Garcia stood at the sinks in the restroom, pulling a small paper bag out of her purse. To the left of her was Emily, resting on the navy blue sofa, chomping on one of her fingernails.
"What's up, paper cup?" She asked with care.
Emily hardly remembered there was another soul in the room, looking over nervously. "Uh… nothing."
"Something's up," She mentioned, turning to her with curiosity. "You need to unload? I'm a great faux therapist."
She gave a smile. "That you are, PG, but… this is a problem I can't really talk to you about."
"Wow," She proclaimed. "That doesn't ease my concern at all. You're not getting a visit from the stork, too, are you?"
At that, Emily couldn't help but laugh. With everything plaguing her mind, it would just be her luck if she were pregnant. "No," She shook her head. "It's not a big deal, at least I'm not sure yet… but if it turns out I can't handle it, I will definitely come to you."
"Okay," She answered, a little disappointed. "Don't hesitate."
The swinging door opened and JJ stepped in. She held the door for Riley, hurrying in behind her. JJ closed the door, turning the deadbolt to lock them inside.
"I figure we could use some privacy." She said, going to join the group.
"Look, I appreciate the emotional support, girls," Riley said, her tone heavy with her increasing possible predicament. "But I don't want to keep you from your work."
"It's fine," JJ assured. "I've got absolutely nothing to do, Garcia's computer is still working, and Emily… wait, doesn't Morgan need your help with those interviews?"
Taking a deep breath, Emily got to her feet. "We'd already finished Hillman's interview. Garcia got back while we were in the middle of Bundle's. I knew he could handle it, so I passed him a note explaining I had to step out. He nodded and I left."
"There you have it!" Garcia said with a smile. She practically shoved the package into Riley's hands. "Are you ready now or do you need to chug some water?"
"Geez, Garcia, maybe you'd like to take the test for me!" Riley snapped. The girls were a bit taken aback by her outburst. Taking a moment to calm down, she carefully took the bag with trembling fingers. "I'm sorry… I'm under a lot of pressure right now."
"It's going to be alright, Rye." Emily gently brushed her shoulder. "If you're not pregnant, we'll find out what's wrong with you and, if you are… we are all going to be there for you. No matter what."
She certainly hoped so, considering she wasn't exactly sure what she wanted this test to say… or what she would do once she had the answer.
Her hands were shaking so badly, she could hardly remove the small box from inside the bag. She set it neatly to the side, at the ready just in case she were to start hyperventilating… in five minutes, apparently, according to the front of the package.
With another deep breath, clutching the box, Riley made her solo way to fatherest stall. "Okay," She whispered, closing the door and locking the hatch.
"There should be directions right inside." Garcia called, trying not to sound too cheerful.
"I'm peeing on a stick, Garcia, it's not exactly rocket science." Her echoing cry answered. "Could someone turn on a faucet, I can't do this with you three listening!"
JJ complied, turning on the closet sink and allowing the rushing water to fill the room. She exchanged excited glances with the other two girls.
They had no indication what was going on until they heard the toilet flush. JJ turned off the water and waited. Another minute and Riley stepped out of the stall, staring down at the stick in her hand. "Alright," She muttered, setting it on one of the sinks, going to wash her hands. "It's done."
"How long until it's ready?" Emily inquired.
Riley straightened up, her wet hands clinging to sink as she stared at her frightened expression in the mirror. "Five minutes."
Alexa sat in the captain's office, the only available space left to do her interview. Harper had been led off by Rossi. Despite the tactic of solo interviews, Hotch suspected this was the best thing for the woman. She needed to be separated from these people.
He stepped into the office quietly, spotting Alexa sitting on the couch beside the window. He gave her a friendly smile and closed the door. There was something about this woman that Hotch found strangely comforting. The last time he'd felt so open with a person so soon was Hayley, but that was a long time ago. Hotch had been a much different person then.
"More tea?" She asked as she accepted the mug he offered her.
"You don't have to drink it," Hotch said as he sat down beside her. "My grandmother always made tea when someone was upset, it's habit."
"Oh," She replied, "so you do this for all your victims' mothers then?"
"Uh, actually no," Hotch answered. "To be honest, Agent Jareau typically speaks with the family, she relates much better to them than I do."
"Well," She said again, and with that flashed him an extraordinary grin. "I think you're doing just fine, Agent Hotchner."
Hotch met her gaze and suddenly became mesmerized by her jade green eyes. It was the warmest smile he'd seen on her yet. There was such a genuine quality to it. He felt his breath catch in his throat, almost like he'd been shot in a vest. But there was no pain. In fact, it was a wonderful sensation.
He let out a nervous chuckle and looked away. Alexa had trouble taking her eyes off him, for he was awfully cute, especially bashful like this. She lifted her mug and took a slow sip of her tea.
"It's good," She said as she swallowed, happy he'd gotten over himself and was looking to her again. "Thank you for having your team come here… you must have had plans this weekend."
"Well, I'm sure the rest of my team did." He answered, sitting back on the couch.
Curious, "Not you?"
Hotch shook his head. "My son's at his mother's this weekend, so that left me pretty open."
She let out a long moan, "Oh, I envy you. I don't think I've had even an hour to myself since I got married. It's either something to do with the kids or working an extra shift or dealing my husband and his family. And let me tell you, those three make me feel like I've got six kids sometimes. Only they drink and curse and make a bigger mess than my six-year-olds with finger paints."
Hotch opened his mouth to say something, but suddenly realized it wasn't his place. He closed it, looking away quickly.
"What were you going to say?" She asked with curiosity.
"Please don't take offense to this," Hotch said, "but… if they make your life so stressful, why do you let them act like that in your home?"
She let out a long sigh, closing her eyes to deal with the debilitating stress. "Maybe because I'm a doormat."
"I… I didn't mean-"
"No," Alexa shook her head. "I know you didn't… it's the truth. I let these people walk all over me when I was a kid… and I guess I never learned how to live without it. Only I'm older now and… know better."
"That's why you let go of your pride to go to Quantico and talk to Reid." He mentioned.
"I had to! What kind of mother would I be if I didn't do everything to find my baby?" She affirmed.
At her cry, she involuntarily reached over, her hand falling on his thigh. The obvious electricity glowed between them, bringing their eyes to meet. That rich dark brown mixing with the muted green.
Hotch swallowed tensely as she carefully pulled her hand away, ignoring what had just happened. Both believed the other hadn't felt the same at such an intimate touch. "I know Spencer didn't want to help me… he almost didn't even come."
"He's a very good man, he's just been through a lot of pain in his life." Hotch said. "Reid is not a man who lets go of a grudge easily… you can ask his wife first hand about that."
"Maybe she could give me a tip on how to get on his good side." She joked.
Hotch smiled again. He shrugged. "Just try talking to him. You remember him as a weak little boy, but he's a man now. A very strong, capable man. You have to treat him like one… that might help him let his guard down about you, and he might see that you've changed, too."
She gave a smile. "It sounds like you really care about him."
"We all care about him." Hotch illuminated. "We're a dysfunctional group of people who never really belonged anywhere until we found each other." He let out a sigh. "I guess that would be hard for an outsider to understand."
"Actually… I understand perfectly." She answered. Alexa looked away, staring down into her tea. She did understand, and in that moment, had never envied a group of people more.
"How much longer?" Riley grumbled. Her whole body was cold and shivering, each silent second agony to her. She could do nothing but pace the length of the bathroom, desperate to know how much more time she had, yet too afraid to look.
"One more minute." JJ said, checking her watch.
The last five minutes, the girls had attempted some small talk, but it wasn't going well. None of them wanted to discuss the weather or their lost weekend plans or even how Reid was dealing with encountering his old classmates. One subject was hanging on their mind and it wasn't ignored so easily.
"So…" Garcia mentioned, unable to help herself. "If, by chance, you are pregnant… when do you think it happened?"
"I don't know," Riley complained. "I can't believe this might be happening."
"No offense, Sweetie," Emily mentioned. "I mean… you and Reid are married, there's nothing wrong with it, but… in this day and age, it's pretty hard for someone to get pregnant if you take precautions… really, is it that much of a shock?"
"Yes!" Riley exclaimed. "You know, sometimes a couple can do everything right, everyone can be wearing exactly what they're supposed be wearing and those little things still manage to make trouble!"
"How?" Emily asked with a bit of a laugh.
Whipping around, Riley furiously met her eyes. "Em, he's a genius! I'm sure his brilliant sperm can find a way through!"
"She has a point," JJ replied. "I mean, when Will and I were dating, I was on the pill and we used condoms and I still got pregnant. If these things are meant to happen, they'll happen." Glancing at her watch again, she gasped. "It's time."
Riley stopped in her tracks, looking to the sink were the infamous white stick was lying in wait. Emily and Garcia stood up, anxious for the verdict.
Slowly, like she were heading towards the electric chair, Riley made her way over to the sink. With a shaking hand, she reached out for the test, trying to brace herself for the answer.
At the last second, she pulled her hand away. "I can't do it," She shook her head, walking away. "I can't look, someone else do it for me."
Immediately, Garcia took the order. She carefully picked the test off the sink. Riley stood at the ready on the other side of the room, hands on her shapely hips. Outside she was brave and impassive, inside she was screaming like a crazy person.
At last, Garcia looked at the test. She forced herself not to show any emotion for a moment, just until she was sure what she was reading was true. Looking up, she met Riley's eyes.
"Positive." She answered in awe.
Riley's face became white as a ghost. "What?"
"It's positive!" She exclaimed, beaming wildly at the expectant mother. "Your eggo is prego, Mamma Bear!"
Riley tried to keep calm, but it was just too much now. She couldn't believe this was happening… she had been so sure, without a shadow of a doubt, that she wasn't pregnant. Now the truth was staring at her in the face so blatantly, it was written on a digital screen.
"Oh, God…" Riley moaned, the tears immediately forming in her eyes. Her knees gave out as she collapsed onto the couch behind her. "This can't be happening."
The girls never expected her to react like this. They knew she was scared, but that fear never triumphed over the joy of a new baby… except now.
"Riley," Emily said as she rushed over, sitting beside her. She put her arm around her. "It's okay… this is a good thing."
"No, it's not!" She sobbed, looking up at her. She looked to all three of them, begging them to see. "You don't understand… I can't be a mother. It just can't happen."
"Well, looks like you beat the system," Garcia insisted, showing her the test again. "I bought you the top of the line, the best on the market. Nothing is better than this short of a blood test."
"I'm not saying I can't physically conceive." Riley explained. "I'm saying I can't raise a child."
That was greatly unexpected. "Why would you even think that? Motherhood is not the easiest job in the world. It's not easy at all… but it can be done." JJ said confidently. "You're going to be great."
"No, I'm not," Riley argued, on the verge of having a breakdown. "I will be horrible, I will make this child's life miserable… just like my mother did to me. I can't bear the thought of putting an innocent child through that."
She stood, her arms folded as she started pacing again, trying to make sense of all this. Before today, she often thought of having a child with Spencer, but every time she considered it, it filled her with a sense of dread and panic. She just couldn't get over that. Now suddenly, it was thrust upon her.
"I don't know what to do." She moaned, covering her eyes.
"Well, it's a little late now." JJ said with a shrug. "You're just afraid because you're whole life has suddenly changed. You just need time to let it sink in."
"Yeah…" Riley nodded, turning around. "Except for the fact that it's not too late."
"What do you mean?" Garcia asked.
"I'm saying if I don't want this… I don't have to have it." She said seriously, regaining a bit of her composure. "There's a very simple and quick solution to something like this."
Each of the girls looked to have been given a shot of Novocain. "You're going to have an abortion?" Garcia asked, not believing it.
The sudden idea startled her. "I didn't say that… I just said I do have the right… if I decide."
"And what is Spencer going to say about that?" JJ asked bitterly. She fully agreed that a woman could do what she wanted with her body, but this wasn't just some random woman. This was her best friend's wife, who was considering killing his child. A child she knew he would want.
"Who says Spencer has to know?" Riley wondered. "At least until I make my decision and… if I chose to abort, telling him wouldn't do any good."
"Riley!" Emily exclaimed, appalled. "You have to tell him. As soon as possible."
Her frustration was getting the best of her. Riley looked to her best friend with bitterness. "Hey, you know what, Emily? If we're talking about keeping secrets here, you may want to sit this conversation out!"
At once, Emily went from concerned to horrified. The other two were confused.
"What is she talking about?" JJ asked.
"Nothing," Emily snapped, brushing it aside. "This is completely different. Spencer is your husband, and this is his child. He doesn't deserve to be lied to and deceived."
"And what am I supposed to do?" Riley exclaimed, her emotions spilling out with more tears. "Ignore the inevitable, have this baby, and let our lives spin out of control?" Her eyes squeezed closed as she remembered. All the screaming, the frightening, the tension, crying herself to sleep almost every night… It would all happen again, only this time she would be the one to go crazy, she would be the one to scream and hurt the people who loved her… Spencer was a much better man than her father, he could very likely take their child and abandon her… or worse, stay with her like Riley's father had, reminding his wife every day with every look and every word that he hated her. That she had ruined his life.
"I can't let that happen." Riley whispered, shaking her head.
"Riley, you're just scared!" Emily yelled, trying to get her to see reason. "You think you're going to be like your mother and instead of proving that theory wrong and doing everything to make sure that doesn't happen, you're taking the easy and, by the way, coward's way out!"
Her tear filled eyes immediately shifted blazing with wrath. Riley had no idea of Emily's past history, and therefore believed she had no right to judge. At that, her vindictive side broke through.
"Emily and Morgan are having an affair." She stated, her eyes flashing with satisfaction at her.
The attention suddenly shifted over to the other side of the room, where the usually controlled agent stood in shock.
"I'm sorry, what?" Garcia hollered, as if she hadn't heard right.
"I can't believe you just did that." Emily hissed. She could practically hear each of the toilets flushing her career down the drain.
"Is that true?" JJ wondered, just as bowled over as the bubbly girl beside her.
"Okay, I don't think it's technically an affair. It's not like we're married or involved with other people." Emily corrected. This was too enormous; she couldn't believe this was happening.
"But… you guys are sleeping together?" JJ needed clarified.
With a groan, "Ugh, yes… we're… kind of a couple."
"I… cannot… believe this." Garcia mumbled.
"It's not that big a deal!" Emily assured. "We've kept it quiet for this long, obviously it's not affecting our work. You don't even have to think about it, just forget it."
"Oh no," Garcia said, her hands waving madly around her head, trying to make sense of all this. "This isn't something you just forget, this is huge, this is beyond reality huge… I don't think any of our lives are ever going to be the same ever again!"
"Garcia," JJ said, placing a hand on her shoulder to calm her down. "You're not helping…" She was the only person who seemed to be thinking clearly. Emily was looking to the ceiling while Riley stared at the floor, both filled with fear and the uncertainty of their futures. "Look, we're not going to figure anything out in here. We need to get back to work before someone comes looking for us, so… let's just stay calm, let these things sink in and… we'll talk about it later."
"I know this is a big deal." Emily said. "But… can you guys promise, at least for as long as we're in Vegas, you won't say anything about this?"
"Of course," JJ said. Garcia seemed unable to look at her, though Emily couldn't tell if she was still shocked or if that had turned to an angry hurt. "And we won't say anything to Spencer, either."
"Thank you," Riley whispered. "Uh… I'll be out in a minute, I just… need some time alone."
"Sure," Garcia's voice had come back to her. "We'll see you out there."
Quickly, the girls gathered everything from the test, taking it out to be disposed off. Riley heard the door open and slowly swing close, standing alone in the bathroom. Her legs, trembling from the ordeal, walked over to the couch and slowly sat down, leaning on her hands.
She hadn't even realized someone was still in the room with her until she sat down beside her. A comforting arm went around her shoulders.
Looking up, Riley met Emily's worried eyes. Out of the heat of the moment, she felt terrible over what she had done. "I'm sorry… I shouldn't have said that."
"You're having a baby, you're allowed to freak out." Emily kindly said. "Though if I get fired… I'll need a job. You can hire me to take care of your kid."
Her eyes were suggestive and Riley got the hint. "I'm so confused, Emily," She choked, the tears taking over again, "I don't know what to do."
"It's okay," She soothed as Riley began to cry. "We're going to figure it out… and no matter what happens… I'll be here for you."
"Thank you," She sobbed lightly. As a true friend, Emily allowed her to lay her head down, crying on her shoulder. Riley's whole life was suddenly a mess and she knew, no matter what she decided, it would never be the same again.