TITLE: Foxtrot Whiskey Bravo
AUTHOR: Kuria Dalmatia
PAIRING: Reid/Elle
RATING: FRM/R
See Chapter 1 disclaimers, author's notes, etc.
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Spencer has no idea why he decided to confide in Morgan about his nightmares. Just like every other cool guy who has befriended him, Morgan can't keep a secret. Despite the reassurances from Hotch that they all have them, that's part of the job. Despite Morgan's own confession that he still dreams about that girl's eyes. Despite Gideon's little talk on the jet, how he looks at the photo of Deborah Louise Addison and her children before he goes to sleep at night...it feels almost like a betrayal.
Yes, Gideon's words did help a little, but Spencer's not the type to carry a photograph in his wallet to remind himself of the good he's done. It's a bit too much like having a trophy. Spencer doesn't want to think about the psychological implications of that in relation to Gideon.
When they get back from McAllister, Virginia, it's pouring rain and he inwardly grimaces. Usually, he doesn't mind the rain but today, Spencer is not in the mood to put up with it, especially because he forgot his umbrella. He checks the online radar and calculates how long he'll have to stay at the office until the weather clears up enough for him not to be drenched. He'll end up staying later than Hotch.
Elle stops by his desk, purse and keys in hand. "Let's go."
He stares.
She nods towards the door.
Spencer glances around as he flushes with embarrassment. He really hates it when they decide he can't take care of himself. He's about to say no when she tacks on, "I owe you a coffee, remember?" It's her effortless way of saying, I'm not babying you. Don't be stupid.
It teases a smile out of him and he says, "Okay." It's not until they're in her car that he can muster up a "Thanks" without it sounding squeaky.
"No problem."
Then, Elle takes a left instead of the right needed to get to his place. "Elle…"
"I'm hungry," she declares.
He stares at her for a moment, expecting her to say, You'll sleep better on a full stomach, or some other bits of wisdom. He's certain that she knows about his nightmares as well. If Morgan told Gideon and Hotch…
"We're friends," Elle tells him as she makes another turn.
Instead of being reassuring, it pisses him off. Spencer crosses his arms and glowers. "So was Morgan," he mutters.
The car jerks over to the median and stops. Elle sounds somewhere between worried and angry. "What did he do?"
"I don't want to talk about it," Spencer tells her, because he's been humiliated enough in the past few days. He's not even sure why he said anything.
There's a long pause and then Elle exhales sharply. She puts the car in gear and begins driving again. The next twenty minutes are spent in an uncomfortable silence and Reid doesn't know what to say once he realizes that she's not going to a restaurant, but to her home. She pulls in her driveway, puts the car in park and turns off the engine. "It has to do with a few mornings ago, right? When I walked up, you left pretty quickly. Morgan didn't say a thing, but he looked worried."
It's a classic interrogation technique. Spencer sighs and then weighs his options. Finally, he confesses, "I told him about my nightmares."
Elle shakes her head and pulls the key out of the ignition. "Let me guess, he passed you off to someone and totally embarrassed you." She reaches behind her and grabs her purse. "C'mon. I'll make you dinner."
Before he can protest, she's out of the car and dashing towards her front door.
Spencer stares at her for a few moments and then unbuckles his seatbelt. It dawns on him that she's kind of mad that he didn't come to her first, but he's even madder at himself.
Just because he's a genius doesn't mean he doesn't have bouts of stupidity.
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