Disclaimer: See my profile.

Spoilers for 'A Real Rain' (Season One)

/\/\/\/\

'A Force of Nature: Part II'

Chapter Twenty-Six

/\/\/\/\

"We sure got here barely in time," Reid said as Daniel sat in the Green Room waiting to be introduced on the George Lopez Show.

"I hope I look okay," Daniel laughed. "I didn't even have time for hair and makeup."

Reid shrugged. "You look okay to me."

"Thanks Spencer. I hope that translates into looking okay on television."

"Hmm…" Reid looked at Daniel for a minute before pointing at his head. "Look! You have a hair out of place!"

Daniel glared at him. "Very funny Spencer." Reid was still laughing at Daniel a couple minutes later when a production assistant came to tell Daniel he had two minutes to his introduction.

This time Reid stood just off stage watching as Daniel sat on the guest couch talking to George Lopez. It was even funnier than his appearance on Paula Deen's show, but minus the cooking. Lopez teased Daniel about his last minute arrival at the studio, and then asked him about his book and his upcoming skating show. He then turned serious and asked about the status of his stalking case and his appearance on 'America's Most Wanted'. "I'm going to be answering phones on the hotline the night of the broadcast," Daniel told Lopez.

"So if I call the show I might be talking to you?" Lopez asked.

"Maybe, but of course you should only call if you have a tip George."

"I realize it's nothing to joke about. Besides, I have your cell phone number. I can call you any time."

Daniel laughed. "Should I change my number?"

"Not until after I make a few bucks by selling it to a few hundred of your fans."

Daniel laughed out loud. "I'm calling my cell phone company as soon as I leave George."

"I heard you used to be a gymnast before you became a figure skater."

"That was a long time ago George."

"I heard you say once you could do a back flip on a trampoline. So what we did was we set up a trampoline for you to do a back flip on."

"Are you serious?" Daniel was still laughing. "George I haven't done a back flip in years!"

"Ah come on! You can do it!"

"I don't believe this…" Daniel said as he followed Lopez over to where the trampoline was set up. As he took off his shoes Daniel looked at Reid and said, "This is really going to be embarrassing if I can't do this Spencer." Reid shrugged as Daniel sat on the edge of the trampoline and swung his legs over then stood up. "I think you should get up here and try this yourself George." Daniel bounced a couple of times and then bounced a little higher before making an attempt at a backflip. He landed on his knees laughing before bouncing on to his feet again. "I'll try it one more time." Daniel bounced a few more times before attempting a back flip again. This time he landed on his feet before falling forward. "Okay that's enough," he laughed, swinging his feet over the side and jumping off. He took a couple of bows as the audience applauded. "I think you should get up there George."

"Uh, we're going to a commercial. When we come back my guest will be…"

"Come on George!" Daniel coaxed, with the audience's encouragement.

"No thanks Kid!" Lopez said. "I'm really not interested in breaking my neck today."

A few minutes later Reid and Daniel were back in the Green Room. Daniel was still smiling. "I can't stop laughing Spencer!"

"It was pretty funny."

"Yeah…too bad I couldn't get George to get up on the trampoline!" Daniel started laughing again. He stood up. "I'm hungry. Let's go get some dinner"

"Where would you like to go?"

"I don't know. How about a good Chinese place?"

"Chinese sounds good to me, as long as I don't have to use chopsticks. I do want to call ahead though, for security reasons."

Daniel sighed. "I Know. Let's figure out where to go and then we can call ahead."

/\

Daniel looked at the chopsticks* that had come with their meal and said, "Maybe I'll give it a try. There's no one here but us since we decided to get our food to go."

"Right," Reid replied. "We can only embarrass ourselves in front of each other."

Both men opened the small packages their chopsticks had come in and pulled them out. Daniel laughed out loud as Reid tried to pick up fried rice with them but failed miserable. "Good thing hand-eye coordination isn't a requirement to be an F.B.I. agent," Daniel cracked.

"Like you're doing any better?" Reid retorted as he watched Daniel try to pick up a snow pea but drop it before it got to his mouth. "You know, I once told Morgan eating with chopsticks was like trying to forage for dinner with a pair of number two pencils."

Daniel laughed. "That's funny Spencer." After a few more attempts during which he dropped more than he got into his mouth, Daniel gave up the idea of using chopsticks and picked up a fork. Reid laughed, however after a few futile attempts of his own he too put down the chopsticks and picked up a fork. "Congratulations Spencer! You are as officially pathetic as I am."

"Uh, thanks. I think!"

/\

Daniel's appearance on the Bonnie Hunt Show the next day went well. Watching Daniel sit on the guest couch talking to Bonnie, Reid was amazed how easily he could interact with people like her and George Lopez, who used humor to get their points across; and then handle more serious appearances on show such as Nancy Grace with equal ease. Now that he had spent so much time getting to know Daniel personally Reid was aware it wasn't as easy for him as it appeared to be. Daniel was always nervous before an appearance on one of the television programs; however, once he walked out and sat down he was fine talking to the host one on one, even in front of an audience. Bonnie Hunt asked the usual questions about his skating, the book he was writing, and his upcoming skating appearances; and then like the other hosts she became a little more serious and asked him about his stalker and the Dolby Carriol case. She ended the interview with humor as she asked Daniel to say hello to 'that cute John Walsh' for her when he appeared on America's Most Wanted.

Once back in the Green Room Daniel said, "I'm so excited to get over to the rink. I haven't seen Tanith in ages."

"Since Vancouver, right?"

Daniel nodded. "I've texted, emailed, and talked to her on the phone; but I haven't seen her in person. I can't wait!"

"Where are we going for dinner?" Reid asked.

Daniel shook his head. "I don't know. Ben said Tanith couldn't make up her mind." When Reid opened his mouth as if to say something Daniel sighed. "I know Spencer! You need to know in advance where we're going so you can make sure there aren't going to be any security issues. I get it! I'll try to find out before we get there, okay?"'

"Please do Daniel." Daniel sighed again. "I know you're tired of all this, but it's for you own good."

"I know, I know!"

A few minutes later they were getting into the car Daniel had rented and looking at a map for the best route to the rink to meet Daniel's friends. They had decided to rent a car rather than check out a Bureau vehicle because the shows were paying for it, and they felt it gave them a little more freedom. "We should have figured this out this morning before we left the hotel," Reid remarked.

"Ha! No kidding! It's not like either of us has never been to Los Angeles before…" He paused for a minute. "Here we go! This is the street the rink is on; so if we take Sepulveda and make a left here and then a right here we'll be right in front of the rink."

"Great, we can get going then. I don't like sitting here too long."

"Stop being paranoid Spencer. For all we know she's back in Chicago."

"For all we know she isn't back in Chicago," Reid retorted.

"Thank you Spencer. Way to make me feel better," Daniel retorted as he started the rental car.

After a few moments of silence Reid spoke up. "Daniel, I'm not trying to make you feel bad. I would love for none of this to have ever happened. Since it has happened, I have to do everything in my power to keep you safe. I know you understand that."

"I do understand Spencer. I just want it all to be over." He didn't say anything else for a minute. "Actually, if it weren't for all of this I might never have met you or Penelope."

"That would be a tragedy for Garcia," Reid laughed.

"What about you?"

Reid thought for a moment. "Daniel, you already know more about me than any other single person I know; including my mother. Morgan knows things she doesn't know; Garcia knows things Morgan doesn't; you know things none of them know."

"I'm honored." He glanced quickly at Reid. "No seriously Spencer! I'm honored."

"Thank you," Reid said with a small smile.

/\

Daniel parked the car in the lot outside the rink where the skating seminar had been held. Vehicles were pulling out of the lot and a number of people were leaving the building; many of them obviously young skaters. Reid and Daniel climbed out of the car and headed for the building. A couple of people looked at them and Reid heard one young girl gasp, "Hey! That's Daniel Meier!" Several of the people in the parking lot turned to look at them.

"Hi kids!" Daniel called out. He waved as he and Reid entered the building.

"Imagine you being recognized by a group of skaters," Reid teased.

Daniel chuckled. "Normally I'd stop and talk to them, but…"

He was interrupted by a feminine shriek from down the hall to their left. Both men turned around to see Tanith Belbin running toward them. "Daniel!" she cried before enveloping him in a hug.

"Nice to see you also Tanith," Daniel laughed, hugging his friend back.

"She almost knocked you over," Ben grinned as he walked up them at a more sedate pace than his ice dancing partner had.

Daniel found himself laughing. "Uh," he turned to Reid. "This rather enthusiastic young lady, who apparently mistook me for her boyfriend, is Tanith Belbin. This gentleman is her ice dance partner Ben Agosto. Guys, this is F.B.I. Supervisory Special Agent Spencer Reid."

"Nice to meet you Agent Reid," Tanith said. "Daniel has told me a lot about you."

"You're the one who has to put up with him 24/7? Do you receive hazard duty pay for that?" Ben asked.

Reid tried valiantly to hold back his grin. "I haven't received any so far. However, I can apply for it if I think it's warranted."

Daniel looked from Ben to Reid. "Oh you both think you're comedians, don't you?" Ben and Reid both shrugged in response. "Hey guys, I had to be indelicate, but where's the men's room?" Ben posted down the hall and Daniel told them he would be right back.

Once he was gone Ben said, "Things really are going okay with Daniel?"

Reid nodded. "We get along fine. It's almost like hanging around with a friend, except I have to be vigilant."

"I hope you catch his stalker soon," Ben said

"So do I."

"Daniel didn't tell me anything you've told him; however he did say you've had some long, deep talks," Tanith said.

Reid nodded. "That's true. I've told him things I haven't told anybody, to be honest. And he's talked about some personal things he said only the two of you know about."

"You mean Ileana?" Tanith asked with disgust in her voice.

"Tan…" Ben started.

"Don't 'Tan' me! You know he was completely in love with her, and we all thought she loved him back. And then she did what she did to him?" She turned to Reid. "I was beyond shocked when I walked into his room in Vancouver and she was sitting there like nothing ever happened, the little…"

"I literally had to hold her back," Ben said. "She was ready to go kill her."

"I told him later Ileana would just hurt him again, and that I couldn't stand to see him hurt like that again. I mean, I have known Daniel for over ten years, and I love him like my own brother. We…oh shoot! I forgot my skate bag! I'll be right back." She walked back in the direction she and Ben had come.

After she walked away Ben told Reid, "Both their lives would be so much easier if they just fell in love with each other."

Reid thought for a moment. "Maybe, but if they did they couldn't be such good friends."

"This is true. Tanith and the boyfriend she has now are fine, but in the past…"

"My ears are burning," Daniel said, as he walked up behind the two men. "Have you been talking about me?"

"Ha! Don't flatter yourself Daniel," Ben teased. "Daniel I think I should warn you Tamara Ritchie is here. She helped with the seminar."

Reid looked at Daniel. "Tamara Ritchie? Isn't she that British skater friend of yours?"

Daniel nodded. "She hasn't left yet?"

Ben shook his head. "She was in the dressing room when Tanith came out a few minutes ago."

Reid looked at Daniel as his mouth formed a grin. He turned to look in the same direction Daniel was looking and saw Tanith and a pretty young woman with dark red hair walking toward them with a smile on her face. She was around 5'4" and slender, and was carrying a skate bag over her shoulder. "Daniel!" Daniel smiled, rushed toward her and enveloped her in a hug. "I am so glad to see you!" Tamara said breathlessly, hugging Daniel back.

Tanith looked at her two friends and commented, "Why couldn't she have just called Daniel herself instead of giving Ileana his phone number?"

Ben rolled his eyes. "Tanith, stop!"

"Spencer, this young lady is my friend Tamara Ritchie. Tamara this is my friend and protector F.B.I. Supervisory Special Agent Spencer Reid."

"Nice to meet you Agent Reid. Thank you for taking care of Daniel."

"Nice to meet you as well. West London?"

Tamara smiled. "Very good! Yes, I am originally from Twickenham."

Tamara hooked her arm through Daniel's, and Tanith hooked one arm through Reid's and the other through Ben's. "Can we go eat now?" she asked.

"Where are we going? Spencer likes to call ahead so he can be sure about security before we get there."

"It's a Mexican place named Rosalita's," Ben said.

"Do you have the phone number?" Reid asked.

"I do," Tanith said, pulling out her cell phone.

/\

Reid's cell phone rang at 2:45 am. He looked at the Caller I.D., saw that it was Daniel and quickly answered. "Reid."

"I'm ready Spencer."

"Okay, I will be right over, and don't you dare tell me I'm being silly."

Daniel sighed. "Okay, I'll wait for you to get here."

Reid stood up and strapped his gun on before heading out the hotel room door. After the five of them had eaten dinner at Rosalita's, Ben and Tanith had headed for their own hotel rooms to pack since they had an early flight out the next morning. They would be seeing each other again at the figure skating show Daniel was taking part in July 24th, which Daniel had already invited the entire team to come and see. Tamara and Daniel had wanted to continue their conversation, and though he knew it wasn't the best idea to not stay with Daniel, Reid had suggested they could talk in Tamara's hotel room and when Daniel was ready to leave he could call Reid who would then come and escort him back to his own room. The only alternative had been for them to talk in their suite, either in the sitting room or Daniel's room while Reid stayed in his own room, but Reid had decided it wouldn't hurt for them to have a little more privacy.

Reid arrived at Tamara's hotel, which was a couple miles away, within a few minutes. He took the elevator up to the fifth floor and knocked on her door. The door opened a few inches, and once Daniel saw it was Reid he opened the door a little wider. "Hey Spencer." He turned back to look at Tamara, who was standing a few feet behind him. "I'll call you tomorrow then."

"Do you promise?"

"Yes, I promise!" He gave her a quick hug and then went out into the hall with Spencer. Tamara securely locked the door behind them and the two men headed for the elevator. Once they were sitting in the car Daniel said, "Spencer you won't get in trouble for letting me do this, will you?"

"Why would I?"

"Come on Spencer!"

"No, I won't. Don't worry about it Daniel." Reid started the car and looked briefly at Daniel as he pulled away from the curb. "Everything okay?"

Daniel sighed. "Yes and no Spencer."

"Yes and no?"

"We cried, we laughed, we talked, we hugged… It pretty much ran the gamut of emotions, I think. Tamara told me when I get to England to attend Oxford she will show me around, introduce me to some people and I'll make new friends over there. She said I always make friends easily." He stopped for a moment and looked straight ahead. "I asked her what was wrong with me."

Reid looked at him. "What? Why?"

Daniel shook his head. "She said 'Nothing honey, you just got a lemon the first time'."

"She means Ileana?"

Daniel sighed. "That was one hell of a lemon Spencer."

"When life hands you lemons, make lemonade." Daniel shook his head as Reid parked the car at their own hotel and they climbed out. Reid engaged the car alarm and then handed the keys to Daniel, who put them in his pocket. They walked into the lobby and then got into an elevator and Reid pushed the button for their floor. "Is Tamara still friends with Ileana, Daniel?"

"No, she isn't. She hasn't seen her in weeks and she doesn't even talk to her anymore. She said she doesn't like how she behaves in general, not to mention how she treated me."

"Are you and Tamara going to keep in touch?"

"I hope so Spencer, I hope so."

/\/\/\/\

*My oldest nephew is studying to be a Chef at Le Cordon Bleu Culinary Institute, and he currently works at PF Chang's in Chandler, Arizona. He uses chopsticks like he's been eating with them his entire life.

11