Coffee // Dr. Spencer Reid

coffee on the phone

Out of twenty-four hours in a single day, spending four minutes and twenty-six seconds with Spencer was nowhere close to enough time, decided Eleanor. Her desire to see him worsened each time he disappeared to a case. 

Eleanor spent three months trying figuring out the method of madness to his work schedule. She quickly came to the conclusion that there was no specific trend. Away time on cases seemed to take between two days or four, depending on how severe the situation was. She did come to understand that if Spencer was gone for one day, it usually meant he wasn't going to be visiting for a couple days. Those were the days she left the cafe, knowing she wasn't going to miss the chance to see him. 

Eleanor ventured down the stairs from her apartment, purse hanging off her wrist. She was hurrying to shrug on her coat over her shoulders.

Nora and Sydney, seeing the woman carrying her purse, slapped each other to ensure the other become alert.

"What is she doing?" whispered Sydney.

"I've never seen her leave the shop," said Nora, horrified.

"Good morning, girls," smiled Eleanor. "I'm running to the store. Can you both handle the shop for two hours? I'll rush."

"Y-Yes, of course. Of course," agreed Nora.

"Wonderful. I'll be back soon. Call if anything goes wrong," begged Eleanor.

Sydney pointed. "There's the door, Eleanor."

"I'm gone!"

Eleanor was attacked the minute she squeezed through the back entrance of the cafe. Sydney wrapped herself around the flustered woman, making noises that Eleanor couldn't decipher as excited or terrified.

"What happened?!" panicked Eleanor, dropping her grocery bags. "Where's Nora? Is she safe? Have you called an ambulance? Are my boys okay?!"

From the stock supply closet emerged Nora, a chocolate chip cookie shoved hastily into her mouth. Once she saw Eleanor, panic set in, and she spit the cookie out, surprised. She dropped to her knees to sweep up the mess.

"Was the freak-out a cover to steal food? Because I don't mind, as long as you pay me back," said Eleanor pointedly.

"No, no, no," disagreed Sydney. "Nora, get off your knees! We have news, remember?"

Together, the girl's screamed, "Dr. Reid came in!"

Eleanor was too shocked to ask them to quiet down. She shook her head. "He... He couldn't have, he's on a case."

"The boy tried to surprise you!"

"No way," breathed Eleanor, throwing her hands to her head. "Tell me everything right now!"

"He came into the place--" started Nora.

"--looking really excited," added Sydney.