Three Little Words Chapter 7: Determination, a criminal minds fanfic

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Three Little Words

Chapter Seven: Determination

By Ann Parker

Reid flipped open his cell phone for the fifth time in the last hour. He was in a small office with Gideon and Emily. Gideon was giving the terrorists some time for prayer, much like he had with their case before. He wanted desperately to call Michelle to see how she was doing, but he didn't know what to say to her so he just kept closing his phone and sighing.

"Reid," Gideon called. It had been the third time; all were unnoticed by the young man. Gideon placed a hand on Reid's shoulder, getting his attention. Reid looked up at his mentor and Gideon could easily read the confusion and distress on his face.

"Did you ask something?" Reid asked, softly. He realized that he had completely lost focus on the case and figured Gideon was trying to make him concentrate.

"No," Gideon replied. "Listen, Reid, why don't you take a break. Go talk to her." He could tell that Reid was going to be no use to him in this state. At least the pair of terrorists didn't appear nearly as hard to crack as Jind Allah, so he didn't necessarily need him on top of his game. Emily was doing a good job of picking up the slack as well.

"But you need me here," Reid countered, shifting in his seat. He wanted to see her, but he didn't want to let the team down either. Particularly when national security was at risk.

"Yes I do, but I also need your complete attention. Do I have that right now?" Gideon asked. Reid looked down at his hands, at his cell phone. "That's what I thought. Go Reid."

Reid looked back up and sighed. "I'm sorry." Gideon waved his hand, dismissing it. Reid stood up and left the room. It didn't take him long to get off the base and make his way to her house. If he knew her well enough, which he hoped he did, he would know just where to find her. He hadn't really thought about what he was going to say to her, but he just wanted to see her face and see that she was coping.

When he pulled up to the house, he took a deep breath, unsure of what he was going to find inside. He let himself in. Cooter didn't come to greet him, not necessarily a good or bad sign. He quickly glanced in her living room, finding her wedding album and other photos, some including him, spread all over the floor. He slowly made his way upstairs, he could already hear the swinging and beating on the punching bag from her exercise room. He had been right; she always went back to her martial arts when she needed to work things out. When he reached the top of the stairs he found Cooter sitting outside of the exercise room, pawing at the door and whining. She had locked him out. Reid bent down and rubbed the dog's head for a second before slowly opening the door.

At first he only opened it a crack, just enough to see her. She was rapidly punching and kicking the bag. She was still in her work clothes and covered in sweat. Clearly, she had been at this for a while, her damp hair sticking to her skin. Reid watched as she spun around and kicked the bag towards the top and winced. If that had been a human, she might have just taken their head clean off. She was clearly in the anger stage at the moment. He was beginning to wonder if this was a good time to talk to her. Although he'd never admit it to anyone, she could slightly frighten him if she tried. He shook that thought and took another deep breath, opening the door all the way. "Michelle." She glanced up at him and then turned back to the bag, punching it even more.

"I can't," was all she would say, continuing to take out her pain on the bag.

He took a step closer, "Try. Don't bottle it up." She kicked the bag again, causing it to swing over by him.

"This is bottling it up?" she asked, exasperated. He grabbed the bag, stopping it. He didn't flinch when she started to move to kick the bag; he knew she'd stop. She may frighten him slightly, but he also knew this wasn't aimed at him. She did stop, but started to punch it. Only she hardly put anything behind it. She looked up and met his eyes. It was then that he noticed she'd been crying this whole time. He'd seen her shed a few tears, but never really cry. She half punched the bag again before falling down on her knees. He rushed to her and tried to pull her into his arms, but she pushed him away. "Why? Why did his do this to me? Did he not love me anymore? Did he want to see me suffer? Why?" she rattled off, frustrated and scared as well as angry. He had never seen this side of her before; she was always so sure of herself. Now she was falling apart in front of him.

"I don't know why he did it, Michelle, but I promise I'll make sure get to ask him," he replied, his voice soft but determined. He was going to make sure she got to confront David – she needed that. He needed that. He knew that deep down this relationship might never work if she couldn't get past this. Gently, he reached out for her and this time she didn't pull away. He pulled her into his arms and she began to crumble under his grasp. Without thinking, he bent down and began to kiss her. He just wanted to make her pain disappear. She let his lips linger for a moment before pulling away. Away from his kiss, away from his arms, and away from him.

"No, Spencer, please," she begged, standing up and quickly rushing past him. He heard her rush down the stairs and then a slamming door. Resting his hands on the floor, he let out a shaky breath. This was not going as planned. He had just wanted to check on her, not push her away. When he realized that he hadn't heard the car speed away it gave him some hope. He stood up and headed down the stairs and again found Cooter standing by a closed door, this time her master bathroom.

He lightly tapped on the door. "Michelle, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to upset you further." He heard her move slightly in the room.

"I know…" she stated through the door. She couldn't open it; she couldn't stand the thought of looking at his all knowing eyes right now. She was afraid he'd see what was already eating away at her. "Please, just come back later, okay?"

"Okay," he replied. She sighed slightly and walked away from the door. A few seconds later she heard the doorknob slowly open and her heart began to race. She was about to run to the door to slam it shut when Cooter walked through the door and then it closed again. "Please, let him be there for you. He's worried sick," stated Reid. A slight smile, the first smile since this morning, graced her features. The dog walked over to her and placed a paw on her leg. Before she could respond she heard Reid's footsteps walking away.

------------------------

Reid made it back to the base as determined as ever. Determined to solve this case and get it done with and determined to make David talk to her. She needed to straighten out whatever was going on in her head and he was going to see to it that it happened. He had a slightly uneasy feeling about what had occurred during his brief visit, but if nothing else he owed her this. She helped him while he was going through rehab. He noticed when he parked that the SUV that Hotch, Morgan, and David were using was there. Well, this should make it a little easier. He made his way to the room the group was using as a makeshift conference room and found them all in there.

"Reid," nodded Gideon. "How is everything?" There was a slight hint of caution in his voice, warning Reid from doing anything too rash.

"Could be better," he stated, his voice eerily even. He turned to David and met his eyes. "Webber, do you mind if I have a word with you?" It came out as a question, but everyone could tell that it wasn't. David nodded and the two exited the room. They walked in silence until they found another empty office. Reid shut the door behind them and then turned to face the other man.

"You need to go talk to her," he stated, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I can't," David countered. He opened his mouth to continue, but Reid raised a hand.

"Yes, you can. Find a way, damn it. The only way she can process this and move on is if you answer the questions that are swarming her head," he stated. "If you ever loved her---"

"I still love her," David stated.

Reid sighed, he was afraid of that. But this wasn't the time for that discussion. "Then you need to do this for her." David nodded and Reid decided he meant it. He just hoped Michelle liked the answers.