Counting Stars // Spencer Reid (ON HOLD)

Chapter 6

Eliza went to work like any other day. Spencer had to be away on a case while River went to work with her. Eliza wanted to introduce the idea of a guide dog to the parents. The children couldn't hear the sounds of the busy street so a guide dog would aid them in these everyday tasks. It was also a fun thing for the children. She sat in the faculty lunch room listening to her coworkers speaking.

"How was your sister's wedding?" One of her coworkers, Liz, asked.

"Pretty good Liz, Nick was super nervous that he almost forgot his vows," Eliza replied.

"I can relate to that, so did you take a date?"

"I did," she signed before taking a bite of her sandwich.

"Was it that guy who came in a while ago when you forgot to bring your lunch?" James questioned.

"Yeah that day I didn't have lunch or my wallet. He works nearby."

"Excuses excuses, he just wanted to see you at work," Liz spoke.

"I'm serious, he said it wasn't a bother."

"Well are you dating said guy?" James wanted to know.

Eliza shook her head. "No, we're just friends."

"You don't honestly think we'll believe that honey," James sassed.

"That's your choice, I have to go set up somethings in my classroom before lunch is over," Eliza told them as she finished her sandwich.

"You're no fun," Liz pouted.

"See you two later."

Eliza found joy in her job. After she stopped speaking it was one of the few jobs she could do but it had been her career goal in the first place. She had wanted to be a therapist but that dream was left on the back burner while she tried to deal with the anxiety. It had gotten better ever since she met Spencer oddly enough. Her class had returned from lunch all giddy and happy.

It was going to be the birthday of one of her students next week. She hoped that Spencer would be there to help her out since twenty three kindergarteners. This case was proving to be especially long and was his second case in a row. Spencer barely had any time to spend at home. Eliza was alright with it, he was out there saving lives and making the world a better place. She knew that his job would be all the more reason as to why the time they spend together would be so valuable.

Eliza saw River seated on one of the beanbag chairs in her classroom. River wagged her tail as she saw her owner approach her. The rest of the school day went by in a flash and soon enough parents were there to pick up their children. There was a young boy, Zakari, who was a bit like a genius amongst his class, was always the first to pick up on new material. His parents were always the last to show up. Eliza walked up to him and tapped him on the shoulder.

"Still not here?" She signed.

He shook his head. "Probably picking up my older brother Ryan at the high school. He has a game today."

"Alright well why don't I show you what we'll be covering next class? I have some extra work you could do if you'd like."

"Yes please. Can I play with River?"

Eliza smiled. "Of course you can Zakari."

Eliza cleaned up the room as Zakari played with River. It was obvious that the boy and his parents didn't get along that well. There was a young man at the door a while later.

"I'm here to pick up my brother," the guy spoke.

River barked trying to alert Zakari. The boy turned to see his brother. "Ryan, you're here. I thought you had a game?" The boy grinned.

"I do now why don't we hurry up and go home so I can get my things," Ryan signed.

Eliza signed to Ryan as Zakari grabbed this things. "Has your family thought of getting him a guide dog?"

"He doesn't need one," Ryan snapped. "He is perfectly fine as he is."

Eliza didn't push it but she knew that Zakari was considering his options. Maybe when the boy was older he would make the choice.

She arrived home and ate an early dinner. Then she proceeded to curl

up in the guest room which had been turned into an office and planned her lesson plan. Zakari was obviously ahead of the rest of his peers and she wanted to help him. Her mindset was to tutor him and help him excel. All her students were exceptionally bright but there was something about Zakari that just told her that he was different. Maybe it was because he reminded her of a mini Spencer.

Eliza took a break and decided to clean for a bit. It helped her think and refocus. Plus she lived there and Spencer wasn't around to really help out. He was the one that usually cleaned not bothering to conform to gender stereotypes. She made sure to keep busy when he was away.

Spencer came home the night before Zakari's birthday to find her curled up in bed reading a book. He looked like he had gone through hell as he just went over and hugged her.

"What's wrong?" She signed.

"It's nothing. I just missed you is all."

Eliza didn't push it. She was happy as it was to know that he was fine. "Do you think you could help me out tomorrow at work? We're having a birthday party."

"I'm not sure El, it's been hectic at the BAU without JJ."

"It's fine."

"But if it makes you happy I'll see what I can do. Maybe during my lunch break I could stop by."

Eliza smiled. "I love you, you know that right?"

He chuckled. "Of course I do. Now why don't we got some sleep?" I love you, a phrase that they used so casually in a platonic sense. It pained Spencer that she didn't love him. Had that kiss in the elevator meant nothing? They hadn't even talked about it, not even once since it had happened.

Eliza set up the classroom with the help of Zakari's mother, Elspeth. The kids were at recess and then they would come back here for the party.

"How has Zack been?" His mother questioned.

"Really good, he's an intelligent boy you have," Eliza told the woman.

"I worry about him a lot. How will he be able to make his way around the world?"

"He's a smart kid, he'll find a way. All these kids will."

Elspeth's husband John and son walked in with the cake and pizzas. "Sorry we're late, traffic was hectic," John apologized.

"That's perfectly fine. The kids are still playing," Eliza reassured them.

The kids soon care into the classroom. "Make sure to wash your hands with soap," she instructed them.

She loved seeing her children happy. She knew that Spencer usually saw unimaginable horrors and it would be good for him to see exactly it was he was protecting. He walked into the classroom when the kids had began eating.

"Sorry I'm late El, paperwork for the best of me. I brought a present," Spencer said.

"Let me guess, books?" Eliza sarcastically signed.

"Yes but some other things too." Spencer saw the family. "Uh hi, I'm Doctor Spencer Reid."

"Hello, we're Zack's family," John introduced everyone by name.

Soon if was time to cut the cake. Eliza and Spencer stood back watching the family interact with the children. There was one thing on his mind, that what was present before them would be their future someday.