About Spencer

This is technically my second attempt at writing a CM fic… please comment, suggest, request… thanks! Much love.

Chapter 1: Coffee

Spencer Reid does not need coffee. It is an observation of David Rossi w/c took a long time in turning into a realization. The realization came suddenly and he actually shoved genuine surprise when it dawned on him. He jolted from his almost asleep state and straightened his posture as he continued to stare at the young agent.

"Dave?"

The single word question posed by his friend and co-worker meant more than what was obvious. Was he okay? Was something wrong? Technically, there was nothing wrong but he was rather surprised that it has taken him such a long time to realize such a trivial thing about someone that he has been working with for around seven years already.

"I'm fine, Aaron."

His single sentence assurance was also loaded with more meaning than he intended. He knew that his protégé would ask once they were left alone and he doesn't mind. Maybe they would both drink and pretend that it is normal for co-workers to not notice trivial things because it is not a requirement. They could brush it off or they could discuss it along with other imperative topics that have accumulated since the last time they had a drink together.

He watched as their youngest passed by them with a smile and a nod and proceeds to chat with the newest addition to their family. Family. Families share trivial things about them unknowingly and other members of the family pick those things up without being asked. Families know these things and he didn't even notice. He should have known, he should have noticed. How many times has he roomed with Spencer sleep? He should have known that the genius' brain wouldn't know how to be quiet, even when the genius is exhausted beyond understanding. He should have gotten a clue when the poor genius recited a recipe for a stink bomb during one of the many prank wars Reid and Morgan got into. The reality was that Spencer Reid did not need any caffeine in his system to function. Sure, he was irritable and often compulsive before he had his first cup but that was nothing against how Aaron was before his first cup of coffee. David had to chuckle at the memory of Aaron Hotchner glaring at a poor coffee machine and willing it to go faster. Never, as far as David remembered, did Reid ever glare a coffee machine to death because of lack of caffeine. As the plane landed, Dave compared the number of sugar packets Aaron and Spencer threw away. Spencer consumed more than 18 sugar packets against Aaron's 15 but David knew that Aaron only uses 3 sugar packets per cup of coffee which meant that their Unit Chief had drunk 5 cups of coffee versus Spencer's 3 since he usually used 6 packets of sugar for his coffee. He knew he was over-analyzing all of the coffee business but it just hasn't stop annoying him that the idea that they have been teasing Reid about his coffee habits when Reid barely had any addiction to caffeine. Aaron approached him when everyone, even the genius and the tech goddess has left.

"What was on your mind Dave?"

He took his usual chair and waited for David to bring out the scotch and the glasses.

"Dr. Spencer Reid does not need coffee."

"What do you mean? Have you seen him with his mug? He clutches that thing like his life depended on it."

"Yes, he does but he usually does not finish his cup of coffee immediately. Aaron, you drank more coffee than he did during the plane ride."

"The plane ride lasted for 18 hours, Dave. What brought this on?"

"I was just…ever since Gideon died; I have been trying to notice the little things. Mostly, my daughter, my grand-child, this pseudo-family that we have…And then I realized that I have observed countless of times just how much Reid gets done even without the aid of caffeine."

"So your brain concluded that he doesn't really need coffee?"

"Exactly. Aaron, I've been a part of this team for around seven years now and I have to admit, I was quite suspicious of the kid from the moment I set my eyes on him."

"I didn't think it helped that he had on a Frankenstein mask at the time and was completely star-struck by you."

"But I was awe-struck by his age. I honestly didn't think we'd get along and now…"

"Now?"

"Now he's like a son to me. I would give up my life to save that kid."

"So what's the problem?"

"I am willing to save the life of Reid but I've barely paid any attention to the little things that make him who he is."

"Dave, I think you're over-thinking this. We're human, we overlook things and it's okay."

"Aaron, the guy that runs the grocery store I frequent knock on wood."

"Is he superstitious?"

"No. He kept his giant dog there and three knocks meant trouble. The dog was a gift from his ex-wife who wanted him bitten but he was able to tame the thing and now he's taking care of the dog."

"What's you point Dave?"

"My point is that I'm good at my job Aaron and yet I know more about the guy that runs the grocery shop and his dog than the kid that I've been working with closely for seven years that I am willing to die for."

"Then this is your chance to get to know him better. Reid is reserved and very private so don't beat yourself up too much. Morgan and I have been working with Reid for almost a decade now and I haven't accompanied him in any comic book conventions yet. I think we see each other so much that we have convinced ourselves that we know everything about each other's private lives so you shouldn't be too concerned about it. Like I said, you can always go and get to know him more if you wanted to."

"I sure hope you're fine Aaron. I worked closely with Jason most of the time I didn't really understand him and I just…I don't want to make the same mistake…you know? I know I'm probably over-analyzing this but…I feel as though I don't know the little things, how much do I know the big things?"

With that, we moved on to other topics as we polished almost half of my newly-opened bottle.