Enjoying Your Company //

chapter sixteen

Spencer's POV:

I walk through the BAU distracted. All I could think about was Vanessa. My mind an eternal fog without her at my side. Our last week together was dour, with her withdrawals peaking. She'd just started feeling better last night. I left this morning placing a kiss on her forehead, unable to wake her. I pulled out a chair from the table, absentminded.

"Morning everyone." Hotch uttered, entering the briefing room.

"Hey, Hotch. How was your weekend?" Derek inquired setting his mug down.

"Eventful. Jack and I went to the DC carnival. He won a goldfish." Hotch landed on Emily. "Em? How was your weekend?" She opened her mouth to answer but no sound came out. Hotch gave a light smile. "Sin to win?"

"Yeeeah." She muttered regretting speaking, making everyone chuckle as she tossed back a few Advil.

"Reid, good to see you're back. How's Vanessa?" Hotch asked thoughtfully, taking his seat.

"Uh, better. Her withdrawals are showing signs of dissipation and she's showing strides in physical therapy."

"That's great." Hotch half grinned, picking up the case file.

"You're looking a little, mushy kid." Rossi shrunk his eyes at me.

"You know he does have this glow about him." JJ sneered playfully. I play it cool, twisting my mouth sideways in a silent innocence. 

"Good lovely Monday, my duckies. Settle in to your pond because today is a nasty one." Garcia clicked on the screen. "Henry Laken, Alberta Wrights, Tony Dunkin, and Bonnie Yumi all found out by the California's Golden Gate Bridge. All transients, all from different states."

"Each of the victims were found in the same position." JJ noted.

"Four victims in four days, he's on a spree."

"The violence on these victims seems to be lacking for a spree killing." Emily added confused.

"That's where you're wrong, my sweet," Garcia switched the prompter to reveal the autopsy photos. "All four victims had internal bleeding so horrid the cause of death was drum roll please, choking on their own blood."

"Blood asphyxiation is a pretty excruciating way to die, 88% people who experience it don't survive, these victims had to be in an immense amount of pain." I spoke absentmindedly.

"All of their internal organs were demolished, impaired."

"They were gutted?"

"Looks like." I studied the photos.

"Wheels up in 30." Everyone began removing themselves from the table. I pull out my phone, seeing Vanessa was calling.

"Vanessa, hi."

"Morning," She yawned. "When did you leave?"

"A few hours ago. I didn't wanna wake you." I turn in my chair. "How're you feeling?"

"I'm okay, I woke up with an appetite. I'm eating toast and jam." I heard her exhale a weak laugh. My heart skipped, recognizing the slight sound of joy.

"That's great, make sure you take your meds okay?"

"I will. Don't worry. Are you going off to save lives?" How did she know? She was so good at getting in my head.

"We're about to leave for LA."

"For how long?"

"I'm not sure, but I won't be hard to reach, and I'll be back as soon as I can."

"He safe, you. You still owe me a date." I had almost forgotten, just having Vanessa was alive was enough for me. I hadn't even thought about our date.

"First thing when I get back, I promise."

"Deal." Her sweet voice made it harder to leave.

"I'll call you when we land."

"I'll be waiting."

"Bye." I almost didn't wanna hang up, saying goodbye was harder than I imagined it would be...