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A/n, thanks again to all my wonderful readers!

Walking in the Rain

Reid left his guest lecture at 4 pm on Wednesday. He almost ran into the professor when he approached the doors leading out of the lecture hall. "Hey," said Alex Blake. "Thanks for lecturing today."

"You're welcome. I enjoy forensic linguistics."

"You enjoy anything having to do with school and languages."

"You're right," Reid agreed as he opened the door for them.

"I'm done with classes for the day. You want to grab a cup of coffee. James is still in Africa, and I can't face an empty house."

"I thought you and James have an understanding," Reid said, and then he flushed pink. "Um, I'm sorry, I didn't mean –"

"No, it's fine, and you're correct. We did decide that I would teach, and James would go overseas with Doctors Without Borders. I love it because absence makes the heart grow fonder."

"Are you sure," Reid asked as they walked.

"Most of the time, but there are days. I miss James today with the rain and the grey skies."

"I understand."

"So, tell me about your new – crush, or should I say – love."

Reid nearly dropped his messenger bag. Alex smirked at him as they left the building. Reid silently opened his large umbrella and walked together down the street to Alex's car.

"It's not love," Reid denied. "She's – um, I'm not sure yet. I like her very much. Did you know we met in a cemetery?"

Alex laughed as she started the engine. "Now that sounds – interesting."

"I was there visiting Emily's grave. I almost ran right into Abby."

Alex put the car back into park and turned to Reid, "I'm sorry for laughing."

Reid looked out the window at the drops of rain sliding down the car's windshield as the wipers slapped back and forth. "Don't apologize, Alex. It was a strange meeting, but I'm glad I ran into her. She's kept me from drowning under the weight of Emily's death and other – problems."

"How are your headaches?"

"Still bad, but I haven't had one in a few weeks."

"That's an improvement."

They pulled away from Georgetown University and drove through the rain until they found a coffee shop about two blocks from Reid's apartment. Inside was so crowded and noisy that they resorted to signing while waiting in line for their orders.

By a proper stroke of luck, a table opened near a window just as they were about to leave the shop and sit in Alex's car. They sat and continued to converse in sign as they sipped their coffee.

"Are you going to tell me about Abby?" Alex asked.

"She's a forensic scientist working for NCIS at the Naval Yard. She's the happiest Goth I've ever met."

Alex's eyebrows climbed into her bangs. "Goth?"

"Yes, she has a fascination with death that goes beyond her job and – "

"Are you sure you don't feel an attraction to her because of how you met?" Alex asked bluntly.

Reid dropped his hands and stared at Alex. Then he said aloud. "No, I mean. I don't think so. She's a wonderful person. She's kind and funny. She volunteers at homeless shelters and bowls with nuns."

"I'd like to meet her."

They resumed signing, and just as Reid told Alex about Abby's coffin, Reid saw someone approaching their table. It was Abby with her black hair in braids and carrying a freshly baked cinnamon roll visible through a transparent plastic container. "Spencer," she greeted.

"Abby," he stood and greeted her. "Sit down."

Abby sat, put down her cinnamon roll, and looked at Alex. "This is Alex Blake."

"Hello," Abby signed. "It's nice to meet you."

"Oh, sorry. I can speak, but I like to practice my ASL with Spencer."

"Me too," Abby said and winked at him. "My parents were deaf."

"I see. You grew up with it then."

"Yes, and I stay fluent with my brother and Gibbs. He's my boss," Abby added.

"Alex is a professor at Georgetown University," Reid said.

"Right. How did your lecture go?"

"It was fun. Alex's students are sharp and curious."

"Like you," Alex said. "I was a teacher when Spencer took a class around the time he started at the BAU."

"Were you a part of the BAU?" Abby said.

"Yes, but now I'm teaching full-time."

"Do you like it," Abby asked?

"I love it, except for on dreary days like this. That's why I asked Spencer to have coffee."

"I'm here because I was craving a cinnamon roll. And I left the lab early. The case is going nowhere right now." Abby said. "I need a break."

"I understand dead ends," Alex said. "Well, Spencer. I think I'll go home. Thanks for the coffee."

"You don't have to leave," Reid said.

"Yes, I do. I'll talk to you later about your next guest lecture."

"Alright. See you later." Reid stood up and watched Alex leave the coffee shop.

"She seems nice," Abby said, and she stood.

"She is. Um, Abby, can we get out of here. It's too crowded and noisy. I need some air."

"Sure. I love walking in the rain."

They emerged into the rain and began to walk along the sidewalk toward Abby's car. "Let's walk to your place. I can get the car later," Abby said.

Reid nodded his ascent, and they continued down the street with rain plopping on Abby's black umbrella. Occasionally their shoulders would bump together, and Abby would smile, but there was something in her attitude that rivaled the sad day.

When they reached the last street before his apartment, Abby suddenly folded the umbrella, and a cold rain began to splatter on their heads. "Hey," Reid said.

'Come on – let's walk without the umbrella. We'll get wet."

"Why," Reid said as rain collected in his hair, down his neck, and his shirt collar. It dripped onto his trousers and onto his cheeks. He wiped the droplets from his face as Abby smiled more happily than he'd seen in the last ten minutes.

"Because it reminds me of being a kid and jumping into mud puddles."

"I never did that," Reid said, and something made him chuckle as a couple of girls with umbrellas gave them a wide berth. He supposed they looked crazy, but he didn't care.

"You never did that," Abby said. "Well – there's no mud puddles," she said as the light changed, and they hurried into the street and to the next sidewalk. "We'll get soaked, and then – I suppose we'll need to get out of our wet clothes and find some method of drying off and getting warm."

"Um, I suppose a little water never hurt anyone."

"Of course not," Abby said. "Let's go."

CMNCISCMNCISCMNCIS

Reid carried hot mugs of coffee to his sofa and joined Abby, who wore his ratty old robe. He decided that particular garment looked much better on her. He'd pulled on a pair of grey sweat pants and an old tee-shirt with the Tardis in flight on the front

"Here," he handed a mug to Abby. "Warm enough."

Abby smirked at him. "Oh, I think a hot shower and then hot sex did the trick, but this coffee is welcome. It tastes great," she said after a sip.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

"How do you read me so well after two months?"

Reid sipped his coffee and said, "Part of it's my job, and part of it's learning from my female coworkers."

Abby sighed. "I wish I could tell you about Tony – I'm afraid for him and all of us. I hate that the Secretary of the Navy is telling us what to do."

"Well, he is your boss," Reid said. Abby narrowed her eyes, and he said hastily, "You know what I mean, Abby."

"Yes, but it's – I don't know."

Reid put an arm around her shoulders. "Forgive me; I'm still learning the skill of listening to women. I fall back, occasionally, on the man's desire to fix problems."

Abby choked on her coffee and then giggled. "What?"

"Emily said that once. She lectured Morgan about women telling you their problems because they want you to listen, not advise. She told me the same thing about a year later, and – it's a work in progress."

"I see," Abby said and sighed again. "Let's talk about something else."

"I think that's a great idea."

"Tell me about your lecture today. How did it go?"

"It was fine. I like it more and more; every time Alex asks me to speak."

"I want to come to one of your lectures."

"You do," Reid asked after another sip of coffee.

"Definitely."

"I don't understand why you'd want to hear me go on about linguistics, but I will tell you the next lecture date."

"Good," Abby said.

"So, what do you want to do now," Reid said as he put down his mug.

"I see you have a keyboard. I noticed it the other night. I didn't know you played an instrument."

Reid blushed rosy red. "Um, it's a new interest, and I'm not very adept at it yet."

"That's too bad. I was hoping you'd play something for me."

Reid looked at the keyboard, then at Abby. "I'd like to, but I need more practice. Can we take a rain check?"

"Appropriate for the weather."

Reid smiled and looked out the window where the rain continued to fall. The intensity had increased dramatically after returning to Reid's apartment. It pounded on the windows so hard that it sounded like the ticking of a cosmic clock.

"Yes, it is," he said, looking at his watch. "Your clothing should be dry. I'll go down to the laundry room and get it."

"Thank you."

Ten minutes later, Abby had re-dressed, and Reid said. "It's still pouring out. Let's order something to eat."

Abby nodded and went to the sofa. She waited for Reid to order, but then her phone rang. "Damn," she said. "I must go. Work."

"I understand. See you later."

"You too," she said and kissed him.

"Take care," Reid said and walked her to the door.