Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds and no copyright infringement is intended.

A/N: This story is part of the Country Music Forum song prompts. The song I chose was Glass by Thompson Square. I hope you like it.

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Elizabeth Kubler Ross said

People are like stained-glass windows. They sparkle and shine when the sun is out, but when the darkness sets in, their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within.

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Melanie Webster sighed as she watched Dr. Spencer Reid turn and head for the door. Not that she minded watching him walk away. She liked that view very much and had liked it more since the physiotherapy he'd gone through for his knee had had such a great affect on his butt.

Stella Checkowsky snickered. "He's never going to ask you, you know. He's too shy. If you want to go out with him my dear, you'll have to make the first move."

"I know," Melanie admitted with a sigh. "I didn't used to have this kind of problem with guys. Of course, they were usually jerks who are eager enough to ask me out and only want one thing. All the while I'm asking myself why I can't meet a nice guy."

"And finally you do and he's too shy to ask you out." The head librarian finished for her.

"Maybe he's just not interested. Maybe it's not right yet." Melanie considered.

"I wouldn't say that," Stella said. "He always seems to have a lovely smile for you, those eyes sparkle and there's that little blush he gets. He certainly seems to enjoy talking to you about science fiction."

Melanie eyed one of the books the good doctor had just returned, The Scion of Abacus she read and, as she added it to the pile she was readying for their return to the stacks, a slight grin crossed her face and she took it back. "Perhaps you're right Stella."

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Reid put the books he'd chosen down in front of Mrs. Checkowsky. "Is that all for today doctor?" Stella eyed the large stack of books as Melanie came back to the desk from the stacks.

"Yes, I think that's it for today ma'am, thank you," Reid replied as Stella began to cough into her elbow.

"Sorry, frog in my throat she managed to croak out. I better go get a drink. I'll leave you in Melanie's hands." She waved off Melanie's concern as she headed for the office.

"Well, another big stack Dr. Reid. We'll have to add an addition to keep you in books," she laughed.

"I do read a lot, sorry."

"Hey, that's why we're here, for people who read a lot. Reading is one of the best pastimes and can transport you almost anywhere."

"You sound like my mother." Reid said.

Oh great, I sound like his mother, way to go. She looked up from the books to see him smiling.

"My mom used to read to me… a lot. Those are some of the best times I've had with her. She believes you can find adventure anywhere."

He had a wistful look in his eyes for a moment, but then he returned his beautiful brown spheres to her. "I see you have more science fiction here." After a short pause, she added, "Did you know that they're having a science fiction festival at the Landmark this weekend?" She'd tried to be nonchalant and hoped she didn't sound too eager.

"Yes, I noticed the poster when I came in. If we don't have a case this weekend, I plan to go."

"Me too, it looks like there's going to be some really good ones." Silence wasn't uncommon for a library, but at this moment Melanie found it deafening and disheartening.

I gave him the perfect opening. Maybe he isn't interested in me. I should just call it a lost cause. She bit her lip. Stella said I'd have to make the first move and remember he's shy.

She passed the last book toward him. It's now or never. "Maybe we could go together? It's always nice to have someone to discuss movies with afterwards, don't you think?" She paused briefly. "That is if you're not already going with someone."

Oh my God, he looks stunned. You should have kept your mouth shut. You just may have blown it big time.

"Uh… yeah, sure, that would be good."

Okay, that wasn't the most rousing acceptance, but he'd said yes. It was a start.

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Reid sat at the table in the break room working on a Sudoku puzzle book someone had left sitting out when Garcia plunked into the chair beside him. "Hey sweetcheeks, there's a sci-fi festival on at the Landmark this weekend. Do you want to go?"

Reid didn't look up from his puzzle. "Sorry Garcia, I'm already going with someone else."

"Who?" Garcia wanted to know.

"One of the librarians at the library I go to," Reid replied as he completed another puzzle and turned the page.

"Oh, you have a date!" Garcia's eyebrows rose from behind the blue glasses she wore with a bright blue dress topped with a black shrug. It appeared to Reid that some bright turquoise flower with beads at its center was growing on the side of her head. On anyone else it would have appeared ludicrous but on Garcia, he decided, it was somehow comforting.

"No, it's not a date." Reid replied.

"Why isn't it a date? Who is this girl? Is she pretty?"

"Her name's Melanie Webster and yeah, she's pretty I guess."

Garcia went to the counter and opened a plastic container, withdrew a cookie and took a bite. "You guess. What's she look like?" She set about making a cup of tea.

"She's about 5'6" I guess, long blonde hair; it's wavy but not curly. It's all around her shoulders and when she moves in the light you can see different shades. Her eyes are grey. Grey eyes always make me think of Straus, the grey eyed monster. Although I guess she must have more sex appeal than I do. Melanie's eyes aren't like that; they're bright and kind and when she smiles it reaches her eyes. She's got a pointy chin and her skin is fair and looks really soft but she doesn't wear much makeup, just a little pink lipstick that's almost the color of her lips and a little on her cheeks. It looks like she has a nice b… ahem… her uh… her figure looks good."

Garcia tried not to laugh at Reid taking in a woman's body. "Okay, so why don't you think it's a date?" She continued to munch on her cookie.

"She asked if I'd heard about the festival and I told her I was going if we didn't have a case and she said she was too and wondered if we could go together. She said it's nice to have someone to talk to about the movie afterward. So it's not a date, it's just that she wants a companion to watch the movie with."

"So she asked you," Garcia confirmed. She blew on her tea before taking a sip. "I still think it's a date sweetcheeks."

"It's not a date Garcia," Reid said sharply, tossing the book on the table. "You, yourself said when we went to the Sci-Fi Convention that I was not attractive. I get it. You made your point. Women aren't attracted to me, as if I didn't already know that. She wouldn't ask me for a date. She wants company for the movie that's all. Can we just leave it at that?" He pushed back his chair. "It's time for me to get back to work."

"But Reid, I didn't mean that you weren't…" Garcia's voice faded out as Reid didn't stop to listen.