TWENTY-ONE. THE MORNING AFTER

RHEA BY NO MEANS INTENDED TO PULL A 'DAISY ALVAREZ'. To have drunken hookups with people she already knew and established relationships with was not her style, so when she woke up the next morning hungover and aching, the events of the night before came crashing down around her. 

Her eyes could barely open past a squint, and she was welcomed by the sight of dark walls and piles of books. She groaned softly and turned in bed, one leg twisted in the duvet covers. She was cold; why was she cold? Everything clicked into place when she saw Spencer Reid snoring softly to her left. His hair was pulled back and tied up, something she didn't remember him doing. She must have fallen asleep before him, as she reached up and was taken off guard by the bonnet securely placed on her head. Her make up had been removed, and she didn't feel the discomfort she usually would after a night of fun. She shouldn't have been surprised - he'd seen her night routine a thousand times, and he was a damn genius. Still, it was more than some people had done.

He'd taken care of her, and that made her smile.

Even in his sleep, he appeared to be in deep thought. There was a crease between his brows and his lips were moving like he was having a conversation with someone. She tilted her head, resisting the urge to reach forward and tuck a piece of hair behind his ear. That was when it all hit her like a freight train travelling at full speed. She squeezed her eyes shut and threw the covers off of her legs, jumping out of bed and tiptoeing across the room. She sorted through his drawers for one of the white tops he wore under his work shirts, and a pair of sweatpants she'd bought him in attempt to make his wardrobe more 'comfortable'. 

Then, she went to the door, but not without a single glance back to see him still dreaming. 

When she stepped out into the front room, she saw that Diana Reid was sitting on the sofa, flicking through the scrapbook Spencer had gotten sent over from Las Vegas, a glass of water on the table in front of her. She was calm, which meant Rhea wasn't worried about approaching. 

"Morning, Diana," she smiled softly, lowering herself onto the couch. She remained a comfortable distance, knowing that touch had overwhelmed the woman in the past. "How are you feeling today?"

"Where's Spencer?" she mumbled, barely addressing the teacher. Rhea swallowed, scratching her upper arm. "Is he alright? I didn't hear him come home last night."

"Cassie's been giving you Zopiclone twice a week," she explained. "It's a type of medication that helps you sleep. It's been really helpful; you've gotten through almost every night. Spencer hasn't had to come and help you."

"Spencer's my son," Diana grumbled, practically throwing the page over instead of gently turning it. "Spencer takes care of me. He's not going to poison me like that damn nurse does."

"Cassie doesn't poison you," Rhea crossed her legs and started removing her bonnet. It wasn't done perfectly, but it was pretty impressive for a man who'd only seen the process. "Spencer hired her because he wants you to have all the support you need. Just so that when he's not here, someone can make sure you're safe and healthy."

"Why can't he just hire you," she muttered, not lifting her eyes from the book. Rhea's lips quirked slightly. "He trusts you."

"He trusts Cassie," the younger woman pointed out. "Besides, I'm not a nurse. All I can do is offer you guys a helping hand."

"So what is it that you do?" Diana finally looked up, her hands placed flat on the open book. 

Rhea ran her hands through her curls, allowing them to fall over her shoulders. "I'm an elementary school teacher."

"Hmm," Diana hummed. "I was a college professor, you know."

"Yeah, Spencer told me," Rhea shifted to face her. "He's always talking about how intelligent you are. You're his hero, Diana."

"Oh, I don't know about that," she muttered, lifting her hand to itch the side of her head. The blank look in her eyes returned, and she stared quietly at the photographs. "I hate being here, Rhea."

Rhea pursed her lips, trying to find the right words to say. She scooted over a little and gently touched Diana's shoulder. It was short and didn't linger too long, but it was a brief movement that allowed them to connect. Neither saw Spencer in the doorway, watching wordlessly. "I know. But this is what's best right now, okay? And look on the bright side, you get to spend all this time with Spence. He's glad to have you here. We both are."

"Thank you," Diana mumbled as she got to her feet. She stopped for a moment, as if she'd forgotten where she was going, before she started to walk to her bedroom. Rhea was left alone, and she quietly reached for the album, which had been left open on a picture of Spencer in his early teen years. 

"That was my high school graduation," she nearly jumped out of her skin when she heard his voice behind her. She looked back with a hand resting on her chest, seeing him in his pyjamas. He pointed to the image. "I was twelve, almost thirteen."

"Damn," Rhea whistled, her eyes returning to the book in her hands. He was right. He wore a cloak that was too big for him and a cap that hung too low on his forehead, but in his hand was a rolled up high school diploma. 

Spencer sat beside her, leaning in a little. Rhea could smell her perfume on his neck accompanied by the hickeys she'd gifted him, which made her flush a little. She sat back as he flipped through the pages, before finding one in particular. "My first day at Caltech. I used to ride my bike to each class so I could get there before everyone else."

"You were such a cutie," Rhea cooed, reaching over to poke his cheek. Spencer smiled, looking up at her. 

They stared at each other for a little while, neither of them knowing what to do. Spencer's eyes flickered down to her lips, and he swallowed. "Do you...do you regret last night?"

"Of course not," she assured him.  "Do you?"

He shook his head with a slightly dopey smile. "No, I don't."

She leaned forward and pressed a light kiss to his cheek. He almost fell into it, but she pulled away before it could go any further. "Good. Now, I'm gonna go run some errands. I'll be back later, pretty boy."

With that, she stood up and ruffled his hair, managed to avoid any further intimate interactions with him. It wasn't that she didn't want it, but she knew that whatever happened from now on would complicate their relationship even more. 

★☆

"You slept with him?!" Samuel choked on his coffee, before cursing and rushing to find something to clean it up. They were sitting in the middle of his apartment after Rhea had burst inside in a fit of confusion, and after a long cuddle from Samuel's husband of two years and two cups of hot chocolate, she was finally ready to sit down and talk. 

"Oh my God, Rhea," Kev's hands covered his face in shock. "I can't believe you finally did it."

"Finally?" Rhea's brows knitted together. "What do you mean, finally?"

Samuel came back with a handful of paper towels. "Don't play dumb, Rhea. Ever since he found your vibrator in the bathroom cupboard there's been this weird sexual tension between you two. Everyone's noticed it."

"That was almost three years ago," she waved him off. "And besides, he would have said something."

"No," both men shook their heads in sync. 

"Spencer Reid would never ever do or say anything to risk losing you," Samuel cursed a little as he struggled to get the liquid out of the carpet. Kev sighed and swatted him away before taking care of it himself. The curly haired teacher straightened up and shoved his hands in his pockets. "Have you see the guy? He's been following you around like a lost puppy for as long as you've known each other. He's probably been dreaming about this happening."

Rhea shot him a glare. "Sam, that's not funny."

Samuel grinned. "It's a little funny. It's also true. Remember that one night we went out for New Years? He got drunk and told me that he wanted to be your midnight kiss. You should've seen his face when he saw you with someone else. I thought his heart broke then and there."

"Sam," Rhea sighed, her head falling back against the couch cushions. "That's not how me and Spencer work. We're...we're..."

"Two peas in a pod."

"Kindred spirits."

"Twin flames."

Kev and Samuel bounced back and forth before the latter threw his hands up in the air. "Dude, you two are practically soulmates. Platonic or not, you love each other and finally decided to do something about it. It's not a difficult thing to accept."

Kev hummed in agreement as he got to his feet, walking to the kitchen to dispose of the paper towels. 

Sam sat down beside Rhea and took her hand. "Rhea. Can I be honest with you?"

"As opposed to how you usually talk to me?" she joked, and he shushed her. "Yeah, fine."

"Spencer's the first guy you've liked that hasn't had to intimidate you to show his affections," he said softly. Rhea's eyes averted to her lap. "He's been kind and gentle, which is something you've never had in a romantic relationship before. He's exactly what you deserve; someone who doesn't want to hurt you."

Rhea sighed, leaning into his side. Samuel moved his hand up to her head, holding her tightly. "Maybe it's just not a good idea."

"Maybe it's not," he replied. "But maybe it'll be the best thing that'll ever happen to you."

★☆

sorry it's been a little while since my last update!! my brain is broken atm 

I also made a new cover so umm I hope its okay 

also !!!! I've decided to write an emily book set around season 2 for part one and maybe like season 14 for the second part?? it's gonna have a few links to the tv show 'bones', hence the name !!

here's the cover, which also isn't great but ya know oh well