Staying In Vegas
Title: Staying In Vegas
Author: tafidadarling
Rating: FRAO - Only one scene, really.
Fandom: Criminal Minds & CSI: Las Vegas crossover. Both shows & characters belong to CBS. I just like to write about them.
Pairing(s): Reid/Sanders
Summary: Reid wonders what will happen to his and Sanders' relationship when he has to go back to Quantico.
Notes: This is the sequel to What Happens in Vegas which you can read here: http://tafidadarling.livejournal.com/1641.html. The story won't make absolutely no sense if you don't read it, but it would help.
Cross posted to bau_fic, cm_slash and csi_slash.
It was one week into Reid's annual leave. He had left the hotel three days ago when Sanders insisted he save money and stay athis place. Reid was happy because the hotel's prices were starting to add up, but more so because that meant he got to spend every minute Sanders wasn't working and he wasn't visiting his mother with him.
They hadn't quite discussed their situation yet, but Reid knew they would have to before he left. More than likely, they would continue the relationship long distance since neither of them would want to move. Reid now understood how J.J. felt about Will. He had never blamed her for not telling the team about their relationship sooner, but he could understand her motivation completely now.
Though he could never leave the BAU, Reid could see himself getting used to this life. He would come back from visiting his mother and put on some coffee. Sanders would be waking up for work shortly. Reid found himself tidying the house up. He sighed, knowing that due to his line of work, domestic bliss would always allude him. Maybe it was best to have a long distance relationship because than your significant other couldn't yell at you for always being one. You'd never see them as it was.
Reid couldn't help but laugh at how absurd he was being. Sanders wouldn't be like that. They could make it work. He was about 89% sure. 'Still good odds,' he told himself.
Sanders wandered out of the bedroom wearing a faded Manson tee and his boxers. He poured himself some coffe and sat next to Reid. "Thanks for the coffee, babe," he said and kissed Reid's cheek. "How was your mother?"
Reid's heart panged when he realized again that all this would end in another week. "She was doing great today. We, uh, played Scrabble."
"Scrabble? Man, am I jealous," Sanders said jokingly as he started making some eggs for the two of them.
"Don't diss Scrabble!" Reid said, and they both burst out laughing. "Okay, that was the lamest thing I've ever said," Reid admitted.
"Thanks, though. I needed the laugh," Sanders said as he set Reid's plate in fron tof him. "Maybe you can kick my butt at Scrabble when I get home from work."
Reid stopped mid-bite. "You're going to wake me up for Scrabble?"
"Shut up. You'd love it."
Sanders was right. Reid was wasting time sleeping. Who needs sleep? He only had a week left.
"Alright. You're on."
---------------------------------------------------------
Three days left, and Reid grabbed the phone when he saw Sanders' cell come up on the caller I.D. He had been at work later than usual. Reid wanted to believe that he was glad Sanders called so he could explain the case he was working on, but Reid knew that wasn't the real reason.
"Hey Greg, tough case?" Sound casual.
"Spencer, I'm really sorry I'm late. We did break it, so I'd be home soon, but I was wondering..."
"Yeah?"
"The team is going out to eat. Well, some of us. Do you wanna come with?"
Reid was overjoyed. He knew the graveyard CSI team was like a family to Sanders as the BAU was to him.
"Well, I wouldn't want to impose... Okay, you convinced me. I'd love to!"
Sanders laughed. "I'll be by in ten minutes. We're going to our favourite diner. You're gonna love it."
---------------------------------------------------------
The diner was built in the 1950's and still had most of the original fixtures. The waitress was nice, and the food was delicious. It was quaint and comfortable. Reid did love it, but he was putting all his energy into not making a fool of himself. He thought he was doing a decent job.
Sara, Warrick and Nick sat across from him and Sanders in the booth they were shown to when they arrived. Sara had apologized for the rest of the team who couldn't make it. Reid realized Sanders must have asked them out just to meet him. He had blushed and erratically shaked their hands, saying how wonderful it was to meet them.
"So Greg tells us you work for the FBI," Nick said. "What do you actually do?"
"I work in the Behavioral Analysis Unit. We profile UNSUBs, that's unknown subjects, when the local authorities need our help. I actually met Greg while we were working a case in Vegas."
"But you do live here?" Sara asked. "Well, did."
"Oh yes," Reid said. "Born and raised in Vegas."
"My man!" said Warrick and pounded Reid's fist.
"Warrick's a Vegas boy too," explained Nick. "Hey Greg, you're really quiet, man. You alright?"
Sanders had been watching the conversation with a smile on his face. "Fine. Perfect," he said.
After they had paid, the CSIs went their seperate ways. Sara said next time Reid was in, they would have to do this again. Warrick had added they would have to play cards as well. Nick gave him a quick hug and whispered in his ear "Be good to him."
As soon as they got into the car, Reid threw his arms around Sanders and kissed him. "Thank you."
"For lunch? Well, you're welcome."
Reid swatted him. "No, for introducing me to the team. It means alot to me."
"Oh, that," Sanders said as he started the car. His playful tone was gone when he continued. "Of course. I figured it was time for you to meet the 'family'. Sorry that Mom and Dad weren't there, but yeah. It has been a year."
"A year?" Reid asked, slightly confused. "You count that as..."
"Spencer," Sanders interrupted him. "I've pretty much been in love with you since that first letter. 'I'm glad you decided to initiate corespondance.' You can be such a dork," he said with a laugh.
Reid was staring at Sanders as they pulled into the driveway. Sanders turned the car off and cleared his throat.
"Spencer, I'm sorry if I'm moving too fast."
At least, that's what he would have said if Reid hadn't crawled into his lap and started kissing him.
"I love you too, Greg," he said. He opened the car door and tugged on Sanders' arm. They fell into bed as soon as they walked in the door. Sanders licked Reid's neck as he carefully prepared him. He entered his lover slowly and kept a steady pace because they had to savour they little time they had left together. Reid's back arched off the bed as he came with Sanders' name on his lips.
"Greg, what are we going to do?" Reid asked as they lay in a pile on the bed.
"Well, we should get cleaned up," Sanders said, grinning.
"Be serious for a minute," Reid said as he propped himself up on an elbow. "I can't leave the BAU and stay in Vegas, no matter how much I want to. And I could never ask you to move to Quantico."
Sanders cupped Reid's cheek and gently kissed him. "I know, I know. Family." He was silent for a few minutes. "I love your letters. You know that, right?" he said after awhile.
Reid knew then that it wouldn't be easy, but they would make it work. "You have to come to Quantico for your vacation."
"Oh boy. Just where I always wanted to go," Sanders said sarcastically. "But if you're there, I think I can find something to do."
Two and one fourth days left. One year past. Many years to come. What happened in Vegas this year was the best thing that had ever happened to Reid. He woldn't be staying in Vegas, but things don't always work out perfectly. You have to gamble and hope for the best. And Reid got the best. He was snoring lightly next to him.