Note: This will eventually be a CM/ Covert Affairs crossover. Summer Wind McKenzie is an OC from the previous fics- She's Reid's friend. That's all

0000 ooooo 000

"So is this what our genius Dr. Reid does in his spare time?" Derek Morgan teased.

Spencer Reid handed two tickets to the smartly suited man taking them. "You know, Morgan, you really didn't have to come if you weren't interested," he said in the same manner.

"Kid, you said little Summer McKenzie had given you tickets to a museum exhibit," Morgan countered, adjusting his sports coat as he passed the velvet rope. "It's sad to let that go to waste, dont you think?"

"Yes, but I know this isn't your quote unquote scene," he replied. He knew this was a far cry from Derek Morgan's usual spot. For one, they were inside a special advance viewing of the Pepper Wreck exhibition. Morgan didn't even know what the Pepper Wreck was until he explained it on the way to the museum.

Secondly, he knew that the only reason Morgan was coming with him was the same reason he was going to the event- It meant not going home and dwelling on the fact that they were at an impasse. Somewhere out there, Doyle was still running loose and they were running out of ways to find him.

After four days of spending every free moment in the round table room, Hotch had finally had enough. '"Go home,' he had instructed, "Get some rest. We'll pick it up in the morning."

Going to the museum was simply a distraction.

Not that he minded at all.

What Spencer did mind however was when Morgan gamely shot back, "A change of pace keeps things interesting," just as a pretty blonde in a purple sleeveless shift dress passed infront of them to look at photo presentations nearby.

Spencer cringed, tearing his eyes away from the scale reconstruction of the actual ship floating at the far end of the gallery. "Morgan, most of these people are academics and anthropologists and financiers and-"

"Relax, youngster. Rossi would tell you that this is your chance for personal growth," his friend smiled. Before he could even ask what he was talking about, Reid felt Morgan lightly pushing him towards the blonde looking at pictures. "I'll be your wingman, tonight."

"What?"

But it was too late. Spencer had found that he had stumbled right beside the blonde just as she moved to the same space. "I'm so... so sorry," he somehow managed to stutter, placing his hands to his pockets. "I'm ah... I'm a bit clumsy and the carpet..."

"It's alright," the lady gave him a wide friendly smile. Spencer could feel that his cheeks were feeling warmer. "No harm no foul, right?"

"Yeah um.. But still, I apologise-" he tried to say .

"Oh! Thank you for finding my friend Dr. Spencer Reid," Morgan suddenly made his appearance beside him. "He's suppose to show me around."

"A doctor? You must be one of the professors the museum invited," the lady said.

"Actually, my doctorates are unrelated to this field," he corrected after taking a deep breath. "I um... A friend gave me tickets to this event."

"Annie Walker. I work for the Smithsonian," she introduced herself.

Spencer eyed her hand for a brief second before he felt Morgan elbow him ever so slightly. He shook her hand uncertainly. "Spencer Reid," he followed suit. "This is my, um... friend, Derek Morgan. We visit the Smithsonian. It's a national treasure."

"No, that's not true," Morgan countered. "He visits the Smithsonian. I kind of just tag along."

"Well, you must have some friend to get tickets to this event. I hear this is by invite only," Annie said motioned to the crowd.

"Well, our Dr. Reid here is connected," Morgan replied for him.

Spencer would have choked on his drink if he had been drinking. "It isn't nearly as creepy as he implies..." he weakly started to explain.

"How so?" she genuinely inquired.

"He knows someone from the team," Morgan replied thumbing towards the pictures.

Eyebrows went up. "You know someone from this team?" she asked in disbelief looking at the faded photographs. "Which one?"

Spencer turned and quickly skimmed the pictures for a familiar face. It took several quiet seconds but he finally found a decent photo of a damp young girl in scuba gear grinning at the camera while giving the photographer a thumbs up. "There!" he pointed out, squinting at the photo to catch the number. "I think that's a nine?"

"Summer Wind McKenzie, 1997." Annie read the tiny inscription at the bottom of the collage.

"1997?" Morgan repeated surprised. "Kid, how old was McKenzie?"

"I think she just turned thirteen here. I remember when she left California that year, she mentioned they might take a trip to Portugal," he replied.

"Is that even legal for a thirteen year old to be wreck diving?" Annie asked.

"Her parents were with her. They're... ah... pretty adventurous people," he answered

"Adventurous, huh?" Annie smiled. "I guess you're pretty adventurous too if you have a friend like that."

For the second time that night, Spencer felt his cheeks warm, not exactly sure how to reply. Talking to women was Morgan's territory, not his. And currently his "wingman" was simply nudging him to come up with something smooth when all he could think of was a blank. Nobody would ever know the relief he felt when he heard his name called out from across the hall. "Dr. Reid!"

Spencer turned spotting a portly middle aged man waving at him and instructing him to come over to a small circle of four. He gave the man a small wave back. "I hope you would excuse me. I'm just going to say hello to Dr. Kelly," he said as quickly as he retreated, leaving Annie in the more capable hands of Morgan.

Of course, Morgan shot him a look of disbelief as he left.

"It's good to see you here, m'boy," Dr. Kelly greeted warmly placing an arm around his shoulders as he lead him into the group. "But where's Summer?"

"Yes, where is the little rascal?" another middle aged lady asked fondly. "I wanted to discuss our little trip to Guatemala tomorrow night."

"She has a hospital shift," he explained, shifting his weight uncomfortably from one foot to the other. "She gave me her tickets that you gave her. I hope it's okay..."

"Don't worry about it, Spencer. At least they're not wasted," Dr. Kelly said, placing his hands into his pockets, grinning. "I felt you should be introduced to this little gang of ours that managed to show up."

Reid couldn't contain his smile when he realised that he was meeting three other people whose work he had read when he was taking up Sociology. It was like meeting Rossi for the first time- thrice! Dr. Linda Suarez didn't even look at him like an alien when he more or less quoted a part of her book on the different African pyramids, word for word. Instead, she looked amused, promising further discussion over coffee hopefully before she leaves for Guatemala with his friend.

Somehow, they ended up talking about the controversy on the Belitung Shipwreck and how the Smithsonian exhibit next year might be cancelled. A spirited debate about politics, artefacts and governments ensued. The genius almost forgot about Morgan, Annie, and the case altogether.

Almost.

Because somewhere between Dr. Lang and Dr. Trucco arguing about contracts, a hush settled inside the gallery only to be interrupted by a man shouting, "Annie! Annie! Someone call 911."

Reid turned around in horror trying to find the source of panic. "Morgan!" he called out moving amidst the frozen horrified guests.

"Reid! Call 911!"

"What happened?" he asked when he saw both Annie and Morgan on the ground. The girl looked barely conscious. But what caught his attention the most was Morgan's hands pressed against her side- they were red.

"I think she's been shot."