Disclaimer: I own the O'Connell family. And nothing else.
Chapter One : LUNCH TURNED SHRINK SESSION
It was a Wednesday when Spencer called Sadie O'Connell, or as the BAU had come to know her, "the coffee-shop woman", to make plans for lunch. And, of course, it took him a week to actually keep it.
They met at a slightly upscale establishment, which was a cross between a cafe and a fully-fledged restaurant. Spencer spotted Sadie the moment he entered. She was a small, athletic woman, with black hair and light green eyes. She was dressed for the summer in a simple sundress with bold borders. She seemed to be drinking a cappucino, although it sat untouched on her table. She was far too engrossed in the book in her hand. Nine Stories by J. . Spencer realised he'd stopped walking and then made his way towards her.
"Sadie" he said. She looked up abruptly and smiled at him.
"Dr. Reid" she said standing up and shaking holding out her hand for a shake. Spencer waved at her and said, "Did you know handshakes can transmit millions of organisms that can cause illnesses in those susceptible? It would be safer to kiss" he finished. Sadie withdrew her hand.
"It's still a bit early for a kiss" she said, "settle for a wave?"she asked, waving and then gesturing for him to sit. Spencer put his messenger bag down and sat opposite her.
"I see you started without me" Spencer said, nodding towards her cuppa. Sadie smiled apologetically.
"Curse of routine" she admitted, "I must have ordered without consciously thinking about it" she said. Spencer nodded.
"I've often experienced that too. Especially when it comes to morning routines that are too mechanical to allow conscious thought. Once, when I was babysitting Henry, I ordered two double espressos without really thinking about it and ended up with an angry toddler and a quadruple espresso I had no idea how to finish" he rambled. Sadie smiled.
"Henry?" She enquired.
"JJ, Jennifer Jareau, my friend's son. He's six now." He informed. Sadie smiled.
"So, Dr. Reid" Sadie said, "Why did you insist on having lunch with me today?" She asked.
Spencer stared at her. Despite the smile on her face, he knew she was troubled. It was a common feature of people who were troubled to get to the point. She wasn't enjoying this meeting as much as him. He frowned slightly.
"Is something wrong?" He asked. Sadie frowned a little, put her book down and shook her head. Instead of replying, she picked up her cappucino and took a sip. Spencer waited. He knew it was only their second interaction, but he had been watching her everyday in the coffee shop where they'd bumped into each other, for a year now. And each day, her expression was just as gloomy as the one she had on her face right that moment. An expression that said she had no interest in anyone around her, or the rest of the world.
"Truth be told" Sadie started slowly, "Perhaps it was not the best idea to meet for lunch." She admitted. Spencer frowned a little.
"Why not?" He ventured to ask. Sadie looked up at him.
"I'm not the best company" she admitted, "I'm all doom and gloom."
Spencer wondered if the people around her had described her as such. It was very strange to come to that conclusion on her own.
"If you like, you can share it with me. I'll listen if you want to talk" he offered. Sadie looked up, a small smile on her face.
"You a shrink, Dr. Reid?" She asked. Spencer smiled at her attempt at a joke. He stared at her until she caved.
"Well, if you want to listen, I'll tell you why I'm so doom and gloom" she said, "My brother died last year" she managed to breathe out.
"I'm sorry" Spencer said, shocked by her admission. Sadie smiled sadly.
"He was my only family" she told him, "Now, I'm alone, always alone."
"How did he die?" He asked, "If I may ask?" He added.
"Car crash" she said.
"I'm so sorry, Sadie" Spencer said. Sadie bit her lower lip.
"The coffee shop we met? Nolan and I used to sit there every morning. He would be solving the day's crossword and I'd be reading the book he'd picked out for me that morning" she said, her eyes distant, as if she were thinking of her brother, "Then, after he'd finished his coffee, he would get up, kiss my head and tell me to have a great day and head to the hospital."
Spencer watched as she let out a heavy breath. It sounded like she hadn't talked about her brother or his death to anyone. It sounded as if she truly was all alone. Spencer had no words to offer her. Nothing could fill the gaping hole in her chest. He knew better than anyone.
"Was he a doctor? Your brother?" He asked, instead, trying to distract her from his death.
"Yeah, he worked at the clinic in the Hoover building" she said. Spencer froze for a moment.
"He worked for the FBI?" He asked. Sadie shrugged.
"Is that what's there?" She mumbled, uninterested, "It hardly matters now, though." She finished. Sadie sipped her cappucino, which was probably stone cold. She didn't complain though. Spencer wondered why he suddenly felt suspicious about the death of Dr. Nolan O'Connell.
They didn't talk much after that. They managed to eat a couple of sandwiches between them, then parted, with no set plans to meet.
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