Ch 28: Pillow Talk

A few weeks after they came back from Las Vegas, Emily enticed Reid to come over to her place. The team didn't have a case. Since mid-term grades were done, Spencer didn't have papers to grade.

After dinner, they played a long game of Scrabble. What made it long, was Spencer giving the etymology of every word either one of them played. Coffee followed Scrabble, which then led to cuddling on the couch. Cuddling led to kissing, which led to more kissing. Eventually, this led to the two of them going to the bedroom and having sex.

Emily was enjoying the afterglow of the sex, cuddling next to Spencer with her head resting on his breast. She could feel his heartbeat. The rhythm of it was as comforting as a lullaby, and she was almost asleep when Spencer said, "You don't call me anymore."

"What?"

"You don't call me. During cases, I mean."

"I call you when I can."

"I mean, you used to call me for help during the cases. You don't do that anymore."

"I thought you didn't like that."

"I never said that. I mean, when I was grading papers and tests it was a little cumbersome. I've missed it though."

"Really?"

"Yes, well, I mean…"

"What do you miss, helping or that we might not always need you?"

"I don't know. I mean…Hotch hasn't found a replacement for me yet, has he?"

"No one could replace you."

"You know what I mean."

"No, not yet. I don't even know if he's interviewed anyone yet."

"Why?"

"I don't know. I know he's not planning on filling JJ's spot. I think he's holding out hope she will come back."

"Do you think he's hoping I will come back?"

"Do you want to?"

"I…I don't know."

"You said you missed helping with the cases."

"I said I missed it when you called for help. There's a difference."

"So, is what you miss me calling you as often, or do you miss working with us?"

"You, mostly."

"You know, a little while ago Rossi tried to convince me to entice you back."

"What did you say?"

"Well, we just started dating, so I told him I had no motivation for you to come back."

"Why?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean, there are rules about that."

"But mostly those relate to when superiors and sub-ordinates are dating."

"I know. It's just…"

"Just what?"

"I …things could get messy if we were dating and we co-workers. Besides…"

"Yeah?"

"I kinda like things like this – you not being part of work I mean."

"Oh?"

"I mean, when I see you – we have dinner and you have teaching stories, and read poetry to me, and …"

"It feels so normal. Would you ever want me to come back?"

"Do you want to?"

"That's not what I asked."

"Answer me first. Do you want to come back?"

"I didn't think about it till now. I don't know. Maybe someday. Would you want me to come back?"

"If you want to."

"But you told Rossi…"

"Don't worry about what I told Rossi. If you want to come back, then come back."

"Do you think they would take be back?"

"I am sure you could charm them into it. Rossi and Hotch were ready to strong arm Strauss into taking you back. What do you want to do?"

"I don't know. I just … It's fun answering questions when you call. I don't know if I would want to go back to flying all over. It's just…I miss you when you're gone."

"Yeah?"

"Yeah."

"I miss you too." She gave his arm a squeeze.

"How were you going to entice me to come back?'

"I'm sorry?"

"You said Rossi wanted to enlist you to entice me back. What did he want you to do?"

"Well, he knew I was maintaining contact with you. I think he hoped I had sway with you."

"You do."

"True, but I don't want you to come back if you don't want to."

"Is that all of it?"

For a moment, Emily thought about telling Spencer the whole truth – that she wasn't certain about him coming back. That ever since the faculty dinner, she thought about being married to a professor. About how the thought of the two of them raising a family would be like. That it would be easier if at least one of them didn't have to travel a lot for their job.

But she was afraid it would scare him. Besides, they had time. Time to grow into whatever their relationship could be - maybe marriage, maybe kids, maybe ...who knows.

"I love you, and you left for a reason. I'll support you, no matter what you do. But I wouldn't want to force you to do anything you don't want to."

"I love you too."