Chapter 1

Spencer Reid's Apartment
Washington DC
"Extreme Aggressor"

"Willow Wood Ranch"

"May I speak to Kate please?"

"Hold on a moment."

A few moments later another voice answered the line, "Hey Roo."

Spencer Reid smiled as the familiar voice wrapped around him like a cozy blanket on a crisp fall night. "Hey Kanga, what are you doing?"

"Having a cup of tea and waiting for the bread to rise. Haven't heard from you in a few days, how have you been?"

"I've been good. I've been really good. I just got back from a case. We saved the girl." Hell, he couldn't help but brag a little.

"Did you now? Well, that's wonderful, I'm proud of you Roo. I thought you were working with Jason still, did they transfer you?'

"No, Gideon went with us. They decided it was time for him to go back in the field."

Really? How's he doing?"

Spencer shrugged even though the woman on the other end of the phone couldn't see. "All right I guess. He's still showing signs of PTSD, but that's understandable."

"Well just remember, it's not your job to look after him, all right? Let adults take care of themselves."

"You know, I am an adult now."

"That's not the point."

"I know."

"All right, you should have a package getting there soon."

Spencer couldn't help but grin. "Going to tell me?'

"Certainly not; it's always better when it's a surprise."

"Ahhh! You're horrible."

"I have my moments." He heard her sigh. "You take care of yourself out there Spencer."

"I will Kate, I promise." Yes, he did miss her sometimes. "Good night Kanga."

"Good night, Roo."

The next day a package arrived at the BAU; a loaf of apple walnut bread and two mismatched, hand-knit socks.

Spencer smiled the rest of the afternoon.

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Note: Yes, new story. As you can probably tell I'm going all the way back to the beginning of the show and weaving it in and around the episodes. It won't go AU until sometime in Season 7.

While this is not a CSI crossover a CSI character will make a minor appearance from time to time. He just fit so well I decided to use him rather than create new.

This is an experiment for me, some practice in showing characterization through dialogue, not through description. So this will be a story told manly through telephone conversations and in many, many short chapters.

So far this story is turning out less graphic than my others. I'm going to try to keep it that way.

Reviews get faster updates.

- TKL