Enjoy!
Chapter Thirty-Five:
Calvin was ecstatic. Reid was going to be released to outpatient therapy by the second week of August. He didn't sound too upset that it wasn't the last week of July as he was hoping for.
"I probably need to stay here longer," he said with a sigh over the phone on Wednesday. "The important thing is, that when I come out, I won't have breakdowns in public."
"I'm so happy for you Spencer," she said.
"Thank you, Gwen," he said. "I look forward to taking you out on a proper date."
"I look forward to it too," she said.
"Have a good trip and take lots of pictures," he said.
"I will, and I'll be sure to bring back a souvenir for you."
"Thanks."
They hung up and Calvin began to pack.
…
Calvin was packing up her office for the next several days while Connie watched.
"If the station ends up on fire again, while I'm gone, I'm assuming Nick as at fault."
"Relax Gwen," she said. "It's a week, not a year."
"Something always bad happens when I'm gone," she said. "Remember the fire last time? Or the bomb threat a year ago? Always when I'm gone."
"And the station has survived," Connie said. "Sheesh, if this is you anxious leaving us for seven days, what are you going to be like when you leave here for good?"
"I don't want to think about it," she said.
"Have a good trip, Gwen," Connie. "You'll love the Bahamas."
"Reid's not big on heat or sand, so I thought this would be an ideal last solo trip for me."
"I thought he was from Vegas?"
"He hasn't lived there full-time since he was sixteen," she said. "There's a lot you don't know about him."
"Interesting," Connie said. "Now relax, enjoy yourself, and don't think for second about anything that is going on state-side. Everything is under control."
"If you say so," Calvin said.
…
There was a time when Calvin was comfortable sashaying around in nothing but a bikini and a skirt on the beach. Those days were long gone. She wore a full coverup as she sat on the beach reading.
"I always liked Obama."
Calvin looked up to see a man watching her.
"Emeril, not like the chef," he said with a smile, and extended a heavily tanned hand.
"Gwen," she said shaking it.
"You look familiar," he said.
"I get that a lot," she said. "I have a face that looks like everyone from their sister to their girlfriend from high school."
"You're funny," he said. "Visiting?"
"Yes," she said.
"Alone?" he asked.
Calvin knew better.
"My girlfriend is in town getting ripped off at the souvenir shops."
"I see," he said.
"What do you like about Obama?" she asked.
"He seemed like a nice guy. Believing in hope and all that ra, ra."
"You don't actually know much about him, do you?"
"You're just using that book as a prop while hoping a guy like me comes along," he said accusingly.
"Get lost," she said.
He kicked some sand on her feet as he stalked off.
Calvin sighed. The things she put up with while trying to relax.
…
Rather than getting stared at all night at the bar, Calvin opted for room service. She was looking at museums to visit for Reid. Sipping her drink, life wasn't bad in the Bahamas.
Slowly, she began to feel drowsy. Alarms went off in her head. She knew the drink she had would not cause her to get this tired this quickly. With great effort, she pulled out her phone and dialed Prentiss.
"I've…been…drugged…in…my…hotel…room," she said desperately as her words came out slowly.
"Hang on Gwen," Prentiss said. "I'll get the authorities on the line. Stay with me okay?"
"Trying…to," she said.
There was a knock on her door. Calvin tried to scramble away but couldn't move.
Two men came in with a laundry cart. They pulled her phone away and tossed her in like she was nothing. Calvin tried to scream, but nothing came out. She was losing her grip consciousness as she heard an explosion of noise.
…
She woke up in a bed that wasn't the one she slept in at the hotel. Calvin tried to get up but couldn't.
"Relax, Gwen," Lennox said. "You're safe."
"Bri-an?" she stuttered out.
"You still have me as your emergency contact," he said. "I'm glad I was close so I can be here for you."
"What ha-ppened?" she asked.
"You got dosed with a pretty strong sedative," he said. "A trio of kidnappers learned you were staying at the hotel and wanted to auction you off."
"I thought the Ba-ham-as were safe."
"They weren't local," he said. "The authorities think they were looking for celebrities who congregate here and chose you."
Calvin sighed.
"You should have your voice back in a couple hours," he said. "You're going to be okay. You called Emily Prentiss just in time."
"Does PAX know?"
"They're sending a private jet to take you home," he said. "Someone delivered and envelope of what turned out to be baking soda to the office."
Calvin rolled her eyes.
Lennox held her hand and looked her in the eye.
"I'm happy to be here as your friend," he said. "I'll always care about you Gwen. No relationship will change that."
"Steph?"
"Will always be my wife," he said. "But you'll always be among my best friends."
Calvin managed to hold his hand back. It was good to have Brian Lennox as an ex and as a friend.
…
"It's beautiful," Reis said, admiring the hand-carved stingray, she got him. "I love the colors too."
"I'm glad you like it," she said.
"I'm sorry you had to cut your trip short," he said. "Food poisoning can be a terrible thing."
"I was just happy to get back on American soil," she said.
"You aren't going to tell me the real reason you cut your trip short, are you?" he said with a slight smile.
"It's not worth worrying you about as long as I'm back and safe," she said.
Reid offered both his hands. She held them.
"When I'm out of here and we're together as a couple, I don't want any secrets between us, okay?"
"When you're out of here, there will be no more secrets," she said. "I promise."
They held hands for a moment longer. It truly was good to be back.