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A/n this story is set during the break between the sixth and seventh seasons of Criminal Minds, ending after "Proof," during season seven. The timeframe for NCIS is the break after the eighth season. The story will be centered around Reid and Abby, so that we won't see much of the other characters. Please enjoy!
The Woman in Black
May felt like a warm betrayal to Spencer Reid. The sunshine overhead hadn't yet brought temperatures into Summer Grey-white storm clouds dotted the blue sky, and a cold wind began to blow. The green grass under Spencer's feet was tender and soft as he placed a bouquet of daises on Emily's grave. He touched the carved dates of birth and death. The marble felt cold despite the Spring day, and he blew out a breath that almost choked his throat. Reid wiped away one lone tear and finally turned away from the grave.
God! If only she were there with him laughing together over some joke after a long day on a case. He couldn't believe that almost two months had passed since her death. He felt the urge to get out of this place as though the ghosts of memories might overwhelm him with their combined strength.
Reid wanted so badly to leave that he didn't watch where he stepped and almost walked into a woman kneeling at a grave near the concrete curb. "Oh," he said and halted clumsily. "I'm sorry, miss."
The woman, dressed in black from her dress to her parasol and combat boots, looked up at him. She wore her black hair in braids at either side of her head and scarlet lipstick. Reid could see that her clothing was a mix of modern and vintage. She wore a thin, studded dog collar, and he could see a bit of a tattoo that resembled a spiderweb on her neck.
"Hi," she said and smiled. "You okay."
"Ah – yes, I mean – no. Um, sorry I almost tripped over you. I'll get out of your way."
"It's okay. I was leaving flowers for a friend. She's sick, and it's the anniversary of her sister's death – sorry, not important."
Reid noticed the flowers inside green parchment paper were his favorites, a dozen white roses mixed with pink carnations and baby's breath. "I like white roses," he exclaimed and then said. "Um, sorry. I didn't mean to shout."
"It's okay. You didn't."
"Ah, I need to go," Reid said lamely and limped into the street toward his car.
"Wait," said the woman. "Is that your car?" She pointed to his old Volvo.
"Yes."
Spencer found himself waiting for the young woman to approach his auto. She smiled and didn't appear to be laughing at his choice of car. "It's great," she said.
Reid felt his eyebrows go up. "You think so? Morgan constantly teases me about it."
"Really? Who's Morgan?"
"A teammate, um, a friend, too."
"Doesn't sound like someone that knows a good thing when they see it."
"Oh, he's more into motorcycles and – well, I shouldn't – It's been a terrible day. I was here for a friend," Reid found himself telling this woman despite not knowing her name. For some reason, she made him feel like he could talk to her.
"I should apologize to you," said the woman. "I didn't mean to intrude."
"It's okay," Reid said and found that he meant the sentiment. "I – ah – my friend was murdered and – well – I better go. It looks like a storm is coming."
"I knew this was going to sound strange because we don't know each other, but would you like to go somewhere for coffee? Normally, I'd have a Caf-Pow, but the wind's making me shiver."
"Wow, I thought I had a caffeine addiction," Spencer said and then felt his cheeks warm. "Sorry, I'm not judging you."
"It's fine. You're right."
"Where would you like to go for coffee?" Spencer asked without bothering to wonder why this woman in black made him feel so comfortable.
"There's a café about two miles down the road. It's called Red Eye."
"Sounds intriguing," Spencer said. "Um, would you like a ride?"
"Oh, I have a car," she pointed to the candy apple red auto parked down the road.
"I saw that when I got here," Spencer said, smiling for the first time in hours. "Is that a 1932 Ford Model A Coup?"
"1931, actually," Abby said, and her eyes lit up. "Isn't she beautiful?
"Yes," Spencer said, and then he felt a raindrop on his face. "We better go."
"Follow me," Abby invited as she ran off to her car.
NCISCMNSICCMNCISCM
A few minutes later, they sat in a booth next to a huge plate glass window in front of the Red Eye Café.
Spencer sat across from the woman, and it suddenly dawned on him that he'd met someone in a cemetery. Strangely, he didn't feel guilty. He wondered what Emily would think of this development.
"So, I realized I asked out a man I met in a cemetery, which is great. Still, I don't know your name."
"It's Spencer, um – SSA Dr. Spencer Reid."
"SSA? Are you with the FBI?"
"Ah, yeah. I'm a profiler with the Behavioral Analysis Unit."
"Weird, but okay by me."
"Why?"
"My name is Abby Scuito, with NCIS."
"You're Abby Scuito," Spencer said, intrigued. "I read your article in Forensic Science Weekly."
"You did?" Abby said.
"Yes. I thought it was well written and a very engaging read."
Abby was watching him, and something entered her eyes. "Wait. I remember your name. I saw something on the internet about your team. Oh," she went a little pink in the cheeks. "Your friend that died. It was because of Ian Doyle, um – sorry. You don't need me to rehash it. I'm sorry, Spencer."
"It's alright. In a way, I think I'm in a state of shock. I don't know what I'll do when I – well, let's not talk about it."
"Alright."
They were silent until their server brought them coffee and asked if they wanted to order. Spencer had been prepared to say no but realized that he was starving. They both ordered breakfast for lunch and then fell quiet again.
"Tell me about your team," Abby said. "If you want to, that is."
"It's okay. My team is like family, but recently there's been changes at work. I decide to take a few months off. I'm not sure what I will do other than take some classes at Georgetown."
"I understand," Abby said. "We lost agents, and it never gets easier."
"How did you get through it?" Spencer asked as he sipped his coffee.
"I haven't, not really. Every day is different, but there are days that I walk into work and expect to see my friends, and they're never there. I know they can't come back, but I still look now and then.
"Oh."
"I don't mean that you'll feel that way always, Spencer. I mean that it will get easier."
"I hope you're right."
"So do I," Abby said as the server brought their meals.
An hour later, the rain had stopped. and Spencer had finished his meal and three cups of coffee. "Um, I better go. I'm sure you didn't plan on sitting here all day listening to me talk about Emily."
"It's fine. I needed time away from thinking about work, and I did offer to bring flowers for a friend. I'm glad she asked me."
Spencer reached for the check. He surprised himself by saying, "I'm glad you did, too."
Abby said. "Do you have a cell phone, Spencer?"
"Yes."
"May I add my number to your contact list?"
"Um, if you're sure," Spencer squeaked. "I'd love it."
"Yes, I'm sure."
He watched Abby add her contact info to his phone, and then she said. "May I add your number to my contacts, or should I look it up when I get home."
"It's unlisted."
"Please," Abby said and shook her head. "That's child's play for me to find."
Spencer gaped at her, and they laughed. "Well, I'll have to introduce you to Penelope Garcia."
"Who's she," Abby said.
"Our technical analyst and hacker extraordinaire, in her words, not mine."
"I think I remember Agent Fornell mentioning her. Didn't she used to be on the FBI's most wanted list of hackers?"
"Yes, she was number three when we recruited her. Wait! You said, Agent Fornell. Do you mean SSA TC Fornell?"
"Yes. You know Fornell?"
"I've met him twice through SSA David Rossi."
"Oh wow, I've read all of David Rossi's books. He's amazing."
Spencer laughed. "Listen to us. We're going on about people like they are celebrities."
"Well, Penelope Garcia and David Rossi are, don't you think?" Abby said.
"Sure, I guess they are, in a way. I'd never tell Garcia this, but she scares me."
"Not me," Abby said. "She inspired me to improve my skills as a hacker."
"She'll love hearing that."
"Well, I suppose I better go before the rain starts again," Abby said as they headed out the door.
"I'm glad it finally stopped, but you're right," Spencer said as they entered the parking lot full of rain-drenched vehicles.
"Hey, Spencer Reid, I like you. Don't make me wait for your call." Abby said and winked at him.
Reid stared at her and wondered if he could forget his sadness over Emily by getting to know this unusual goth girl with her computer smarts, beauty, and expressive eyes. "Yes," he said. "I'll call you."
He found that he was surprised at his admission, but the smile she gave him confirmed he'd made the right choice.