Hi everyone. I am so so so sorry about how long this chapter took. I honestly had no idea how to finish the story and wanted to finish this story before updated. And I was pretty busy with exams and university work. Anyway hope you like it. Let me know what you think.

Chapter 38

"If you do not change direction, you may end up where you are heading" Lao Tzu

The last week of their time together flew by with them making the most of their time together. Every second that they weren't busy they were together, often just lying in their bed together tangled amongst the sheets.

On her last day Livie went to say goodbye to the team. It was sad for Reid to watch the rest of the team say their goodbyes knowing that it would be his turn the next day. Everyone came out to say farewell. Garcia for once was no longer her bubbly happy self. In fact she barely smiled as she hugged Livie tightly making her promise to stay in contact.

"Let's get a picture" she urged as they all stood in the bullpen "I'll go get my camera… nobody move" she ordered before she turned and dashed out of the glass doors.

Livie smiled "I'm really going to miss her colourful… personality… fashion sense…everything" she decided. "I think she is going to miss you more" Rossi said and Livie grinned.

Garcia came hurrying back dragging Kevin Lynch behind her. "Come on" she said "huddle up everyone. I want a photo to remember this awesome team"

Smiling they all gathered together looping their arms around each other as Kevin stepped back to get them all in the frame. "Smile" he said and they all did so. Reid wondered how forced his might look in the picture.

After they had all posed for numerous photos and Garcia seemed sated they all began to talk together standing in their round table room. "You have to promise that you are going to stay in contact" JJ said smiling at Livie who nodded as she leaned against Reid who wrapped his arm around her tightly. "I promise" Livie said gently "I will never forget you guys and I will contact you all regularly."

"You had better or we are coming up to see you" Emily threatened and Livie laughed before she looked around at them all and then at her watch.

"No don't go yet" Garcia said obviously sensing what was going through her mind and Livie gave a guilty smile "I have to" she said "I need to go get to know my new team tomorrow and I need to finish moving in."

Regretfully they all gave their final goodbyes before Livie began to head back towards the elevator walking slowly round the bullpen staring at everything, taking it all in for the last time before she looked over at the team and lifted her hand in farewell to the team as she slipped into the hall with Reid right behind her.

When they were in the elevator Livie let out a shaky breath and Reid looked at her "are you ok" he asked and she nodded before she looked over at him managing a tiny smile "yeah" she said "it's just scary knowing that I'm not going to be here regularly again."

"Well you are going to be visiting occasionally right?" Reid asked and Livie nodded "maybe not a lot at first" she said "because you know I need to hit the ground running."

Reid nodded as they entered the lobby and headed out towards her car. The drive home was relatively quiet and when they arrived Livie moved into the bedroom to finish packing whilst Reid settled on the couch staring into space until his phone beeped and he pulled it out to see that Garcia had sent him the pictures from the squad room and he found himself flicking through them before pausing and smiling at one of he and Livie that he hadn't known had been taken.

He was standing beside Livie who was gently leaning her weight against him as she talked to someone out of frame. Reid however was looking at Livie, totally focused on her, seemingly oblivious to everyone else around him.

He smiled at the picture treasuring the sight of it before shoving his phone into pocket as Livie came out with her suitcase. "You need a hand" he asked "no I think I'm good" Livie said gently

So Reid found himself watching as Livie packed up the last of the belongings into a box before she closed the lid and taped it shut with a sigh. Slowly she rose to her feet brushing off her jeans as she turned to smile at him.

"All packed" she said gently shoving her hands into the pocket of her jeans awkwardly.

Reid shifted uncertainly "do you want to put the boxes in the car now or later" he asked. Livie smiled "tomorrow morning will be fine" she said gently "we don't need to leave that early."

Reid nodded and moved forward to help her place the box with the others next to the door. "I can't believe it's finally here" Livie said looking round the apartment "I mean beforehand it was just something that was going to happen… now it is actually happening."

Reid smiled awkwardly at her before he reached out to pull her close as she moved towards him and leant her head on his shoulder looking at the pile of boxes by the door. Slowly they moved towards the couch and sat down together.

"It has come fast" he admitted turning his head into her hair breathing in the sweet smell "but we did have a good run."

"That we did" Livie agreed "a lot of ups. A lot of downs… but it was great… and I will treasure the memories."

"So will I" Reid murmured feeling her shift closer to him gripping his hand tightly in one of her own.

They sat there staring around the living room until Reid let out sigh "maybe we should turn in" he whispered "it is going to be a long day tomorrow."

"Mmm" Livie murmured but she didn't move as Reid slowly rose to his feet "you coming" he asked looking at her.

She smiled warmly at him "I'll be in" she promised "I just want a minute alone ok."

He nodded and slowly disappeared towards the bedroom slowly changing into his nightwear before he went and lay on the bed thinking about tomorrow.

He had offered to go up to Boston with Livie to help her unload the last of her belongings into her new apartment. Truthfully he just wanted to spend a little more time with her. It was going to be a long drive before he got the coach back down to DC ready for work again the next day.

He wasn't looking forward to being the one to walk away and leave her. He knew that the only way he was going to be able to do it would be to keep telling himself that it was what was best for her and that was what he wanted.

He lay on the bed trying to imagine what it was going to be like coming home to an empty house once again. He hated that idea. After all he felt like his life had only improved since he had met Livie. She had come into his life and for the first time in his life he had felt complete; like he had found the part of him that had been missing this entire time.

And now that part was leaving and he didn't know what was going to happen now.

It was a few minutes later that Livie slowly came into the room and slowly she changed into the t-shirt she liked to wear to bed before she crawled onto the bed and snuggled down beside him allowing him to wrap his arms tightly around her.

"I wish time would just freeze" Livie whispered stroking his arm gently. "Mmm" Reid murmured "But you are excited right?"

"Very" Livie admitted "but also very nervous"

"Don't be" Reid whispered "you will do great."

Livie grinned and turned her head to look at him before she lifted her head to kiss him moulding her lips to his gently. Reid leant down feeling her hair tickling his cheeks as Livie rolled over so that she was straddling him.

She caressed his cheek gently as she stared into his eyes as though trying to memorise every detail of them. Reid stared back up at her before he sat up pulling her close sliding his hands up underneath the shirt she was wearing towards her shoulder blades kissing her neck as she flung her head back letting out a small gasp clenching handfuls of his t-shirt in her fists.

They clung to each other tightly kissing passionately before they fell back against the pillows still running her hands all over his body as his own hands explored her back.

"I'll miss this" Livie breathed "god I'll miss all of this."

"Don't think about tomorrow" Reid murmured "forget about it for now, enjoy now."

"That is what we promised isn't it" Livie murmured pausing to stare at him before she smiled and pulled him close again.

Slowly she rested her forehead against his kissing his lips gently.

They lay there together side by side holding each other tightly sleeping lightly dreading the morning+ that would soon be upon them.

XO

When they awoke the next morning neither of them wanted to move. They lay there together until they couldn't pretend that it wasn't happening any longer and they slowly began to get ready.

They took all of her things down to her car before Livie headed up to take one last look around the apartment "god I am going to miss this place" she murmured. She slowly ran her fingers lightly over the spines of his books before she turned to look at him as her long hair swung around her shoulders.

"We should go" she said gently. Slowly she picked up the last of her bags and headed slowly for the door. Reid followed and they headed down to the car.

At first the drive was silent until Livie glanced over at him. "Promise me something" she said as she returned her gaze to the road. "Anything" Reid said and Livie smiled "promise me that if you find the perfect woman that you will not hold back because of me. I would hate for you to lose a dream because of me."

"You are my dream" Reid said and she gave him a small smile.

When they arrived at her new apartment they quickly carried the last few of her boxes up to the small apartment and slowly began to unpack them. As he did so Reid tried to focus not on how they were going to have to say goodbye to each other soon but instead on all the happy memories they had together.

He remembered the first time he had seen her standing in the door of the elevators watching him as he stared at her uncertainly. He remembered how she had looked him up and down before she had slipped in and stood beside him running her hand through her long and slightly damp hair before she had begun to speak to him and it hadn't taken long for him to be stumbling over himself gabbling almost incoherently at her as she had watched him seemingly amused by him.

He had known then that she was going to be a big part of her life… the way he hadn't been able to stop thinking about her for days after meeting her. He remembered then the amazed feeling in his stomach when he had seen her again when JJ had hired her. That nervous tingling feeling inside of him that he still felt when he was around her.

He looked up as Livie came over to him and gently dragged him over to the bed slowly sitting beside him before she rested her head on his shoulder as he lifted his hand to gently stroke the end of her hair.

"When do you have to be back" she asked and Reid smiled "I don't have to be back until tomorrow afternoon for the briefing of the new case" he said.

He heard her sigh as she snuggled closer to him "this is going to be so strange" she murmured "you know… having to profile on my own for the first time without you guys"

"You'll do great" Reid said gently "I know you will, so does the whole team… they are all proud of you… so am I"

Livie lifted her head to smile at him before she gently pressed her lips to his. Reid kissed her back eagerly gently lifting his hand to run through her hair as he felt he arms slip round to cradle him close.

They remained like that on the bed together for a short while before they both pulled apart reluctantly. Livie kept her eyes closed clearly savouring the moment before she opened them to stare at him. "Want to go look around for a little while" she asked and Reid nodded.

They left the apartment and walked down the street hand in hand for a while exploring all the streets until the light began to fade and the temperature began to drop. Then they returned to the apartment, her apartment as Reid had to remind himself multiple times. It wasn't just an apartment. It was her apartment. Where she would be staying from now on.

When they opened the front door Reid found himself looking around. It was strange to see all of her belongings here now instead of his apartment. He couldn't imagine how empty it would feel back home now that it was all gone.

They messed around the kitchen and living room for a while until Livie opened her bag and smiled "I'm guessing this is the work of Garcia" she said as she pulled out a framed picture of the team and held it out for him to examine.

Reid smiled as he looked at the picture of them all standing with their arms thrown around each other grinning wide grins to the camera. He hadn't seen Garcia sneak off to print and frame it. Neither had he seen her sneak it into her bag. "She's a crafty one" he said and Livie nodded as she slowly took the frame and hung it on the wall with all the other pictures of her family.

They ordered themselves some food before curling up on the couch and chatting. That was when Livie brought up the subject of their future for the first time in a while.

"I need to know" she said "do you want to stay in contact?"

Red looked at her. His immediate response was 'yes of course' but he did stop and think. Did he want to wait to hear from her every week? Did he want to drag out the pain of losing her or did he want to stop contact like a clean break. But would continuing to hear from her cause more pain or would it be like a salvation?

He looked back at her, watching him, waiting for his answer. He made up his mind on the spot.

"Yes" he said "I do… but only as long as you do."

Livie smiled "of course I want to" she said gently as she rubbed his arm "I would hate to think of this as goodbye."

Reid nodded feeling slightly relieved.

As night drew in they retired to the bedroom and lay so close together that it became hard to tell one body from another. Neither slept particularly well both fearing the moment they were going to have to say goodbye.

So by the time light began to seep through the cracks in the blinds, both were wide awake and neither felt particularly well rested. The lay together with Livie's face burrowed into Reid's bare shoulder as he clung to her tightly breathing in the smell of her long brown hair until he knew he couldn't lie there any longer otherwise he was going to be late for his briefing.

As he began to stir Livie tightened her grip as she looked up at him "don't get up yet" she murmured "lie with me a little longer."

He managed a small smile before he lowered his head to kiss her " I really wish I could" he murmured "but if I don't go soon I will be late for the briefing."

Livie sighed "stupid serial killers" she muttered "getting in the way of us"

Reid smiled "if it wasn't for those stupid serial killers we would both be out of the job" he reminded her and she rolled her eyes and pulled him close for one last kiss before she released him allowing him to head to her shower.

When he re-emerged he discovered that Livie had already headed into her kitchen and was making them both a coffee. He quickly dressed and gathered his things together before he headed out into the kitchen to join her.

When she heard him approach she smiled at him before she handed him one of the mugs of coffee she was holding which he accepted gratefully.

"Do you know where your new case is" Livie asked clearly attempting to make small talk. Reid shrugged "Idaho I think, I wasn't really paying attention when Hotch told me." Livie smiled weakly before she slowly sat down at the table. Slowly Reid sat down beside her.

"I can't believe this time is here" Livie whispered. Reid knew how she felt. He felt exactly the same. He felt like their remaining time had gone by far too quickly. He wished he could rewind right back to the beginning. Maybe if he could he could do so and experience everything again though maybe avoid the bad things.

He glanced at the clock feeling his stomach clench as he realised that it was nearly time to leave. Livie seemed to pick up on this too because she reached out to grab his hand squeezing it tightly. "We'll be ok" she whispered "maybe the year will fly by."

"Maybe" he said smiling at her. The seconds ticked by and slowly the hand moved round the clock until Reid knew he had to leave.

Slowly he shifted before he rose to his feet and Livie followed in suit and they headed down to the car. When they had dropped her first load of belongings up here they had taken his car and caught the train back so that when they drove up with the last of her belongings Reid could drive his car back. Now Reid wished that they could take one last drive together. Maybe not stop driving until they hit South America. Maybe they could travel and forget about their world of crime and criminals. But he knew that it couldn't be.

He turned to look at Livie who smiled weakly at him. He stumbled for words. "I feel… like I am supposed to say something here" he said and Livie bit back a laugh "yeah" she mused "if this was a movie you'd say something cute and romantic."

"I think we both know I'm not that good at that" he said and Livie shrugged "those movies are cheesy" she said looking up at him "how about you just kiss me."

"That I can do" Reid murmured before he bent his head and carefully kissed her holding her close never wanting to let go. He treasured the moment allowing all of his senses to savour the moment wanting to remember it always.

When they pulled apart Livie's eyes were shining slightly as she took shaky breaths before she steadied herself. "We'll be ok" she murmured before she slowly took an uncertain step backwards away from him. "Go" she murmured "otherwise you will never make it back to Quantico in time."

Slowly he settled himself in the car before he rolled down the window and looked at her "We'll see each other again" he said and she nodded "maybe even sooner than you might think" she said "you never know what might bring you to Boston."

He nodded before he hesitated. Then he knew what his final words to her were going to be.

"I love you Livie" he said and she smiled reaching through the car window to gently stroke his cheek "I love you too" she murmured "always will."

She kissed him gently one last time before she straightened up "now go" she said gently "and make sure you use that eidetic memory to remember to stay in contact."

Reid smiled as he started the engine "I promise I'll remember" he said watching as she took a few steps away from the car. Slowly he turned his attention to the road and slowly unable to look back at her pulled out of the parking space and carefully away from her. He barely checked his rear-view mirror as he drove away not wanting to see her getting further and further away until he rounded a corner and she disappeared from sight.

He let out a shaky breath and had to blink a few times to stop tears slipping out. By the time he hit the freeway he had mostly composed himself. But it was hard to focus on the road ahead when he felt like he had left his future behind him.

XO

By the time he got back to the FBI building he was already running late. He had to sit for a few minutes to compose himself before he entered the building and headed up to their floor where he found the rest of the team waiting in their conference room.

"Sorry I am late" he said quietly as he rushed to his seat "the traffic was worse than I thought."

"Did Livie get settled in ok" Morgan asked and he nodded quickly as he reached for his case file.

The others seemed to guess that he didn't want to talk about Livie right now because they quickly turned their attention back to their new case or ritualistic murders in Idaho.

Reid didn't input much unless asked a specific question. He found himself staring at the seat beside him where Livie had once sat until the meeting was over.

As everyone rose intending to grab their go bags so that they could head to the jet and head to Idaho ready to start afresh in the morning JJ stepped into Reid's path.

"You ok" she asked. Reid shifted playing with the strap of his bag "as ok as I can be" he said quietly.

JJ rubbed his arm "it'll be ok" she said "things will work out."

Reid nodded and managed a small smile before he headed to his desk grabbing his bag. As he did so a letter placed on his keyboard caught his eye and he reached for it frowning as he recognised the handwriting. He looked at JJ and Emily who were trying very hard to look deep in conversation whilst hiding huge grins on their faces.

"Where did this come from" he asked and they both looked over innocently "oh it arrived this morning with the mail" JJ said smiling at him and Reid ran his fingers over the envelope trying to hide the excitement he felt at finding a letter from her.

He managed to wait until they had gotten on the plane before he decided to open it. As everyone else settled down together to talk he settled himself at the back of the plane turning the letter over and over in his hands before he slowly broke the seal and pulled out the folded piece of paper.

His hands trembled excitedly as he carefully unfolded it and his stomach clenched as he began to read the words written in the familiar swirling script.

Spence

I know this probably isn't easy. Reading a letter from me whilst trying to move on but I needed to say some things that were easier to put in a letter. I hope this might be the first of many letters and that we will find a way to stay in contact.

I wanted to thank you for everything that you have done for me. When I first arrived at the BAU I was pretty focused on just getting as much experience as I could from that job. Then I met you. Standing in that elevator looking slightly startled when I joined you. I will never forget our first meeting. I think deep down even then I knew that should I get this job, I was screwed. I found you fascinating and wondered how in hell I was going to focus around you.

Meeting you was never part of my plan. But I am certainly glad you ended up in my life. When I started I figured that by the time I was done with this job I would not be able to trust anyone after the horrors that I saw all day. But you showed me different. You showed me that I could trust people. That there is still good in most people. You showed me it was safe to let my defences down once in a while.

When I was younger I had a belief about the world and how to look at life. After everything that happened to me I learnt to see everything as a small part of a bigger plan.

I believe that life is lie an arrow Spence. Sometimes you get dragged back. But eventually you'll fly forward.

That is what you have done for me Spence. You helped me fly forward. Before I was drowning. But when I met you I found that I could breathe again. You helped me find myself when I felt lost.

I want to thank you not only for the life you helped me salvage. But also for the life we had together. The time we had together went by too fast but god I savoured every second. I would go through it all again (even the bad parts) just to spend another year with you.

I love you Spencer Reid. You are my best friend and I don't mean that lightly. I am struggling to think how I will get on without seeing you every day.

It isn't going to be easy but I know that we will be fine and one day should fate allow it we will be reunited once again.

And should that day ever come Spence, you should know that I would come back to you. I would stay with you for the rest of my life. I would even love to start a family with you.

I love you Spencer Reid and should the fates allow it we will be back together and maybe we can start the family that we lost.

I promise you that I will never forget you and that my love will never fade.

I am yours

Always

Livie

P.S. return what's in the envelope in a year.

Despite the fact that the letter wasn't very long Reid took a long time to read it and when he was finished he read it through again. Once he had finished that again he found himself smiling at what was written as his fingers traced gently over the words. Then he slowly reached into the envelope and smiled as the ring Livie constantly wore – the little silver band twisted into the symbol of infinity fell into his palm.

He sensed that he was being watched and he looked up to see all the other members of the team watching him closely. "What" he asked.

"Nothing" Morgan said with a grin on his face "but I think we all know who put that big cheesy grin on your face pretty boy."

Reid smirked as he carefully folded the letter back up and slid it back into its envelope and tucked it back into his bag as he slipped the ring into his pocket.

He guided the conversation back to their unsub relieved when they allowed the change in topic.

When they landed in Idaho it was JJ who came up to him. "I take it that the two of you parted on more than amicable terms" she said.

Reid gave her an awkward smile before he nodded.

"She left me the option of picking up where we left off when her job in Boston is over" he said.

"That's great" JJ said squeezing his arm gently and Reid nodded.

"She suggested even maybe… starting a family" he said making JJ grin.

"Really" she breathed "Spence that is amazing, do you want to start a family."
"Yeah I think so" he said "it would be nice to settle down you know."

"It would be amazing" he said "I guess I know I have a year to decide if I am ready to be a dad."

"Spence you are going to make an amazing dad" JJ said "I know that, Livie knows that… everyone knows that."

"You really think that" Reid asked and she nodded "why do you think I made you godfather to my son" she asked "now relax ok… try not to stress to much ok… and allow nature to run it's course."

Reid nodded watching as she quickly stored her go bag in the back of the SUV before she made her way to the front of the car. Reid followed in suit before he clambered into the back and settled down.

As the cars pulled away he found his hand sliding into his pocket and he ran his fingers over the silver ring making him smile as he looked out the window.

He knew JJ was right about him letting nature run its course. The year would pass and then come what may the future would happen.

"In all the world, there is no heart for me like yours. In all the world, there is no love for you like mine." Maya Angelou

Sorry again for how long this took. Just two more chapters left to add.

Hope you like it.

Please review

Thanks Mysticgirl.