Spencer Reid was a lucky man. He had a job where he felt he was making a difference, he had friends who cared about him, and he had a girlfriend he was crazy about. Spencer and Lisa had been together for four months and although it was, almost entirely, long distance, it seemed to be working. Spencer made sure to call or text every day, even when out on assignment, and though neither one of them could afford to fly out often as they'd like, they managed to see each other every now and then. Yes, Spencer Reid was a very lucky man, it was just hard for him to remember that sometimes.

"All of the victims were strangled using the same cord." JJ informed them as pictures of dead bodies filled the screen they were looking at. No one should ever have to see these things so often, but it came with the job, and it wasn't a job you could easily walk away from.

After finishing up their briefing the team went to get their go bags and head to the airport. On their way down to the cars Spencer made a phone call.

"Hey! I'm glad you called." an excited voice answered.

"Yeah? Even if it's just to let you know I'm going out of town, and won't be able to call for a while."

"Okay maybe not so glad anymore." Spencer snorted, "But while I've got you I have some news."

"What is it?" Spencer asked loading his things into the van that would take them to the airport.

"My dad is retiring next week, and they're having this big party for him, so I'll be flying out to DC next week."

"Really? You're coming out here?" Spencer asked excitedly.

"Yeah, there's a catch though."

"What catch?"

"My parents want to meet you."

Spencer's mouth went dry. "Oh. Okay."

"Okay?"

"Yeah." Spencer said still mostly frozen in terror.

"Alright, I'll let them know and we'll schedule something when you get back."

Sounds good." He said trying to sound more excited about it than he was.

"Good. Now go save the world."

"Bye."

"Bye."

"How's Lisa?" Emily asked as he piled into the van and they pulled away.

"Good. She's coming out next week." He told them.

"That's good news isn't it?" JJ asked, seeing the look on Spencer's face.

"Yeah."

"Then why do you look like someone just told you your dog died?" she asked.

"Because when she comes to town I'm going to be meeting her parents."

"Ohhhh…" the entire car resounded in sounds of sympathetic pain, and Spencer just nodded.

"Well look on the bright side, maybe you'll get kidnapped by the unsub." Morgan joked.

"Yeah, maybe." Spencer said to himself, turning his head to look out the car window.

Nobody would ever say that being a people person was one of Spencer's strengths. Growing up as a child prodigy had made him more than a little socially awkward, and though he may have made some strides in his social graces since meeting Lisa, he was still a far cry from being able to interact normally, especially during a first encounter. Meaning that a first encounter with his girlfriend's parents, was bound to be about as successful as the Hindenburg. He almost hoped that the unsub would at least put him in the hospital for a while.

Lisa was no more excited about the news she had given Spencer than he was. Although they had been together for four months, the distance had kept their relationship from progressing very far, and if it had truly been up to her, Spencer wouldn't be meeting her parents for a long time. However it was not solely up to her. When her father had told her about his retirement and the party that he was receiving she had of course wanted to come out, she was after all a daddy's girl, unfortunately she couldn't afford to fly out. Her mother however had offered to pay for the flight, and Lisa had accepted the offer without knowing the fine print. It hadn't been until just days before she was meant to fly out that her mother had given her the condition that they would have to meet her boyfriend.

Lisa had tried to talk her mother out of it, claiming that the relationship was new and there was no need for them to be introduced, but Lisa's mother was nothing if not stubborn and simply told her daughter that she could either set up the meeting or pay her own way. So, Lisa gave in and, when Spencer called, informed him of the good and bad news.

She could feel the headache beginning to form as she thought about the upcoming week. Quickly dialing the first number she could think of Lisa waited for the greeting before responding , "I need a drink."