Daisy let Reid enter the room first and shut the door behind her feeling a wave of shock hit her when she took in the room. It looked like a professional interior decorator over hauled the room. She felt like she stepped into a scene from a rom com when she saw tealight candles all over kitchenette counter and two large white candle standing on either side of a bowl of fruit that sat in the center of the table.
Daisy could also smell the aroma of cinnamon permeating the air and smiled knowing that cinnamon was her favourite aroma because it reminded her of baking muffins with Dale and Jeff back when life was simple and she did not notice the darkness that seemed to have taken up permanent residence within Dale and Jeff's eyes.
She followed Reid and let him pull out a chair for her so she could sit down at the table where two plates of homemade spaghetti topped with Finnish meatballs sat on white china plates with gold trimming and little green leaves etched into the trimming. The trimming formed a band of green and gold that gave the otherwise bland plates a hint of simple elegance.
When Reid sat down in his own chair Daisy could tell by the look on Reid's face that he was just as fascinated by the plates as she was. She knew they were thinking the same thing, why would whoever set this up use such elegant plates for a simple hotel room dinner date? Daisy of course knew the answer when she figured out who set it up and grabbed her fork from beside her plate.
Her mind suddenly drifted to why they were there in the first place and she watched as the fascinated look on Reid's face twisted into a frown as his mind inevitably did the same thing. She felt an overwhelming urge to run to the other side of the table and hug him when she realized the power dynamic in their relationship had changed. She was now the one profiling Reid, analyzing his every movement in the most analytical way possible. Seeing the walls that Reid built around himself shatter to pieces and the darkness that clouded his eyes sent a shockwave of realization of what Dale went through slamming into Daisy with suffocating force.
She suddenly felt the need to reassure him that if he did not want to talk, it was okay but before she could say, anything Reid shoved a forkful of food into his mouth to have something to occupy him as he started speaking.
"This is nice. When did you plan it?"
A diversionary tactic to draw attention away from the real reason they were there. Daisy could understand that and often used diversionary tactics herself when a conversation landed in territory she did not feel comfortable treading through. Daisy could understand the need to hide all traces of vulnerability from sight especially in their line of work. However, how do you hide from someone trained to read people? She was not going to push knowing better than most how hard it was chase away the fear of letting someone else see into the darkest part of your soul. A place where even the strongest light could not penetrate through the darkness.
Daisy knew what it was like to find yourself in a glaring spotlight after spending so long in the shadows and even though she was still a little upset with Adam, she was relieved that her secret was out in the open.
"It is quite nice but I didn't plan it but I think I know who did." Daisy replied shoving a forkful of food into her own mouth.
"Adam." They said in unison before breaking down into a nervous giggle fit.
"He probably had help. I noticed that Jeff, Nick and Sauli didn't join us for the briefing before we were put on tape duty." Reid said meeting her eyes as she shoved another forkful of food into her mouth.
"You're right and I'm sure Morgan was involved to he basically interrogated me in the SUV and was texting too. He told me Garcia was checking up on him to make sure that he wasn't flirting with other girls." Daisy said shaking her head as she giggled.
Daisy could tell by the way Reid reached across the table and took her hand in his that the course of the conversation was going to take on a much darker tone. She fought the urge to take control of the conversation and squeezed Reid's hand letting him know that he should be the one to lead. She glanced into his eyes and saw that he was staring back at her with a kicked puppy look that sent a shockwave of pain through her chest akin to having a beaker of acid thrown in her face.
"I don't know where to start really so I'll just start. My biggest fear is to end up alone and trapped within my mind. My mom has Schizophrenia and brought me up on her own from the age of four after my father left us. I have seen her on her best and worst days and I always knew that I had to do something. When I turned 18, I had her committed to a home here in Las Vegas that provides her with the 24-hour care she needs. I write to daily because of my lack of visiting. I only visit her during my vacation time. I am scared I might inherit Schizophrenia from her. There are no signs yet but the fear is still there clear as day." Reid said tears silently spilling from his eyes.
"Spencer, listen to me you will never be alone you've said it yourself and almost everyone else on the team that we're a family and families stick together through thick and thin. I'm sure your mom is very proud of you because you've turned out to be an incredible and insightful man." Daisy said squeezing Reid's hand to let him know that she would be there for him to hell and back.
"You're probably right but I still feel bad that I don't visit my mom and dad as often as I should. It turns out that the reason he left was to protect us because there was a child molester in our neighbourhood that killed one of the kids on my street who was the same age as me. He visits her almost every weekend and gives me weekly updates on how she is doing." Reid said whimsically as he grabbed his plate and made his way over to the kitchenette to put it in the sink.
"Awww Spencer that's wonderful that he's back in your life. Your parents sound amazing and maybe when the case is over we can visit them because I'd like to meet them." Daisy said excitedly as she followed right on his heels.
"I just thought of something; Adam must be a genius if he could get this whole scheme past us and better yet Hotch." Reid said.
"I don't know if he is or he isn't. Adam is just a very cunning people person and very driven. It is damn near impossible to change his mind once he has made a decision. It would not surprise me though if he was because he's able to keep up with me and I like you am a genius." Daisy said fondly, a playful smirk appearing on her face.
Reid turned around, saw the emotional storm in her eyes despite the drastic change in topic, and knew he was not fairing much better. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into an embrace. She broke the embrace and grabbed his hand pulling him slightly as she led them to the bedroom. She plopped them down onto the bed and took both of his hands in hers, entwining their hands and staring into his eyes, the pain and fear shining within their depths.
"I realized something last night when I was watching Sauli sleep and again this morning when he was reunited with Adam, I want what they have. I want someone to love unconditionally and who will love me unconditionally. I am sick and tired of running from my heart and my heart is telling me I am falling for you. I do not want to beat around the bush anymore; I am ready to take that step. I will take you and everything that comes with it and I promise no matter what I'll always be by your side.' Daisy said feeling a spark surge through her when Reid's eyes brightened.
Daisy caught Reid off guard when she suddenly closed the gap between them and crashed their lips together. It caused sparks to surge through them unlike anything they have ever felt before. They both felt the dam holding back their emotions explode. When the need for air became too great, they broke apart and stared at each other knowing nothing else needed to be said.
"We should get some sleep so we're rested for tomorrow. Reid, if you want you can stay here so I can cuddle with you as I used to do with Adam to stop the nightmares. Daisy said kissing Reid on the cheek before heading over to her bag and grabbing her PJ bottoms.
"Of course but I don't know how much help I'll be because I'm not a singer." Reid said turning his back while she changed out of respect.
"Reid, it wasn't because Adam's a singer that it helped it was because he's my best friend and him just being there made me feel safe." Daisy said as she wrapped her arms around his waist and placed a gentle kiss on the nape of his neck.
"I promise I won't let anything happen to you." Reid said as he brushed a stray piece of hair from her eyes.
"As do I you." Daisy said smirking as she ruffled his hair.
Daisy helped him take his shirt and jeans off and offered a kiss on the cheek as comfort when he looked at her, self-consciously. She took his hand and led him back over to the bed crawling onto it and under the covers taking a moment to get comfortable before gesturing for Reid to join her. It did not take long for Reid to crawl under the covers and pull Daisy flush against his chest, wrapping an arm around her waist.
"Goodnight, sleep well" They said in unison before Daisy turned the lights of.