Part Two.

"Do you think it was a mistake? You know, going to coffee with her?" Spencer asked Morgan as they retrieved the car, He opened the door, and carefully climbed in. He studied Derek for his answer.

"She's cute, I think it would be okay. She's a smart girl-" He started, seemingly not knowing how to finish. He took a breath and then relaxed. "It'll be fine, Spencer. Besides; she seems like your type,"

"I have a type?" He asked, a slight smile sneaking upon his face. He fought it, but he seemed to laugh instead.

"Yeah, the silent type with the cute face – it's totally you." He said, starting up the car.

"Yeah, okay, Derek," He said, He observed outside the window for the longest time. He watched as some people were hunched against the side of buildings, clutching tattered pieces of clothing to their bodies. It was a cold day, it wasn't rainy, but it was dreary and the sky was a dark gray.

He looked down at his watch – it was at least twelve. They were supposed to meet Hotch and the others at the Mach Home Restaurant for lunch. They were a tad bit late but Spencer preferred to take his time.

He remembered her face, the way it was so pale when he brought her out of that house. The way her eyes seemed to stare through him, he also remembered how fast his heart picked up when she seemed to loose it. Her skin was freezing, he remembered that.

They were passing through the slum of the place; he could pick out hookers instantly, and the poor people. He felt bad, in a way. Knowing that if they had a second chance, they might not have wanted that. His thoughts seemed to preoccupy his mind, while they spent a good thirty minutes stuck in traffic. They made it there at a reasonably time, and everyone was on their second round of coffee.

"Well, look who decided to show up," Elle said as Spencer approached their table. There was just enough room for Spencer to slide in beside Elle. He looked across the table and smiled at JJ, who looked confused for a second.

"Oh, someone's in a good mood!" She said, looking back at him. He straightened his shoulders, just to shrug.

"Oh, aren't we all," Elle said sarcastically.

"Lover-boy here has a date tomorrow," Derek answered. All eyes appeared on him.

"It's just a coffee, I don't think it's anything serious-" He implied. He looked over at Elle for help, she shook her head.

"I can't help you. We all know it's a different story, Spencer. But, just for kicks you'll have to let me know how it went," She smiled deviously, and held up her coffee. She took a sip, and the waitress came over.

"A coffee, please. And may I ask what is the special?" Spencer asked her. She looked down at her note pad, and then up again.

"Roasted tomato soup with a biscuit," She said, tilting her head just the slightest.

"Mmm, I'll have a toasted turkey sandwich, and a cup of coffee please," He ordered. He looked down at the neglected menu. He remembered glancing at the back – eyeing the sandwich tastefully.

Everyone ordered, and Spencer handed the woman his menu. Spencer looked around at the diner, there was old photographs of the town from at least the 1920's. The floors were checkered, and the uniforms seemed to be old style as well.

"Congratulation on completing the case, guys," Gideon said, looking around the table. He looked down at the file in his hand, and then up again. "As far as I know, we're just going to go over files until we have another case."

In a way, Spencer was relieved. He wanted to know her, even if it didn't work out. There was a weird magnetic pull he felt, even though he didn't even know her at all. Her brown eyes seemed to suck him in. He tried shaking away the thought, but some how it came snaking it's way back into his mind. He watched as Hotch lightly touched his knife, making it completely even with his fork. The waitress came over, holding a tray of orders from their table. She made it over, in a slow but steady pace.

"Broccoli soup?" She asked. JJ nodded, and the waitress handed the steaming bowl over the table. Along with a small plate, a bun and butter in the center.

"Steak and rice?" She asked, Derek then nodded.

She handed out Derek's food, and then Hotch's sandwich. She walked away – receiving the other plates. Spencer saw as she placed the sandwich in front of him, and he studied it for a minute. He smiled at the waitress and she walked off.

XXX

Luce opened her eyes, it was now getting close to dark, but the clouds were still light. She stood up, and looked out the window. She touched the curtain ever so slightly, holding the material and tracing the texture with her thumb. She looked outside, seeing the bare trees and the cars driving down the street. There was a catholic school across the Hospital, and she watched as people walked by the windows. She assumed that they had some extra curricular activity, seeing how it was getting to be late. It was four thirty now, and she was wondering where her brain had been for that long time.

She stopped playing with the curtain, and touched the glass. It was cold, and it gave her a shiver, thinking what it would be like the be on the other side of that glass. She felt a tap on her shoulder, that made her jump. She was expecting Dr. Reid, but it was only the nurse.

"Your sister phoned, she'll be here to pick you up in half an hour, so you're free to go. Just be careful, we don't you tearing a stitch. And here are some patches, you need to replace them every three hours," She directed. Luce gave a firm nod, and then turned to grab her bag of clothes. She walked slowly to the bathroom. Her eyes were dark, and her face was pale. She hadn't ate a thing in two days, and her stomach was having a fit. She took the hospital robe off, and slipped on a tan coloured bra. She pulled on a white see through v-neck, that was thin and light. Her black curly hair down her back, and her eyes fixed on the bruise on her arm. She looked away, feeling ashamed. Couldn't she have been more careful?

She put on dark pants, and slipped on a pair of converse. They were bran new, knowing that her sister must have brought them for her. Maria was older than her by five years, and she had always taken care of Luce, since they were kids. She found a hair tie at the bottom of the bag. She put her hair in a pretty pony tail, and she disposed the plastic bag. She twisted the nob carefully, and used little effort to push the door open. She nearly walked in front of an elder woman.

"Oh, I'm so sorry," she said, looking down at the woman.

"It's okay dear," She said, giving a warm smile. They rolled past, and she noticed a long, black ribbon. She picked it up, and looked at the elderly woman's chair, and on the handles of her chair were black ribbons. She rounded the corner, to a new hall. She looked at Luce, knowing she'd see a confused face, looking at her with a long silk ribbon in her hand. She passed, not stopping for it. She thought about what to do with the ribbon. She wrapped in around her elastic in her hair, and the tied a bow. She saw her sister at the desk down the hall, and she began in a half-jog to embrace Luce in a hug.

"I was so worried about you," She whispered in her ear.