Thanks for the support!
Chapter Nine:
She couldn't keep it from them. Not Darla and Amy. Never them.
"It was rape you know, that right?" Darla said.
"If I know my drugs, he probably used one of the more fast-acting date-rape drugs," she said. "There'd only be a trace amount in my system and a trace is negligible according to the courts."
"You need to stop thinking like a prosecutor and more like a victim," Amy said. "You said no, and he forced himself upon you."
"I also know this kind of guy," she said. "He'll drag my name through the mud. His defense team will paint me as a slut as I slept with three guys in law school. I won't get out of this with my sanity intact."
"There will be other women then, if he thinks he can get away with it with you," Darla said.
"I know," she said. "I also know the US has a terrible culture of blaming the victim. I am twenty-eight years old. My law career will end before it really starts. I can't let him ruin my life, even if it means more women get hurt."
"It's your choice," Darla said. "I think it's wrong, but I'll still be there for you."
"Thanks."
"Chloe, did he use a condom?" Amy asked.
"No, and I didn't have time to take my pill," she said.
"I am a lapsed Methodist, but I think I'll start to pray for you," Darla said.
"I am a devote Episcopalian and I'll pray for you," Amy said.
"Thank you. Let's just be clear on one thing: Spencer does not know. I had a one-night stand with a random lawyer at the conference. That is all."
"Okay," Amy said.
"It's your choice," Darla said.
…
Chloe laughed.
"So, you really tried to sneak back on the plane," she said.
"I believe I made a legitimate case," he said.
She laughed again.
"You okay?" he asked.
"Sure, why?"
"I don't know," he said. "Something seems off about you, but I can exactly say what."
"We've known each other for a while now. You're starting to pick up on subtle things neither of us can identify."
"You're right," he said. "So, what do you want to learn today?"
"What makes an omnivore so special?" she said pulling out her notes.
"Well, unsubs typically fixate on a certain type…"
…
Wright had sincerely hoped it was the coffee she had sipped at the precinct. But she knew it wasn't as she had drunk it a dozen times. By lunch she was tossing her breakfast up. It was the worst feeling.
They all stared at the positive pregnancy test like it was radioactive.
"Chloe," Darla said slowly. "You have never been in any way religious. I know you have written pro-choice essays. You have said if you ever became a judge, you'd do everything in your power to uphold Roe V. Wade."
"It's different when it's you," she said numbly. "Half of me is inside this child. I abort it, I abort half of me. I can't let him take away more of me than he already has. I have emphasized that it should be a woman's choice and not the courts. A woman should decide her own fate. I am choosing to keep the baby."
"I understand," Amy said and patted her hand gently.
"Thank you," she said.
"I'm not sure I do, but I'll support you no matter what," Darla said.
"I need that from you, Darla," she said.
"So, the story is you had a one-night stand with a guy from Wyoming during the Cleveland conference and you don't think he'll want to be involved in the child's life," Darla said.
"That sounds good," Wright said.
"It might not hold up in court, but it works," Darla said.
…
"A baby is a scientific miracle," Reid said. "Even when they're not planned, they should be treasured."
"That is a beautiful way of describing it Spencer," Wright said.
"Are you sure you don't want the father involved?" he asked.
"Positive," she said.
"Congratulations then," he said with a smile.
"Thank you," she said.
"Before my godson was born, I bought several books on birthing in case J.J. went into labor early. You're welcome to have them."
"Thanks Spencer."
Reid looked so happy and she tried to match his enthusiasm. She hated lying to him, but she was afraid of what he'd try to do if he knew the truth. As always, she was just happy to him as her friend.