Leaving Las Vegas
Title: Leaving Las Vegas
Author: tafidadarling
Rating: FRT
Fandom: Criminal Minds & CSI: Las Vegas crossover. Both shows & characters belong to CBS.
Series: What Happens in Vegas. This is the final chapter.
Pairing(s): Reid/Sanders
Summary: Sanders thinks about long distance relationships.
Warning(s): I didn't mean to, but this chapter is very fluffy. Almost sickening sweet. :P
Notes: I know that I've been putting this off since I've been writing a ton of drabbles, so I finally bit the bullet and wrote the last chapter. (Oh, and I wrote a few drabbles while I was at it too.)
Cross posted to bau_fic, cm_slash and csi_slash.
"I don't know what to do Nick," Sanders said as he finished his third beer. He obviously had something else on his mind.
"About what?" his colleague asked. "I thought we were just going out for drinks."
"No. About Spencer." Sanders laid his head down on the counter and sighed.
"Is something wrong? Did you have a fight?"
"No! Everything is perfect... except the distance. He's the best thing in my life."
"So what's eating you?"
"I've been going over it in my head for a few weeks now... I just love the lab and you guys too much..."
"You want to move to Quantico?" Stokes almost choked on his drink and started coughing.
"Hey now," Sanders aid as he pat Stokes's back. "Let me do the worrying."
"Greg, have you talked to Spencer about this yet?"
"I wanted to have an idea of my choice before I did. I also wanted to talk to you first."
"Are you going to try and make me come with you?" Stokes started laughing.
"Maaybeee..."
"Well, that's not happening, but I would come visit you."
"Thanks Nick."
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The team was in the middle of giving a profile when Reid's phone rang. He double checked and yes... all his team members were there. He didn't remember calling Garcia for anything.
"Excuse me," he said as he went into an empty room to take the call. "Hello?"
"Hi Spencer," Sanders said. "I hope I'm not interrupting anything."
"Oh Greg, I'm sorry. I was in the middle of a profile. Can I call you back?"
"Oh, okay. Uh, yeah. Later then." Sanders said quietly.
"Baby, are you alright?" Reid was worried for Sanders was never that quiet.
"Yeah. I'm 100%. It's just that I need to talk to you. Catch the bad guy for me." With that, Sanders hung up.
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"I'm afraid. He sounded upset and said we need to talk." Reid was doodling in his notebook as he and Morgan were talking in their hotel room.
"I'm sure it's not what you're thinking Pretty Boy," Morgan said reassuringly. "Now call him. I promise I will not bug the room and eavesdrop."
Reid laughed nervously. "Alright. I can do this."
"I'll be down in the bar. Join me when you're done. First round will be on me."
"Thanks Morgan," Reid said and then dialed Sanders' number.
"Hello. City morgue. You stab 'em... We slab 'em."
"I thought you worked in the lab, not the morgue," Reid said. He was joking. That was a good sign, right?
"Details," Sanders replied. "You catch the bad guy?"
"Close, but even Hotch thought we could use some rest. Are you at work?"
"I am currently on my way to the middle of nowhere for a body dump."
"So you have time to, uh, talk?" Reid asked tentatively.
"Oh, yeah. I got another twenty miles to go."
"Okay. So..." Reid bit his lip waiting for Sanders to say he found someone new or just didn't think it was working out.
"Alright. I'm just going to say it. Spencer, how would you feel if I move to Quantico?"
"Wait. What?"
"I've already looked into jobs at the D.C. crime lab and they said they have a position for me in the lab or in the field."
"What about your friends?"
"I'll see them when we go to Vegas for the holidays."
"But... I'm always away."
"Spencer, I'm getting this vibe that you don't want this. Forget I said anything. Bye."
"Greg! Wait!" Reid nearly shouted. "I do want this. I just... can't believe you would do this for me."
"Oh baby, of course I would. I love you."
"I love you too Greg."
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Sanders didn't want to make a big deal out of leaving but of course his friends weren't going to let that happen. His last day at work, he walked into the break room and there were snacks and cake and a huge banner that said "We'll miss you!"
"Guys, you shouldn't have," he said.
"We had to Greg," Willows said. "We will miss you."
"Thanks Cath." He gave her a quick hug. "It's not like you'll never hear from me again. I'll visit and call you guys all the time."
"That's what you say now," Stokes joked. "Your ego is gonna double in size in D.C."
"What can I say? I'm talented and they know it."
"Too late," Sidle said. "It's already inflated."
Sanders was glad. There were no tearful goodbyes. They ate the cake and talked about old times. Everyone joked about how weird they thought he was the first time they met. Sidle added in "I still think you're weird."
As he settled in on the plane, Sanders knew it really wasn't goodbye even though he was leaving Vegas. Plus he had his whole future with Reid ahead of him in Quantico.
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"Did I ever mention how much I hate unpacking?" Sanders aid as he finished putting the last of his clothes away.
"I think you've mentioned it once," Reid replied with a laugh. "Let's go to bed. The rest can wait until tomorrow."
"I think that's the best idea I ever heard."
They climbed into bed and Reid kissed Sanders' cheek. "I love you," he whispered.
"I made the right choice," Sanders said. "I get to go to sleep to that every night." He kissed Reid back and whispered, "I love you too."