Yes, third time is the charm, posting another chapter on the same day. The reason for my generousity is that I am going to be out of town on some personal family business. I am hoping to post again in about a week or so. I honestly do not know yet. Meanwhile I hope that these three chapters will keep you satisifed until my return.

I do not own Criminal Minds and my thanks for Skye for being my beta reader. I welcome any and all reviews.

Chapter #26

"But I don't remember anything? Believe me, I want to," Ashley said as she sat on the bed. Both JJ and Prentiss were sitting on the edge of her bed.

"It's ok, I want you to try," JJ encouraged. "Just close your eyes. What was the last thing you remember?"

Ashley closed her eyes, "I was walking Bailey."

"And," Prentiss asked.

She opened her eyes, not understanding her. "I walked my dog."

"Ok, ok, where you were walking? How was the weather? What were you thinking," Prentiss offered. "Try again, close your eyes." Ashley shook her head, not believing that this was going to work, but she went ahead. She closed her eyes, seeing herself walking Bailey.

"The morning was bright, but it was still a bit cool. I was mad."

"At who," she heard JJ asking.

"Everyone. I was mad at the lead singer for getting arrested. I was mad at Harry for getting me to sing because of the contract. I was mad at the guitar player. I was even mad at Bailey for sniffing every freaking tree before he peed." She walked back to the house where she saw a car pulled up in her driveway.

"Who was it," she heard JJ.

"Darcy, my best friend. He came by to see if I was alright. I forgot to turn on my phone again."

"Again," Prentiss asked.

"Sometimes when I turn off my cell, I'll forget to turn it back on. The longest was three days. Darcy came by, basically let me vent, let me get it out of my system." Ashley stopped, opening her eyes. She remembers that they talked about Reid.

"What, what do you remember."

"It's has nothing to do with the accident."

"Spencer," JJ guessed. Ashley nodded yes.

"You were upset that he left," JJ said.

Ashley nodded again, "I know it is part of your job, but the timing of all this was really horrible."

"So you were mad at Reid," Prentiss asked.

"No, just upset that he left."

Meanwhile Reid and Rossi entered the cafeteria. He had convinced Reid to take a walk with him, to pick up more coffee for the ladies since they all dropped theirs when that bodyguard spooked them. Reid didn't want to leave Ashley alone, but JJ and Prentiss was with her and now that bodyguard standing guard. She should be alright. Reid looked at the tea selections, trying to figure out which one that Ashley likes.

"Bran or oatmeal," Rossi said.

"Excuse me," he said, turning around, seeing his boss looking at the selections of pastries.

"Which one do you want?"

"Sss. . ." he stopped himself from calling Rossi 'Sir' again. "Me? Thank you, but no. I am fine." Rossi looked at him.

"You don't look fine. You are exhausted. We will pick up the coffees for the girls later. Let's just find a seat and talk. Ashley will be fine, you know the questions will last at least a half hour and they will stay with her until we return. You probably haven't had much to eat all day." He finally agreed.

They sat at the corner of the cafeteria alone. Reid stirred his coffee, after pouring the sugar and waited for to finish Rossi buttering his bran muffin.

"So tell me of what happened." Reid told his boss what he knew and Rossi picked over the details with a fine tooth comb. Although he wondered why with his elicit memory

"What did he exactly say," Rossi questioned.

"That she is mine." Then he stopped. "He had a Russian accent."

"Good, we are getting somewhere." Reid gave a half smiled as he picked at his banana muffin.

"Reid, Spencer." He looked up at him. "I know that we don't know each other very well. And I know you don't expect any advice when it comes to women from me with my three ex-wives. But I have to ask you if you willingly to stay with her. What happened this morning was not a onetime thing. This man is obsessed with her and he sees you standing in his way of getting to her. He may not miss the next time. It is going to get worse before it gets better. Are you willingly to stay with her? And the fact that Ashley knows of who he is and not telling you everything."

"She is." Rossi shook his head.

"No, if this was another person, you know perfectly well that Morgan and Prentiss would be interviewing her hard, pressuring her to talk, and threatening her with charges of obstruction of justice." Reid felt his anger starting to boil.

"I am working on it, sir," he answered coldly. "But the only way that Ashley is willing to talk to me, is when we are alone. And with all of the interruptions, it is not easy." He drew in a deep breath, forcing his anger down.

"And if I may be so bold. I meet her at a NA meeting, so yes, I know she has problems. But she has been working on them. She has been clean and sober for eight months and I am very proud of her that she is not asking for any narcotics for her back. I know her back is hurting really bad. I know that her headaches bother her, but she will not take anything for that either. I really do like her. She makes me happy. Let me handle the questions and I will get back to you if we have more than three minutes alone. The Ashburtons have invited me to stay with them as well so I will stay with her the first night. I believe that she will finish the story then."

Rossi nodded, "Ok. I just wanted to make sure that you know what you were getting yourself into. Let's get the coffee for the girls and head back up."

JJ and Prentiss had finished their questioning with Ashley and they were just sitting quietly. JJ had move to the couch where it was more comfortable for her while Prentiss reviewed her notes. Ashley leaned forward, exhausted.

Even though, it wasn't lunchtime yet, the day has been already long for her. Ashley kind of expected them to be asking her about Reid or even grilling. She knew that they see Reid as their little brother, therefore they protected him.

"That bear that you made was absolutely adorable," JJ finally said as she rubbed her pregnant belly. Ashley smiled. "My parents were visiting last weekend to help set up the nursery. My mom utterly loves him and I told her that you sell them. She wants to buy a bear from you."

She smiled again, "Didn't I put my business card with the bear? Oh shoot. Anyway, I will give you one of my business cards which are in my purse which it is in my house. Oh hell bells," she said, resting her head in her hands.

She looked up, "I do have a few bears already done, but I don't know what kind of condition they are in now. If your mother doesn't mind of waiting until I get better, I can make one up for her."

"So you and Reid, huh," Prentiss said.

Ashley nodded, "If you want to ask, I don't mind. One of my friends Harry has already put Spencer through the ringer." Both of the agents chuckled.

"How did he handle that," JJ asked.

"Very well. He knew that Harry was being protective."

"Ok, so how long you have been clean," Prentiss asked.

"Emily," JJ shushed.

Ashley raised her hand up, "It's ok. I have been clean and sober for almost eight months now. I've taken cocaine, uppers, downers, and marijuana. I know that you are all watching out for Spencer. All I can say that I have made some mistakes in the past and some of them were whoppers. But I do like Spencer and care about him a lot," she explained as she shifted her weight. Her back was still hurting and she wanted to lie down for a bit.

"Are you tired," JJ asked. Ashley nodded.

"I will go and check to see where Rossi and Reid are," Prentiss volunteered. She left the room and Ashley started to lie down.

"I'm sorry; my back is starting to hurt a bit. I need to lie down." JJ nodded as she slowly stood up. She helped pull up a blanket over Ashley.

"Normally I don't interfere with Spence's private life, but you should know that he did call you and left you two messages."

"He did?"

She nodded yes, "And he really felt bad for leaving you." Ashley smiled.

"Honestly, I never turned on my phone on once I realized it was turned off. I know it sounds silly now, but I was afraid to. I was thinking of what if he didn't call." The blond agent smiled.

"Ashley," she heard Reid from the other side of the door before he opened the door a bit. He held two white paper cups in his hands.

"Ok, it was nice meeting you. I am going to let you rest."

After JJ left them alone, Reid walked up to her bed, "I got you some tea with honey," he said, setting them down on the table beside her.

"So that is your family," she said. He nodded.

"Destiny doesn't control you, you control destiny."

"Excuse me," he said.

"You said that there would be another time for me to meet your family. This was it. I am thinking, next time, we control it."

"Really, what do you have in mind," he asked.

She thought for a moment, "Dinner at your place." He raised his eyebrows up, not too sure how he felt about having his family over at his small apartment.

"It doesn't have to be there. I don't want to do it at my place, mostly because I have a hole in my house. It could easily be at a restaurant. I am just saying that next time; it will be on our terms. Not destiny's."

Reid brushed her hair back with his long index finger. "You know that I am proud of you."

She moved her head up at him, "For?"

"For not taking any painkillers. I know you are still hurting."

She gave him a smile, "I have been tempted to today after what happened."

He nodded, "I know." He bends down and gently kissed her. "Try to get some rest. I am going to see about getting your release and I will call the Ashburtons to let them know that you are coming. And if that offer is still open with them, I want to stay with you for tonight. Just to make sure that you are safe and we can finish our conversation."