The Telepath's Daughter

An Old Friend

That night in bed Reid and Ana lay facing each other, nose to nose, hands clasped between them, fingers intertwined like a three-dimensional puzzle that could never be untangled. They'd kept their thoughts private all during dinner and Melinda's bath and bed times. Once their daughter was fast asleep, they could 'talk' without fear of any telepathic eavesdropping.

Is she going to be alright, Spencer?

She's so much better than just alright. Oh, Ana, she's...incredible. Beyond description.

I know that, but is she going to be safe in school? Are we going to be safe? Could you find out?

Here...Reid leaned his forehead against Ana's. Let me show you.

As Reid searched out his perfectly preserved memory of his session with Melinda, he heard the faint echo of his wife's laugh and the words with which she'd first enslaved his heart...

...Where you go, I go, too...

He smiled. Follow me...

xxxxxxx

It was mere minutes later, but the young parents felt as though they'd gone on a year-long safari. It was disorienting to return from the sights and sounds, the reality, of Melinda's mind even when seen through the buffer of Reid's memory.

Their hearts had sped up as Spencer let his emotions tumble loose, since he didn't need to censor his reactions in the presence of his child this time. Ana's deep empathic nature boosted every feeling. The resulting surges left both Reid and Ana exhausted upon emergence.

They moved slightly apart, resting side by side while they mentally panted.

That was...

Yeah...

I mean...

Yeah...

Wow.

Yeah.

Ana raised herself on one elbow and looked down at her husband. "She's going to be just as lonely as we were growing up. Maybe lonelier." Choosing to communicate verbally rather than mentally underlined how much Ana wished that gifts and normalcy could co-exist in some effortless, easy manner.

Reid's voice was soft when he answered. "I don't think so." His eyes had been distant, gazing into the aftereffects of their memory-trip. Now, they cleared and focused on Ana's. "Melinda's got us. That's probably the best beginning anyone like her could have. And..." He shifted and glanced at his wife's midriff. "...pretty soon there'll be another 'special' kid." Reid swallowed. "And speaking of all things special and unexpected..."

Ana felt the combination of awe and apprehension wafting off her husband. She reverted to mental communication in a reflexive response to what her empathic senses felt might be a threat.

What!? What's going on? I like surprises less and less the older we get, Spencer!

Reid placed a gentle hand on the small bulge that was their next child. Mellie told me that...He brought forth the old doctor's image...has been in touch. With Kevin. Not with her. At least, I don't think with her as much as with him.

Several beats of both physical and mental silence passed while Ana's alpine blue eyes stared into Reid's. After a moment, she dropped back onto the mattress, her hands joining Reid's in forming a protective cage of fingers over her abdomen. Oh, God, Spencer. That explains...well, it might explain...I mean...