Author's Note: I don't own Criminal Minds, much to my disappointment.

Chapter 17 Time for Explanations Please

"I…uh…can I come in?" he asked awkwardly. He glanced at the woman on the porch and Olivia followed his gaze and smiled kindly at the woman.

"Good evening Mrs. Hess, aren't you cold out here?" she said.

"Freezin' my bum off, but I have the grandkids inside and don't want them around the smoke," the old woman said with a smile at Olivia.

"I see, tell them I say good night," said Olivia and turned back to Reid, her smile fading a little, "Yeah, I guess. It's too cold to talk out here anyway."

She stepped aside and closed the door behind him. Spencer took off his coat and scarf, his favorite purple one, and placed them on the coat rack. Olivia was already in the living room and putting a bowl of finished ice cream on the kitchen counter when Reid walked in and stood there, unsure of what to do.

"Do you want a cup of coffee? You look like you're freezing," said Olivia coolly and without her usual happy tone. It was as if she was asking to be polite and not because she actually cared.

"Only if you're having something," Reid said quietly. Olivia nodded and grabbed two mugs. One she filled with instant coffee and the other with hot chocolate.

"All I have is instant," she explained, setting it down on the table in front of the couch and Reid sat down, "I'm still unpacking as you can tell."

Spencer nodded as he looked around. There were still boxed all over the place and this house lacked the lived-in feel Olivia's old apartment had. But he saw that she had found places for all her pictures and he even noticed a few new ones. The two sipped their drinks for what felt like hours, but it was actually only five minutes. Finally, Olivia set her hot chocolate down and turned to face him.

"Did you enjoy dinner?" she asked in a would-be conversational tone.

"The food was excellent and the restaurant was great, but that was it really," he said and Olivia frowned slightly, nodding.

"Well I'm glad you had a pleasant evening," she said, staring at her hands.

"Look Olivia, about Lila," he said, setting his drink down, "I know you saw the article on my desk and I want to explain myself. I admit I liked Lila, a lot actually, and I used to email her almost every week. However, she never returned my emails so I stopped and hadn't heard from her until she came in today. I haven't even thought about her in years, not since before I met you."

"So why was she there?" she asked testily.

"She was in town shooting a pilot and wanted to get together with me," said Spencer, "I didn't realize she literally meant "get together" but I dropped her off in the lobby of her apartment too drunk to function. Trust me, nothing happened."

"How many are there?" asked Olivia softly.

"How many?"

"How many other girls are there?" she said, looking up at him. He could see the pain in her eyes now. She wasn't trying to hide it anymore. "How many other girls have you "protected" and ended up getting with?" continued Olivia, putting air quotes around the word "protected". Spencer could tell she was trying to hold her anger in.

"N-None," Reid said, flabbergasted at that question, "Why would you ask a question like that?"

"Hmm, let's think, shall we?" said Olivia, flaring up now and letting it all out, "You told me you were protecting Lila and there's a picture of you two in a pool making out like there's no tomorrow. Then your job is to look after me, and we went out on a few dates. You have God knows how many cases a month and I bet there are thousands of pretty girls in danger for you to be their knight in shining armor! What am I supposed to think, Spencer? Dammit, I trusted you! Do you have any idea how hard it is for me to trust people after what happened? I thought I…well, it doesn't matter what I thought because I was dead wrong."

"Why would I want anyone else when I have you?" asked Spencer, annoyed now and forgetting his usual awkwardness, "Maybe there were some pretty girls, but nothing compared to you! I met Lila before I met you and, after seeing her again, I realized that she's changed and not the kind of girl I want to date. You can still trust me because you, Olivia, are the only woman in my life and my friends can attest to that. Well, you're the only woman except my mother of course," he added, blushing as he realized what he had just said.

Olivia was looking at him with wide eyes as a blush crept across her face too. He reached out and took her hand in his, only causing her to blush even harder.

"Please Olivia, you have to believe me," he continued nervously, "I…I love you too much to lose you over something like this. I promise you that Lila is nothing when compared to you."

"What did you say?" Olivia whispered, involuntarily holding Reid's hand tighter.

"That Lila is nothing-"

"You know what I mean Spencer," she cut him off, "Before that."

"Oh, well just that…I love you."

Olivia continued to stare at Spencer with her mouth hanging open in total shock. He felt his face burning and pulled his hand out of her grip, standing up and turning his back to her. God, he was such an idiot! Why did he have to say that? Where the hell did that come from? Sure, he knew he loved her, but never in a million years would he have admitted it aloud, especially then. He heard Olivia get up and walk over to him. He felt her arms wrap around his waist.

"Thank goodness for that," she said into his back, "Because I love you too and how awkward would that be if you didn't love me back?"

Spencer whipped around so he was facing her. Olivia was grinning up at him and he smiled at her too. Quickly so he didn't lose his nerve, he bent down and kissed her. Immediately, her arms were around his neck and he placed his around her waist. When they broke apart, both were still grinning like idiots.

They sat on the couch and discussed Olivia's new job and when she would be starting at the Tiger Haven. Finally, Spencer let out a huge yawn and Olivia chuckled softly.

"It's after two, why don't you stay down here overnight? It'll be like old times, you on the pull-out couch and me in the nice, comfortable bed."

Spencer laughed and pulled Olivia close to him, kissing her lightly on the cheek and saying, "Just so long as you make breakfast, I'll sleep on the floor if need be."

So Olivia pulled out the bed and dug in the boxes until she found blankets and a pillow for Spencer to use. Reid decided to just sleep in his clothes and go back to his apartment to change before he went to work. Just before she went up the stairs, Olivia stopped to look at him and shook her head with a sad smile.

"What?" asked Reid.

"Emma was right about you all along," she said, leaning her shoulder against the wall, "I called her after I left and…vented to her. She told me that you didn't seem like the type to lead me on and then crush me. She's only met you once and she knows your character better than I do." Spencer went over and held her close while Olivia sighed and laid her head on his chest. "I'm sorry Spence, I should've known you weren't a Casanova or whatever."

He laughed and looked down at her, saying, "A Casanova? Is that what you thought?" She nodded sheepishly and he put his hands on her shoulders. "Olivia, you know you can always trust me. I will always be there when you need me."

"I know, I know that now," she said and laughed, saying, "Emma told me that if I thought the stuff you were telling me was bullshit, I could tell you to shove it. Those were her exact words."

"You're lucky to have her," said Spencer with a laugh, "She obviously cares about you."

"When I was really depressed during the first few months, I would think about her and you and remember how lucky I was to have you two in my life," Olivia said quietly, "I have a sister who's managed to stay close even though she's across the ocean and a dear…friend like you who I knew I could always count on."

Reid had noticed her hesitation and looked down at her. He realized then that they had never called each other their boyfriend or girlfriend. They were just two people trying to make a long distance relationship work, never thinking about labels. However, now that they were closer, Spencer hoped to change that.

"I should get to bed, and you need to sleep too Spence," said Olivia with a quick peck on the cheek, "Night!"

"Good night," said Spencer and watched her walk up the stairs to her room. He went over to the bed, climbed under the blankets as the metal squeaked loudly, and was soon fast asleep.

While the young doctor slept soundly, the veterinarian upstairs was far from sleepy. Her mind was spinning wildly as she thought of the last few hours. He loved her! He told her he loved her! Olivia let out a little squeal in her bed and rolled over, willing herself to sleep with the promise of getting to call her sister the next day.

Author's Note: Hooray, another chapter up for my lovely readers! I'm sorry to inform you that we are nearing the end of this story. I'd say about two or three more chapters should do it. That means there's isn't much time left to leave reviews so take advantage of this time and tell me your thoughts and opinions. I love feedback and promise to answer your review! Thank you to those who have reviewed, have me in their favorites, and have me on alert. It's so awesome to see you guys like my story. :D