Gentle Epiphany // Criminal Minds

Chapter Twenty Two - All's Well That Ends

♜ Spencer ♜

"What's got you in the dumps." Morgan questions ruffling my hair. I sho his hand away trying to duck out of his grasp.

"It's nothing." I answer watching him lean against my desk, Elle walking over with a raised brow.

"Why the long face?" She asks.

I scoff in frustration, why is everyone choosing today to be concerned about me. "Nothing is wrong!"

Morgan shakes his head in disagreement, "Something is clearly bugging you, Reid."

"I did what Elle told me to do. Okay?!" I rush out in one breath, "I went to Daphnes apartment to confess my feelings only to meet a really hunky goat cheese farmer with a better smile than Morgan making popcorn and getting ready to watch a movie with her."

Elle's smile drops looking at me with sympathy. "I'm sorry Reid. I thought for sure...."

"Daphne has a boyfriend?" Morgan questions, a muscle in his jaw twitching.

"He called himself her friend but....the way his hand rested on her lower back would suggest he felt more than just friends."

"So he's a cheese farmer?" Morgan asks.

"A goat cheese farmer." I correct, "They met at the farmers market where she buys flowers. They have inside jokes, apparently he called her flower girl with his friend."

Morgan and I both roll our eyes, while Elle just sits there listening. "So do you think...." Morgan is about to say something else when Daphne comes walking through the bullpen. Elle telling him to shut up in a hushed tone.

I'm used to being the person to make situations awkward, but today all three of us are making her noticeably uncomfortable the moment she drops her bag on her desk.

"Good morning." She says looking between the three of us suspiciously.

"Morning" Elle turns to smile at her.

"Scoob got herself a boyfriend." Morgan's eyes flicker with dejection.

Daphne glances at me, hurt, sadness, and a bit of disappointment flashes across her cornflower blue eyes. "Excuse me." She whispers walking off towards the bathrooms. Elle smacks Morgan on his arm, asking her what that was for.

"Being a idiot that's why! You know Daphne is very private with things..." Elle looks my way subtly, as if me telling them about Alec was the wrong move....perhaps it was. "She's allowed to date whoever she wants even if it's not either of you."

I meet Morgans gaze, he shakes his heading pushing off my desk and moving towards his own. His silent way of saying he was done with this conversation. Elle watches me for a moment staring at him before she clears her throat forcing me to pay attention to her.

"You have two choices Reid. You can either choose to let this cheese farmer...."

"Goat cheese farmer." I correct.

She rolls her eyes at my interruption. "Okay....you can choose to let this goat cheese farmer sweep Daphne off her feet and with it your chance at being more. Or you can fight for her. Prove to her why you are her perfect guy."

My eyes travel towards her desk, the look on her face right before she excused herself replaying in my mind. I had hurt her, all I've done is hurt her however accidental. She deserves better and maybe Alec could be better for her.

"Her perfect guy wouldn't make her sad the way I have. Face it Elle. She's out of my league in more ways than one and she deserves someone who doesn't get tongue tied just trying to express his feelings. Someone who doesn't humiliate her."