Two weeks had flown by since Emily and Spencer's argument. The tension between the two was palpable, so they did their best to avoid one another. No one knew what had happened, as both refused to speak about it. Both offering different reasons as to why they didn't want to discuss it.
"I'd rather you leave it alone." "I refuse to give it more attention than it deserves." Emily would say.
"None of your business." "Don't ask, I am not going to talk about it." Spencer would snap.
Hotch watched them closely. At the moment, their work wasn't affected by their argument, but that didn't mean it couldn't take a turn. On the last case, they worked together professionally, though everything was brief and matter of fact. The air around them was thick with anger.
Friday had arrived and since they hadn't been saddled with a case, at the moment, Penelope was rounding up the crew for a night out. Derek and Luke both agreed to join. J.J. got a babysitter so she and Will could go together. While Rossi and Hotch both opted out.
"Spence? You wanna come? Lacy's welcome to join us," Penelope added with clear dismay at the obligation to offer.
"I'll see if she's up for it," he mumbled.
"Em, I know I can count on you," Penelope said with a grin.
"Um, actually, I'm out," she replied with a frown. "Sorry, Pen."
"What? No! Come on! What in the world do you possibly need to do on a Friday night?" Penelope pouted.
"I already have plans," Emily said as she cleaned up her desk.
"Plans? What plans could you possibly have that don't include us?" Penelope said without thinking it through.
"While it might be shocking that my life doesn't revolve around this office," Emily said with a little bit of bite, making Penelope blush. "I'm meeting someone for dinner."
She could feel Spencer's eyes burning into her. She peaked up to confirm her suspicions and instantly looked away when she caught his eye.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean –" Penelope began.
Emily held up a hand to stop her.
"I know that. Thank you for the offer, maybe next time," she said softening her voice.
Everyone went back to the task of gathering their belongings to leave, while Emily stood up to make her exit.
"Is it a date?"
She looked up to see Spencer looking at her. She tried to ignore the guilt she felt inside, but he chose this, not her. She had nothing to feel guilty about.
"Yeah, it's a date," she replied.
She couldn't read the emotions running through him, but it didn't matter. She didn't care if it hurt him or not. She actually hoped it would. He deserved it after what he put her through.
"Is there something you need to say, or can I go?" she said curtly.
He looked down at his desk, his tongue darting out to lick his lips before he bit his bottom one. God, she hated when he did that. It turned her on so much.
"No," he finally said softly. "Have fun."
She nodded before hurrying off. As she waited for the elevator, she suddenly felt sick. Why was she doing this? She had no interest in dating anyone. She knew that was just to make Spencer jealous, which was childish of her. She was just about to call the entire thing off when Spencer walked up behind her, phone to his ear.
"Yeah, it'll be fun, babe. You deserve a break," he said stopping just behind her.
Emily felt her blood boiling. Was he really doing this? Was he really coming up behind her and acting all lovey-dovey with Lacy? Lacy the she-demon? Fine, game on Spencer. Game! On!
(xxxxx)
Emily laughed at Terrance's stupid joke. Her hand landing on his bulky bicep as she flirted with him. Terrance was a nice guy. He worked with the fugitive task force. They had actually met a few times in passing at work. Despite being an above-average handsome and macho guy, he did have a kind side. Reminded her a bit of Morgan. Arrogance, but underneath was a heart of gold. She kind of felt bad that she was only using him to upset Spencer.
"It wasn't funny! It was so embarrassing," Terrance chuckled as he took a drink of his beer.
"Which is what's so funny about it," Emily giggled. "You fell on your ass in the middle of a meeting. Tell me that you would not laugh at any other person who did that same thing?"
He seemed to ponder a moment, before letting out a little laugh. His straight glistening white teeth sparkling in the dim lighting.
"Ok, I see your point," he said.
"So, what about you? What embarrassing thing has happened to the great Emily Prentiss?" he said grinning at her.
"Great, huh? What lies have you heard about me?" she said teasingly.
"Your brilliant reputation proceeds you," he flirted.
Emily leaned into him. Her face dangerously close to his.
"Well, the night is young my friend," she said as she batted her eyelashes at him. "By the end of this evening, I guarantee I can change that title to mediocre."
Terrance let out a guffaw as Emily backed away and sipped her drink.
"Emily!"
Emily's head snapped to the side to see Penelope racing toward her. She didn't even have a moment to respond before her friend's arms wrapped around her. Her eyes bulged in shock. Of course, of all the places to choose, they would end up at the same damn place.
"I can't believe you are here!" Penelope squealed.
When they broke apart, Penelope stuck her hand out to shake Terrance's hand.
"I am so sorry to interrupt. Penelope Garcia, BAU technical analyst, genius, goddess, and all-around best friend to the entire team," she said with a huge grin. "And you must be Hottie McSteamy?"
"Garcia!" Emily said as her face turned red.
"Don't mind her, she had a few preparty drinks," Luke said as he tried to pull her away from the table. "Sorry for the interruption. Please excuse us."
"But … we should stay," she said trying to get back to the table.
"Let's go dance. You wanted to dance, remember?" Luke said as he shot Emily an apologetic look.
It was then, Emily spotted Spencer watching her from a table nearby. He was settling in with J.J., who gave Emily a small wave, and Will, but Lacy was nowhere to be seen. She grabbed her drink and downed it, before looking at Terrance who was watching her with an amused expression.
"Remember that question about embarrassing moments?" Emily said as she placed her empty glass down.
"No need. She seems sweet," he said. "Besides, her reputation proceeds her too. I'm not doing anything to piss her off or I'll end up being transferred to the South Pole."
Emily giggled at the truth of his statement.
"I'd introduce you to everyone, but to be honest, I really don't want to. It's not you, it's all of them," she said.
"It is the first date, so I can understand your reluctance. I don't think I'd want my team meeting you yet either. I'm glad they haven't appeared suddenly," he said grinning.
"I think another round of drinks are in order," Emily said as she slid off her chair.
"Wait, allow me," Terrance said getting up as well. "Sit, relax. I'll be right back."
Emily sat back down and fiddled with her empty drink before allowing her eyes to roam the room. She laughed when she found Penelope and Luke. Poor Luke. She was going to give him a run for his money.
She let her eyes glance at Spencer's table. As soon as she did, she regretted it. He was watching her and took that moment to get up and walk over to her. She felt herself stiffen and brace herself for what was to come.
"Hey," he said casually.
"Hi," she replied.
"I take it you didn't know we were coming here," he said.
"It's the first date. Why in the world would I want to have it with my co-workers watching me?" she said as her arms folded over her chest.
He nodded but seemed unconvinced.
"What?"
"Nothing," he shrugged.
"Spence, just say it," she said rolling her eyes. "Don't play these games. Just spit it out."
"Well, it would benefit you to flaunt your date in front of me," he said.
"Benefit me?" she laughed incredulously.
Before either of them could say anything further, Terrance returned with their drinks. He handed Emily hers and looked to her for an introduction.
"Terrance, this is Spencer Reid. He was just leaving," she said glaring at him.
"Dr. Reid, it's nice to put a face with all the stories. You've got quite a list of accomplishments for someone so young. I actually wondered if you were just a myth," Terrance said jovially.
"You work in the bureau?" Spencer asked.
"Fugitive Task Force," he replied.
"Ahh, that explains a lot," Spencer said.
"I'm sorry, I don't follow?" Terrance said as his brow furrowed.
"Oh, no, it's nothing. I'll leave you two alone. Enjoy your date," he said with a disgusting smirk on his face.
Emily was fuming. She wanted to slap that smile right off his stupid face. As he walked away, she looked at Terrance and rolled her eyes.
"Ignore him. He's been in a shit mood lately and finds joy in trying to bring others down with him," she said. "So, tell me more about you. What sort of things are you into?"
As Terrance rambled on about his hobbies, Emily found herself having a stare down with Spencer. He seemed to be amused with their interaction, fueling her fire even more. Suddenly, she heard a song start that gave her a great idea.
"Dance with me!" she said as she grabbed Terrance's hand and dragged him to the group of people dancing.
She lined herself up, so she could see Spencer and most importantly, he could see her. He watched her as she started off with a small sway of her hips. She pointed to her ear and then to the ceiling. She could tell Spencer got the message.
Now I'm out here lookin' like revenge
Feelin' like a ten, the best I've ever been
And, yeah, I know how bad it must hurt to see me like this
But it gets worse
She began grinding against Terrance, who turned out to possess great dance skills, as he matched her moves. As she moved against him, she looked to Spencer and began mouthing the lyrics to him.
Now payback is a bad bitch
And baby, I'm the baddest
You're fuckin' with a savage
Can't have this, can't have this
And it'd be nice of me to take it easy on ya, but nah
She spun around and pressed her ass into Terrance as his arms engulfed her and the two danced deliciously dirty together. Spencer watched as his heart raced with jealousy. Her head laid back on Terrance's shoulder, but she turned her head to face Spencer, once again mouthing the words at him.
Baby, fineness is the way to kill
Tell me how it feel, bet it's such a bitter pill
And yeah I know, you thought you had bigger better things
Bet right now this stings
Cause the grass is greener under me
Brightest technicolor, I can tell that you can see
And yeah I know, how bad it must hurt to see me like this
But it gets worse
Spencer's fist tightened against his leg as he watched Emily rubbing all over Terrance. Terrance the stupid body building, good-looking meathead. She couldn't possibly like him. She was just doing this to get to him. She was trying to get under his skin. He nearly vomited when Emily pressed her lips against Terrance's. Turning their dancing session into a full blown, jaw-dropping make-out session.
Emily broke the kiss and spun back in Terrance's arms as they continued their seductive dancing. To anyone watching, it was incredibly sexy. To Spencer, it crushed him to a pulp. All the air in his lungs had been sucked right out of him. He didn't even realize that J.J. and Will were watching the awkward showdown between them.
After the song finished, Emily whispered something to Terrance, who nodded. She walked off toward the restrooms. Spencer jumped up and stalked after her. Just before she walked into the ladies' room, he grabbed her arm and dragged her further into the darkness of the hallway.
"What the hell Spencer!" Emily cried as she fell into the wall.
"What was that?" he snapped.
"What was what?" she hollered back.
"You know exactly what you were doing," he said angrily.
"You wanted to play games," she snarled. "You can dish it but can't take it."
"Games? What games?" he said, though he knew she was right.
"Calling Lacy in front of me. 'It'll be fun for you, babe. You deserve it. I'm so in love with you. Blah blah blah'," she mocked.
"Oh, I'm sorry," he said sarcastically. "Treating the mother of my child with kindness is a game?"
"And when exactly did this kindness suddenly happen? One minute you're trying to get in my pants and the next you're madly in love with the twat monster?"
"Maybe I am. Maybe I saw a different side of her. Maybe things between us got better and I'm trying to be good to her," he said as his hands gestured wildly.
"Great, good for you. I hope you mean that," Emily began.
"I do," he snapped.
"Wonderful. Then leave me alone. You don't get to have it both ways. You don't get to tell me I can't be with you, but I can't be with anyone else. You don't get to hurt me like that!" she said angrily as tears welled up in her eyes.
Spencer's entire demeanor shifted to guilt. He stared at her, suddenly speechless. Emily tried to calm herself.
"I can't sit around and watch you live your life with someone else. I deserve to find someone who cares about me –"
"I care about you," Spencer said grabbing her hand.
Emily pulled her hand away from his.
"No. If you're with Lacy, then that's it. There will be no us. And it's selfish of you to expect me to sit back and watch … to wait in hopes," she said as her lip trembled.
"I never asked you to wait," he protested.
"No, but you tried to rub my love for you in my face with Lacy. You treated my date like dirt on the bottom of your shoe. Let's not even start on your behavior the past couple of weeks. I have done nothing but support you through everything and you will do the same for me," she said as her finger pointed at him.
"Or what?" he stupidly asked.
Emily's head dropped as she swallowed the lump in her throat. She hadn't planned on telling anyone about this, but now it seemed important to.
"I have received multiple requests from Interpol for me to take over as chief," she said with a sadness in her voice. "If we can't work together, if you can't respect me, it may be time to finally accept that offer."
"You'd move across the ocean?" he mocked, though he began panicking at the thought.
"Not being with you hurts enough … losing you as a friend … let's just say I'd rather put the ocean between us then live in that reality," she said as she quickly wiped away a small tear that slipped down her cheek.
"Em –"
She didn't let him respond. She walked off into the crowd, back to Terrance. Spencer angrily kicked the wall before turning and falling against it.
"Fuck!" he cried out.
He had been a royal asshat. She was right. He had been acting out to push her away, all the while punishing her for trying to move on and be happy. Everything was so fucked up! He had a lot of things to think about because right now he was watching everything in his life disintegrate before his very eyes.
(xxxxx)
A/N: sorry for the delay in updating. Such a busy time of year! I hope you enjoy this update and I will do my best to add another chapter in the next few days! Let me know what you think! And MANY THANKS to everyone who reads this! You are the best! xoxo
