Ineffable - S.REID

16

・゜゜・．TWO WEEKS LATER .・゜゜・

Clara loved to swim. The back and forth, the feeling of the water gliding past her skin. They way she could hold her breath to the very last second then break the surface, taking gulps of air that were always the most relieving things in existence. The way in which it was something she could control. She much preferred it to running, even if the smell of chlorine would linger in her hair for a few hours even after showering. She found great comfort in it.

At the gym where she swam as it had a private and cleaner pool, she often ran into Morgan post workout and they would have a short discussion as they walked to their cars. Only this time he hadn't appeared, even after she lingered for just a second. She made it to her car and had got inside, locking the doors quickly as she could not shake the fear that someone was hiding in the bushes. She knew it wasn't likely and that it was most probably a trauma response but that did not help the fear that had her hairs standing on edge.

-

The feeling returned as she and the team celebrated Spencer's winning score at the FBI softball game. She fled from feeling immediately proud and joyful for him as she watched Morgan hoist him into the air to immediately feel on edge. She had stood up with the others, cheering as loudly as her voice would allow. But then the same coldness swept over her muscles, bringing goosebumps to her shoulders even though it was a warm day. She fell back into her seat next to Garcia, frowning softly as she scanned through the crowds of people. She couldn't see anyone suspicious but her vision for great distances was limited, she assumed the person would hide in the shadows or perhaps in a blacked out car.

"Pumpkin?" Garcia asked softly, hand on Clara's shoulder as she had immediately noticed the instant change in her friend's demeanour. Everyone else, thankfully she thought, was too distracted by the win to notice the two women still sat in the stands.

"I think we're being watched." she whispered so softly that it would barely be heard steps away from them, let alone metres. Garcia grew pale at the look on Clara's face, the two of them both without a clue on what to do.

-

Clara, who lay asleep next to Spencer on her couch, was blissfully unaware of the turmoil occurring in his unconscious mind. They had both unintentionally fallen asleep whilst watching the second movie of the night (he had picked the first, she had picked the second.) They had separate blankets but underneath them one half of their bodies were pressed together, legs falling off the sofa directly opposite each other. That was until Spencer woke from the worst kind of nightmare with a start and a slight scream that shook her awake too. "Holy shit, are you okay?"

He nodded with a hesitation that told her too much. He forked his hands through his hair, telling his mind that it was over and he was back in reality, far away from Tobias Hankel. "Nightmare sorry," he almost whispered, clearing his throat uncomfortably.

She smiled softly, comfortingly, "Don't apologise, do you want a glass of water?"

He nodded and she, despite the discomfort it caused to be flung into the cold, removed her blankets and headed to the kitchen with the blanket draped over her shoulders instead. By the time she returned, he had somewhat managed to compose himself and the colour had returned to his face.

"Have I told you what happened in the case with Tobias yet?" he asked softly as she placed the glass of water on the end table nearest to him, the thunk filled the room of silence. She found the question odd instantly, given his eidetic memory and instantly knew that this had to be severe and incredibly important. She shook her head, not knowing what the words would be. He told her everything. From the kidnapping to the drug addiction to the now frequent meetings he went to to deal with it all. Clara remained wordless throughout, unable to express in the correct way how sorry she was that had all happened to him. So she just hugged him tightly, after checking it was okay to do so of course. He had never needed such an enveloping and comforting hug more in his life.

The end of his story and their hug that lasted at least two minutes was met with silence and only silence. "Spence, what's your favourite colour?"

"Why?"

"I just realised that I never asked you," she shrugged, patiently awaiting his response. Without intending to, she had provided a sort of restart to his brain with the random off topic question.

He smiled softly, "Purple."

"Dark or light?"

"Dark but the gap between them is very slim. What's yours?"

"You mean you can't tell from the colours around my house?"

"I didn't want to assume," he chuckled softly and her existing smile brightened.

"It's been my favourite since I was about, I think fifteen...I had a green themed birthday cake that year."

He continued to laugh whilst hers trailed off, her attention falling to a curtain that had been closed earlier but now had a slight gap between the pieces of fabric. She frowned, feeling the cold feeling creep back over her. "Hey, you okay?" he asked softly, hand going towards hers.

"Yeah sorry, I thought I saw something outside. Probably just being paranoid given how late it is," she laughed but there was subtle sarcasm to it, one which brought a crease of concern to his eyebrows. "Do you want me to make you up the bed in the guest room?"

"I'm fine on the couch."

"Are you sure? It's no trouble."

"I'm sure."

"Goodnight then."

"Goodnight Ara."

They exchanged soft smiles and he fought the urge to watch as she walked towards and up the stairs. Once he heard the door to her bedroom shut, he stood and walked over to the curtain in which she had been staring at beforehand. He opened them quickly and looked out for just a minute, searching in the shadows for anything suspicious. He closed them once somewhat convinced there was nothing there then returned to the comfy couch where he would peacefully sleep the rest of the night away.