unedited

six. passing time

MONTHS WENT BY, AND SOON RHEA'S CLASS GOT USED TO SPENCER'S ODDLY TIMED VISITS. She couldn't deny that she'd enjoyed the days she'd look outside and see the doctor's eager face through the window. She hadn't seen Katie smile so wide before, especially since she had the support of not one, but two adult influences. If Rhea was her maternal figure, Spencer was the paternal, and they both looked out for her in a way that made her feel like she finally had true caregivers. 

The girl was starting to talk to the other students a little more, as well. She and Louis had gotten talking about A Series of Unfortunate Events and were now joined at the hip, giving her someone to play with at recess and to walk home with at the end of the day. 

That left Rhea in a quiet room at lunchtime, sitting across from Samuel as they shared a grilled cheese over a paper plate. Rhea had always loved her coworker's 'cooking', and he was happy to share, which was why they sat widespread on the carpet in silence, appreciating the rare delicacy of supermarket bread, butter and melted cheese.

LUNCHTIME MIX was playing on the tape deck, the current song being a badly recorded version of Tracy Chapman's Stand by Me bleeding through the speakers. Rhea's shoe tapped against Samuel's knee, her head nodding back and forth to the beat. 

Samuel finished his half of the sandwich before her, and he lay back on the ground, listening to the music with closed eyes. Then, he shot up quickly, as if remembering something important. "Oh my God, did you hear Louisa met someone?"

"Shit, really?" Rhea stopped swaying, her full attention on her friend. It was lucky there weren't any students in the classroom, as they'd probably end up repeating the foul language if they heard. "Who? When? Where?"

"Her name is Kylie Hanne," Samuel began, reaching for the plate and frisbee-ing it into the trash. "She's fifty-three, she works at Sandstone High School, and they met at that conference a few weeks ago. You know...the one that was handing out the Kraft vouchers?"

"Oh, I remember that!" she exclaimed, pointing at him. "Aw, that's great for her. Maybe she'll get some and finally loosen up a little."

"You can talk," Samuel snorted, and Rhea rolled her eyes, finishing her last bite and wiping her hands on the paper towel they'd been sharing. "When was the last time you got laid?"

"Don't worry about it," she waved him off with an amused smile. "I don't want a relationship right now. Besides, I'm already living vicariously through Daisy and Aaron."

"I'm not talking about a relationship," Samuel shook his head as the tape clicked, signalling the end of the side. He heaved himself up and changed it, pressing play and returning. Radio by The Corrs began to play, and he huffed as he sat back down. "I'm talking about meaningless sex with someone you don't care about. It doesn't have to be someone you work with, though I'm sure Whittle wouldn't mind."

"Shut up," Rhea groaned, hanging her head. Richard Whittle, who'd nicknamed himself 'Big Dick', had always been up for fun and games, even with the pregnant Daisy, who had become very put off by him over the years. "I'm too busy for that kind of thing."

"You're an elementary school teacher who doesn't have any issues with her students," he pointed out. She went to object, but he smacked her leg to shut her up. "Come on, your kids adore you. You pay attention to every single one of them and let them learn the way that's best for them. You set the standard way too high for us peasants to compete with."

Rhea sent him a look. He, too, was loved by the students. He was the cool fifth grade teacher who listened to cool music and let them watch cartoons on Friday afternoons. He taught stop-motion animation as an elective and brought in his pet ferret on Grandparent's day. They were a power duo, to put it simply. 

"I'll think about it," she chuckled. "Is that good enough for you?"

Samuel sighed happily. "Absolutely perfect. I look forward to watching your sex-ploits unfold."

Rhea groaned, shoving him. She then reached into her pocket and pulled out her phone, looking to see if she'd missed any messages or calls. 

"Waiting for the doctor to call?" Samuel asked, his voice still teasing. Rhea stuck her tongue out. 

"I am, actually," she retorted. "He said he'd try and make it sometime this week, but he hasn't said anything. I don't know if he's on a case, either."

"Try calling Daisy," Samuel took a long gulp of water from his drink bottle. "She'd probably know something."

"You're right," she hummed, puling up Daisy's contact and tapping in a message. 

TO: D ALVAREZ (HOTCHNER)

Hey, just wondering if you're on a case at the moment? Spencer was due to come in today but he hasn't texted to let me know you guys were away. 

Stay safe and I love you !!!

She put the phone at her side and exhaled, relishing in the quiet time she had before the kids came barrelling back inside.

★☆

It was only when Rhea had started packing up for the day when Daisy called her back. 

Initially, the vibrating of the phone on her desk made her jump five feet in the air, but when she composed herself, she grabbed the device and put it on speaker, letting the woman's voice echo through the empty classroom. She was thankful to be reached out to after what felt like hours, regardless of what news she'd receive. "Daisy!"

"Hey," Daisy sounded dejected - a stark change to her usual upbeat attitude. Rhea stopped where she was, her hand hovering over the stack of homework she was supposed to bring home. Clearly something had happened - she knew the woman too well to think otherwise. 

"Are you okay?" Rhea quickly began to panic, her mind producing the worst ideas of what may have gone on while they were apart. She barely registered the fact that her breath was lodged in the back of her throat. "Are you hurt? Is it the baby? Is it Jack? Aaron?"

"No, no, we're all fine," the agent assured her immediately, clearly picturing the reaction on the other side of the phone. Rhea's shoulders relaxed considerably, though there was a funny feeling in her stomach that told her there was more to be said. What it was...she didn't know just yet. Daisy hesitated, probably fiddling with her hair like she usually did when she was anxious. "It's...it's Spencer."

There it was. 

Rhea reached for the phone and took it off speaker, despite no one else being around to hear the conversation. The possibility was there. Maybe Katie would run in saying she forgot her homework (unlikely), or Samuel would come to raid her fridge (slightly more likely). She knew having the device at her ear was best, as she felt like whatever her best friend was about to say was something important. "What is it? Is he alright? He hasn't texted me back, were you on a case-"

"Rhea," Daisy trailed off. Clearly she hadn't expected to give the news, not like this anyway. She didn't really know too much about the professional relationship between her coworker and friend, just that he was supposed to go to her career day. She didn't even know they had each other's phone numbers - it had never come up in conversation. "Spencer's girlfriend, Maeve...she died a few nights ago. She was shot. Right in front of him."

"Oh," Rhea felt her chest contract instantly. She fell back into her chair, eyes wide and left hand unconsciously reaching to itch her throat. The skin quickly grew red and inflamed before she noticed, her thoughts occupied by what she'd just heard. "Oh, that's horrible. Oh my God, Daisy - how...how's he doing?"

Daisy sighed softly. Rhea could picture her trying to force down tears - she'd never been one to cry where others could see and hear. "He's locked himself in his apartment. He's not talking or responding to our messages. He's damn near broken."

Rhea pursed her lips, the feeling in her chest sinking to her stomach. She felt sick. Of course she didn't know Spencer that well, but he didn't deserve this. No one did.

"Rhea," Daisy muttered. "Come and visit when you have a minute, okay? It'd be nice to see you."

"Of course," Rhea assured the woman. "Listen, Daisy...would you mind sending me Spencer's address?"

"I don't know if he can handle visitors right now-"

"No, no," she shook her head despite the conversation not being face to face. "I just wanted to leave something by his door; a meal or two. I'm sure he's not eating well at the moment, and I'd like to give him the option of having something."

Daisy hesitated. "You're right. I'll text it to you, okay?"

"Okay," Rhea replied. "I'll come to the apartment tomorrow morning. Stay safe, alright?"

"You too," Daisy hummed. "Love you, Rhea."

Rhea managed a sad smile. "I love you, too."

★☆

another chapter!!! and things are happening!!!!! yayyyyy!!!!

I just wanna gett to the DRAMAMAAAAA