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CHAPTER TWELVE:
I guess we'll see.
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            Lizzie and Spencer had gone for that coffee—many times. They found that as much and they didn't have a lot on common, they still enjoyed each others company. They talked about personal things they didn't really talk to anyone else about. To outsiders, it might have seemed a little soon to start spilling their deepest darkest secretes to a person they hadn't known long. But that was what was so comforting about it. Lizzie and Spencer had been strangers only a few weeks before and that made it all the more easy to speak about difficult things to one another.

            Spencer opened up about his mothers schizophrenia, telling Lizzie what it was like to be raised by the woman. Diana Reid was as eccentric as they came, but Lizzie found out that despite her illness she had been an amazing mother to Spencer and had raised him to be the man he was. She would read to him every single night—and not exactly light-reading either, which gave Spencer his love and knowledge over books that were a difficult read. And when Spencer opened up too, so did Lizzie. She told him about her rocky relationship with her older sister. Lizzie had always looked up to Carmen and wanted to spend as much time with her as possible, even when Carmen didn't want to hang out with her annoying, younger sister. But they had loved each other very much and Lizzie missed her terribly.

               They spoke more about Tobias Hankel. Spencer admitted to Lizzie, rather nervously that because of what had happened, he had been addicted to the drug Tobias had drugged him with. Spencer told her all about how he had become addicted to Dilaudid and how he thought at one time there would be no coming back from his addiction. But with help from a Narcotics Anonymous group and the BAU, he had managed to get clean—and it had been years since he had used. Lizzie had touched his hand from across the coffee shop table then, allowing Spencer to know she wasn't judging him—she would never. Lizzie didn't have a judgemental bone in her body, especially not towards people who had gone through what Spencer had. Lizzie knew all too well how hard it was to shake the lasting effect of a serial killer; and Spencer had only coped in the best way he knew how.

               Lizzie told him the details of that night in March when her family had been murdered. Lizzie's eyes had watered as she talked about it, allowing Spencer in on all the nitty-gritty details. Spencer had comforted her by giving kind words, telling her that her family would be so proud of the woman she had become and Lizzie had beamed brightly at him through her tears.

                 They didn't just share the dark stuff with each other though—they spoke about small things too. Spencer found out that Lizzie loved to watch sunsets whenever she had the chance, that it brought her a lot of peace with a day winding down and coming to an end, bringing in a new day soon. And Lizzie discovered that Spencer had a childhood nickname—Crash, because he used to always bump into things; Lizzie thought it was very appropriate due to his clumsiness.

                   The two had grown close over the next couple of weeks, hanging out with one another whenever they had the chance. It was odd, considering how their personalities seemed to be completely different. Lizzie, an extrovert, and Reid, an introvert. But somehow, they were bringing out the best in one another in their interactions—except for the occasions where Lizzie would stress him out from doing something careless such as leaving coffee mugs around paperwork or behaving recklessly on cases. Another thing about Lizzie that stressed Spencer Reid out was her ability to convince him to do pretty much anything she asked. He wasn't sure if it was her big-green eyes or velvety voice, but somehow, she had convinced him to join the team on a night-out in the town after completing a case.

                It had been five weeks since their case in South Padre and the team had hung out on many occasions. Their most frequent haunt however, was a club in the city. Lizzie accompanied them most times—Spencer hardly ever did, until Lizzie started to convince him otherwise. It gave him an excuse to spend more time with the blonde woman outside of work and their favourite coffee shop and Spencer enjoyed watching Lizzie thrive in environments such as clubs. She was always grinning and laughing. And one thing he noticed was the amount of male attention she attracted.

                Lizzie was bent over the pool table, the hem of her thin burgundy tank top raising up her waist, revealing the skin on her stomach—and a belly-bar pierced through her bellybutton. Spencer stood by, watching with his brows furrowed as she lined up the shot. She was playing against Morgan and they were both down to the black ball. Spencer's mind rattled through multiple outcomes of how she could make the shot but he had learned overtime to keep it to himself. Lizzie was highly competitive and liked to win on her own terms.

                  Lizzie took the shoot, the white ball smacking into the black and sending it bouncing against the walls of the table. And then it rolled perfectly into the pocket. Lizzie immediately jumped into the air, letting out a victorious yell, "Hell yeah, baby!" She turned to Morgan who was dressed in a leather jacket, grinning her head off. She leaned against the table, her black mini skirt showing off her legs followed by her favourite leather boots, "Pay up, Handsome! Let's see the cash!" She urged him, holding her hand out in a 'gimme' motion as the rest of the team cheered and clapped for her. It had been a heated game and everyone had been invested.

                 Morgan threw his head back as he reached into the pocket of his jacket, pulling out a rolled up twenty and handing it to Lizzie who grabbed onto his face, giving his cheek an affectionate kiss, "It's so good doing business with you, Morgan." She said in a smug tone, grinning up at him, still holding the pool cue between her fingers.

                 Morgan pointed at her accusingly, "One of these days, Princess. One of these days I'm gonna whoop your ass at this." He promised her, making Lizzie raise her eyebrows in challenge.

                Rossi scoffed, settling his hand on Morgan's shoulder, "Maybe don't be so confident about it, son—this is what, the fourth time she's bet you now?" He said, grinning at Morgan as the team laughed.

                 "Fifth, actually." Spencer corrected, sporting a purple cardigan over a white shirt.

                 Morgan gestured at Spencer, "Watch it, Reid." He warned but his tone was playful and Spencer grinned.

                Emily threw her arm over Lizzie's shoulder, "Don't you just love men bitching and whining when a woman beats them at something?" She said in a daydreamy kind of voice, staring ahead at Morgan with a smile on her painted red lips.

                  Lizzie inhaled through her teeth, "It's just about my favourite thing in the entire world," She said before gesturing with the pool cue, "Anyone else up for a round?" She asked, wiggling her brows as she looked at the faces of her team mates.

                  "No, thanks. I'd like to keep my money." Rossi said, holding his hands up in a surrendering motion.

                   "Amen." JJ chirped, sipping on her glass of wine.

                  Lizzie threw her hands up, "Oh, come on! Spence, how about you?" Lizzie turned to him and he tried to avoid her gaze. It was the only way he found he could actually say no to her.

                  "I, uh, I actually don't think you'd enjoy playing with me as much—I've just about figured out every possible ending to the game—"

                 "Then put your money where your mouth is." Lizzie spoke over him, sending a big grin in his direction as Morgan whispered 'don't do it, Reid, she's a hustler'.

                 Spencer stared her down for a moment, a smile slowly crossing his lips. He loved that Lizzie was a competitive as she was, being a competitive person himself, "Alright, let's do it," He said, taking the pool cue from Morgan's hands who let it go willingly, "Though, I won't go easy on you." He said, giving a nod in her direction, a playful tone to his lips.

                 Lizzie blinked back, "Oh, competitive are we, Dr. Reid?" She teased, walking around him like a lion circling it's prey and Spencer's face noticeably fell. There was something about Lizzie saying his name like that, that never failed to make him nervous and lose all cool.

                 Rossi grabbed Spencer's shoulders from behind and gave them a rub, "She's trying to get into your head, kid." He said, shooting Lizzie a look and she threw her hands up.

                "When did everyone become team Spencer?" She asked in disbelief, giving them all a look of betrayal.

               "Probably since you robbed them of all their money." Hotch said, returning from the bar alongside Penelope, handing Lizzie the rum and coke she had requested.

                Lizzie took it from him and settled it down on the table beside her, "Well, someone should probably have mentioned to them that I've been playing this game since I was thirteen years old." She said with a light shrug, a smug smile on her lips as she took the chalk from the side of the pool table and rubbed it onto the tip of the cue.

                 Morgan sent a death glare in Hotch's direction, "Thanks for that, Hotch."

                 "Hey, my girl can't help the fact that she's so talented," Penelope scolded Morgan, "You're just mad a girl is better at pool than you." She teased him, beaming hugely as Morgan pulled an offended face and put his hand over his heart.

                    Lizzie scrunched up her face, "You are kinda mad, Handsome."

                   "You know what, Princess?" Morgan held up his middle finger, making the team let out collective mocking horrified gasps.

                  "Ouch, Morgan. That really hurt my feelings," Lizzie said though she was unable to keep the grin off of her lips. She then directed her big smile towards Spencer as she jumped on her feet a little, "Alright, boy-genius. Show me what you've got."

                  Spencer did show Lizzie what he had and he bet her within the space of five minutes. Lizzie had only managed to pot two balls within the time he completely obliterated her. And that called for celebration. Morgan had flew out of his seat, scooping Spencer up into a hug as he jumped up and down, cheering as he went. Lizzie had stood with a pout on her lips and her arms folded at her chest. I guess that's what I get for being a smartass, she had thought to herself. After all, Spencer was a genius.

                   Morgan had announced the next round was on him and the majority of the group went to the bar to help him. Lizzie sat down in the booth, raising her drink to her lips as Emily sat down opposite her, "You know, we've been trying to get Reid to come to these nights with us for a long time and usually, he shows up every now and again," She began saying as Lizzie gave her a sideways stare, knowing exactly where she was going with her words, "And within the last two months of you being here, I don't think he's missed this even once." She said, raising her wine glass to her lips and taking a long sip as Lizzie stared at her.

                "Not you too." Lizzie grumbled, slouching in her seat.

                Emily's eyes lit up, "Ah, so I'm not the only one that noticed it." She said, a smile forming on her red lips. Lizzie made a mental note to ask which lipstick she was using because it had stayed flawless the entire night.

                  "I think by my second week here, Garci was already planning our wedding," Lizzie told her, earning a snort on Emily's behalf. Lizzie settled her drink down, "But personally, I think you guys are delusional—"

                    "Us? The delusional ones?" Emily interrupted her, putting a hand on her chest. She laughed a little, "What's the deal, Liz? You not interested or something?" She asked her, her tone growing a little more serious as curiosity eat away at her.

                  Lizzie shook her head, "It's not that." She said, staring down at the table.

                 "Then what is it?" Emily pressed and Lizzie looked up at her, holding her gaze. She broke away to look over her shoulder to where the team were at the bar, ordering their drinks.

                  She turned back to face Emily with a sigh, "Back in Boston, I was in a relationship," She began saying, "We'd been together two years, practically since I started at the FBI. He had been there before me and—"

                  "Ah, I see," Emily drawled out, "He was FBI too. Your partner most likely," Lizzie nodded her head and Emily winced, "Yeah, that's a tough one, I suppose. Workplace relationships are rough let alone in our line of work." She empathised, understanding that it must have been rough to be in a relationship with someone you also worked with.

                 Lizzie nodded along with her as she took a quick sip of her drink, "It felt like it was all worth it at the time though, Y'know? The Bureau was really understanding about it—more than I would have thought. They allowed the relationship as long as we swore an oath to our jobs first and boy, was there a lot of paperwork," She said with a scoff. Lizzie traced her fingertips along the wood of the table, following the indented lines as she spoke, "We ended it before I moved here and suddenly it wasn't worth it anymore."

                  "And the last thing I want is to go through all that hassle again just for something to fail. It just doesn't seem worth it—especially for someone I've only just met." She explained her reasoning, looking up at Emily with a frown on her face.

                 Emily let out a sigh, understanding her burden, "I get that and I would never want to push you, either of you. But I just think that you deserve happiness and if that comes with a lot of paperwork, then so be it." She said, offering Lizzie a smile and she slowly began to return it.

                  "I guess we'll see." Lizzie said as the group began making their way back to them, carrying a round of drinks in their hands. Spencer handed Lizzie her drink and she gave him a big smile, holding his gaze for a long moment. Yeah, we'll see, Lizzie thought to herself.

The following morning, Lizzie had swallowed a few Advil to cure the headache she had from drinking one too many rums the night before. She got dressed into her running gear and went for a quick jog through her neighbourhood, hoping the fresh air and exercise would help cure her hangover. Once she was finished, she gave her mother a call and told her she would stop by to take Jack to school. It was a day off for everyone at the BAU and Lizzie planned on using that time to see her mother and brother.

With sunglasses perched on her nose, Lizzie got out of her car after parking it on the street where her aunt Jessica lived. Her mom and Jack had been staying there since the divorce until they could find a home suitable for them. Lizzie had kept an eye out for properties in her area, in hopes that her mother and brother could move closer to her but she'd had no luck in finding any properties as of yet.

Lizzie knocked on the door of the house and then allowed herself to walk inside, "Mom! It's me!" She called out, dropping her handbag on the table by the front door as she took her sunglasses off her face and hooked them onto the front of her t-shirt.

Haley appeared, coming down the stairs with a big smile on her face. She immediately grabbed her daughter and yanked her into a tight hug, "Can't breath." Lizzie gasped dramatically as she patted her mothers back.

Haley laughed and pulled out of the hug but continued to hold onto Lizzie's shoulders, "I can't believe this is the first day off you've had in the two months you've been here," She said, leading her daughter through the living room and into the kitchen, "I hope you're being paid well for all this overtime." She said, glancing back at her daughter as she reached into the fridge and pulled out a carton of orange juice.

Lizzie hopped up onto the kitchen counter, "Way more than back at Boston—you can ask my new Italian leather couch when it arrives." She said, giving her mother a big grin as she took the glass of orange juice she offered her—which was smooth without bits. Both Lizzie and Jack had a preference and it seemed to stick in the households; even in her fathers house where he preferred his orange juice with bits.

"Ooh, fancy," Haley cooed before leaning her head out of the open-planned kitchen and into the living room, "Jack, your sisters here!" She called upstairs before turning to Lizzie with a big grin, "He's so excited to see you, Liz. He's missed you so much." She told her, leaning against the kitchen counter.

"I've missed him too, you have no idea. It's crazy how I'm only thirty minutes away and yet, I saw you guys more often when I was in Boston." She said, crossing her legs on the counter and taking a sip of the butter juice.

"You can't help it, I suppose—it's all part of the job. You go when you're called. It doesn't leave much time for family," Haley said with a sad smile on her lips and Lizzie looked at her mother who had grown a lot thinner over the last few months. Haley blinked and shook her head, "That wasn't—"

"I know, mom." Lizzie interrupted her, knowing that her mom hadn't meant ill by what she had said. After all, it was the truth. Lizzie couldn't understand how JJ had the time to be with her family along with the BAU—it seemed so strenuous. Lizzie imagined it was incredibly hard, trying to split time between the job and family because sometimes, one had to come before the other; usually the job.

"So, how's it going? At the BAU? Everyone's making you welcome?" Haley asked her hopefully. Lizzie had talked with her mom about her new job over the phone but it had always been brief.

Lizzie nodded, "Everyone's been great. I can tell why dad loves this team so much, they're a really good bunch," She said, a small smile on her lips as she thought of the team that was now hers. She perked up, "How have you and Jack been?" She asked, changing the subject.

Haley tucked a strand of thin blonde hair behind her ear, "We've been good, sweetheart. We're adjusting—and hopefully we'll have our own home soon and we won't have to bother Jessica, though, I think she really likes having Jack here," She told her. The sound of little feet patting down the stairs caught both of their attentions and Haley smiled, "Speak of the devil." She said as Jack came running into the living room, dressed in an Avengers top and denim jeans.

"Lizzie!" He exclaimed gleefully, running towards his sister who hopped off the counter.

"Jack? I was so sure I head Jack's voice just now..." She said, looking around in confusion as Jack came to a halt in front of her, looking up at her with quizzical young eyes.

"I'm right here, Lizzie!" He exclaimed, throwing his little hands up in frustration.

"Nope, you're way to grown up to be Jack." She refused, shaking her head.

Jack pouted, "Really, Lizzie! It's me!"

Lizzie let out a 'hmph' and crouched down in front of her brother, "Let me have look at you. Gimme a big smile," She said, leaning her elbows against her knees. Jack gave her a big-toothy grin and Lizzie gasped dramatically, "Jack? It is you! Hey, buddy!" She exclaimed, scooping him up from the ground and spinning him around as Haley smiled.

"That's what I was telling you!" Jack said as Lizzie settled him back down, grinning widely at him.

"Sorry, buddy. You're just getting so big it was hard to recognise you," She said, booping his nose. She directed her eyes to his t-shirt, "Ah, the Avengers. Who's your favourite?" She asked him, raising her eyebrows. This seemed to be a new interest of her brothers but perfect for his age range.

"Captain America—he's just like daddy!" He said with a proud grin, sticking his chest out as he pointed at the animated character on his t-shirt.

Lizzie smiled fondly at her brother, her eyes tearing up. Sometimes she got the sudden urge to cry when she looked at him. He was so pure and innocent—just full of sheer young joy. He reminded her of Oliver in many ways, with his cheeky grin and how he would fumble over his words. Her little brother meant the world to her and she was so proud of him.

Lizzie sniffled slightly as Haley watched her children with a smile on her face, "Hey, you want your big sister to take you to school?" She asked him, wiggling her eyebrows.

"Yeah!" Jack yelled with excitement, jumping on his feet.

"Okay, go get your bag, bud." Jack obliged and ran back upstairs to grab his school bag from his room as Lizzie watched him go, smiling to herself.

Haley walked up to her, wrapping her arm around her waist and resting her head in the crook of her neck, "I'm so proud of you kids, you know that?" She said absentmindedly as Lizzie wrapped her arm around her mothers waist.

Jack ran back into the room as a text alert came through Lizzie's phone and she furrowed her brows. It was the alert sound that had her confused—it was a specific sound she had selected for those at the BAU so she could tell when she was getting a work text or call. She pulled her phone out and read the text on her screen with her lips pulled into a fine line. It was a text from JJ that read 'be at the office as soon as you can—urgent'.

Haley sighed heavily, "I know that look," She said as Lizzie glanced up, giving her an apologetic stare. Haley rested her hand on her daughters arm, "Go. I've got it." She assured her, giving a reassuring smile.

"I'll make it up to you. I promise," Lizzie said before turning to Jack who was watching her impatiently. She crouched down to him, "Sorry, buddy. I won't be able to take you to school today." She apologised, giving him a small smile.

Jack look disappointed, "You gotta work a case?" He asked in a small voice and Lizzie nodded.

"Sure do, bud. But I'll make it up to you—how about we go for ice cream soon? I'll get you your favourite," She suggested, trying to sweeten the blow and Jack nodded his head feverishly. Lizzie smiled and pulled him into a tight hug, just like her mom had earlier, "I love you, buddy." She said, rubbing at her brothers back.

"Love you, Lizzie." He said as Lizzie pulled back, giving her mother a hug too.

Haley pulled back, looking her in the eyes, "Now go. Give me a call when you can." She ushered and Lizzie nodded.

"I will. Love you, mom." She said as she turned and walked towards the door, feeling a heavy weight on her shoulders. She had moved to Virginia with the hopes of spending more time with her family and now she was getting called in on her first weekday off—it was disappointing to say the least.

Haley smiled fondly as she watched her daughter walk out the door, "Love you, Liz."

( authors note )

              this is one of my FAVOURITE chapters, mainly because I got to write lizzie & the team outside of their workplace and it was so fun to write.  + I got to write lizzie with jack & haley! which is so important to lizzie's character!

               — taylor xx