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Chapter Six:
"So, who is Spencer exactly?" Stone asked as she got changed in his apartment.
"My tutor," she said. "Nothing to be jealous of."
"Yet he helped you go to the top of the class," he said. "That makes him kind of important."
"To me, and me only," she said.
"How drunk would I need to get your roommates for them to fess up what they know?"
"They're medical students, they'd drink you under the table."
"True, I'll find out more about your mystery tutor eventually," he said.
"If you say so," she said.
"Have you thought any more about going to Tuscany with me for the summer?"
"Derek, I like you, but let's get real. It's been fun, but I'm not your future wife. I don't want to spend the summer with your family. You're a nice guy, surprisingly nice compared to what thought of you two years ago. It's not going to last."
"Are you breaking up with me?" he asked lightly.
"You want to find another girl to whisk away to Tuscany while there's still time?"
"Nah," he said. "Let's keep this up until the end of the semester. I like you Chloe, but you're right. I don't think we're meant to last."
"I'm glad we understand each other then," she said.
Wright kissed him lightly on the lips and left.
…
"Your third year of law school," Reid said. "I know logically why time feels like it moves more quickly at times, but that doesn't mean it still doesn't surprise me."
"I know," she said. "It feels like I was struggling with the International Shoe case just yesterday."
"What are you working on now?" he asked. "Advanced copyright laws?"
"Correct as always," she said.
"So, what don't you understand?"
"The difference between a transformative work and the original. The language is so similar."
"Let's go over the differences," he said.
As usual, the baristas began to mop the floor by the time they finished up.
"You know you really are getting better," he said.
"I would hope so," she said.
"You just needed your confidence boosted. You may not need me soon."
"Don't ever say that," she said. "I'll need you until I get my hood."
"I'm happy to help and happy to see you succeed."
"You're sweet as always, Spencer."
…
She returned late from another date. As she shook the snow out of her hair, she saw Darla was watching.
"So, is this your new thing?" she asked. "Casually sleeping through your class?"
"Only two guys," Wright said.
"So far."
"I know I'm the rebound girl of Elwood," she said. "The sex is good, and he likes to cuddle. We have protected sex. There is no harm in a little fun."
"I just hope you don't get a reputation," Darla said.
"Yes, mom," she said. "I just want to have fun. I was never this confident around men in undergrad."
"As long as you know what you're doing," Darla said.
"I appreciate the concern, but I am fine," Wright said.
"Good night Chloe."
"Good night Darla."
…
"Please stop!" Reid shouted as he was tied to a chair. "Don't do this."
A shadowy figure pulled out a syringe.
"I don't want it!" he cried. "I don't want it!"
Wright woke up sweating.
"Spencer," she gasped.
She was due to meet him next week.
…
"Why would I care that you dreamed about me?" he asked angrily.
"I thought you might know something about interpreting dreams," she said.
"Dreams mean nothing. They're just nerve synapses firing randomly while in REM sleep mode."
"Spencer," she said slowly. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," he said shortly. "Why wouldn't I be?" What do you need help with now?"
"Pet licensing," she said.
"Pet licensing," he said. "Of all the legal definitions on the planet and you're struggling with such simple concept?"
"Do you want to help me or not?" she asked, close to tears.
"I'll help you because it is what I do for you," he said with an edge. "Let's go over the basics."
Halfway through the session, he excused himself to go the bathroom.
Wright didn't know what possessed her to follow him through the mostly empty coffee shop. She saw him pulling out a vial just as he entered.
Returning to her seat, she took a deep calming breath. Now she knew she had to be careful. She hoped she wouldn't agitate him more.
"Let's wrap this up quickly," he said when he returned.
"Spencer," she said slowly.
"What?" he asked irritably.
"Darla and Amy stack their classes, so they only go to school three days a week."
"Why would I need to know that?"
"I thought it was worth mentioning," she said.
"Whatever," he said. "Let's wrap this up."
"Okay," she said.
…
A week later, her phone rang late at night.
"Hey Spencer," she said.
"Chloe, I was tortured into taking Dilaudid during a case three weeks ago. I need Darla and Amy's help to go through withdrawal on my own because it would look bad if checked myself into a clinic."
"I'll talk to them," she said.
"I'll pay them."
"Don't worry about that," she said. "Stay safe until they get to your place, okay?"
"I'm so sorry I was mean to you during our last study session. I suspect you knew something was up. Thank you so much for being a good friend."
"That's what friends are for," she said.
…
They wouldn't let Wright go with them. They said withdrawal can look "ugly." Their argument was that Reid wouldn't want her to see him suffering like this. Wright googled everything there was to know about Dilaudid withdrawal. It sounded awful and she felt terrible that she couldn't be with him.
The door opened on Saturday. Darla and Amy both looked exhausted.
"His place is really nice," Amy said lightly. "He promised to give me stock tips for my uncle in exchange for helping him out."
"He promised me his first born," Darla said. "Though that was when he was delirious, so I won't hold him to it."
"I'm holding him to the stock tips. He said that's how he pays for the rare editions of books."
"How is he?" she asked impatiently.
"He's enrolled in a group for law enforcement agents with drug abuse problems," Darla said. "Spencer has gotten through the withdrawal process physically, mentally it's going to be another story."
"Did he discuss what happened to him?" she asked.
"Chloe, we need to protect Spencer's privacy," Amy said. "The thing you need to know is that he is clean, and he is safe."
"So, you're not going to tell me?" Wright said, hurt.
"He went through hell, Chloe," Darla said. "He has a right to share it with only those he's comfortable sharing it with."
"Okay," she said with a sigh.
"Don't push him," Amy said. "He'll tell you on his own time."
"Okay," she said.
…
It was cold to be walking around the Lincoln Reflecting Pool, but it didn't seem to bother either of them.
"I never felt so scared in my life," he said. "I thought I was going to die there."
"You're the bravest person I know," she said. "You lived through it and fought your way through what might have brought down others."
"This addiction is going to haunt me for the rest of my life," he said.
"You're a fighter, Spencer," she said. "You won't let it win."
"I couldn't have it done without Darla or Amy's help," he said. "Thank you for connecting me to them. I couldn't have done without you."
"Spencer," she said staring at him. "Whatever happens. Wherever we go. We'll have a bond that keeps us together through every obstacle."
"Thank you, Chloe," he said and hugged her.
She breathed in his scents. Wright always wanted to be associated with Spencer Reid.