⠀⠀⠀ thirty

T H I R T Y



SCOUT AWOKE STARTLED and in a panic the next day to the ringing of her cell phone.


She eyed the device on her nightstand before begrudgingly wiping the drool off her face with a groan. Having an old phone never bothered her, but it was moments like these, where she was too tired to read the small lettering of the caller id, that annoyed her.


"Hell-o?" She mumbled, stiflingly the escaping yawn with a cough. Her voice being hoarse and scratchy didn't help either.


"Scout!" A bubbling, cheery woman squealed on the other line. "You picked up! How are you?"


"Yeah, that tends to stop the ringing." Scout shook her head and cleared her throat, "Garcia, hey. Uh - yeah, no. Sorry, what time is it?"


"It's noon." Penelope Garcia chuckled, making Scout sheepishly regret asking.


"Right, uh - what's up?"


"Straight to the point, huh. I like it." She said with an evident smile in her voice.


Scout liked Garcia, there was no denying that. But the fact of the matter was that the blonde woman made her feel uneasy at times. The two were polar opposites; one being sincere and happy-go-lucky, the other sarcastic and a realist. It felt like human nature for the two to clash but they never did. But they actually enjoyed each other's company and small moments of interaction.


What made Scout uncomfortable wasn't that they ideally shouldn't get along or that they realistically did. Instead, it was the feeling that Garcia was more observant than she let others believe. And Scout never felt like she could be two steps ahead of the computer whiz.


"I was thinking," Garcia continued. "Maybe you'd like to come over later today and you know, talk. We could get to know each other better. I know all the field agents spend so much time together and I can get left out at times. And you've been working with the team for a few months now, it almost feels like we hardly have any time to just sit and get to know each other."


"You wanna talk? With me? I'm really not that special or interesting, if you ask me."


"Oh c'mon, Scout! It'll be fun. I can make some cake or cookies, have a fresh pot of tea, maybe I'll even show you my wicked knitting skills."


Scout smiled at the fact that she remembered her hated of coffee. "As tempting as that sounds, I-"


"Please," Garcia's usual flamboyant voice lowered and tremored. "You heard about Henry, right?"


Scout paused, letting out a sigh of guilt and tucking her messy hair behind her ear, "Yeah, Hotch called me last night."


"JJ is a wreck, she won't leave Henry's side and she's just - so angry. I tried to talk to her but she gets tunnel vision, especially when it comes to her family." She took in a shaky breath.


But Scout didn't say anything.


"He's my godson, you know. And the thought of him getting hurt - I can't even think about it. And the fact that I can't do anything about it, it makes me anxious. It's not like I can research who's doing this or hack into a database to find a name. It's moments like these where I just feel so - useless."


"Penelope," Scout said, the pain of her actions catching up to her as she could personally see the repercussions it held.


Garcia sniffled before letting out a small pitiful laugh, "Look at me, I'm getting all emotional. I'm sorry, I don't mean to guilt trip you into spending time with me."


'Too late. But I've already been feeling guilty and that was long before you called.' Scout thought to herself.


"You're not guilt tripping me, it's fine. And I'd love to come over later. I don't think I can be much help though. I suck at comforting people. One time, my friend was crying on a bench and all I could do was sit next to her and eat a bag of chips."


Garcia giggled over the phone, it was sincere and heartfelt. The pit of shame in Scout's stomach lessened.


"I'm sure it wasn't that bad."


"I laugh when people cry, does that sound normal to you?" She rolled her eyes.


"I'm sure there's some psychological reason for that and if Reid were hear that he could give you the facts behind it."


Scout's smile faltered, "Y-yeah, I'm sure he could."


"So, I'll see you later today? At 3?" She glossed over her mention of Spencer and returned to her playful self.


"Yeah, uh huh. Just text me your address."


The two said their quick goodbyes and Scout fell back into bed, hoping to sleep in a bit more. But the small yelp at the foot of her bed woke her up again and she chuckled at the ball of fur trying to jump up.


She picked up the growing puppy and scratched behind his ears, receiving a lick of satisfaction on her hand.


"I guess you're not gonna let me sleep in, are you?" Scout raised her brow and decided to get ready.


Once she fumbled around her messy room and took a quick shower, Scout found her mother staring at a cold cup of coffee and tapping her wedding ring against the ceramic. She eyed her carefully, not wanting to disturb whatever thoughts Harper had whirling around her head.


"You okay?" Scout questioned.


Harper glanced up, slightly startled but nodding either way, "Yeah, just - thinking, you know?"


"About what?"


The pause of silence confirmed to her what she already knew. Xander had both been on their minds ever since last night.


"I called him."


"And?"


"He's coming over in a while, do you - do you think you could, you know, busy yourself with something else? Maybe go out?"


Scout nodded, "Yeah, I have plans. Don't worry about it, really. But, do you really think you can handle him? I mean, he taught me everything I know. And it's not like we can trust him, we barely know him."


"Xander is - unpredictable," Harper smiled sadly. "But your mom has a few tricks up her sleeves and can get him to back away. For a while, at least. I just hope that maybe it can buy us enough time to, I don't know, figure this whole thing out."


"Okay, then I'll get out of your way."


Scout glanced at the clock, "What are you going to say to him?"


"Now that," Harper wheeled herself away from the kitchen table. "Is none of your business."


"Let me guess? I'll learn when I'm older?" She joked around.


"I hope not."


The older woman sighed and quickly put on a fake smile to comfort her daughter, "Go and and get out of here. And take that dog with you, he's been yapping up a storm all morning. I think he needs a walk."


"He has a name, you know."


Harper scoffed playfully, "And Sumo isn't what I had in mind for such a sweet and small Saint Bernard."


"He won't always be so small." Scout chuckled and attached a leash to his collar before leaving to visit her friend.


"Funny, I thought the same thing when you were a child." Harper retorted.



Garcia's apartment wasn't too far away but Scout mentally cursed at herself for not driving. Winter was still raging on and she was not particularly dressed to handle the cold. And Sumo, of course, did not enjoy all the walking and begged to be carried.


Once Scout found the building and the right apartment, she felt hesitant to knock. But she pushed her initial feelings away and did anyways.


With a loud crash echoing through the other side of the door, it was flung open and revealed the colorful blonde, dressed in a pastel yellow ensemble of clothing.


"Scout, you made it." Garcia brought the short woman to a hug without warning, receiving an 'oof' in surprise.


"Wouldn't - Miss - It - For - The - World." She staggered in the embrace.


The technical analyst smelt of lemon drops, sunflowers, and copper pennies; it was something that Scout found rather pleasant. She, on the other hand, could never figure out what she smelled of.


"Come in, come in. I just pulled the cookies out of the oven and - oh! Who's this little baby boy?!"


Sumo jumped at the legs of Garcia, wanting to be held and paid attention to. And the pup was sure that this newly welcoming woman with all kinds of new things to play with could do just the job.


"Sumo, get down!" Scout tried to stop him. "Sorry, he's still learning."


"Oh, don't you ever apologize for such a sweet face! Just look at those eyes, he's practically smiling at me." Garcia picked up the puppy and let her into the apartment, closing the door behind.


The living space was, to say the least, colorful. But it matched Garcia's personality and Scout wasn't surprised at all. If she had seen anything less then she would not believed that the computer nerd lived there.


"I love your place, it feels like you." She smiled and took off her jacket.


Garcia smiled, "Thanks, Morgan thought the same thing when he first came over. It's always been a compliment, really."


"Where is he, anyway?"


Garcia les her to the kitchen table, not letting go of Sumo, "He's offered to guard JJ's house until we can get a regular watch out there. Hotch said that it wouldn't be probable that the sniper would attack them again but I think they're just doing it for her sanity."


"Yeah," Scout glanced away. "I've hung out with JJ at that park before. It's where I met Henry for the first time, though I haven't seen him since. How - How's he doing?"


"I don't think he fully understands yet. He's always been so imaginative that a part of me guesses that he thinks it's all a game. But another part of me knows that'll there's always the chance that he's registering all that happened and holding it in."


"If he was, then I'd say he's smarter than I was at his age."


The blonde stood up with a smile and put the kettle on the lit stove, "I'm sure you were bright kid that always thought outside the box, just like how you are now."


"Actually," Scout shrugged and picked up a cookie. "I don't remember much of my childhood, the first 10 years of my life always seemed so hazy."


"That's weird, but I'm sure that happens to a lot of kids. I didn't remember much of my time as a tyke until my parents died and it sort of came to me like a rush."


"Your parents died? I'm so sorr-"


Penelope waved her arms, "Oh no, don't you give me that pity. We both know that the real Scout Wiley is too hard core for that shit. Let me guess, your parents told you there's no such thing as Band-Aids and to walk it off."


"Ha yeah, something like that. What makes you think that?"


"Well," She grabbed two mugs from the cupboard, "I don't think I've ever seen you scared or grossed out by any case before. And you're always so reserved at times, it's hard to tell when something's bothering you or if everything's okay. To put it bluntly, you kind of act like a guy."


Scout playfully scoffed, "Ouch, spilling the tea. I didn't think you had it in you."


"Well, am I wrong?"


"No, not at all." She rested her head on her hand, recounting what memories she could access without causing suspicion. "Clark- My dad - he was always a kind of tough man, big and brooding on the outside but he was also so sarcastic and he loved to tease. A part of me figured he wanted a son but got me instead and had to make do. So I tried living up to whatever expectations he had, even if I had no idea what they were."


"I mean, don't get me wrong. My dad was a loving man and I knew he cared about me. He always said that I was his greatest achievement, even if I didn't believe him. But he had his faults, just like everyone else does and wasn't nearly perfect. But I will say this, I never felt like he gave up on me or denied whatever potential he saw in me."


The screeching of the kettle that signaled the water was boiling brought the two teammates' attention out of the deep conversation. Scout bit on her bottom lip, feeling odd that she had so willingly talked about her father.


"Kind of tea?"


"Anything with either mint or berries." She spoke gratefully, petting Sumo who had now laid his head on her feet.


Garcia brought the two mugs of tea over and sat back down across the kitchen table from Scout. She took it with a smile and carefully scooped spoonfuls of sugar to sweeten the drink.


"It must've been hard on you and your mom," Garcia broke off a piece of cookie. "You know, after your dad died of lung cancer. Especially since it was all so sudden."


Scout froze, furrowing her eyebrows, "I never told anyone on the team that he died of lung cancer."


"Oh," The blonde's eyes widening at the realization of what she had just said and what it meant. "Well- uh. I - huh - have to background checks on anyone that joins the B-BAU. You know, standard procedures. I guess I forgot what - what I read and what I've actually been told. Sorry, force of habit."


"Penelope, you may work for the FBI but your poker face around your friends just absolutely sucks."


Garcia huffed and mumbled under her breath, "There's a reason I like to sit in front of a computer."


"Cause facts don't lie?"


"Scout, I'm sorry," She sheepishly drooped her shoulders in shame. "But it was months ago, long before Hotch recruited you to join the BAU and you still worked on the mailroom."


"What are you talking about?" Scout shook her head in confusion.


"Please don't hate me." Garcia pleaded, bringing her hands up in signal of prayer and begging.


"I could never hate you, Penny Lane." She smiled to console her and scooted closer to the larger woman, "But if you don't tell me what the hell is going then I'll be this close to never letting you see Sumo again."


Garcia hesitated before sighing in defeat and grumbling about the position that she was in deed stuck, "How long did you work in the mailroom before you joined the team?"


"5 years, I think."


"And did you ever meet or see any of us during those 5 years? Did you cross paths with someone from the BAU after working in the same building for so long?"


"Well, no. I mostly just sorted the mail in the back room, my supervisor was always the one who distributed everything."


"Do you remember the first time you met one of us?"


Scout shrugged, "Yeah, we chatted in the break room. I remember you thought I was a kid in high school doing an internship."


"Well, can you blame me? You had a freaking beanie on."


"Garcia, what the hell are you trying to get at? I got along great with everyone before I joined the team. Morgan liked me and so did Rossi, I think JJ was a bit cautious but it was nothing out of the ordinary."


"And Reid?"


"Spencer," Scout took in a sharp breath, the bubbling feeling she got from him never subsided and growing unbearable with every mention or thought of the tall doctor.


"Spence - uh. I think, no wait." She groaned in realization. "He spilled his coffee on me the one day that I was in charge of distributing the mail to the BAU. I remembered that I snapped at him and I told him to leave me alone."


"Bingo."


"I can't believe I almost forgot about that. And I was so pissed at him too, I wanted to kick the living shit out of him after that. But," Scout paused, confusion lingering her face. "What does Reid have to do with you accessing my private files before I was even a part of the team?"


Garcia gave her a weak smile, "Because he was the one who asked me to."


"He what?"


"I guess after that whole situation, Reid's curiosity was bothering him since you stood up and practically shouted at him in the middle of the office. He didn't know anything about you and he was scared."


Scout shook her head, "Why would he be scared? Because I yelled at him for spilling coffee on me?"


"Our Reid's a smart and sincere guy with a photogenic memory and here comes in a new face, one he's never seen before and with enough confidence that it scared him but also made him curious. And I did him a favor and let him read your files. I know it was wrong but I was trying to comfort him and show just how different you are compared to Maeve."


"Maeve?"


Garcia looked away and tucked her hair back, "Maeve, uh - right. She's no one, don't worry about it."


"Penelope, you're not the only sneaky one on the team. I know, well, I know that a Maeve exists. But-"


"Spencer told you?"


"Not necessarily. I kinda - ears dropped on a conversation between Hotch and him but they never said who she is. And I never asked." Scout leaned in closer. "Do you know her? Or did Spencer like, date her?"


"Scout-"


"Please, I don't like going into things and being blindsided. At least tell me what happened."


"Why do you want to know? Unless-"


"Don't you go there."


"Do you like Spencer?"


Scout scoffed and waved her hand, leaning back in the chair. "Of course, I like him. He's a great guy and we get along well. I mean, there hasn't been a case that we can't solve, really."


"You know what I mean." Garcia narrowed her eyes.


"Ohh, you mean like-like."


"We aren't in middle school, Wiley. And I know it was you that gave Spencer that hickey the other day. The one that he tried to brush off and Morgan made a big deal of."


"He told you?"


She smiled, "No, but you just confirmed it. I had a feeling, especially since you looked like you were about to punch him that day and you were completely off your game."


"I guess," Scout sighed. "I'm not that good at hiding my feelings as I thought I was."


"No, you are. But I guess, with Spencer, you just kinda suck at it. It's almost like you want him to know you like him."


"I don't like him."


Garcia rolled her eyes, "You literally just said you did-"


"And he doesn't like me, I know that for sure."


"And how can you? Did he tell you?"


"Uh, I kinda went to his place a few days ago and I was drunk and we kinda-"


"YOU DID NOT!"


Scout face planted in her hands, "No! We didn't! We just - got a bit handsy and close, that's all. But it's not like he wanted to. He pushed me off after a few minutes and basically wanted to pretend like it never happened. I swear he looked so disgusted at me. And I couldn't handle it so I left...after saying some poor choice of words and telling him to leave me alone."


"Scout." Garcia groaned.


"I know, I know. But how would you expect me to react? I was kinda drunk and I feel like I just confessed whatever feelings I had physically and he basically brushed me off like nothing."


"You were drunk!"


She sighed, "Yeah, and?"


"Don't you think that Spencer's too nice of a guy to take advantage of you like that, especially when you're drunk?"


"But I started it! I wanted to kiss him!"


Garcia's eyes softened, "And did you tell him that?"


"No." Scout mumbled. "I was too scared."


"What could you be scared about? He's the nicest, kindest, softest boy I've ever met. Reid doesn't have a selfish bone in his body."


"Yeah, exactly." Scout glanced at her, "But what if I hurt him?"


There was a pause of silence. And it suddenly dawned on Garcia why the two polar opposites from the team were busy playing cat and mouse with each other. They were afraid of each other and they were afraid of themselves.


"You wouldn't-"


"You can't know that! And I can't know if he wouldn't ever hurt me. And what happens if I take that risk? It's not like we could just - date. We're on this team together. This is my dream job, Garcia. I've been wanting this for such a long time."


"So, it's either the BAU or Spencer. And you choose the BAU?"


Scout sighed, shifting uncomfortably in her chair, "No, I'm not choosing."


"Then what? Pretend like you don't have feelings for him?"


"I don't!"


"Scout, please don't lie to me. We both know that you do, and maybe Spencer does too. Do you want to find out?"


"I kinda - might've, told him that we should just stay friends after our last case." She muttered under her breath.


"What? Why the hell would you do that?"


But Scout didn't respond. The whole conversation went in a full circle and Garcia nodded, understandably.


"Okay, so," Penelope tapped into her mug. "What are you going to do next?"


"What do you mean?"


"I mean, what are you going to do about Spencer? Are you going to tell him how you feel? Maybe see where this could go?"


"I can't."


"Scout, you're one of the most badass girls I've ever met and we work for the FBI, that's saying something right there. It would never have even crossed my mind that you're afraid of anything, especially not a genius geek like Spencer Reid and especially not yourself."


"I don't even know everything about him-"


"That's why you hang out, you go on dates and you get to know each other. It's a process and you can't just expect it to happen and be perfect. Don't you want to get to know him better?"


Scout took in a deep breath, "Yeah, I do."


"And?"


"And he makes me happy," She rolled her eyes. "He makes me laugh and I can be as silly as I want with him. And even though he's the smartest guy I know, I'm always teaching him something new and he teaches me things that I never knew I wanted to learn about."


"Then, isn't it worth it?"


She nodded slowly, "You're a hard lady to trick, Penelope."


"I know." Garcia smiled proudly and took a big sip of her now cold tea.


"So," Scout drew out a breath of air. "Will you tell me who Maeve is?"


The blonde's smile fell, "I think that's a conversation that you're gonna have to have with Spencer. It's - private. But, the BAU dealt with a case a while back and it didn't turn out well for the both of them. It messed him up, and I think it still hurts him to this day. But that's something you should talk with him about."


Scout nodded, "Okay, I'll ask him."


But she knew that she wouldn't. And it wasn't because she wasn't curious, but instead it was because Scout knew that she didn't have that kind of courage inside of her. To ask Spencer, to be upfront to him about it, the thought terrified her.


No, she would never ask him about Maeve.



Harper drew in a deep breath before exhaling at the tall and muscular man that stared down at her. He himself wasn't a terrifying man, but the thoughts that he brought with him was what scared her.


"What now, Harp? You said you wanted to talk, so talk."


The woman shut the door behind him and followed him to the living room, wheeling herself forcibly, "Always so eloquent, Xander."


"You've known me for how many years? Don't act so surprised." He scoffed. "Where's Scout?"


"Out. This is a conversation for just the two of us."


"Really?" Xander raised a brow, "Because I want her here, the last mission I gave her-"


"You won't give her those kind of assignments again."


"Oh yeah? And what makes you think I'm gonna listen to you? You know that I don't choose what she does, I'm just the messenger."


"Please Xander," Harper rolled her eyes. "We both know that he didn't give her those missions. The one with that doctor? The explosion at the park? That was all your doing, not his."


"What? Has he been talking to you?"


"No, we both know Clark wouldn't do that. He hasn't talked to me ever since you both faked his death 5 years ago. Lung cancer? Really?"


"What? We had to do something."


"Whatever," She rolled her eyes, "That man would never talk to me, especially not after what he did to me."


Xander glanced down at the wheelchair, "That wasn't intentional."


"Shut it, I don't need you to apologize for my husband's mistakes. Scout and I are already stuck with you because of it."


"And? Is that all you wanted to talk to me about?"


"No," Harper puffed her chest out, "You won't be giving her any of those frivolous little missions just because you feel like it anymore."


"Clark said-"


"Clark was only involved with the one about Rossi. I know my husband and I know you, I'm not an idiot. So you're going to stop all these little side quests and stick to the one that he wanted, got it?"


Xander scoffed, "You're not exactly in the kind of position to be calling these shots, Harper."


"Oh really? Cause if I do recall, Scout doesn't know about him. So, unless you want your best shot to still be loyal to you, I suggest to stick to the mission intended or I'll tell her that her father is still alive."


He narrowed his eyes but she didn't stop, "And after that, she's done. We're done. Whatever Clark has planned, it won't happened and you'll leave my daughter and I alone."


"Fine, I'll let him know." Xander huffed and turned to leave, "He won't be happy about it, though."


"Well, then he can shove it. His own daughter's safety should be more important than his own personal vendetta."



Please consider voting/commenting if you like this story and want show your support for more content.



AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Clark Wiley is alive and he's calling the shots. Who knew?
Okay, I did.
But now Scout's confessed her feelings for Spencer to Garcia but she's also still curious about Maeve, what's she gonna do about it?


I know some people don't like Scout but she's my baby. I've been writing her for almost 3 years now and I know how she thinks and why she's acts a certain way. And yeah, she's not perfect. But she's a human being and she acts like her own person, not some Mary Sue.
This isn't a book where a relationship just magically appears and her and Spencer connect without challenges and bumps along the way. They grow together and you can see a major difference compared to when this book first started.
Scout's a developed character, just like Spencer is. And they connect over time and form a bond that started with a mere curiosity for each other. I know some of you may not like her or her decisions but Scout is not perfect and you shouldn't expect that from her. Just as how Spencer isn't perfect either.


This includes Harper as well, she's a mom and she cares about her daughter but also makes mistakes. And now she's trying to make it better by protecting Scout, just like how Scout protected her. Her reasons may be flawed at times, but her heart and her intentions have always been for her daughter.


I hope this clears some stuff up and I hope you can relate to Scout, which has always been my intention in creating an organic and human character. I love her and I love you guys for all your support.


Also (cough, cough) what do you think about the new cover? Do you like it more? I wanted to make something bright that would catch a reader's eye especially since this book is ranking fucking #75 in the Spencer Reid category. Like what-the-fuck Wattpad?? That doesn't make sense that some book that was written 3 years ago and has 5 chapters with less votes and reads is ranking 3,4, or even 5 place?


Ugh okay, I'm done ranting.
Bye, I love you guys and thank you for 50k read and 2k votes! It means the world to me!



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