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A/n this takes place after "Retaliation." I assume that Hotch is back as Unit Cheif and the cane is gone for Reid, otherwise it follows cannon. This will be at least three maybe four chapters long.

Coffee and other Distractions

The bellhop, wearing a crimson red and gold uniform, took their 'bags' into the bedroom while Reid looked around at the room Garcia had got for them.

"You guys are lucky. I thought we were full up." The bellhop commented as he turned over the key card to Emily.

"Yeah…" Emily agreed.

She tipped him with a twenty-dollar bill and he gaped at her. "Thanks lady!"

"How is that staying inconspicuous?" Reid complained after the excited bellhop left the room.

"Haven't you heard of hiding behind flamboyant behavior? He'll think we're somebody and leave us alone. He'll tell his friends on the staff all about it and they won't bother us when were here."

He just looked at her.

"Truest me it'll work. They'll all know were not married, which is why Garcia didn't book the honeymoon suite.

"That and the fact that we needed a good look into the building across the way. The honeymoon suite is on the wrong side of the building."

"How do you know?" Emily said crossing her arms.

"I asked Garcia. She knows everything!"

"True!"

Emily dropped her go bag dangerously close to Reid's newly healed leg. "Hey watch it!" He complained as she put their key card on the small Queen Anne writing desk next to the hotel suite door.

"Sorry Reid," she apologized vaguely.

"This is a bad idea," he complained, sitting down on the long, comfortable sofa, upholstered in pale gold, across from the coffee table and two matching armchairs.

"Hotch asked us to do this because everyone else is busy with other aspects of the case. He trusts us!" She reminded him as he looked around at the rest of the spacious suite they would call home for what he sincerely hoped would be just that one night.

"I know… I just don't think this is the best way to find the next clue."

"We've been at this for days Reid. If we're going to find Maria, we have to have more information."

"Okay… I'll trust in Hotch for the time being." Reid agreed.

He went to the writing desk and picked up a piece of cream-colored stationary from the top. Printed across the top was "The Ritz Carlton, Denver," He flipped it over, feeling the heavy stock with his fingers and wondering if anyone still wrote letters to each other on hotel stationary when they have the internet.

Speaking of the internet, he watched Emily hook up her laptop to the net at the second desk, kiddy corner from the small Queen Anne.

"All the modern conveniences," she enthused, while prying off the high-heeled boots she had worn in the snow that fell beyond their window.

He reached into the pocket of his dark grey fitted vest for his watch. The time read eight thirty-eight. It was New Years Eve and for once, he wasn't alone even if it meant he had to work.

"Hey Reid, penny for your thoughts," Emily said.

"N-nothing I was just thinking that it's New Year's Eve. I bet you probably had something else planned for tonight."

"Not really… I usually just read a good book and go to bed early. I don't much care for being out to parties and staying up all night."

"Y-yeah… Um, me either," he agreed.

He wouldn't admit for a million dollars that he always wished for someone to spend New Years Eve with instead of being alone.

He looked over to see her opening her go bag. "I'm going to change into something more comfortable."

"What?" He squeaked.

"Pay attention Reid, if we have to stay up all night watching for our friends across the way, I intend to be comfortable."

"But -"

"Why don't you make some coffee? There should be a coffee maker and some great gourmet coffee in the cabinet there. I'm sure the television is hidden in there too."

"H-how do you know?"

"I've stayed in my share of four star hotels. I just don't know how Garcia got us booked into this hotel at the right floor for this surveillance on such short notice."

"Um… I d-don't t-think we should try to find out." He said as he found the coffee where she said it would be, in the huge cabinet, sectioned off from the television.

Emily smirked at him as he began making a pot of coffee. "I think it's always best not to ask questions when it comes to Garcia."

"W-why couldn't she find us a room with two bedrooms," He stammered, going pink in the cheeks.

"I told her one bedroom. They're supposed to think we're a couple." She reminded him.

His face flamed hotter, if only that were true for real. He decided not to look at her and watched the coffee pot as though his life depended on it.

"That coffee machine won't get up and wander away if you turn your back on it you know."

He put a hand up to his face. It felt cool enough so he turned around. "I know, I guess I'm just thinking about no sleep tonight."

"Well, I'm going to get comfortable and I guess you'll take the first watch while I get some sleep."

"Oh… Ah, okay Emily," he agreed.

She went to the door between the bedroom and the rest of the suite. "Don't overdose on that." She said, pointing at the coffee filling the pot.

He laughed and watched her retreat into the bedroom with her bag. Someone had put a door made from clouded and etched glass with the hotel's emblem and flowers, instead of a regular door.

The light went on after she shut the door. He turned away, picked up the pot from the coffee maker, and picked up one of the white ceramic mugs, also emblazoned with the hotel's name and emblem. He turned back to the door and almost dropped the coffee pot.

He could see Emily's silhouette through the clouded glass. The light behind her reminded him of an old style film noir type movie, he'd seen once where a group of women tried to distract a gang of thugs from robbing a saloon. He watched her take off her sweater, drawing it off her body and tossing it to the ground. She pushed her pants down at the same time hot coffee spilled over his hand and onto the pale peach colored carpet.

"Damn it!" He shouted, putting both the cup and the coffee pot on the coffee table.

"You okay Reid." His voice pushed out into the room.

"Yeah… no problem," He tried not to look, but he couldn't help himself.

She was pulling on something short over her long legs. From the black shadow on white, it didn't look like she had a bra on or a top as she slowly rolled up and pushed her hands through her hair.

"Don't look at her." He repeated to himself, but he could make his eyes leave the door, and Emily as she pulled something over her head.

"I'll be out in a minute, and then you can change too." She called out through the door.

"Oh no…"

He leaped to the door just off the main room. It had to be the bathroom. If he could look busy cleaning up the mess…

He knelt with a damp washcloth in his hand just as Emily opened the door and entered the living area.

"What happened to you Reid?"

"Um… I spilled some of the coffee. It's going to stain." He dabbed anxiously at the spots on that carpet.

"You're not going to get it out with that," she scolded. "Leave it for housekeeping. I'm sure they have something that'll work."

"But it'll set in and then -"

"Reid, they put the coffee pot there knowing people would spill it. I'm sure the staff can handle it."

"I'm not sure I can…" He uttered as he went back to the bathroom.

"What did you say?"

"Nothing…"

He rinsed out the washcloth and tried to get his mind back on the case at hand. He looked into the mirror and lectured himself in a low voice. "Now… you have to remember that there's a young woman to find out there. Garcia found this address, but we know that the un-sub isn't holding her here. It's an office building so if we watch his office, maybe he'll make a mistake. You have to concentrate on the job at hand. Forget about Emily. There's a life at stake."

He nodded firmly to himself and turned back to the living area. Emily was setting up their recording equipment and the camera they brought with them just in case. He silently helped her set up the audio equipment too.

"Are you going to change or sit up all night in your work clothes?" Emily prodded.

"Oh um… Okay, I'll be right back."