Someone Like You

Disclaimer – I own nothing but the ideas

Ok so this story is nearing an end; and I guess from the reviews it's not going to end where you expected it to. That's because there will be a sequel, as I really wanted this story to focus on Reid and his reaction to Prentiss returning. Hope that isn't too disappointing; I will get onto the sequel really quickly – I promise.

. . . . .

Nevermind, I'll find someone like you,
I wish nothing but the best for you, too,
Don't forget me, I beg,
I remember you said,
"Sometimes it lasts in love,
But sometimes it hurts instead,"
Sometimes it lasts in love,
But sometimes it hurts instead.

. . . . .

Emily sat alone, again. Her half packed case lay open on the bed as she stared out of the window of the motel room that had been her home for just over a week; a week that had been a rollercoaster ride.

Deep down she still couldn't pinpoint what had made her return, but she had. Emily had no idea what she had expected to gain from returning. Her realistic nature knew that she couldn't just walk back into the lives of her friends, unannounced, and expect to just carry on like nothing had happened. Yet her romantic side wished this could only be true.

With a deep sigh she got up and returned to packing. Her flight was due to leave that evening. Once on board she could draw a final line under the life of Emily Prentiss and move on. It all sounded so simple.

There was one problem to the plan, that was gnawing away at her very sole. She had promised Reid she would at least meet the rest of the team. He had given her a window of a month in which to do so, before he told them the truth. She hadn't ever planned to be back that long, so when she made the promise, she knew there was little chance of keeping it. But now, when it came down to it, she struggled to break that promise, and walk away.

The one thing that Emily was sure of was that coming back had had something to do with Dr Spencer Reid. She was glad that they had started to rebuild the bridge between them. But she was also aware how delicate that bridge was. Running back into hiding now, to save her from her fears about facing the team, would see the bridge razed to the ground.

So that left her with a couple of hours to make a decision that would not only impact on her for the rest of her life, but also the lives of people that she had so desperately fought to protect.

Emily startled, as she heard a knock at her door. She wasn't expecting JJ for another hour or so. Tentatively she opened the door. Nothing prepared her for seeing him standing there, the hurt look on his face. She opened the door further, not knowing what to say.

"You're still here then," Spencer said flatly.

"Of course I am," Emily smiled, "Where else would I be?"

"Italy, France, where's your ticket to this time?" the bitterness was evident in his voice.

"I . . . What do you mean?" Emily stuttered.

"Emily, don't lie to me," Spencer sounded tired, "Please, don't lie. Don't you think I deserve the truth?"

Emily nodded, as she closed her eyes.

"Can I come in or do you want to discuss this out in the hall?"

Emily stepped aside to allow Spencer into her room, shutting the door behind him. She felt uncomfortable, the last time he had been here had not been pleasant, and she had the feeling this was going to be no better.

Spencer walked a way into the room, and then stood facing Emily. The look of disappointment mixed with anger was clear on his face. Emily struggled to meet his eye.

"Did you plan on telling me you were leaving before you went? Or were you just going to walk away, again?"

Emily bit back the instinct to lie to defend herself. He was right he deserved the truth.

"My flight was booked before you agreed to meet me. I have had no intention of staying from the start, I just wanted to explain, and then leave you to live your life, with Sophie and your child."

"Just like that, everything is so black and white with you Emily. Well some of us live in the grey bits, where both sides of the story meet. Not everyone can switch off their feelings like you," Spencer snapped accusingly at her.

"You make it sound so easy, but how is this supposed to work Spencer? Come on you usually have the answer to everything."

Emily walked passed him, dropping into a chair, before her legs gave way on her. She raked her fingers through her hair.

"Sorry Emily, I don't know. No-one does until you meet with them. I didn't know how I was going to react until I saw you. I still don't, but I'm willing to take it one day at a time and see what happens. I thought you were too," Spencer sighed, "When I told JJ that you had agreed to meet the team, I had no idea why she looked so shocked, and then she explained about the flight. It would have hurt less if she had hit me, then to hear her tell me you'd lied to me. How am I supposed to trust you when you continue to lie?"

Emily didn't look up, continuing to hold her head in her hands, she never said a word. He could tell. From the movement of her shoulders, she was crying, and felt dreadful for upsetting her, but he knew this would be his last chance to get her to stay. If she left now, she would never return and he couldn't live with that secret for the rest of his life.

Taking the few steps to close the physical distance between them, Spence crouched down and lifted her chin. Tears streaked her face.

"I'm . . . not . . . as strong . . . as you," she sobbed, "I can't do this. I should have stayed away."

Spencer sighed, it was then he begun to realise how insecure Emily was. He thought that he had made it clear he was glad she was back, safe and secure, but obviously it was going to take a while for it all to sink in with Emily.

"Emily, stay," he said softly, "Give me a chance to prove to you that it was worth coming back. None of us have forgotten you; the pain has lessened over time, but it still hurts. It won't be easy facing the others, I appreciate that, but we can do it together, if you will trust me."

By now Emily was sobbing uncontrollably. Spencer was surprised by how fragile she was. He was so use to Emily being tough and rolling with the punches, but right now the slightest thing knocked her for six.

Slowly he pulled Emily towards him, he guessed he would have to get use to this if he was going to be the friend he was offering to be. They had a long journey ahead together. Ten years of being on her own, doing God knows what to survive, seemed to compound the effects of whatever Doyle had done. Spencer hardly recognised the Emily holding onto him now.

After a while Emily sat up, wiping her eyes desperately on the back of her hand. She hated being so weak, let alone anyone else seeing it.

She looked Spencer in the eye.

"You have Sophie now and a family on the way. You don't need me getting in the way."

"You're not getting in the way, Sophie understands, possibly better than me, you should meet her, I think you would get on well. But trust me the thought of keeping your secret is more of an obstacle to me, then helping a friend."

He pulled Emily up by the hand. Standing her in front of the full length mirror on the wall, he stood behind her, hands securely on her shoulders as he rested his chin on one of them.

"Look at yourself Emily, the way you are living is not healthy. You're tired, you've lost weight and you're basically not taking care of yourself. What sort of friend would I be if I let you walk away now?"

He let it sink in for a while, as Emily stared at the reflection of the woman she had become.

"I can help you, but only if you're ready to help yourself. One day at a time, and JJ, Hotch and I will be here for you; and eventually so will the others, if you let us."

"You make it sound like rehab," she said shakily, still horrified by what she was seeing in the mirror.

"No, this will be harder," he smiled knowingly, "because it will involve will power and relying on your friends. No more lies and no more hiding."

Emily turned around, away from the reflection. She looked once more at Spencer and gave a silent prayer of gratefulness for friends.

"We had better ring JJ, tell her she doesn't need to pick me up."

. . . . .

There is a short epilogue on the way, just to round this part up and introduce the next part. Thank you for all the support.