Chapter Twelve
"A father is always making his baby into a little woman. And when she is a woman he turns her back again." ~Enid Bagnold
Lauren felt overwhelmed. Working on this case had been distracting enough but now… her thoughts trailed to the young Dr Reid and his inexplicable power to catch her off guard. Lauren prided herself on being a strong, determined Detective. And she had managed to keep this up until Spencer had come along. She felt almost weak near him, unafraid to show her true emotions to him. Twice now she had broken down in front of him, shown how vulnerable she could be. But for some reason it annoyingly didn't matter. And earlier… she groaned in embarrassment at the thought. She replayed the memory.
'Spencer, I think I—'
Lauren was just thankful Hotch had interrupted when he had. What exactly had she planned on saying to Spencer? Lauren denied the fact that she knew exactly what she had planned to say only to have her thoughts cut short.
"You look exhausted." Hotch commented as he walked to her side. Lauren flicked her head around to look at him.
"I was just thinking about the case."
"As usual." He said. "Have you managed to sleep at all lately?" She didn't answer but instead Lauren wrapped her arms around his waist and rested her head on his chest. He didn't flinch or tense at the warm action instead he pulled her closer to him protectively.
Hugging Hotch was the most comforting gesture she could have wanted at that time. She had never been so thankful to have him here. His fatherly like manner towards her only made this moment feel more reassuring. At least with him here, she was safe.
His hand stroked her hair and the calm motion of his breathing was hypnotic. Lauren could have fallen asleep right there. She hated to admit it, but she needed him to make her feel alright again. Like a child after falling from their bike being comforted by their parent.
"Go home." He said suddenly.
"What?" Lauren pulled away and looked at him disbelievingly. "But-"
"No, I don't want to hear it." He interrupted before she could answer back. "You're exhausted from the case and you'll be no help to anyone in this state." He was right, of course. He leant forward and kissed her forehead, a very uncharacteristic action but Lauren felt warm from it.
"Ok." She answered, too tired to try to change his mind.
Spencer felt terrible. His stomach was knotted so tightly he was having trouble concentrating. His mind was distracted by Lauren and he glanced occasionally down the corridor. He had had an overwhelming urge to go and comfort her, but he was doing his best to focus on the case.
The team had returned to the office already and Spencer sat at the table fidgeting. Hotch and Lauren hadn't been with them. At the sound of footsteps Spencer flicked his eyes up but it wasn't who he was expecting.
"Where's Lauren?" Spencer asked instantly as Hotch entered alone.
"I sent her home." He answered unexpectedly.
"Why?" Spencer couldn't help but ask. Hotch sat at Lauren's desk, and his presence was as imposing as it ever was.
"She's exhausted, she needs some rest."
"Hotch," Morgan said as he entered the room in a flurry. "Garcia found something." He laid his phone on the table and pressed the speakerphone button.
"Tina Mayson is Rose Greenfields." Garcia's voice announced over the phone. "She's a florist's assistant working at a small shop near the first murder site, Ivy and Holly Florists."
"We need to get down there." Hotch commanded, standing from his seat. "Reid, Morgan you come with me." He said. Spencer quickly gathered up his things and stood ready. "The rest of you stay here and gather more on Rose Greenfields."
Hotch drove as quickly as he could through New York's traffic.
"Ivy and Holly florists were the suppliers for the victims' weddings." Spencer said as he looked through the files on his laptop.
"But I thought she was a photographer?" Morgan asked. Spencer's fingers typed as fast as they could.
"It could be her sideline. A hobby." Spencer explained. "She probably makes a relationship with the victim through the florist before offering her services as a photographer, most likely at a discounted price."
"That's why it was so hard to get hold of her." Hotch added. Spencer flicked through her report on the screen. It explained the trauma she had suffered as a child.
"Rose Greenfields was subjected to abuse and used in child pornography by her father when younger." Spencer read. Morgan shook his head in obvious disgust. "A recent batch of those photos has just surfaced."
"That's probably her stresser." Hotch remarked. The killers in these cases were always wrong, but sometimes Spencer couldn't help but feel that they had no chance. Growing up like that could never help to create a fully 'normal' developed adult.
Arriving at the florists the team jumped out and rushed inside. The mixed smell of many flowers wafted over Spencer and caught him off guard. So many fragrances put together didn't smell as nice as he thought it would. Separately he was sure they smelt lovely, but together it just smelt of damp grass.
"Can I help you?" A woman asked at the counter. She was quite a bit older than the killer and her hands were scarred.
"We're looking for Rose Greenfields." The woman seemed confused for a moment before recognition hit her.
"You mean Tina." Spencer glanced at Morgan. "She hates being called Rose." The woman gave a small laugh.
"Where is she?" Hotch said demandingly.
"She went to make a personal errand." The woman explained. "She was taking a beautiful bunch of hibiscus to a friend of hers." Spencer tensed visibly.
"Where was she going? Did she say?" Morgan asked taking out a pad to write any addresses.
"Well, all she said was that it was on Lower East side, somewhere near Clinton Street."
"Lauren's apartment is near there!" Hotch exclaimed and turned on his heel. Spencer's heart skipped a beat. This couldn't really be happening. He couldn't lose her. Not now.
Lauren dropped her keys and gun on her sideboard as soon as she got in. She was about to flop onto her bed but a knock from her door stopped her. Groaning in annoyance and exhaustion she managed to turn slowly and head towards the door. The knocking sounded again.
"Coming." She called half heartedly. Pulling open her thin wood door she was surprised to see someone hidden behind a huge bunch of flowers. The flowers were unexpected and she wondered for a moment if they were really for her.
"Delivery for Lauren Lewis." The delivery girl said.
"Oh, thanks." Lauren said still surprised. "You can just put them over there." She said turning back into her apartment allowing the woman in to place the flowers down.
"Such pretty flowers." The delivery girl said.
"Yes." Lauren commented as she reached for some money to tip the lady.
"For such a pretty English Rose."
