The Doctor and the Redhead-A Series of Shorts
Summary: A doctor, a redhead, and a mutual love of Russian literature. A modern fairy tale, with a CM twist, of course! Each story is 15 pages or less….enjoy.
Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds. It belongs to CBS entertainment. Azure is an actual restaurant in my town that sadly went under and I am reviving it for this fic.
Chapter 1-Date Night
Friday
0900 Hours
FBI HQ
Quantico, VA
Spencer Reid was nervous today. He had agreed to let JJ set him up with a girl she worked with. The entire BAU was abuzz with the news, and he felt like he stuck out like a big sore thumb.
Garcia approached him, and he sighed. The girl's advice was likely to be loud and unnecessary.
"So, where are you taking her?" He smiled up at her as she settled into a chair she'd dragged along with her. He responds in a voice that he hoped she'd realized was highly annoyed.
"Um, we're meeting at Azure at 6." Garcia raised her eyebrows, Azure was a mid-priced but posh local restaurant.
"Wow, Azure. I hear their apple martini's are to die for. I keep trying to get Kevin to go with me, but he says it's stuffy." Spencer sighed, and settled back, realizing that the woman wasn't going to relent until she was finished.
"I will keep that in mind." He checked his email as she rattled on.
"What are you planning on wearing?" He looked sideways at her, and then at the outfit he'd spent two hours putting together that morning. Actually, JJ had phoned and spent two hours on the phone with him, going through his wardrobe piece by piece. He told Garcia this.
"Hey, JJ helped me to pick this outfit, OK?" Garcia opened her mouth, but was interrupted by Derek.
"Hey, Baby Girl. Leave lover boy alone, and come here." He shot his friend a grateful look, and smiled. He nodded once, and Spencer turned back to his work.
Meanwhile, a few miles up the road, at CIA HQ, Fiona Murphy was undergoing her own pre-blind date razzing. The redheaded woman sat miserably at her desk next to JJ's, while her colleague, Melanie James, grills her about the evening.
"So, Fee. Azure. Order the sea bass; it's fantastic." Fiona looks at her friend.
"When did you go there?" Melanie, a petite brunette with a penchant for bad boys, grinned.
"About four boyfriends ago. Remember the Top Gun pilot?" Fee shook her head, her red curls bouncing as she did.
"If I kept track of all the men you parade around, I'd have no time for anything else."
The other girl rolled her eyes, and took in her friend's appearance. Fiona was notorious for showing up for work in ratty jeans and ill-fitting flannel shirts, a holdout from her college days and a testament to the facts that 1) Fiona wasn't technically an agent, but a consultant, and 2) she could care less about the way she looked, because she believed that she was too smart to be pretty. Melanie was relieved to see that Fiona had taken some time to dress herself this morning, though.
"You look great. Is that a new suit?" Fiona shifted uncomfortably in her seat and wished that Melanie would go away. She shook her head.
"No, but I hardly wear it." Melanie nods.
"I know. Did you pick the blouse out yourself?" Fiona rolled her eyes, finding herself quite annoyed by her colleague's interest in her love life.
"Mel, I am not total crap as a woman. Yes, I picked it out myself. JJ suggested it, and she was right. Can you go away? I really need to concentrate here." Melanie sighed, but stood as JJ approached her desk. She finished the conversation quickly.
"Like I said, it's great. Call me when it's over; no matter how late. I want all the details." Fiona sighed and nodded as the brunette strolled off, heading for her section of their work area, and JJ spoke as she sat.
"Is Melanie harassing you already?" Fee looked up at JJ and nodded quietly.
"I don't think I can do this." JJ smiled as she flipped on her computer.
"You'll be fine. I will keep Mel busy today, OK?" Fiona looked gratefully to her colleague.
"Thank you." JJ nodded and began to work. She made a mental note to IM Spencer at noon and to help Fiona later that day. She turned to her calendar, and pushed the worries about her friends to the back of her mind.
1600 Hours
CIA HQ
The Pentagon
Fiona sat rigid in her desk chair as JJ finished helping her comb through her wild curls and Mel helped her with makeup. Fee felt a little silly, but was glad that she had her friends to help her, for they might tease her a bit, but really, Fiona was at a loss on most things female. She didn't have a mother, and her father had raised her alone. Although she had a step-mother now, and a half-brother, the woman had come into her life far too late for Fiona to benefit. She had picked up a few tips from her college friends, but nothing that she felt might appeal to the "gorgeous and fiercely brilliant" man that her new friend set her up with.
"Fee, relax. You're so tense. I'm finished." JJ smiled and handed her a compact mirror. Fiona took in her appearance and smiled. JJ had managed to make her wild, unruly curls fall into soft waves at her shoulders, and Melanie had loaned her a jeweled barrette that matched her blouse. She noticed that Mel had listened and kept the eye makeup really subtle, and the rest of her was natural. She embraced her friends, and then spoke with a sigh.
"Thanks, girls. I look good. I feel great. I am so lucky to have friends like this." Melanie nodded, pleased, and handed Fiona her glasses with a grimace.
"We'll have the contact-lenses chat some other day, OK? It's time for you to get going. But I have a present first." Fiona sighed again, and glanced at JJ, who smiled back, and patted the girl's arm. JJ had chatted with Spencer a bit over lunch hour, and she knew that the man was as nervous as the girl who now sat in front of her. She badly wanted this to work; Spencer was so desperately in need of a female companion, and Fee needed someone to tell her how great she truly was, other than her father and JJ herself. Especially since Spencer was now facing the loss of Prentiss, and Fee's father was ill.
She watched as Melanie handed the redhead a pair of sexy high heels, and nearly laughed. In the seven months that she'd been at HQ, and the few months she'd spent interviewing and such, she had never seen Fiona in anything other than hiking boots or sandals. In fact, Fiona said as much herself.
"Mel, you've completely lost your mind. I can barely walk in my boots. How do you expect me to go anywhere in THESE?" She held the shoes in front of her, arms extended, as though they were a snake that would bite her. Melanie laughed, and handed her a pair of shoes that JJ had seen for sale at the drugstore-ballet slippers that could fold up and fit into your purse.
"Take off your sandals right now, and put on the flats. I will put your sandals in my locker, OK? You can get them tomorrow. When you get to the restaurant, then change into the heels. You'll only have to go a few feet, and then you'll be sitting, OK?" Fiona nodded, and did as she was told. JJ giggled, and turned to her friend.
"Ok, Fee. You really should head out in a minute. Here's your bag," she handed Fiona the only feminine thing the girl owned, a slim line envelope purse, as she continued, "Now, listen to me. You're going to be fine. Don't forget to turn off your phone. Have fun. Just be yourself, and you'll be Ok. Spencer hates a lot of BS, but you're…you, so I think you'll be just fine. Finally, call me if you need anything else. Excuse yourself to the ladies' room and fill me in halfway, OK? Even if you don't think it'll work out." Fiona stands, and puts on her jacket as Melanie hands her a tube of lip gloss.
"Ok, Jenny. I got it. Thanks, Mel." Melanie nods.
"Don't forget to refresh your lipstick. And also, you know how when you get nervous, you tend to ramble on? Try not to do that. Let him talk a little, OK? Be safe. We'll see you Monday." They followed their friend outside as the others stared at the trio. They were used to seeing the redhead flanked by the two others, but usually only because Fiona was taller and had the most seniority, so today their stares were shocked ones. Even their supervisor, a normally gruff older man, stood outside of his office and as they passed, his mouth dropped open.
"Wow, Murphy. You clean up well. Good luck." Fiona shook her head, and slid into the cab that was waiting for her. She normally took the Metro everywhere, but tonight she feared she wouldn't have time.
At the same time that Fee was undergoing her transformation, Spencer was getting tips from Derek.
"Dude, just be calm. That's the best thing. Be yourself, too. Watch the nervous chatter, and remember that most people have never heard of Dostoevsky or whatever it is you're reading these days. Did JJ say what she looked like?" Spencer nodded miserably as both Garcia and Seaver came over.
"Yeah, she told me that the girl is a pretty redhead with glasses. I told her that this was DC, and that could be half the girls on the subway. I guess she is wearing a green shirt, too. So I look for the redhead in green with glasses, who looks like a CIA agent." Garcia giggles.
"Ok, Spence. Look, girls like it when you let them talk a bit. Call us if you need to. I have duty tonight, so I'll be around. I want all the details, OK? This is so exciting. Remember, have fun, be calm, take some deep breaths, and it'll be fine. You should go. Are you cabbing it or taking the Metro?"
"Metro. You're right. I guess it would look badly if I am late." He stands, locates his jacket, and turns to Garcia.
"Thanks, Garcia. Derek. Did you need something, Seaver, before I go?" The blonde girl shook her head, but reached out and straightened his collar. He pulled away from her, slightly annoyed. It wasn't that he didn't like the girl, it was just that the first day he'd met her, she'd come on a little strong, and it had frightened him. But it seemed that she had a thing with Rossi, so he was a little less annoyed by her presence than he once was. He nodded at her.
"Thanks. Well, I'll see you all Monday, then. Have a great weekend." He left quickly, ignoring the pointed stares from the other agents, who were unused to seeing the man leaving so early, dressed so well.
1800 Hours
Azure Restaurant
Somewhere in DC
Spencer waited outside the restaurant, checking his watch. He scanned the women that passed him by; some were attractive, some were not, but not one of them was a redhead that fit the description. Finally, a cab pulled up to the curb at the corner, and he watched in interest as a tall, slim redhead exited the vehicle. He couldn't yet tell if she was his girl, as she had her back to him, but he watched the lithe woman pause on the sidewalk and switch out her shoes, tucking the flats she wore into a slim line envelope bag. He smiled; women and their beauty habits made him happy. Suddenly, she turned, and he looked sharply at her. It was her, and he sighed in relief. JJ was right, the girl was pretty, a mass of thick, orangey-red hair falling to her shoulders. She adjusted the glasses she wore, and smiled, heading in his direction. She didn't seem to notice him until she was literally next to him, and she paused. She looked him in the eye, and grinned.
"Are you Spencer?" He nods, and takes in what he can see of her outfit; she is wearing a coat, but he can see her well-fitting suit pants, in a deep green, and the heels she wore were a little sexier than he'd expect from a CIA agent, but in general, he was happy with the sight in front of him. He extends his hand for a handshake, and she takes it, her handshake firm and precise.
"I am. You must be Fiona."
"Yes. It's nice to meet you." He smiles and indicates the door for her.
"Shall we?"
"We shall."
He grins as she opens the door to let them into the restaurant, and she smiles as he holds the door. They are silent as they wait for the waiter to seat them, and as they sit, she speaks.
"So, what did JJ tell you? About me, I mean." He smiled.
"Just that you work with her, aren't technically an agent, and are a redhead." Fiona nods, and he asks her the same question.
"Same basic thing. You work with the FBI, you have multiple degrees, and are cute. Actually, her exact words were "fiercely intelligent and gorgeous." He smiled, a little proud, and spoke.
"Well, score one for JJ. So tell me about the shoe thing." She looked at him, surprised, but was interrupted by the waiter, who took their drink orders. That was one of the most awkward times of the date, Fiona thought, because you wanted to order wine because you liked it and it made you feel sexy, but at the same time, you didn't want to lose control. She was relieved when he asked if she'd like to order a bottle of the house red-a satisfactory compromise, she thought. That way, she could have her romantic fantasy, and still keep her pride. She agreed, and they placed their order. Finally, she turned back to him.
"I'm sorry, what shoe thing?"
"Oh, I saw you leaving the cab, and then you changed your shoes." She hesitated, and then responded.
"Yes. I am not very good at walking in high heeled shoes, so I changed into them, to avoid falling. I am sorry; you weren't supposed to see that." He grins.
"It's OK. They don't look very comfortable. Or safe." She shakes her head.
"They aren't. On either count. But my co-worker Melanie says they're sexy, and so she loaned them to me. I normally prefer hiking boots or sandals. Occasionally I will wear flats, but only if it's a big case. You see, I went to school at Dartmouth, and it was really cold all the time, and I didn't have a mother for the longest time. My father wasn't exactly the type to raise a girly-girl; he was a mechanic, and did the best he could." He gazes across the table at her, amazed that he found a girl who was as much of a prattler as he was. He asked her another question.
"May I ask what happened to your mother?" Fiona shrugs.
"She left us. I don't know why, not really. But one day when I was six, she dropped me off at school, and I never saw her again. A few weeks later, my dad sat me down and told me they were divorcing, but I don't think I realized then what that meant. But it was just him and me until I was 17, and then he married my step-mother, Dina, but by then, I was away at school, and so we didn't get really close. But she's nice enough, I guess, and takes good care of him. She had a son a little later, my half brother Liam." She realized she was rambling on, and stopped speaking for a moment. She sighed internally, and decided to ask him a question.
"So. What do you do for the FBI, exactly? JJ said you're a profiler, but how does that work?" He nodded in agreement.
"I am a profiler, though like you, I am not technically an agent. I have a PhD in criminal psychology, and one in Russian Literature. Profiling is basically figuring out why a suspect commit's a crime based on his or her psychological traits, which we try to figure out using their background, medical history, and other clues. Sometimes it's really easy, and sometimes it's really hard." She nods.
"Wow, that sounds like interesting work. Do you find that it's successful?" He nods.
"Definitely. We've only been wrong a handful of times, but we still got the bad guys." She laughs as the waiter appears to take their dinner orders and refill their wine glasses. Fiona realized that she was having a nice time, and felt herself smiling again. She ordered the Gnocchi while he had the sea bass, and they continued on in their conversation.
"So, Russian literature, huh? Incidentally, I speak Russian. Actually, that's what I do for the CIA. I am a linguist. I am actually fluent in five languages." He looks at her, impressed and surprised that JJ hadn't revealed this detail. He smiles, and gestures for her to continue. She sips her wine, and speaks.
"I am fluent in Russian, Farsi, Hindi, Latin, and Gaelic." He nods, impressed, but questions the Gaelic.
"Gaelic? Really?" She nods and replies.
"Yeah, my father's family is Irish. I grew up having my Nana yelling at me to get my red head into the kitchen, because in Ireland, if a woman can't cook, she can't catch a man, and a man was your ticket out of the Bogs. We're Southern Irish, from Cork."
She stopped speaking, and sipped at her wine. As they sat through another awkward silence, their food arrived, and Spencer began his meal, watching his date intently. A lot could be determined by how and what a woman ate. For example, if she only ordered a salad, ate only half of it, and complained about the calories, she was likely high maintenance, and he didn't have the time or will to deal with that. But Fiona, so far, seemed real, and sure enough, she was eating her pasta as if was the most delicious thing she had ever eaten. He found himself enjoying her company, and chuckled to himself.
"JJ never mentioned that you knew so many languages." Fiona shrugged.
"I'm not sure she knew. I am the Slavic language specialist; it's my passion, but I do help out on special ops if and when I'm needed." He considers, then speaks.
"Interesting. Say, do you know anything about Russian literature?" She smiles, and nods.
"Of course." He nods as he watches her finish her dinner. He smiles, and finishes his, as well. Suddenly, she stands and picks up her purse.
"Please, excuse me. I need to use the ladies room." He nods and she hurries across the room, careful to not pull out her cell until she is safely around the corner near the restrooms. She quickly dials JJ, and barges into a miraculously empty stall. JJ answers on the first ring.
"Fee? Is everything OK?" Fiona nods, and begins to breathe rapidly as she tries to speak.
"Its…great. I can't breathe." JJ laughs, but tries to soothe her.
"Ok, relax. Take a deep breath," she listens as Fiona does it, and continues. "Go wash your hands now, and then talk to me." Fiona exit's the stall and JJ hears the water running. She hears her friend's breathing even out, and she speaks.
"Ok, Fee. I am glad it's great. Are you OK?"
"Yeah, sorry. I am just still a little nervous. You didn't tell me he was a Russian Lit fan. I think he might just hit the bid." JJ laughs.
"What does that even mean?"
"I don't know; it's one of Syd's phrases."
"Your stepmother is odd. You should probably hang up with me and go back to him." Fiona nods, realizing too late that her friend can't see her. She speaks.
"I will. Oh, and JJ? Thanks."
"You're welcome." They hang up, then Fiona checks her teeth for food, and, seeing that she is fine, she heads quickly back to the table. She discovered that Mel had been nice enough to put some insoles in the shoes, thus making it a little easier to walk. As she arrives back at the table, Spencer smiles up at her, and she takes her seat.
"Did you want dessert? They've taken our plates." She shrugs.
"I don't care either way, truly. I don't usually eat sweet things, but I do rather like them, I think." He nods.
"Well, let's check the menu, and then decide. Does that work?" She nods.
"Yes." They flag down a waiter, and ask for the dessert menu, and Spencer is further impressed when she turns to him after announcing that she will have the chocolate cake and a glass of tawny port.
"We were discussing Russian literature before I had to excuse myself. Anyway, I am currently re-reading Anna Karenina for, precisely, the 22nd time. The unabridged version."
"Translated?"
"Original."
"Wow." He grinned, sure he'd found a kindred, and was about to invite her to a Russian film festival he was originally scheduled to attend with Prentiss, when their dessert arrived, and they ate in silence, enjoying each other's presence, and sharing shy looks over the table. Finally, they finished, and Fiona spoke.
"That was great, I had heard this place was a bit stuffy, but I didn't think that at all, did you?" He shook his head.
"I heard the same, but I agree with your assessment. And would you please excuse me? I myself need to use the restroom." She nods.
"Certainly."
Once inside the restroom, Spencer dials Derek.
"Reid? I thought you were out for the evening."
"I was. I mean, I am. I just wanted your advice. We've finished dinner, and I wanted to ask her if she wanted to do something else. Is that OK? Or would that be moving too fast?" Derek laughs.
"No, it's fine. Are you thinking of asking her to your place?"
"No. I was thinking that we could go and get another drink. I want to talk to her more. All night if I could." Derek laughs.
"It sounds like it's going well. Look, how about seeing if she wants coffee? The diner on W st. is open all night." He nods.
"Thanks, Morgan." He washes his hands and returns to the table to find Fiona deep in thought, and he looks to her, and speaks.
"Fiona? Are you all right?" She snaps to the present, and smiles.
"Yes, sorry. I apologize; I zoned out." He nods, and sits back down as the waiter appears with their check. Fiona clears her throat, and he looks at her.
"Yes?"
"Do you, um, should I pay for my half?" He shakes his head; he had old-fashioned notions about the role of men and women when they are on a date.
"No, but thank you." She nods.
"Of course, if you're sure." He nods, also.
"It's really OK." She smiles as he pays their check, and she speaks to him.
"Thank you, then, for dinner. It was lovely." He replies.
"You're welcome. Say, there's this 24 hour diner nearby, are you interested in coffee?" She nods once.
"Sure." They exit the restaurant, and Fiona stops on the side of the street. He looks at her, confused, and she giggles as she removes her heels.
"I am sorry; I am sure that these shoes are far sexier, but if we want to walk anywhere, I am afraid I must wear my flats." He shrugs, but nods, and replies.
"Yeah, they don't look very comfortable. By all means, please." She giggled as she slid into her flats, and then gestured for him to continue up the street. They head for the diner, walking close together, aware of a chemistry building between them, and chat.
"What about your family?" She looks up at him, realizing that they hadn't spoken much about him. He hesitates, unsure about how much he should say, but when she smiles lightly, and tells him that he doesn't have to talk about it if he didn't want to, he inhaled, and began.
"My parents are also divorced, although neither one has remarried. My father lives in Las Vegas, near where I grew up, though we're estranged. My mother is quite ill, and lives in a care facility." He stops as they arrive at the diner and duck into a booth. She looks him over, and raises an eyebrow.
"I'm sorry. May I ask what she is ill with?"
"Well, it's not ill, per se. She has mental health problems." Fiona nods, and looks sadly at him.
"I understand. You don't have to tell me anything that makes you uncomfortable."
"It's alright, it's just weird still, saying it aloud. Until I joined the FBI, it was kind of just this big secret I carried around, worried that people would judge me if they knew, or pity me, which is worse, I think." Fiona nods.
"I know what you mean. In school, a lot of people knew that I didn't have a mother, and some of the kids were mean. It was difficult." He smiles lightly, and they both order hot tea and talk some more.
"I am sorry you lost your mom so young, that must have been hard for a girl. I have heard that children identify best with their same-sex parent." Fiona grimaces.
"I suppose. Like I said, Dad was a mechanic, and while he did his best, he definitely wasn't a mother. I don't think I knew what a "girl" was supposed to act like until I was older. Besides, I have thought, until very recently, that I was too smart to be, well, pretty, and care about clothes and things like that. I am slowly starting to take an interest, but it's taken a while." He chuckles lightly.
"Well, you are pretty." He blushes a bit, and looks to the table as their tea arrives, and then he speaks again. "Sorry."
"It's Ok. Thank you." They sit in silence, the pauses becoming less awkward, and sip their tea before they speak again. It is Fiona this time.
"So, I know you know JJ from her former job. What was she like?"
"Kind of like a cross between a mother and a friend. She cared about me, all of us, really, and she cooked for us all, and made sure we were healthy, and if there was stuff going on, on the job or in our personal lives, she made it a point to ask us about it and be there for us. What is she like now?"
"Kind of like the older, cooler sister I never had. I haven't known her as long, but I think we're starting to form a bond. I like the way she talks about her son, and her husband, as if they were the most amazing thing in the world. I wish for that someday." Spencer nods.
"Me, too. Did you know that I am Henry's godfather?" Fiona nods, and swallows before responding.
"I did. And another girl you work with is his godmother." He nods.
"Penelope. She's our computer technician. She's quite good at her job, actually." Fiona nods.
"You all sound so close. Our team is undergoing a transition right now, so we are kind of at loose ends. I try not to get too attached to work people, anyway, because they move on. Since I am not an agent, and I have lived here in DC my whole life, I think this is where I'll stay, at least for the time being. I mean, if I ever find the right guy, and he wants to move or takes a job somewhere…I don't know. I think that would definitely be worth it." He sits, quietly, turning her words over in his head.
"We are undergoing a transition, as well. JJ left first, then our colleague, Emily Prentiss was killed, and they brought in this new girl who is a little…oh, wet behind the ears, and our supervisor lost his wife last year, and takes off a lot to be with his son, and it's-it's just been a tough go for us lately." Fee nods, sadly.
"I understand. I used to work computer crimes, but then I switched to special ops after a team mate was killed in the field. We were after this pedophile, who was tracking his victims on the Internet, mostly through social networking sites, and I guess he didn't want to go to jail quietly. I was actually the bait-I posed as a 17 year old girl and lured this guy to my "parents" home, and it was a mess. He caught on pretty quickly that I was neither 17 nor alone, and when he realized that, he got violent, and the agent-Rodriguez-stepped in to save my six and was shot and died that evening. It was terrible, and I feel guilty, still, and he had a wife and a kid-it was just so overwhelming. In special ops, we generally don't see a lot of field work, so I think it's a little easier that way."
Spencer surprised himself by reaching out and touching her hand. She smiled at him and looked away, but didn't flinch or pull her hand away. He spoke to her, soothingly.
"It's not your fault, you know."
"I know." He pulls his hand away from hers and finishes his drink as she does the same.
"I'll buy this time. I know it's not dinner, but really, I want to." He nods, and sighs, but allows her to pay, and they leave quickly. Since it is late, the night has gotten colder, and he watches as she shivers a bit, her coat was warm, but she'd neglected to bring a hat and gloves. Even though it was still mid-February, the day had been unseasonably warm, but now it was colder than she'd expected.
Spencer slipped off his own jacket and placed it around her, watching her smile as he did so. He smiled back.
"Better?"
"Yes, thanks. I didn't realize it would get so cold. But now you're freezing." He laughed, and shook his head, even though he actually was.
"I'm OK. I'm tougher than I look."
"Well, then. Thank you. I appreciate it."
"You're welcome." They pause, and look at each other for a moment. Fiona speaks first.
"Um, so I was planning on taking the subway home; I live in Georgetown Commons, so it's a little bit of a commute from here." He grins.
"Actually, that's near me, so I'll ride with you to my stop, if you like. I get off at 7th and McAllister." She nods.
"Well, I am the stop before that, Hill and Jefferson, so that sounds wonderful. Thanks." They head for the Metro station, his hand on her elbow, and she is acutely aware of his touch, and the burning in her stomach. They board the train, and Fiona tells him that she rides the Metro often. He says the same, and she laughs.
"Well, to think we've been riding the same train all this time and never spoke before." He shrugs, but nods.
"I know. It's odd." The train is fairly empty, given the late hour, and since they are heading in the opposite direction of the usual Friday night scene, they make their normally-20 minute commute in ten. As they approach their stops, Fiona turns to him.
"I've had a wonderful evening. Thank you." He nods, and grins.
"Me, too. Thank you." She grins back.
"So, um, if you're interested, there's this Russian film-" he cuts her off, excited for the words about to come out of her mouth.
"The Festival at the Grove at the University on Sunday afternoon?" She nods.
"Yes. Would you like to come? I don't have a ticket yet, but I know someone on the committee, so I could probably score some." He shakes his head, and laughs.
"No. I mean, yes, I want to go with you, but I don't need a ticket. I bought one awhile ago, two actually. I was supposed to go with Prentiss-she knew Russian, too-but anyway, hers is now available." Fiona nods.
"Ok. Great. It's a date, then, I guess." He nods, smiling.
"Yes." Just then, the conductor announces her stop, and they both stand. He speaks to her as she looks up at him, confused.
"I'll walk you to your building." She nods.
"Thank you." They hurry off of the train and up the stairs to the street level. She indicates the southbound exit, and they arrive in the cool night air again. She still has his jacket wrapped around her body, and as they walk together up the street just a few feet, he smiles. He is happy, and decides that he will kiss her goodnight, if she lets him. She stops in front of an older brick building, and smiles.
"This is me. Again, thanks for dinner. I had a lot of fun, and it was nice to meet you, Spencer." He smiles back, and nods once.
"Agreed. You are welcome, Fiona."
"Please, call me Fee from now on."
"Ok, Fee it is."
"Great." They pause again, in awkward silence, before he leans in, and Fiona smiles lightly, and extends her face for his kiss. He goes for a soft kiss on her mouth, and when he pulls away, he hears her sigh, and smiles. His brain is now working overtime, trying to calm his body, and in an instant, Fiona has shrugged out of his jacket, and has located her door keys. Her voice brings him back to the present.
"Well, I guess this is goodnight. Sleep well, Spencer, and I'll see you Sunday." He grins, a big, wide smile, and nods.
"Yes. Sweet dreams, Fee." She waves as she enters the building, and the waiting elevator. He grins as he turns back down the block, heading for home. He dials JJ on the way, but it goes to voicemail, and he leaves her a message.
"JJ, this is Spencer. Thanks for setting me up with Fee; I had a great time. Call me back tomorrow; Sunday, I am seeing her again. Bye." He couldn't know that she didn't answer because she was on the phone with Fiona, who was telling her what a fantastic time they'd had.
As they were preparing for bed, JJ turned to her husband.
"Will, it's soooo great. They totally hit it off." He smiles and kisses her.
"I'm so glad, my dear."
End of Chapter 1.