Thanks for the reviews everyone! I'm iffy on this chapter. I like it and yet I don't. But I felt it needed to be done to move the story along. We are also nearing the end of Emily's pregnancy so those cute bundles of joy should be making an appearance soon! Enjoy! xoxo
(xxxxx)
The following morning, Spencer stood in the kitchen making breakfast, while Emily relaxed on the couch. Her feet were beginning to swell and with only 4 more weeks until the expected arrival of the babies, she was trying to do as little as possible. She flipped from channel to channel, not finding anything of interest to watch, when something caught her eye.
"Spencer!" she called as she sat up straighter.
Her eyes were glued to the tv as Spencer came into the room.
"Are you alright?" he asked.
"Look," she said pointing at the tv.
Spencer looked and saw she was watching ABC morning news. The headline read Protesters Surround J. Edgar Hoover Building. The newscaster appeared on the screen again, standing in front of a crowd of people carrying signs.
"It's estimated nearly 100 protestors are out here this morning. According to sources, the phone lines have been jammed with angry calls regarding the recent suspension of two FBI employees," she said.
"Laura, I heard that the protestors and callers, many of them victims who were rescued by these agents, are appalled that these two FBI employees are facing possible job loss?" a man off camera said.
"Yes, I've spoken to at least a dozen protestors who want answers as to why a marriage could lead to such a harsh course of action. One woman pointed out that the one agent," the woman looked down at her notes. "Dr. Spencer Reid not only saved her life, but has grown a bond with her son and continues to check in on him."
The screen switched to a woman standing next to her son, who was staring off into space.
"Dr. Reid is a wonderful man. When I was taken, he watched over my son," she glanced at her boy. "Sammy witnessed our kidnapping and due to his autism and the intense traumatic experience, no one could get him to communicate. Dr. Reid and his team worked tirelessly to find me and my husband, all while trying to take care of my son.
When the case ended, Spencer continued to check in on Sammy. He sends gifts on his birthday and every year on the anniversary of my husband's death, he stops by to spend the day with Sammy. My son is not affectionate. He doesn't hug or tell you he loves you. He just can't communicate like that, but when Dr. Reid is around I see a change in Sammy. He pats Spencer's head, hand him toys, and even talk to him, things he doesn't typically do.
This is something above and beyond the call of duty. Those men and women risk their lives to protect us and to threaten to fire them because they fell in love is absolutely ridiculous. Their relationship status has nothing to do with their work as agents. To suggest otherwise, is unfounded and ignorant."
The reporter cut back to the woman outside the Hoover building.
"Tom, as you can see these people feel very strongly about the unfairness of this ruling," Laura stated. "Another source contacted me with information regarding both of the agents and their beyond stellar qualifications, one might say over-qualifications for their jobs. Dr. Spencer Reid has an IQ of 187, he graduated high school at the age of 12. He currently has 3 PhD's and 2 BA's, going to school at both CalTech and MIT.
He can read over 20,000 words per minute and has an eidetic memory, which makes him a valuable asset in court cases. His wife, Emily Prentiss, is daughter of US Ambassador, Elizabeth Prentiss. She graduated from Yale and speaks fluent Arabic, Spanish, Italian, French, Russian, and Greek. She is the former Chief of London Interpol Office and now is the Unit Chief of the BAU."
The man off camera gave a loud, impressed whistle.
"I can see why folks are angry. With credentials like that, it seems quite reckless of the FBI to let such talent go."
"Yes, many people have stated that this matter is so trivial it's almost embarrassing that it's even happening," Laura said. "I spoke with Ambassador Prentiss earlier and she stated that her daughter was not one to choose men over her career. To call it an affair is slander. Neither Agent Prentiss or Dr. Reid were seeing others during their relationship. They were not doing anything scandalous so making a big deal out of this is shameful."
"Well stated Laura. I was just handed a message here, it seems that we have a call from actress, Lila Archer, who says that she owes her life to Dr. Reid and the BAU," Tom stated. "Ms. Archer can you hear me?"
"Yes," a voice off camera was heard.
"Ms. Archer, can you tell us about your encounter with the BAU?" Tom asked.
"Back in 2006, I met Spencer and the members of his team after an assistant and friend of mine started killing anyone that she felt got in the way of my career. It was a very frightening time for me. Besides worrying for my life, I was wracked with the feeling of guilt at the loss of these innocent lives in my name.
Spencer and his team not only saved me from this mentally unstable woman, but they also helped me deal with the aftermath. They didn't just end their job after they saved me. They made sure that I had a safe place to go, that I had someone to talk to regarding the traumatic experience, and Spencer kept in touch with me, making sure that I was healing properly.
This is more than a job for them. It's more than just saving someone physically. They genuinely care about the survivors as if we are their family or friends. They spend most of their days away from home. Losing sleep, working long hours, eating fast food or missing meals altogether and they do it all without complaint. They work when they are sick or when they have their own problems to deal with.
When we get to move on with our lives, they don't. They have to keep going and keep saving lives. They become targets by the monsters they catch. Agent Aaron Hotchner's wife was murdered, his son stalked. Agent Jennifer Jareau's son was held hostage. Former Agent Jason Gideon's girlfriend was murdered. All of these instances were because they tried to help someone. Their lives are destroyed while we repair ours.
They have little joy in their lives. They witness horrendous and nauseating crimes without complaint or hesitation. Two agents, who are together nearly every day, 365 days a year, fall in love and they are told because of this they are no longer entitled to work their jobs anymore? It blows my mind that someone even entertained this as justifiable.
There is absolutely no reason that Spencer and Agent Prentiss should be punished for trying to find a piece of happiness on this Earth. I can assure you that I will be involved in making sure this doesn't go forward without a fight. I have plenty of friends, family, and co-workers that are willing to step up for this cause."
"We couldn't agree with you more. It really seems almost laughable when you sit back and look at the entire picture. That being said, someone just called the station and told us that you had a relationship with Dr. Reid. Is this true?"
Lila began laughing. "I'm sure this is the same moron that thought firing them was a good idea. Let me set the record straight on that rumor. When Spencer was at my house trying to protect me, I was the one who took advantage of him. He tried multiple times to refuse my advances and I continued to push him.
Following the case, he insisted that we be nothing more than friends because he was so worried that I was suffering from transference. Nothing would convince him otherwise, because he is an honorable man. He doesn't break rules or protocol," she explained.
"Just playing devil's advocate here," Tom said. "One could say, but if he doesn't break rules or protocol he wouldn't have started a relationship with Agent Prentiss to begin with."
"You could say that, but again, what harm does it do? When has love ever done anything that is harmful? It is unrealistic and cruel to place a rule about who you can and can't fall in love with. Should there be rules about conduct? Absolutely. Setting boundaries such as no affection while on the job is reasonable. But to just outright ban it is ridiculous."
"Thank you for your time Ms. Archer," the reporter stated.
With that, Spencer looked at Emily. His mind reeling from what he was witnessing. He had always felt insignificant in this world and yet, here were all these people coming to his and Emily's aid. Emily looked as stunned.
(xxxxx)
The following afternoon, Emily and Spencer had been called by Cruz to come to the office. When they walked into the bullpen they were greeted with hugs from their friends.
"Does anyone know how the press found out about this?" Emily said, still surprised.
"Oops," J.J. said with a little shrug.
Spencer grinned at her with gratefulness, while Emily pulled her in for another hug.
"I can't believe all the response just from the news," Emily said as she released J.J.
"Oh, well, we may have helped a bit with that," Penelope said grinning. "I compiled a list of phone numbers of people I believed would be supporters. Derek, Newbie, and I made some calls."
"You guys are amazing," Emily said as tears welled up in her eyes.
"We couldn't let our Unit Chief and boy wonder down. What would we do without you two?" Penelope said as she pulled Spencer into an awkward side hug.
He laughed after she released him.
"I have a feeling that Chief Ranch is going to be fit to be tied," Emily said.
"Well, we are about to find out," Spencer said staring at the entrance to the bullpen.
Cruz had just walked in and was beckoning them to come with a flick of his head.
(xxxxx)
The team sat nervously waiting for the return of Spencer and Emily. They had been gone for a little over an hour. While they were originally optimistic of the outcome, the longer they waited the more nervous they felt. Maybe fighting back wasn't a good idea. Maybe by doing this they put a bigger rift between the team and the chief officers.
Finally, the glass door swung open and the team instantly stood up. They tried their best to read Spencer and Emily's facial expression, but they were both stone-faced.
"So, what happened? Are you fired? Are you still suspended? Were they mad?" Penelope said rapidly as they approached.
"Chief Ranch was beyond angry. She said that we not only willingly broke the fraternization rule, but we also betrayed the FBI by taking our story to the press. She said our behavior was appalling, childish, and an embarrassment to the bureau," Emily said.
J.J. covered her gapping mouth, Penelope gasped, Derek shook his head in anger, while Rossi and Luke just stood listening in shock.
"So … you're fired?" Penelope squeaked.
"No," Emily grinned.
"What?" J.J. said with big eyes.
"The rest of the members of the hearing thought that our behavior was not unexpected due to the nature of our job. They agreed that we have continued to show our professionalism throughout this entire 'affair' and have proven to be valuable assets to the bureau.
They felt that, while the rule is created for good reasons, that it does not need to be a defining factor in whether an agent is effective at their job or not. They also had no proof of who contacted the media and therefore, could not place the blame for that on us.
One man was even grateful for the positive publicity that came from this. He said, while it looked bad that they were trying to discharge two amazing members of the FBI for something trivial, that the appreciation expressed by victims and their families showed exactly what it means to be an agent," Spencer explained.
"Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! So, we are good? You are coming back to work?" Penelope said as she put a hand to her heart.
"Yes, we are coming back to work," Emily said beaming.
The group let out a holler as they began hugging one another happily. As they went around congratulating each other, Spencer pulled Emily into a hug. He placed a chaste kiss to her lips and held her as best as he could. Neither had to say anything to one another. They were both relieved and exhausted.
"This calls for a celebration!' Derek called out.
As they stood next to one another watching their friend's spirits rise, they both felt overcome with emotion. Yesterday, it seemed as though their world was coming to an end and now, it felt as if they were floating on cloud 9. And it was all thanks to these amazing people standing in front of them.