As they sat down to eat, he was still thinking about the kiss. He had shocked himself. As they started to eat, he asked her about the stalker. She told him that it was a long story, but it helped if she started at the beginning. She knew there was something off with the guy, but she slowly let it happen before she understood how bad it would was. She started by telling him she although she was 26, she had only had two boyfriends. She really hadn't dated a lot of guys and she had made a bad choice while at college.
Her first boyfriend, Eric Stiller, had been more of a friend than anything else. They started dating in beginning of their junior year in high school. They had many of the same AP and Honors courses and studying together made it more interesting. Their senior year, they had become closer and had gone to the Winter Formal and Prom together as real boyfriend and girlfriend.
Eric's parents could easily afford any university that he wanted to attend, but he wanted to get a full scholarship to Stanford. Both of his parents had gone to Georgetown and expected him to do the same. He did not want to rely on his parents nor go to their Alma Mater. He had accomplished his goal and a few months after graduation had moved to California. They both knew it would end after high school. They didn't want to try a long distance relationship at 17 years old. It was still sad for both of them when he left; it was like losing a best friend. Although they had kept in contact by email and FaceBook, they had not seen each other since he left. He was now married and had a 1-year-old son.
When she started at Georgetown she had not planned to date anyone. She was taking more than a full load because even with AP credits it would take extra courses every semester to graduate with a dual major in four years. Russ Martin was a TA for one of her sociology classes the second semester of her junior year. He talked to her after many of the classes and a few months into the semester he had offered to take her to lunch at the end of class. He seemed pleasant enough and she enjoyed the class and thought it might be fun to talk about the class topics in depth.
He was studying for a Doctorate in Psychology and was working on campus as a TA as a condition of his scholarship. Because she really hadn't dated a lot she was a bit naive and didn't think about the time they spent together as dates. It was always a casual lunch or coffee after class. That summer Chelsea had taken 2 business courses and bumped into Russ at least once per week in the eight-week semester. Looking back, he had known her schedule and had planned their accidental meetings, but she hadn't thought much about it at the time. She knew he was taking one summer class himself and worked on campus.
The next fall he was again a TA for one of her classes. This time a Psychology course and she thought his insight, as a future Physiatrist would be interesting. Again they went out occasionally for coffee or lunch and he had asked her to attend a banquet for an honors association of which he was a member. After that he had started to ask her out more frequently. He was a nice person, but she wasn't interested really in dating anyone and she really didn't feel any chemistry with him. He wouldn't take no for an answer. He was still the TA for one of her courses and she had to see him twice a week in class.
At Christmas he invited himself to the annual Christmas Eve party at her mother's house. She had mentioned it once and he remembered and decided they were a couple so he would be going with her. She wasn't physically afraid of him, but the grades from the semester had not all been posted yet and she was beginning to feel that he could cause her problems if she didn't comply. Many of the guests at her mom's party are academics and he fit in with the crowd. People thought he was interesting. He could really be charming and by then she knew he could manipulate people.
She made arrangements to go with a high school friend to her family's home in Boston over New Year's and stayed with them another week until the new semester started. Russ had called her almost every day, but fortunately there were many miles between them and he had to continue working on the Georgetown campus over the break to keep his scholarship. She had no proof that he would hold up her grades and she couldn't go to the administration and say that a TA was being too nice to her. She realized that he was a Psychology major and knew just what to say and do and if reported it would make her look like the crazy one.
During her final half of her senior year, for the third semester in a row, he was the TA for one of her classes. She took either five or six classes every semester; half for her Criminal Justice degree and many of the required classes were in the sociology and psychology area. She continued to go out with him and he called himself her boyfriend to everyone at school. She truly felt he would have messed up the grade in that class causing her not to be able to graduate if she did not go along with his fantasy.
She looked at Spencer, "Maybe there was something I could have done, but I really didn't want to look like a victim and I prefer to try and take care of my own problems. After graduation, I went with my grandpa on a trip to Italy to visit where our family had been originally from and we even looked up some distant relatives while we were there. We had talked about the trip for a long time, so it wasn't planned as a way to escape Russ, but we were gone for three weeks and all the grades were posted when we returned. He didn't have a hold on me any longer."
She continued, "I had been interviewing at several CPA firms and had received a job offer from two of them and one was flexible enough to allow me to go on the trip first. When grandpa and I came home, I started my new job and when I left my first day of work, he approached me in the parking lot. He knew I was going away with my grandpa so he hadn't called for a couple of weeks, but when I returned there were 20 messages on my cell phone from him over the last four days. My cell services didn't work overseas and I had left it at home. I went to get dinner after work with him and told him I didn't want to see him any longer, but he didn't seem to understand. He continued to call and ask me out. I saw him when I left my mom's house in the morning; I was still living there at the time. I would see him after work. It really was creepy."
She went on with how she had decided it was time to get her own place and had been looking at several places before she left for Italy and again when she returned. Her parents had set up a college fund for her when she was young and a large life insurance policy was deposited in that account after her dad died. Her mom worked at the university so her tuition was almost half of the normal fee. Because of her grades she received a large scholarship. She lived at home and only had to pay for books and personal items like her car and insurance.
"After graduation, my mother turned the college fund over to me. She was a great researcher and always found the best people to help her with things she felt she could not do herself. She had found a Securities Broker to manage my account and it had grown into a nice sum by the time I had graduated. I used a large portion of the fund for a down payment on this place." Chelsea looked around as she continued. "I mentioned earlier the apartment had been vacant for over a year. The seller was getting desperate to sell and had lowered the price considerably. I had a friend, JoAnn Johnston, who graduated from Georgetown the year before me, lined up as a roommate. I had started at the accounting firm so with the large down payment, financial assistance from a roommate and my job, I was eligible for a good rate on the mortgage. As a graduation and house-warming gift, my mom and grandpa helped get my bedroom set and I purchased the living and dining room furniture. My roommate furnished her own room and my office was empty. I was really excited because I was a first time homeowner."
She almost looked ashamed when she said, "I never told my mom, grandpa or most of my friends about Russ. I had to tell JoAnn because it might affect her and I told two of my close friends that weren't cops so I had someone to vent to when necessary. I was really hoping he would just get tired of me and leave. As you know, this building is not easy to get into and I let the security guards know not to let him in. I am fully aware how dangerous a stalker can get, but I was certain that he would not get violent if not provoked. I was afraid that if I had told my grandpa, John and other cop friends that they would start to harass him. No one would do anything illegal but I was sure that all of them would approach him and ask him to stop. I think having one cop tell him to lay off would be enough, but I bet all of my friends would have approached him and that might make thing worse."
"Plus, you know how cops can get." Again she was looking directly at Spencer. "If they saw him loitering they would give him a ticket. If he were going three miles over the speed limit, they would pull him over. I know that none of my friends would do anything illegal, but there is slight harassment within the limits of the law and if ten cops in both Virginia and DC were doing this, things could easily have escalated. I may have been over paranoid, but I thought ignoring him and living in this secure building and working in another secure building would keep me protected."
"He fully stalked me for the entire summer. His class load was light and he had more time I guess. Once school started, I saw him less often, but he would still leave me messages on my phone, notes on my car when I was at work and he would occasionally send me flowers. I was extremely careful and with my family upbringing I knew how to make sure I was not anywhere he could get me alone. The entire thing lasted almost 9 months from after I returned from Italy in June through the following March."
Spencer had been quiet for the entire story, but he was shocked "9 months? And it didn't escalate to anything else?"
She shook her head, "No, it seemed to calm down around Thanksgiving so I thought it was over and I spent the long weekend at my grandpa's house. But on Christmas Eve he showed up at my mom's party again. I was terribly upset and managed to get him outside not far from the door. I let my roommate know what was happening. She was staying with my mom and me for a few days. Her parents live in Oregon and she didn't have enough time off to go home. Her boyfriend was a Marine and deployed in Afghanistan so she was happy to have a place to go for the holiday."
"I told him he should leave and he refused. He had enjoyed talking to all of the professors at last year's party and was sure they would all be happy to see him again. I then played my best card that I had been holding since this all started. I reminded him that not only were there many academics at the party; the house was also full of police officers. If I was to ask him to leave and he refused in front of all of them, what did he think would be the outcome?"
"He stared at the house for several minutes before he turned around and left without saying anything. JoAnn came out to see if I was OK. Looking back on that moment is really one of the funniest things ever. I took JoAnn's arm and as we started back to the house I told her that I was giving up on men completely. I never wanted to date another man in my life." She started to laugh, "That comment was obviously just in frustration to the current situation and I didn't think about anyone hearing me say it."
As she continued to tell the story, even Spencer had to laugh. "One of the girls from my neighborhood that never really liked me heard that and started to tell everyone for the next two years that I was a lesbian and dating my roommate JoAnn. No one told me that to my face or to my mom's face. I really did not date anyone for a long time. At first I was afraid that if I dated anyone, Russ might take it out on him. I told my family I was not dating because I was too busy with my new job and taking the night classes. That actually was true and I had no interest in dating, but that didn't mean I had no interest in men."
Her conversation turned serious again. "After that Christmas confrontation I hoped Russ would finally stop following me. I was away with friends for New Year's and he continued to show up at my apartment or work about once a week in January. At Valentine's Day, he sent me a dozen long stem red roses. That was the most he had done for a while and I was afraid that he was going to escalate again and I would need to report him. But I didn't see him again for over a week. I had gone out to lunch with John and he was in his full uniform. I didn't even see Russ until we were leaving the restaurant and fortunately John didn't see him at all. I only saw him two more times in February and then on March 2nd. After that he just stopped. I don't know if he found someone else or he was afraid of my friends and seeing me with John in uniform scared him. I was just glad it was over. I will always remember the date, March 2nd. It's one of those things that stay with you."
"The next year, JoAnn went home to see her family at Christmas and I went to my mom's by myself. The following year I again took JoAnn to the party and that's when I found out the rumors about JoAnn and me. By that time she was engaged and her fiancé was scheduled to come home in February for good. He had a job lined up in New York and she was moving there with him. I was making enough money by that time to live by myself, although at first it was very lonely without her around. We tried to clear up the rumors, but I think many of them still believe it since I never take a date to my mom's party. I don't really care and fortunately both my mom and grandpa think it's kind of funny."
"Another funny thing was that I had really had been on a few dates that year before the party." she paused, and confirmed, "with men." Spencer laughed at that also. I had passed my CPA and my FA exams and JoAnn had taken me out to celebrate. We went with a group of friends from advertising agency where she worked. I didn't know it, but she was setting me up with one of the guys. We went out one more time by ourselves, but never after that."
"JoAnn set me up again with a friend of hers from high school, that didn't go well at all. He got drunk on our first date. Fortunately I had met him at the restaurant, so I could drive myself home, but I didn't feel right leaving him there. I talked to the restaurant manager and he helped me convince him to take a cab home. The manager didn't want a guy out on the street drunk after leaving his restaurant any more than I wanted him driving around possibly hurting someone."
They had finished the meal and Spencer helped her clear the table, taking the empty plates and glasses to the sink and she put the left over fruit and salads in the refrigerator. He offered to help with the dishes, but she told him she would put them in the dishwasher later. They went to sit in the living room and she finished her story.
"After my mom heard I was dating again, she started setting me up with professors and researchers from the university. Many of the guys were way too old for me and many were absolute bores. The bores were very intelligent, but only on one subject. I spent 3 hours with a guy that works on Oncology drug research. I bet I know more about cancer drugs now than almost anyone in the world outside of a researcher." Spencer couldn't help but laugh at her expression. She looked absolutely annoyed just thinking about the night.
She continued, "They weren't all bad. She did set me up with a very nice professor of Astronomy. He really did know more about things than just Astronomy, he was interested in literature and history, but he did talk mostly about the stars. I was interested in what he talked about and we went out three more times. We went to dinner again, and then he invited me as his guest to the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum private party to announce the building of a new observatory." She stopped and spoke directly to Spencer, "The observatory is scheduled to open later this year and I really would like to see it."
"That night the private party was really fun and interesting. He was twelve years older than me and on our next date was starting to talk about settling down and wanting kids. I thought he was a nice guy and he was entertaining, but I didn't like him that much and I certainly wasn't ready for a family."
"My mom continued to set me up with dates, then my friends from college as well as friends from work started to contact me about a guy they wanted me to meet. It almost became a joke. One of my old college friends set me up to go out with a guy to a fraternity party. I was 24; I just started my own business and owned my home, what would make her think I would have anything in common with a 22 year old that lives in a Fraternity House?" Again Spencer couldn't help but laugh at her comments. He wondered why she continued to say yes to all of these dates.
She told him about several other nights out and that she had a good time on a few of the dates and she continued to go because she really didn't go out much otherwise. She told him about how she parked on the street and then run around the car to keep her distance. She apologized to him for when she had done it the other night. She said it was such a habit that she had done it before she thought and was really sorry that she had sent him mixed signals. She really was interested in seeing him again so that's why she had asked him to brunch.
Looking a bit shy she said, "I have a confession. After I heard about your IQ, I was afraid you would be one of the one-topic type of dates. As much as I love a good mystery and am fascinated by what the BAU does, the thought of an entire conversation for several hours over dinner about serial murders and the details of them didn't sound very pleasant."
He couldn't help but laugh. "I rarely talk about cases with people unless they ask. In my experience, most people don't what to know the type of monsters that are out there. Your grandpa and his friends do seem interested and I've talked to them about many of the unsubs we have caught over the years, but that group is the exception."
"I am interested in hearing some of it. Like I've told you, I've read many true crime dramas with my grandpa and do find it fascinating, just not what I would ONLY want to talk about. I love that you know all types of literature and other topics." She paused and laughed, "I bet you could keep up a conversation on virtually ANY topic, couldn't you?"
He shook his head, "One of my team mates is always saying I know everything, but I really don't. I just remember everything I've ever read. I know that is a lot of information, but I really don't know everything."
She realized she may have offended him or hit a nerve joking about that and smiled at him as she said. "I think it's amazing how much you know. Remember that my mother is an educator and I think one of the main things I inherited from her was her thirst for knowledge. I bet I'm already smarter just talking to you this weekend! My mom will be impressed."
He felt relieved hearing her say that. He realized he enjoyed spending time with her and was concerned that she was already getting tired of his rambling facts. He noticed that it was getting late and looked at his watch as he stood up. He started towards the door and said he needed to get home and do a few things before work the next day. She told him she was really glad to have met him this weekend and she was glad he hadn't been called on a case.
He thanked her for both brunch and the sandwiches but he did mention that he was not comfortable with the fact that she had paid for both of their meals today. She laughed and told him "I was the one that asked you to brunch and I suggested we eat sandwiches here. It was only fitting that I paid for the meals."
He nodded although she could tell he still was not really happy about it and said, "Next time I will have to make sure I ask you out and then I will pay for dinner." He was again surprised at himself. He had just told her he wanted to take her out again. He was hoping that she wanted the same as she replied, "I'd like that."
He grabbed his coat and scarf, threw them over his arm and stopped at the door. Facing her he smiled and was thinking about how to approach her to kiss her, as she came close and put her arms around his neck and she spoke very softly. "I hope you will text me when you leave for a case and come back home. I'd like to know when you are away and when you are safe."
He nodded and answered her with a kiss. Her lips were soft and inviting and he felt his heart beating faster as the kiss deepened. He was happy and felt very comfortable with his arms around her waist. He was sad when it ended and he opened the door. As he left, she smiled and said, "Be safe."