It was early evening before the BAU team was finally ready to give their initial profile to the local law enforcement officers. Emma was standing on the deck at the back of the community center, pensively staring at the water in the pond, when she heard a faint noise behind her.
"You left me!" Reid's accusation rang through the evening air.
"I thought that was the best way to handle things," she replied softly.
"Why?" he challenged her.
"Spencer," Emma turned to face him. "I knew that I was battling Maeve's ghost, and I knew I couldn't win. I also knew that if I talked to you about it I would have to look into your eyes, and I knew what I would see there. You were lost and lonely, and I couldn't help you deal with it. You needed to help yourself."
"So, you took the easy way out?" it was an accusation.
"I took the least painful way out," Emma corrected him. "You were unhappy and I was unhappy and I knew I couldn't fix it for either one of us. I needed to get my life back on track."
"We could have talked," Reid persisted.
"When?" Emma challenged him. "Every time we were together either you were so worn out you fell asleep or your phone rang and you had to go or there were other people around. Spencer, it just wasn't working!"
"When this is over with, I want to talk," Reid told her. "I need to – "
"Excuse me, you two," Blake's voice interrupted him as she called out the door. "But, if you would care to join us, we are ready to give the profile."
"Example Number One," Emma pointed out as she blinked back tears and sniffled. "Go on in and get started without me. It's going to take me a minute or two to get my act together."
Reid looked over at Blake. "I'm on my way," he told her as he began walking in her direction.
After Reid had passed her on his way inside, Blake looked over at Emma.
"Are you okay?" she asked, concerned.
"I will be," Emma assured her with a sniffle.