________________________________________

BITTERSWEET
:: lxiii. | book buddies

Everyone was at HQ, ready for the day and prepared if there was a case. All the agents were at their desk or in their office catching up with paper work and whatnot, or like Penelope —— doing anything but work.

Lately, she has been distracted a little and so has Spencer. But that's only because them and Vanessa had started a little group of their own. It turns out Vanessa was just as nerdy as them, she loved conventions and whatnot but never been to one because the cost was always so much. Then there's also reading, which definitely got Spencer's attention.

Though Penelope was planning their night for Saturday, Spencer was busy doing a word puzzle at his desk. As he was solving the last two words, a light chuckle echoed across his desk where Emily who sat across from him heard.

She looked up from the paperwork and watch Spencer continue to smile as he finished the puzzle.

Her brow rose, "What's got you all jolly over there?"

"Just an inside joke thing me and Vanessa have." He shook his head with a smile.

"Since when are you two good friends?"

"Since I saw her reading The Great Gatsby a few weeks ago and we went on and on about it." He was so eager as he spoke, "We formed a mini reading group, us and Penelope."

"Huh." Emily nodded, "What's the book this month?"

"One of the classics, Crime and Punishment." Spencer spoke as he finished his word puzzle.

Emily then went back to the stack of papers on her desk as time was approaching noon. And just when she began planning what she should have for lunch, Garcia walked passed her desk. That was an easy tell that the team now has a case and it was time to suit up.

So just like everyone else, she began following them to the conference room by jj's side.

Recently the two had been discussing rings for Vanessa and whatnot. Because of that, Emily and Vanessa had been growing closer. Though she was just snooping to get ideas for jj, she was quite enjoying her time with Vanessa.

So much of that made Emily realize a girls night was long overdue or a family dinner in general.

Somethings just never have to change.

• • •

Vanessa sat at her desk, she was on a call with a customer. The customer seemed nervous and in a frenzy. The woman started speaking really fast and Vanessa did not understand her. She asked her to slow down and calm down but the fast pace continued.

She never had a caller like this before. She didn't know what to do. So with quick thinking, she waved down florence who was talking to another employee. As soon as florence finished talking to that employee, she made her way to Vanessa.

Vanessa passed the phone to her and Florence was hearing everything. Then all of a sudden, a male's voice was heard, screaming, then the call went dead.

"There has to be something we can do. That woman was obviously in distress." Vanessa looked up to florence who stood next to her, hovering over her desk.

"Until she calls back . . there's nothing we can do. Sadly that's apart of the job."

She mumbled, "She could be dead for all we know."

Florence nodded, "I know." She continued, "And don't get attached, you'll lose yourself."

"How can you not?"

Florence rested her hand on Vanessa's shoulder with a sigh, "Relate, but don't over relate. Because by then, you'll be too sucked in. However, next time she calls, put me through."

Vanessa nodded and Florence was on her way back to her office. Vanessa just sat there, staring at the phone —- just waiting for it to ring again and hoping it was that woman.

Being with an agent has definitely changed her more than she would admit. She now runs into danger when she needs to protect and this was just one of those many prime examples. She wanted to protect that woman that she didn't know because whatever that woman is going through, Vanessa can understand it on some level.

Just as each hour went by, that phone did not ring. Well, it did but it wasn't the woman.

By the time eight at night rolled around, Vanessa and Florence were the only two left in the building. Florence had some extra work to finish and Vanessa was still waiting for that call.

Florence noticed Vanessa sitting there, staring at the phone. Just when she going to get up, she saw jennifer walked into the building. She pointed Jennifer to Vanessa's way and the agent carried on from there.

"Hey." Jj's hands were placed on Vanessa's shoulders after approaching, "I wasn't sure if you got my text or not, but we're having dinner at Rossi's tonight."

"Fun." Vanessa spoke blandly.

"How about after dinner, we'll talk about your gloomy mood?"

Vanessa bit the inside of her cheek, "Fine."

Jj planted thousands of kisses all over Vanessa's face, just to see her smile. Once she got that smile, the agent finally stopped. She helped Vanessa pack her things, then they were soon heading to the exit to go to David's house.

• • •

Once jj and Vanessa walked into the kitchen, wine glasses were being passed around. The two stood in between Spencer and Morgan, as wine glasses were being passed their way. Red wine was definitely Vanessa's favorite.

Rossi was showing the makings of Italian pasta as everyone was gathered around the island in the middle of the kitchen. As rossi continued to teach his fellow teammates, Emily grabbed a noodle out the bowl. She broke it half and passed the other to Vanessa.

The two entangled their noddles together as they both said, "Cheers."

Just when rossi was plating the first plate, the two women began eating their single noddle.

Rossi then proceeded to pass the first plate to Penelope and then continued down the line —- Hotch, Morgan, Vanessa, jj, Spencer, and Emily. He fixed his plate last.

"Another Rossi dinner." He spoke, "Think i out did myself this time."

"Can we drink these now?' Hotch had a smile on as he spoke.

"Yes, yes." Rossi playfully rolled his eyes as he rose his glass up, everyone else following him. All their glasses met in the middle. "Cheers!" He began and everyone else followed after that.

"Cheers!"

a/n:
this was just a filler
chapter, so nothing
really happened.
however, something
is happening next
chapter ((: