Author's Note: You know, people always confuse me with the person who created Criminal Minds…well not really but you get the idea.

Chapter 14 A Misunderstanding

Spencer came out of the break room with a cup of strong coffee in his hands. It was going to be another long day for the young doctor. He still had to write the case file as well as ones for the last two. Being sick with the flu sucked enough but the make-up work sucked even more. Sighing, Reid collapsed into his chair and rubbed his eyes. When he finally opened his eyes and turned to his computer, he let out a groan.

"MORGAN!" he yelled. The man in question poked his head up from behind his desk. He saw Reid's annoyed expression and grinned.

"You rang," said Morgan and Reid rolled his eyes, picking up the magazine that was placed in front of his computer screen.

"Why do you insist on torturing me on my first day back after two weeks of being sick?" Reid asked, holding the magazine aloft. It was the tabloid that contained the pictures of Reid and Lila from when they were working her case. Morgan enjoyed displaying that in the most noticeable places when he knew Reid was feeling stressed. It was his way of trying to make Reid feel better.

"Come on kid, have a laugh once in a while. You'll get wrinkles on your forehead if you keep frowning like that," Morgan said with a laugh and went back into the room.

Reid sighed heavily and set the magazine on his desk, picking up a file and opening a new document on his computer. Hour after hour he worked until the others voted to order take-out for lunch. Rossi was given the task of getting the food and he bundled up to set out in the cold.

Spencer stopped working once his co-worker left and leaned back in his chair. His eyes fell on the picture frame and he smiled, picking it up to get a closer look. He and Olivia had spent her birthday together in the city and she had taken a picture of them with her camera. Spencer had his arms wrapped around her waist, smiling shyly at the camera. He had taken Olivia by surprise with this action so she was laughing as she took the picture. Her eyes were sparkling with happiness and her smile was so wide that Reid was amazed it stayed on her face. He loved this picture because you couldn't see the worry or fear that sometimes lurked behind her eyes. She was totally and completely happy in this picture and no despondent memories could change that.

Emma had stayed with her sister for three months before having to go back to work. They talked every day for hours on end and video chatted. Emma wanted to see her sister's face every day. She made sure her sister continued visiting her psychologist, Marci, but she didn't have to worry. Olivia and Marci had become very good friends and Olivia didn't mind having to see her three times a month. With Marci's help, Olivia overcame the trust issues that left her trapped in her own home. She was able to go back to work just weeks after Emma left for England. Besides a fear of strangers, Olivia had developed severe anxiety attacks and was plagued with nightmares for weeks at a time. It was so hard for Spencer when he would come for a visit and see her with bags under her eyes and a look of terror every time she heard footsteps outside her door. She tried to put on a happy face, but it was more a mask than her actual feelings

But with the support of Emma, Spencer, and Marci, Olivia began to return to normal. She would venture out of her house for groceries instead of having them delivered to her. As every day got better, Olivia became more optimistic. She even visited Old St. Mary's Church to thank Ethan Parker for his help, even though the motel was right next door. Spencer remembered going with her that day. Olivia had stared at the motel for a few minutes before shuddering violently and entering the church. On the way out, her knees shook so that he had to support her as they walked to the car. Once it was out of sight, she gave him a half-smile and stood up straight.

"The worst is over now," she had said, "The first time is always the worst, right? I'm sure I'll be better the next time I go by it."

Reid marveled at her courage. The sight of the motel had frightened her, yet she planned to go back. Olivia went to Old St. Mary's Church once a month to light a candle in front of the Blessed Mother and sit in Ethan Parker's pew. She told Reid that it helped keep her calm during the tough months that she called her "dark times".

So after three years, Olivia was back to her normal self. She was much shyer around strangers and had days of depression, but she was determined to return to a normal life. Spencer kept to his word and emailed her every week, telling him about his cases. He called her once a week at the least and visited her whenever he could get away. They had kept up the long-distance relationship and were happy.

Spencer had hoped that Olivia could come down to Quantico for the BAU Christmas party and then come with him to spend Christmas with his mother in Las Vegas. He had called to ask her a few weeks ago but she told him she couldn't make it. Something about her sister coming to visit with the babies before going back home for Christmas. Reid was sad but he understood. If he had a sibling as close as Olivia did, he would want to see them too.

"Come and get it," said Rossi, holding up two plastic bags full of Chinese food boxes. The team jumped up and dove for the boxes. Reid smiled as he waited, shaking his head. Never get in the way of a team of starving FBI agents and Chinese food.

Finally, Reid grabbed his shrimp lo mein and sat back at his desk. He laughed as Morgan struggled with his chopsticks but stopped when his phone rang. It was Olivia.

"Hey Liv," he said, still chuckling, "What's up?"

"Not much, I just wanted to call and see how you're doing," she said happily, "How's everyone doing?"

"Great, Rossi just grabbed us lunch and Morgan is attempting to eat with chopsticks. Needless to say he's failing miserably."

"Am not! Look, I got some chicken right here and…oh shit!" Morgan cursed as the chicken fell from his chopsticks and rolled down his shirt onto his pants.

"I can see," she said, laughing, "And how are you doing Spence? You look really tired, are you still fighting off the flu then?"

"Yeah, I'm still…wait, what did you say?" he said, sitting up in his chair.

"You have some nasty bags under your eyes, I hope you'll sleep better once you're on vacation," she continued as Reid looked around him, "I'm sorry I had to lie to you, but I thought this would be more fun. Don't worry, I called the sanitarium and they know to expect another person. I got a room at the same hotel right down the hall."

Spencer looked up and saw Olivia standing in the outside room near the elevator. She had her cell phone to her ear and grinned when he met her eyes. He hung up his phone and walked quickly over to her.

"Olivia, what are you doing here?" he asked, embracing her warmly.

"I thought I'd stop in for a visit," she replied, hugging him back, "I wanted to drop off your Christmas gifts before I headed to the house. I have to be at my job at six so I've got time."

"You got a job? Where? Wait, how are you going to get back to Philadelphia by then?" She continued to smile at him and his eye widened, "You moved?"

"I decided I needed a change, I couldn't keep working at the zoo after all that happened," she explained, "Marci helped me find a job at Tiger Haven but I don't start working until after the holidays. They opened one here just outside of Quantico so it's not very far from my new house. In order to support myself until then, I found another job. I live in a row home now, no more apartments for me."

"That's fantastic!" Reid said and he meant it. That meant she was less than an hour away! She seemed excited to start over and he couldn't have been happier for her.

"Olivia, good to see you again," said Morgan as he walked up and threw his arm around her shoulders.

"Hey Morgan, glad to see you haven't changed a bit," Olivia laughed, "Emma sends her best."

"How's she doing?" Prentiss asked, coming up and giving Olivia a greeting hug.

"She's great but she has the worst cravings for vanilla icing," said Olivia with a shudder, "You should see her go to down on a tub of icing, even I need to leave the room."

"Ugh, I don't miss those pregnant cravings," said J.J with a laugh, "And how are your babies?"

"They're all wonderful, perfect angels as always," Olivia replied, happy to talk about her pets, "Galileo is getting larger but is as active as ever. I don't know if Spencer told you about Michelangelo…"

"He did," said Morgan as Olivia looked away sadly, "We were all sorry to hear about him."

Reid shuddered as he remembered hearing Olivia tell him that Michelangelo had died. Because of his heart condition, he died at the age of ten. He went to sleep one night and never woke up. Olivia had been heartbroken; Michelangelo had been her first cat and they were close. Well, as close as an owner can be to their cat. For a few weeks after the sudden death, Olivia's anxiety grew worse but she eventually returned to normal although still sad.

"Thank you," said Olivia and smiled as she continued, "A few weeks ago, we received another member to our family named Raphael."

"Those are strange names for children," said Rossi with a frown, "Are you a fan of Renaissance art?"

"I am actually, but they're not my kids," Olivia said with a hearty laugh, "They're my cats. I have a dog named Cujo as well who's a corgi."

"They might as well be your kids," said J.J and Olivia shrugged as if to say "Guilty as charged", causing everyone to laugh.

"You must be Agent Rossi," said Olivia as she shook hands with the man, "Spencer has told me all about you. You were the one to walked away when he asked for you to help him out of a ditch a few weeks after he had been shot in the knee, right?"

"I…uh…" Rossi stuttered at a loss for words and Olivia winked at Reid.

"I have something for you all for Christmas," Olivia continued as she reached into her bag and pulled out envelopes. She handed one to each agent and kept the ones for Hotch and Garcia. Spencer looked at the envelope and opened it, taking a piece of paper out and reading it to himself.

Dear Spencer,

To say that you have been a great friend these last few years would be the understatement of the century. Nothing I can say or do will ever make up for what you have done for me. Through all the hard times, I know I can rely on your for help and support. You have comforted me through it all and, although I've told you this since the beginning, I am truly grateful.

I'm sorry I never told you about me moving. I had wanted to surprise you. I'm also sorry I lied when I said I couldn't come and spend Christmas with you and your mother. You should've known that I would love to do that. I hope you don't mind me coming along anyway.

I hope you like my gift, it's just a little something I thought you and your whole team would enjoy. Merry Christmas!

With love,

Olivia

Spencer looked inside the envelope and saw two tickets to visit the Tiger Haven as well as a pass to visit some of the tigers behind the scenes. He looked at Olivia and saw her looking at him with a hopeful look in her eyes. He grinned and took her hand.

"I love it, thank you!" he said.

Everyone else thanked Olivia and started asking her questions. Hotch came out of his office and his face twitched up slightly at the sight of the team and Olivia. She handed him his gift.

"Thank you Olivia, I know Jack will love this," he said, "I'm sorry guys but we have that meeting now."

"It won't take long," Spencer whispered as the other members waved good-bye, "If you want, you can wait at my desk and we can grab coffee afterwards."

"That sounds great," she said and sat in his seat, swirling around once in his chair and grinning widely.

Reid felt his stomach flip with pleasure as he went into the meeting. It was boring, just talking about financial issues and that kind of stuff. Finally, twenty minutes later, they were allowed to leave and Reid practically ran out of the office to find Olivia standing by the elevator.

"Olivia? Where are you going?" Spencer asked. She jumped and wheeled around, blushing furiously.

"I j-just realized that…that I, uh…have to get back home and let Cujo out," she said, pressing the down button on the elevator a few more times.

"Oh, but what about-?"

"I shouldn't have come here, it was a stupid idea," said Olivia, more to herself than to Reid, "You're obviously extremely busy and I don't want to bother you. I'm sorry."

"Well sure, I have some reports to write up but-"

"Then it's better if I go," she whispered as the elevator doors opened. She walked into the elevator and turned to face Spencer, her eyes shining. "I'm sorry that I bothered you. Good-bye."

"Olivia, wait!" Spencer said but the doors closed and she was gone.

Reid went back to his desk and fell into his chair. What happened? She had seemed excited to go out for coffee and then suddenly she was making up excuses to leave? And had she been crying in the elevator? His eyes fell on the magazine that he had put under the files. It was laying open on top of his keyboard to the article on him and Lila. There was a large picture of them in the pool…

"Oh no," he said and grabbed his jacket.

"Reid, where are you going?" Morgan asked as the young doctor ran to the door.

"I've got to clear something up," Reid shouted over his shoulder as he tore down the stairs. He reached the bottom floor and saw Olivia walking through the front door. He was just about to call out to her when he felt someone tap him on the shoulder.

"Spencer?" a familiar voice said.

Reid spun around and found himself face-to-face with the woman he had cared about, the woman whose smile had made his insides melt, the woman who had pulled him into the pool to make-out with him, the woman who made Olivia run out of the office in such a hurry.

"Lila?" he said, "What are you doing here?"

Author's Note: Uh-oh! A little drama for the young doctor! I told you there were a few twists coming up. Thank you to my reviewers who reviewed while I was away. It was such a treat to come back and see them in my inbox.

A little note about this chapter, Tiger Haven is an actual organization but I don't think they have a station near Quantico so I made it up. The organization takes in tigers and gives them food, water, and medical service. Olivia would be one of the vets working there.

Please tell me what you think of the last two chapters by pressing that lovely little review button below. Head's up by the way, the next chapter will be from Olivia's POV. I thought that'd be fun to change things up a little. Also, I start school tomorrow so I plan on being able to update during the night every night but, if for some reason I can't, I promise to make the next chapter extra special for my lovely fans. Thanks and hope you enjoyed the chapter! :D