Reid and Riley ate dinner at Scotland Yard that night with the other inspectors. They wanted to wait for the BAU before going to the new crime scene. Fresh eyes were sure to help the investigation. Instead, they read over the files and the notes about the victims as well as the statements from the maids who had found the bodies. It was just after midnight when they returned to the hotel. It being so late, and both so tired, the newlyweds went straight to sleep.
It was only a few hours later when Reid woke up, feeling better than he expected. Maybe it was because the team was coming. He worked better with these people, all of them functioning like a well maintained machine. And that gave him confidence that this investigation would go much more smoothly, maybe only taking a few more days. He was starting to wish they had come in sooner.
He rolled onto his other side, pleased to see Riley right beside him. She was laying on her back, with a soft smile on her face, in another very sexy, cream colored silk nightgown. Her curls were loose and spread around her like heather in a field, her chest rising and lowering under the covers as she breathed so serenely. She was absolutely breathtaking.
Gently, he reached over to brush her cheek. Riley left out a the soft hum of a moan, nuzzling into his hand. "Hmm... Spencer..." she sighed in her sleep, her smile widening.
Reid grinned. He loved it when she dreamed about him. His arm went carefully around her waist as he pulled himself closer, letting his lips press against her flushed cheek.
A soft gasp and Riley opened her eyes. It took a moment to understand where she was, being ripped from her sleep so suddenly. But at last reality hit her, and she relaxed in her husband's embrace, running a hand up his arm.
"This is my favorite way to wake up." She grinned as he nuzzled her neck. Smiling, Reid sat up to meet her brown eyes. Lit up and sparkling intensely from wherever her mind had just been.
"It sounded like you were having a nice dream." He muttered, brushing some hair from her cheek as he rested his head on a propped arm. "What were we doing?"
Blushing slightly, she closed her eyes as she sighed. "We were on a warm beach, making love on the sand as the tide came in around us..." Her eyes opened, meeting his hazel. "It's probably what we should be doing."
"As romantic as popular opinion makes that sound, it's actually incredibly dangerous. It's very easy to be taken under by the water, to be cut by debris being washed onto shore, or stung by a jellyfish." He explained.
"Did anyone ever tell you how sexy you are when you're logical?" She asked, teasing him.
But he didn't laugh, feeling the remorse seeping in again. "I am sorry about all this. I had so much planned for us on this trip... places for us to visit and... just spending time with the woman I love. I wanted us to just get lost with each other and forget there was a whole world on the other side of the ocean... but I guess you were right all along. We must be doomed to be followed by bad luck forever."
Her hand, soft like feathers, landed on his cheek. "It's worth the price of being so happy. But besides, this is not over... we have nine days left. Maybe with the team coming, we'll be able to have a little less than a week to ourselves. You'll see... everything will be fine."
Curious, "When did you become such an optimist?"
"I think you're starting to rub off on me." She giggled. With that, she reached over and placed a kiss on his lips. It took no more than a second for him to respond. Reid's fingers lost themselves into her curls, feeling her body move closer to his.
Their kiss broke and Riley cradled the back of his head, her fingertips playing with the ends of his hair as she often liked to do. "I think you might be right, though. I'm used to working with the team, we know each other's movements and abilities. We'll work this a lot more efficiently... and then they'll go home and Scotland Yard can close the case and we'll have the rest of the time to ourselves. Who knows, Hotch may even give me a few more days leave."
"Probably; Hotch is pretty understanding." She replied, grinning. "And I can make the request for you, I do tend to have a bit of a charm with him."
"He's not the only one," He smiled, leaning down to kiss her. It was soft and sweet, and as his lips pulled away, he moved to kiss the apple of her cheek, slowly making his way to her ear.
She giggled again he nibbled on her lobe, her hand gripping the cotton sleeve of his pajamas. "I love it when you do that." She exhaled.
"You know," He breathed, "we don't have to be at the Yard for a few hours."
Grinning, she hummed softly at the butterfly kisses he lightly peppered on her skin, pleased as his warm body moved to cover hers. "That's true..." she finally replied. "And if we're late... what are they going to do, fire us?"
Reid chuckled. No more words were needed now. He lightly began to grace along her curves. He wanted to build up the anticipation, but was itching to move his hands under the silk nightgown. Her own nimble fingers were expertly unfastening each button on his pajama top. His lips reached up to claim hers again as she exposed his soft pale skin and light hint of chest hair. She wasted no time in allowing her hands to explore. Her delicate tips ghosted over his flesh; barely enough for him to feel his touch... she knew that drove him crazy.
His hands were sliding over the legs he adored so much, sliding up her calf to the joint of her knee, bent as she nestled it closer to his waist. His fingers continued up her thigh and stopping just under the hemline, lightly caressing her bare hip. Their kisses were turning more powerful, each touch leaving a fire blazing on their skin, gradually building up the intensity of their long awaited encounter.
At that moment, a soft buzzing on the bedside table interrupted them, followed by the familiar ringtone... the one he used for the team. Disappointed, Riley collapsed back on the pillow and grumbled. "Oh, you've got to be kidding me."
"I'm sure it's nothing." He said, reaching across the bed, his fingertips just able to grab the phone. Opening it, he answered "Reid."
"Hey Reid, you're on speaker phone." Hotch announced on the other end. "Did we wake you?"
"No, we were... just about to get out of bed." He said, looking at Riley apologetically. She rolled her eyes. She had no idea what the wanted, but already knew what was promising to be a very wonderful morning was ruined.
"We'll be there in a couple of hours, Reid," Hotch informed. "We're starting to go over the case. Since you're already involved, we wanted your input."
"So the whole team's there?" Reid wanted confirmed.
"All of us," JJ informed. "How are you doing, Reid? And Riley?"
"We're okay... we've been better." He replied, pulling away from Riley a bit to sit up.
"How exactly did you guys get involved in this?" He heard Rossi ask. "You're not in danger, are you?"
"It's kind of a long story, actually." He did not want to discuss this at all, but at least he didn't have to talk about it now. "But Riley and I are perfectly safe, for once."
Emily, knowing how nervous Riley was about London in the first place, was very concerned for her. "Tell her we're going to do everything we can to give you guys back your vacation. I know this must be hard on her."
"Hang on," Reid said, pulling the phone away for a moment. "The team is on it's way. They want me to go over the case and the victims... I shouldn't be too long, though."
Riley reached up and brushed his cheek. She stared into his sweet, warm eyes. "I'm going to get a shower... how about when you're done, you get dressed and I'll treat you to breakfast?"
It amazed him how wonderful she was being about this. She was trying so hard to make this easier on him, getting upset and angry wouldn't help and was attempting to be positive. "That sounds great," He said, meeting her smile.
Reid reached down and met her lips one more time in a slow kiss. Her hand rubbed on his cheek. They pulled away reluctantly, letting Riley climb out from under the covers. He watched her beautiful form adorned in creamy silk disappear into the bathroom, wanting so badly to follow her in there.
"Reid?" He heard Hotch call through the ear piece on his phone. "Reid? Are you there?"
"Yes, I'm sorry," He replied, rolling over to lay on his back. "Let's see... the first reported victims were an engaged couple from Norfolk. JoAnne Taylor and Kevin Philips..."
Eden met Reid at the hotel at noon that day, set to look over the crime scene. It was the exact same room they were in a day before, yet now it looked so different. The first thing their eyes noticed was the blood gathered on the seat of a couch cushion. It was mostly neat, just like in the bathroom at the Waterfall, indicating no sign of a struggle.
"So the assistant was drugged." Reid mentioned, "And Lemon was bludgeoned when she returned."
"He's changed his MO again." Eden groaned. "New he attacked the woman and drugged the man?"
Reid corrected her. "He didn't switch anything. You met Marcy Lemon, she was definitely the alpha in her relationship. It is, however, a clue as to how closely he watches his victims. Not only did he know she was in charge, she knew there was a secret relationship between these two."
"He did switch from visiting couples to permanent residents." Stated Eden. "What would cause that?"
"I don't have an exact answer to that." Reid claimed. "There are a number of reasons... a crime of opportunity, covering tracks, revenge for a grudge... we may not find the answer until we actually catch the unsub."
He searched around the room for obvious clues. The attack happened right before Lemon's private office, the blood covering the archway from the opened door. Odd that she would walk right past her sleeping assistant without a word. He must have had his back to her, otherwise she would have noticed the blood. The desk was undisturbed, papers... a few yellow folders... an empty teacup... a leather bound ledger, nothing out of the ordinary.
A large pile of documents was littered where Lemon had fallen. She must have been carrying them back from her meeting. Unlike the desk, a bright color caught his eye. Red... a red folder mixed in with the papers.
He'd seen that folder twice already, both times he came to speak to her. It had to be something very important, something she always kept with her.
Walking over, Reid bent down to pick it up. He read the tab: Complaints. Immediately he knew why this was so important to her. Anyone as driven and determined as Marcy Lemon would constantly be obsessing with her faults.
Just as he were about to open the folder, he was distracted, at last hearing a familiar accent. "I think I've spotted the king of romance now."
The moment was upon him. He turned to see Morgan and Emily standing outside the police tape, both looking at him curiously. "I was wondering when you guys would get here."
"Where's the misses this morning?" Emily wondered.
"Back at the station." He slipped the folder under his arm as he walked over. "I know this statement will be futile, but I'd appreciate if you guys could refrain from making jokes about my situation."
"Reid, there are so many jokes I could make about this, I don't even know where to start." Morgan teased. "But we'll have time for that later, let's check out the crime scene."
"Come on, I'll show you what we found." He said, going further inside.
Emily was surprised when Morgan lifted the tape, waiting for her to pass inside. He was always a gentleman like that. Usually, when he did something like that, she'd flash him a small smile and suggestive eyes, a silent promise to what they would share later. Instead, this time, she stared straight ahead as she slipped underneath. They hadn't spoken directly to each other since their spat in the break room, barely able to make eye contact.
Morgan followed her in, spotting as Reid indicated a young lady, around the same age as him. "Guys, this is Inspector Eden with Scotland Yard, she and I have been investigating the case together. Evie, these are two of my teammates, Agent Emily Prentiss."
"Evie. You two are on a nickname basis." Emily noted.
"Well, the other inspectors call me that. And Reid and I have been working together a lot these last few days." She indicated. "We're glad you're here, though. If you're half as talented as this guy, I think we can learn a thing or two from this."
"That's a fresh attitude, we're used to the locals hating our interference." She replied.
"She wasn't too pleased with it at first, either." Reid said with an almost teasing grin.
"And this is Agent Derek Morgan." He continued.
Morgan stepped forward and a much different expression crossed Eden's face. She looked Morgan up and down, seeming pleased with what she found. "Well... they certainly know how to grow them in the FBI, don't they?"
"Nah, I'm just special." Morgan smiled. His usual flirtatious grin on his face. He offered his hand to her.
"Special indeed." She accepted it, hanging on a bit longer than usual decorum. "Reid's told me a bit about you."
"Oh no," He gave a playful grumble. "My ill reputation has already preceded me across the pond."
She gave a giggle, at last releasing his hand. "He only said the two of us would get along... and I'm starting to think he may be right."
"Well... our pretty boy is usually right." He shrugged. "Maybe I can buy you a drink later."
"You certainly work fast." She laughed, biting her lip a bit in a sensual way.
Reid was used to watching Morgan flirt with women. He barely noticed it anymore. And there was a time when he envied him, wanting the attention from beautiful women that didn't involve mocking and laughter. But now he saw it from another angle, and it didn't seem such a glamorous life anymore. Morgan didn't have anyone to come home to. He didn't have a special bond with anyone... someone who connected with him so well, that he could be vulnerable and intimate with... Reid honestly pitied him.
Emily, however, was looking at him with very different thougts. Her eyes burned with a kind of intensity as she watched the scene. She tried to be nonchalant, but the anger wanting to erupt was evident. If Reid didn't know better... he'd say she was jealous.
"Well, why don't you guys show us the scene." Morgan said, spotting the blood on the couch behind him. Eden followed, beginning to explain the evidence. Before Emily could join them, Reid intercepted her.
"Hey... are you okay?" He whispered.
She gave him a glare. "Why wouldn't I be okay, Reid?"
"It just... it looked like you were upset or something." He mentioned. "Are you and Morgan not getting along again?"
"That's none of your business, Reid." She grumbled, trying to move past him.
But he wouldn't let her pass. "What's going on? You look like you might be sick."
"What's going on is none of your damn business!" She hissed. Emily didn't want to take her anger out on him, but now that it was seeping out, she couldn't stop it. "Unless you want me to tell your new wife how you've been flirting with the lovely Inspector Evie over there."
"Whoa, I am not flirting with her!" He informed, a bit stunned. "We just... get along."
"And Morgan and I are getting along, too. Are we clear?" She asked, fixing him with a concentrated stare.
"Yeah... I'm sorry." He uttered. At that, he let her pass. As usual , a half a yard of space was put between the agents, as it had been for last year. Reid tried to ignore the heavy tension as they got to work, pretending his two best friends weren't ruining what used to be a strong and spirited team.
Riley was making herself another cup of tea. The coffee here was horribly burnt, she couldn't stand drinking it. She dunk the bag over and over into the water, absentmindedly thinking what she and her husband could be doing right now.
"Hey, Sweetie," Garcia called softly as she stepped in. She could hear the pity in her voice already. Grabbing her cup, she turned around to face it, finding not only her, but JJ standing with her.
"Hey," She answered, looking to stare into swirls going through the hot water. "Where is everybody?"
"Rossi and Hotch went to the morgue. Morgan and Emily are meeting Reid at the hotel." JJ explained. "Usually we'd help the police set up, but it seems you've already done a good job of that."
Riley let out a sigh, "Thank you. Not much for me to do here."
The girls went to stand with her. JJ fixed their own tea while Garcia brushed her arm. "Are you doing okay, Baby Girl?"
"Oh, yeah, I'm great." She grumbled, folding her arms a bit. "This has been the greatest week of my life. I've been married for six days and I've spent more time alone in a police station than with my new husband, who would rather work on a murder case than spend time with me."
"Now, Riley, that's not true." JJ informed. "Reid loves you. He adores you... whatever reason he got involved with this, he had no intention to hurt you, I'm sure."
"How do you know it was him who got us involved?" Riley said, meeting the crystal blue of her eyes.
"Because I know him." She shrugged. "And I know when Reid feels someone needs his help, he's there... kind of like how he got involved with you."
"Yeah, didn't you use his therapy sessions to help track down a paroled patient that you were so sure was killing again?" Garcia mentioned.
Surprised, Riley looked to her curiously. "How do you know about that?"
"He tells us things." Garcia grinned. "You don't realize how things have changed since you came into the picture. In the days before Dr. Parker, he used to talk constantly about books and journals and academic stuff. Now he mostly tells us about you. Just as boring to us, no offense, but he is a lot cheerier."
The liquid was turning darker as the tea swirled around. "I know Spencer loves me... and he's sorry about this... I knew something bad was going to happen to us on this trip. I should have just told him and gone somewhere else... at this point, I just want to go home."
JJ shared a glance with Garcia, seeing how tormented this was making her. "Well... we've got some time." She said, pulling her over to small table on the other side of the room. "Let's sit and... you can tell us what happened."
"Yeah, Sweetie, it might make you feel better if you get it off your chest." Garica mentioned.
Riley liked the team. She was incredibly grateful to them for the times they saved her life. She had worked with them for months and enjoyed spending time with all of them. Maybe it was because she was so emotionally distant, but with the exception of Emily and Hotch, she had never really thought of the others as her friends... just Spencer's friends.
But maybe she was wrong, and they really did care about her, too. Riley could open up to them. She set her cup aside, not really in the mood for tea now, and resting her folded arms on the table. "Well... the trouble started basically from the very beginning... right from the moment we checked in."