Disclaimer: See chapter 1

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Sharon Webb watched as the SUV pulled into the driveway. Four days, they had been gone four days. That bitch had kept him away from her for four days she thought as she watched Allie head for the front door, the diaper bag over her shoulder. Spencer followed with one bag slung over his shoulder, one in his hand and the other hand carried the kid's carrier. She could see him talking to the baby while the bitch just walked into the house like a queen. Sharon's breathing became more rapid and the pulse in her neck began to throb. How could she treat him that way, like he was some kind of servant?

"Ah, home sweet home," Spencer said as he dropped the bags on the floor, set Joanna on the coffee table and plopped on the couch and set about releasing her from her straps. He took the baby in his arms. "That's better isn't it? You don't like that old plane do you?" he said as he held her gently in the air. "Feel better?" he asked Allie as she came from the bathroom.

She nodded, "I shouldn't have super sized that drink but it tasted so good and I was thirsty. You didn't have to lug everything in honey."

"It's okay; you were on a mission, so to speak. It's good to be home," he said as Joanna giggled. He brought the infant close to his face, kissed her and then lifted her up high once again, causing more high pitched laughter.

Allie sat next to him and patted his knee as he continued to play with his daughter. "Things seemed less strained between you and your dad when we left than when we arrived. You really didn't get a chance to tell me what you talked about."

Spencer relayed the gist of their conversation, "He said he was sorry and he knew that wasn't enough but he couldn't change the past. He said he was a lousy father and I couldn't argue with him on that. He also said he'd like to try to be a good grandfather and maybe if we both worked on doing what was best for Joanna we could find some way to get closer to each other. For Joanna I'll try but if he ever breaks her heart, that's the end of it."

Allie touched his cheek. "I'm glad you're giving him a chance. Who knows, it might turn out to be the best thing for both of you and Joanna." Allie paused for a moment. "I still can't believe he insisted on calling Dad and changing his will. He must have really thought he might die. That might be another reason he wanted to reach out to you so badly."

"I bet your dad never made up a will so fast. Thank God for fax machines," Spencer laughed. "It seemed to give him peace of mind anyway. I'm surprised at how well they get along."

"That's probably because of what went on with Chico, you know, your dad contacted mine. They were working towards a common goal," Allie said. Spencer's face looked as if something important had suddenly occurred to him. "What is it honey?"

"I was just thinking of Chico. They're apparently very close. Maybe your dad should call him and tell him what happened to Dad and that he's okay. Your dad said he thought they were like me and Gideon. I'd want to know if something like that happened to Gideon.

Allie reached for Joanna, "I'll feed her and put her down for a nap and you call Dad." She carried the baby from the room while Spencer dialed his father-in-law's cell.

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She slammed the door to her small apartment. To say the least, the room was a mess. She'd never really decorated since she'd moved here from her apartment in Fredericksburg. There'd never been any need. She wouldn't be staying here long. When she and Spencer were together, they'd be in a much nicer place than this. She would treat him like a king, not like that witch did. The thought of Spencer's wife brought a scowl to Sharon's face and her eyes blazed with a deep hatred contorting the pretty blonde's countenance into something ugly and ominous.

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Allie returned from settling Joanna, "Did you talk to Dad?" she asked.

"Yeah, he said he'd talk to Chico." He patted the couch beside him, "So, Joanna's sleeping huh?" He raised his eyebrows.

"Yes, for a while," she replied as she sat down beside him.

Reid put his arm around her and whispered in her ear, "Maybe we should take advantage of that." He kissed her ear lobe and moved to her neck as she turned her head so he could claim her lips. His hands roamed over her body and eventually came to rest on the buttons of her blouse where his nimble fingers began the task of undoing them to reach the treasure trove beneath. The last button was finally undone revealing white lace that covered Allie's beautiful breasts that were now heaving as her breathing quickened. He was sliding the blouse over her shoulders when his cell rang. "Damn," he cursed. "I better answer it. It could be about Dad." He looked at the call display. "It's your dad. I better take the call, particularly after what he said to me when they stayed here for Joanna's christening. Hi Dad."

"Hi Spencer, I just thought I'd let you know that I spoke to Chico and told him about William. He was really upset. He wanted to get on a plane for KC but I told him that he wouldn't get a flight out until the morning and that your dad was going back to Leavenworth. He was quite devastated that he wouldn't be able to see him since William made Chico promise never to set foot in Leavenworth doors ever again. He said he was glad that you and Evan were there for him." Lloyd paused for a moment.

"What else?" Reid asked.

"He said that you and Evan are so lucky to have a dad like William. Anyway, I gave him the phone number so he could at least talk to him."

"Okay, uh, thanks for telling me Dad, bye," Spencer said as he ended the call.

Allie had gotten up while he had been talking and he could hear noises in the kitchen. "Well, the fruit was all bad and the leftovers. The milk is past the expiration date," she said as she sat down again, her blouse now buttoned. "So I guess it's shopping tomorrow. What did Dad have to say?" Reid relayed Lloyd's conversation. "So how do you feel about that?"

"I don't know. I'm a little resentful that some stranger Dad met in prison, of all places, got the dad Evan and I should have gotten. I don't have anything against Chico. He seems like a really nice guy and I'm glad Dad did what he did for him but why did he never do anything self sacrificing for me?" He looked at his wife and the look on her face told him the answer. Why could she always see things so clearly that he, the genius, couldn't? "Because he wasn't that kind of man back then and maybe he really has changed."

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Things had to change. She couldn't sit around and watch him any longer. She was meant to have Spencer Reid. God had sent him to her. He was going to be hers. It was time to act. She looked at the picture of the little family standing on the church steps, now fractured by the red marker and the word bitch. No one was going to stop her.