Traded Mistakes
Chapter 13: Safety.
There are many things you learn when you live with someone. Especially when they're someone you care for in more of a romantic sense. I suppose it could go for friends too but considering at how close a proximity I lived with a genius I'd like to keep to think of it in the first way.
I rather not dwell on them currently but I'll get to them sometime. Today, I had planned to go grocery shopping seeing as we were low on lots of the foods I needed...wanted. It was interesting the craving thing about being pregnant. While I didn't like being a bother, especially to Reid when he was trying to work on a case from home.
That was another thing. He had done that three times over the course of four weeks. I knew that he'd be more needed wherever the team was but I never questioned it.
Back to the task at hand. I was about ready to get into my car when he called out to me. "Where are you going?" He asked, I turned and saw he hadn't even taken his eyes off the documents he had spread across the floor in a barrier around him.
"Grocery store." I muttered as I slipped on my shoes by the coat rack. I had been going on small walks when he was away. It was recommended by my doctor. Plus I liked the fresh air.
"I'll come with you." He looked up and smiled.
I nearly rolled my eyes at him but waited for him to put his things away before walking over to me and guiding me out towards the cars. I quickly made him get into mines. He loved to argue with me about how he was used to his car. While I always muttered, "you won't be the one driving." Then I would always quiet him in a firm tone that he shouldn't say another word or else he won't like what happens. I've come to like this new found power over him, especially when he's being so overprotective.
We had been shopping for a bit when I reached for my usual brand of canned food. It was much more cheaper and it tasted fine. "The quality is a bit low."
I didn't even turn to him as I grabbed a few more cans of different ones and placed them in the basket. "It's cheaper and I like it."
"Okay. If you wanted something better I could buy it."
I sighed as I tilted my head and stared at him. He looked like he was somewhere else. More like two places at once. Here and on the case. "It's fine. If you don't like my choices you can tell me."
"I never said that. I made a small observation from the amount of cans of that brand of food. It was more of a suggestion. I don't cook often so I don't worry too much about these things."
"That could change, you know." I smiled as I began pushing the basket on. He didn't say much else, only grabbed a few things if he wanted to try them or saw something he liked. It wasn't nearly as troublesome to shop with him as I thought.
When we got home, there was one of those huge black SUVs parked alongside the curb. It had to be one of his friends and most certainly business. I doubted they drove those for friendly house calls.
Something must have happened.
"Hotch." Reid stated simply as they slipped out the car and began unloading the bags to the house. Hotch had got out of his car and lent a hand as well. He didn't say anything but I knew that he would need to speak to Reid alone.
"Hello Nati. It's nice to see you again." He smiled as he placed the last bag on the counter.
"You too." I smiled before deciding to start putting away the groceries. It would be a nice distraction from the worry I was feeling as Hotch and Reid moved further away into the depths of the house. It was something I couldn't be a part of, and truth be told I didn't wish to be a part of.
Getting into criminal's minds was something that scared me more than anything. It was why I didn't go anywhere further than answering phone calls at a government office. I didn't wish to know specifics unless it dealt with someone I loved.
I was done putting all the food away within fifteen minutes and decided to snack on a little fruit while I waited for a verdict. He would either stay or go.
I had gone through my little bowl of cut up pineapple and peaches when they came back through. I couldn't read their expressions but I think my worry was obvious. Hotch just smiled before going outside. Reid was at my side in an instant. He too had a smile on his face, but it seemed a bit nervous.
"Are you okay?" He asked quietly as he sat down in the other seat at the table. I nodded and gave a smile myself. "Yep. You're leaving aren't you?"
That was something I was becoming good at. Keeping my voice leveled enough that it seemed more nonchalant than what I knew was true. I wasn't entirely if it worked but it wouldn't help if he could detect my weariness.
"Yeah. Sorry." He looked like he wanted to say something else but I spoke first.
"It's no big deal, I'll be fine. This is your job. You're an assest to the team, of course they need you." I smiled, genuinely this time. When you tell the truth is a bit easier to be okay with things, I learned.
"Okay. I'll call you when I'm coming back. You should see what Meredith is up to."
I shook my head at his attempt to make sure I wasn't in the house much. "Okay. Now go."
He nodded before giving me a quick peck before grabbing his bag that I hadn't noticed he had already packed before heading outside. I sat there for a moment longer before deciding I would call Meredith just to see what she was up to. The last time I saw her was at my last doctor appointment.
Two days had passed before any new developments had occurred. It wasn't really that strange. I had fallen asleep in the bedroom which I had started back going back to after visiting my mom. I felt a bit safer in there. I couldn't understand it completely yet. It was something about Spencer's presence.
The house phone which I had moved in here each time he was away for extensive amounts of times had rung jolting me out of my dreamless sleep. I blinked at the clock that read 3:45am before grabbing the phone and answering it.
"Hello." I cleared my throat.
"Nati, hey. It's Penelope Garcia, I work with Reid remember?"
I nodded before remembering I was on the phone and she couldn't see me. "Yeah, hi Garcia. Why are you calling me so early?"
"I'm sorry about this. Reid told me not to call but if something happened to my boyfriend I'd want to know." She was talking so fast but I could already feel the jist of what she was getting at. Something had happened. Something bad had happened to Spencer. "Anyway I know you're home alone right now but we'll have someone watch the house. It's just a precaution during times like this."
"Garcia, could you tell me what happened?" I slowly sat up as I swallowed the lump that formed in my throat.
"He's been shot. He's in surgery and he'll be fine. Our boy wonder has been through worse. Don't worry, okay?"
"Thank you for calling, Garcia." I breathed as I felt a small jolt in my stomach. They could sense my tilt in emotions obviously. I hung up the phone then and rose from the bed holding my belly as I moved towards the door.
This room didn't feel that safe anymore. If anything it was cold. I didn't like the cold. I didn't like the tears either that rolled down my face as I curled into a ball on the couch and tried to breathe.
Everything was just a mess now and I wasn't sure what I was supposed to do. So, I just cried as I held myself together at the barely there seams. It had to be okay. He had to be okay.
A/N: I blame writer's block for this wait. But baby things are about to heat up! Can't you tell? Nati isn't that great when she knows she's useless at certain points. I love her still though. Let me know what you think! - D.