The week passed by with no incidents. I didn't see Hotch at Backroads Coffee, didn't contact Spencer, and I didn't even talk to Caroline once.
It had been a quiet and boring week.
Almost too quiet.
One thing that I knew was routine built stability and stability built predictability. But even theories, no matter how precise and well-accounted, were prone to mistakes due to human error and application within a real-world setting.
I went to the coffee shop the next Monday morning, post-workout. I expected to walk up to the counter to see Jen, but I was instead greeted with a new face.
"Hi, welcome to Backroads Coffee. My name is Chris," said the young man, beaming at me.
"Oh, hi… Can I get a medium mocha to-go please?" I asked.
"Perfect… Can I have a name for the order?"
"Sarah," I said, reaching for my card to pay. I handed it to him, before asking another question. "Where is Jen today?"
"She called in sick today. I usually take over after her, so I just covered for her," he said, ringing up my card and handing it back to me. "Your drink will be out in a minute."
I murmured a thanks as I made my way to a table to wait. Taking out my phone, I scrolled through the news, absentmindedly. There was a sound at the door and I turned to see the familiar face of none other than Aaron Hotchner. I gave him a small wave as he made his way to the counter to order his bitter cup of death. It felt that I had only looked down at my screen and looked up to see Hotch standing, also waiting for his drink.
"It's been a while since I've seen you," I said. "Been busy with a case?"
"Yes, we were just over in Charlottesville, so not too far away this time."
"That's good… How's Jack doing? Still winning the soccer games?"
"They just won one this past weekend, and he was pretty excited when he scored a goal."
"That's great," I said, before adding, "And I just wanted to thank you again for letting me crash the dinner party the other night. It was nice to meet some people." I almost added 'and make some more friend,' but I didn't feel confident enough to declare us friends yet.
"The team enjoyed meeting you," he said. And then we sat in silence, both of us waiting for our drinks.
"Spencer mentioned that you went rollerskating?" Hotch said, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah," I said, letting out a short laugh. "He, coincidentally, came to the coffee shop at the same time I did, and I told him that he had to join me on an adventure or else he was more boring that I was. He was reading Pride and Prejudice and case files for fun."
"That does sound like Spencer," Hotch murmured. I looked at him to see his eyebrows furrowed as he seemingly investigated my face.
"Something on my face?" I said, now my turn to raise an eyebrow.
"No, it just… takes a very specific type of individual to get Spencer to abandon his reading."
"He was really just humoring me," I said. "Although I suppose I will have to humor him at some point." At Hotch's look, I elaborated, "I told him we could go on another adventure, this time to the Stafford Civil War Park?"
"That does sound more his speed," Hotch said.
"Sarah?" came the voice from behind the counter. I looked up to see that my coffee was now sitting, ready for me to drink it before I head into work.
"Well, that's me," I said, getting up and grabbing my drink. "I'll see you around?"
"Sarah," Hotch said as I made my way to the exit.
"Yeah?"
"Just…be careful," he said. My guy clenched. I quickly shook those feelings off before giving him a smile.
"Only if you are too," I said. "Bye Hotch."
I think I heard him murmur a goodbye as I left. Walking to my apartment, I felt that same sentiment pound my head over and over again.
Just be careful.
Be careful.
I heard that sentiment so many times, reminded myself of it with every breath I took. But why did Hotch tell me that?
It was probably just the nature of his job. People were murdered every day and Charlottesville was basically in our backyard. That's all.
I unlocked my door, closing it shut behind me, locking it tight, with Hotch's words repeating. I quickly chugged my mocha before tossing it in the trashcan. I rushed to my bathroom to take a quick shower before I had to head to work.
"Where the heck did I put my towel?" I questioned aloud, searching my bedroom and bathroom for the blue towel that I had used the day before. "I could've sworn I put it on the hook…" I trailed off when I saw it in the laundry bin. I must have thrown it there by accident.
Taking a quick shower, I got out and grabbed my typical blouse, skirt, and heels for work. I got dressed quickly, blow drying my hair and putting on some makeup, as I stumbled around my room, trying not to fall and die before I got to work.
Checking the clock, I realized I was running a few minutes ahead of schedule. I grabbed my phone and decided to send Spencer a text.
Hey – I saw Hotch today. Reminded me that I still owe you a trip the Stafford Civil War Park or another type of adventure. Let me know if you want to find a time to do it. :)
I wasn't sure if Spencer would respond, but I figured that I did, as I told Hotch earlier, 'have to humor him at some point.' Grabbing my bag, I locked my door behind me as I left, beginning my walk to work. But before I got inside, I felt a buzz from my purse. I opened up my phone to see a text notification from none other than Spencer Reid.
What about this Saturday? Meet at Backroads around 10AM?
I smiled as I typed out my response.
Sounds great. See you Saturday.
I felt my shoulders relax as I reread my text.
Seeing Spencer did, indeed, sound great.