Paranoia - s.reid

Ellie's Boyfriend

The flight to Quantico had been long, a sigh of relief left Liz's lips as she entered her apartment, Spencer following after her. "Make yourself at home, as always."

The pair sat on the couch, engrossed in an intense game of chess, eyes glaring into one another when they weren't focused on the chess pieces. Liz would be lying if she said it didn't make butterflies erupt in her stomach. She'd also be lying if she said the knock at her door didn't upset her because their game was now on hold.

She swung open the door, the old, familiar face of Carole Ann Boone before her, a dog next to her. "Hi mom. What are you doing here? Hey buddy. Shouldn't you be in Washington?" Liz grinned at the dog, awaiting her mother's response.

"Yeah. I just thought that you should have Teddy. Since he's your dog and all. He misses you." The older woman smiled weakly, entering the house after her daughter and bringing the dog inside too. "Mom, if this is your way to get me to come home to you and Rose in Washington it's not going to work. This is Doctor Spencer Reid, I work with him." Liz introduced, arranging a small sleeping area and food bowls for the dog.

"Hi, Ms Boone. I'm Ellie's boyfriend." She froze. Boyfriend? Was he being serious? They didn't talk about this! "Oh. Elizabeth didn't tell me she was in a relationship."

"Sorry, mom. Can I quickly talk to him in the kitchen?" Before her mother could reply, Liz dragged the doctor into the closed off kitchen. "What the hell are you doing? My boyfriend?"

"Your mother wants you to go back to Washington, right? Maybe if she saw that you had a commitment that wasn't your work here, she'd want you to stay." Spencer knew this wasn't the reason why. He didn't want to be introduced as her boyfriend because of that, of course he wanted her to stay. But not because of a fake relationship. He wanted it to be real, he wished it was real. Liz nodded, allowing Spencer to grab her hand and lead her to the living room where the dog sat. 

"You have a nice apartment here, a job. A boyfriend. It's good you're happy here. Rose is happy back home too. When did you last talk to her?" Carole almost scoffed at the word 'boyfriend'. "Haven't talked to Rose in a while."

"You know, if your father were here, he'd threaten your boyfriend if he ever hurt you." Liz wanted to smile, but she knew her father wouldn't be joking. "I promise I'll take excellent care of Ellie, Ms Boone." Spencer offered a reassuring smile, gripping Liz's hand tighter.

"Thank you. I should get home. Long drive ahead."

"You can stay the night here if you want."

"Wouldn't want to interrupt you and your boyfriend." The woman collected her things and left the house. No exchange of 'I love you's' or hugs. 

"Ellie, do you want me to stay?" Liz looked up at the man before her, smiling softly before nodding. "No. Go home, Penny. I'll call you in the morning, alright?" She hugged him, kissing his cheek before he grabbed his coat and bag. 

"Okay."

Once the doctor had left, Elizabeth Bundy sunk into the soft mattress of her bed, playing the same tape she played every night.

"What is your relationship with Elizabeth Ann Bundy?"

-----

The next morning, Liz slouched in her seat, arms resting on her desk as she lazily conversed with Morgan, giggling at the struggling Spencer next to her. She loved watching him play himself at chess. 

"Hey Liz, remember a couple of weeks ago, we went out for drinks. I introduced you to a guy. You left pretty early, was it with him?" Liz gulped. She had left with someone. She didn't leave with the guy Morgan introduced her to, but with the guy who sat at the desk next to her.