Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds or any of its characters.
Chapter 1
"Dr Reid" Spencer answered his cell, glad of the interruption. He'd stupidly opened the invitation to his fifteen year High School Reunion in front of Derek and Elle and they'd spent the last ten minutes teasing him about it.
"Hey Spencer is this a good time to talk?" Lila Archer asked. They'd been talking regularly over the last three months since he'd saved her from an unsub.
"Oh Hi" Spencer said blushing.
"Is it Lila?" Derek asked amused.
"Yes" Spencer replied answering both of them at once. "Why are you ringing me during the day though?" He hurriedly backtracked awkwardly hoping she hadn't taken offence. "I mean it's not like you?"
"I have some time off and LA's doing my head in. I need to get away for a bit and I wondered if I could come and visit you" Lila said in a rush.
"Of course you can come and visit. Are you in some sort of trouble?" Spencer asked hearing the anxiety in her voice.
"No just thoroughly sick of never knowing who my real friends are and who's spending time with me to get noticed" Lila replied sighing tiredly.
"Tell him he should go to his high school reunion" Derek said loudly reaching over and pressing the button to put Lila on speaker.
Spencer waved him away irritated. "You're on speaker and most of the team in here" he warned Lila who just laughed.
"Your friends are right. You should go" Lila said.
"Lila, people go to school reunions to catch up with friends. I was five years younger than the rest of the class and even the other geeks wouldn't speak to me most of the time" Spencer said bluntly. "I used mathematics to show the basketball team what the other teams plays were and how to beat them. Even when they won the championship because of me all I got out of it was twelve semi-popular guys who avoided me instead of bullying me."
Derek cringed at the honesty in his tone. "Reid, people go to their high school reunions to show their former class mates how well they've done in life. To brag about their accomplishments. You've got a lot to brag about Pretty Boy" he said interrupting the reassurances Lila was trying to give him.
Spencer blushed. "They won't be impressed by my PhDs" he protested.
"You're an FBI field agent. They've got to respect that" Elle said.
"Not to mention dating one of the hottest new actresses in Hollywood" Morgan added clapping him on the back. "You should ask Lila to go with you and make everyone green with envy."
Elle rolled her eyes at that but Spencer blushed and stammered. "I couldn't…"
"I'd be happy to go with you Spencer" Lila interrupted. "I'll be the perfect date. We'll have a lot of fun in Vegas."
"Okay then so long as you don't have a new part or important audition" Spencer agreed. "It would be good to see you again. But I could just take the week off and come and visit you if you'd rather."
"No we should go to your reunion" Lila said determinedly. "Derek's right. You've got a lot to be proud of. You should get the opportunity to show off."
"Parker said he didn't think I'd changed at all" Spencer said negatively.
"Was this before or after you walked off with the girl he was trying to impress?" Morgan asked.
"Spencer we love you the way you are so please don't take this the wrong way but if you want to be seen differently maybe you should dress a little more fashionably" Elle suggested gently. "You could be really hot if you let me take you shopping. Or I'm sure JJ would be happy to go with you if you felt more comfortable."
"Um I think I'd like that if I decide to go" Spencer agreed hesitantly.
"You should take them up on it even if you don't go to the reunion kid. Changing the way you look might get you taken a little more seriously by the local LEO's" Gideon said as he joined the conversation.
"I like the way I dress. It's comfortable and I look professional enough. I'd feel like a kid dressing up if I tried to wear a suit like Hotch" Spencer replied.
"I think you look adorable in your regular clothes Spence but you've got the height to look really elegant if you wanted. How fancy is this party?" Lila asked.
"It says cocktail dresses" Spencer said. "I don't even know what that means."
"It means you could wear a smart suit or a jacket and pants, or shirt and waistcoat depending on the look you're going for but not a tux or three piece suit" Elle explained. "We can definitely work with that. What's your budget like? Could you afford a really nice outfit or are we looking for good quality knock offs?"
"I have money saved if you think it's important" Spencer replied. "The reunion's in Vegas so I could easily win back what I spend on clothes and the trip."
"You're that good?" Morgan asked impressed.
"I've been banned from nine casinos for card counting so now I stay away from the blackjack tables. Poker's not so much a sure thing but I win more hands than I lose and half the hands I lose will be on purpose so I don't get banned again" Spencer replied calmly.
Elle laughed. "I'm never playing cards with you again" she threatened as she usually did after he beat her while playing in the jet on the way home from cases.
After thinking about it he realised that from what he'd seen he liked the way that men JJ appeared attracted to were dressed more than those Elle was attracted to so he hesitantly approached JJ stammering a little as he tried to explain what he wanted.
JJ happily agreed to take him shopping after work that day. Their date to the football had shown them both that they didn't have the chemistry between them to be successful lovers but had cemented their friendship and they generally spent time together most weekends so Elle wasn't surprised Spencer felt more comfortable asking her for help.
He was a little concerned when Morgan, Gideon and Hotch all wished him luck before he left.
Spencer enjoyed the shopping trip though he found trying on outfit after outfit a little frustrating particularly since he couldn't really see the difference between the outfits JJ liked and rejected.
"So things are going well with you and Lila?" JJ asked.
"She's mostly a friend. We talk every couple of days if I'm not on a case. I've only seen her once since the case we met. It's impossible to have a real relationship when we live on opposite sides of the country" Spencer replied.
"A friend with benefits?" JJ asked surprised.
"I expected comments like that from Morgan" Spencer said avoiding answering.
"I'm sorry Spence. I'm not judging you and I don't mean to pry. I want you to be happy. I just worry that you'll let the idea of a relationship with Lila keep you from looking for something real closer to home" JJ apologised.
"I won't" Spencer replied. "But it's not like I meet many women who aren't involved in our cases in some way and I'm not good with talking to strangers."
"And the hours we work make it difficult to get to know someone. Maybe you should join a group or something"
"What are you suggesting?" Spencer asked unsure whether he felt insulted or amused.
"You could join a chess club or a book group" JJ suggested.
"Or a study group for one of my forensic psychology courses?" Spencer asked.
"You're doing another degree. Spencer when do you find the time?"
"I don't date!" Spencer replied dryly making JJ laugh. "I enjoy learning new things. I can't often make the classes but the professors are very understanding about it. It's mostly on-line, evening and weekend classes."
Knowing how unfashion conscious Spencer was JJ took the time to show him what combinations of his new clothes worked together and what she wanted him to avoid. He didn't understand why it was so important to her but his eidetic memory allowed him to remember her instructions anyway and he'd follow them to keep his best friend happy. JJ had been careful to choose clothes that were a good compromise between fashionable and what her friend would feel comfortable in. There was no point making him look amazing if the clothes made him feel insecure and awkward. She also had a great eye for colours that suited him and the end result was a Spencer that looked confident, attractive and fashionable in a classy and elegant way. They didn't find a suit that fit the way JJ was happy with so Hotch made him an appointment with his tailor the next day.
-o0o-
Elle and Penelope were keen to get Spencer to their respective hairdressers for a complete makeover. JJ however thought Spencer's hair suited him though it could use a little tidying up and suggested a haircut to Spencer, letting him describe to the hairdresser what he wanted. And what Spencer wanted was very nearly the hairstyle he already had. The hairdresser introduced him to a few products and showed him how to turn the unbrushed messy look into a sexy casual mess and talked him into a few subtle highlights to enhance the look.
-o0o-
Of course Penelope was upset to hear she'd missed a shopping trip and tried to talk Spencer into letting her take him shopping too. Spencer protested that he already had more clothes than he'd ever owned before but ended up having to promise to take her with him next time he bought new clothes.
"I think I'm going to wear all the stuff I've got until it falls apart just so I never have to go shopping again. I dread to think what she'd try to dress me up in" he confided while talking to Lila that night.
Lila laughed. "I could always send you clothes. She can't complain about your girlfriend sending you gifts."
"Girlfriend?" Spencer said anxiously.
"Yeah if you want" Lila said. "I'm not offering you an exclusive commitment but we're more than just friends or even friends with with benefits. To me at least. I know I'm not smart enough to be the type of woman you're gonna want to spend the rest of your life with."
"I honestly never pictured anyone wanting to spend the rest of their life with me. And that's fine. I like living alone. Work and my studies take up most of my time. I've never had a girlfriend before. I'm warning you I'm probably not going to be very good at it. I'm not good with any sort of relationships. I'm ruining everything already aren't I?" Spencer babbled.
"Spencer you'll be fine. You're a very good friend, we don't have to be more than that if it makes you uncomfortable" Lila said reassuringly.
"I'd like to try" Spencer admitted. "Will you be my girlfriend Lila? And will you promise to tell me directly what you expect from me?"
"I will Spencer but just be yourself and try to enjoy being with me" Lila said smiling at his earnestness. "I'll be there Friday unless you call and tell me you have a case."
"Lila I'd love to have you visit but can I ask why you don't want to visit your parents?" Spencer asked hesitantly.
"Let's just say Dad's been a little too disapproving of some of the things he's heard about me lately and I'm tired of explaining to him that most of the stories in the magazines are either not true or so grossly exaggerated that they may as well be lies" Lila explained.
"Okay then I guess your safe with me I don't read any of that nonsense. If I get called away at the last minute Garcia's got a key. I'll ask her to try to pick you up. Or I could post you a key tonight" Spencer offered.
"I could stay in a hotel if you're not there" Lila said.
"No you're paying for the flight out. I trust you. I don't take work home with me and there's nothing really secret in my flat anyway so you can snoop as much as you want it won't worry me."
"Okay then I'll see you soon. Night Spencer"
"Good night Lila." He disconnected and then got out his laptop and googled Lila to see what she was trying to hide from him. He was even more worried about his friend after reading several sometimes conflicting articles but resolved to give her the benefit of the doubt and wait for her to be ready to confide in him.
-o0o-
"You take the bed and I'll sleep on the couch" Spencer offered.
"You most certainly will not. That bed's big enough for both of us Dr Reid and I expect you in it with me" Lila countered. "Now seeing as it's your apartment I'll let you have first go of the bathroom" she offered cheekily. "Remember even if we weren't dating I offered you friends with benefits."
"Yes but I thought if we were dating then shouldn't we take things slower and get to know each other a bit better?" Spencer asked.
"Spencer, having a girlfriend doesn't have to be that serious. I'm here because I like you. Just relax and try to enjoy the time we have before I have to go back to California" Lila said encouragingly.
Lila had to restrain herself from laughing when Spencer returned wearing thick flannel pyjamas decorated with Dr Who. They were obviously designed for teenagers, and were several inches too short in the arms and legs though they fit adequately everywhere else.
Lila had changed for bed while he was in the bathroom and while he very much appreciated the sight of her in a short sapphire blue satin nightie with a plunging V neckline he didn't realise she'd put it on specifically to entice him and looked away as soon as he could force himself to, climbing into bed and picking up the nearest book.
"I could really use a swimming pool right about now" she mumbled not realising that Spencer was peeking glances at her unable for once to concentrate on reading.
"You want to go swimming?" Spencer asked.
Lila laughed. "No Spence, I want to pull you into the pool and kiss you again to get rid of that book and get those cute pyjamas of yours all wet so you'll want to take them off."
Spencer blushed furiously. "Oh."
She used the bathroom and came out crawling across the bed to take his book away from him. "Surely you're not so bored with me in your bed that you need to read?" she asked leaning in to kiss him lightly.
"No" Spencer squeaked.
"No?" Lila queried.
"I mean, no, I'm not bored. Not at all. I'm never bored when I'm with you" Spencer babbled
"You invited me as your girlfriend to stay with you Spence. What were you expecting?" Lila asked.
"I don't know. I've never really done this type of thing before" Spencer answered nervously.
"Never?" Lila asked. "Are you a virgin?"
"Yes" Spencer admitted. "I'm not good with people and I've never found someone I wanted who wanted me too. I mean…" he babbled until Lila silenced him by kissing him.
"I want you. Do you want me?" she asked softly.
"Yes" Spencer whispered hoping that she wasn't teasing him the way Harper and Alexa had in high school.
Lila kissed him again moving to straddle his lap as she deepened the kiss, sliding her tongue between his lips as he gasped in surprise.
Spencer settled his hands on her hips enjoying the texture of the warm satin sliding over her smooth skin.
"You can touch me wherever you want" Lila told him as she moved her hands to unbutton his pyjama jacket.
Spencer blushed feeling insecure as she revealed his skinny white chest. He couldn't help but remember the last time he'd been naked in front of a girl. Tied to the flagpole keeping his eyes tightly shut so he wouldn't have to see them laughing at him. It hadn't stopped him from hearing their laughter though and the sound had cut deep wounds into his self-confidence. Wounds that were still part of his psyche.
Lila ran her hands over his lightly muscled abdomen. "You eat whatever you want and you still have zero body fat. I'm jealous" she complained playfully.
"You're jealous of me?" Spencer asked astonished. "Your body is perfect."
"I'm far from perfect Spencer. I don't think I've been cast by anyone without them telling me to lose weight or tone up some part of my body" Lila replied.
"That's because you work in an industry where they want you to become somebody else, to mould yourself into their vision of the character. Sooner or later you'll audition for a movie where you'll have to gain weight for the character" Spencer said.
Lila looked at him doubtfully. "I don't think I'm that good Spencer, roles like that go to really good actresses not actresses with good bodies."
"You're a good actress" Spencer argued. "Your body is just a tool to help you get noticed among the hundreds of others trying to break into the industry but it's your acting skills that got you top marks at Juilliard."
Lila smiled and hugged Spencer leaning up to kiss him. She pushed his pyjama jacket off his shoulders and leaned forward to kiss her way down his chest before biting very gently on his left nipple.
Spencer moaned then blushed embarrassed by the noise.
Lila looked up at him and smiled. "Don't be embarrassed that you're enjoying it" she said. "The apartment walls are thick, you can make as much noise as you want. I'll love to hear you." She kissed her way down, moving to kneel between his legs and laughing as he giggled when she hissed his ribs. "Ticklish?" She asked grinning devilishly.
"Please don't" Spencer begged.
"Not now" Lila replied. She reached the waistband of Spencer's pyjamas and brushed her hand lightly over the bulge tenting the Dr Who material. "Can I take these off?" She asked.
Spencer nodded nervously and Raised his hips for Lila to slide his pants off him. She smiled appreciatively at the sight of him lying there spread out for her. Seeing him anxiously watching her look at him she said. "You're gorgeous. I don't know who convinced you that you're not but they are wrong. You could easily be a model with this body."
She wrapped her hand around him. "Do you have a condom?"
Tim blushed furiously and all but jumped away from her. "Umm no I don't… I'm sorry…. I just… I never thought I'd need…"
"Shh it's okay" Lila said kissing Spencer's cheek before getting up. "I think there's some in my suitcase."
She quickly found them and turned around to see Spencer sitting on the side of the bed with his head in his hands. "Spence what's wrong?" she asked hurrying over to wrap her arms around him.
"I'm such an idiot" Spencer said.
Lila laughed. "You're anything but an idiot" she said. "And it doesn't matter who remembers the condoms so long as we don't both forget." She put them on the bedside table and pushed Spencer backwards straddling his lap. She made sure she had his attention before slowly lifting her nightie off leaving her naked body exposed to his gaze. "Your turn to explore" she invited.
Spencer looked at her in awe, he'd seen her in several skimpy bikinis during the case but here she was fully bare and inviting him to touch.
He brought his hands up and gently cupped her breasts unable to take his eyes off them.
"Are they the first breasts you've touched?" Lila asked.
"The first live ones" Spencer replied.
Lila shuddered.
"Way to ruin the mood Spencer" he said to himself depreciatingly.
"It did sound a little creepy but I doubt you actually meant you fondled a dead body for thrills" Lila said questioningly.
"God no!" Spencer replied. "I was collecting evidence."
"I think I'm gonna regret this but what evidence?" Lila asked hesitantly.
"The unsub had tied something to her nipple piercing" Spencer replied.
"Okay enough work talk. For future reference no talking about bodies or unsubs when you're trying to get laid. It's almost as bad as asking if they're real" Lila said pulling a ridiculous pouty face to lighten the mood.
Spencer laughed. "I know they're real" he said.
"That's another thing I shouldn't ask about isn't it?" Lila asked.
Spencer nodded "Even the best surgeons leave a fine scar along here" he replied drawing his finger along the crease at the base of her breasts. He bent his head and kissed her to stop her asking more questions. He loved that Lila was so curious about everything but he didn't want to have to break her new rule again so quickly.
Lila deepened the kiss pressing her breasts into his chest.
Spencer wrapped his arms around her pulling her close. Lila raised her hands to his hair holding him as he kissed her then when they parted to draw breath threw her head back arching her back gently pushed his head down to her neck and towards her chest.
Spencer gladly took the hint and kissed his way along her throat and collarbones before moving lower. He took one nipple into his mouth copying what Lila had done to him. Lila moaned and thrust her breast up into his mouth grinding herself onto his erection. Realising he couldn't go any further in the position they were in he tried to work out how to roll them both over without Lila falling off the bed or hitting her head on the bedside table. Lila solved the problem for him by getting up and rolling a condom into place. "Scoot back" she said before climbing back on the bed and straddling him. She took him in her hand and lowered herself slowly onto him.
Spencer moaned and started reciting the periodic table trying to control himself. "I'm not going to last long?" he panted.
"That's okay Spence, this time's for you. Let go and enjoy it. You can work on your stamina and pleasing me next time" Lila said kissing him.
Spencer came with a cry falling back on the bed breathing hard. "Wow" he whispered.
Lila snuggled up beside him expecting him to fall asleep for a while. "Feel good?" she asked.
"Better than any book described it" Spencer replied sleepily.
Lila laughed. "You live your life too much in books Spencer" she said.
"Books are predictable and reliable" Spencer said.
"But reading about life is not living" Lila argued stroking his chest.
"Too many endorphins and prostaglandins in my system to argue right now" Spencer replied.
Lila chucked and leaned up to kiss him.
Spencer kissed back languidly before running his hands over Lila's breasts. "Show me how to pleasure you" he said.
Lila ran her hand down his torso and along his reawakening erection. "Give it another minute and I don't think you'll have any problems with that."
Spencer blushed. "No, show me how to use my hands so I can make sure you come this time" he requested.
Lila lay back and took his hand moving to between her legs. "I'm pretty wet so nothing you do will hurt me unless you deliberately try so you can just take your time and explore" she said bluntly.
"You'll tell me when you like and don't like something?" Spencer asked.
"I'm pretty sure you'll be able to tell" Lila replied opening her legs wider.
"Can I sit up so I can see what I'm doing?" Spencer asked hesitantly trying to put into practice the things he'd read about female anatomy and orgasm.
Lila blushed a little at the thought of his intense curious gaze being directed at her most private places but nodded.
Spencer sat up and soon matched what he was feeling to the anatomical diagrams in the books he'd read. He slid one long finger into her and rubbed it gently along the anterior wall looking for her G spot. Her moans and the sudden gush of warm liquid let him know he'd found it and he continued rubbing moving his thumb to rub her clit on the outside. Lila was soon shrieking in orgasm. She collapsed bonelessly back on the bed and pulled Spencer's hand away as she became too sensitive.
"Wow" she whispered almost reverently. "You're a genius at this too."
"Reading can be useful sometimes" Spencer said proud of himself.
"Yeah but you have to admit that this was more fun than reading about it" Lila argues mildly.
"The practical application was enlightening" Spencer teased grinning.
Lila sat up and reached for another condom handing it to Spencer who awkwardly rolled it into place. "Didn't you learn to apply condoms in Health class at high school?" she asked.
"I was eleven when the senior year had that class. They sent me to the library" Spencer replied huffing as he remembered how upset he'd been at the time at having been banned from learning something. "Did I do it wrong?" he asked.
"No it's okay" Lila replied. "It just surprised me that you were totally amazing at getting me off with your fingers and then had trouble putting on a condom. Do you want me in control again or do you want to?"
"My turn" Spencer said moving over her and lining himself up carefully before thrusting in. He only lasted a little longer than last time but it was long enough for Lila to reach the edge and the warmth of his orgasm triggered hers and they collapsed together and drifted off to sleep both perfectly satisfied.
-o0o-
Lila had worried a little how Spencer would react the morning after but she needn't have. Spencer knew from Morgan's stories that the morning after could be awkward but took that to mean it was awkward when you didn't plan on seeing the woman again and she had expectations that you would. He wanted to keep seeing Lila and it wasn't like their sleeping together was a result of a drunken encounter or decision he regretted so he didn't see why he should feel awkward around her. He happily made breakfast after asking her about her diet restrictions.
"I would hate to follow this" he said quietly looking at the low fat low carb diet.
"I can't say I love it either but this body is what gets me roles and earns my paycheck. You put time and effort into maintaining and increasing your knowledge and abilities too" Lila replied smartly.
Spencer grinned. "Touché"
Lila was touched that he not only didn't make fun of her diet or dismiss the importance of it but actually tried to follow it with her to make it easier for her. (Except for the amount of sugar he put in his coffee of course.)
-o0o-
Lila stayed with Spencer for ten days, though Spencer was called away for a case for four days during that time, and they made plans to meet in Vegas for the reunion. They visited every art museum in the DC area and picnicked in the park avoiding the paparazzi as much as possible though they caught up with the couple a few times towards the end of their stay resulting in Spencer and Lila speeding off in opposite directions by taxi to try to keep where she was staying secret. Spencer found the cloak and dagger amusing but his lack of self-esteem caused him to believe that dating a geek like him would harm Lila's career.
Lila was quick to dispel those thoughts once she realised. "No Spence I'd gladly tell the whole world we are dating but having where you live made public wouldn't be safe for you. You never know who reads these stories. What if one of your unsubs found out your address? When you come to visit me in LA we can be as public as you want" she told him. "But be prepared for them to follow you for the rest of the visit."
Morgan and Elle teased Spencer relentlessly about his girlfriend but Spencer just grinned and told them they were jealous. Hotch gave the young agent as much time off as he could allowing him to leave each day as soon as he'd finished his work and Spencer for once stopped allowing Derek and Elle to sneak extra files into his stack. The two grumbled a bit until Gideon pulled them aside. "Are you really complaining about having to do your own work?" he asked. "I've let this slide until now because I wanted Reid to deal with it himself but it's up to him whether he helps you out or not and this week he's got other places to be. Stop trying to take advantage of his generosity."
"I didn't think he even noticed" Elle said guiltily.
"Oh he noticed. I wouldn't have let you get away with it if he didn't" Gideon replied returning to his office.