Three Little Words Chapter 10: Music to his Ears, a criminal minds fanfic

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Three Little Words

Chapter Ten: Music to his Ears

By Ann Parker

Michelle quickly grabbed her keys, badge and something else off the floor before heading out the door, allowing Cooter to follow her into her car. She had no idea how fast she was driving, but she managed to make it to the scene without incident. She left a window rolled completely down for Cooter, leaving him in the car. She was able to flash her badge to get past the yellow tape. She tried to make her way to where she needed to be, but was stopped by a voice.

"Michelle, what are you doing here?"

She turned to see David, cover in soot and a few scraps. She walked over to him, "who was the casualty?" she asked, frantic.

"What?" he asked, not expecting that.

"Who was it David?" she asked, panic starting to creep into her voice.

"It was Martian," he replied, his voice low. She sighed and closed her eyes, relieved, even though Martian was a good guy. Anyone trying to stop terrorist attacks was a good person.

She took a step towards him and placed two gold rings in his hand. "I can't David. The David I loved died that day three years ago. It's time for us both to move on." She leaned forward and placed a kiss on his cheek. He pulled her into a brief hug. When they pulled apart she placed a hand on his cheek for a second before offering him a sad smile.

"I hope he makes you happy," he stated as she turned to walk away.

"I think he will," she replied and then started to head over to the BAU team.

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Reid had turned slightly from the team, all covered in soot as well, while Morgan and Hotch were talking only to see Michelle in David's arms about 10 yards away. He quickly turned back to the others.

"I've got to get out of here," he stated to Morgan, slightly gesturing behind him. Morgan looked back and then nodded as Reid made he way beyond the yellow tape, heading down the street from the scene. Garcia had been wrong; she had chosen David. He felt like he was going to be sick. Again. If this was love was then he didn't want it.

Morgan watched Reid walk away and then noticed that Michelle was making her way to him. "Where's Spencer?" she asked once she reached them.

"Trying to mend his broken heart," Morgan replied. "That's pretty cold, you know, flaunting who you chose in front of the other."

She looked at him, confused. "What?" Morgan gestured behind him and she turned to see David talking to someone and groaned. "That wasn't what it may have looked like, Morgan. Now can you please tell me where he is? I have to tell him something important." Morgan studied her for a moment and then pointed in Reid's direction. She left them standing there and yelled Reid's name. They all noticed that he stopped walking for second before continuing. The distance had grown quite large, he could walk pretty fast when he wanted to. "Damn it," she muttered and then whistled loudly while removing her boots and socks, throwing them to the ground. They would only slow her down. Cooter, startling just about everyone he ran past, appeared at her side in just a second. She bent down by the dog and pointed at Reid down the street. "Let's get him boy." The team exchanged looks as both Michelle and Cooter ran after Reid.

Reid had thought about turning around when he had heard her voice, but seeing her face would have just been too much. He felt the tears beginning to resurface. He was so focused on not breaking down in public that he didn't hear the footsteps, or paw tracks, behind him. He thought he heard a faint whistle just a few seconds before as he felt something jump on his back. It wasn't enough to push him down, but it did startle him enough to stop walking and turn around. He barely had time to register that it was Cooter before Michelle dove into his arms, nearly knocking him over.

"I love you," she stated, hugging him like he might disappear.

He pulled back slightly, still trying to process what had just happened. Did she say what he thought, hoped, he had heard? "What did you just say?"

She placed a hand on his cheek, smiling. "I love you Spencer Reid. I choose you. You set me free and I came back." Before he could respond, she pulled him to her and kissed him deeply.

"Why?" he managed to get out when he pulled back for air. He still couldn't believe that she had chosen him over David.

She smiled again, wrapping her arms around his neck. "I saw the explosion on TV and the only thing that came to my head, my heart, was wanting, needing, to know that you were safe. I realized that I would have been more devastated if I had lost you than David all over again. I need you, Spencer." He smiled slightly as he initiated the kiss this time.

"I love you," he whispered when they pulled apart.

"I love you so much. I'm sorry it took me so long to say it back," she replied, kissing him again. Those three little words were like music to his ears. Cooter barked, causing them to pull apart and laugh. She looked down at the dog and then back up at him. "He's the one that turned on the TV, by the way."

Reid bent down to the dog, scratching him behind the ears. "I knew there was a reason I loved this dog." Michelle bent down beside him and petted the dog as well.

"I think I need to find a new place," she stated. Reid turned slightly to look at her. "The house has too many memories," she continued. "I want to find a place where I can make new ones. Know anyone that might need a roommate?"

A grin crept across Reid's face, "yeah, I think I do." He was about to kiss her again when they were interrupted.

"So I take it Garcia was right?" Morgan asked. The team, minus Garcia and JJ who were at the office, were standing there with smiles on their faces.

"Yeah, there must be something to that woman's intuition," Reid grinned. "She loves me." Michelle giggled, pulling him to her.

"Yes I do," she stated, kissing him again. They didn't notice the team exchange glances of amusement. Cooter barked and jumped on Reid's back, knocking him over finally and on top of Michelle, but that didn't stop them.

"Okay, you two, get a room," teased Emily. Morgan snapped a photo of them on his phone and sent it to Garcia, only to be met with a squeal about 20 seconds later in his ear. Hotch and Gideon exchanged smiles, glad to see things worked out for their youngest team member.

"I love you," Reid whispered, when the need for oxygen pulled them apart yet again. He couldn't stop saying it. He was so unbelievably happy; he could hardly contain himself. This was not how he thought the day was going to turn out. Not that he minded one bit.

"I love you too," Michelle replied, the same large smile on her face. "Let's get out of here." Reid grinned. Now that was music to his ears.

The End

Hope everyone liked that. Of course Reid gets the girl! I ended it there to leave it open for a possible part three. My best friend is particularly happy that everyone loves Cooter. She's quite proud that she got me to writer her dog into a series and that he's almost more popular than the girl, lol.

Next up for me is finishing up the Bones crossover and to start posting the Numb3rs crossover (that one will be very different from the other). Don't worry though, Sarah hasn't been forgotten – I'm starting to work on that too. A quick poll for you guys – how many of you have actually seen the show The Pretender? I was thinking of a potential crossover with that was well, but I don't know how many people actually remember the show (even though Jarod was personally my first love before Reid…lol). I wanted to see how much of a background on the show I would have to include if I wrote it. I'd appreciate any feedback (feel free to send me a message other than a review if you're interested) on that.

Anyway, thanks for reading!!

Ann Parker