A few important things before you read the chapter. Firstly I looked at the results from the poll and decided to keep going with this story under the same name. Secondly my life has gotten very hectic at the minute and doesn't look like its going to slow down any time soon so updates are going to be few and far between but fear not I do not plan on abandoning this story on the contrary I have planned out a good few chapters however having the time to write them is another mater. Finally this is the first chapter of any of my stories where my beta has not checked it over, being a dyslexic author I'm aware that there are probably a lot more mistakes than normal so if you spot any pm me and I'll change it. Thank you for reading now enjoy the chapter.
It had been three months since that fateful April day that had brought Erin and Spencer together. During this time life at the BAU continued at its usual pace, with only a couple of changes. The first being that Morgan was on his best behaviour after Strauss had sent an email to the whole department outlining her displeasure at practical jokes in the workplace and in great detail describing the punishment any agent could expect to receive if they are found to be behind any. This was enough to have Morgan sporadically looking over his shoulder whenever the team was back from a case.
The other change was harder to spot and revolved around the resident genius of the team. It had been noted by most of the occupants of the bullpen that their youngest would sometimes disappear with his stack of work for hours at a time only to return to them, work completed and a smile from ear to ear. After weeks of interrogation by the rest of his team Spencer remained tight lipped on his whereabouts to the annoyance of his colleague, who had now made bets on where their friend was sneaking off to. The list of guessed possible hiding places was lengthy but the truth had not even crossed the other agents' minds.
For Strauss' part she had cleared the coffee table of the array of knickknacks that once called it home and invested in a top of the line coffee maker, no more runs to the breakroom for two-day old coffee anymore thank you very much. Both these changes had Spencer flying through his work more than ever.
The three mugs that sat next to the coffee maker each represented their owners the only people allowed to use the machine. The first mug was an oversized blue mug that's colour gradually lighted from a deep dark blue at the base to almost white at the rim. The next mug was large and white with the term e=mc2 written on it in black cursive writing and the final one was the smallest of the bunch a simple black mug that sat proudly between the others
The two would busy themselves with their respective work for a couple of hours before taking a well-earned coffee break. They'd sip contently at whatever caffeinated concoction they'd decided to try out. Erin had even won the small victory of transferring Reid off sugar and onto sweeteners in his coffee although that one was still a work in progress as the young agent would sneak a couple of tea spoons in whenever he thought she wasn't looking, but it was progress she told herself. It was over coffee that they would catch up telling each other the ins and outs of their lives knowing they wouldn't be judged. Details of the latest case would be sandwiched between office gossip and sometimes even things closure to home like the health of Spencer's mother. It was not a shock to her the first time it came up, after all it had all been in Spencer's personnel file from when he first joined the BAU but to hear the situation first hand, to watch the emotions wash over his face as he struggled through his tale was something else that had Erin hugging him close to her by the end. Since the story was first divulged any news about his mother's condition was quickly shared with Erin. Together they would talk over the issue and come to a conclusion, the fact that for the first time in his life he had someone he trusted to go to talk over something that he had had to deal with alone for so long took an immediate weight off of his shoulders. A problem shared was a problem halved is what his mother used to say, and boy was she right he smiled into his coffee.
A light knock came from the door followed by it slowly being opened to reveal David Rossi.
"Sorry to interrupt but I'm going to have to steal Reid back we've got a case. Thought I best come get you before the others realise you've snuck off and send out a search party." He joked while going over to the coffee machine, picking up the black mug and clicking it into life. By the time the mug was filled Spencer had collected his things, stuffing his file in his messenger bag and was ready to go.
"Ready?" He asked Rossi who was still hovering by the coffee machine.
"I'll catch you up okay."
"Alright" Reid responded turning to give Erin a quick hug "See you when we get back" he whispered before ducking out of the office.
"What is it Dave? If its coffee you're after don't think I don't know about that espresso machine you've got hidden in your office. So out with it" Erin demanded of the still loitering agent.
"Its this case" He sighed "It's a bad one, six murders in eight days and each one bloodier than the last. Victims aged between late teens and early twenties. All in or around Las Vegas and there's letters from the unsub threatening whoever is instigating their case that they are doing the work of Satan and that they will be next if they interfere" He finished. A lump came to her throat hearing this news. She used to be able to process this news, to understand that the horrors and dangers were part of the job that they had all signed up for, that was before she had someone close to her heart in the field looking at it logically went out of the window the moment she got to know Spencer Reid. So, the next words she spoke were not as the leader of the BAU but as the scared mother she felt.
"You'll keep a close eye on him on this case, won't you?" She asked, "The first sign of trouble and you have my permission to bench him." She said in fear knowing that Spencer was a trouble magnet.
"I won't let the kid out of my sight" Rossi promised "I've already asked Hotch to change the rooms round so I'll be sharing with Spencer, and before you ask yes I'll call you every night to update you. So, try not to worry." He reached over to touch her shoulder causing her to smile up at him.
"I'll try" She admitted "Ow, I nearly forgot" she said scuttling back to her desk to pull out Spencer's boxset of Doctor Who that its owner had moved to the safety of Strauss' office after Morgan had joked that he could hide it and have their own genius treasure hunt. "Take this" She handed over the DVD's "Its Spencer's favourite, an unusual de-stressor I know but nothing works better."
"Thanks, I'll keep it in mind." With that he downed the last dregs of his coffee said his goodbyes and joined his team in the briefing room.
Twenty minutes later and the BAU team were released from the briefing room to grab their go bags before heading off to the jet. Erin stood at her doorway pretending to be reading a case file while sparing surreptitious looks at the departing team. Reid gave her a smile and a wave when the others weren't looking before walking away and Dave smiled and nodded before catching Spencer up just as they got to the elevator. Starting a conversation that had the younger agent immediately enthralled, waving his hands about and no doubt reeling of statistic after statistic the pair disappeared from view climbing into the elevator, leaving Erin standing looking at the empty desks in the bullpen waiting for her boys to come back safe.
ahowell1993: Hope this chapter has you smiling as much as the last.
fishtrek: Here's the more you asked for packed full of mothering.
tannerose5: Thank you for taking such an interest in my story it gave me the boost to get this chapter out. Unfortunately I seem to be catching mostly old episodes of Criminal Minds so haven't met Blake yet but if she's anything like Erin I'm sure I'll love her.
BJames: No my psychic friend the story isn't over yet I have a good many chapters to go through and once again you seem to have peeked into my notes on the plot in the next few chapters think you'll find a few familiar elements from your review. I hope the story lives up to your dream.