After it All (a Life Outside the BAU sequel)

Chapter 3

I woke up with Victoria sleeping peacfully beside me. She snored like a puppy, light and quiet. I get out of bed slowly and walk out to the living room and turn on the t.v. The news was on, something about a murder I was too sleepy to really pay attention. But that reminded me, I need to get back to work sooner or later. I reached over and grabed my phone. No new messages or missed calls. I dial Hotchs number and listen to it ring, and ring, and ring unti he finally picks up. "Hey Reid, how are you feeling?" "I'm doing great Hotch thanks for asking. I was thinking that I'm ready to get back to work" "Oh that's great, can you be in by tomorrow?" "Yes of course, I will see you then" "Okay, thanks, bye" Hotch hung up the phone. I was excited to go back to work, I missed Morgan's teasing nature, JJ's kind heart that is always caring about others over herself, Hotch's stern composure, Garcia's quirky comments and free flying soul, and Callahans friendliness, I feel like I could tell anything to her. "Spencer?" I hear Victoria call from the bedroom, shaking me out of my thought. "Yeah, I'm in here" Victoria walks out in her nightgown, bedhead and all. "What you watching?" "Oh I'm not really paying attention, I have some good news" Victoria comes and cuddles up to me on the couch "What is it?" "Well... tomorrow I'm going back to work" Her face was full of excitement, "That's amazing Spencer" she hugs me tightly "but are you sure your ready to go back?" "Yeah I'm fine, I'll be okay" "Maybe I should call my work as well, it will be good for me" I turn and look at her flushed face. I kiss her slowly on the cheek making it last. We both continue our day, together. Shopping, reading, sharing random facts of knowledge. How could I have not seen this before? I enjoy this new side of her. I just don't understand why she felt the need to keep it from me? I'm not in the mood to bother myself with these questions. After a long day I am completely winded. Victoria and I order in Chinese food, it is one of her favourites. We watched some show off TLC while we ate. I don't understand how people find this entertaining but I don't question her. Victoria does the dishes as I clean up the house. Finally after two weeks I was going back to work tomorrow. Getting up before anyone else, being called in at unimaginable times, seeing unimaginable things. How was this going to work for Victoria and my relationship with us both going back to work? It will work itself out, it has too. I put everything on the line for us, all my love, all my time. She was a beautiful woman who deserves so much in life, would I be able to give her everything? Will I Have to choose between her and my job? I notice I ask myself a lot of questions when II'm nervous. I love her too much to lose her now. "I'm beat, I'm going to bed" I call halfway to the bedroom. "I'm right behind you" Victoria puts the last dish away and starts heading towards me. She wraps her arms round my waist and lightly squeezes putting her cheek on my spine. "I love you, you know that" She squeezes me tighter as she speaks. "of course I know that, you tell me everyday" I turn and face her, her arms still wrapped around my waist "and I love you too" I make a gesture with my head that I was heading towards the bed and she followed me. She slipped under the covers beside me and put her hand on my chest. "Are you okay?" I ask out of curiosity. "Yes, of course" "You would tell me if something was wrong right?" "Mhmm" before I knew it she was passed out leaving me wide awake staring at the ceiling. I fell asleep not long after, the nightmares returning and as gruesome as ever. I wake up covered in sweat and Victoria is gone from my side. I check my alarm, 5 minutes before it goes off. "Victoria?" no reply "Victoria hunny, are you there?" still no answer. I heard a loud bang coming from the kitchen. "Victoria is that you?" all I hear is silence. I slowly get out of bed as I hear another bang. I grab my gun from my bedside drawer. I hold it at my side as I walk out into the living room. There was someone in the kitchen. I slowly walk over to where the noise is coming from. I get ready to aim my gun as a head pops up from the bottom cupboard. "Ah!" Victoria screams ripping the ear bids out from her ears. "You scared the shit out of me!" she screams running to my side. "You? I thought you were gone again" I sit down in the nearest chair setting down my gun. I rub my eyes and breath deeply. Victoria walks in front of me and squats down, looking up at me. "Are you sure you're okay to go to work today? I'm sure they would understand if you took another week off" "No, I need to go back today, if I don't go now I may never go back" She puts her hand on my cheek. "I'm so sorry, about freaking out, I just don't want to lose you" I say holding back tears. "That's not going to happen, I promise" I kiss her, she is the most amazing woman I have ever met in my whole life. "I better get going" she smiles and nods at me as I grab my coat. Just as I'm about to walk out the door she walks over to me. "Be safe" "I will" I kiss her one last time on the forehead before walking out the door.