Hi everyone sorry for the delay. I just finished my first year at university and have been travelling Europe so it was hard to find time to write. Anyway hope you enjoy this.

Chapter 35

'What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?' Vincent Van Gogh

Reid had to go back to work a few days later. Since he would be flying straight off to join the team in Ohio on a case Livie decided to stay with her family for a few days more. Although neither of them liked being apart they knew it was something they would have to get used to from now on.

Reid had enjoyed the last few days with Livie's family. They were all kind and he enjoyed feeling a part of their family life. He and Livie had ended up taking Kaylee and her two best friends Danny and Jake to the zoo for the day which had been fun and very exhausting with the three of them as keeping them all together was a challenge. As soon as you had two of them sorted the third (usually Kaylee) would spot something and all three of them would be off like a bullet. He and Livie slept like rocks that night.

Then a couple of days ago he had met Livie's older stepsister Alexis. She was Rick's daughter from a previous marriage and clearly the apple of her father's eye. She was a pale skinned beauty with long flaming red hair and very bright blue eyes. She was as kind and caring as her stepsister and despite there not being a blood relation Reid had quickly seen a great resemblance between the two of them.

When she had stepped into the apartment calling out a greeting Livie had reacted incredibly fast and had leapt over to greet her laughing in delight as they had embraced. The two of them were like two peas in a pod and were very fond of each other. After introducing Alexis to him Livie had dragged her sister off and the two of them had settled down for a long overdue catch up.

Seeing how happy she was with her family Reid had encouraged her to stay and now that he was a few thousand miles away he was glad that he had; he didn't like the idea of her being alone right now so soon after what had happened.

They talked at least twice a day; Reid usually called her when he went for coffee just before lunch and then Livie wold often Skype him in the evening before she settled down to do something with her family. He missed her yes, but he was glad she was happy.

He was just wrapping up the case when he received a call from the hospital where his mother lived telling him that she had taken a bad turn and that they wanted him to come visit to see if it would help.

When he told Hotch his boss quickly arranged for the jet to make an overnight stop in Vegas so that he could see his mother as soon as possible. He didn't tell Livie; he didn't want her to worry about him when she should be focusing on her own healing.

It turned out though that his team knew him too well as when he stepped off the jet in Vegas he was greeted by a very familiar face waiting for him on the runway.

"What are you doing here" he asked as he quickly moved over to hug Livie who smiled at him as she wrapped her arms around him.

"Hotch called and told me about your mom" she said softly as her hand gently caressed his neck "he didn't think you should be alone right now and I am glad he called."

She leaned back to look at him "why didn't you tell me what happened" she asked.

He shrugged "I didn't want you to worry" he admitted and Livie rolled her eyes "well getting a call from Hotch about you certainly worried me a little" she said "for a moment I thought you had been shot."

He grinned sheepishly at her before he looked over his shoulder at the rest of the team disembarking the jet and he nodded to Hotch gratefully and Hotch returned the motion.

"Thanks for coming here guys" he said "I know there are probably other things you would rather be doing now. Will you guys be ok here overnight?"

"You kidding this is Vegas" Morgan said with a grin "course we are going to be ok"

Reid managed a smile before he looked at Livie who grinned "don't worry I am coming with you if that is what you want."

Slowly Reid nodded realising that he did want Livie to be there for him as he had been there for her.

After a quick lunch where Livie caught up with the rest of the team, Reid took Livie to meet his mother.

As they headed up the steps he felt worry slip through him at the thought of his mother and Livie not getting along. He loved them both and wanted them to get along as well. He glanced at Livie and saw that although her face was calm she did look worried and he recognised it to be how he felt when he had been about to meet her family. As they arrived at the desk he wondered if Livie had felt this way before introducing him to her mom.

The lady at the front desk greeted him warmly as she saw him having known him for many years. She did seem surprised when he introduced Livie and he could understand why. In all th years he had been coming here he had never brought a girl before.

As they walked down the corridor towards the common room where he was told his mother was currently sitting Reid felt a different fear slip through him as he realised he had no idea what state his mother would be in when he came in.

Livie seemed to sense his unease because she slowly slipped her hand into his. "It'll be ok" she whispered "don't worry ok it'll be fine."

Reid smiled and allowed himself to believe her as he stepped into the room.

He quickly spotted his mother sitting writing in her journal as she often was and he smiled at the sight of her.

He quickly noticed that she was pale though and even thinner than the last time he had seen her. There were dark shadows under her eyes suggesting how little sleep she had been getting.

Slowly Reid moved forward continuing to study his mother sitting in the chair. He felt Livie pause at a respectful distance and slip her hand out of his as she gave him an encouraging smile. He nodded to her before he slowly stepped forward and sank into the chair beside his mother.

"Mom" he said softly and she looked up blankly before she smiled as she realised he was there.

"Spencer" she said softly smiling as she leaned forward to hug him and he carefully leaned into her embrace. He held her for a minute before leaning back to smile at her.

"Look at you" she murmured "you look different."

He just smiled at her as she watched him before she asked "What are you doing here?"

"Your doctor called me" Reid said "they told me that you had a rough couple of days."

"They were trying to poison me with my meds" Diana said seriously "I know they were so I decided to stop taking. I didn't want to leave. So I decided the visions were going to have to do."
"Mom no one here is trying to kill you" Reid said gently but she frowned at him "you don't know what they are like" she said seriously.

Reid sighed and shook his head before looking up as his mother asked "How is your girl? You haven't mentioned her much in your letters recently."

Reid smiled "we had a rough few weeks" he said "but everything is returning to normal now."
His mother nodded smiling at him.

Reid steeled himself before he blurted out "she's here if you want to meet her."
Diana looked very surprised to hear that. "You brought her here"

Reid nodded "she wanted to come" he said and his mother eyed him before she drew herself up in her chair "well don't leave her standing there Spencer bring her over."

Smirking he rose to his feet and headed over to where Livie was waiting. She smiled at him as he approached and he grinned at her. "Come on" he said "she wants to meet you."

Livie raised her eyebrows at him "now" she said looking surprised and he nodded as he caught hold of her hand "don't worry" he said "she'll love you."

Livie smiled and followed him towards where his mother was waiting watching as they approached.

Livie smiled at Diana as she stopped in front of her. "Hi" she said "it is so nice to meet you"

"You too my dear" Diana said as her eyes travelled over Livie taking in. Livie stood there not flinching under the intense stare Diana was giving her. Reid stood in between the two of them eyes flashing between them waiting for one of them to speak.

It was his mother who broke the silence. "Spencer" she said "why don't you go get us something to drink and let me get to know Olivia here."

Livie grinned and looked up at him nodding encouragingly. Slowly Reid squeezed her hand before he slipped out of the room leaving his mother and girlfriend getting to know each other.

Diana studied Livie closely as Livie watched her with a smile on her face. "Tell me something about yourself Livie" Diana said then and Livie thought "I'll tell you a secret" she said and Diana inclined her head looking interested as Livie leaned forward "I have a weakness for your son" she said "and I am completely in love with him."

Diana's face split into a smile as she leaned forward "so am I" she said and Livie giggled "he is very lovable" she said and Diana nodded "yet so few people see it" she said.

"Well then we are the lucky ones" Livie declared and Diana nodded still smiling.

"You know he loves you too don't you" Diana said and Livie nodded "he would have to to stay with me through everything we have been through together" she said and Diana reached out to take her hand. Livie smiled at her.

She could see that Diana was slowly relaxing so she decided to talk about a topic that they both had an interest in.

"Can you tell me what Spencer when he was a child" she asked and Diana's smile widened "he was such a sweet boy" she murmured closing her eyes as she clearly imagined her son when he was younger "he was always so kind to everyone he met and he had a hunger for knowledge yet he was always happy to sit and let me read to him when I was too exhausted to get up. He was often my soul reason for breathing."

Livie smiled imagining Reid as a little child.

"He was a good baby" Diana mused "he barely cried and was so clever. He walked and talked sooner than any other child in the neighbourhood. Granted his social skills lacked a lot but to me he was perfect and I loved him with all that I was… I still do."

She looked over at Livie "I am glad he has found you" she said "you are good for him."

"We are good for each other" Livie countered and they grinned at each other.

Reid returned just then and quickly sat down next to Livie feeling relieved when he saw that they were getting along "everything ok" he asked and Livie grinned "yes I've learned so much about you"

Reid blanched and looked at his mother who smiled at him "all good things" she reassured and Reid relaxed as Livie rubbed her hand over his leg comfortingly.

They talked for most of the afternoon, Livie told Diana about herself and her family before Diana told her many stories of Reid's childhood much to his embarrassment.

When Livie's phone rang she quietly excused herself to answer it whilst Reid stayed with his mother. Once she had gone they sat in silence for a minute or so before Reid looked up to find his mother smiling at him.

"What" he asked with a grip on his face suspecting what his mother was going to say.

Indeed he was right.

"I am proud of you Spencer" his mother said "she is a wonderful girl. Make sure you don't lose her. You won't find another girl like her no matter how long you look."

"I know" Reid said "she certainly is unique and I am going to be eternally grateful for the day that I met her in the elevator."

Once again Diana smiled "what do you plan to do now" she asked settling back in her chair.

Reid thought for a long time.

"I don't know" he said eventually "it has been a difficult couple of months for us both and I don't know what Livie wants. I don't know what she plans to do now that she has finished her internship. I will wait till I know what she wants before I decide what I want."

"You are a good boy Spencer" Diana murmured reaching out to stroke his cheek making him smile "never lose that heart you have"

"Can't" Reid said with a small grin "Livie already has it, and she'll never lose it"

Diana smiled once again and they lapsed back into silence until Livie re-entered.

"Everything ok?" Reid asked as she settled back down next to him. She quickly nodded "all good" she said a little too quickly and Reid eyed her and the phone in her hand "what was that about" he asked and Livie gave him a small smile "nothing that needs to be thought about right now" she said and slowly Reid nodded knowing that she would tell him if it were urgent.

Visiting hours ended soon and slowly they stood up ready to leave.

Diana hugged them both and told them to return soon. Reid promised he would as he said his goodbyes before he and Livie headed outside and caught a cab back to the hotel where the others were staying.

They found them in the restaurant studying the menus. When they spotted them coming in they waved them over. "How'd it go?" JJ asked "is your mom ok?"

Reid nodded as he pulled out a chair for Livie and sat down himself. "She'll be ok" he said "she went off her meds but I think she'll stay on them now."

"And how was it introducing a girlfriend" Morgan asked, his eyes twinkling.

Livie smiled at him "it went well I think."

"Yeah she ended up totally ignoring me and talking just to Livie" Reid muttered making the team laugh. "Know the feeling" Livie told him "you have my sister totally enchanted, she mostly forgets I'm there."

"Well it's better than them hating you" Hotch said and they all grinned.

"So you going back home or you coming back to Quantico with us?" Emily asked Livie who smiled "Quantico" she said.

"That must feel a lot like your home at the moment anyway" JJ said smiling and Reid saw Livie's smile falter before she shoved it aside. "Yeah" she said grinning "it does."

They all enjoyed their long leisurely meal where Emily and Morgan tried to get Livie to tell them some of the stories she had heard about Reid from his mother whilst Reid tried frantically to persuade her not too. Thankfully she sided with him.

Once they had all retired to their rooms Livie went a little quiet and as she moved around the room Reid watched her as she carefully removed her necklace and placed it on her bedside table. "Are you ok" he asked and she looked up at him almost blankly "yeah" she said "I'm fine… why wouldn't I be?"

"You just seem… quiet" Reid said carefully still watching her. Livie smiled as she pulled on the overly large t-shirt that she liked sleeping in and carefully clambered onto the bed "it's been a long day" she said "I'm just tired."

"Ok" Reid said. He knew she wasn't being entirely truthful but he didn't want to push her.

"Have you been dreaming recently" he asked as they both shifted down in the bed and curled up against each other. He saw Livie smirk "no last night I didn't" she said almost gleefully "so hopefully they are fading now."

"I hope so" Reid said kissing the nape of her neck as she let out a small giggle "being home definitely helped" she said "but I did miss waking up beside you every morning."

Reid smiled "well you won't have to worry about that tomorrow morning" he said pulling her closer and together they drifted off into a comfortable peaceful slumber.

XO

They were awoken early the next morning by Morgan banging on their door telling them to wake up as the jet was almost ready to take off. They both hurriedly got ready and grabbed breakfast and coffee as they were checking out.

Hotch seemed to have caught Livie's quietness bug as he sat staring out the window obviously deep in thought as they took off. It wouldn't have bothered Reid except that he soon noticed that Hotch kept glancing at Livie and he soon wondered if his boss' pensive state had something to do with Livie.

He kept his worries to himself and settled to read the book he had picked up on his way through the airport until Hotch called Livie over to him.

Livie seemed surprised and shrugged when everyone looked at her questioningly but rose and headed over to the chairs where Hotch was sitting.

Once she had sat down everyone's eyes instantly flicked to Reid who looked at them all. "What?" he asked confused as to why they were all staring at him.

"What are they talking about?" Emily asked and he looked over before he looked back at her. "I have an eidetic memory not Vulcan hearing" he said and Emily gave him a sceptical look.

"So you are telling me you have no idea what is going on" Rossi asked and he shook his head "I don't pry into everything that happens to Livie" he said "I know that if it is important she will tell me when she feels ready."

"Yeah but we want to know" Emily teased and he rolled his eyes and glanced over his shoulder to where Livie and Hotch were sitting. Hotch was talking gently to Livie who sat with her head slightly lowered playing with her hands.

Trying to shake the uncertainty growing inside of him Reid lowered his head back to his book and tried to focus.

When they landed a couple of hours later both he and Livie headed for his car and they drove slowly back to their apartment. Reid wondered whether to bring up the subject of the conversation on the jet.

When they were home and had eaten and were settled on the couch he casually asked "so what did Hotch want earlier?"

Livie slowly looked over at him "nothing important" she said "he um just had a phone call about me and he wanted to talk to me about it."

"Phone call from who" Reid asked sitting up in his seat a little higher.

Livie didn't answer at first she just played with her nails before she turned in her seat to look at him. Her eyes traced over his face before she sighed. "You remember I told you about the case my mom was working on last week where they had two agents from Boston down helping them" she asked.

Reid nodded remembering how she had told him about the two detectives she had met whilst visiting her mom.

"Well apparently they were impressed by how accurately I managed to profile their serial killer… it helped them catch him I heard. Their boss called me whilst we were at the hospital visiting your mom and um… well he offered me a job."

Reid blinked "a… a job" he stammered and she nodded still watching him closely as he tried to wrap his head around this.

"In Boston" he managed and once again she nodded biting her lip as she did so.

"Umm" he stammered cursing the fact that he couldn't think of anything else to say.

Livie was still watching him with an anxious look growing on her face as she waited for him to say something.

But Reid couldn't think of anything to say. He knew exactly what he should say but he couldn't form the words. He wanted to say something to get her to dismiss this job, that would encourage her to stay with him here in Quantico. But he couldn't do it; a profiling job in Boston would be a career maker for Livie especially at her age. He knew she was ambitious. She had been from the day he had met her. But as they had grown closer and closer she had spoken less and less of her career ambitions and more on her life ones. He had changed her dreams and he couldn't work out of that was good or bad.

He wanted Livie to become the best that she could be and during the first part of their relationship he had made sure to prepare himself to say goodbye. But then everything had happened and now he couldn't imagine his life without her.

He realised then that Livie was still waiting for a response and he scrambled for the words.

"Tha … that's amazing" he managed "congratulations"

Livie smiled "I haven't said yes yet" she said sounding nervous.

"You haven't … why not… it's a great opportunity" Reid said trying his best to sound positive.

"Yeah it is a great opportunity" Livie said not sounding any more positive than he felt "it's also 448 miles away from here… that's a minimum of 8hours and 25minutes away from you."

"IT's closer to your family though isn't it?" Reid asked quickly doing the Maths in his head "its only like 215.4 miles away so that would take you 3hours 47minutes approximately in good traffic."

Livie sighed "that is like the same distance from here roughly" she said "it's not really an incentive to move you know."

Reid frowned "Livie you are not going to stay just because of me are you" he asked "because that is insane… Livie this job… you can't decline it just for me… this will make your career to no end."

"Maybe I don't want a career right now." Livie said "Maybe I want to wait… I put off having any sort of relationship for years just because I was focused on my career. Maybe its time to put love first for the first time in my life."

"But this would sort you out for life. So that you are ready for your life" Reid said. Half of him wondered why he was encouraging her to leave. He didn't want her to go. He wanted nothing more than for her to stay with him but he was doing what he knew was right.

"Maybe I don't want to be safe all the time any more" Livie said "maybe it's time to live in the moment more."

Reid watched her helpless mentally trying to figure out what to do now.

They sat in silence for a few minutes before Livie sighed "I don't know what to do Spence" she whispered.

Reid sighed and wrapped his arms around her "I don't know either" he said "but I think it is a decision that you+ have to make yourself based on your own opinion. And please don't base your opinion on me. Do what you want. Follow your dreams. But make sure you know what your dreams are."

"How poetical of you" Livie said with a small smile before they both lapsed both back into silence.

"When do you have decide" Reid asked and Livie sighed as she turned her head into his chest "they said I could take a week to make up my mind." She said softly "but Hotch said they called him to see if he could help persuade me to make up my mind sooner."

Reid nodded wondering how long it would take her to make up her mind.

"Nothing has to be decided tonight" he said softly kissing her neck "lets go to bed."

Livie nodded and slowly they made their way to the bedroom and silently changed into their nightwear and curled up together in their bed.

Neither of them fell asleep quickly. They lay there wondering what on earth was going to happen over the next few days…

'Sometimes it's the smallest decisions that can change your life forever' Keri Russell

Hope you liked that.

Please let me know what you think. I love hearing what you think and your suggestions.

I promise to try and update soon. Will hopefully be concluding this story soon.

Thanks

Mysticgirl