The smell of scrambled eggs woke him up. He opened his eyes and realized, that he was lying on the sofa, under a downy blanket. It was already morning. He turned his head to the kitchenette and saw her. Humming a song quietly, Ellen was bustling about the breakfast.
-Good morning, Spencer. – she greeted him without even turning over.
-Elle… You're back here? I'm glad… - Reid stood up and walked towards her.
-The right question is – what you are you doing here? – her voice sounded a little too harsh.
Reid sighed and looked down.
-To be honest… – he started slowly – And I mean that, because I'm not really accustomed to lies. I was just… Worried. I never wanted to invade your place and I'm sorry for that, but I just wanted to be absolutely sure there was nothing suspicious behind your absence. Maybe it is because of my job. The thing is, I really wanted to believe you have just forgotten to tell me, that you're leaving, but from what I experienced… - he raised his head and looked at her awaiting some kind of anger on her face but there was none. She smiled warmly and that made him unable to finish the sentence. For a brief moment they were standing there, looking at each other in silence until Ellen spoke up.
-I just made breakfast. Would you like to eat with me? – she said quickly as if it was only to break the silence.
-I'd love to. – Reid sat at the table while Ellen was putting eggs on plates – Where have you been?
-Here and there, trying to organize my life, close some chapters – she sat in front of him – This whole… situation made me think a lot. I saw how meaningless my life up to now was. I'm not the kind of religious person, don't get me wrong. It just somehow felt like there's more in our existence and I wanted to know what this is.
Reid remained silent, looking at her. She seemed distant and as much as he wanted to say something, nothing wise came out of his mouth.
-I'm sorry – she apologized slightly embarrassed – I'm boring you to death.
-No, no… I just didn't know what to say… You know, I was worried about you leaving so suddenly with only short message left. What happened to your cellphone?
-I'm a looser. I lost it somewhere there. I should buy myself new one as soon as possible – she laughed, blushing slightly
There was something child-like and innocent in her face when she laughed covering her mouth with her hand almost as if she has said something inappropriate. Te sun was shining, lighting up her figure, reflecting in her eyes with tiny sparkles, which were only emphasising this sensation. He didn't remember being so calm since a long time. It is true, what they say. Time heals all wounds.
-Spence? – Ellen stopped talking about her trip.
-Yes?
-You're a good man, you know that?
-Elle, what's the matter?
-I just don't want you to think I'm ungrateful for what you did.
-Why would you be? – he couldn't understand what it was all about.
-Anyone at your place would get angry at me for disappearing just like that. You did not. And you have no idea how much it means to me. It has been a while, since somebody waited for me. Not as in work, with impatience and irritation… For too long I had neither family nor friends. But as I closed some chapters of my life I promised myself to reopen this one. And I'm glad I found a friend in you, I really am.
-I am too – Reid smiled and took a sip of tea thinking if it was the first real friendship outside the BAU he made. She wasn't a tough FBI agent, did not have any scientific degree or extensive knowledge but it was a pleasant change. Leisurely drinking morning tea with an ex-waitress brought him that kind of peace he needed now.
-So, are you planning to get some job?
-Eventually, I'll have to. Though I could do nothing for the rest of my life – Ellen smiled dreamily.
-What about painting?
- It's a rather private matter to me. I'm not sure if I want to make money out of it. Besides, I didn't even finish my studies. Nothing to put in CV except for waiting in few cafeterias. Guess I'm just uneducated 24 year old lazy girl. – Ellen's voice did not sound like it was a huge problem for her.
-Never thought of going back to Europe?
-Not really. I've never felt like I needed it. I inherited quite a lot of money after both my parents and grandparents death. I travelled a lot and waited in cafés in between my journeys. Actually it is the first time in my life I've spent so much time in that apartment. What about you?
-I actually got my doctorate in math when I was 17 – for a moment there was awkward silence between them until Ellen burst out laughing.
-You don't really beat about the bush, do you? – she smiled and seeing big question marks in Reid's eyes quickly added – Just kidding, never mind. I wonder, though, why would you choose job which has so little to do with strict science?
-It's exactly the opposite. All the theories behind the methods we are using were scientifically proved countless number of times. We don't just guess. There's math, biology, psychology, a lot of research and statistics.
After a moment of silence he continued.
-I used to believe it just that – he sighed - I took me some time and a lot of mistakes to understand how terribly wrong I was. First of all, there is experience. At the beginning you always underestimate its power. All the knowledge you gained throughout you entire life creates illusion of control. Your confidence vanishes after the first stumble, when you fell like a little baby. That certainly teaches respect for every new situation you encounter even if it seems obvious from the very beginning. And when experience fails, you're left with intuition. I guess, one either has it or not. You can' learn it, it won't come as the years go by.
-What if it has been deceived?
-It can't be. It's like the inner impulse that activates every time something is wrong. You may not hear it, believe it or neglect it, but it always warns you.
-It makes me wonder if I have one… - she laid down, probably musing over the topic.
They were sitting on the grass in park. It was one of those days with a perfect weather. Sun sweltered slightly but at the same time pleasant wind was cooling down the air. Ellen was wearing red dress with a quite low neckline. The contrast between paleness of her skin and the intense colour of the material didn't escape Reid's attention. He knew women are better in perceiving. Moreover, 50% of them are tetrachromatic. With 4, instead of usual 3 types of cone receptor they can see much more than others. But he also knew men were the true visual types. They may not distinguish between different types of reds and greens but they immediately respond to the contrast and shape. He was aware of the fact, that these thoughts were merely an excuse his mind came up with to justify the way he was looking at her at the moment. He also couldn't ignore the fact she was exact the opposite to Lila. The actress was truly an American girl – blonde, slightly tanned, blue-eyed, shapely beauty. Ellen on the other hand – petite, gray-eyed, pale brunette – seemed completely unobtrusive. Reid couldn't say she was beautiful. That adjective didn't mach her. He didn't even know if he had found a right word to describe her look or character. But he was sure of one thing: there was something alluring on that girl, which attracted him like a magnet.
Suddenly he felt something wet on his neck. Cold drop hit his skin, then another one and another one. He looked up and saw the sky clouding over.
-Elle, let's go, before rain will get stronger – he suggested.
-Yeah – she agreed and stood up – I don't want to get completely wet.
At the minute she said that, rain was already coming down in torrents. And before they have found the nearest tree to hide, they were drenched to the skin. Laughing, they ran under the huge oak, whose branches were dense enough to take shelter.
-Never trust any weather-forecast again… - Ellen made a note to herself while wringing the water from her hair. Red dress was completely soaked, clinging tightly to her body, revealing shapes of her small breasts and slim waist.
-Maybe we should try getting home? You'll be sick if you stay in these clothes – he suggested, noticing goose bumps all over her skin.
- It'll soon stop raining. I'll be fi-... A-a-atishoo! – loud sneeze as if denied her statement.
Without second thoughts Reid approached her and wrapped his arms around her. Ellen budged, surprised, but didn't make a move. He could feel her shivering body, wet skin against his drenched shirt. Some thoughts about "crossing the line" and "being unprofessional" crossed his mind but he decided to keep them away for the moment. Standing there in almost complete silence, with only the sounds of rain coming down, he realised how peculiar was their relationship. He knew her for couple of months and spent with her more time than with any other friend he knew, apart from his team. She was so close now he felt every heartbeat, every bristled hair on her skin and every twitch of her body.
And then it all happened so fast. Ellen raised her head and looked him straight in the eyes. Reid couldn't exactly tell what kind of expression sparkled in those two grey wells, but it made him reject all the rational argumentation and act contradictory to what his mind was telling him. Is my instinct failing me or am I just deaf to its calls? Instead of taking step back, he leaned and kissed her.