Title: Hiding Place
Author: Trista Groulx (dustytiger)
Rating: T (same as the show)
Disclaimer: I don't own CM, it belongs to CBS et al. And I don't own the song that inspired this fic Serena Ryder and her record label do. Don't sue I am just a lowly barista.
Summary: Reid wakes up to find Prentiss curled up to him. Where will their relationship go?
Notes: I'm glad you liked the last instalment. Welcome to the new reviewers and hearts to those of you who are reviewing but I can't reply to, thank you for the support even tho I can't tell you. Went in a different direction with the source of Reid needing Prentiss. You'll see.
You're always watching and waiting, While everyone else's heart is breaking, Darling, what are you so afraid of?
Reid had his head resting on Prentiss' shoulder as they sat in a Las Vegas hotel room. His eyes were red and swollen from tears. He hadn't said a word in over an hour. But would wrap his arms around her tighter if she tried to move away. She wanted to something comforting but she couldn't find the right words. Prentiss didn't fully understand his relationship with his mother. They had gotten a call at three that morning telling them Diana had had a stroke. They had gotten a flight out and by the time they had arrived Diana's condition was stabilised, but she was still sedated. Reid was devastated. She hadn't been that close wither her own parents. Although she had been devastated when she lost her father, and knew she would be when she lost her mother, she also knew she'd want to talk about it, and share her memories.
During visiting hours at the hospital, which was only two blocks away, Reid had sat in her room reading books to her the whole time. Since they had been asked to leave the hospital, with visiting hours over, Reid had hardly said a word to her. He had ever refused the coffee she offered him, and she knew better than to ask him if he wanted anything to eat. So they sat silently on the hotel bed, tangled in each other's arms. Reid lost in his thoughts, while Prentiss worried about him.
Reid's mind, all the while was racing. He couldn't stop thinking about if things might have been different had he lived closer to his mother. He knew logically that there were no warning signs when it came to a stroke, but it got him thinking about what would happen in another emergency. The flight time between Virginia and Las Vegas could be the difference between saying his peace to his mother, and missing their last moments together.
"Spencer," she whispered.
Reid looked at her, a forlorn look on his face, his eyes showed a sadness like she had never seen before. It hurt her to see him hurting like that. Without words they could communicate, but she wanted to hear about what he was thinking. She wanted to know how she could help him, she couldn't see how sitting together was helping him at all. She gently moved a piece of hair from his eyes, and his look softened slightly, enjoying the feel of her skin against his.
"The doctors seem to think she'll make a full recovery," she assured her.
He nodded. "I wasn't there."
"We got here as quickly as we could."
"She's so far away. I was so far from her when she needed me. Emily the flight here might mean I won't be able to say goodbye to her if…"
"Don't say that."
"I know she needs special care, but it shouldn't take me hours to come see her when something happens to her. She's getting older, the next time it could be worse."
"I know it could, but I don't want to think like that. What if we look at facilities that would meet her needs closer to home?"
"What if she hates me again?" squeaked Reid, sounding like a scared child.
"What are you talking about? Your mother thinks you are the most amazing, and perfect, child and man who has ever lived. She loves you so much Spencer. She couldn't hate you."
"She didn't speak to me for six months after I place her at Bennington's. She told me I had ripped her from her home, which I guess, I did. Las Vegas is the only home she's ever known. I can't take her that far away."
"You want her to be closer to her family, I'm sure she'll understand that."
"On her good days she might, but Emily there are days she forgets I'm her son," he reminded her. "How will the doctors or I explain to her why there is snow on the ground and where the desert has gone?"
"You've always found a way before, and the staff wherever she is will be trained to handle those situations," she tried to reassure him.
"I suppose, but I don't know how to this, Emily."
"I'll help you, whatever you need."
He was surprised by her statement. Diana was his mother, and he had always had to figure out what was best for her before. As hard as it had been growing up sometimes, having to act like an adult, but he had always been able to make the right choices for them to stay together on his own. He wanted to share his life with Prentiss, but he never thought about her being a part of his mother's life as well, nor had he thought about her helping him make choices as to where she would might be living.
"Why?" he asked, stunned.
"Because I love you, and that's what you do when you are in love with another person and when you are fully committed to that person. When I took this ring you told me you would consider me your wife. That means I considered you my husband from that moment on, and a wife supports and helps her husband when he needs it. Just like you help an support me."
"Emily I-," he tried to argue.
"This works both ways, Spencer. Let me to do this for you. Let me be here for you like you always are for me."
Reid thought about it for a moment. She did come to him when she was having trouble. Most of the time she would just curl up into him, like he had done with her earlier. He felt a lot less stressed out thinking about the choices he might need to make for his mother, knowing that she would be there to support him after everything was settled. She had told him things that were difficult for her to admit to, and he knew that he should show her the same respect. Reid knew that he could trust her, and open up to her like he had never been able to do before.
"I feel guilty," he admitted.
"Spencer," she assured him. "There is nothing for you to feel guilty about. I have never known anyone who does so much for his mother. I know you feel like you don't visit her enough, but you want her closer to you. You just admitted that the reason she is here is that you are afraid it won't be good for her to be away from her home. You aren't doing this because you want her hidden away you want what's best for her. Spencer she's so proud of you, she understands how hard things are for you in her own way."
"What if being closer to us isn't the best thing for her?"
"We'll figure it out Spencer, not matter what the outcome of this I'm here to support you, you don't have to do this alone anymore."
"Thank you Emily, that helps. I know we'll make the right choice for her."
"We will, so stop worrying. She's going to be all right whether she stays here or she moves. It was a small stroke, and there are no signs of brain damage. The only reason she is still in the hospital is because of her condition. You'll see that after they transfer her tomorrow."
"I couldn't have done this without you. I've been worried about nothing."
"It just shows how much you love your mother, which I think it amazing."
She kissed him softly and she could feel him relax immediately. She ran her hands through his hair, while he ran his hand along her cheek. They were just beginning to get comfortable when he pulled away from her.
"Spencer?" she whispered.
"I love you so much, thank you for choosing me."
"You're the sweetest man I've ever known. There is no one I would rather spend the rest of my life with."
"Since we're here and we can't see Mom again until tomorrow, do you want to see where I grew up?"
"I'd love to."
The two of them left the hotel room and got into their rental car. Reid, as always, opened the door for passenger's side door for her before he went to the driver's seat. Prentiss was still amazed by how much of a gentleman he was. There were many times he was more polite then the dignitaries and politician's sons she had dated in the past, and they had all grown up with etiquette lessons. Reid had learned everything from his mother, and his books. They drove in silence away from the tourist area. Reid knew exactly where he was going, and she could see his smiling growing larger as they went through the streets. He stopped in front of a small house that looked a little run down.
"This was my house growing up. It was the hardest thing I ever had to when I had to sell it. But I couldn't afford to keep the house I grew up in and my schooling."
"I'm so sorry, Spencer. Isn't that a for sale sign?"
"It must be for the other house."
"Spencer I'm pretty sure it's that one. We should call the reltor and see if we can have a tour tomorrow."
"That might be nice."
"We could probably buy it if your mother is going to stay here, then if she does get sick we can be close to her."
"I don't have the money for that Emily."
"We do, Spencer. If she stays and something happens you wouldn't feel as guilty."
"I'll think about it."
After that he drove past his old schools. Prentiss was surprised by how far the high school was from his childhood home. She couldn't help but think about how Reid had gotten home from school all alone when he was so young. She took his hand, and squeezed it gently. He smiled at her and then drove to the park. He parked and the two of them began to walk through the park. Reid told her about the good memories he had had there. He told her about learning how to play chess, and he even told her about his first kiss. Prentiss enjoyed hearing more about his life before they had met, she wanted to know everything about him. She was glad he was able to get his mind off of everything that had happened.
End Part 8
Notes: This was going to be last part before the epilogue but I thought it needed more to be wrapped up. Don't worry Reid's mom is fine she'll be in the next part, and ambassador Prentiss will have a small role to play in the epilogue.