***Notes: I'm alive! I know, who'd thunk it? :) Sorry that the NCIS/CM crossover never came to be…life got in the way and my creativity shrivalled up. But, I started to re-watch Numb3rs on Netflix and was inspired. I know how well received "Good Friends" was and I love the idea of Charlie and Reid being good friends, but I've decided to change things up vs writing a sequel. So this will go a little differently. I may or may not have a case fic in the middle of all this where they work together directly; depends on where my mind takes me while I continue with Numb3rs. I'm trying to make it mostly canon, although small details may change.

Also, to set up a time line, it's basically the same as the other story, with Charlie being "nearly 30" aka 29 at the start of Numb3rs (2005), which is the same year that Reid turns 24. Charlie would have graduated with his doctorate in mathematics at 16. Remember that Reid graduated high school at 12. The rest will unfold in the story. Since Charlie's school is more predominate in his story line, we're going with Reid studying at CalSci (since CalSci really is CalTech anyway…) Not beta read, all mistakes are my own. Enjoy!***

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"Birthday Gift"

October 2005

Sighing, Spencer Reid tossed his messenger and go bags down by his couch while setting his pile of mail and take out on the coffee table. They had just gotten back from an interesting case in San Diego. The killer was attacking women and gluing their eyes open. But as he plopped down on his couch and ran his fingers through his hair, that wasn't the part that as pestering his brain right now.

A date. With JJ. At a football game.

Why did Gideon think this was a good idea again? Intellectually, he could see that his BAU mentor was just trying to push him out of his shell. Emotionally, he was, simply put, terrified. This case reinforced to him that he didn't know how to interact with people that well. The team's reaction to his joke about death and a search engine didn't go over so well.

Shaking his head, he tried to shake out this train of thought as he as he opened his Styrofoam container and started to sort through his mail. Mixed in his pile of junk mail and bills was a large envelope. Raising an eyebrow in curiosity, he paused reaching for his sandwich to open it. Tearing it open, he pulled out a stack of bound paper and another, smaller blue envelope. Glancing at what he had now deciphered was an academic paper, in draft form, a smile crept across his face when he read the author's name. He set it down and opened the other envelope, noting the all too familiar scribble on the front. He pulled out the card with a simple cake on the front. Opening it, he chuckled at the personal note written inside.

"Statistics show that those who celebrate the most birthdays live longest. Happy Birthday, Spencer! Hope you are doing well. I recently started helping my brother with his work at the FBI. I developed something I thought you might be interested in and I hoped you could review it before I send it to publishing. Would love to hear your thoughts. After you finish celebrating being 24 of course. Cheers, Charlie."

Reid smiled at the birthday card from his friend, mentor and former professor. He was impressed Charlie remembered his birthday since it was something he often chose to ignore. Although it was a somewhat happier time when he was in college and hung out with Charlie. He remembered walking into his first advanced calculus class at CalSci, even more scrawny and awkward than he was now at the age of 12. Of course, that was before his big growth spurt where he grew a foot within a year, not that his height helped how he felt about his appearance most days right now anyway. He was so excited that day, but also so intimidated to be around now even older "peers." He watched his professor write his name on the chalkboard and remembered reading Dr. Eppes' first paper when he was nine. He also remembered reading that his professor was 14 when he wrote it. A small glimmer of hope entered his thoughts that day, that perhaps he had met someone that would understand him.

Pushing those memories aside, Reid made quick work of the paper before him as he ate. Charlie's math for discovering an UNSUB's place of origin, or comfort zone, was fascinating. He glanced at his watch before digging out his cell phone.

"Professor Eppes speaking."

"I'm would love to know how in the world you started consulting with the FBI, Charlie."

"Spencer! Sorry for the formal answer, I didn't look at my caller ID and was just staring at this fraud case I'm working on. Did you have a good birthday?" Reid could hear the slight distraction in Charlie's voice; a feeling he knew all too well. Sometimes it was really annoying when Morgan or Elle would ask him something while he was trying to piece together a puzzle for the case.

"Well my coworkers got me a cake and a weird hat. But then we got called to a case. So it was okay, I guess. Gideon got me an interesting present," Reid sighed. "I got your card, thank you. And your paper as well, but if you're busy-."

"No, no, it's okay! I could probably benefit from stepping away from the equation a bit, you know how it can get," Charlie chuckled and Reid replied in the affirmative. "We can get to the paper in a minute. I sense something about this gift that you're not telling me. You want to talk about?"

Reid sighed again, damn him for knowing him too well. "He got me tickets to a Washington Redskins game." Reid could hear the silent pause on the other end.

"I thought you didn't like football given…"

"Oh I don't. But my coworker, JJ, is a huge fan. I think Gideon can tell that…" Reid ran his fingers though his hair again. "I like her."

"Ah, I see. And he thought you needed a gentle push into asking her out. I know the feeling, my friend." Another pause in the conversation as both geniuses got lost in thought for a moment. "Well, do you think it's something you can get through and enjoy her company even if you don't care for the game itself?"

Reid thought about that for a moment. Charlie was the only one in his life he'd shared that particular traumatic experience in his life with; not even Gideon knew. But was that what was freaking him out about the date or was it the actual thought of talking to JJ for a long time period the issue? "Maybe. I'm just not sure if I can find something to talk to her about. I mean she's so pretty and kind and smart…" He stopped himself from rattling on. "But all we ever talk about is work for the most part. And when we it's not work, its –"

"Awkward silence?" Charlie chuckled as he finished Reid's thought. "Believe me, I know the feeling. Amita and I couldn't find anything to talk about outside of work on our first date either."

"Really? And was there a second?"

"Actually we're supposed to go to a concert in a couple weeks. Think about movies, books, music, Spencer. I'm sure there will be something else." Charlie hoped he sounded more confident in his advice to his younger friend than to how he felt about his own situation.

"Hmm, I suppose. Thanks Charlie."

"No problem, Spencer. That's what friends are for. So, what did you think of the paper? Can you offer any insights? It seemed like something you could use with your profiling work."

Spencer smiled, "You're right. I definitely think its something the BAU could use to aid in catching our UNSUBs. The math seems very sound. I was thinking I could test it out on some of our old cases for additional analysis. I know Gideon and Hotch aren't going to let me use it until I show that it's tested."

"Of course! I'd love for you to compare it to some of your other serial cases. In fact, I'll add you to the paper if you help supply additional support of the equation."

Reid chuckled. "I don't know if that's necessary, but thanks. It's an impressive equation, Charlie. You know, Gideon always says the UNSUBs will make a mistake to help us catch them. Your equation can show that even when they think they are being random in their dumpsites and trying to throw us off their trail, we can find them. You can help us prove that nobody's perfect."

"Well thank you, Spencer." There was a slight pause in the conversation. "Nobody's perfect…" Charlie mumbled.

Reid raised an eyebrow at his friend's odd utterance. "Charlie?"

"Hmm? Sorry. Listen I've—"

"Had some sort of break through and need to go?" Spencer smiled at the hum of agreement on the other end of the line. "No problem, I'll let you go. I'll be in touch soon regarding my comparison cases."

"Sounds great, thanks. Talk to you soon."

Reid could tell he was losing Charlie to whatever was clicking in his brain now, something he could respect. "Bye Charlie." The pair hung up and Reid looked back at the paper on his coffee table. He was excited to compare casework to Charlie's equation. It would really become quite useful, this geological analysis. Although running some more math equations might not make it any easier to have normal conversations with the team. He furrowed his brow a little, remembering his concern about the football game. Maybe Charlie was right, if he tried to focus on some other things, the conversation might go okay. A small smile graced his features.

Well, he had yet to meet a problem that he couldn't solve.