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Chapter Thirty-Three:
Calvin took the early train to meet with Prentiss before work. They met at a quiet restaurant where they wouldn't be recognized as it was the kind of place politicians covertly met to broker deals.
"Thank you for agreeing to meet with me Gwen," she said.
"Of course," Calvin said. "You didn't say much on the phone so I assumed it was something very personal."
"It is," she said and pulled out a miniature tape recorder.
"As Diana Reid's health began to decline, she asked for a tape recorder so she could leave messages for her son. Aids offered to write things down, but she wasn't convinced they were writing what she said. She also left a message for whoever Reid fell in love with. Do you have a player for this tape?"
"Somewhere," she said. "But I'd like to listen to it with you."
"Really?" Prentiss said.
"You're more than his boss, Emily. You've been working so hard to boost his spirits and keep his progress on track. You're more like a sibling to him. I think you should hear it too."
Prentiss pulled out a set of earbuds.
"They're clean," she said with a slight smile as she plugged it in.
Putting the earbuds in, they leaned in close, and listened to Diana Reid's last will:
"To whoever my son falls for: I'm sorry I won't be around to threaten to scratch your eyes out if you break his heart. He is the only thing I have ever loved with all my heart. Spencer is my greatest treasure. Listen to him ramble, because no one rambles as intelligently as he does. Don't ever think you're not smart enough, because frankly dear, no one is. Try to give him a child, because brilliance like his should live on. I know my son lives with demons, hold him tightly when they keep him up and don't let him push you away. He is the best there is, and you're lucky to have him. My son has excellent judgement, so I'm guessing you're not half-bad either. Take care of him, and I know he'll love you with all his heart. I'm sorry I won't be around to threaten to scratch your eyes out, but I'm glad you'll be there for him when I'm gone. Love, Diana."
Calvin and Prentiss looked at each other for a moment. It was very emotional. They looked away and pulled out the earbuds.
"Thank you, Emily," Calvin said. "I promise I'll take care of him."
"I know you will," she said.
"The matter of kids," Calvin said carefully. "I knew, if I ever wanted kids, I'd want them to have my DNA. I froze some of my eggs a few years ago."
"Reid has always said he's wanted children," Prentiss said. "That is up to the two of you."
"How is he doing?" she asked. "I haven't had a chance to talk to him since Sunday."
"Quiet," she said. "He's been doing so well and now he's terrified of regressing when they're evaluating him for a discharge timeline."
"He overthinks things," Calvin said. "I think it comes from being alone for so long. Being with other people helps."
"Speaking of people, has he mentioned Iris Gordon to you?" Prentiss asked.
"Yes," she said. "I find her slightly abrasive, but Reid speaks so highly of her, I'm prepared to take her in at some point."
"Reid once explained, it is her defense mechanism. She really does care for Reid though."
"That doesn't surprise me," Calvin said.
"Gwen, are you prepared for the challenge of what might be coming next?" Prentiss asked. "My team has never dealt with a situation like this, but we are trained to deal with trauma victims. If you want us to look after him for a while, we're prepared to do so."
"I've been thinking about it too," she said. "I spoke with Derek Morgan. He recently put a full addition on to his house. With his wife being a doctor, I'd feel more comfortable with Reid staying with Morgan for a few months. It will help as my face becomes less recognizable and he settles into a routine. We'll discuss Iris when the time comes. The addition has a separate entrance too."
"I think that sounds like a good idea," Prentiss said. "You two still really don't know each other that well."
"He wrote once that he consults on cases occasionally. How is that working out."
"We don't do it often," Prentiss said. "But he is helpful in a pinch."
"What do you see him doing once he completes treatment?"
"Reid and I both agreed that the cold case squad would love to have him. The unit chief is a friend of Rossi's, and he has expressed interest in working with him."
"It sounds like, everything is reasonably well-planned out," Calvin said.
"But you know what they say about plans," Prentiss said with a sigh.
"I know," she said. "We just have to hope for the best."
"That is all we can do."
…
She returned to the office with a cup of coffee when her personal line rang. Only a handful of people had that number.
"Hello?"
"Hi Gwen," a cheery voice said. "It appears you're in love with Spency. Just a friendly warning: Break his heart and I'll make sure every bone in your body is broken, starting with your neck."
Calving knew who it was, and she wasn't going to be intimidated by her.
"Cat Adams, if you go near him, with any of your lackies, you won't just have the FBI to contend with, you'll have me. I won't hesitate to hurt you in ways that will make you beg for death. One of my first pieces at PAX was on enhanced interrogation techniques, I would take pleasure in practicing all of them on you."
"So, we understand each other!" she said. "I couldn't find John Uris and that is one of my greatest failings. I won't miss again if someone else hurts my dear Spency."
"Nice chat," Calvin said irritably.
"Excellent, if you hear from me again, you know it will be bad news."
She hung up and Calvin sat back.
Connie knocked on her door.
"The rundown is ready."
"I need a drink, call the FBI, and another drink," she said.
"Who called?" Connie asked.
"This is the second time today someone has threatened me with violence if I hurt Spencer. One was a ghost. Oddly they scare me equally. What does that say about me?"
"Would you like a shot of something?" Connie asked. "I always keep a stockpile of mini bottles."
"No, I'll drink later," she said. "Let me call the FBI."
"You really do need a vacation Gwen," she said.
"I know," she said. "I'll take a few days off during the fourth."
"You better, because burnout doesn't look good on TV."
"Or in real life," she said.
Connie left and Gwen prepared to make calls that would complicate everyone's day.