COVERT : Spencer Reid (II)

20

"I should have splurged on seat warmers," Rachel's teeth chatter.

Complaining would make me a dick. Rachel picked the worst time to buy a car, just like I picked the worst time to buy a condo. Now though, Estelle, Rachel and I have worked out an even plan. Estelle cooks, Rachel drives, and I pay most of the mortgage. We all do renos. If Rachel wasn't carpooling with me, I'd be even colder and I'd be hovering over Bastien's contact. I call him with her beside me, so the journey even brings me peace of mind.

"I'll just run down to the garage early when it's cold and warm the car," I shrug. "And pay for the extra gas too."

"Cole, pick a lane," Rachel huffs. "You can be cool, mysterious and sexy, sure, but you can't also be kind. Unless you want to be my sugar mama."

"I don't need to pick a lane, I'm not driving," I roll my eyes." And I'm not kind. I'm grateful. Besides, I'm used to the cold."

"You act like you grew up in the Arctic Circle, not Québec," she snorts, then covers her mouth. "Fuck, that was so unattractive. This is why I'm perpetually single. Snorting. That, plus the crazy ex-boyfriend doesn't exactly make good first date conversation. I need you and Estelle to become my wing women. There aren't enough cute singles in my area."

I can't help but smile, "Morgan's single."

"Yeah, and if I go after him, you'll never be able to sneak your semisecret boyfriend over," she pauses, waiting for my confirmation. I continue to withhold it. She sighs, "besides, I think he's interested in Estelle, who's clearly a lesbian."

I nearly snort, "no she's not."

"She is."

"Well, if she is now, she wasn't at Oxford."

"Keep mentioning Oxford. It will turn off all the men that will flock to you next time we go out," Rachel starts to pull into the lot. "And Estelle is in love with you, or otherwise weirdly enmeshed. She's weirdly territorial. She and I get on fine until you enter the room. Then suddenly it is like she's a mama bear and I've stumbled into her den during hibernation."

I shrug, "she wanted your room as an office."

"No, she wanted to make love to you on her brand-new kitchen counters," Rachel retorts. "And I'm threatening that. Not just because of the privacy, but also because I'm so pretty both of you would be lucky to have me. Unfortunately for you, and lucky for your doctor friend, I am in fact as straight as I am hot."

"And full of yourself."

"Better than being full of my coworker."

I laugh so hard I nearly piss myself. It doesn't help that Rachel starts laughing too, and she snorts again, and I've barely composed myself by the time we've parked.

Getting through security takes longer for Rachel. I remember my first few months were agonizing. When I waved goodbye, she blows me a kiss. Because of the carpooling, I can't get in early or work late. My flow has been interrupted. I don't say hello when I get in the office. I boot up the computer, throw all my glasses, and I get swallowed by the new data. Someone must refill my mug because at one point it's cold and the next minute it's hot. Or perhaps the next hour. If Prentiss didn't insist I go to the gun range with her at lunch, I swear I wouldn't even eat.

It's shameful to admit, but I wish they were on a case. Maybe it would be nice to see Spencer. We've only been back from today for three days, and we have plans to actually spend time together this evening. Not entirely so I can work late, but not needing a ride home from Rachel is definitely a benefit. If they were gone though, I could work through lunch without Prentiss passing me nervous glances or Morgan talking too loudly on the phone. Maybe I should take up Hotch's suggestion that I get my own office.