Chapter Eleven

Reid moved down the hall quietly, kneeling down to her touch shoulder.

She jolted, her arm sweeping out and sending him falling back onto his butt, hard. Realizing what she had done, she gasped, covering her mouth in shock. "Spencer! I'm sorry."

Laughing, Reid shook his head. "It's okay. I shouldn't have startled you."

"I was just resting my eyes."

"Why are you so tried?"

"I've been awake for quite a long time."

Reid raised an eyebrow, standing up. "How long is a long time?" he asked, pulling her to her feet.

She glanced at her bare wrist, pretending to check a watch, "About nine am yesterday."

"Belle! Why?" He looked concerned. "You haven't been driving, have you?"

"What?" She shook her head. "Only from the airport, here."

"Staying awake for just 17 hours drops performance by the equivalent of a blood alcohol level of .05; Fatigue is estimated to be involved in 1 out of 6 auto accidents." He began ticking the facts off on his fingers. "You've been up for," he paused to check his watch, "37 hours. You should not be behind the wheel."

"You really are full of useless information, aren't you?" She bent down, grabbing her purse. "Can I use your phone book?"

Reid looked confused. "What?"

"I need to find a hotel."

He nodded, finally opening the door to his apartment. Grabbing her suitcase, he walked inside, expecting her to follow, which she did.

"You need to get some sleep," he said, shutting and locking the door. "I have a spare bed. You should stay here; at least tonight. You are in no condition to go anywhere tonight."

Belle nodded, shrugging. "I won't fight you on that." For a moment she seemed to debate something internally. Coming to her decision, she walked over to him. "I meant to do something when I saw you, but I forgot."

He watched her cover the distance between them without moving.

Slowly, with nibble fingers, she removed Reid's holster, setting in carefully on the top of the nearby small bookcase. Continuing with slow but determined movements, she undid his tie, pulling it off painfully slow. He watched her, stunned, when she reached her arms up and around his neck. Without protest he met her in the kiss she was silently demanding.

Not breaking the contact, Belle worked her hands under his sweater. She tugged at it, only breaking the embrace at the last possible moment to pull the pesky piece of clothing off. He was the one to encourage the contact again, pushing her back into the wall behind her. His hands gripped her hips, lifting her effortlessly off the ground. Her arms circled his neck, while her legs coiled round his waist. His arms locked around her, supporting her as he kissed her back as passionately as he could.

So this is the end...at least for now. I had a idea for continuing but the idea died before I could finish so for now, this is the end.