"So, how are you and Emma doing?" Blake glanced over at Reid as she drove the SUV towards the sheriff's office.
"Just fine - Why do you ask?" Reid wasn't quite sure where Blake's question was leading.
"Just wondering," Blake replied. "I know she is in town for a few days and staying at your apartment while she consults with some of the researchers in the Psych Department at Mid-Town University."
"She was originally going to stay at a hotel," Reid explained. "But, I convinced her to stay with me. We had quite a discussion about that."
"I can imagine," Blake chuckled. "I know your headstrong wife. But, Spencer, you have to remember that Emma has been on her own for most of her life and probably finds it hard to accept help from anyone."
"My wife," Reid repeated. "I'm still not used to that. But, we are legally married and I am her husband and I should be helping her. It's not like I'm some stranger!"
"Are you sure?" Blake asked. "I mean the part about being a stranger. The two of you really don't know each other that well."
"However," she continued. "If you two really are serious about trying to make this marriage work, you need to realize that long distance relationships aren't easy under the best of circumstances, and that our job only makes it harder. If you and Emma really want to stay married, it is going to take some hard work by both of you."
"You seem to make it work," Reid observed.
"James and I work because we discussed it before we were married and negotiated some issues," Blake explained. "You and Emma never had that opportunity. You just came home one night and found her sitting on your doorstep with a note from your father. And, as much as I hate to give advice, I would suggest that you two really need to work at getting to know each other."
"What do you suggest?" Reid asked curiously.
"Set aside time to just talk, for a starter," Blake suggested. "And, go on dates, like a normal courting couple. Also, I am sure Emma would like to hear from you periodically while you are in the field."
"I'll call her tonight after we get to the hotel," Reid decided.
"And, Spencer, there is one more thing," Blake sounded hesitant.
"What?"
"You need to remember that Emma isn't Maeve," Blake reminded him gently. "She's most likely read the same books and studied the same philosophers, and I know for a fact that she can discuss them intelligently. However, she is more of a 'take action' type person. Remember, she was reared in a motorcycle gang. She's tough because she's had to be. If she had another stalker, Emma would never hide away in darkened rooms. She'd come out and kick whoever it was in the – " Blake hesitated for a moment before continuing. "In the balls, and tell them to hit the road. Then, if they didn't get the message, she would call in Bear and Tiny and the rest of the motorcycle gang. You need to keep that in mind."
Reid nodded thoughtfully.