Case #3 [Visual | Location: Shelley]

[noheatnikki.livejournal.com]

Kate had been pacing in her room since she recovered from the glitch, trying to determine how to best address the situation. She was pretty mortified by her actions, especially with her "family." She wasn't sure how to act around Reid at all, not to mention the way she'd completely mothered River and Ax. Finally, Kate turned on the tablet, then cleared her throat and took a deep breath before she spoke.

"So, uh...I realize now that I was glitched. Needless to say, I had no idea what was going on, though it seems like I was only one of a few who didn't...you know what, that doesn't even matter.

I just...I want to say thank you to everyone who knew about the glitch and showed me kindness. Especially Spe-Reid, River, and Ax. I...just thank you."

Kate buried her face in her hands.

"I kind of wish I didn't remember everything that happened."

Comments

[location: shelley]

[numbersnfigures.livejournal.com]

Spencer had of course heard Beckett's broadcast. In fact, he had heard her making the broadcast as well as heard her pacing around her room at night. He had grown strangely accustomed to sleeping with someone else in bed with him. Beckett's body warmth was comforting in a way. Last night had been difficult for him.

In the morning, they had caught glances with each other over the coffee pot and Spencer turned the color of a tomato. Instead of talking about what needed to be discussed, they talked about everything- the weather, Spencer's work, Beckett's attempts to find such- and then disappeared into their respective rooms, where Spencer contemplated this by staring at his wall. He finally stirred when he saw Beckett over the tablet and now he stood outside of her door, his hand paused to knock, unsure if he was ready for this.

Finally, he let his hand drop.

[location: shelley]

[noheatnikki.livejournal.com]

Kate had anticipated hearing something from Reid, but she had to give him credit; she hadn't actually expected him to come to her. After their super-awkward conversation this morning over coffee, she wasn't sure how they were going to get past the discomfort caused by the glitch.

It didn't help that she'd kind of gotten used to sleeping next to someone again. But she wasn't even going to think about that. With a heavy sigh, she opened the door, offering Reid a shy smile.

"Hey, Reid."

[location: shelley]

[numbersnfigures.livejournal.com]

"Hey.. uh.. Beckett..."

Spencer stood there like a deer in headlights. Why in the world had he done this? Did he actually have anything planned to say to her? He had to admit though, he was much more comfortable being able to call her Beckett again.

"So.. um.. I... saw your broadcast over the tablet."

Brilliant. So did most of Taxon, Spencer.

[location: shelley]

[noheatnikki.livejournal.com]

"Yeah? Come on in."

She gestured for him to enter the room. She pulled the desk chair out for him to sit, then sat on the bed a couple feet from him.

"I guess we should probably talk, huh."

Way to state the obvious, Beckett.

[location: shelley]

[numbersnfigures.livejournal.com]

Spencer sat uncomfortably.

"Y-Yeah... we should..."

He looked everywhere but at her eyes. Knocking on her door had been a stupid idea.

[location: shelley]

[noheatnikki.livejournal.com]

She waited for Reid to say something, but when he didn't, she sighed and spoke.

"It was really decent of you. I mean, when you wouldn't..."

She made a vague gesture with her hand, an attempt to say when you wouldn't sleep with glitched me even when I asked you to.

"Thank you."

[location: shelley]

[numbersnfigures.livejournal.com]

"Yeah. I.. um.. I couldn't."

Couldn't wasn't the same as not wanting to. Truthfully he didn't want to. Well. Perhaps. No. No, no, no. This was dangerous. Every time Spencer allowed an emotion to peek through, he carefully tucked it back away so as not to get stomped on.

[location: shelley]

[noheatnikki.livejournal.com]

They sat there silently, looking anywhere but at each other, when Kate spoke again.

"Can I ask you something?"

[location: shelley]

[numbersnfigures.livejournal.com]

"Oh, um, y-yeah, sure you can ask me... s-something..."

Somehow this was growing increasingly more awkward rather than less. He bit his lip and picked at his fingernails - anything to keep from looking at Kate.

[location: shelley]

[noheatnikki.livejournal.com]

She couldn't get Reid to make eye contact, so she touched his knee gently.

"Why did you go along with everything? Why try to reassure me?"

[voice]

[tailblade.livejournal.com]

There is no need to apologize. The circumstances were beyond your control.

Also, you were very good at creating delicious meals.

[voice]

[noheatnikki.livejournal.com]

[Kate can't help but grin, though Ax can't see it.]

Thank you. You know, I can still cook, if you ever need a meal. You're more than welcome to come over for dinner sometime.

OOC: edited a million times because of my inability to type. :P

[voice]

[tailblade.livejournal.com]

[Excitement!] Can you make chili?

[voice]

[noheatnikki.livejournal.com]

Sure I can!

[voice]

[tailblade.livejournal.com]

Thank you for the invitation, Ms. Beckett.

[visual]

[iminmynightie.livejournal.com]

Kind of embarrassing, huh? You and I were members of the Happy Housewives Club.

[visual]

[noheatnikki.livejournal.com]

The Deliriously Happy Housewives Club. It's a bit surreal.

Do you...remember everything that happened while we were glitched?

[visual]

[iminmynightie.livejournal.com]

Think I do, yeah. At least, I can't recall any blank spots. What about you?

[visual]

[noheatnikki.livejournal.com]

No, unfortunately, I remember everything. Every mortifying detail.

[visual]

[iminmynightie.livejournal.com]

Ohhh. [She's guessing she and her hubby-but-not-really got cozy.] Well, hey, it's not like it's your fault. You weren't really in control of yourself, you know?

[visual]

[noheatnikki.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I guess. But...

[Suddenly realizes this might not be the most private conversation ever.]

Can anyone else listen in on our conversation on these tablets?

[visual]

[iminmynightie.livejournal.com]

I... honestly have no idea.

[visual]

[noheatnikki.livejournal.com]

I should ask Reid about that. If we ever get past this awkward, 'hey we were married in the glitch and I threw myself at you' phase. Which is not looking good.

[visual]

[iminmynightie.livejournal.com]

Hmm, yeah, that doesn't sound like something a gift basket can fix. Have you talked to him at all since we all went back to normal?

[visual]

[noheatnikki.livejournal.com]

Yeah, if you can call it that. We had an awkward conversation over coffee the morning after, and then a slightly less awkward conversation later that day.

I don't know, thinking about how I acted during the glitch just makes me start wondering about how happy I was. Not just with the housewife thing, but as a mother...a wife. Things I hadn't given a whole lot of thought to before, you know?