Winnie

Home pt 2

It took some convincing but Spencer finally got Hotch to sign off on some vacation days. The flight was set and bags were packed. The only thing left was for Winnie to say her goodbyes to the gang. 

"What are you gonna do when you get there?" Emily asked. 

"Well, once i get settled i was thinking about going to the police academy, and getting the credentials to be a consultant. I've really enjoyed helping you guys out." Winnie answered. 

"That's great!"Morgan said, "If you're ever stumped on a case, we're only one call away" He smiled, Winnie smiled too. 

"Or if you ever just want to chat!" Penelope added.

"Of course! " Winnie exclaimed. 

"Let's go, you don't want to miss your flight." Hotch said. He decided to drive them to the airport, despite his reluctancy to sign Spencer's vacation days. 

The three piled the luggage in the car and headed off to the airport. A long quiet drive, several miles and a loads of traffic later... they finally made it, with just enough time for a quick goodbye and security check. Sadly, the two were not allowed to take the private jet. If there was a killer to catch then sure but alas the world was just as safe as they left it. And Hotch barely allowed Spencer to go, much less to take the jet, that would definitely be pushing it. 

Security didn't take long, thank goodness, considering that the flight had almost finished boarding; Spence and Winnie had to sprint to catch the lady from closing the door. Finally o the plane, they could relax. 

"Dibs on the window seat!" Winnie pushed past Spencer and jumped into the seat. She got a few glares from some of the surrounding passengers but didn't notice, or care to notice. 

They quickly got settled and the plane slowly began to make its way down the runway, and soon enough they were in the air. 

They spent most of the flight talking, some of it reading and the rest napping and snacking. They talked mostly about school and smart people stuff that no normal person would know even remotely about. Like quantum mechanics and physics and string theory, basically any type of theory. The topics ranged from science to maths to rhetoric and so on. Eventually the flight had to come to an end and so did their naps. 

Slightly drowsy and the airplane smell emitting from their clothes the two were able to rent a car and find a hotel. They dropped off the luggage (although, Winnie didn't have much) and went to find the closest coffee shop. Along flight and jetleg? They NEEDED coffee. One iced caramel coffee and a cold brew with 10 sugars later, the two took a table in the sunshine ad started planning their week. 

"Okay so where do you wanna start?" Spencer asked, pulling out a note book and pen from the bag that never leaves his side. 

"Well i think the old apartment, but i think they must've cleared it out. It's been so long." Spencer wrote on the page, "apartment- track down stuff"

"And then i guess the college? I don't know if i had any stuff there or if i missed anything. i mean i know i missed finals but whatever." Winnie tried to fake a laugh but really she was disappointed. She's been gone so long and the thing she can think to check on is her apartment? Her cactus? She doesn't know anyone here. What did she even have here? 

No friends, No family. No Life. 

Spencer could sense she was upset. "Don't worry. We'll find everything." 

"Thanks." Winnie said, But we won't find anyone. 

Still a bit sad Winnie sipped on her coffee, pushing her sadness aside. 

"Okay apartment first?" Spencer asked putting away the very short list. 

"Sure, 358 Castleport Rd." She never forgets a thing. 

"Great, let's go!" 

Winnie drove, remembering every turn as if she never left. Soon they arrived and found the landlord. 

"What apartment again?" He asked for what felt like the millionth time.

"12" Winnie said losing her patience. It wasn't the same man she had known, this man must've been his brother because the resemblance was profound. 

"Oh yeah, the lady that lived there moved out without her junk so we had the crap loaded into a storage room across town. She said she'd come for it, hasn't yet though." Winnie was about to snap, Lady? Crap? I was kidnapped you idiot. When on earth would i come for it? She was about to express her thoughts when the man smoke again, "Yeah if you see her or know her she owes us a great deal of money for storage costs and rent." 

Winnie stayed quiet.

"Oh well she-" 

"She owes us too, too bad uh? Thanks have a great day." Winnie quickly guided Spencer to the door. 

"If you see her tell her i ain't paying for that damn storage anymore. I try to do a good thing and i just lose money ya know?" 

"Got it, thanks" Winnie quickly walked out. 

"Winnie... what was that?" Spencer asked once they were a good ways away.

"Okay i know that was wrong but do you really think i have the kind of money to be paying off an apartment and storage fees? I have literally no money. Even before i left i only had a few good hundred in my account."

"Winnie you know i would've helped."

"No Spence i don't need your money."

"Clearly you do"

"NO i don't! i don't need anything from you okay?! I can do this alone, by myself like i do everything. I don't need your charity" Winnie stormed off toward the car, Spencer running after her. 

"Winnie, i Know you're capable of doing things yourself, but just because you can doesn't mean you have to. I am here to help you because i want to. You're not charity. You're not alone." Spencer pulled the now teary-eyed Winnie into a hug. 

"I'm sorry." 

"It's okay, I'm here for you." Spencer kissed the top of her head.