes and that he was what was wrong with Grace. Their fight had hurt her and Reid had no idea how badly. He shook his head knowing what a shock it would be to Spencer if he found out his rejection of a romantic relationship with the sweet-faced beauty was the problem.
"Well, you are going tonight because Grace will be incredibly hurt if you don't show." Morgan stated. "Try talking to her tonight. Maybe she'll be more talkative."
"I'll be there."
Pancho Villa Mexican Restaurant
"Great choice for a night out Grace," Emily called across the table with one eyebrow quirked.
Grace grinned and called back, "I had no idea it would be this crazy busy tonight. Who knew all these people wanted to help celebrate me." The group laughed at Grace's quip. True to his word, Spencer had shown up and had chosen a seat to Grace's right with Gideon, Aaron, Haley, JJ, Emily, Garcia, and Morgan around the large round table to his right. Spencer looked at Grace mildly confused and asked, "You know all these people Anna Grace?"
Smiling at him she laughed lightly, "No, just the eight of you. I was just trying to be funny Spencer."
He returned her smile, but didn't say anything further. Spencer was hopeful their friendship would get back on track. He'd missed talking to her all week. Granted, he hadn't pushed trying to talk to her after Saturday night. He'd noticed whenever Anna Grace saw she was going to be left alone with him she would leave the room no matter what she had been doing.
Dinner had been delicious and filled with laughter, friends, and good conversation. Grace was enjoying the night out and was glad Garcia had arranged the impromptu celebration. Her eyes misted up a bit when she thought about the fact she would have to leave all of this behind when she headed back to school. She blinked her eyes and looked up at the lights in an attempt to keep anyone from knowing she was about to cry, but the ever observant Spencer noticed.
"Anna Grace, are you ok?" he asked taking her hand out of concern. Grace froze in her seat looking down at their intertwined hands. Spencer hadn't spoken to her most of the week, much less initiated any kind of physical contact. She wanted so badly for it to mean more than it did. Part of her wanted to jerk her hand back and tell him that he was so blind, and the other part wanted to leave her hand were it was—in Spencer's hand. She opted to enjoy the touch of his hand on hers.
"Um, yeah. You've asked me that twice today Dr. Reid. I just know I'm going to miss all of this when I go back to school and it makes me a little sad." Grace said. She knew she wasn't telling him the whole truth and she hoped he wouldn't realize that, but she wasn't going to confess everything to him after what he had said on Saturday night. Grace wasn't sure she would ever again tell him everything. "You're doing it again, Dr. Reid. Don't profile me."
Spencer nodded. "Alright, but you know I'm here when you are ready to tell me the rest of the story, because I know there's more going on." he replied. "I know you're still upset about Saturday Grace, I'm sorry. I never meant to hurt you."
Grace looked at him and wondered what he would say if she told him the "rest of the story". She nodded and turned back to the rest of the table when Spencer quietly said, "You know you only call me
Dr. Reid when you are annoyed or upset with me." Grace turned back to look at Spencer without knowing what to say.
"I do?" Grace had never noticed she did that. She was suddenly worried where this conversation was going. "You do." Spencer smiled at her.
"Oh," was all she managed to say.
"It's actually cute when you do it."
"Spencer, please don't do this." Grace wanted more than anything for him to tell her he was wrong about everything Saturday, but she knew he wouldn't. She couldn't handle him talking to her like he did before.
"Do what? We are still friends, aren't we?"
Grace realized Spencer was truly concerned they were no longer friends. "Oh, Spencer, of course we are. It's just, well, I need . . ." She couldn't finish the thought because it meant telling him what was wrong. Glancing down, Grace notice Spencer was still holding her hand and had absent-mindedly started slowly rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb. Spencer followed her gaze and realized what he had been doing. Blushing deeply he gently let go of her hand and sputtered something unintelligible before getting up from the table and heading to the bar. Grace frowned. She became conscious of Morgan watching her and figured he saw what had just happened.
"You ok?" was all he said.
Grace just nodded.
"Listen Grace, I know this week has sucked and you're still pretty upset about last Saturday. Don't let that keep you from having a good time tonight. Pretty boy will figure out the mistake he made and everything will be fine."
"Derek, I appreciate that you think things will work out, but I don't know that they will. Our friendship will never be the same and right now I can't handle being in close contact with Spencer which only further strains things. It's all such a mess."
Putting an arm around her shoulders and giving her a hug he said, "Trust me. It may take a while, but I know it will be fine."
Smiling, she shook her head saying, "We'll have to agree to disagree on this."
As the night progressed, the group moved from the large round table to the smaller bar tables near the dance floor. There was a live salsa band and the group was enjoying the music. Some members were enjoying the dancing. Grace had carefully avoided being too near Spencer after what had happened at dinner. She wasn't sure she could handle another close encounter.
"Grace," her brother called, "Haley and I are headed home since Jack is with a sitter. Are you going to stay for a while longer?"
"Yeah, I'm going to stay since I'm the guest of honor. I'll catch a cab or get one of the team to drop me off at your place." Grace replied.
"Ok, but be careful," Aaron said to her before turning to Morgan saying, "Keep an eye on her please. We haven't had any issues with Nate since the movie theater, but I just rather you all be cautious."
"Sure thing Hotch," Morgan responded. "I'll make sure no one messes with little Hotch."
Grace rolled her eyes and said, "I really hate that nickname you know."
Morgan gave her a cheeky smile before heading back out to the dance floor with Emily and Garcia. JJ and Spencer were talking. Gideon was standing next to Grace. "Well Grace, I'll see you at Christmas. I'm going to leave the rest of the night to you youngsters," he stated, turning to leave.
"Good night, Jason. Thank you for everything this summer."
Gideon waved to the rest of the group as he headed off toward the front door. Grace took this opportunity of relative peace to grab another drink. Of course, she was limited in her options since she wasn't yet twenty-one. As she moved toward the bar she felt as though someone was watching her, but when she looked back she didn't see anything out of the ordinary.
"What'll it be love?" the bartender ask.
"Just a Coca Cola, please."
"Sure thing," pouring her a glass and sitting on the bar.
"Hey honey you alone?"
"Now who would let such a pretty little thing be out all alone?"
Grace turned in the direction the voices came from realizing belatedly, no one knew where she'd gone and there were two men blocking her path back to the dance floor and the safety of the rest of the team.
Thinking quickly she replied, "No I'm not alone. I'm here with friends." She moved to go around them, her soda completely forgotten on the bar.
"Ya know what I think honey? I think you're lying and I think you need to come party with us," the taller of the two men said grabbing Grace's arm in a vice like grip.
"No, I don't want to party with you all, but thank you for your kind invitation." Grace said, trying to keep her voice calm while desperately trying to figure out how to get out of this mess.
The second one had moved behind her and had taken ahold of her by the waist, pulling her back against him, his free hand running down her side. Grace was beginning to panic. She knew if her view of the team was blocked, then their view of her was as well. When she attempted to shift out of their grip, they simply tightened their hold.
"Now darlin', where do you think you're going?" The one behind her asked speaking directly in her ear. She could feel his hot breath on her face.
Squirming Grace tried to knee the one in front of her and then stomp on the foot of the one behind her, anything to get them to release her. This only caused the one holding her wrist to twist her arm sening shooting pains up to her shoulder.
The one behind her pulled her in closer and said, "Oh we've got a live one here. She's a squirmy little thing. I bet she's feisty in bed."
"Please, just let me go. I don't want any trouble." Grace said pleading, fear now very evident in her voice and on her face.
"Not going to happen honey. We've been paid to show you a good time tonight. And boy are we going to have a good time." The one in the front holding her wrist breathed into her face while running a hand up under her skirt. Grace whimpered as they manhandled her in full view of the patrons of the bar, with none of them lifting a finger to stop what was occurring. A few even whistled and shouted encouragement to the two thugs.
"Please. I just want to go back to my friends. Let me go." Grace was desperately trying to get free, but was unable to get either of the men to release their hold on her.
"The lady asked you to let her go." Grace had never been so glad to hear that baritone voice as she was right at that moment. Peering past the man in front of her, she saw Morgan.
The two men looked at Morgan and back at Grace. The one holding her wrist said, "Get lost. This little girlie is going with us." The other, firmly holding her around the waist, leaned down to her ear saying, "Now honey, wouldn't you prefer a nice man like me, to someone like, him." Motioning to Morgan and his tone of voice making it rather clear what he was implying.
"NO! I'd really rather go with him." Grace said, "Please stop, you're hurting me."
"Fellas, you really don't want to mess with this girl. You see, she comes with her own FBI team to back her up. You should really just let her go and quietly walk away." Morgan stated.
Grace was trying to take slow deep breaths, but the man behind her kept running his free hand up her side and across her chest and then back down to the hemline of her skirt. He started to unbutton the buttons her shirt. Shivering against her will, she started crying softly.
By this time, Garcia and Emily had arrived and were flanking Morgan and staring down the pair holding Grace.
"Man, you really don't want to do this. Just let her go." Morgan said softly.
Spencer and JJ finally became aware of the confrontation occurring at the bar and had joined the others in attempting to get the men to release Grace.
Grace caught Spencer's gaze when he joined the group. Seeing him caused her to cry harder. She was miserable at the thought of him seeing her being assaulted.
Grace heard Spencer's voice, but it took a second for it to register what he was saying, "Anna Grace, look at me. You're going to be fine. Just keep looking at me." Looking at him was the hardest thing in the world for her to do at that moment.
Blinking back the tears she said, "Spencer, I can't do it." Grace couldn't manage to say anything else through her sobs.
"Yes, you can. Now, come on Anna Grace, look at me."
Grace raised her eyes and stared straight at Spencer. Keeping her gaze on him was incredibly difficult, but it gave her something to focus on besides what was happening to her. "Everything's going to be ok. That's good, just focus on me, Anna Grace." Spencer kept talking to her, but she wasn't really hearing what he was saying to her.
The man holding Grace around the waist looked at the group standing across from them and looked at the man holding her wrist and said, "Forget this man, she's not worth the trouble and we ain't getting paid enough to take this whole bunch on." He let her go and shoved his way through the crowd to escape.
At this point, the man holding Grace's wrist twisted her arm around behind her back while simultaneously pulling her to him. Grabbing her face, he roughly kissed her before hitting her across the face. Releasing her, he shoved Grace backwards into the bar before following his friend out the door.
Grace hit the bar with a hard thud and fell to the floor stunned. Morgan and Emily rushed out the door to chase after the pair while the others made a beeline for Grace who was trying to pick herself up from the floor. To the surprise of the other girls, Spencer reached Grace first.
"Grace," Spencer said, concern and worry apparent in his voice. Grace looked up at Spencer confused because he rarely called her Grace. "Grace, let me help you."
Grace backed away, her eyes wide with panic, as he reached out to touch her. "Please don't, Spencer, please not yet. I . . . " her voice fading as she looked away from him and started sobbing again.
Bewildered and hurt, Spencer backed up motioning to Garcia and JJ to help her. He stood up running his hand through his hair. All he could do was watch as JJ and Garcia picked Grace up. Spencer couldn't understand as to why she wouldn't let him touch her. He'd been there for her to lean on twice before when she'd been hurt. When they finally had her off the floor Grace was shivering badly, whether from shock or something else Spencer wasn't sure. Taking his cardigan off he put it around her shoulders lightly touching her as he did so. She flinched, but didn't jerk away. Grace looked over her shoulder at him smiling wanly, saying "Thank you." JJ and Garcia guided her away to the restroom before he could say anything.
"Reid, where are the girls?" Morgan ask coming back from trying to catch the culprits. Emily close on his heels.
"Restroom," was all Spencer managed. Emily nodded and headed to join the others.
"What happened?" Morgan asked Reid as Emily disappeared into the restroom.
"Honestly Morgan, I don't know. Hotch, Haley, and Gideon left but I thought Grace was still at the table. JJ and I were talking, I never noticed she was gone. God, she must hate me." Spencer said the last part more to himself than Morgan
"What, why would Grace hate you? This wasn't your fault, she knows that." Morgan said.
"You didn't see her just now Morgan. She could barely look at me, let alone let me touch her. This is all my fault." Reid responded.
"Reid, she just got mauled by two creeps who were most likely sent by that jerk she was dating. She's upset and embarrassed because of what just happened. Look, kid, I'm sure once she's calmed down, things will be fine." Morgan said trying to reassure Reid.
Reid didn't look too sure, but nodded.
"Hotch is not going to be pleased though. We need to call the local PD and him." Morgan said. Reid pulled out his phone and dialed Hotch's number, while Morgan handled calling the Quantico Police Department.
Meanwhile, the girl's had helped Grace wash her face and calmed her down enough to talk to her, though she was laying on the settee with her head in Garcia's lap. "Grace, sweetie, are you alright?" Garcia asked smoothing down Grace's hair.
"I think I will be," Grace responded. "All I wanted was a soda. I should have told you guys where I was going. If I had, this would never have happened."
"No." Emily said forcefully. "Don't you dare blame yourself. You did nothing wrong. I won't let you blame yourself. This wasn't random, there was someone behind this." JJ and Garcia were nodding in agreement.
"Why do you think that Emily?" Grace asked.
"Didn't you hear the one say that they weren't getting paid enough to mess with all of us?" Emily asked her.
"No, I didn't hear him say that." Grace responded. "It wouldn't surprise me to find out Nate did this. He's been doing stupid crap all summer trying to get back at me for breaking things off."
"Well, we'll figure out who was behind this and have it taken care of. But you are not to blame yourself for what just happened."
Smiling at Emily's vehemence, Grace nodded once. Sitting up she said, "Ok. We should go back outside I'm sure the guys are worried about me too."
Exiting the restroom they were confronted by the sight of not only Morgan and Reid, but an extremely grumpy looking Hotch and two Quantico Police Detectives. Grace started to back up into the bathroom, but Garcia stopped her backwards movement because she had Grace around the shoulders
Sighing and giving in, Grace looked accusingly at Morgan and Reid before turning to her brother. "Grace, are you ok?" Aaron asked her. He waited for her response before continuing. Nodding, Grace moved to sit down. "Don't be angry with Morgan and Reid, they were just looking out for you and knew that you wouldn't call me. Now you and I are going to sit down with these officers so you can give them your statement."
Mortified, Grace looked down at her lap before responding, "Aaron, I love you, but I can't do that with you there. I'll do it since I don't seem to have a choice but, not with you in the room. What happened is bad enough but I," voice faltering Grace continued, "don't want you to hear everything they did to me."
Sighing, her brother replied with concern, "That's fine Grace, but someone should sit with you. This will be hard and you should have someone with you." When she didn't immediately respond, Hotch said again, "Grace?"
"Alright, Aaron." Grace said quietly. Looking up she glanced at Spencer whose face was still as white as a sheet before turning to Morgan saying, "Morgan would you go with me?"
Grace knew the decision she just made hurt Spencer, but she just wasn't ready to face him. She hated to hurt him, but right now it wasn't about him, it was about what happened to her. Morgan nodded, "If you're sure that's what you want." Morgan had noted the glances between Grace and Spencer. Turning, he could tell Reid was hurt and a little upset by the snub.
"Ma'am, if you wouldn't mind, we'll go the station where it will be quieter." Nodding, Grace stood up to follow the detectives out. Morgan moved to follow as well. Hotch said, "I'll follow in my car so I can take you home after."
As Grace started past Spencer she touched his arm and spoke so no one else could hear her, "Spencer, can we talk later at Aaron's when I'm done at the police station?"
Spencer looked down at Grace, pain and uncertainty written on her face, but he was hurt and angry. "I don't know." He moved just enough to cause Grace's hand to move off his arm.
"Please Spencer." She said pleading.
"Ma'am?" the detective questioned.
"Grace, are you coming?" Morgan called.
Looking up at Spencer's face and trying to convey everything that was unsaid, when he didn't respond Grace finally said, "Yes I'm coming."
Morgan opened the door to the restaurant for Grace and as she walked out to the car she looked back one last time at Spencer. He was resolutely refusing to look at her.
In the police car, Morgan put an arm around Grace's shoulders as she began to cry again. "What is it baby girl? And don't try telling me nothing. I know it's more than the two morons at the restaurant."
Grace sat crying silently for a few moments before responding, "I've hurt Spencer," she said simply. Morgan sighed. Squeezing her shoulder, he said, "He'll be ok. Right now you need to focus on yourself and dealing with what happened back there."
"But Morgan . . ."
"No buts Grace, I mean it. Spencer messed things up last week. You can deal with whatever is going on between you and pretty boy later." He responded.
Slightly abashed Grace turned to face the window and didn't say anything further the rest of the ride to the station.
Grace gave her statement to the detectives and identified the men through their mug shots. Morgan walked out with Grace to meet Hotch once all the paperwork was complete. "Thank you, Morgan." Grace hugged him before turning to get in Aaron's car.
Aaron shook Morgan's hand and thanked him for being with Grace through the ordeal. "Morgan, is there anything that I should know about Grace and Reid?" he asked quietly.
"Honestly, Hotch, that's a question you should ask your sister. I know they are good friends and Grace has hoped it would go further for a while. The last few days something has been off between them, I think, because of a fight they had Saturday night. Grace did say she knew she had hurt Spencer and he was angry when we left the restaurant. I think because Grace didn't ask him to come here with her." Morgan stated.
"But you were the one who realized what was happening and went to help her first, right? You saw more of what happened. It makes sense you would come to the station. You had the most to contribute in addition to her statement." Hotch said
"I know Hotch, but Reid wasn't thinking of that. I'm not sure what he was thinking." Morgan responded.
"Alright. Well, I'll talk to Grace and see what she has to say. Try to talk to Reid and find out what's going on. Thank you, again, for all your help." Hotch said walking around to his side of the car and getting in.
The ride back to Haley and Aaron's house was quiet for the most part. Grace was staring out the window thinking about everything that had happened. Pulling out her phone she scrolled through her contacts until she found the number she was looking for.
Hey can we have coffee tomorrow if you aren't up for talking tonight?
"Who are you texting Grace?" Aaron asked glancing at his sister.
Mentally kicking herself for not waiting until they were at home, "Spencer."
Aaron took the opening provided to ask, "Grace, is there anything new I should know about you and Spencer?"
"No Aaron, there isn't. We're just friends. But, I think I hurt his feelings tonight." Grace told him.
"Oh?" was all he said.
Grace fell silent again waiting because she knew the profiler side of her brother was going to want more information and the big brother side was concerned. She figured it would only take about a minute for him to decide what to ask next.
"Why would you think that?" Aaron finally asked, not looking at Grace.
Beep beep
Grace glanced down at the phone before responding to her brother's question.
I don't know if I can make it. I have a lot going on.
Please, Spencer. We need to talk. I need to explain.
After hitting send she responded to Aaron's question. "I wouldn't let him touch me tonight after the two gorillas mauled me at the restaurant. He tried to help me up and I couldn't even look at him. Then when I went to the police station and I asked Morgan to go with me. I . . ." she trailed off.
"You asked Morgan because he had witnessed the whole incident. But you have spent a lot of time together this summer talking and hanging out with Reid and he's hurt that when you needed a friend most you chose someone else. Am I close?" her brother said.
All Grace could manage was a nod. "And to complicate matters you have feelings beyond friendship for him, don't you?"
The look on his sister's face told him everything he needed to know. "Grace," he started when the phone bleeped again.
Anna Grace there's nothing to explain. You made yourself perfectly clear tonight. I can't meet you tomorrow. Spencer
For a genius you are a complete idiot sometimes Dr. Reid. AG
Well at least I know now that you're angry at me.
Spencer please, I'm not angry.
What do you want?
Never mind. Obviously I was wrong about our friendship. I won't bother you again.
Fine.
Aaron waited for her to stop typing before continuing, "It'll be ok. You guys will work it out one way or another. He's a good man. Sometimes a bit of an idiot for a genius though."
Grace had to laugh when Aaron said that. "What's so funny?"
"Well I just basically said the same thing to Spencer." She said smiling slightly.
"Ah, well." Aaron smiled back before turning serious again. "Grace, do you want to talk about what happened tonight?"
"Not really Aaron. I'll be fine. I'll let you know if I need to talk, ok." Grace responded.
"Ok I'll be here when you're ready." Her brother said reaching over to squeeze her hand.