On the next block over was a pub popular to the inspectors at Scotland Yard. When the group finally decided to call it a night, the three insisted on taking the BAU team out for a drink. Just to recharge their batteries before diving back into the case first thing in the morning. Hotch and Bradbury sat in a booth with Rossi, telling stories about their college days. JJ and Garcia were getting acquainted with Inspector Paul, although Emily did not go unnoticed by them, sitting a few stools over, having no desire to be in anyone's company.
Getting drunk wasn't a wise idea tonight, however badly she wanted to. Emily nursed her beer slowly, her eyes burning with intensity as she stared at them... the way he smiled at her, how she moved much too closely to him as she maneuvered around his body, her hand gliding over his and up his arm as she passed him.
That used to be them. She and Morgan were a lot more careful about their glances and touches. Anyone on the outside wouldn't notice a thing, but as subtle as it was, it was electrifying, intensifying the sensation later, when they were in private.
Morgan held onto his pool cue as he watched Eden take her turn, watching her backside as she stretched much too far over the table. She was good at pool, probably spending a lot of time in these pubs over the years. It had been how Emily had learned, and it came in handy later when she worked undercover, interrogating dangerous suspects all over the world. Today, though, was a good thing, probably, that Emily wasn't allowed to have her gun. She'd be much too tempted to blast that gleaming, suggestive smile off that British chippy.
"Hey, Foxy Lady," Garcia grinned, sitting beside her at last. She held a drink in hand, something red and yellow with a cheery on top. "Haven't seen you in a while, what are you doing over here."
She took a sip of her beer, buying herself a moment to reply. "Not much, just... thinking."
Garcia pretended not to notice where her attention was focused. "I hope we might get at least an extra day here when the cases is solved." She said, trying to find a safe subject for the girls to chat about. "I've never gotten to see London. What do you think, Em? You want to play tour guide if we get some time to site see?"
"Uh..." She was trying not to scream at Morgan's light pinch to her grinning cheek... It was a typical move when he was flirting. "I... I guess, whatever, Garcia. To be honest, I don't want to stay here any longer than I have to. The sooner we leave this country behind, the better."
"When did you become the Ugly American?" She retorted.
"No, I just..." Eden just slipped her hand on his hip. It was only a moment... but it was enough. "We left so suddenly, I really have a lot to do at home."
Morgan finished his turn and set his cue down. He muttered something to Eden, giving her a smile. She never took her eyes off him as he stepped away, her gaze scanning his entire magnificently sculpted body.
Emily tried to shake that thought from her mind. She longed for the time she could look at him without admiring his body... wanting to run her hands along every ripple and muscle.
"Two more, please." Morgan ordered from the bar tender as he stood next to the girls. He took a seat next to Emily, who's eyes remained in front of her. She couldn't have more focus straight ahead if she were trying to drive through a blizzard.
"You girls having a good time?" Morgan asked, glancing beside him. The red in her cheeks warm and bright enough to add light to the dim, smokey pub.
"Yeah, I guess." Garcia uttered, taking a sip of her drink. "It's hard to enjoy myself knowing the reason why we're here."
Morgan waited for Emily to respond, but she was trying to pretend he wasn't there. She took a swig of beer, feeling his gaze on her, warming her like a bonfire.
"If you girls are up for it, we could make our little game a foursome." He suggested. "You want to join us?"
Glaring, Emily turned to him. She had a thousand things she wanted to say. She wanted to hurt him, to infect his mind the same as he'd done to her, so he could think of nothing else. But words had failed her. She couldn't find one to utter, like she'd suddenly gone mute.
"I'm game if she is." Garcia exclaimed. "What do you say, Em? Ready to beat the pants off them?"
"Oh, Baby Girl, you don't have to beat me to get my pants off." Morgan said with a wink and a grin. Garcia answered it with a giggled.
Emily, however, found no humor in this. Just as the bar tender set Morgan's round down, Emily slid off her stool. "Excuse me, I have to check my messages."
Storming across the pub, Emily headed into the back. Down a small corridor led to the restrooms and two pay phones. Grabbing one, she pretended to punch in numbers to reach her home in America, and leaned against the wall, her back to the crowd.
She sensed him before she heard him. Morgan couldn't leave her alone, pretending to use the other phone in the same fashion.
"Anything you want to talk about?" Morgan muttered, his hands drumming on the top of the phone as he pretended to wait for a connection.
"Not with you. I was sure that was clear by now." She snapped in a soft tone.
"Really? Because you were certainly keen to be near me a few hours ago." He mentioned. He was done with the charade, hanging up the receiver. He turned to look at her, folding his arms. "Have you accessed your uncrazy side yet? Are you thinking a little more rationally now?"
Slamming down the phone, Emily turned to him, her eyes ready to set flame to his body. "You're an asshole." She hissed, her teeth gritted, making her seem even more dangerous.
"Oh, am I?" He asked. "You want to clarify that?"
"I was really starting to think you care about me." The jealousy gushed from her before she couldn't even realize what she was saying. "You gave me this beautiful night with you, you treated me like no one ever came close to. But you turn around and keep chasing everything in a skirt which means I obviously don't mean anything more to you an easy lay? Right?"
"Prentiss-" He started to say.
"So I gave you a clean break. I don't think much of myself, but I deserve more than to be treated like dirt by you. I want to waste my time who will give me a little more respect than that."
He leaned down, staring deeply into her soul with his persuasive eyes. "You don't even know what you want, Prentiss. And even if you did, you're too damaged to hang on to it."
Emily had a creeping suspicion he was right. She knew exactly what she wanted. She wanted him. She wanted to be the most selfish she had ever been. She wanted to be his and never let another woman touch him for as long as she could... but once again, she was silent.
He stood and waited for her to dispute his words. Why couldn't she just tell him? He focused on her lips, as he always did when he was a bout to kiss her. Emily almost closed her eyes, in anticipation to feel his lips, but she stood her ground. And at last, he stood to walk off.
"Oh, there you guys are." JJ exclaimed, sounding in a rush. "We need to get back to the station."
Their spat forgotten for the moment as Emily and Morgan became concerned. "What for, Jay?" Emily asked.
"Hotch will explain, I have to try to contact Reid." She quickly hurried away with her cell in hand, going towards the entrance of the pub.
Morgan glanced at Emily. Only a few select things could pull them back into work at night, and none of them could be good. Their fight forgotten, the two became partners again, silently debating everything that could be happening. Without a word, they went in search of the team.
The room was perfect. There were candles lit all around the room, giving off a tropical scent. Most the lights were turned down, giving the room a romantic glow. Reid was ready for bed, in pajama pants and a t-shirt. He was comfortable and relaxed and soon he'd have his beautiful wife in his arms for the whole night.
If she ever came out of the bathroom that was.
It had been silent for awhile. He heard her changing ten minutes ago, but now there was nothing. She'd been in there almost as long as she had on their wedding night. What was taking her so long?
He tried to be patient, sitting on the edge of the bed in wait. He watched the golden door knob in anticipation for it to turn, opening the door to reveal Riley in another glorious nightgown that showed off her spectacular body. It was hard to keep so diligent. Thinking and dreaming of this moment for days, and after so many failed attempts, it was hard to keep still.
After another five minutes, Reid called, "Sweetheart, are you alright in there?"
There was a long silence before he heard, "Uh... I'm just, having some... trouble..."
"Are you alright?" He asked, concerned.
"Oh, I'm fine." She grumbled. "It's just... I just need a few more minutes, I have to change."
"I thought you were changing." He was confused. Riley did that to him better than anyone.
She let out a loud sigh. "I was... I mean, I did change, but I have to change again, I don't know what I was thinking. I'll be out soon."
"I don't understand." Reid called. "What are you wearing?"
"You don't want to know." She called through the door.
Just the secrecy of it was intriguing, and Reid was half tempted to whip open the bathroom door to see for himself. "Just tell me, what are you wearing?"
At first he assumed she refused, but after a minute, she replied. "Well... Garcia gave me something... at my bridal shower."
"Yeah, that afghan she made us." Reid nodded. "I don't understand, what-"
"No, that was our wedding present... all the girls got me some lingerie, but Garcia's... is a bit of a different taste."
"I'm not surprised about that." He called. "Are you wearing it?"
"Yes, but I'm taking it off right now." She announced.
Reid was much too curious to let her do that. "Well... can I see it first?"
"Absolutely not, I look ridiculous!" She cried.
"I sincerely doubt that." He corrected. "I want to see what you look like."
"I look like an extra in Moulin Rouge, and not in a good way. And there is no way in this lifetime I am letting my husband have this image of me in his eidetic memory." She exclaimed.
Now Reid had to see this, and if she didn't let him, he was going to open that door. "Please just let me see for myself, don't you trust me?"
"Of course I trust you," She replied. "But this is humiliating. I do not have the body to pull something like this off. You'll be both amused and disgusted at the same time, and not in the least bit aroused."
"Riley, please." He begged. "You could never disgust me. If I don't like it, I'll say so. And then you can change. But you could at least let me make that judgement for myself."
There was a silence and Reid knew he had won. He heard a loud, grumbling sigh on the other side of the door and at last saw the handle turn.
"If you laugh, we are never having sex again." She announced.
"Understood." He stated, trying not to grin.
His grin faded at once, however, as the door opened and she stepped out. Because he did indeed feel like he'd stepped into some kind of fantasy. A wonderful fantasy Reid would never even hope of fulfilling.
Most of the outfit consisted of a corset, red with lace and partially transparent. Her arms were bare with the lace straps going over her shoulder. Her hips and along her backside were poofed out with black and red feathers, that guided down her legs, matching the red nylons held up by a silk garter belt. Reid knew immediately why his friend had bought that for her. It made Riley look like an old fashion magician's assistant, perfect for someone who'd been fascinated by magic his entire life.
He didn't say anything for the longest time, just staring at her. Riley was starting to fidget, waiting for the okay to rush back in and change. His impassive expression that had frozen his face worried her more with every passing second.
"Well?" She finally pressed. "Could you please tell me what you're thinking?"
"What am I thinking?" Reid asked, unable to take his eyes off the flow of her curves in this new attire. "I'm thinking... if a dozen roses will be enough of a thank you for Garcia."
Her face turned red, but she smiled, "You actually like this?"
He stood up, taking in her entire form up and down. "You're beautiful, Riley... you're... amazing doesn't even describe it. How could you ever doubt that?"
"Because I look horrible. I don't have one those perfect, petite little bodies this type of outfit was designed for. I'm too tall, my stomach's too flabby, and my thighs... I really don't get the obsession you have with my legs, because they're disg-"
He silenced her with a kiss before she could finish. She moaned softly, her arms draping over his shoulders as his hands moved carefully on her feathered hips.
Riley's eyes slowly opened as their lips parted, glazed over from such a passionate kiss. "You're right, Riley. You're body is not perfect, but I love it. It's perfect to me. It's unique and graceful and elegant... and most importantly, it's mine. You always look beautiful, you do... but if you think you don't look incredible like this... you might be crazier than my mother."
Reid never joked about his mother's insanity. That came as such a shock, and Riley knew he was completely sincere at that. It sent all her insecurity out the window. She grinned biting her lip as she wrapped her arms around his neck. "I never knew you went for this kind of thing, Dr. Reid."
"I don't, actually." He said, smiling. "My last girlfriend before you - Austin - she wore something like this once. Not as extravagant, but similar. It didn't turn me on, it just made me uncomfortable , like I was disrespecting her by staring at her in it... But on you..." He pressed a light kiss to her lips, "...it's different." He mumbled into their kiss, pulling her closer. "I can't take my eyes off you. Just standing there... you're driving me crazy."
"I think we've wasted enough time." She muttered. "Let's get on with our honeymoon."
He smiled into their kiss before they started up again. Reid at once led her to the bed as he felt her hands move under his t-shirt. He pulled away for a moment to let her pull it over his head. Like a magnet, his lips fell back to hers again as her knees hit the bed.
She grinned seductively as she let herself fall back onto the bed, wiggling away from him slowly. Not letting her get away, Reid quickly joined her, ghosting over her body to get to her level, kissing her again. Riley sighed again as their bodies moved closer, his one hand gliding over her thigh onto her hip, letting his body settle between her legs. Her hands messed with the hem of his pants as she heard him start to giggle.
"What's so funny?" She asked as she slipped away, meeting his eyes with concern.
"Nothing," He grinned. "It's just... your feathers are tickling me."
She hadn't thought of that. Riley let out a chuckle as he kissed her again, her fingers teasing him as they traced on his chest. His lips pulled from hers as he moved down her neck to the flesh of her collar bone. Riley moaned as her fingers lost themselves in his long chestnut hair.
But their happiness was short lived. Just like that morning, the cellphone on the side table sounded again, with the unwelcomed ringtone filling the room.
Riley could feel Reid's attention begin to fade, bringing her hands to cup his cheeks. "Ignore it," she demanded between kisses, trying to keep his focus on her.
He knew it was the team. They knew they wanted to be alone tonight, so they would only be calling if something were incredibly important. But regardless, he tried to just forget about it. He gave a shrug, "That's what voicemail is for."
"Precisely," She smiled, immediately picking up where they left off. The phone soon silenced, leaving the two lovers alone. They'd barely forgotten about it before it started again.
He was having doubts this time. Reid pulled away, looking in her eyes. "Maybe I should answer it."
"They'll get the message, just leave it alone." She ordered. "Tonight is supposed to be for us."
"Exactly, and they know that. So they wouldn't call unless it were serious." He informed, not wanting to just abandon her.
"No, Spencer, pleased!" She whimpered, tears starting to burn in her eyes. "It's been days, we've had no time alone, I just want to be with my husband tonight."
"I want that, too. If it is nothing, I'll just be a minute." He tried his best to pull from her embrace gently.
Riley knew it wasn't nothing. Whatever it was could wait an hour or two. She grabbed his arm to try and hold him back. "Spencer, please... Do not answer that phone!"
He wanted to give into her, but even if he could ignore the phone, he wouldn't be able to focus. He'd be too concerned as to what that call was about. "I'm sorry, I have to."
At last he pulled away and grabbed the phone. "Reid," he answered.
He sat on the edge of the bed as he listened to the other line. Riley waited, silently begging he'd hang up in a moment and return to her arms. "Really?" he asked, sounding amazed. "How long ago was that?"
Another long pause and he nodded. "So they don't know anything yet?" More silence followed before he let out a groan. "JJ, can't that wait until morning?"
Riley pulled herself up into a sitting position. Her heart felt like it was splitting in two as Reid responded with "Okay... yeah, I'll be there in about twenty minutes."
She looked to the ceiling, willing herself not to start crying. "I'll tell her... bye."
The phone flipped closed. Reid didn't want to see what heart breaking sight was behind him. "I have to go back to the Yard."
"Big surprise." She grumbled at last climbing off the bed. She made a beeline for the bathroom. Reid hurried after her, grabbing her arm.
"I'm sorry," he cried, grabbing her arm. "But they found two more victims... and the girl is still alive. Just barely, but she was still breathing when they found her. She's on her way to the hospital as we speak."
Riley knew she should be sympathetic. She should feel some grief for the poor people who suffered at the hand of this killer, for the girl fighting for her life right now, but after so many days of ruined plans, Riley's nerves were wearing thin.
"Why do you have to go? There's nothing you can do for her right now." She demanded.
"Well, her husband is dead and... I'm going to meet the others to discuss the new evidence. We're right on the unsubs tail, we can't waste any time."
She nodded, her eyes swimming with disappointed tears. "I see."
"I'm sorry... and the team is so sorry, JJ told me to tell you that."
"Okay." Obviously, she was not ready to accept anyone's apology right now.
Reid brushed her cheek. "I should only be a few hours, I'll be back by midnight."
"I'll be asleep by then!" She cried, backing away like his touch burned her. "Because we have to work in the morning; we're on vacation and we're working on a serial murder case, thanks to you."
"Riley," he whined. "I know I keep saying this, but, I am so sorry. I will make this up to you, I promise-"
"Don't!" She yelled. "Stop making promises! Because you don't do anything but break them! You've promised me every night that we'd be alone, but we still haven't. You once promised me that you would spend every day making me as happy as you. Are you just not happy anymore or did that promise expire once we were married?"
"That's not the case and you know it!" He yelled, letting his anger get the best of him. "I'm sorry this is happening and I know it's my fault. I hate hurting you like this, don't make it seem like I'm doing it on purpose."
"Well, it's a little hard to see it any other way!" She brushed aside some of her wild curls, letting out a sigh. She held up a hand, indicating she was done with him. "I'm going to bed, and if I were you, I suggest you sleep on the couch tonight if you value your safety!"
With that, she wrenched her arm out of his grasp. Riley stepped into the bathroom and slammed the door, revealing silence in the room once more.
Reid quickly got dressed again, wishing Riley would come back out to make up before he left. He hated leaving her when they were in a fight.
But she didn't. Instead, he heard her soft, gentle sobbing coming from inside the bathroom. Reid felt his heart break at the sound, wanting to run in there and put his arm around her.
He would have, but he had to leave. The sooner he was done, the sooner he could get back to her. Instead, he finished dressing, grabbed his belongings, and left.
Scotland Yard was the calmest he'd ever seen it. Minimal officers were on staff and it was almost silent. Reid headed to meet the others, stopping in the break room for coffee. He could already feel his energy fading and needed all the help he could get.
And he wasn't the only one with that idea. Sure enough, as he stepped in, Emily was pouring herself a mug, looking up as he stepped in.
"Hey, there you are." She said with a tired smile. " Haven't gotten a real chance to talk to you yet."
Reid gave her a warm hug this time, holding her much more tightly than a usual greeting. Without a word, Emily could sense the torment he was in. "What's going on, kiddo?"
"Riley's mad at me." He muttered as he let her go. He leaned on the counter as Emily took the intuitive and got him some coffee. "After JJ called, we got in a fight... she was crying in the bathroom when I left. I wanted to comfort her, I just... I don't know how to make this better. She feels like I don't care about her."
"Can you blame her?" Emily asked with a tilt of her head. "Deep down she knows it's not true, but negative feelings tend to mask the truth sometimes."
"I know... but I still hate to make her cry." He looked over to meet her eyes.
With a pat to his arm, "And you wouldn't if you didn't care about her. It's no surprise this is hard on you guys, but you've gotten through worse. In an hour or two, her anger will have lifted and you two will make up. If memory serves, this isn't the first major fight you've had."
Reid let out a laugh. She was right. For two people who loved each other so much, he and Riley did fight a lot. It was just a result of two head strong people sharing a life together. And with that in mind, he felt better, turning to Emily in order to get a real look at her.
"Hey, listen, I'm sorry about earlier today." He stated. "I was just-"
"Don't be sorry." She ushered, shaking her head. "I shouldn't have barked at you like that, I was just... upset."
"About Morgan?" He wondered.
"Wh-why... why would you think it had anything to do with Morgan? Anything?" She stammered. "I couldn't care less what Morgan's doing-"
"Emily, relax." Reid assured. "It's just the two of you aren't getting along. I was just looking out for you."
She had to stop jumping down her friends' throat like that, otherwise they were going to realize what was going on. Or had been going on. Or was still going on. Not even Emily knew what was happening anymore... or even worse, what she wanted to happen. Letting out a calming breath, she shook her head. "It's nothing you need to worry about."
With one of his famous intrigued expressions, Reid announced "You're my friend, Emily. I care about you. If you're having a problem, how can I not worry?"
It was her turn to get a strong hug from him. She pulled him into her arms, leaning into him for support. "That wife of yours better know how lucky she is. Because you're an amazing guy, Reid."
With a sad smile, he answered as he pulled away. "Yeah, some guy. I've ruined her honeymoon and made her cry more times this week than in the entire three years I've known her."
She handed Reid his coffee, "Come on, let's get to the others so you can get back to her and start making this up to her."
Reid certainly liked that thinking. Taking his drink, he followed Emily to the conference room, once again setting to work with the entire team.