Coffee // Dr. Spencer Reid

coffee at a wedding (the end)

Every fiber of Eleanor's being hurt. Her smile was forced. Her footsteps were shuffles. Her shoulders couldn't help but slouch. She was traumatized by how she reacted to Spencer. The poor man had only been trying to understand where he went wrong, and she hadn't helped him to, as she should have. She avoided him out of fright. Worsening their relationship was the last thing she wanted. Approaching the situation was foreign to her. Fear was what kept her away from him, despite the fact that all she wanted to do was see him.  

Seeing one another came faster than they expected. 

Will invited Eleanor to a wedding at his friend's home. He noticed her mood lately. He was not a fan of it, at all. He begged her to come, insisting that the wedding would brighten her sadness. It hadn't mattered that Eleanor didn't like to dance or drink, however, Will didn't take no for an answer. 

Alas, Eleanor stood in front of a mansion. Timidly, her curled fist knocked four times on the massive mahogany door. 

A graying Italian man swung open the door. "Hello, hello! Will said we might have an unknown coming. Eleanor, isn't it?"

"Yes, I'm Eleanor. It's nice to meet you," she greeted, reaching to shake his hand.

"I'm David Rossi," he introduced. "Follow me."

Eleanor was careful to keep her hands to her chest as he walked briskly through the beautiful house. He showed her where the bathroom and the bar was located. Then, he guided her out of the back door, where his backyard was beautifully decorated with fairy lights across the garden and gazebo. 

"Oh, wow," breathed Eleanor. "This place is breathtaking, David."

"Thank you! I'm afraid I had nothing to do with the decorating, but I'm honored to have provided the spot where those lovebirds are getting married," sighed David. "I'll introduce you to a few people... Guys, this is Eleanor."

"Hi, nice to meet you. I'm Emily," said the dark haired woman. "Are you related to J.J. or Will?"

"Oh, no, Will's a frequent at my coffee shop. I've babysat Henry a couple times, and all," explained Eleanor. 

"Coffee shop? Huh. We should have you provide coffee for our work," said the other man. He waved. "I'm Aaron Hotcher. My son, Jack, is around here somewhere. If I find him, I'll be sure he meets you."

David pointed across the backyard. "Jack and Henry are over there watching a magic show," he laughed. 

"And, of course, sweet talking the bride's mother is--"

"Derek Morgan," squeaked Eleanor.

"Uh-oh," said Emily. "You know Morgan?"

The color from Eleanor's face faded entirely. Struggling to talk, let alone breathe, she tried to excuse herself. "I... I think--"

"Sweetie, are you okay?" wondered Emily. 

"You look a little pale," noticed David. Worriedly, his hand hovered over her back. 

"I-I can't be here. Tell Will that I'm sorry, okay? Tell him I'm so sorry," rambled Eleanor, stumbling backwards.

"Hold on a second," said Aaron pointedly. "What's the matter?"