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A/n thank you all for your kind support of this story. Many thanks to my wonderful beta REIDFANATIC, for her unfailing support and friendship. Here's the last chapter folks.
Reid hesitated at Hotch's office door, and then knocked firmly. What was it about a summons to the boss's office that always intimidated people, even profilers? He hadn't done anything to put himself in danger, he finished all his paper and he had a fully healed wrist.
"Come in," Hotch called.
Reid walked in and Hotch said. "Shut the door, Reid."
He shut the door and took a seat across from Hotch's desk. "I called you in here because I'm concerned about you."
Reid sat up straight in his chair. "I don't understand."
Hotch looked up from his file and pinned Reid with a stare. "You're upset."
Reid shifted and looked at Hotch's desk instead of looking his boss in the eyes. "I'm fine I -"
"Don't lie to me, Reid. I've noticed over the last three weeks that something is bothering you. I'm assuming that it has to do with Dr. James and her assignment coming to an end in two days."
Reid met Hotch's eyes because they pulled his gaze from the desktop as effectively as a magnet and he wondered for a minute if this were how Hotch made suspects feel in interview.
"Yes, I am upset, but there's nothing I can do. She has a life, a career in London. I can't ask her to leave her family and friends."
Hotch sat back in his chair and it squeaked as he moved. "I think there is something you can do."
"I don't understand."
Hotch moved again. He picked up a file and stood up to take it around the desk to Reid. "This is your paperwork for an extended leave from the FBI. I suggest you sign it and go spend the next six months in Britain."
"I can't do that," Reid squeaked, but his heart began to race.
"Why not? You're not indispensable to this team. We can get along without you for six months but you can't get along without Dr. James. I can see it in the way you look at her."
"Human resources won't grant leave to an agent except under specific conditions. Following my girlfriend home doesn't fall into those conditions."
Hotch smiled and Reid flinched. "I happen to know a certain technical analyst, who shall remain nameless, that found a research project that desperately needs your talents and it will benefit the BAU at the same time."
Reid stared at Hotch until he couldn't stop his eyes from blinking. "Um sir, what kind of research will I be conducting?"
"I don't think the details are important. Why don't I leave it up to you?"
"Hotch, I really appreciate this but what about Strauss and -"
"Rossi will deal with Strauss. For some reason, they seem to have patched up their differences."
Reid dropped his eyes and studied Hotch's shoes, polished to a mirror shine as always.
"Reid."
He looked up at the command in Hotch's voice. "Yes."
"Don't make the same mistake I made. Put Imogene first, because this job will always be here. You have the chance at something extraordinary, seize it!"
"Yes sir."
He saw something flicker in Hotch's eyes before the walls slammed down again. "Thank you, Hotch."
"Now, you better get out of here. You only have two days to settle your affairs."
Reid took the pen at the top of Hotch's green desk blotter, opened the file and signed the paper work. "See you in six months. Um Hotch, can I ask you a favor?"
"Don't worry about your mother, Rossi and I have that covered. If anything happens we'll get you back here fast."
"Thanks."
He waved at Hotch and left his boss with a rare smile.
CMCMCMCMCM
Imogene zipped up the last of her suitcases. She'd shipped back everything that she couldn't fit in her luggage a week ago. She took a last walk through the apartment. Memories of the last six months assaulted her senses. She could smell the scent that made Spencer unique, hear his voice talking, laughing, moaning in pleasure, and she could see his eyes worshiping her with their dark beauty.
She stood in the kitchen for a minute and thought she could see him standing there with a mug of peppermint tea in his hand and his shirt hanging open around his hips. How much time would pass before she saw his hands move like delicate birds when he went off on some tangent or explanation about some obscure fact that delighted her? How long between kisses, soft caresses, hot passion and calming embraces? How was she supposed to get through the day without the light of his love? If only there were some way, she could stay in this place.
They'd almost had a row about their separation, the night before and he'd refused to see her that morning to say goodbye. He'd said it was too painful and saying their farewell, that night was better for both of them. She thought he was right, but oh, how she wanted to see him again, just one last time.
A tear meandered down her face and she wiped it away impatiently. She had to go home and face life without him there every day. After all, didn't they say that absence makes the heart grow fonder? She'd come back soon to see him. The distance between them would make their relationship stronger. She nodded her head and started toward the door. She'd stay strong and not cry until she was back in her own home. Her heart beat like a trip hammer but she made down to the cab and away from this place and the one person, she loved above all others.
The cab ride to the airport was the longest and the shortest she'd ever taken in her life. The wait to check in and to get through security was interminable and flew by as if time had taken flight. Soon, she sat down in her aisle seat and tucked her carryon under the seat in front of her. She tried to stare out the porthole shaped windows and ignore the other passengers, but it was black night out and there was nothing to see but the lights of the airport.
"May I get by?"
She shifted in her seat, but didn't look up. "Sorry, go right ahead," she said as she wiped away tears.
"Thanks."
She looked over at the person in the window seat because there was something about his voice.
"Hi," Reid said. "Did you know the exact flight time from DC to London is six hours and forty-two minutes? Perhaps we should get to know each other better. I'm Dr. Spencer Reid."
She smirked and barely held in check the urge to throw her arms around him. "I'm Dr. Imogene James. It's nice to meet you. Maybe this flight won't be so bad after all."
"Oh, do you usually have trouble traveling?"
"Usually they're a horror, but this is the second time I've met a great looking guy on a plane."
Her voice quavered so hard that he dropped the game, took her face in his hands, and kissed her long and deep.
"See," she said, "it's getting better already."
"I love you." He whispered into her hair.
"I love you too, but how-?"
"Let's just say you owe Hotch, Rossi and Garcia big favors."
She laughed over her tears. "I think I can handle that."
"I'm yours for the next six months."
She pushed up the seat's armrest and put her head on his shoulder. "I can't think of anything I'd rather have for Christmas."
"Me either," he said, and wrapped her in his arms, "Merry Christmas, Imogene."
"Happy Christmas, Dr. Reid."
He sat back and held her close to his heart until it was time for takeoff, and as the plane soared into the night sky at the same time Friday 21 December became the 22nd, he closed his eyes and said a little prayer of thanks to whoever controlled the universe.
THE END