Spencer dutifully followed Maggie into her house where they were immediately met by two very vocal Siamese cats. Spencer instinctively backed against the wall, terrified. Maggie crouched down to greet the felines who were intent on sniffing their human.
"Yes babies, I know. Mama is up very late. I have someone for you to meet. You two had better just be nice to Spencer."
Turning she saw Spencer's fear.
"Don't even tell me you don't like cats. That is a total deal breaker, you know?"
"I have nothing against cats. Animals just don't like me."
"No wonder. Would you like someone who took that posture with you without as much as an introduction?"
"I guess not."
"Of course not. Now come over here and sit down. Stay still. Barrett and Browning are very sweet but Siamese can be very protective of their people. It's what they were bred for, you know."
Spencer started to speak but Maggie just raised a hand and shook her head. She first lifted the lilac point cat.
"This is Barrett. She is the undisputed queen of the manor. Barrett, this is Spencer. He's very nice so you be nice too."
Next she raised the chocolate point.
"This is Browning. He's an older gentleman but don't tell him that. He'll be very offended. Browning please meet Spencer."
As if they understood, the two cats walked over to the still nervous Reid and sniffed at him.
"You may now address them as you've been formally introduced."
"Good evening, Barrett. Pleasure to meet you, Browning."
Spencer felt very self-conscious talking to the cats until Barrett hopped onto his lap and began to purr.
"You certainly have a way with the ladies, don't you? Browning likes you too but he's far too proper to make such a fuss. Okay, I have been revealed as the crazy cat lady that I am. You may run screaming from my home now if you wish."
"Please believe me, Maggie when I tell you that you'd have to get a whole lot crazier to scare me away."
Maggie tilted her head at him considering his words.
"There's a story there. Perhaps you'll share it with me one day."
"I will. I promise."
Maggie yawned and pulled the quilt tighter around herself.
"I'm tired, Spencer."
Spencer looked around uncomfortably.
"I should go."
"No. That's not what I meant. Unless you want to go."
"I don't."
"You are welcome to stay. I have a guest room. Or you could sleep in my room."
"Maggie, I didn't come here to pressure you into sleeping with me."
"I wouldn't offer something like that if it wasn't my idea. Besides, no one ever said you were getting any tonight."
Her eyes twinkled at him and he knew that she was far from upset at what he worried was an unforgivable faux pas.
"Come on. I'm too tired to talk about this anymore. I'm going to bed. The guest room is right across the hall from mine. You just sleep where you'll be most comfortable."
With that she turned and walked up the stairs to her room leaving Spencer dumbfounded in the living room. Barrett rubbed against his leg meowing as if in question of what this new person was going to do. Spencer wasn't entirely sure what he should do but he started up the stairs. The first door he came to was the bathroom which was handy. It bought him time, allowed him to empty his bladder and change into the sweatpants that he carried in his go bag to use as pajamas on the road.
Spencer left the bathroom but still had no idea what he was going to do. He quickly decided that he would just go down the hall and sleep in the first room he came to. That plan was quickly dashed as he found that the guest room was exactly opposite Maggie's bedroom. He stood in the hall, frozen. He truly had no idea what he should do next.
"Spencer! Guest room or in here but you cannot just stand in my hallway all night. Don't think about it sweetie. Just feel. Where do you want to be right now?"
Without another thought or moment wasted, Spencer turned and walked into Maggie's bedroom. He crawled under the blankets careful to stay on his own side of the bed, lest he be thought a letch. He was surprised but pleased when Maggie rolled over and curled around him muttering, "Good choice." So there he lay with her head on his chest, an arm thrown around his waist and one of her legs draped over his legs. For just a moment, he thought to panic and then he remembered her words. "Don't think, just feel." Spencer's eyes grew heavy and he suddenly felt a sense of home the likes of which he had never experienced before. As he drifted off to sleep he was vaguely aware of Maggie whispering in his ear.
"Sweet dreams my handsome prince."