Hey guys. I know I suck. I am so so sorry about how long it has taken me to update but I started university in September and I had to move from my home in England to Northern Ireland which is quite a long journey and of course it has taken me a while to adjust and with all the studying and social life I haven't found time to update. Anyway I am hoping to get back into my regular rhythm soon so hopefully you won't have to wait as long for the next chapter. Anyway hope you enjoy.

Chapter 23

"Sometimes, reaching out and taking someone's hand is the beginning of a journey.
At other times, it is allowing another to take yours." Vera Nazarian

The case could not pass fast enough for Livie and Reid. They were both eager to get home and progress with the next part of their relationship. The fact that she had agreed to move in with him did fill Reid with hope. Hope that at least she wouldn't leave as soon as her internship was over as he had feared for a while now. She gave no indication that her move into his apartment was only temporary. And so he allowed himself to hope that she would stay for a while.

They kept their relationship progression a secret at first not wanting to distract the rest of the team. But as they progressed further into the case, it did become harder so one night when they were sitting in the restaurant after working all day Livie looked at Reid.

When he felt her gaze upon him he looked over at her questioningly. She smiled at him "let's just tell them" she whispered and he froze "tell us what" Morgan asked leaning towards them with a sparkle in his eyes. Livie rolled her eyes at his keen hearing before she looked at Reid and inclined her head towards the others.

Reid gulped as all eyes turned to him before he took a deep breath "Livie and I are moving in together" he said in a rush before he ducked his head. Everyone blinked in surprise, looking between Livie and Reid having clearly not been expecting that news. After all Reid knew that everyone expected Livie to move to DC. After all as he often said – there wasn't much for Livie in Quantico. But in DC there was a future for her.

They all recovered from their shock quite quickly and instantly grinned "guys that's amazing" JJ said with a huge smile "I am so happy for you" "we all are" Morgan added smiling "this is great isn't it? It means you are staying right?"

Livie smiled "yes" she said "it means I am staying. I don't see my life anywhere else at the moment. I love Spencer and want to spend the rest of my life with him" everyone grinned and slowly Livie slipped her hand under the table to squeeze Reid's hand feeling slightly comforted as she felt his grip around her hand tighten gently in response.

The others chatted away to them for the rest of the meal before they paid and headed quickly back to their hotel. On the way back Livie found herself falling into step with JJ and Emily who quickly linked arms with her. She giggled and looked at them "sooo" JJ said "you are just going to stay." Livie smiled and nodded "yeah" she agreed. "For how long" Emily asked and she looked at them "what do you mean" she asked.

"Livie we are delighted that you are staying but we thought your dream was to work in Washington DC" JJ said gently. Livie sighed "it was" she said quietly "but things changed due to circumstances" Emily and JJ gave her a weak smile "I am going to be happy" she said "I promise. Everything I want is with Spencer right here in Quantico… why would I ever leave when I have everything I want"

They both smiled "everything" they asked and Livie nodded "I'd rather have Reid and a comfortable life than be lonely and rich." Both Emily and JJ smiled "it's good to see that you have the right idea about life" Emily said and Livie smiled.

Behind them Reid watched Livie walking along with Emily and JJ giggling before he looked over at Hotch, Morgan and Rossi who all fell into step with him. "I bet you are pleased she is staying" Rossi commented and Reid nodded "so relieved" he said "I was fearing having to say goodbye."

Hotch looked at him "you do seem a little uncertain" he commented. Reid nodded "I am delighted that she is staying but I don't want to hold her back. I am terrified that I am stopping her from becoming all she can be because I asked her to stay. What if I am? What if I stop her from becoming the best?"

"Reid" Morgan said "at the moment Livie hasn't got anything that you are holding her back from so don't fear what isn't happening. Cross that bridge if you come to it. In the meantime relax. Enjoy the time you have with her. Because you never know when it is going to end." Reid looked over at them before he slowly nodded "thanks guys" he said and they both nodded.

When they arrived back at the hotel both Livie and Reid retired to their room for the nigh where they both curled up together. "So what did Rossi, Morgan and Hotch have to say" Livie asked as she curled up against him. Reid smiled "they just told me to enjoy every second of the time we have together" he told her "and I plan too."

Livie smiled gently "sounds like a good plan" she murmured as she stretched up to gently kiss him before she snuggled down. "So what are you doing tomorrow" Reid asked "Hotch told you to take it easy."

Livie let out a long sigh "I know" she muttered grumpily before a small smile slipped onto her face "don't worry I am planning to go see my friends. We are going to meet up for a long lunch and catch up." "Sounds like a good plan" Reid said "yeah" Livie agreed "it has been way to long"

Reid looked down at her "you miss them don't you" he said and slowly Livie nodded "yeah but I am used to it" she said "I have always been the outsider; they live in DC; I lived in New York. I never got to see them as much as they saw each other. But it didn't matter because we talked regularly and I knew that they were always there for me if I ever needed them. We are like sisters… though obviously I have two other sisters as well but I mean you met Tali… you saw how fiercely protective she can be. And April is so clever and understanding and Blair… well she is very good at cheering you up with her vast arsenal of rapier wit. She always makes the best out of any situation… it might have been a bit sarcastically at times. But between the three of them they managed to make me feel like I was the luckiest girl in the world to have friends so similar to me."

Reid frowned "how similar?" he asked and she hesitated before she looked up at him with slightly haunted eyes and gave him a weak smile "very similar" she said "too similar sometimes but it helped… I knew that if I needed to talk to someone who truly understood what I went through as a kid… they were always there"

Reid smiled "and you were there for them" he said "it sounds like you are good for each other." Livie grinned as she snuggled into his chest "yeah I think we are" she murmured softly before she settled down.

Carefully Reid moved into a more comfortable position and closed his eyes carefully tightening his grip around Livie holding her securely in his arms allowing his dreams to take him.

Though in his life at the moment where every wish he made seemed to be coming true… it was getting hard to tell his dreams from his reality. He just hoped that it never ended…

XO

The next day Hotch had Livie benched. The previous day before they had announced their secret she had gone with Morgan to do some routine questioning and had ended up in a gunfight. Neither had been hurt but the unsub had gotten away and Hotch had decided that it was enough excitement for Livie. She had whinged and whined at him for a good hour until he had said she could come back the day after if she stopped complaining. Reid was kind of glad she had gotten the day off. He hated getting the calls that she had been involved in some action. He always feared the worst and liked the idea of her being off the streets for one day.

She was though making the best out of her benching by meeting up with her best friends and Reid knew she was very excited to see them. He watched her prepare to visit them as he prepared to work. He was glad she was going to see them otherwise it might be slightly harder to keep her benched when she was told.

When they arrived down at the lobby Livie turned to look at him before she grinned "well I guess I will see you later then" she said and he nodded "have a good day" he said softly "thanks" she said "stay safe" he nodded an watched as she bade the others farewell and stepped out of the hotel.

"She'll be fine Reid" Emily said "she'll have much more fun than we will today" "yeah I know" Reid said "it's just… she seems to be a bit of a magnet for danger…" Emily laughed "ain't nothing you can do about that" she said "so quit worrying" Reid gave a small smile knowing she was right and followed the others out as Hotch and Rossi appeared ready to go do his job and help save lives.

XO

When Livie arrived at the small café they had arranged to meet in she looked around eagerly but didn't see any of her friends here yet. Smiling she moved over to a table and sat down carefully shrugging out of her jacket. That was when she felt someone poke her on the shoulder and a playful voice said "hey stranger." She let out a small smile before she turned leaping to her feet "heeey April" she laughed before she hugged her friend tight "wow it has been way to long" she said "tell me about it" April said pulling away to grin "no sign of Tali and Blair yet" she asked.

Livie shook her head as they slowly sank down into their chairs "yeah but you know them, they are likely to be bickering outside somewhere about where to park." April laughed before they both turned as they heard the door open and two girls came in bickering.

"I told you we should have taken 9th street rather than 13th, traffic is killer there at this time of the day." Tali was saying and Blair rolled her eyes "Pennsylvania avenue followed by 13th is the shortest way to H Street" she argued "everyone knows that" "yeah precisely" Tali said "which is why every takes it… ergo… traffic"

"So you wanted to take the longer route on a hunch that it will be quicker" Blair asked "I was driving ergo I decide the route; I did not need a back seat driver"

Livie bit back a smile before she leapt to her feet and rushed over to her bickering friends and wrapped her arms around them silencing their row. "Hey guys" she squealed and they grinned and hugged her "hey Beckett" Blair said "you look good girl" Livie smiled "you don't look so bad yourself Blair" she said smiling "come on, let's sit down"

Smiling her two friends headed over to where April was waiting. Grinning she hugged them before they all sat down ordering themselves a quick drink before they began to talk. "So how's lover boy" April asked "we want to hear all about him. Tali didn't tell us much about him, she was focused on catching a serial killer" "hey go figure that's my job" Tali defended "um no you are technically still a student" Livie said with a smile "yeah but by night I kick ass for the FBI and NCIS"

"No CIA" Blair asked "because that would be impressive" Tali raised her eyebrows "I could tell you yeah but then I'd have to kill you" they all looked at her and she laughed "kidding" she said and they all laughed with her.

Livie smiled as she looked at her friends. How she had missed them; April had always been the smart one. She knew that April had grown up at the Jeffersonion Institute. Therefore she knew the human body inside out and had been training as a forensic anthropologist and coroner since she had been fifteen. She loved what she did and was very good at it having certainly learned from the best.

Then there was Tali. Their kick ass ninja who was fiercely protective of them all. After her difficult childhood involving traumas worse than Livies' she had been trained to kick ass. And that had led to her being recruited at sixteen to help in under cover missions. She hadn't been keep at first but had eventually come round. Now she worked for NCIS and the FBI in cases where they needed someone young. As a result she now went to one of the best collages in the area and her family didn't have to pay a cent towards her accommodation and her tuition. The FBI and NCIS paid for it all under the condition that she work for them. She was being groomed for a life of undercover work.

Everyone knew that it wasn't what she had wanted for herself but she now always said that she was pretty kick ass and she knew she should get the job done; so why should someone else risk their lives. And not that she would admit it but they all knew she got a sort of thrill from this sort of work. From the fighting and the grifting. She was a skilled little con artist. Thankfully she was on the right side and they knew she always would be and come a time they might work together, she would always have their sixes.

She rarely let any of them get hurt. She rarely let them see any danger. If they ever found themselves in any sticky situations such as a bar brawl she would always make sure that she took out their opponents before they were ever in any danger.

Livie knew that it often peed Blair off when Tali did that. Blair was the heart of their little team. She was their solid rock. Always there to be leant on with a calmness that eased any uncertainty and a snarky attitude that always went straight to the point. But she was also very headstrong and loved to rush into danger. She had this desire to prove herself. Having spent most of her childhood in the foster system till she had found her biological father when she was fifteen, she had learnt to fight for what she wanted and to stand up for herself. Thus when she had arrived with her father who worked with Tali's parents she and Tali had clashed and hadn't gotten along at first. But now after everything they had been through they were closer than sisters and fiercely loyal to each other. Everyone knew not to get between them.

So they had the heart, brains and muscle. And what part did Livie play in this little dysfunctional family? Well she was the soul. The conscience of their team, she guided them, comforted them when need be and was always there to gently help them understand things that they didn't. She loved unconditionally they all said. She was always trying to see the good in people, not wanting to jump to any conclusions too quickly. She was their voice of reason. Their light in the darkness. The small clear voice that always sounded out no matter what.

They all needed each other and loved each other dearly. If anyone messed with any of them. They would find themselves dealing with all four of them.

Which was why Livie had missed them so much whilst she had been doing her internship. Granted she was used to being the one that was far away having grown up in New York whilst they were all in D.C but she missed having them there. Especially when she had needed them after the accident.

"So anyway" Blair said pulling Livie back into reality "spill the beans Beckett, tell us all about your boyfriend Dr Spencer Reid."

Livie smiled at her looking at her and April looking keenly at her waiting for her to start talking. Tali was leaning back in her chair grinning, having already briefly met the guy. Livie sighed and thought smiling at the image of Spencer that formed in her mind.

"He is… like the part of me that has always been missing but I didn't know was lost until I met him. He is someone I now can't imagine not being part of my life. When he isn't beside me it is like… I am not whole, and I feel like I should be searching for the part of me that is missing. He is like the reason I suddenly understand what true live is"

She felt the smile widen before she looked back at her friends "he's a total genius" she said "like seriously I don't know how or why he knows so much but it is amazing. But he can be clueless about a lot of things, like women" she smirked and rolled her eyes "but he is the sweetest person I know. His intellect scares a lot of people off but if you get passed that dorky outer shell you see this kind warm hearted man who you cannot help but love"

All her friends smiled "sounds like a keeper" Blair said and she giggled and nodded before her smile slipped suddenly "he is" she said softly and she ducked her head. "You're staying with him aren't you" April said softly "you're not moving to DC like you originally planned are you." Livie kept her head ducked as she nodded

"I want to stay with him" she said "I know you must think it weak of me to drop everything for a guy but I have never felt this way about anyone before. I am so happy with him. I want to stay with him."

"But what are you going to do" Blair asked slowly looking confused and Livie smiled "post grad study at Longwood. I liked it there and would be happy to go back for another year or so. After that I don't know but I sure know that I'll find something to do."

She looked at her friends and found them smiling "good on ya girl" April said "if he is your soul mate then I am so happy for you, you are so lucky to have found him and as long as you are happy then I am happy for you" Tali and Blair both nodded in agreement.

Livie smiled "thanks guys" she whispered before she leaned over the table and hugged them all "I'll come and visit you all regularly I promise" "You had better" Blair said and they all laughed.

They talked like they used to when they were kids; about boys, about their families, about meaningless and pointless things. Livie loved catching up with them, she did miss them and hoped that she would be able to see them a bit more regularly now that she lived in Quantico which was closer than New York.

They were just finishing up when Livie felt her phone vibrate. She slowly pulled it out of her pocket and smiled when she saw whom she had received a text from. "That's from him isn't it" Tali said from where she was shrugging into her leather jacket. "Course it's from him, do you think she smiles like that when she receives texts from us" Blair asked. Livie pulled a face at both of them as she opened the message.

'How's it going' it read.

Still smiling she typed out a quick response; 'Good thanks, we have been having a lovely catch up, though they have totally grilled me for information on you. How is the case going? Are you all managing without me?'

She looked up at her friends "so where are we going next?' She asked "my place isn't too far from here" April offered "we could go there and get coffee." "I have no objections" Livie said and Tali and Blair nodded their agreement.

As she followed the others back to their cars Livie felt her phone vibrate. Fighting to hide the smile that naturally appeared whenever she was talking to Spencer she pulled the phone out of her pocket and clicked on the message. 'Glad you are having fun; we have another victim unfortunately but more leads on where the unsub might be, Garcia thinks she might even have a name.'

Curious Livie asked 'Who does she think it is'

'Hotch says I can't tell you' came the response a few minutes later 'He says it is your day off and you need to keep away from the case because he knows what you are like'

Livie scowled 'Spencer…' she sent back knowing he would get the warning tone out of that.

The next text that buzzed through though was not from Reid but from Hotch and she winced as she opened it biting back a smirk when she read it; 'Stop trying to get Reid to tell you what we have found out or I'll bench you for another day… Go have fun catching up with your friends'

She rolled her eyes and sent back 'Fine, good luck with the case see you tonight' before she shoved the phone back into her pocket and scrambled into April's car as Tali slid into Blair's.

"Are you sure it is a good idea to let those two ride around together" she asked as they pulled away "I mean didn't you hear them as they came in? They were at each other's throats"

April gave her a sceptical look "they are always at each other's throats" she said and Livie bit back a laugh "fair point" she said before settling down.

They drove in silence for a few minutes before April quietly spoke "so you are really staying in Quantico huh" Livie smiled weakly "yeah" she said "you don't sound surprised." April smiled "I'm not" she said "from the moment you first told us about your team at the FBI and Spencer Reid I knew that there was something between you and he. I wasn't surprised when I heard that you two had started dating; all you really seemed to talk about was he. I knew you loved him from the very beginning. So no it doesn't surprise me that you are staying. I tried to put myself in your position and every time I tried to imagine myself leaving Seth, I realised I couldn't do it. So no I am happy for you and I hope you two make it"

Livie smiled "thanks Aps" she said "I really needed to hear that" April glanced over at her and winked cheekily making Livie smirk.

When they arrived back at April's apartment they all headed up and quickly settled in her living room "so where's Seth" Livie asked referring to April's long-time boyfriend; they had been dating for as long as Livie had known them – nothing seemed to be able to separate them. They had been through thick and thin together and it only seemed to increase their love for each other. Everyone was waiting for them to tie the knot but they both seemed very content with how they were now and didn't seem to be thinking about moving forward just yet.

April grinned "he's in Boston visiting his sister" she said "she just had a baby and he wanted to get to know his little niece. Plus he knew I was seeing you three and thought it best to steer clear of our girly nights, they can end weirdly."

"Tell me about it" Tali said with a grin "remember that night we ended up in Dale City" Livie laughed "what on earth were you doing there" she asked and Blair smirked "I think we had the crazy idea of coming to see you at college but never made it. Poor Seth had to come pick us up"

"Poor Seth my ass" April yelled from the kitchen "he thought it was hilarious and has never let me live it down" Livie laughed again.

They spent most of the rest of the evening messing around together as they had done as teenagers, teasing each other mercilessly until the light began to fade.

"Well I think I need to get home" Tali said regretfully "I have loads to do tomorrow"

"I should go too" Livie said "I mean I am meant to be here working , I just got the day off" they all smiled at her "hey once your internship has finished come up again" Blair said "we would live to see you again soon" Livie smiled and nodded "I will I promise" she said.

"Come on" Blair said "my apartment isn't far from your hotel, I'll drop you off" Livie smiled "thanks" she said "want a lift Tal" Blair asked and Tali shook her head "nah I'm gonna swing by and see my mom, dad and AJ" she said "I'll catch up with you tomorrow though" Blair nodded and slowly they all said their goodbyes before they carefully made their way down the stairs and after waving goodbye to Tali Blair and Livie headed to Blair's car.

"Whoa you been taking driving lessons from Tali's mom" Livie asked as Blair gunned the car out of the parking space with a squeal of tires and slipped into the queue of traffic earning herself a chorus of car horns to which she simply raised the middle finger.

Blair threw her a look before she smirked "she did give me a couple of lessons yes, but that was because my dad and Tony refused to go out with me." Livie laughed.

"So do I get to meet this handsome fella of yours" Blair asked as they sped towards the hotel. Livie rolled her eyes guessing this was why Blair had offered to drop her off. "If they are back yes" she said. She quickly pulled out her phone and sent Reid a text asking if he was back at the hotel. He responded yes and she told him she was on her way back.

"So any handsome men in your life" she asked Blair who snorted "nope still free spirit" she said "ahh you'll find someone" Livie said earning another snort "no thanks I like being free" Blair declared. "Love isn't a chain Blair" Livie said "it can be a life line. That is what it is for me" Blair shrugged "I don't need a life line though" she said "I have been on my own for most of my life; that is how I like it Livs."

"You are not alone Blair, you haven't been alone for years; you have always had us since we met. We took care of ourselves through everything we went through after we first met, we have always had each other's backs; how can you think you are alone?"

Blair didn't answer, she just drove in silence until they pulled up outside the hotel and Livie felt a warmth inside of her as she spotted Reid standing in the entrance patiently waiting for her. "That him" Blair asked and Livie nodded as she slowly opened the car door and slipped out "you coming to say hi" she asked looking back in at Blair who considered it before she shook her head "nah I'm gonna head home –just wanted to see what all the fuss was about." Livie laughed "you really are unbelievable sometimes" she said giving her friend a look as she smirked cheekily "well I agree with the others; he looks like a keeper" she said casting her eyes over Reid "you're lucky Livs" she said and Livie smiled "I know" she said before she reached in to give Blair a friendly punch "see you soon girl" she said "stay out of trouble" "likewise" Blair called as Livie slammed the door shut and she took off with another squeal of tyres.

Livie turned and smiled as she found herself face to face with Reid. "Hey" she said "hey" he greeted as she wrapped her arms around his neck stretching up to kiss him on the lips "how was your day" he asked as they pulled apart "good" she said "I am glad Hotch made me take that day off, it was good to see them again, though I really did miss you" he smiled "I missed you too" he said "are you hungry, the others have just sat down for dinner?"

Livie considered it before she grinned and nodded "I could eat" she said and together they strolled in hand in hand towards the restaurant where the others were waiting. Grinning they greeted her and Livie looked at Hotch "thanks for making me take that day off" she said and slowly he nodded "glad it helped" he said before he gestured to the empty chair beside Reid "now sit we need to catch you up"

Smirking Livie quickly dropped into the chair and listened as everyone explained what she had missed whilst they ate their food. She listened as they described their new suspect and what they had found out about them and offered a few of her own theories before they all decided to call it a night.

When they got up to their room Livie turned to Reid and grinned "you know I really did miss you today" she said catching hold of his hands and guiding him towards the bed biting her lip gently in a seductive way. She saw his eyes brighten and he grinned "me too" he said and she couldn't resist letting out a little giggle "show me how much" she whispered and he moved in closer catching hold of her kissing her again before they both slowly fell onto the bed where they lay making out for a while. "Mmm you did miss me" Livie murmured "but I think I missed you more" she added as her hand went to his belt.

And so they spent the rest of the night together trying to decide who had missed the other most.

"Growth in love comes from a place of absence, where imagination is left to it's own devices and creates you to be much more than reality would ever allow" Coco J. Ginger

Hope you guys enjoyed that. Again I am really sorry that it took me so long to update.

Thanks to everyone who read and reviewed. I would love some more – they really inspire me to update so please let me know what you think. P.S PM me if you have any questions, suggestions or just want to chat. I would love to get to know you ;)

Thanks

Mysticgirl