Profiles, love and feng shui
Charlie Crews is bored, really incredibly bored. Today zen philosophy is not helping at all and sitting at his desk for hours eating fruit, lots of fruit, can't go on for too long without causing a potential psychological breakdown.
"Bored, bored, bored, bored…" Charlie can't help noticing that some of the other agents are glaring at him. It's not like it's his fault he's so bored! The total absence of any kind of cases in the last three days is taking its toll, not even a single kidnapped kitten.
In the end, Charlie decides that a drive in his new car would be the perfect distraction, so he stands up, send a big smile and a wave to the other cops in the room and walks to the door.
Ignoring the way all the people in the room sigh in relief when the door closes.
He's almost out of the building; he can see the sunshine reflecting on the footpath, freedom! His escape is momentarily delayed when he notices an odd couple of people. A man in his fifties and a young man with a boy band haircut that are talking animatedly.
Charlie decides suddenly that hearing a bit of their conversation can be a pleasurable distraction, so he walks casually toward them. Just in time to hear: "C'mon Reid, it's not like people at FBI's conferences really want to hear all of this," the older man says, indicating the pile of papers he have in his hand. "They want to hear about the famous cases and about the procedures we used to catch them. Nothing else."
The young man expression is offended when he answers: "Well, if they come to FBI's conferences they should know that we don't spend all the times solving cases, psychology and philosophy are also very important in the initial approach. We are the BAU, we need a lot of work to solve cases, and they should know and appreciate this. And I cut a great number of statistics to make it lighter; I'll just talk about the really relevant ones. If they only want to know about famous cases they could read it in real crime's books, the real investigative work it's what really matters. And what's wrong exactly with talking about geographical profile and its connections with feng shui?"
The older man stops him raising a hand and shakes his head. "Reid, stop ok, I understand what you're saying, but this is exactly the reason why when you're talking a lot of people leave the room; don't be offended but maybe you should take a look at my suggestions and cut something, ok. I have far more experience in this kind of things." Then adds: "I'm going to the hotel for a while, I'll see you here in about an hour."
Now the young man is alone, looking at the papers in his hand, looking defeated and doubting his own work.
Charlie can't let it happen. He approaches the guy. "Hi, nice to meet you. I'm detective Charlie Crews, You are?"
The guy looks at Charlie with a confused expression. "Doctor Spencer Reid. Nice to meet you detective."
Charlie smiles: "There's no need to be so formal. We both work for justice after all. Call me Charlie. Spencer, I couldn't help but hear your conversation with the man that just left and I was wondering, do you mind if I read your papers. The conference is an hour, you'll get them back in only a little while."
Spencer hesitates, but then he smiles a little: "I don't really need them. So don't worry, you can take your time."
Charlie shows Spencer his best questioning expression. : "You don't need them? You're not going to change it just for what the old man said, right?"
Spencer laughs at this: "Don't ever let Rossi hear you call him like that. No, I just remember it all so I don't need the papers; I've got an eidetic memory. I won't change it, even if he was right, the moment I start talking a lot of the people leave the room or stop paying attention."
Charlie dismisses this: "I'm sure it's not for you, maybe there's an emergency somewhere." The detective shrugs his shoulder at Spencer dubious expression. "And even if it's for you, the people who stay are more important than the people who leave."
Spencer looks at Charlie, surprised and pleased. : "That was very philosophical. Thank you. Will you be at the conference?" he asks hopeful.
Charlie smiles brightly, not bored anymore. : "Thanks, I love philosophy. The cops here don't appreciate when I try to engage them in deep conversation. I didn't even know there was a conference, but now that I know I could never miss it!"
Spencer blushes a little and smiles again. "All right, so I'll see you later." And hands Charlie the papers.
Charlie takes them happily: "would you like an apple, I have a lot of them on my desk. I also have other kind of fruits."
"Uh…No, thank you." Spencer answers with a shy smile, "Maybe later."
"Ok, see you at the conference. I'm really looking forward to hear about geographical profile and feng shui."
Watching the agent walking away, he smiles. Suddenly Charlie is not bored anymore.
Charlie don't really like being in closed spaces with too many people, even if he's been out of prison for a while now, most of the cops, especially at the station never stopped looking at him strangely. But overcoming fear is really important and he really wants to hear Spencer talk, if his first impression on the young man is right… it'll be really interesting.
The papers were amazing quirky and covering such an ample spectrum of subjects.
Charlie's only problem in communicating with others is that he has a lot of interests and he likes to talk about different things in the same conversation. For most people, this is strange, but Charlie thinks that with Spencer will be different, he's smart and he has an amazing knowledge on a lot of different themes.
Charlie thinks that probably for Spencer, finding a good conversation partner is even worse than for him.
The detective can't also forget that the doctor is really attractive, he's never being gay but when he's fascinated by someone, gender doesn't make any difference.
That's why only an hour after having met Spencer for the first time, Charlie finds himself sitting in a room full of people, in the first row in front of the stage, ignoring all the others an anxious for Spencer to start.
Unfortunately, the first to talk is the old guy, and it's plain and boring. But seeing Spencer smiling and blushing the moment he spots Charlie make it all worth it.
While Rossi talks people are interested, but Charlie thinks that Spencer was right. It doesn't seem like a conference, most like a talking in front of a group of fans. There's noting innovative and catching in his speech.
After two hours Rossi's intervention is finished, two very long hours and now it's finally Spencer's moment.
Spencer takes his place and smiles. Charlie can't help but notice that the boy's smile falter a little when he see some of the people leaving the room, so he sit a little straighter in his chair and smiles expectantly.
Spencer relaxes a little, takes a deep breath and starts talking. Hearing him talk it's much different than reading his papers; there so much passion and interest in his words, and Charlie feels himself responding to it.
The intervention is not as long as Rossi's one, even if Charlie notices that the piece about feng shui is longer than in the papers, and that probably Spencer prolonged it for him.
Charlie feels wooed, he loves it.
At the end of Spencer's talk, Charlie notice that the room is almost empty and this only confirms the idiocy of his colleagues.
It was like a poetic monologue, incredible interesting, Charlie is only sorry that it didn't last longer. But if Spencer accepts his invitation for an apple together they could discuss about it more. Or maybe a dinner invitation… that's what normal people do, right?
Charlie was so lost in in his thought that he didn't notice Spencer approaching, and an annoyed looking Rossi following him.
Spencer cough twice to acknowledge Charlie of his presence, the detective turns around and smiles sweetly. "Hi Spencer. You've been fantastic. I really liked the things you added, it was so incredible interesting!"
The young FBI's agent blushes deeply and smiles in response: "I'm really happy you liked it. It was difficult chose the parts to cut for not making it too long and boring."
"Oh, no, it was great and you've been so clear, I would have loved to hear you more."
Spencer blushes again and answers with a simple: "thank you!" He's obviously not used to be praised.
Charlie smiles again and says: "I would like to offer you an apple; you can't really refuse this time. We could talk a little more about feng shui and philosophy." The detective notice the empty cup of coffee in Spencer's left hand and ads: "I could also add a coffee to my offer."
Spencer is about to accept, a little embarrassed; when Rossi, who was silent until now decides to talk:
"He would like to, but our plane will leave early tomorrow morning, so he doesn't really have the time, Detective Crews."
Spencer mouth fall open, and he's watching his colleague with a disbelieving expression. "What..?"
Charlie tries to hide his anger and replies coldly: "I didn't ask you, Agent Rossi. I think your colleague is an adult that can make his own decisions."
The older man replies, obviously not happy about the whole situation. "Detective Crews, this doesn't concern you. Maybe you should think about yourself, for what I know your situation is still not really good around here." Charlie don't really like the way Rossi spitted his name. The detective is about to react in a stronger way when Spencer interrupts, his handsome face betraying his rage. "Stop it Rossi! This is really too much! As Charlie said I'm an adult, and I kindly accepts Agent Crews offer. I'll see you tomorrow morning at the hotel."
The older agent after a moment of hesitation takes his leave irritated, and Spencer and Charlie are now alone.
The younger man is nervous now. "I'm really sorry about that, Charlie."
Charlie looks at Spencer mildly surprised: "You have no reason to be sorry, you didn't do anything wrong." Charlie says and then adds: "So, where do you want to go, one of the best things about apples is that you can eat them everywhere."
The doctor laughs, "You know the city better, you chose."
Charlie thinks about it for a moment, then speaks: "It's such a beautiful day, and it's not dark yet. I really think we should have a picnic. Let's go, I know the perfect place."
Between eating and talking, the picnic last for hours. Charlie and Spencer feels so familiar and comfortable with each other, it's strange for two people that only met from less than a day but amazing all the same.
At eleven o clock, Charlie remembers that Spencer has to take an early plane the next day.
"I think I kept you out for too long, if you accept I would be glad to drive you to the hotel."
Spencer looks at his watch and his eyes widen. "Ooh, I didn't realize we were gone for so long. I don't really want to impose, I could take a cab…"
Charlie interrupts him. "I wouldn't have offered if it was a problem. I would really like to. I'm sorry we couldn't spend more time together."
"I would like to talk more too, most people don't like to talk to me for so long. And they're not as interesting as you."
The detective beams, he was exactly feeling the same. "I know! We really need to see each other again. Now let me escort you, you absolutely need to see my new car!"
After a brief walk they reach Charlie's new car. Spencer mouth falls open. "Wow, this is your car?"
"Yes, she's fantastic! I always liked red's cars and I have a lot of money to spend."
Spencer's eyes widen in understanding. "Ooh, the money from…"
"Yes, those money. You knew about my years in prison?" Charlie is surprised, the younger man wasn't even a little worried about spending time with him.
"Yeah, I know. I didn't want to talk about it because I thought it would make you uncomfortable. I hope it's all right."
Charlie likes Spencer even more for this. "Don't worry, it's just that a lot of people don't want my company for that reason."
The doctor scrunches his nose. "That's ridiculous! You were innocent, they don't have reason to feel that way towards you."
The older man shrugs his shoulder. "I don't really care about them but I'm happy I had such a great time with you."
Spencer blushes again, and they both get in the car.
"You're staying in the hotel in the same street of the district, right?"
"Yeah."
The drive itself doesn't really last long, because even if Charlie follow what he calls the "panoramic tour" he drives really fast.
At the hotel the detective follows Spencer out of the car. And answer to Spencer questioning look, with: "I'm escorting you to the door."
The younger man let out a brief laugh but can't hide the pleased expression painted on his face.
They walk in silence and once at the door they watch each other in the eyes.
"Thank you for the picnic Charlie, and for your help with the conference."
"You're very welcome. It was a pleasure being with you and listening to your speech."
Then Charlie start rummaging in his pockets, until he take out a pen and a piece of paper. "I give you my number and you give me yours, next time you're here…. Or, you know? I always liked Virginia and here it's so boring."
Spencer smiles and gives the other man his number.
Once the numbers are exchanged there's an awkward moment..
Spencer is the first to break the silence. "So, I'll see you soon…"
The doctor is interrupted by Charlie lips on his, pressing slightly. Spencer sighs happily, close his eyes and part his lips feeling a shock of pleasure at being so clearly desired.
Charlie can't ignore the way the sweet mouth under his opens, and pushes his tongue in, enjoying the taste of apple, coffee and Spencer.
The kiss, started so tentative became soon passionate. Tongue meeting slickly; hands gripping and pulling at each other hair and clothes.
The passion is burning, when a door slamming shut make them jump apart, in surprise.
They are both panting, with bruised red lips and eyes glazed in lust.
Finally they broke the silence, only to decide to keep this on for the next time. They're both mature people, after all. Male, but mature; they can resist staying apart for a few days.