Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

(Sun 10:25 PM)

Hey

It’s been a while since we spoke

How are you?

(Mon 12:10 AM)

Who is this?

(Mon 12:11 AM)

Oh.

Spencer

Reid

Sorry, I didn’t know you had deleted my number.

(Mon 12:47 AM)

Elle?

(Wed 2:31 AM)

What do you want.

(Wed 3:37 AM)

Not important. Apologies for the disruption.

(Wed 3:40 AM)

Guilt trip much?

(Wed 3:45 AM)

If you’re going to be like this, I’m not going to respond.

(Wed 3:46 AM) 

Yet you just did.

(Wed 3:46 AM)

Seems so

I’m going to sleep now

(Wed 3:46 AM) 

I can tell you’re lying but it’s fine

(Wed 4:45 AM)

Why did you even text me in the first place?

(undelivered) I didn’t delete your number, I just wanted you to feel guilty

(undelivered) The only number I deleted was Hotchner’s

(Wed 4:45 AM)

Go to sleep.

(Wed 4:47 AM)

Take your own advice

Chapter Text

(Sun 10:16 PM)

Incoming;call::Reid

Call::Answered

Call;duration::45min,18sec

(Sun 11:08 PM)

Can I trust that you’ve gotten the things I told you to since I hung up the phone

(Sun 11:10 PM)

Reid

(Sun 11:15 PM)

Water, ibuprofen, headphones, weighted blanket.

You need to make yourself a space you can be comfortable in

Open a window to get some fresh air

Avoid bright lights

(Sun 11:17 PM)

Writing this down for you in case you forgot

So that you can come back and read these later when you’re in a better state

You should have someone with you

I still have Garcia’s phone number

I can phone to see if she can come over and check on you

(Sun 11:17 PM)

Don’t

(Sun 11:17 PM)

Okay.

Remember to unclench your jaw

(Sun 11:18 PM)

Good night

(Sun 11:18 PM)

I’m going to keep you up until you send proof that you have what I told you to grab

(Sun 11:25 PM)

Attachment;image::

[Image is blurry and dimly lit but shows a bottle of pain medication, headphones, and a full cup of water sitting on a night table. A heavy blanket is shoved on the bed next to it.]

(Sun 11:26 PM)

Good night

(Tues 12:01 AM)

Sorry about the other night

(Tues 12:02 AM)

It’s fine

(Tues 12:02 AM)

I don’t remember what we talked about

(Tues 12:02 AM)

You said you didn’t expect me to answer the phone

(Tues 12:05 AM)

I’m surprised you did

Is that all?

(Tues 12:06 AM)

You didn’t say anything embarrassing if you were worried about that

Is this something that’s been happening with you then?

(Tues 12:15 AM)

Is what something that’s been happening.

(Tues 12:17 AM)

I don’t think you don’t need me to spell it out for you.

What is it you’ve been using?

(Tues 12:20 AM) 

I’m not going to ask what happened.

(Tues 12:35 AM)

Dilaudid

(Tues 12:40 AM)

Okay

(Tues 12:45 AM)

Is that all?

(Tues 12:59 AM)

The person I got it from cut it with a psychedelic of some kind

(Wed 1:03 AM)

“Of some kind”

Right.

(Wed 1:06 AM)

I shouldn’t have called

You can’t tell anyone

I don’t know whose numbers you kept, but you can’t tell them

(Wed 1:15 AM)

Please

(Wed 1:30 AM)

Sorry I was making myself dinner

Make me a deal

(Wed 1:31 AM)

Dinner at one in the morning?

Depends on the deal

(Wed 1:31 AM)

I work long hours idk

Deal is I won’t tell anyone as long as you keep me updated

Phone me next time so that I can make sure you’re breathing

Least I can do

It would make me feel better

(Wed 1:32 AM)

You don’t want that

(Wed 1:34 AM)

You don’t get to decide what I want or don’t want.

(Wed 1:45 AM)

Sorry.

Long day

(Wed 1:50 AM)

It’s fine

(Wed 2:00 AM)

How’d you know so much when I phoned?

(Wed 2:05 AM)

Everyone has their vices

(Wed 2:06 AM)

?

(Wed 2:10 AM) 

Not anymore.

(Wed 2:11 AM)

I find it hard to read your tone over text

Do you want me to ask you about it?

(Wed 2:11 AM)

I’d rather you didn’t

(Wed 2:11 AM)

Okay

(Wed 2:12 AM)

What did you make for dinner?

(Wed 2:12 AM)

Gourmet cuisine

Cheese sandwich

(Wed 2:12 AM)

Just cheese and bread?

(Wed 2:13 AM)

Legally, you are not allowed to judge my life choices

At least I’m eating two of the food groups

I’m too tired to cook anything when I get back this late. Haven’t had time to get groceries

(Wed 2:15 AM)

…

What’s your address?

(Wed 2:17 AM)

Why?

Creepy.

(Wed 2:17 AM)

I’m trying to ask if I can send you something to eat

On one of those delivery sites

(Wed 2:19 AM)

Why are you judging my cheese sandwich so hard right now?

I’m offended

Don’t you subsist entirely on sugar cereal and coffee?

(Wed 2:20 AM)

None of those messages was an address or a request for me not to send you something to eat

‘,:|

Address please

(Wed 2:30 AM)

...Creepy.

(Wed 2:35 AM) 

376 Walsh Street, Apt. 647 in Carmel

(Wed 2:35 AM)

Went back to New York?

I’m assuming your fast food order is the same

(Wed 2:36 AM)

No onions

(Wed 2:36 AM)

I know

(Wed 2:36 AM)

Yeah…

Thought it might be a good change of pace to live closer to family

(Wed 2:36 AM)

And is it?

A good change of pace?

(Wed 2:37 AM)

Idk

It’s a change of pace I guess

I work a lot

(Wed 2:37 AM)

Expect a knock on your door in 16 minutes

(Wed 2:37 AM)

Thank you for giving me warning

(Wed 2:37 AM)

Of course.

(Wed 2:45 AM)

Are you okay?

You seemed upset in the text about your family/the change of pace

(Wed 2:45 AM)

Just tired. I had a long day.

I don’t think I ever told you about my family?

(Wed 2:45 AM)

You should go to bed after you eat

Only about your dad

(Wed 2:47 AM)

You should go to bed too

(Wed 2:50 AM)

I’ll tell you about them some day.

I have a big family

Attached;image::

[Image shows a young girl with chocolate smeared on her cheeks and a plastic toy gripped in one hand. She is smiling at the camera.]

(Wed 2:51 AM)

My cousin just had a daughter

Her name is Terrence

I haven’t met her yet, but I’ve heard she’s a menace

(Wed 2:52 AM)

She looks sweet! 

(Wed 2:54 AM)

Thank you for dinner

(Wed 2:54 AM)

Happy to help

(Wed 3:05 AM)

Good night

(Wed 3:11 AM)

Good night

Chapter Text

(Mon 12:04 AM)

It’s been a while since you’ve messaged me

(Thurs 4:01 AM)

Gideon left.

(Thurs 4:02 AM)

Phone me

(Thurs 4:02 AM)

Incoming;call::Reid

Call::Answered

Call;duration::1hr,12min

(Thurs 5:10 AM)

Thank you

(Thurs 5:10 AM)

Anytime.

Do you have everything you need?

(Thurs 5:10 AM)

Attachment;Image::

[Image shows a glass of water sitting on an already crowded night table. The side table is covered in receipts, papers, empty mugs and cups, a pair of sunglasses, and some headphones.]

(Thurs 5:10 AM)

I’m wrapped in the blanket

(Thurs 5:10 AM)

I told you to call me next time

Where are the pain meds?

(Thurs 5:10 AM)

I don’t want them near me right now. Also, I did phone you. We just got off the phone

(Thurs 5:10 AM) 

So this is the first time since last week?

(Thurs 5:20 AM)

We didn’t set parameters for rule-breaking when we made the deal, so I’m not going to do it now, but next time you go against our deal I’m calling someone to go over to your house to check on you

(Fri 9:12 PM)

Okay

That sounds fair

Called away on a case, sorry. First time I’ve had my phone on since yesterday morning

(Fri 10:04 PM)

Stay safe

(Sat 12:46 AM)

We’re in North Carolina

(Sat 12:46 AM)

Sticking close to home for this one

How is it going

(Sat 12:50 AM)

Attachment;Image::

[Image shows a hotel wall covered in pieces of paper that have been taped up. There is a cluster of empty coffee cups on the desk below the wall. The papers on the wall have been crossed out with the draw tool to hide any sensitive information.]

(Sat 12:51 AM) 

You have an unhealthy work life balance

Bedrooms are for sleeping. Save the gory details for the precinct.

(Sat 12:51 AM)

:P

No gory details here just old receipts and parking tickets. I’m trying to make some semblance of a geographical timeline.

(Sat 12:52 AM)

I’m shaking my head at my screen

(Sat 12:52 AM)

Okay, distract me. 

What are you up to right now?

(Sat 12:52 AM)

If you were anyone else I’d think you were coming onto me ;P

(Sat 12:52 AM)

Good thing for both of our sakes I’m not anyone else then!

(Sat 12:52 AM)

Rude!

(Sat 12:54 AM)

Attachment;Image::

[Image shows a messy coffee table. There are several empty plates, manila folders, and books scattered around. Behind the table, a TV is shown playing the news. In the forefront of the image, Elle’s hand is shown holding a thick novel with a purple hard cover.]

(Sat 12:54 AM)

Checking out the news for N. Carolina

(Sat 12:55 AM)

Checking up on me?

(Sat 12:55 AM)

You can’t prove anything.

It’s been a while since I’ve seen everyone. Call it curiosity.

(Sat 12:55 AM)

What are you reading?

(Sat 12:58 AM)

Attachment;Image::

[Image is a blurry selfie of Spencer mid-movement with Morgan in the background. Morgan obviously doesn’t know the picture is being taken as he is brushing his teeth.]

(Sat 12:58 AM) 

I couldn’t tell if there was an implication in that text? So here is what at least a small portion of the BAU team is up to at this moment.

I hope I didn’t read your tone wrong

(Sat 12:59 AM)

I don’t know, some book about elves with powers. It’s just something that was on display at the library last week when I went to stock up.

Wow, there you two are.

Are you sharing a room?

(Sun 1:00 AM)

Your hair is longer

(Sun 1:01 AM)

Trips to the library a regular occurrence for you?

Yeah, I’m growing it out. I’ve always kept my hair long before the BAU, and I kind of missed it.

Budget cuts. For at least the next few cases, we’re all buddying up. 

Did I tell you that Gideon’s replacement was David Rossi!?

(Sun 1:02 AM)

The novelist? Haven’t you read all of his books?

The hair looks nice.

(Sun 1:02 AM)

The one and the same!

(Sun 1:02 AM)

Wow, have you grilled him yet about your favourite chapters?

(Sun 1:03 AM)

And to answer your earlier question: yes. There isn’t much for me to do here outside of work, so I’ve been going to the library every few weeks for a pile of books to read. Nothing in particular. Usually the ones they have on display.

(Sun 1:03 AM)

Any hits?

Kind of. I got a bit excited when he was first brought in, but Hotch stopped me before I embarrassed myself too much.

(Sun 1:04 AM)

I thought you read textbooks for fun? My recommendations probably aren’t up to par with your standards

(Sun 1:04 AM)

Ha Ha. You know I’ll read anything. Give me something to check out and I’ll give you a review of your taste in literature.

(Sun 1:05 AM)

Like a book club, but I get a headstart because I don’t have a computer for a brain

(Sun 1:05 AM)

:P Yes, that.

(Sun 1:06 AM)

Morgan is threatening to make me sleep in the hall tonight if I don’t turn off the lights and go to sleep, so I had better run.

Thank you for the company

(Sun 1:30 AM)

Good night

(Sun 2:45 AM)

The Wars by Timothy Findley

(Sun 3:10 AM)

Got it

Review pending until I have more immediate access to my local library

(Sun 3:10 AM)

Go to bed

(Sun 3:11 AM)

I am in bed!

(Sun 3:11 AM)

Sleep.

(Sun 3:13 AM)

:)

Good night.

Chapter Text

(Sun 4:24 AM)
It’s been a week are you done your case yet

(Sun 4:30 AM)
Wrapped up a couple days ago

(Sun 4:30 AM)
Phone me?

(Sun 4:30 AM)
Incoming;Call::Reid

Call::Answered

Call;duration 25min,1sec

(Sun 4:55 AM)
I’m happy for you!
Can I see?

(Sun 4:55 AM)
Attachment;Image::

[Image shows Elle’s hand holding a red AA sobriety chip that proclaims a month of sobriety.]

(Sun 4:56 AM)
I’m going to mail you one of those leatherbound coin collector books to keep it in.
Name a colour

(Sun 4:56 AM)
Green!

(Sun 5:06 AM)
It should arrive on the second

(Sun 5:06 AM)
What should I do to celebrate?

(Sun 5:07 AM)
Go out somewhere nice for dinner :)
See a movie
Buy a dog

(Sun 5:08 AM)
I’m not buying a dog
Dinner would be nice!

(Sun 5:08 AM)
Happy celebrating!

(Sun 5:08 AM)
I’m toasting my phone with this lovely mug of hot chocolate I’ve made for myself.

(Sun 5:08 AM)
:)

(Mon 12:02 AM)
Attachment;Image::

[Image shows Elle taking a picture of herself in a mirror on the door of her closet. She is wearing ripped blue jeans, and a large rust coloured sweater over a black bralette.]

(Mon 12:02 AM)
Dinner outfit for my congratulatory self-date. I just got back.

(Mon 12:03 AM)
Very nice
How was the self-date
I like what you’ve done with your hair

(Mon 12:02 AM)
Thank you. I liked the shorter look, but I’m grateful that the bangs have grown out of that awkward in between stage
It went well. I went to a local Indian restaurant down the street that just moved in

(Mon 12:03 AM)
My favourite!
I’m glad your night has gone well.
I have to be up early tomorrow so I’m going to head to bed

(Mon 12:04 AM)
Adding that to my list of things I don’t miss about that job.
Good night

(Tues 4:42 AM)
Sorry for disappearing so abruptly last night
You inspired me
It’s going to be very slow going, but I think this is a good place to start

(Tues 4:42 AM)
Attachment;Image::

[Image shows a white NA sobriety chip that proclaims 24 hours of sobriety. The coin is resting on the dashboard of a car.]

(Tues 4:43 AM)
This is great news!
Progress is progress
You found a group to stick with then?

(Tues 4:43 AM)
I did
My old friend Ethan flew in for a visit, since I met up with him in New Orleans a few months ago.
He took me to one of the ones nearby and we went together.

(Tues 4:43 AM)
I’m glad to hear it.
Name a colour

(Tues 4:43 AM)
?

(Tues 4:43 AM)
Matching coin books. Pick a colour.

(Tues 4:43 AM)
Oh!
Purple, please :)

(Tues 4:52 AM)
Is your address still the same?

(Tues 4:52 AM)
It is
Ethan is smacking me in the face because I’m keeping him awake

(Tues 4:52 AM)
Oh? ;)

(Tues 4:54 AM)
;) Sh. It’s not like that
Well, it’s not not like that either, I guess.
Complicated

(Tues 4:55 AM)
Attachment;Image::

[Image shows Ethan with one eye cracked open lying shirtless next to Spencer in bed. One of Ethan’s hands is blurry as it moves to paw at Spencer’s face.]

(Tues 5:00 AM)
Colour me intrigued!
Phone me later to give me all the details ;)

(Tues 5:01 AM)
Message;Forwarded:: Elle:

“You have an unhealthy work life balance
Bedrooms are for sleeping. Save the gory details for the precinct.”

(Tues 5:02 AM)
Lol!

Chapter Text

(Thurs 10:18 PM)

I need help

(Thurs 10:18 PM)

What’s wrong what can I do where are you

(Thurs 10:18 PM) 

One of my coworkers is having a birthday party

I got pressured into coming

It’s at a bar

I thought I could do it for at least a couple of hours

I’m currently hiding out in the bathroom

Can you please help

I need an out

Please

God, I feel so stupid

(Thurs 10:19 PM)

Go back to your friends and give me two minutes 

Just stepping out of this meeting and then I’m phoning with an excuse to get you out of there

Do you already have a ride?

(Thurs 10:19 PM)

Okay

No, I don’t she drove me

(Thurs 10:19 PM)

Two minutes I promise

You can do this

I promise

(Thurs 10:21 PM)

Incoming;Call::Spencer

Call;Answered

Call;duration::4min25sec

(Thurs 10:26 PM)

Keep talking to me, please?

I have an old friend from school who is around where you are right now visiting his family. Is it okay if I call him to pick you up?

(Thurs 10:28 PM)

Message me back, please

(Thurs 10:30 PM)

I was throwing up outside

(Thurs 10:31 PM)

Oh

?

(Thurs 10:31 PM)

I didn’t drink anything. It was all nerves

Are you sure? I can wait here and call a cab

(Thurs 10:31 PM)

Okay, just making sure.

It would be no trouble at all. Besides, I’ve mentioned you to Ethan before and he’d love to meet you!

(Thurs 10:31 PM)

This Ethan guy is all over the place isn’t he

(Thurs 10:31 PM)

He currently lives in New Orleans, but he’s making the rounds visiting people now that he has the availability to do so.

Can I phone him?

(Thurs 10:34 PM)

Okay.

(Thurs 10:39 PM)

Lucky you, he’s just down the street.

Can you text me till he gets there?

(Thurs 10:39 PM)

I feel a little bad for pulling him out of his visit with his family

(Thurs 10:40 PM)

Trust me, it’s not a problem at all. He loves his family, but he’s said before he can usually only handle forty five minutes of familial exposure before he feels like he’s going to claw out his eyes.

(Thurs 10:40 PM)

I can understand that feeling

(Thurs 10:43 PM)

Wait you said you were in a meeting when I texted earlier?

What meeting were you having at this hour of the night?

(Thurs 10:44 PM)

…

Let’s just say I have gotten quite a few looks for texting in the middle of this case round table

Hotch is unimpressed

(Thurs 10:45 PM)

You’re in the middle of a roundtable!?

I could’ve handled myself

(Thurs 10:45 PM)

Nah, it’s fine. That was more important.

If I missed anything, I’m sure I can get someone to fill me in on the jet.

(Thurs 10:45 PM)

Christ, I’m a bad influence

(Thurs 10:46 PM)

:P

Ethan said he’s there.

Here’s what he looks like, again, so that I know you aren’t accidentally getting into a stranger’s car.

(Thurs 10:46 PM)

Attachment;Image:: 

[Image is a photo of Ethan taken at Spencer’s house. He is a thin white man with long black hair that hangs loosely around his face. He has a trimmed beard and warm brown eyes.]

(Thurs 10:50 PM)

I’m with Ethan

Hypothetically

If I took your Ethan friend back to mine for a spin

Would you be upset

(Thurs 10:51 PM)

Are you asking me if you can sleep with my best friend :P?

I’d think you’d ask him that not me

(Thurs 10:52 PM)

I mean, if you two are together I don’t want to be a dick

(Thurs 10:52 PM)

Oh, it isn’t like that. 

Ethan is one of my oldest friends, and sometimes we let off some steam, but nothing more. I don’t get… those feelings very often so it helps to have people that I am close to and trust for and in those situations.

It’s all platonic :)

If that makes sense

(Thurs 10:55 PM)

“Those feelings”?

Yeah, I can get that. I’ve had a few fuckbuddies in my time.

(Thurs 10:56 PM) 

I am killing you right now. I just spat my coffee all over the table.

Rossi is staring directly into my soul

Hotch is threatening to take away my cell phone like I am in grade school and I was just caught passing notes

(Thurs 10:57 PM)

Lol

(Thurs 10:58 PM) 

By “Those feelings” I mean that I don’t necessarily experience sexual or romantic attraction in the socially acceptable alloromantic/sexual way. It’s only in situations where I trust and know an individual for a time that those feelings can blossom for me.

(Thurs 10:59 PM)

Oh!

Yeah

(Thurs 10:59 PM)

?

(Thurs 10:59 PM)

Oh my god, sorry I’m going to need to write you back in a bit

You were really holding out on how good a kisser Ethan is

(Thurs 11:00 PM)

:P!

Have fun. 

We can compare notes now

(Thurs 11:00 PM)

Ethan says “Tell him to fuck off”

(Thurs 11:00 PM)

Ha ha!

(Fri 12:11 AM)

Marry this man

(Fri 12:12 AM)

Just woke up Morgan by wolf whistling at my phone

(Fri 12:12 AM) 

I’m a changed woman

(Fri 12:13 AM)

It’s the piano fingers

(Fri 12:13 AM)

It’s the piano fingers!

This man and I just had sex within an inch of my life and then he followed up by asking if I needed to go to a meeting

I repeat: marry this man

(Fri 12:13 AM)

He’s good at that

The… first one as well as reading what people need.

We’ve been friends since college!

I do love him very much, but I could never marry him

See previous message about personal romantic alignment and sexual/romantic attraction

(Fri 12:15 AM)

Oh, yeah. I was going to say same earlier before I got distracted

(Fri 12:15 AM)

?

(Fri 12:15 AM)

Or similar I guess

Sexual attraction is fine by me, but the romance thing I get. Not the ‘needing to trust someone or know someone before you feel attraction’, but just the regular old no feeling of attraction at all.

I go on dates sometimes, but the appeal just isn’t there

Brain’s wired differently I guess

(Fri 12:17 AM)

Hear hear

I am toasting my phone with this water bottle JJ gave me

I think my eyebags are permanent at this point

JJ keeps trying to mother hen me into sleeping more

(Fri 12:17 AM)

Ah, insomnia.

You’re on the jet then?

(Fri 12:17 AM)

Insomnia, indeed

Yes

(Friday 12:18 AM)

Attachment;Image::

[Image shows the dimly lit interior of the jet. The photo is taken from the centre of the aisle and shows the team, minus Spencer, sleeping on various chairs. Hotch sits at the back table doing paperwork by the light of the tiny bulb above his seat.]

(Wed 12:18 AM)

Where to now?

(Wed 12:18 AM)

Ohio

(Wed 12:55 AM)

I’ve never read any works by Timothy Findley before, so I did a little bit of reading into his life while I read that book you recommended.

I appreciate the exploration of masculinity and queer identities through the lens of the war

The framing of the story was interesting! It was intriguing that Findley seemed to be writing a story within a story within a series of letters within an interview.

Short, but good

I approve

(Wed 1:10 AM)

Wow, THE Doctor Reid approves my taste in literature

I’m blushing

I agree though the book was good.

It’s hard for me to keep track in books without chapter counts like this one, but I could barely put it down anyway so it didn’t matter

(Wed 1:11 AM)

The use of time as chapter markers was an interesting idea that I haven’t seen many times before

Thank you for the recommendation

(Wed 1:11 AM)

Did you end up borrowing it from your library?

I feel like our long distance book club has to happen through libraries

Because I said so

(Wed 1:11 AM)

I did

(Wed 1:12 AM)

Good

(Wed 1:15 AM)

Can I ask you a personal question?

(Wed 1:21 AM)

I might not answer, but feel free to ask

(Wed 1:21 AM)

Do you talk to anyone else on the team besides me?

And if not, why just me?

(Wed 1:30 AM)

Loaded question

No, I don’t talk to anyone else on the team. I still have Morgan, Jennifer, and Garcia’s phone numbers, but I haven’t spoken to them since my last case with the BAU

(Wed 1:37 AM)

I guess I talk to you for two reasons

(Wed 1:37 AM) 

Oh?

(Wed 1:40 AM) 

For one, I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for you. You were the only one who ever reached out to me after the Garner case, which meant a lot to me even if I didn’t realize it did until months later.

I didn’t really have anyone else besides the team, and it was sort of like they never understood how much I was struggling

Besides you

Even something as simple as that time you kept me company in the parking garage. It’s the little things

(Wed 1:45 AM)

But secondly, you were the one to reach out to me first. Not much has changed on the social sphere front since moving out of state, and yet again it was like you knew I was in need of some company.

I’m not ready to get into it, but things have been a lot recently and I haven’t been given the clearance to talk about what’s happening yet.

Which can be a bit isolating

It’s nice to have some sense of normalcy in life. 

You’ve been unintentionally helping me a lot more than you realize

(Wed 1:55 AM)

Reid?

(Wed 2:00 AM)

Spencer?

(Wed 3:11 AM)

Either I’ve just scared you off by dumping my feelings on you, or the jet landed and you’ve become very busy with work. Either way, Good luck, Stay safe, and Good night.

(Wed 5:20 AM)

Weird case

Didn’t mean to disappear on you

I will read and respond when I have space in my brain free to do so

Good night

(Thurs 2:51 AM)

I’ve gotta admit the radio silence is weird after all these weeks of texting

(Sun 11:24 PM)

It certainly was strange. I kept finding my fingers twitching toward my phone more than usual. Morgan thinks I’m seeing someone

Wow, I just read through the messages you sent. In hindsight, my disappearing was even more poorly timed than I initially thought.

Sorry about that

(Sun 11:27 PM) 

I get it

How did the case go?

(Sun 11:27 PM)

You didn’t tune into the news this time?

(Sun 11:27 PM)

Let’s say I didn’t

Humour me.

(Sun 11:28 PM) 

I can read your evasive tactics from a mile away Ms. Greenaway. I’ll be responding to your “emotion dumping”, as you called it, before telling you about my gory details

(Sun 11:28 PM)

Damn

I can’t get anything past you can I

(Sun 11:29 PM)

Maybe occasionally, but not in this particular case, no.

(Sun 11:30 PM)

To start off, I wanted to apologize for that night in your hotel room

I won’t lean into the apology so heavily, I suppose, since you said it helped in the end, but I’ve been ruminating on what I said to you that night for quite some time now in light of recent events and experiences

What I said to you that night was dismissive. I was aiming for comfort, but I didn’t have the experiential knowledge enough to help as I could, and perhaps should, have

(Sun 11:33 PM)

Spencer, it’s fine.

Like I said, the thought of checking up on me in the middle of that case was help enough whether you knew it or not.

Besides, you were and are my friend, not a therapist. I knew what I was getting into when I unloaded the nitty gritties on you

(Sun 11:35 PM)

I know, I just wanted to apologize for any undue stress I caused unintentionally that night

Especially given the following events…  

(Sun 11:35 PM)

We will not be discussing “the following events”

Boundary call.

(Sun 11:35 PM) 

Understood

(Sun 11:37 PM)

I won’t lie, I was pretty pissed after that conversation, but I was mad about a lot of things at that time. You were just filtered in along with everything else that was happening.

The perpetual need to punch my fist through a wall, essentially.

I do mean what I said, though. It took a while, but I now can recognize that conversation for what it was, and I’m thankful that you took the time to reach out

(Sun 11:38 PM)

You know you can talk to me right?

About anything that’s bothering you

It’s a two way street. These interactions don’t have to be nonreciprocal in that particular respect

(Sun 11:40 PM)

Screw you, I don’t have the excuse of a case to hide the fact that I’m getting emotional

(Sun 11:45 PM)

Thank you for everything

(Sun 11:45 PM)

Anytime.

And I mean that

I’m going to call it an early night tonight, but my phone volume is on in case you need me

(Sun 11:46 PM)

Thank you, Spencer, really

Good night

(Mon 12:11 AM)

You never told me about your case

(Mon 12:15 AM)

And here I thought I had someone looking out for me on the news when I went away

My heart is broken

And good night :) Try to get some sleep tonight

If you’ve been getting as little sleep as our text conversation times would imply, your eyebags must be about as bad as mine recently

(Mon 12:16 AM)

Go to sleep and I will too

The trick is to put cooled black tea bags under your eyes

(Mon 12:17 AM)

I’ll keep that in mind, I guess

Though I do feel like you’re tricking me

(Mon 12:18 AM)

Not a trick

Sleep tight, Spencer

(Mon 12:18 AM)

Sweet dreams, Ms. Greenaway :P

Chapter Text

(Sun 9:27 PM)

Do you have any triggers I should know about before recommending you books for our long distance book club?

I have another book recommendation, but it comes with content warnings

Similar stuff to what we do in our daily lives

I mean you* do in your daily life

(Sun 9:27 PM)

Uh

Hm.

I haven’t really thought about it. I suppose most of my triggers are more physical. Burning fish for sure, but I’m not sure that effect would translate in the same way through paper

Plus the sensory ones, but again, bright lights and loud sounds aren’t going to affect me in the way they do in real life.

(Sun 9:28 PM)

Hit me

(Sun 9:28 PM)

Less Than Zero by Bret Easton Ellis

(Sun 9:29 PM)

Is that the guy who wrote American Psycho?

(Sun 9:30 PM)

It is!

Content warnings throughout the book for heavy drug use (cocaine more than anything else) and also sexual assault

I mean, it’s about rich white teens during the 80s in Beverly Hills, so maybe these warnings are par for the course

(Sun 9:31 PM)

I’ll check it out!

Thank you for the warnings

(Sun 9:56 PM)

Burning fish?

(Sun 10:00 PM)

I don’t think I’m ready to talk about it right now

Boundary call.

(Sun 10:01 PM)

Noted.

(Sun 10:12 PM)

Hey what’s that thing you used to do with your hands

(Sun 10:13 PM)

I’m laughing alone in my apartment

You have to be more specific

(Sun 10:13 PM)

Oh my god shut up

I don’t know how to explain it

I remember that you used to fidget a lot specifically with your hands when you were trying to focus on something

(Sun 10:14 PM)

Oh!

Stimming or self-stimulatory behaviour is a repetitive action that engages a person’s senses in a pleasant way. Stimming is one of the defining characteristics of autism :)

(Sun 10:16 PM)

STIMMING

That’s the one

I have spent all day trying to search up things like “what is it called when you crack your knuckles a lot” and “what does it mean when it feels good to play with your hands”

Google is not helpful

(Sun 10:16 PM)

Technically speaking, cracking one’s knuckles repeatedly is less so considered a stim and more likely to be classified as a BFRB or a body-focused repetitive behaviour. It is common in sensory disorders such as autism, anxiety, and ADHD where people tend to lack the same ability to self-discipline with regard to their physical self. Where a neurotypical person may be able to register a hangnail, for example, and leave it alone until they have the proper means to deal with it, someone with a sensory issue may immediately become hyperfocused on it and deal with the issue promptly without the same tools in place. These behaviours may also present as disorders like dermatillomania or trichotillomania where a person may pick at their skin or pull out their hair.

(Sun 10:19 PM)

Ah, sorry for the brick of text.

(Sun 10:20 PM)

Huh, interesting

Why the apology? I did ask originally, didn't I?

(Sun 10:21 PM)

Everyone always gets a bit more than they bargained for when they ask me questions, I’ve been told :P

(Sun 10:21 PM)

Who said that?

(Sun 10:21 PM)

A lot of people.

Contrary to common belief, people don’t usually appreciate being rambled at after asking a simple question 

:P

(Sun 10:30 PM)

I hope I haven’t scared you off now...

(Sun 10:31 PM)

You didn’t scare me off, I’m cooling myself down

(Sun 10:31 PM)

I didn’t realize it was so hot in New York right now. It’s actually kind of chilly here in DC.

(Sun 10:31 PM)

I don’t mean I’m cooling off physically

I’m mad that people have said that to you so I’m reigning in my emotions

(Sun 10:35 PM)

Oh

(Sun 10:36 PM)

You don’t have to apologize for being yourself around me, Spencer

(Sun 10:45 PM)

I have to go to sleep

I’ll talk to you later

Good night

(Sun 10:45 PM)

...Good night

(Mon 12:34 PM)

Incoming;Call::Spencer

Call;Answered

Call;Duration::1hr,23min

(Mon 1:57 AM)

Sorry

(Mon 1:57 AM)

Don’t apologize

Setbacks happen

How are you feeling?

(Mon 1:59 AM)

I was so close to a month

(Mon 1:59 AM)

And you’ll get there again eventually

This is normal

You aren’t alone

(Mon 2:01 AM)

I am alone

(Mon 2:02 AM)

No, you aren’t

Do you want someone there physically

(Mon 2:02 AM)

No

Yes

No.

No, no one knows

(Mon 2:03 AM)

Are you sure?

(Mon 2:03 AM)

I want to go to sleep

(Mon 2:04 AM)

Okay

You know the routine

Send me the proof and then you can head to bed

(Mon 2:12 AM)

Attachment;Image::

[Image shows Spencer’s hand holding a glass of water, a couple of pain meds for the morning, and his noise cancelling headphones. The photo is blurry as though it was taken while he was walking.]

(Mon 2:12 AM)

Are you wearing the weighted blanket?

(Mon 2:13 AM)

Yes

(Mon 2:13 AM)

Good job.

Thank you for calling me to tell me

It means a lot that you trust me

(Mon 2:25 AM)

Good night, Spencer

(Mon 2:36 AM)

Sorry

Good night

(Thurs 12:44 AM)

Talk to me

(Thurs 1:15 AM)

About?

(Thurs 1:16 AM)

You.

How are you?

What have you been up to since we last talked?

I haven’t heard from you since the other night.

(Thurs 1:17 AM)

I’m fine.

(Thurs 1:20 AM)

… 

Alright

Should I phone Ethan

(Thurs 1:25 AM)

Do what you want

(Thurs 1:26 AM)

Whoa

Okay

What’s your deal

(Thurs 1:30 AM)

Take a wild guess

(Thurs 1:31 AM)

Incoming;Call::Elle

Call;Declined

Incoming;Call::Elle

Call;Declined

(Thurs 1:47 AM)

Garcia will be at your front door in 12 minutes.

(Thurs 1:48 AM)

Oh, fuck off, Elle.

Who do you think you are getting into my personal business like this?

I don’t need help and I especially do NOT need you to be contacting my coworkers to check on me like I can’t even take care of myself.

I haven’t seen you in a year

Things have changed

You don’t just get to walk into my life and then treat me like some kind of child.

I’m not a child and I can take care of myself.

Back off.

(Thurs 1:52 AM)

Call me when you’re not off your ass and we can talk like adults.

(Thurs 2:12 PM)

Hi!

This is Penelope

It was good to hear from you!

It’s been a long time !

I wish it was under different circumstances but either way I just wanted to say thank you for taking care of my baby genius when I wasn’t able to

I wish he’d told me

I’m glad he had someone though

I understand what you meant over the phone though and I’ll keep this between us for now

Unless things get worse or something bad happens

But he’s got me watching over him now too so there’s less to worry about from the other end of the phone :-)!!! <3

He’s asleep, by the way. I called us both in for work for the next two days! Said we got food poisoning at a con! Feeling sneaky

I’ll keep you updated. Or he will when he wakes up! Either way, all is well! 

(Thurs 8:59 PM)

Thanks for watching over him for me, Garcia

You can text me from your phone too if you want

(Thurs 9:01 PM)

:)! <3!

Anything for the baby

(Wed 1:01 AM)

Can I call you?

(Wed 1:20 AM)

If you want

(Wed 1:20 AM)

Incoming;Call::Spencer

Call;Answered

Call;duration::1hr,02min

(Wed 2:23 AM)

Okay, now go to sleep

(Wed 2:24 AM)

Okay

Good night.

(Wed 2:31 AM)

Good night.

(Thurs 8:01 PM)

Did you send me flowers????

(Thurs 8:09 PM)

Yes

(Thurs 8:10 PM)

Spencer, picture me gripping u by the shoulders right now like one of those intensely emotional scenes in a movie

In case I wasn’t clear over the phone, I accept your apology. You have no need to apologize to me for relapsing, that’s just part of the journey and that’s an apology you should be making to yourself, not to others. I have been where you are and I understand how substances can affect your mood. Thank you for apologizing for what you said the other night, but I know it was just you trying to distance yourself from the problem, not an actual attempt to hurt me.

I understand what you’re going through. I’m sorry it got to the point that I had to contact someone else to bring them in, but I was worried about your mental and physical health and sending in someone to help physically was the only thing I could have done in that scenario.

Thank you for letting me help you

And thank you for the flowers

(Thurs 8:16 PM)

Attachment;Image::

[Image shows a bouquet of white daisies and blue hydrangeas displayed on Elle’s kitchen table. They are sitting in a clear glass vase of water.]

(Thurs 8:24 PM)

Thank you for everything, Elle

(Thurs 8:30 PM)

Message;Forwarded::Spencer

“ You know you can talk to me right?

About anything that’s bothering you

It’s a two way street. These interactions don’t have to be nonreciprocal in that particular respect”

(Thurs 8:30 PM)

This goes for you too

(Thurs 8:31 PM)

I’m starting to understand that

Thank you 

(Thurs 10:17 PM)

Attachment;Image::

[Image is a selfie of Spencer smiling with wet eyes and tear tracks on his cheeks. He’s holding up a purple coin collector’s book with two coins in it, both of them are white NA tokens that celebrate 24 hours sober.]

(Thurs 10:20 PM)

I’m proud of you

(Thurs 10:21 PM)

Lmao! 187 just shoved his phone at me when you sent that because he started crying again :P

I’m giving him tons of hugs not to worry!! I’ll get our doctor to his home safe and sound

Safe and sound to MY house actually as per Spencer’s request just now. I miss having you over for girl’s night :) Consider this an open invitation for a slumber party at casa de Garcia if you ever want to join us!!

(Thurs 10:23 PM)

Haha 

Take care of him, Penelope.

Who knows, maybe one day I’ll take you up on that offer

Xx

(Thurs 10:24 PM)

Xx!! (From both of us!)

(Sun 12:00 AM)

Relapses are caused by the strangest things, aren’t they?

(Sun 12:00 AM)

Do you need to call me?

Or Garcia

(Sun 12:01 AM)

No, I’m just thinking

Safe and sound at the moment, I promise

(Sun 12:02 AM)

Attachment; Image::

[Image shows Spencer sitting on his couch looking neutrally at the camera. He has his hair pulled half up in a bun and is wearing his glasses and a blue gingham short-sleeved button-up. The image is dimly lit. He has a book open in his lap.]

(Sun 12:02 AM) 

Looking good, Doc

Is that the book I recommended?

(Sun 12:03 AM)

‘Tis

You don’t get my review until I’ve finished it, though.

I’m taking breaks with this one

Recent events and all that

(Sun 12:03 AM)

Of course

Even with reading breaks, you’ll likely take way less time to read than I regularly do. Not everyone can read 20,000 words per minute

(Sun 12:04 AM)

How are you?

(Sun 12:05 AM)

Good

I’m making dinner

(Sun 12:05 AM)

Cheese sandwich?

(Sun 12:05 AM)

I just have to stop telling you when I’m making myself a late dinner to avoid all this judgement

Yes, it’s a cheese sandwich. I’m only human

(Sun 12:06 AM)

It’s cheese and bread, Elle, I would hardly call that human

(Sun 12:06 AM) 

Leave me and my monstrous midnight meal be we’re not hurting anyone

(Sun 12:07 AM)

:P

(Sun 12:08 AM)

Attachment;Image

[Image shows Elle leaning down to her counter so that her plate and plain cheese sandwich are in the forefront. She is glaring at the camera with her middle finger raised.]

(Sun 12:08 AM)

I’m calling the police on you for that meal

(Sun 12:09 AM)

I am the police, so I’m hanging up the 911 call on you

(Sun 12:11 AM)

You’re working for the police out there?

(Sun 12:12 AM)

What you didn’t get Garcia to run my background check yet?

(Sun 12:12 AM)

I wouldn’t do that

(Sun 12:12 AM)

I know, sorry

Yeah, I work for the police. Technically I just got promoted to detective a while ago

(Sun 12:13 AM)

Did you!

That’s good news, when did that happen?

I’m sorry I never asked. I figured you still liked your privacy

(Sun 12:14 AM)

I did

And I do you’re right

I got the promotion just a bit before you first reached out.

I’ve only done… a few assignments since the promotion.

They’ve really been taking advantage of having an ex-Fed out here

(Sun 12:15 AM)

Only a few cases? 

It doesn’t track to have only worked a few cases since the promotion given the crime rates of New York.

(Sun 12:18 AM)

Message;Forwarded::Elle

“I’m not ready to get into it, but things have been a lot recently and I haven’t been given the clearance to talk about what’s happening yet.”

(Sun 12:20 AM)

Ah, I see

Well whenever you have clearance or are ready to talk about it, you know I’m here to listen to whatever is bothering you

(Sun 12:21 AM)

I do

(Sun 12:22 AM)

Would you ever want to meet up in person?

It’s been a while since we saw each other in person it could be nice

(Sun 12:25 AM)

I have thought about it

(Sun 12:26 AM)

And?

(Sun 12:26 AM)

It would be nice to get coffee in person instead of sending it to each other as we have been

Maybe you’ll get a case here?

I think I’d need to check with my superior if I’m able to fly out anywhere right now

(Sun 12:27 AM)

That would be great!

Wow, I’m now realizing how long it’s been since I went out with anyone anywhere

(Sun 12:28 AM)

You don’t go out with the team?

(Sun 12:30 AM)

I do! Just not a lot

The girls like to go out drinking, but I don’t drink anymore

Sometimes we have dinner at Rossi’s house or I’ll spend time at Hotch’s with Jack

Morgan recruits help to fix up houses occasionally

But nothing recently

(Sun 12:31 AM)

Well, we can’t be having that

You know what, I’ll check with my superiors to see about clearance

Maybe we can figure something else

(Sun 12:31 AM)

I’d do something on my end, but I think it would be frowned upon for me to commit to serial killing in your area just so me and the team could fly over there

(Sun 12:33 AM)

Let’s leave that for plan B

(Sun 12:35 AM)

What about you?

(Sun 12:36 AM)

What about me?

(Sun 12:36 AM)

Do you have anyone out there that you spend time with?

(Sun 12:41 AM)

I spend some of my time with people

(Sun 12:42 AM)

Weird way to say that

Outside of work?

(Sun 12:43 AM)

I work long hours. It’s hard to work my schedule around the job.

(Sun 12:44 AM)

It’s just occurred to me that I never asked what work is like for you

(Sun 12:45 AM)

That’s true.

(Sun 12:45 AM)

?

So, how is it?

Things must be different since you've made detective

You really got that promotion fast, didn't you? That's impressive! If I'm doing the math correctly, you had to have gotten that promotion something like 2 months after starting there.

It's not often we see upward movement that quick in our line of work

How'd you do it?

(Sun 12:56 AM)

I have to go to sleep now

Good night, Spencer.

(Sun 12:57 AM)

Oh

Good night

Chapter Text

(Tues 2:56 AM)

Hey

(Tues 2:58 AM)

Hey.

(Tues 2:58 AM)

I spoke to my supervisors about flying, and I don’t have clearance

(Tues 2:59 AM)

The more you talk about your job as a detective the more suspicious of you I become.

(Tues 2:59 AM)

That’s understandable, but I can’t really defend myself either

(Tues 3:00 AM)

You don’t have the clearance. I get it.

(Tues 3:01 AM)

Hang on, are you mad at me right now?

(Tues 3:02 AM)

I’m texting under the table.

(Tues 3:02 AM) 

Case?

(Tues 3:04 AM)

Technically

Derek and I are good-cop-bad-cop-ing right now

(Tues 3:04 AM)

Get off of your phone when you’re interrogating suspects!!!!!!!!

(Tues 4:00 AM)

So, were you the good cop or the bad cop?

(Tues 4:00 AM)

I don’t think anyone would believe me if I tried to play bad cop while interrogating someone with Derek Morgan in the room. His muscles are too big.

(Tues 4:00 AM)

It’s the baby face

(Tues 4:01 AM)

I’m literally 24

(Tues 4:02 AM)

Lol!

Measly defense

What are you doing now?

(Tues 4:03 AM)

Attachment;Image::

[Image shows Spencer lit by police lights smiling at the camera and looking extremely exhausted. He is wearing a white short sleeved shirt underneath an FBI vest.]

(Tues 4:04 AM)

Stop responding to my texts in high stakes situations!!!!!!!

(Tues 4:04 AM)

Calm down, we arrested the guy already. I’m just processing the scene with Hotch right now.

The kidnapper is safely being carted away by JJ and Rossi.

(Tues 4:04 AM)

Ooh, so you’ve been given the fun job

Who got the guy in the end?

(Tues 4:05 AM)

Attachment;Image::

[Image is grainy and zoomed in. It shows Rossi lit by police lights and yellow lights from the neighbour’s porch. His face is noticeably bloody. He appears to be speaking to someone.]

(Tues 4:05 AM)

Rossi, but he did take a cat to the face when the unsub tried to run

(Tues 4:05 AM)

Excuse me?

A cat?

(Tues 4:05 AM)

I know right?

The unsub didn’t have anything on him when Rossi went bursting in, so he launched his cat (claws out) at Rossi’s head.

If I weren’t so fraught with nerves at the time I definitely would’ve been on the floor laughing.

(Tues 4:06 AM)

That’s got to be one of the more creative ones

(Tues 4:06 AM)

Oh, for sure.

I have to put on gloves now to go through this man’s household possessions, so I have to stop texting.

(Tues 4:07 AM)

Good luck.

And watch out for airborne felines! :P

(Tues 4:14 AM)

:P

(Tues 5:03 AM)

Why do we only ever speak when normal people would be sleeping?

(Wed 12:15 AM)

I feel like I prove your point if I respond to that message

(Wed 12:16 AM)

:P!

(Wed 12:16 AM)

Do you sleep at all?

(Wed 12:16 AM)

I mean, yes.

In practice, I average four or five hours a night if I’m not working on a case, but I usually make up those hours when I can on the nights we noticeably don’t talk. 

All the nights of no sleep even out to normal hours if I oversleep on the days I can. 

(Wed 12:16 AM)

Attachment;Image::

[Image shows Spencer with his eyebrows raised and a teasing grin on his face as he points a finger at his forehead.]

(Wed 12:16 AM)

Well, you’re a doctor so what you say must be true

;P

(Wed 12:20 AM)

Precisely!

(Sat 11:21 PM)

Attachment;Image::

[Image shows Elle’s green, leather bound coin collector’s book with three coins in it. There is a white token to celebrate 24 hours sober, a red one to celebrate one month sober, and a new golden one to celebrate two months sober.]

(Sat 11:21 PM)

I am dancing around my living room

(Sat 11:23 PM)

Woohoo!

Throw on some Blondie and I’ll dance with you in spirit

(Sat 11:23 PM)

Deal! :P

(Sat 11:25 PM)

Expect a knock on your door in T-32 minutes.

(Sat 11:26 PM)

Oh?

(Sat 11:27 PM)

;)

(Sat 11:58 PM)

Spencer Reid!

(Sat 11:58 PM)

Yes? 

(Sat 11:59 PM)

Incoming;Call::Elle

Call;Answered

Call;Duration::3min,28sec

(Sun 12:03 AM)

Ha ha! I’m assuming your phone just died because otherwise, that was the most cryptic telephone call I have ever had the pleasure of receiving.

Glad to see you enjoyed my gift! I know it’s cheesy, but I thought it was cute :)

(Sun 12:38 AM)

Thank you!

And yes, my phone did die

(Sun 12:38 AM)

Attachment;Image::

[Image shows Elle hugging a gift shop teddy bear that has ‘congratulations!!’ embroidered on the paw in glittery thread. In the background of the image is a bouquet of pink flowers and a to go container of food sitting on the counter.]

(Sun 12:45 AM)

You should give yourself a congratulatory full night of sleep ;)

(Sun 12:45 AM)

Very funny

I’m riding this high till a crash from it!

Tonight’s meeting was very good and now I get gifts and dinner delivered to my front door?

I feel famous

B)

(Sun 12:46 AM)

:P

You deserve it! I’m proud of you and I’m glad you’re having a good day

Eat your dinner

(Sun 12:47 AM)

You’re the best!

(Sat 3:07 AM)

I feel like I should refute my claim that you have good taste in literature

(Sat 3:07 AM)

I see you have finished Less Than Zero

I never said I was sending you recommendations for the books I liked, simply that I would send you recommendations 

(Sat 3:07 AM)

You make a fair point.

Reading this book felt like the literary version of watching a car crash. Unable to look away, but not enjoying a second of it.

Very realistic, however, for the characters to just get away with things and prove that no matter how much we help, there will always be bad people in the world who go under the radar because of who they are/how they were raised/how much money they were born into

(Sat 3:09 AM)

You sum up my feelings on the novel pretty accurately, yeah

Not the worst thing I ever read! But definitely interesting, for me, to get placed back in the headspace of someone like this.

(Sat 3:11 AM)

You don’t get to peek into the minds of criminals much in your detective work?

(Sat 3:12 AM)

>:/

You know I’m not going to answer that

(Sat 3:12 AM)

Low blow, sorry

I’m not used to people hiding things from me. Usually, I’m the one everyone tells things to.

(Sat 3:13 AM)

I reiterate It’s the baby face

Also, get used to it

You probably know a lot less than you think you do

(Sat 3:13 AM)

Yeah, well, you’re short.

(Sat 3:14 AM)

Hardly

Also, very mature

(Sat 3:15 am)

:)

(Sun 8:52 PM)

Obasan by Joy Kogawa

(Thurs 8:07 PM)

Okay

(Thurs 8:08 PM)

Long time no hear

Did things get busy?

(Thurs 8:10 PM)

Something like that

I just got back from Texas

(Thurs 8:11 PM)

And how was the wild wild west?

(Thurs 8:12 PM)

Gory

(Thurs 8:12 PM)

Oh yeah?

I know you can’t disclose information about cases you work, but was it a hard one

(Thurs 8:12 PM)

:/

Yeah

Unsub was a child who had been bullied severely for many years prior

I don’t know it hit a little close to home

(Thurs 8:12 PM)

Who got the takedown?

(Thurs 8:12 PM)

Technically me?

(Thurs 8:13 PM)

Technically?

(Thurs 8:15 PM)

I don’t know if I should tell you.

Hotch yelled at me about it :/

(Thurs 8:16 PM)

Hotch YELLED at you?

Now you legally need to tell me because I need to know if I also need to yell at you

(Thurs 8:17 PM)

Well if it’s legally binding…

(Thurs 8:17 PM)

Spencer Reid.

(Thurs 8:18 PM)

Oh, yikes. Full name. Now I’m really starting to sweat.

Okay, so let me preface with everything is completely fine. We brought the kid into custody, we saved the potential next victim, and no one was harmed.

(Thurs 8:18 PM)

You aren’t giving me a lot of confidence in your choices when you have to preface them with this

(Thurs 8:19 PM)

So the kid was planning on heading to the police station to get their partner back. They had a gun with which they were planning to use to take out as many people as possible as well as themself once they had arrived. 

I figured this out, but I sent everyone else on a bit of a ‘wild goose chase’, as it were, to keep them safe, and I headed to the station to meet him.

Long story short, I talked him down on the road in front of the precinct, he dropped his weapon, surrendered, and the rest is history.

(Thurs 8:21 PM)

I can tell you’re hiding something because my leaving wasn’t enough for Hotch to yell, and successfully talking down an unsub is a far cry from what happened with me.

(Thurs 8:23 PM)

I was a bit short with the police officers on the case when they tried to defend the kid :/

(Thurs 8:23 PM)

And…?

(Thurs 8:26 PM)

...I went out to talk them down without a weapon or my vest :/

(Thurs 8:26 PM)

Give me Hotchner’s number

(Thurs 8:26 PM)

Excuse me?

(Thurs 8:26 PM)

I need to tell him he’s right and I am, for once, on his side.

What were you thinking?

(Thurs 8:27 PM)

I saw a child who had been dealt a very bad hand in life and I didn’t want him to get shot by the police or do something else drastic.

(Thurs 8:28 PM)

No, you saw a child who went through something, I’m assuming, similar to what you had in life, and you acted before thinking. Where was that big brain of yours? 

You could have lost your job with that level of recklessness.

Or! You could have been shot and killed in Texas while unarmed and unprotected. 

(Thurs 8:31 PM)

I’m asking this because I expect an honest answer, Spencer.

(Thurs 8:32 PM)

Were you hoping something drastic would happen? 

Were you going into that situation looking to get hurt?

(Thurs 8:33 PM)

I knew I shouldn’t have told you

(Thurs 8:34 PM)

Answer my question, or I will send someone over to your house before you can even pick up the phone to tell your team you’re fine.

(Thurs 8:36 PM)

No.

Not really. I wasn’t one hundred percent sure that things would pan out as I was hoping they would in that scenario given the details of the case and the behaviours exhibited, but it was a chance I needed to take unless I wanted to see another child shot and killed in front of me when I could have prevented it.

Now I’m going to go freeze my wallet and keys in a block of ice in the freezer and turn off for the evening.

Good night.

(Thurs 10:17 PM)

I’m sorry for pressing.

Good night.

Chapter Text

(Thurs 10:47 PM)

Hey, I need your help with something

Wait, I just realized how that came across

I’m fine and nothing pressing or emergent is happening I just have a question and you seem like the person to ask

(Thurs 10:48 PM)

I’m here

What’s on your mind?

(Thurs 10:48 PM)

First of all, am I interrupting anything?

(Thurs 10:48 PM)

The only thing you’re interrupting right now is this documentary I’m watching, but it is sufficiently paused and to be returned to once I have answered your not-pressing not-emergent question.

(Thurs 10:51 PM)

How very nerdy of you

(Thurs 10:51 PM)

I’m offended. Maybe I should just go back to my documentary, and leave you and your question in suspense.

(Thurs 10:51 PM)

You wouldn’t. You’re too curious.

(Thurs 10:52 PM)

Sighs

(Thurs 10:52 PM)

Okay, so I can’t give you context for this question. You can ask, but I may not be able to answer some questions depending on what they are.

(Thurs 10:52 PM)

Colour me intrigued

(Thurs 10:53 PM)

In all your time doing behavioural analysis, what have you learned about hoarders? And specifically, what would you say about a scenario in which a long-time hoarder abandons their stash?

(Thurs 10:53 PM)

I have to ask. Are you meaning this question in a ‘do you have any information about hoarders’ way or a ‘please tell me the information about hoarders’ way.

(Thurs 10:55 PM)

The second one.

Actually, can you tell me over the phone? I’d rather not have physical evidence of this conversation.

(Thurs 10:56 PM)

I mean, yes, I’m free to phone you about this, but I have to ask, Elle, are you in danger?

You’ve been extremely guarded and I’m starting to worry.

(Thurs 10:58 PM)

Forwarded;Message::Elle

“Actually, can you tell me over the phone? I’d rather not have physical evidence of this conversation.”

(Thurs 11:00 PM)

Incoming;Call::Spencer

Call;Answered

Call;Duration::59min,10sec

(Thurs 11:59 PM)

Wow, that case sounded so dangerous! I’m glad you’re okay after all of that :)

(Thurs 11:59 PM)

… ?

(Fri 12:00 AM)

You deserve something nice after all of that hard work!

Expect a knock on your door in 11 minutes, I’m sending you something

(Fri 12:00 AM)

Um

Okay

I’ll look forward to… whatever it is your sending me, I’m sure it will be good.

(Fri 12:01 AM)

Let me know when it arrives

(Fri 12:12 AM)

Attachment;Image::

[Image shows a take out container of food in a plastic shopping bag on the side table by Spencer’s front door. Spencer’s hand is in shot doing a thumbs up. Crushed in his palm is a slip of paper like a receipt or perhaps a note.]

(Fri 12:12 AM)

Understood

(Fri 12:14 AM)

I’m going to be busy for a while with my phone off. Please don’t contact me until I contact you first. I should not be gone long. Garcia is right as always.

Nothing on phones is especially private anymore in this digital age.

Anyone can read anything with the right clearance.

Keep to yourself. 

Stay safe.

Talk soon.

Good night.

(Fri 12:16 AM)

Good night

Stay safe, Elle.

Chapter Text

(Thurs 8:37 PM)

Hey, I know you said to only message this burner number if there was an emergency, but we’re in New York having a bit of a situation, and I need to confirm your status before I catastrophize any further.

Also, please refrain from taking public transport for the next little while if possible.

(Thurs 8:38 PM)

I heard they had brought the Feds in for a case

Welcome to my neck of the woods

(Thurs 8:39 PM)

It’s been months. I’m glad to hear from you

Yeah, we’re set up at the precinct, but I haven’t seen you around here.

There’s definitely something going on between Hotch and this Kate Joyner woman. Apparently, they liaised at Scotland Yard together for a time. JJ and Emily keep wiggling their eyebrows at the two of them when their backs are turned.

(Thurs 8:40 PM)

I had to leave early.

Also, you definitely have to fill me in. That’s one thing I miss about that job

(Thurs 8:40 PM)

What?

(Thurs 8:40 PM)

The gossip.

(Thurs 8:41 PM)

Fair

I would ask if I could see you after this case is done, but, as I said, it’s a bit of a situation. I don’t think it would be in my best interest to be making plans right now.

(Thurs 8:41 PM)

You know where I am

Come home safely

(Thurs 8:42 PM)

I’ll do my best.

(Thurs 8:47 PM)

Phone me when you’re done, and I’ll come to you.

(Thurs 8:47 PM)

Deal.

(Sat 11:51 PM)

Incoming;Call::Unsaved Number

Call;Missed

Incoming;Call::Unsaved Number

Call;Missed

Incoming;Call::Unsaved Number

Call;Missed

(Sat 11:55 PM)

Supervisory Special Agent Dr. Spencer Reid, answer your phone right now.

Answer your phone and tell me you weren’t in the SUV that just blew sky high at Federal Plaza

Answer your fucking phone, kid

(Sat 11:58 PM)

Incoming;Call::Unsaved Number

Call;Missed

Incoming;Call::Unsaved Number

Call;Missed

Incoming;Call::Unsaved Number

Call;Missed

Incoming;Call::Unsaved Number

Call;Missed

Incoming;Call::Unsaved Number

Call;Declined

(Sun 12:08 AM)

It was Hotch.

(Sun 12:08 AM)

I thought you were dead

(Sun 12:08 AM)

I’m not, but Hotch very well may be. Please don’t message me until I message you next.

I can’t afford distractions

(Sun 3:16 AM)

That could have been a worse ending than it was

Sorry for how brusque I was in my previous message

I need to go make sure Morgan is still alive, process the scene at this hospital, and then I’m done.

(Sun 4:25 AM)

Finished.

I’m out front of St. Barclay’s with Emily

(Sun 4:41 AM)

I’m outside.

Remember to tell her that you’ll be gone until you need to head for the jet.

I don’t want anyone on your team to think you died after all this. If possible, please don’t tell her my name.

Wow, there you are! 

Weird to see you in person.

Elle pulled to a stop just out of the way of the front steps where Spencer was sitting with another woman. Surrounding the scene were a host of Police cars as well as two Black SUVs parked haphazardly out front. The woman, Emily, had her legs bent in front of her with her arms wrapped around her knees as she spoke to Spencer. At the buzzing of his phone, Elle watched as Spencer pulled his cell phone out of his pocket, scanning the text quickly before looking up with wide eyes. Elle smiled as he whipped his head around scanning for Elle’s car. When he finally locked eyes on her, he grinned and waved. The woman laughed beside him, elbowing him in the arm good naturedly. 

“Hey!” He jumped up from the step making Emily grimace at the way his knees cracked. Spencer raised an eyebrow at Elle in question, gesturing to Emily. Elle shrugged and nodded, so he gripped Emily’s arm and yanked her up for introductions.

“You must be Emily. Nice to meet you.” Elle smiled, leaning over the passenger seat to shake the stranger’s hand through the window. It was too great of a risk to get out of the car to meet this person. There weren’t many policemen around the scene, but there were enough that Elle was glad she’d hidden her face behind a hair scarf.

“Emily Prentiss, yes! Reid’s mentioned me?” Prentiss smiled back, grasping Elle’s hand in a firm handshake. Her eyes were kind, but there was a spark at the back that Elle recognized in herself when she looked in the mirror even after all this time. One too many dead bodies seen combined with an inability to turn off work.

“A few times, yes. Thanks for keeping him safe. He can be a bit reckless and I’m glad there’s someone there still to keep an eye on him.”

“You know I can hear you right? I can take care of myself.” Spencer grumbled, fiddling with his watch. Elle looked him in the eyes and quirked her eyebrows.

“I literally have evidence to suggest otherwise, but keep telling yourself that, kid.”

“Ooh, I like her!” Emily laughed, pointing at Elle with a grin in Spencer’s direction. “You’re at the advantage, though. I never caught your name?”

“Ah, it’s Renee,” Elle smiled, maintaining eye contact with Prentiss partially to ignore the way Spencer’s own gaze was drilling holes through her head. “Renee Alvarez. I live in a town just on the outskirts of the city, which I’m planning to kidnap your coworker too. You don’t mind do you?”

“So long as he’s returned by seven, I’m sure it won’t be a problem.” Emily laughed. 

“Wow, short visit.” Elle grimaced.

“Oh, god no. seven pm, my bad.” Emily said, mirroring Elle’s expression. “There’s not a chance in hell anyone’s even going to see me before at least ten tomorrow. The paperwork can wait.”

“Oh, speaking of--” Reid interrupted, pulling a hotel key card from his pocket. “I should be back to pick up my things tomorrow, but on the off chance I end up being late, would you be able to bring my go bag to the jet with you?”

“Can do,” Emily said. Her face wore a playful expression. “Right, well I should let you two get off-- I mean leave.” She winked unsubtly at Reid with a wiggle of her eyebrows causing a blush to spread over Reid’s face. “Take good care of our genius, won’t you?”

“I wouldn’t do any less.” Elle laughed, joining in on the teasing.

“And, Reid?”

“Mm?”

“Remember, keep your location on.”

“Yeah, yeah.” Given his tone, Elle was almost surprised the man didn’t follow up the response by sticking his tongue out at the other woman. Instead, he ignored Elle’s raised eyebrows and finally, finally, slunk into the passenger’s seat. The pair waved goodbye to Emily before rolling up the windows. For a while, they drove in silence through the dark streets of New York City.

When the silence got too stifling, Elle reached over to flick on the radio, tapping through the stations until she found one that wasn’t in the middle of their commercial break. With the voice of Missy Elliott wavering through the speakers softly, she heard Spencer finally take a breath beside her. Quietly, she took in Spencer’s appearance, cataloguing every piece of him as he sat silently staring through her front windshield. He looked unhurt and unruffled. The only sign of the night he was having came from the light spatter of blood on the whites of his converse. She tapped her fingertips on the steering wheel, trying to match the beat of the song.

“When was the last time you ate?” She finally asked, breaking the silence.

“Uh, breakfast.”

“Yesterday’s breakfast?”

“That would be the one, yes.”

“Okay, snippy. Which is more important to you right now: food or sleep?”

“Oh, but Elle, this is the first time I’ve seen you in so long I don’t want to waste your time like that.”

She waited to respond until they were stopped at a red light. Once the car rolled to a stop, Elle turned to her passenger, taking one hand off the wheel to grip his jaw so that he would make eye contact with her.

“You’re in my city, now. You don’t get to say no to taking care of your basic human needs. Besides, we’ve both had extremely long days. If we spend our visit napping, then that’s how we spend our visit. I’m just glad you’re okay and that I get to finally see you again, do you understand?”

“The light is green,” Spencer responded voice distorted slightly by the way his cheeks were being squished. Elle let go of his face, passing two fingers from her eyes to Spencer’s to signify that she was watching him before stepping back on the gas. “And yes, I understand.”

“So food or sleep?”

“Food would probably be a good idea.”

“Okay, so I realize that it’s five in the morning, but how does shawarma sound?”

“Shawarma sounds perfect,” Spencer said just as his stomach growled in agreeance. The tired-sounding radio show host announced a Velvet Underground song to be played next. Instead of the slightly terse silence from before, conversation flowed easier between the two of them. It was nice. If she ignored the bags under his eyes and the way they’d both changed physically, she could almost pretend no time had passed at all since she’d seen him last. 

Spencer treated for dinner, and they brought the takeout containers up to her apartment. They were both ravenous by the time Elle was tossing him a fork to dig into his food with and snatching one for herself as well. They bypassed the kitchen table entirely to sit down on Elle’s couch, shoving books and papers off the cushions to make room for them to both sit. Barely any words were exchanged as they polished off their food. In record time, both of their containers were empty and sitting on her cluttered coffee table. 

The pair leaned back against the arms of the couch opposite each other chatting and sipping from the water bottles they’d gotten from the place. There was a slightly stale taste to the water, but the conversation distracted her enough that she could ignore it. Eventually, the topic she’d been dreading did come up, however, and at that point, Elle was glad the water bottle was there for her to fiddle with, stale water or no.

“Can I ask something, Elle?” Spencer asked.

“You can ask, but I--”

“May not be able to answer, I know.” Spencer finished for her, waving a hand dismissively. “I just want to know why you introduced yourself to Prentiss as Renee.”

In lieu of answering right away, Elle took a long drink of her water, cursing herself for almost being finished it. She quietly deliberated over her answer, creating a script in her head. Spencer took her silence in stride, pulling a pink and black tangled loop of plastic out of his pockets to fidget with. She watched his hands wring around the plastic for a moment, getting lost in the movements, before remembering what he had asked.

“I… Hm.” Elle started. “I don’t know what exactly I can say. I trust you, but technically, you’re not even supposed to know I’m here either. This could get me in a lot of shit that I haven’t bargained for.”

“Are you in danger?”

“Yes and no. The danger I’m in isn’t immediate, but long term. I did mean it sarcastically all those months ago when I said that they were definitely making use of their ex-fed at my precinct, but I was also being literal. You cannot breathe a word of this conversation to anyone else, and I mean that. No letters to your mom, no gossiping with the team, nothing.”

“Understood.” Spencer’s hands had stilled on the tangle toy as he looked at her with wide eyes.

“Shake on it? Oh, no, wait your germ thing--” She was cut off when Spencer hastily shoved his hand out toward her. Tentatively, she took his hand and shook firmly. She let out a long stream of breath. “Okay. I’m currently working undercover operations. The director had suspicions that there was a rotten precinct out here and after I left the BAU, I was assigned here. Relocated here, I mean. To keep an eye out.”

“...Oh?”

“Yeah. Out here I’m Renee Alvarez, and I was just promoted to detective about a year ago. That’s when the other cops started to catch on to me, though. There have been a lot of recent long days and nights at work pretending I’m some bimbo detective in an attempt to catch them with anything , but still nada.”

“Wow, this I did not expect. If I’m being honest, your shifty behaviour was leading me to believe that you were actually on the run from the cops, not working with them like you originally said.”

“What can I say, I aim to confuse.”

“And in this, you’ve succeeded.”

“Do we still have to use the burner phone?”

“I think I will, but you can save me in your contacts with that number if you’d like. I think I had finally managed to shake their digital tail with some hacks from one lovely FBI technical analyst, so we’re good to message again. They got my last phone, so I can’t use it anymore.”

“Your old phone with the baby photos of your new niece?” Spencer asked, aghast. Elle flung her arm over her eyes with a long groan.

“The very same.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Elle,”

“Ugh, it’s fine. I’ll have someone message me some of the ones I’ve lost. Maybe I’ll take up scrapbooking. Could you picture me scrapbooking?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Wow, yeesh, fair enough, I guess.”

Eventually, they had both finished off their water bottles. Spencer helped carry the garbage in from the living room. Tow things very quickly came to both of their attention. For one, Spencer had come to her house with nothing but his gun, badge, and the clothes on his back. He had nothing comfortable to change into. Instead, he stood awkwardly in the middle of the kitchen while Elle surveyed him. He was still a fair bit taller than her, but she was certain she had some clothes around her place that could fit him. They were around the same size, anyways, but Elle had a tendency to buy her comfier clothes a few sizes larger so that she could be swathed in comfortable fabric.

She dragged him to the bedroom so that she could rummage through her closet. Eventually, she uncovered a black tshirt with some faded white design on the front that would probably fit him well enough. With how rail thin the man was, he also fit into a pair of black sweatpants that she chucked at him while rummaging around for some sleepwear of her own. For herself, she snatched a pair of stretchy shorts and an oversized sweater that she figured would be cozy enough for her to fall asleep in.

The second issue was that Elle only really had one bed. The couch was technically also an option for naps, but it was cluttered and small. It wasn’t the comfiest thing, either, so she didn’t want to have her guest sleep there or end up sleeping there herself. Instead, she turned to Spencer once he’d left the bathroom in her clothes. Just as she thought, the tshirt hung off his collarbones and was extremely baggy. The pants, however, were just slightly too short at the ankle. It was strange seeing Spencer Reid in her clothes.

“I have a question for you.” She said.

“What is it?”

“How would you feel about sharing the bed? It’s big enough to fit us both, and I really don’t want to banish anyone out to sleep on the tiny couch out in the front room.”

“Oh, sharing is fine by me. I won’t make things weird, I promise.”

“I know you wouldn’t.” She sighed and gently shoved him toward the bed. “Okay, go pick a side. I’m going to go get us both a cup of water and double check the security system. I’ll be right in. Don’t wait up.”

Spencer did, in fact, wait up. The aforementioned tasks had not taken too long, but when she came back, Spencer was on his phone texting while tucked underneath her comforter.

“Who are you chatting with?”

“I’m checking on Hotch.” He answered quietly. “His lady friend didn’t make it.”

“Oh,” She breathed. “I’m sorry to hear that. Give him Renee’s condolences. And scooch over. You’re starfishing on my side of the bed.”

When they were tired enough, they both set down their phones. Soft music played from Elle’s where it was plugged in on her nightstand. She found it easier to fall asleep with noise that wasn’t coming from her brain in the form of flashbacks. As the two drifted off to sleep, they subconsciously moved toward each other until they were finally fast asleep holding each other in the middle of her big bed, snoring softly into each other’s hair.

Chapter Text

Not four hours after falling asleep, Spencer woke up with shaking hands and laborious breath. His heart pounded in his chest as he frantically looked around the room trying to reconcile his surroundings with the events of his nightmare. Once he’d accepted that he was no longer asleep, he had to force his half-asleep brain to decipher where in the world he actually was. It took the puff of breath against the back of his neck for him to remember that he was in bed with another person, and given that, he was likely still in their house.

He was still so tired.

Elle’s breath was deep and even. He hadn’t woken her up. Her arms were loosely wrapped around his waist, holding him close as she pressed herself up against his back. Carefully so as not to disturb her, he wriggled out of her grasp, snagging his phone from the bedside table as he got up. With a soft smile, he turned back to look at her, finding her fast asleep, hair mussed on the pillow and arms haphazardly strewn on the bed where they’d fallen off of him. She’d forgotten to take her makeup off the night before so there were dark black smudges underneath her eyes.

Before anything, he headed to the bathroom. There wasn’t much he could do to get ready, but he did borrow Elle’s hairbrush in an attempt to tame his bedhead only to give up after the fifth knot. Internally, he cursed himself for not thinking ahead and bringing his go bag. His reflection stood blurry in front of him and rubbing his eyes did nothing to help. If only he’d thought to ask to borrow some of Elle’s contact solution before he’d shrugged and threw out his contacts the night before. He blamed that idiotic decision on the lack of sleep.

Ensuring that Elle was still asleep, he made his way toward her kitchen. Some breakfast for the two of them would be good. She’d probably be mad when she woke and realized he’d been snooping through her cupboards, but that was a problem for future Spencer. Besides, there was no morning grumpiness that a cup of coffee couldn’t soothe. 

Okay.

Too many steps. Today would be a day with too many steps.

He took a deep breath.

Start over.

Step one: Coffee.

Point A: Locate coffee maker.

Point B: Locate coffee and filters.

Point C: Put Coffee in Coffee Maker.

Point D: Percolate Coffee.

Point E: Locate mugs.

Spencer was fairly certain he could run any coffee maker ever with his eyes closed. There was nothing that could stand between him and caffeine. Garcia said that it was an addiction, but there wasn’t a single person on the team who would willingly choose to drink less than two cups of coffee a day. Besides, he was the first to admit his coffee barely counted with the amount of cream and sugar he added to it. 

Elle’s kitchen setup seemed very convenient. Her bag of coffee-- Maple flavoured! He was impressed-- was stored in the same cupboard as her filters and her mugs. His fingers tapped along the outside of the ceramic, dancing along the cups to choose two. Eventually, he settled on a beige one with textured paint, which felt nice to run the pads of his fingers over, and a big white one with a rainbow handle. Much like a person’s bookshelf, Spencer stood by the fact that there was a lot one could tell about a person from how they organized their kitchen and what kind of dishware they owned.

But he wasn’t here to psychoanalyze Elle’s kitchen. 

Step two: Check mobile notifications.

Point A: 4 Unread messages from Emily.

Point B: Read messages.

(Sun 5:25 AM)

Just got back to the hotel and explained to jj why you werent coming back tonight

Jet leaves with or without you @ 7 pm remember

No losing track of time

Text someone when you wake up so that we know youre alive. Not me i will be asleep but definitely someone

Part C: Reply to Text messages. 

Spencer very nearly began typing out an answer immediately to here before rereading her last message. Instead, he shot off a text to Garcia, notifying her that he was awake and that she was not to worry about him. She didn’t respond, but he wasn’t worried. They’d all had a long night. He’d be surprised if anyone else was awake yet. Besides Hotch. He was somehow always awake-- usually with a file or some other form of paperwork in his hand.

He pressed the button on the coffee maker so that it would start percolating.

Step 3: Breakfast

Point A: Look through Elle’s cabinets and fridge.

Subset A: Do not try to profile Elle’s kitchen.

Point B: Find ingredients for breakfast foods.

Subset B: Potential ideas: Pancakes, French Toast, Eggs,

Spencer was happy to see that Elle had very recently been out grocery shopping. Her refrigerator was not full to overflowing, but it was certainly not empty. From inside, he grabbed some eggs from the carton as well as the milk and butter. Once he’d uncovered them in the cupboards, Spencer assembled the other ingredients for pancakes. 

Point C: Wash the pan sitting in the sink.

Point D: Make pancakes.

Point E: Cook eggs.

He wasn’t sure whether it was the smell of food or the maple scented coffee being made that woke Elle up, but as he stood at the stove, food sizzling away, she walked into the room yawning. The fan above the stove was whirring disconcertedly, as though it was too caked with old grease to work properly. He made a mental note to ask Elle when the last time she changed out the filters was. It had taken a few minutes, but the smell of the first few pancakes-- which now sat blackened at the bottom of the garbage can-- had finally left the immediate area.

“Are you starting a fire in here?” Maybe, on second thought, the smell of burning pancakes had simply wafted down the hallway away from him so that he couldn’t smell it anymore.

“I’ll have you know that I only burnt the first three.”

“Someone alert the press. We need to get this kid on MasterChef.”

“Keep talking like that and you won’t get any at all.” He stuck his tongue out at her. “Are scrambled eggs alright?”

“Yeah.” She walked over and hoisted herself up onto the counter behind him. “You didn’t get a lot of sleep, did you?”

“Four hours, which is not that bad for me. Sitting on the counter is extremely unhygienic you know.”

“They’re my counters. I don’t give a fuck.”

“Fair point.” He said, devoting the majority of his attention to keeping the eggs from burning in their pan. Elle leaned over and snatched a pancake from the plate he was putting them on, tearing it into small pieces before popping the smaller chunks in her mouth.

“This is the first time in the year we’ve been back in contact that you and I have spoken outside of the witching hour.”

“Actually, the witching hour, in the Christian tradition, is considered to be between the hours of three and four AM, but I do know what you mean.”

“Oh yeah? I thought I’d heard that the witching hour was midnight.”

“Technically, that’s correct as well,” Spencer flipped a pancake. “There are actually many different ideas of when the witching hour takes place. Many people consider the witching hour to be between the hours of midnight and one AM, and some even think that this hour takes place during sunset and sunrise when they believe the veil between life and death is thinner. The Christian idea of the witching hour comes from the idea that 3 in the morning is the devilish opposite to the time at which Christ died-- supposedly 3 in the afternoon. It also is said to be a play on the idea of three being angelic what with the holy trinity and all. 

“Physiologically, however, the idea of the witching hour and the thinning of the veil being around the early hours of the morning could come from the fact that most people’s circadian rhythms see the body’s maximum output of melatonin between the hours of two and four in the morning, leading to an increase in apparitional experiences and ‘supernatural’ encounters. This would correspond with a peak of melatonin circa three AM.”

A beat of silence followed Ried tangent. He pursed his lips. It was hard to reign in his rambling sometimes. Usually, someone on the team would nudge his shoulder or cut him off if he got off topic. Spencer poured another scoop full of pancake batter into the pan.

“Okay.” Elle settled on eventually. “I was chewing so I couldn’t respond, but cool I didn’t know that.”

Ah. That made sense. Spencer poured the freshly made coffee into the mugs he’d picked out, filling his with sugar and cream, but putting only a spoonful of sugar in Elle’s. She grabbed the mug from him, immediately taking a long sip of it as if it wasn’t still scalding hot and probably burning the hell out of her tongue. Spencer leaned back against the counter behind him so that he could face her. He blew on the surface of his coffee, knowing that it wouldn’t help much to cool it down.

“How can you already drink this? It’s so hot.”

“I just ignore it,” She shrugged. “Wait, did you sleep with your contacts in?”

“...No.”

“...Okay?”

“I impulsively just threw the contacts in entirety in the garbage,” He said, ducking his head as though her could hide behind the coffee mug in his hands. “I’ve just accepted that I’m not gonna be able to see until I have my hands on my go bag.”

“You really are something else, Dr. Reid.”

“I’m going to choose to take that as a compliment.”

“You shouldn’t, though.”

“So we find ourselves at an impasse.” He teased, dancing out of the way of her foot as she aimed a kick to his stomach. “Hey, watch yourself! I’m holding scalding coffee and I’m not afraid to use it.

She laughed and hopped off the counter, walking over to the cupboard next to him to pull out some plates for them. She set the dishes out on the counter in front of her two slightly busted-up bar stools as he added the last of the pancakes and the eggs to their respective serving dishes. The pair sat across from each other at the island in Elle’s tiny kitchen chatting. Eventually, the pair moved from the counter to the sink to wash their dishes together and then back to the couch, continuing their talking the entire time. Spencer spoke of his mother and the team. Elle responded with how her sister and niece were doing and gave him what few details she could about her own job. After a while, the conversation reached the topics of books, and for the first time in person, the pair discussed the book Elle had recommended. 

With the amount they’d talked, both of them had had to have water and tea to keep from losing their voices. As the conversation finally began to come to a natural close, Spencer looked at the watch on his wrist. Wow. He always forgot that time blindness was a symptom he experienced, but the fact that they had been simply sitting on the couch drinking tea and talking nonstop for the past seven hours was impressive. It was just so nice to finally be in the same place as Elle and not have to be on his phone all the time. More often than not in the recent months, he’d found himself keeping his blue light filter on his phone so that the device wasn’t giving him constant headaches.

“Are you aware that it’s been seven hours since we ate?” He blurted out, wincing as he accidentally cut Elle off mid-sentence. Without even blinking, she took the topic change in stride, grabbing his wrist so that she could read his watch. 

“What the fuck?” Elle started, tugging his arm closer to her eyes and nearly toppling Spencer over on top of her. “Does that say 5 PM? We’ve been sitting here talking for seven hours?”

“Whoa! Hey!” Spencer exclaimed, jamming his free hand down on the arm of the couch behind her to steady himself, “I was also surprised, but there’s no need to rip my arm off because of it.” 

Elle let go of his arm to start insistently patting at his chest letting out a mantra of “get up, get up, get up.” Spencer scrambled up, helping Elle off the couch to stand too. “I need to get you back to the hotel.”

“Oh, Prentiss has my door key if you want to just drop me off at the jet. Whatever is easiest for you.”

“I have a shift starting in 25 minutes,” Elle cried out, running to the bedroom to pull clothes that were a bit more professional than the sweater and short shorts she’d worn to bed. “I completely forgot that it’s Thursday today! No time for you to change. Just keep the clothes you’re wearing, I don’t wear them that often anyway. Let’s move!”

Spencer stood where she’d left him at the couch staring after her blankly as she moved swiftly around the apartment. A few times, she circled back over to him to shove something of his in his arms before running off again to get herself ready for work. In record time, she was showered, dressed, and had a thermos of coffee in her hands as she shoved Spencer toward the door, barely giving him time to slip his shoes on. On the drive over, Spencer texted Prentiss to make sure she was up and could let him into his room. She answered right away, promising to meet him in the hotel lobby.

A Cher song was playing on the radio when the car started. Spencer couldn’t help but wince when Elle turned the volume up to blasting and hit the gas with seemingly as much force as she could muster.

“Sorry for the abrupt end to the evening, but your hotel is on the opposite end of the city from where I’m heading.”

“H- How do you know which hotel we’re staying at?” 

“I saw the key card you handed Emily last night. Besides, I used to be one of you. I remember exactly the type of cheap but professional-in-appearance establishment the likes of you stay in.”

“Fair point,” Spencer conceded. “Thanks for letting me stay last night. It was much nicer than the uncomfortable hotel beds.”

“Of course! I wish we’d had more time, but thank you for the meals. Text me when you get back to home base, okay?”

“Will do, Ms. Alvarez,” Spencer grinned, “And thank you for the ride!” He hopped out of her car with his armful of clothing and a wave to her through the window. His phone buzzed from inside his pocket. He couldn’t believe Elle had simply let him walk out of her apartment in his clothes. 

True to her word, Prentiss was standing in the lobby by the door waiting for him. She raised her eyebrows and whistled, giving him the once over. 

“Someone looks like they had a good night.” Prentiss wiggled her eyebrows at him.

“It wasn’t like that.” Spencer flushed, trying and failing to hide his face in the clothing he was holding.

“So you aren’t currently wearing your lovely lady friend’s clothes?”

“I am , but--”

“It’s okay,” Prentiss laughed, “Keep your secrets.” The pair piled into the lobby elevator. After a moment of getting his hot face under wraps, Spencer cleared his throat.

“How was Detective Cooper? You went to see him today, right?”

“I did. He’s alive. There will definitely be a way for him to go in recovery, but he’s alive and that’s what matters. You heard about Joyner?”

“Hotch and I were messaging last night. It never gets easier, does it?”

“Not in my experience.” Emily sighed. The comfortable silence between the pair lasted until the elevator dinged and the doors opened. Prentiss pressed his key card into his palm and walked off toward her own room with a wave back at him. “I’ll see you in two hours.”

Spencer smiled after her. 

(Thurs 8:12 PM)

Landed safely.

Now’s the time for closing paperwork before I’m allowed to go home.

Yipee!

(Thurs 8:13 PM)

It’s so sad to think about how I’m no longer there to con you into doing my paperwork for me :(

How do you even manage without me?

(Thurs 8:14 PM)

Morgan and Prentiss have taken up your mantle

(Thurs 8:14 PM)

My legacy will outlive me, certainly.

(Thurs 8:15 PM)

:P

Chapter Text

(Thurs 9:56 PM)

Hm

(Thurs 9:56 PM)

Hm

(Thurs 9:57 PM)

I’m ruminating.

(Thurs 9:57 PM)

I see

Weirdo

(Thurs 9:57 PM)

Take it back

(Thurs 9:58 PM)

No, thanks

What are you ruminating on?

Because I know you’re waiting for me to ask

(Thurs 9:58 PM)

Innocent until proven guilty

I finished Obasan.

(Thurs 9:59 PM)

Oh!

Ruminate away. I had to sit on that one for a bit when I finished it. I read it while on the road one day while waiting out a storm at a rest stop and I’m glad I couldn’t drive when I finished the book. It’s an intense one, is it not?

(Thurs 10:00 PM)

Definitely important for me to read. The framing of the story was interesting, but the ending really did it for me. I was absolutely blindsided by that letter from Naomi’s grandmother.

(Thurs 10:01 PM)

Right?

I had suspected something like that had happened, but hearing the first hand account from her grandmother was… intense.

(Thurs 10:01 PM)

Important!

(Thurs 10:01 PM)

Definitely

(Thurs 10:02 PM)

That’s two out of three then, Greenaway. There may still be hope for your taste in books yet.

All of these have been so short, though.

(Thurs 10:02 PM)

Shove it, brainiac, some of us read like normal people

Which is to say: slowly.

(Thurs 10:03 PM)

Wow, now you’re calling me abnormal?

(Thurs 10:03 PM)

Yep :)

(Thurs 10:03 PM)

Fair enough

Can I have a longer recommendation next time?

(Thurs 10:04 PM)

I haven’t even picked out what your next recommendation will be, but just because you’ve said that now, I’m going to cap the page count at 200.

(Thurs 10:06 PM)

>:/

You’re very mean to me. I’m going to tell Penelope that you’re bullying me and have her destroy your credit score.

(Thurs 10:07 PM)

You can’t because Penelope likes me :)

(Thurs 10:07 PM)

Penelope likes me more than you.

(Thurs 10:08 PM)

Wrong again. I’m subscribed to her newsletter. Can you say the same?

(Thurs 10:08 PM)

Texting Garcia right now to get an invite to the newsletter. 

Or however, that works.

Should I start a newsletter?

(Thurs 10:09 PM)

Hmmm… 

Yes. I would subscribe to it. I’m sure the rest of the team would sign up out of pity only to ignore the monthly email, but it’s worth a try.

(Thurs 10:09 PM)

I am sweating, what has brought on all this snark tonight!?

(Thurs 10:10 PM)

I won 5 games in a row of Solitaire on my work computer today and now I think I’m powerful enough to take on the world.

(Thurs 10:11 PM)

Shouldn’t you be working on your work computer?

I didn’t know computers came with games.

(Thurs 10:11 PM)

At work, I have to fit the bimbo archetype of detective Alvarez who got the promotion on a clerical error. I can play Solitaire all I want.

There are all sorts of games on computers. Do you have your laptop at your place right now?

(Thurs 10:12 PM)

Ah, yes. How could I forget my dear "ladyfriend" Renee

I do.

(Thurs 10:12 PM)

It’s Windows, right?

(Thurs 10:13 PM)

Yes.

(Thurs 10:14 PM)

Laughing right now, because I know you just had to ask Garcia.

(Thurs 10:14 PM)

Do you have cameras set up inside my apartment?

(Thurs 10:14 PM)

Only the best a detective's salary could afford!

I’m kidding.

Okay, click the windows button in the bottom left of your keyboard.

(Thurs 10:15 PM)

Attachment;Image::

[Image shows a closeup, blurry photo of Spencer’s keyboard. The focus of the image is the start key.]

(Thurs 10:16 PM)

Yup

Press it

Did the little menu pop up?

(Thurs 10:17 PM)

Attachment;Image::

[Image is hard to make out but it is of Spencer’s screen. The start menu is, indeed, open.]

(Thurs 10:17 PM)

Okay, now scroll down to C

(Thurs 10:18 PM)

!!

(Thurs 10:18 PM)

Attachment;Image::

[Image is even blurrier, but it shows a pop up tab on Spencer’s computer showing a digital game of chess.]

(Thurs 10:18 PM)

There you go

I’ll let you go have fun with that, then.

Good night, kid :P

(Thurs 3:10 AM)

Sorry for dropping off the grid there for the past week. I got a lead with work that I had to look into.

(Thurs 3:15 AM)

Generation X by Douglas Coupland.

(Thurs 3:35 AM)

NOteid

I’s okay

(Thurs 3:36 AM)

Whoa.

Uh.

?

(Thurs 3:36 AM)

Incoming;Call::Renee Alvarez

Call::Answered

Call;Duration::10min,38sec

(Thurs 3:47 AM)

Oh man, I’m so sorry. 

Honestly, I’m surprised this is the first time this has happened

It's not often I catch you actually sleeping when you're supposed to.

I'm sure when you're conscious and awake this sleep-typing is going to be just so delightful for you to reread :P

(Thurs 3:49 AM)

Is okayk I am okay glad that yo ut arey okay

(Thurs 3:49 AM)

Lol!

I’m definitely screenshotting this to use as blackmail in the future.

Go back to sleep !! I’m sorry for waking you up!

(Thurs 3:51 AM)

I eys i  go back toi skeo than yuk

(Thurs 3:51 AM)

Sweet dreams, Spencer

(Thurs 3:52 AM)

Yah

Yo utoo

(Thurs 5:01 AM)

What the fuck?

(Thurs 5:02 AM)

Hhashd you dont swear veyr often that  funny/

(Thurs 5:02 AM)

Ha ha!!

Sorry for returning the favour unintentionally. Go back to sleep :)

(Tues 6:11 PM)

Wow! Look at me texting you at a normal time for once.

Are you off of work yet?

(Tues 11:03 PM)

… 

Yes

You put in all this effort to message me like a normal person, and I had to go ahead and respond in the middle of the night anyway.

(Tues 11:03 PM)

Ha ha! That is okay

How was work?

(Tues 11:04 PM)

Gibson at the front desk cat called me today while I was in the middle of talking taking a statement from a lady who’d been hit by a drunk driver.

She was sobbing into the hem of her shirt and all he could do was stare down my cleavage.

Men are pigs.

(Tues 11:04 PM)

Oh, yikes. Do you want me to start serial killing in your area? I know enough about this by now that I’m sure I could get away with it.

(Tues 11:05 PM)

I’m a step away from that myself, but I was able to distract myself with Solitaire.

(Tues 11:06 PM)

Win any games?

(Tues 11:07 PM)

Sigh

No, I did not

Give me something to do that isn’t going to the liquor store and buying a bottle of whatever’s cheapest.

(Tues 11:07 PM)

Okay Okay, Give me one minute.

(Tues 11:08 PM)

Expect a knock on your door in 11 minutes. I’ve ordered you dinner from some sports bar near your house. I don’t know anything about it, but they had a wrap I thought you’d like.

No onions.

And I’ve nearly finished making my midnight snack. Can I phone you and we can eat together?

(Tues 11:09 PM)

This means a lot to me

Yes, please.

Thank you so much.

(Tues 11:09 PM)

Incoming;Call::Spencer

Call::Answered

Call;Duration::1hr,54min

(Wed 1:11 AM)

You fell asleep, but I’m glad you reached out 

Sweet dreams <3

Chapter Text

(Mon 2:53 AM)

Have you ever been to the desert?

(Mon 2:54 AM)

…

(Mon 2:54 AM)

What? It’s an honest question

(Mon 2:54 AM)

Do me a favour really quick here. Can you look up a picture of Las Vegas?

My home city where I was born and raised?

Las Vegas where I was born

In the middle of the Mojave Desert.

(Mon 2:55 AM)

I’m going to put your contact information on an online forum somewhere so that you are plagued for the rest of time by strangers phoning you.

(Mon 2:55 AM)

Alright, Alright! I’m putting up my hands in surrender

Why are you asking if I have ever been to the desert

(Mon 2:55 AM)

I’m bored :/

(Mon 2:55 AM)

Go to sleep?

(Mon 2:56 AM)

That’s the worst suggestion you’ve ever given me. I should kick your ass.

Entertain me. I’m bored.

(Mon 2:56 AM)

You’re giving me permission? Permission to just say whatever in the spirit of entertainment? 

This is a dangerous ask, Ms. Alvarez.

(Mon 2:56 AM)

Weird that you call me that, but go on. Full permission. If you say something boring enough to somehow convince my insomnia riddled brain to sleep, I’ll simply consider that a win at this point.

(Mon 2:57 AM)

I actually just stepped in my door! I was out with Emily for the night and then spent a couple of hours at her apartment afterward.

We got a night off finally for the first time in one and a half weeks, so Emily bought us tickets to go see a community theatre’s showing of ‘Vassa Zheleznova’! In the original Russian, no less.

(Mon 2:58 AM)

I didn’t know you knew Russian.

How many languages is that now?

(Mon 2:58 AM)

Oh, I don’t! I can read and translate it fairly well, but hearing it spoken and attempting any sort of pronunciation is a nightmare. Emily spent a lot of the night whispering the translations for me so that I knew what the characters were saying. Although, it did help that I have previously read the script in both Russian and English in preparation for going to see the play live tonight.

(Mon 2:59 AM)

You’re one of a kind, Dr. Reid.

(Mon 2:59 AM)

Thank you!

And as per your previous question, the only languages I’m fluent or near fluent in are English, Korean, and Latin, though I’ve taken it upon myself to perfect my Spanish in recent months. I have been thinking about learning Sign Language as well! I think it would be beneficial to cases.

I can, however, read and write for the most part in Spanish, Russian, Old English, and I’m working on my Yoruba :) I’m still rusty, for the most part. It isn’t as though I have people around who I can practice with save for the Russian with Emily and the Spanish with you on occasion. You mostly only speak Spanish to me, though, when you’re tired.

(Mon 3:02 AM)

It’s my native language, but I haven’t spoken it consistently in years. I do accidentally slip into it, though, when I’m drunk or tired.

It’s like my brain temporarily resets to factory settings or something.

(Mon 3:02 AM)

I can understand that! Sometimes when speaking is hard for me, it’s easier to speak in quotes or bits of Latin/Old English.

(Mon 3:03 AM)

How does one even learn a language like Old English?

It’s so in character for it to be easier for you to speak in dead languages instead of English Lol.

(Mon 3:03 AM)

My mother was a professor of English literature, remember? She was no medievalist, but she was still assigned the Medieval Studies courses at the university on occasion when they had no one else that could teach them.

I learned Beowulf by memory before I was even enrolled in school.

(Mon 3:04 AM)

I need to learn to stop doubting you

(Mon 3:05 AM)

:)

(Mon 3:06 AM)

Can I phone you?

You can tell me about the play you went to with your friend.

Only say yes if you promise not to tease me about falling asleep on the phone again because it’s bound to happen.

(Mon 3:10 AM)

You don’t have to if you don’t want to.

It’s lame, but I miss hearing you.

(Mon 3:11 AM)

I just set down my phone to uncover my copy of the script, but I’m back now. Sorry for not saying something earlier.

Would you prefer Russian or English?

(Mon 3:12 AM)

Are you going to read me a bedtime story?

(Mon 3:13 AM)

All this reminiscing about my mother has made me nostalgic, and it always helped when she read to me. 

(Mon 3:13 AM)

Okay.

Russian.

(Mon 3:14 AM)

Deal, but if I don’t tease you for falling asleep on the phone you can’t tease me for my pronunciation.

(Mon 3:14 AM)

Deal.

(Mon 3:14 AM)

Incoming;Call::Spencer

Call;Answered

Call;Duration::2hr,3min

(Mon 5:17 AM)

Sweet dreams <3

I’ll talk to you after work.

(Mon 5:17 AM)

Attachment;Image::

[Image shows Spencer leaving his apartment. He’s smiling in spite of the dark circles under his eyes. He is signing ‘I love you’ with one hand, door keys clutched between his fingers]

(Sun 9:28 PM)

Attachment;Image::

[Image shows Elle silhouetted against the light filtering through her window. The light is coming from a street light, but it’s bright enough to shine clearly through her curtains]

(Sun 9:28 PM)

Why would I ever need lights in this house when I have this bad boy right outside?

I’m going to start throwing rocks at it.

(Sun 9:30 PM)

Do it

Fight against the prominence of light pollution

Take back the night sky one streetlight at a time

(Sun 9:31 PM)

Wow, you’re not usually so on board with my proposals of public vandalism

Am I finally converting you?

Do you agree with me yet that tagging is literally not a big deal and not a hill worthy of dying on?

(Sun 9:31 PM)

For sure

Let street artists stake their claim on completely public places and privately owned businesses.

Stick it to ‘The Man’

(Sun 9:31 PM)

Local law enforcement encourages vandalism. I can see the headlines now.

Seriously though, what’s got you joining me in this rebellious state?

(Sun 9:32 PM)

Haven’t slept in two days and Prentiss just poured my coffee down the drain.

(Sun 9:32 PM)

Just go get another cup of coffee

(Sun 9:32 PM)

Can’t.

I forgot my wallet back at the hotel and Rossi says he’ll arrest the next person to buy me another cup.

The way my hands are shaking has no bearing on the conversation whatsoever! He’s just saying that to be mean! He is telling me to take a nap on the couch while they keep working? What kind of team player does he take himself for? I can’t just be expected to sleep while the team does all the hard work themselves!

(Sun 9:35 PM)

What did Garcia just hand me a cup of? She said it’s from you, so I’m suspicious.

(Sun 9:35 PM)

Take the blanket from Rossi. I know he’s been trying to offer it to you.

(Sun 9:35 PM)

>:(

Why

(Sun 9:36 PM)

Spencer.

Take the blanket and tell me when you’ve sat down on the couch.

Do you have your headphones? The music ones, not the sound cancelling ones.

(Sun 9:36 PM)

Yes.

I am sitting now.

(Sun 9:36 PM)

Okay, put on the headphones and plug them into your phone. I’m going to phone and talk to you and you’re going to drink your warm milk and listen to me talk and hopefully fall asleep or at least calm down so that you aren’t so wired.

(Sun 9:37 PM)

Incoming;Call::Renee Alvarez

Call;Answered

Call;Duration:: 34min,48sec

(Sun 10:15 PM)

Sweet dreams :) 

(Sun 10:16 PM)

I dont know who you are but I feel like I owe you big time

Thanks for somehow getting the kid to sleep, weve been trying for hours and Ive been on his ass for days

You must be some kind of miracle worker or saint

(Sun 10:17 PM)

Haha! I’m hardly either of those, but I’ve been well taught in the school of making-Spencer-fall-asleep-for-once

Can I ask who it is that’s obviously stolen his phone? So that I can put a name to the stories he tells me about his coworkers :)

(Sun 10:18 PM)

Derek

Seriously, whats your secret?

(Sun 10:19 PM)

Hello Derek, my name is Renee.

It’s easy. I just read to him.

I think I should dock him nonexistent points in our unofficial book club since I read part of the book for him, but I’m glad I was able to get him to sleep.

You seem busy over there, though so I’ll let you run.

Oh! Before I forget, I promised Spencer that one of you would wake him up whenever the next big thing happens. (This means catching the bad guy or going back to the hotel. Don’t leave him alone. I’m counting on you, “Derek”)

(Sun 10:21 PM)

Sheesh! Cross my heart, woman. Ill have him get in touch when he wakes up next

(Sun 10:21 PM)

See to it that you do.

(Sun 4:19 AM)

I see you’ve spoken to Morgan

(Sun 4:27 AM)

It was weird to talk to him. The dramatic irony of it all. Him not knowing it’s me but me knowing it’s him. Weird.

(Sun 4:28 AM)

I now have two coworkers teasing me about my long distance ‘ladyfriend’. How could you

(Sun 4:28 AM)

Haha! How is this my fault? 

Do they not realize we’ve been talking for nearly two years?

(Sun 4:29 AM)

For a bunch of profilers, we really aren’t that observant

Why are you awake anyway??

(Sun 4:29 AM)

I was bored when you fell asleep so I took a trip out of town to look at the stars.

Away from the light pollution

(Sun 4:31 AM)

How are the stars?

(Sun 4:32 AM)

I wish you were here. I’m sure you’d be able to tell me exactly which stars I’m looking at right now.

Instead, I’m just kind of lying here on my car looking at the sky

While peaceful this is not as entertaining as I was expecting.

(Sun 4:33 AM)

I’m not busy right now

Permission to ramble?

(Sun 4:33 AM)

Permission granted, agent.

(Sun 4:33 AM)

Can you send me your location?

(Sun 4:33 AM)

Attachment;Location::

[Renee Alvarez has sent their location.]

(Sun 4:35 AM)

Where you currently are, you are looking at “Nautical Twilight”. Nautical twilight is the period of time in which the sun is still below the horizon by ~12 degrees, but some visible light is present. The ‘nautical’ portion of the name comes from the fact that many sailors often used this time for navigational observations due to the ideal visibility.

Can you see Ursa major?

(Sun 4:37 AM)

Yes

It’s directly in front of me

(Sun 4:37 AM)

I’m assuming you know which one is Ursa Major. It’s one of the more well-known constellations.

Oh good!

Look slightly to the northwest. Do you see a cluster of stars that looks like a square with four legs?

(Sun 4:37 AM)

Yes.

(Sun 4:37 AM)

That’s the constellation “Hercules”. The brightest star in that constellation is called Kornephoros which is around 139 light-years away from us.

Above that cluster of stars, you should also be able to see Vega. Vega is the brightest star in the constellation “Lyra” which is above Hercules. The interesting thing about Vega is that in the far future, Vega is actually going to become our new North Star. As the Earth tilts and rotates on its axis, it is slowly moving the stars to that Sirius will no longer be the North Star, but this change likely won’t occur for 11,000 years.

Vega is younger than the sun but doubles its size. It was also the second star to be photographed right after our sun, which really speaks to its importance for us!

If I’m doing the math correctly, you should also be able to see a few planets? Jupiter, Saturn and Neptune should be visible where you are but given the Alt/Az coordinates I’m getting here, they may be behind you. 

Ah! Yes, Neptune should be beside the moon with Jupiter and Saturn in an elliptic from there.

You can tell the difference between a star and a planet from the way the object flickers! Stars flicker and twinkle, but planets do not.

Is this helpful?

(Sun 4:41 AM)

You have no idea

You’re the best

(Sun 4:41 AM)

:)

It would be easier on the phone. I know we just spoke, but can I phone you?

(Sun 4:41 AM)

Incoming;Call::Renee Alvarez

Call;Answered

Call;Duration::52min,0sec

(Sun 5:36 AM)

Thank you, Spencer!

Now go catch that unsub, agent.

(Sun 5:38 AM)

:P

(Sun 11:04 PM)

I feel like I should add you to my plan as an ICE

(Sun 11:05 PM)

What did you do.

(Sun 11:05 PM)

I feel like you also should add me to your plan as an ICE

(Sun 11:05 PM)

Tell me what happened or else I’m flying to your apartment ASAP

If I’m going to be one of your contacts to call in case of emergency, I’m going to need to know when your hurt BEFORE I get a phone call from some random nurse. Or worse, Hotchner.

(Sun 11:07 PM)

Haha! !

Nothing major

It’s not even a thrilling story including a take down or any bad guys.

I wasn’t looking where I was going earlier and smacked my head on the roof of the SUV when I was climbing in. And then, because I was already in the middle of closing the door when it happened and didn’t have time to stop the action, I closed the door on the back of my head.

Ouch.

Concussion.

(Sun 11:10 PM)

You’re a moron!?

(Sun 11:10 PM)

Hey! Is that any way to talk to an injured man?

(Sun 11:10 PM)

Shut up and put your phone away. I’m sure the light from your screen is feeling really great about now.

(Sun 11:11 PM)

Looking at my phone right now hurts very much you are right. I just wanted to let you know that I will be off electronics for the next week or so. You can phone me if you need me though!

(Sun 11:12 PM)

Send me the relevant papers to sign to become a medical contact and I’ll send you mine

It’ll be like a friendship bracelet or whatever

But also, stop injuring yourself!

(Sun 11:13 PM)

It isn’t like I’m doing this on purpose!

(Sun 11:13 PM)

I’m sending ice cream and soup to your house, moron

Said with love

<3

(Sun 11:14 PM)

:P

<3

Chapter Text

(Sat 8:33 PM)

Hey, I liked when we ate dinner together that one time. Can we do that again?

(Sat 8:34 PM)

Sure!

How about I phone you when I’m free?

Prentiss and I have an early night tonight because we’re heading to Colorado together for a case tomorrow

(Sat 8:35 PM)

Just the two of you?

(Sat 8:35 PM)

Yeah, it’s not much.

We received a troubling phone call and have been asked to investigate. We need to be covert about it, so I will leave my phone with Morgan in the event of an emergency.

(Sat 8:36 PM)

You’re going undercover?

(Sat 8:37 PM)

Yep!

Exciting, I know.

Prentiss says that we’ll be undercover as CPS, which tells you enough about what we’re investigating I’m sure. It won’t be pretty.

(Sat 8:37 PM)

And what would be the name of this place so I know what to watch for in the news while I’m not checking up on you?

(Sat 8:38 PM)

You’re so weird.

It’s called Liberty Ranch and it appears to be in the middle of the desert nowhere.

(Sat 8:40 PM)

And now my text alerts are up to date.

It’s all very high tech

(Sun 8:50 AM)

Hey, its Derek again. Thought I should let you know that the kids left me in charge of his phone for the weekend till he and Prentiss get back. They couldnt take anything but their fake IDs with them

Figured youd like to know who was getting any risky texts you were planning to send ;) 

(Sun 9:44 PM)

Gross :P

But thanks for letting me know! He told me they were heading to Liberty Ranch yesterday?

(Sun 9:45 PM)

Yes but you dont have to worry about Prentiss stealing your man while theyre gone :P

(Sun 9:45 PM)

Haha, Prentiss is the least of my worries. Spencer would never-- she’s too good of a friend.

(Sun 9:46 PM)

Lol down girl im just playing

But yeah, hes at Liberty Ranch so feel free to check the news to keep up with your boy if youd like

(Sun 9:51 PM)

Thanks, Derek :)

(Mon 11:26 AM)

Derek Morgan, please tell me you’re also watching the news and it’s not just me seeing this

You and the team need to get your asses down to Colorado

Stat

(Mon 11:31 AM)

Please answer the phone and keep me updated

You need to rescue my boy.

(Mon 11:45 AM)

Were en route, Renee. Well get them I promise.

(Mon 11:45 AM)

You better or I’m going to be extremely mad.

(Mon 2:29 PM)

Listen, dude, I wasn’t fucking around earlier. I don’t care that at this moment I’m a civilian. You WILL keep me updated about what’s happening with Spencer or you WILL hear from me when all of this is over. For better or for worse.

(Mon 2:31 PM)

I need my head in the game in order to get these people out of here. Im not about to be sending you intel at the cost of my friends lives. 

(Mon 2:32 PM)

Please, Derek.

You don’t know how important he is to me. Please, even if your updates are one word answers, please tell me he’s okay.

(Mon 2:36 PM)

Rossi is leading the hostage negotiation.

Were going to be busy giving the run-down on cult hierarchies to the local PD.

Youll hear from me or our tech analyst with news as we have it. Youre gonna need to be patient.

(Mon 2:36 PM)

Thank you.

(Mon 6:24 PM)

The woman Reid and Prentiss came here with is dead

We’re leaving them to group for the night. Rossi is going in with medical supplies in the morning.

(Mon 6:25 PM)

You’re sending medical supplies in for those lunatics!?

(Mon 6:26 PM)

In Rossis words, we need to establish a line of trust between them and us before we can even think about getting any of the hostages out. Women and children first-- followers. After that we just hope for the best and do what we can do get even more out.

(Mon 6:26 PM)

Minimal loss scenario.

(Mon 6:28 PM)

Exactly.

Get some sleep. Rossi heads in tomorrow. He will be checking in on Prentiss and Reid and slipping them mics.

(Mon 6:28 PM)

“Get some sleep”. That’s hilarious. I don’t think I’ll be doing much of anything besides watching the news till I hear from him.

(Mon 6:32 PM)

A match made in heaven, you two.

(Tues 10:46 AM)

Rossis heading in

(Tues 11:10 AM)

Mics in place. Rossi back on loc. Confirmed Reid and Prentiss operational.

(Tues 11:10 AM)

Oh my god, okay.

Okay, that’s good.

(Tues 11:12 AM)

We have signal from the mics now.

Ah. Gimme a minute.

(Tues 11:14 AM)

What’s happening in there?

(Tues 11:15 AM)

A test of faith.

You’ll hear from me later. Interview in prog.

(Tues 11:45 AM)

Tune in to the 12 o clock for JJs pres conf

All info meant to be heard by Cyrus if that helps with what shes about to say.

(Tues 11:45 AM)

Okay

I’ll relax the white knuckle grip yet.

(Tues 11:48 AM)

Attagirl

(Tues 11:48 AM)

Never speak to me like that.

(Tues 11:52 AM)

Gotcha

(Tues 12:13 PM)

Oh wow, JJ is really pregnant.

(Tues 12:16 PM) 

I want to kill this man.

(Tues 12:17 PM)

Wait.

Weren’t Spencer and Emily undercover? Did that reporter just…

(Tues 12:17 PM)

standby

(Tues 12:17 PM)

Oh my god.

Oh my god.

Please save him.

God, he’s such a bad liar too. This is so bad

(Tues 12:18 PM)

Putting this phone on silent if you keep texting. You’re distracting me.

(Tues 12:21 PM)

He has Prentiss.

(Tues 1:11 PM)

Reid is going along with it.

(Tues 1:11 PM)

I am going to kill him if he dies because of how shitty his poker face is. Fuck.

(Tues 1:12 PM)

What are you talking about? The kids poker face is unmatched

(Tues 1:12 PM)

Spoken like a man who’s never won a game of Poker against Dr. Spencer Reid

(Tues 1:12 PM)

What like you have?

(Tues 1:12 PM)

I’ll give you some tips as a reward when you get him on the phone with me.

(Tues 1:12 PM)

Deal.

(Tues 1:19 PM)

God. This guy makes me sick to my stomach talking about children that way.

Hes lucky were aiming to get him behind bars not in an early grave

(Tues 1:21 PM)

Reid is a genius.

(Tues 1:21 PM)

Correct.

What’s the context?

(Tues 1:22 PM)

He’s angling to get Cyrus to release a child for proof of the FBI agents identity

(Tues 1:23 PM)

They already have Prentiss.

(Tues 1:23 PM)

But they dont know we know that and they dont know Reids got them hook line and sinker.

(Tues 1:23 PM)

Smart boy.

(Tues 1:23 PM)

Precisely.

(Tues 2:14 PM)

They’ve released a little girl. She’s with me back at our tent.

(Tues 4:51 PM)

Youre not going to hear from me for a while

In fact if everything goes to plan the next time your phone goes off it should be the doctor himself

Were going in in the early hours of the morning. Get to brewin yourself a cup of coffee and stick to the news, okay? 

(Tues 4:51 PM)

You don’t know how much this has meant to me, Derek. Thank you.

Now go get that little genius. And don’t forget your girl.

(Tues 4:52 PM)

My girl?

(Tues 4:52 PM)

I can read between the lines. Besides, agent, I’ve spoken to Emily before multiple times. I’d act on that if I were you. If today’s shown us anything, you never know how much more time you have to tell someone the important things.

(Tues 10:37 PM) 

Yes maam

(Wedns 4:27 AM)

Incoming;Call:: Spencer

Call;Answered

Call;Duration::1hr,11min

(Wedns 5:39 AM)

Hey

(Wedns 5:39 AM)

Hi

(Wedns 5:39 AM)

I meant what I said, you know

(Wedns 5:40 AM)

I know

I love you too.

I miss you

Is it fair to say I miss you when we’ve only seen each other once since you lived here?

I miss you.

Hey, I know we literally just got off the phone, but the past few days' events are kind of hitting now. Emily just drove over to stay at mine tonight. Can we call you?

(Wedns 5:41 AM)

Tell me what Emily’s favourite breakfast food is.

(Wedns 5:42 AM)

Em here i like french toast

(Wedns 5:42 AM)

Hi, Em. 

There will be a knock on Spencer’s door in 11 minutes with breakfast for the two of you.

Now the matter at hand:

(Wedns 5:43 AM)

Incoming;Call::Renee Alvarez

Call;Answered

Call;Duration::51min,35sec

(Wedns 6:37 AM)

Sleep well, you two.

(Wedns 6:38 AM)

Thanks for looking out for us spencers lucky to have you

(Wedns 6:38 AM)

Sleep, Emily

(Wedns 6:39 AM)

You 2

Good night

Chapter Text

(Tues 11:24 PM)

Good morning

(Tues 11:24 PM)

Check the time in the upper corner of your phone and get back to me on that.

(Tues 11:25 PM)

Ah, apologies.

Good evening

(Tues 11:26 PM)

Good evening, Dr. Reid. How can I help you today?

(Tues 11:26 PM)

:P

I finished the book you sent earlier! 

It was weird, but it has gotten me to thinking about friendship and relationships. I wish we were neighbours.

(Tues 11:27 PM)

We are neighbours in my mind. Your brain lives next door to mine.

(Tues 11:30 PM)

My face is leaking

(Tues 11:30 PM)

Softie <3

(Fri 1:11 AM)

Hey, so things are weird over here. I have a few things I need to ruminate on. Can I phone you?

(Fri 1:12 AM)

Uh, yeah. Just give me one moment here.

Are you looking for advice or am I your rubber duck in this scenario?

(Fri 1:12 AM)

My what? 

(Fri 1:13 AM)

Oh shit, please ignore me if I’m interrupting something.

(Fri 1:13 AM)

I could never. You aren’t interrupting anything, either, I promise. I’m just waiting for the team's coffee order so I will have to phone you when I get back to my car. I don’t want to drop anything.

Your rubber duck.

(Fri 1:14 AM)

That didn’t clear anything up. What are you talking about? A rubber duck? Are we talking about that puppet kids show?

(Fri 1:15 AM)

Sesame Street

(Fri 1:15 AM)

Whatever

(Fri 1:15 AM)

It’s a common practice amongst coders to talk about difficulties they may be having with a script. Hearing yourself speak aloud about what the dilemma is often allows the brain to conceptualize a solution. I’m your rubber duck.

(Fri 1:17 AM)

One, that’s adorable. Two, I’m changing your name in my phone.

(Fri 1:17 AM)

:P

One moment. Coffee balancing act is go.

(Fri 1:20 AM)

Attachment;Image::

[A selfie of Spencer sitting in the passenger’s seat of a car. He can barely be made out besides his silhouette because the car lights are off. The barest bit of light from a streetlight shines off a tower of two full drink trays sitting on his lap. Someone is sitting in the driver’s seat beside him.]

(Fri 1:20 AM)

Success

(Fri 1:21 AM)

*golf claps*

Who’s in the car with you?

(Fri 1:21 AM)

Rossi. If you’re uncomfortable I can phone you from a quiet room at the precinct.

(Fri 1:21 AM)

Hm….

Do you have video chatting on your new phone?

(Fri 1:23 AM)

Just ask Garcia, genius.

(Fri 1:23 AM)

Apparently, I do, and I have also just been coached in how to activate it. Do you want to video call?

(Fri 1:24 AM)

I am a bit concerned about voice chat right now. I’ve taken it up with myself to brush up on some ASL. Can I practice with you? Might be better if I used you as a rubber duck silently. FYEO and all that.

(Fri 1:24 AM)

Understood.

(Fri 1:25 AM)

Incoming;Video Call:: Renee Alvarez

Call::Answered

Call;Duration 50min, 11sec

(Fri 2:21 AM)

You’ve done well with your Sign!

(Fri 2:22 AM)

I have a good teacher

(Fri 2:22 AM)

Em says ‘shucks’.

Back on topic, though, that seems intense. I don’t know if it would even be possible, but is there something on our end over here we could do to help you out?

(Fri 2:23 AM)

Hm… I’m not entirely sure.

Actually, it might do good for me to pester Penelope a bit. My encryptions are better now, but I had a lot of personal information on the other phone– the one they’ve gotten into. I’m not entirely certain what my… coworkers… do or do not know about ‘Elle Greenaway’, but I’d prefer it was nothing.

But hey! At least it comes with a sort of dark humour or situational irony that the corruption I’ve been able to sniff out is right up my proverbial alley!

(Fri 2:26 AM)

Still. I worry about you. I know sex crimes is and has for years been your area of expertise, but watch out for yourself, okay? 

(Fri 2:27 AM)

Sorry. I did not mean to imply that you couldn’t take care of yourself. I just

(Fri 2:29 AM)

This situation seems incredibly precarious and I am extremely nervous at the idea of actually getting a call as your ICE. Please stay safe?

(Fri 2:56 AM)

Disappeared for reasons unrelated to you. Might need to go on blackout again? Will keep you updated. Writing down as proof in the extremely rare case that I need backup (if you do not hear from me within the next four days, contact Adam Zimmerman (neighbour. Ask Garcia to find info. Work closely with my higher-ups). Do not rush in unless Zimmerman informs you that backup is required (be smart)

(Fri 2:58 AM)

Um?

(Fri 3:01 AM)

Officers Davidson, Curtis, Evans, Wood, Payne, and Phelps. Remember those names just in case and then see if Garcia can do anything to make it seem like I never sent that text.

(Fri 3:02 AM)

Hey? I’m going to need a bit more context here. You’re scaring me.

(Fri 3:02 AM)

Davidson just sent me a photo of my niece and some fairly horrible taunting messages. Forgive me for going on high alert.

(Fri 3:03 AM)

Oh. Jesus, okay. No forgiveness is necessary. That’s all I needed to know. Best of luck. Text Garcia about the further encryption, etc. Talk to you in four.

Chapter Text

(Thurs 4:23 AM)

(undelivered) Hey

(undelivered) I miss you

(undelivered) I know that’s unfair, but we’ve been talking for nearly two years now pretty consistently. You have bigger fish to fry, proverbially speaking, but the heart wants what it wants. Wish Garcia would text me to say we were in the clear or something. Everyday I’m tempted to send you a new SD card to get you to reactivate your phone.

(undelivered) Silly I know.

(Sun 6:40 PM)

(undelivered) :(

(Sun 6:47 PM)

(undelivered) <3

(Sat 9:32 PM)

(undelivered) I’m so bored.

(undelivered) You’ve truly done something indisputably evil to my brain, Ms. Greenaway.

(undelivered) I’m in an active interrogation right now and I can not keep myself from messaging this number as though you’re on the other end just waiting to tell me to get off my phone and focus on what matters.

(Sat 10:56 PM)

(undelivered) I was, though.

(undelivered) focusing on what mattered, that is.

(undelivered) You’ve made a SAP out of me, jerk.

(undelivered) Truly reprehensible

(Wedns 2:04 AM)

(undelivered) Just watched a teenager on the street below my apartment window try to do a trick only to wipe out on the pavement. Hilarious, truly

(Thurs 7:00 PM)

(undelivered) I’m pretending to text someone right now to look busy.

(undelivered) saw a person from my elementary school at the restaurant Emily and I are having dinner in???

(Sat 4:48 AM)

(undelivered) It’s been almost two months :( How did I get through your last blackout without even trying the number you gave me? I was a stronger man back then, perhaps.

(Sat 5:23 AM)

(undelivered) Part of me hopes that these messages never send when you reactivate your device.

(Sat 6:06 AM)

(undelivered) Lol

(Sun 9:05 PM)

(undelivered) Garcia is taking me out for the night and revoking my cell phone access, because I, in her words, ‘spend too much time being gloomy at the text box’

(Sun 11:59 PM)

(undelivered) She showed me ”Les Mis”. Apparently, it’s a “cultural reset”.

(undelivered) I’m pretending, very valiantly, that I enjoyed it.

(undelivered) ‘Who Am I?’ is a good song, though.

(undelivered) Abort mission. Save yourselves. I pretended to like the musical a little too much, and now she has opened a google doc full of links to other performances. Should I threaten to arrest her for pirating?

(Mon 2:20 AM)

(undelivered) I am absolutely bawling my eyes out over Tony and Maria from West Side Story.

(Sat 5:16 AM)

(undelivered) Emily keeps asking me about you and I keep having to lie. She can tell I’m lying though, and it’s making both of us upset. 

(undelivered) She thinks we ‘broke up’ (hahah) and that I don’t want to talk to her about it.

(undelivered) She also found out somehow (Garcia…) that I sobbed my way through a mid-50’s retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and the two fiends have conned me into a movie night.

(undelivered) I say ‘conned’, but all it took was a cup of coffee. And their puppy dog eyes. Those women are monsters. They could get me to embezzle two million dollars and I would not even think twice about it.

(Wedns 2:22 AM)

(undelivered) On the plane right now and wishing I could tell you where we are headed so that you could sync up your news alerts

(Sun 4:16 PM)

(undelivered) I miss you.

(Wedns 1:06 AM)

(undelivered) thinking of you today. I love you.

(Mon 8:02 PM)

(undelivered) I think it’s a little embarrassing that I feel so much like a kicked puppy without you.

(undelivered) JJ is ready to pop at any moment!

(undelivered) Did I tell you that she had me feel the baby kick and I almost threw up?

(undelivered) Yes, rude, but can you blame me? It’s like that scene in Alien.

(Wedns 3:14 AM)

(undelivered) Wow, how did I get through nights before we started talking? The insomnia is not a new thing for me, but I am finding myself increasingly bored by my own company. Strange.

(Wedns 5:13 AM)

You’re hilarious. I leave for four months, and all of a sudden the world crumbles down.

(Wedns 5:26 AM)

I love you too.

(Wedns 5:27 AM)

Jets or Sharks?

(Wedns 5:28 AM)

Was the skater kid okay after that ego bruising? 

(Wedns 5:29 AM)

Tell me about your elementary school themed chance encounter. Who did you run into?

(Wedns 5:30 AM)

What movie did you see with Em and Penny? 

How is JJ doing? Do her and Will need anything? I hope you’re taking care of them.

(Wedns 5:33 AM)

I know it’s late, but please answer. I’ve missed you too, damn it all.

I missed you

I missed you

I missed you

I missed you.

(Wedns 5:36 AM)

Incoming;Call::Ducky

Call;Answered

Call;Duration::2hr,54min

(Wedns 8:42 AM)

I missed you too.

(Wedns 8:45 AM)

Incoming;Call::Renee Alvarez

Call;Answered

Call;Duration::54min,03sec

(Wedns 10:01 AM)

Have a good day at work <3

Thank you for letting me keep you company as you got ready.

I must say, listening to you drive sounds just as chaotic as being there in person.

Sorry for being so clingy.

(Wedns 10:13 AM)

Okay, I know I just said that, but would you be able to call me for lunch? You can say no! I just miss you. I wish we were in the same city so badly.

(Wedns 10:14 AM)

Youre talking to each other again!

You have no idea how broken up spencers been for the past months

I tried to goad him into a game of black jack and he didnt even look my way

(Wedns 10:14 AM)

Em? Hi! Yeah, I messed up my phone and had to wait to get a new one. These things are pricey nowadays! Thanks for keeping him company.

Can you pass my question on to Spencer?

(Wedns 10:15 AM)

I will not be able to call over lunch, sorry. I have a meeting with Strauss :( Can I phone you after work, though, and you can keep me company on my drive back to the apartment again?

(Wedns 10:15 AM)

Yes. :)

(Wedns 10:16 AM)

You still have to tell me about your adventures.

(Wedns 10:17 AM)

I do.

Later.

(Wedns 5:52 PM)

Out Now: Queer We Go Again

It’s a longer read made up of smaller reads. I know, sorry for the anthology, but it’ll give you something to think about on those insomnia nights :P

Mostly teeny bopper fiction, but I don’t get a lot of stories with these themes made for people our age

(Wedns 5:55 PM)

Noted.

(Wedns 5:55 PM)

Focus on work, you nerd!

(Wedns 5:56 PM)

:)

I know I have said it at least one million times at this point, but I’ve missed you so much.

(Wedns 5:56 PM)

<3

Right back at you.