Author's Note:
I'm flying blind with the military base. Google isn't particularly helpful. Most who know my work, know I'm not big descriptors to begin with. Use your imagination!
Chapter Nine:
Okinawa
Lewis was walking down the hall after her exam when she saw Alvez.
"Hey," she said.
"Hey," he said back lightly.
"Did they give you a dinner voucher?"
"Yeah. Why don't we see what kind of meals they cook here?"
"Should we wait for the rest of the team?" Lewis asked.
"Nah, let's take the time to talk."
"That sounds good."
They rode the elevator down two floors in silence.
"They've assigned us the higher-ranking dining hall for more privacy," Alvez said.
"Lucky us."
They entered the dining hall and found meals listed.
"The comforts of home and Japanese cuisine," Lewis read.
"I wouldn't trust paella made here."
"I might try the fried chicken."
"I'll settle for shrimp."
Lewis snickered. "After all this time? Seafood?"
"We didn't eat shrimp! Shrimp sounds good."
They placed their orders, picked up some water, and took seats.
"So, did you get a clean bill of health?" Lewis asked.
"I'll have my results tomorrow but nothing significant. You?"
"Same thing."
They sat in silence.
"We don't have to decide right now," Lewis said.
"I know, but I feel like I've made up my mind."
"You love Penelope, don't you?"
"She was fine with my infidelity," he said. "She told me to take all the time I needed to decide."
"She's one heck of a woman."
"I don't want to let go of her."
"I wouldn't either."
"Are you okay then?" he asked.
"None of us are okay, Luke. But I will be."
"Do you have any real feelings for me?"
"Luke, we were going into week three of survival. We were bored, exhausted, and scared all at once. I was desperate for intimate touch and I sensed the feeling was mutual. The next day we both regretted it and moved on. Do I still 'like you, like you?' A little, but not enough to be a reason for you to break things off with Penelope."
"Thank you for being honest with me."
Their meals arrived.
"The shrimp has a kick to it," Alvez said. "I like it."
"So does my chicken," she said.
"You want to try a bit?"
"Sure."
Their hands touched briefly as they reached across the plates.
"It was just a fling Luke," she said locking eyes with him.
"I know, I just wish I regretted it more."
"Everything is just going to take time," she said and tried the shrimp. "I think I'll stick to the chicken."
"I like my shrimp better also."
"We're going to be adults about it," Lewis said.
Alvez picked up his glass.
"A toast," he said. "To…to…"
"Friends," she said clinking her cup with his.
"Friends," he said with a weak smile.
They sipped their water and ate the rest of the meal in near silence.
Day Three
"I wonder how long before we get sick of eating bananas," Simmons said.
"It depends on the person," Lewis said. "Our taste palettes are unique,"
"I'm used to something more substantial than this," Rossi said. "But I'll eat horsemeat at this point."
"Horsemeat was commonly eaten up until the last forty years," Reid said. "It was included in dog food up until the seventies."
"Somehow I have managed to lose my appetite," Lewis said.
"Nice work kid," Rossi said.
"Sorry," he mumbled.
"We should start working anyway," Prentiss said. "Simmons, Alvez, and I will work on the shelter. We'll keep the fire going all day in case a boat sees us. Rossi and J.J., keep scavenging for food. Lewis and Reid scout the island."
"Try to leave what looks like unripe fruit alone," Reid said. "We don't know how long we're going to be here."
"Prentiss how is your arm?" Lewis asked.
"It's fine. Everyone, protect your feet and be careful. Reid is there anything that could kill us without the fire blazing?"
"As long as we're loud, nothing should bother us. Just watch where you step."
"Sounds, good. Let's get to work."
Reid and Lewis stood up.
"This isn't like the sandy islands they pick on Survivor," Lewis said.
"I never watched it," he said.
"You certainly know enough to do well on the show."
"It's not always about what you know. It's about being lucky. I could have easily been the one to get hurt first instead of Simmons, Alvez, or Prentiss."
"I'm glad you weren't. We need that brain in good condition."
Reid didn't say anything as they stepped into a dense patch of jungle.
"REID!"
He stopped. There was a giant spider just ahead of them. He looked at it silently.
"Yes, that thing could kill us," he said calmly. "Let's back away slowly, and go north."
"Good idea."
A silently as possible they backed away, and headed in a different direction.
They walked in silence for another five minutes. The air was muggy and moist. Mist was floating off the trees. Lewis beginning to feel a little sleepy.
She felt herself grabbed from the back. It was Reid. He pointed down. If she had taken another step, she would had have fallen five feet into in a pool of water.
"Thanks," she said breathlessly.
"We're even. Why don't we head back? If we're going to explore more, we should have some equipment and more people with us."
"I like the way you think."
They headed back.
"How are things with you?" Lewis asked.
"We just survived a plane crash Tara, we're all a little mentally shaken, along with physically."
"You know I'm a psychologist, right? We call that deflecting."
Reid sighed.
"I've spent most of my life searching for the one. The one woman to spend the rest of my life with, and I keep striking out. I just wish one thing in my life could be simple."
"This about Max?"
"I assume everyone knows?"
"We're worried about you."
"We celebrated my fortieth birthday last year, Tara. I'm not the baby genius of the team anymore."
"You didn't have siblings, so you don't know that the birth order relationship in the family stays the same, no matter how many years pass."
"I know that is part of it."
"You're going through a lot, Reid. We just want to help however we can."
"I know that too."
Lewis stopped.
"Spencer, come here."
"Why?"
"Just…" Lewis stepped forward and gave him a hug. He reciprocated it.
"Feel better?"
"A little, thanks."
"Anytime."
They entered the clearing, and found all sorts of branches laid out.
"Tara, help the guys. Reid review what J.J. and Rossi found," Prentiss said.
"Do you guys need help with the structure?" Reid asked.
"I need you to be able to mend them if they get hurt," Prentiss said.
"Okay," he said.
"What'd you guys find?" J.J. asked.
"Reid saved me from stepping off a cliff."
"Tara saved me from a tarantula."
"This is not a very hospitable island," Lewis said.
"We've noticed that," Alvez said.
"Should we name this island?" Rossi asked.
"Don't you have enough books with your name on it?" Simmons said.
"You know I can terminate that book deal at any time."
"It probably already has a name," Reid said.
"Let's give it a name," Lewis said. "Tara Island."
"There already is one in the Philippines."
She threw a small pebble at his head.
Reid smiled.
"Let's not find out if all our names are islands," Prentiss said. "Since we're all here because we're in the BAU, I say we call it BAU Island."
Heads nodded in agreement.
"Let's get back to work."
Lewis and Reid exchanged a look. They had never been particularly close, compared to other members of the team. Now they were building a bond, that would hopefully extend beyond their time on BAU island.