Spencer and the Redhead, Part 2-The Girlfriend
Spencer and Fee were now officially an item. They had been dating for a few months, and had slept together on their fifth date, which had been a movie-and-pizza double date with JJ and Will. The whole team had noticed that their friend and colleague was happier, more relaxed, and able to focus more. Now, it was the day of Hotch's annual Fourth of July picnic, and the day Spencer would debut her to the team.
1100 Hours
Spencer Reid's Home
Washington, DC
Fiona arrived at his place at 11 am on the button. He had to hand it to her; his girlfriend was prompt, and as such, he had learned to be more exacting with his time. He smiled as he let her in; they had not yet exchanged keys or discussed moving in with the other; he planned to have that conversation tonight, and he was hoping he could convince her to move into his place.
She was dressing better these days-his presence in her life, and quiet reassurance that she was pretty-was the catalyst she'd needed to start concentrating on clothes that would appeal to him. He took in her outfit, today she wore a white cotton eyelet sundress with spaghetti straps, a blue cardigan, and flip-flop sandals with a red, white, and blue grosgrain strap at the toe. She wore her red hair in a ponytail, and had secured it with a white scarf that matched her dress. She wore just the slightest hint of makeup-mascara, a little blusher, and a light lip gloss-which was one of the things he liked best about her-that she wasn't fussy and high-maintenance. He leaned in and kissed her hello, and was rewarded with a large smile.
"You look great, sweetheart." She beamed, and responded in kind.
"You too, Spence. Is that a new shirt?" She giggled at her own cleverness, for the white linen shirt he sported was a gift from her. He sighed, but nodded, and gathered the things they'd need for their day. He watched her from the kitchen as she settled herself on the couch, and pulled on her glasses. She had also taken to wearing contacts sometimes, but still needed reading glasses to help her see fully. He smiled, but noticed that she was looking really nervous, and as she paged through the magazine she now held, he spoke to her.
"Fee, dear. What's wrong?" She sighed, and looked up at him, and stood to enter the kitchen. As she did, he embraced her, and then, as she began helping him with the containers of food they'd volunteered to bring, she replied.
"What if your friends don't like me?" He was standing at the fridge, shifting bottles of water and some chardonnay into a cooler, and he chuckled as he shut the door, and turned back to her.
"Sweetie, don't be silly. They'll adore you. In fact, Garcia has already made you her new best friend." She laughed.
"Ok. You're right. I can't wait to meet them. Oh, and everyone at work told me to tell you that they thought we were totally adorable together, and Webb thought you were great."
Spencer had gone with her to a work function the week before, and had met her co-workers. He hoped he'd made a good impression, and now he felt good that he did, although he still had his doubts about her coworker, Melanie. The woman was a little like Seaver, flirty and gorgeous, and she knew it. But he had survived, and so had their fledgling romance. He smiled again, and nodded once.
"Great. I am glad it went well. I liked Webb, too." Webb was her direct supervisor; her Hotch, and he'd liked the older man immensely, and appreciated the way he looked after Fee as if she was his own daughter. Fiona smiled, pleased, and placed some Tupperware containers into a tote bag she'd brought along with her. He found his keys as she grabbed her purse-a newly-purchased straw bag. They climbed into his car, and began the trek across the river to Hotch's home. Fiona had thought to bring along a small present for Jack, and as they drove, she showed it to him.
"Look, honey. It's a plane. But you can take it apart, and paint it." He smiled, and nods at her.
"I think he'll like it a lot. It's a great idea." She smiles at him, and they continue on, chatting mostly about work and their next date.
From the kitchen window at Hotch's house, Penelope can see Spencer drive up in his old Volvo, a pretty redhead at his side. She squeals, and calls out for the others.
"They're here. Spencer and Fiona, I mean." Laughter met her announcement, and Kevin's voice coming from the other room.
"Sweetie, it's not nice to spy. Come in here, and Hotch will meet them. Besides, you'll drive yourself crazy trying to see her through the window."
She sighed, but retreated from the window. He was right; the woman wore sunglasses, and besides, she was fairly certain that Spencer wouldn't let her exit the car until he was ready. She settled onto the sofa between her boyfriend and Morgan, and waited with baited breath for the doorbell. A long moment later, it rang, and she nearly jumped up with delight. Kevin pulled her to him, and she sighed, but calmed down as she heard both Hotch and Spencer's voices in the front hallway.
"Hi, Spencer. Please, come in."
"Thank you. May I introduce Fiona? Fee, this is Aaron Hotchner, my supervisor. Hotch, this is Fiona Murphy." A decidedly female voice joined the group, and the others strained to hear.
"It's so nice to finally meet you, sir. Spencer has told me wonderful things."
"Likewise. Everyone has gathered in the living room; please, make yourself comfortable, and grab something to drink. JJ has been in the kitchen all day; I can't talk her out of there." She laughed.
"I'll see what I can do. Oh, this is for your son."
They approach the living room, and from her vantage point on the sofa, Penelope can see that the pretty redhead is extending a gift bag to Hotch. Garcia inhales, the woman whose elbow Spencer held was more than pretty, she was gorgeous, all curly red hair, slim figure and wide smile. She wore just a tiny bit of makeup, and a cute little sundress. As Hotch took the bag, he thanked her, and then the girl and Spencer turned into the room. She smiled a mega-watt smile, and Spencer took a deep breath. He smiled, as well, and looked around at the faces of his friends and coworkers, and then opened his mouth.
"Everyone, this is Fiona Murphy." From the kitchen, JJ appeared, and bustled them into the living room, seating them at the opposite end of the sectional sofa, on the other side of Derek.
"Fee, this is Derek Morgan. Derek, this is Fee." Spencer chuckled, but spoke in a lightly scolding tone to his friend.
"Thanks, JJ. Fee gave Hotch some wine we brought." JJ steps back, catching Spencer's hint that she was meddling. She nodded, and turned to head back into the kitchen as Spencer continues to introduce Fiona. He started with Garcia, and as he spoke to the heavyset computer girl, she stood and embraced his girlfriend.
"Fiona, this is Penelope Garcia, and her boyfriend, Kevin Lynch." Fiona looked surprised as the woman embraced her, but smiled warmly and spoke in a light, even tone.
"Garcia. It's nice to meet you finally. Spencer and Jenny have told me so much about you."
"I've been dying to meet you. I am so glad you came today. It's funny that you call JJ "Jenny", though." Fiona laughed, and replied.
"I guess. But she's not JJ to us. Just Agent LaMontagne, and that sounds so…I don't know, Southern, I guess." They laugh, and Spencer stands and guides her to where Will, Rossi, and Seaver are seated, playing with Jack and Henry. He introduces Fee to the agents, as she already knows JJ's husband.
"Fee, this is Dave Rossi, and Ashley Seaver. This is my-" This time it is Rossi who interrupts.
"Ah, the girlfriend. It's nice to meet you, my dear." Spencer gives him the evil eye, but Fee nods, and laughs again.
"Thank you. It's my pleasure. Fiona Murphy." She shakes his hand, and Spencer notices that Seaver is looking her over, slightly suspiciously, and he grimaces at her. She smiles at Fiona, though, and speaks.
"It's nice to meet you, Agent Murphy." Spencer sees Rossi nudge her, but Fee either doesn't notice or doesn't care, because she simply smiles and greets the girl.
"It's nice to meet you too, Agent Seaver." Spencer quickly tries to change the subject, and indicates Will.
"And of course, you already know Will." Fiona smiles another mega-watt smile, and nods.
"Yes, of course. Hello, again." Will smiles up at his wife's friend, and they watch as Henry toddles up to the woman, and reaches for her.
"Fee-na." They laughed at the little boy's pronunciation of the name as Fee lifted him to her hip.
"Hello, Mr. Henry. How are we today?" The little boy looked at her, serious, and she laughed and settled him back on the floor. She turned to Spencer, who pulled her away from the group, and far away from the judgmental eyes of Ashley Seaver. As they settled back onto the couch, she leaned into him and spoke in a low voice.
"Sweetheart, would you mind getting me something to drink?" He smiles and nods at her, and rises to head for the kitchen. Just then, Hotch enters the living room, JJ follows.
"Will, can you start the grill, please, baby?" He smiles and nods at his wife, and stands, excusing himself to Rossi and Seaver as he leaves. Hotch speaks.
"Ok, everyone. Let's head outside, our lovely JJ has informed me that the food is just about ready, and Will is firing up the grill, so we will have burgers and hot dogs in just a few minutes time." They all stand, and file out into Hotch's large backyard. Fee is swept away from Spencer by JJ and Garcia, and he watches carefully, sipping his drink, as she falls into laughing conversation with the ladies. He smiles, delighted that his female friends like her, and turns to Morgan, who is at his flanks.
"So, Derek. Where is the lovely Angela?" His friend grimaces, and responds.
"Out to dinner with some other guy." Spencer bites his lip.
"Oooh, that sucks. I'm sorry, man." Derek shrugs.
"It is what it is. Anyway, your girl, she's great."
"Thanks." He speaks to his friend.
"So, I'm thinking about asking her to move in with me."
"Wow, big step. Congrats." He smiles.
"I hope she says yes. I think I'm starting to love her, you know?" His friend nods.
"I do. That's so great, Spencer. I am happy for you, you deserve it." Spencer smiles.
"Thanks. I appreciate it. And I never did thank you for your advice the first night. I appreciate it. And all your help since." Derek nods.
"Anything for the boy genius." Spencer chuckles, but turns to Fee as she approaches again.
"Hey, Derek. Spencer, Will has finished with the meat. Are you ready?" He nods, and lets her lead him to some tables near the grill. They filled their plates, her odd food habits peeking through, and he teased her gently.
"Oh, sweetie. Will worked hard on the meat; indulge a man, won't you?" She smiled, but shook her head.
"Sorry. Meatless buns for me today. But help yourself, baby." He smiles back.
"Oh, believe me. I will." She laughs as he scoops her some macaroni salad, and she does the same.
As they settle in to eat, Garcia and Kevin sit next to them, and the four fall into conversation as Hotch and Rossi stand off to the side, and they speak.
"Well, Aaron, I think our Dr. Reid has met his match."
"Agreed. But I worry if he won't push her away." Rossi considers, but shakes his head.
"No, I think that now he's introduced her to all of us, he realizes that we will stop him if he does that. I think he's fine."
"I suppose you're right." Rossi laughs, and they continue to watch as Spencer kisses Fiona's head and pours her more wine.
Later, after Fiona had excused herself to the restroom, she reemerges from the restroom to be stolen away by Seaver. Spencer grimaces, sighs, and prepares himself to intervene if needed. He watches from afar, flanked by both JJ and Garcia.
"What does Seaver want with Fee?" asks JJ. He shrugs.
"I don't know. She was a little cool to her inside." Garcia rolled her eyes, and clucked her tongue.
"Are you two totally dense or what? Hello, the Seav has been after Spencer since day one." Spencer turned his head to face her.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes." She chuckled, but they watch as Fiona's expression changes from her natural joy to a more forced smile, and then the smile left her face. Spencer tensed, and moved to walk to her, but then Fiona turned away from Seaver and headed in his direction. Once she was within reach, he pulled her to him.
"What did she say?" Fiona laughed.
"Just that she had had a thing for you, but she sees how close we are, and so she wishes me luck, and if we get married, could I be sure to toss the bouquet her way." He laughs, and pulls her closer as he whispers in her ear.
"Are you ready to head home?" She nods, and whispers back.
"Yes. My place or yours?" He grins, and whispers back.
"Mine. I want to talk to you. Plus, we can see the fireworks better." She laughs, and they make their excuses and hurry to Spencer's. They settle in as she takes down her hair, and he pulls her to him on his couch, after pouring her a glass of wine. They sit in their usual embrace on his couch, and kiss for a minute. He pushes some hair behind her ears, and smiles. She smiles back, and speaks.
"So, you wanted to talk?" He nods, and kisses her head, then sighs.
"Yeah. Ok. I um, I wanted to know if you'd consider moving in with me. I mean, my place is bigger, and well, we could each save some money by buying only one pack of toilet paper, shampoo, all of that." She grins, and nods.
"Are you, um, are you sure you're OK with that?"
"Yes."
"Then, yes. I will. But I don't think it can happen for a few weeks; I just paid rent for the rest of the month." He nods, and kisses her neck, then responds.
"I know, sweetheart. But I was thinking that maybe you could just gradually move stuff over, and we can make decisions about the furniture and stuff." She nods.
"Sounds good to me. Can I make a suggestion?" He nods again, and she continues. "I think we should try out your bed, and then we'll try mine, you know, just so we can decide which one to keep." He grins as she kisses him slowly and he stands and leads her to the bedroom.
Later, they relax on his couch, sharing long lazy kisses and reading. He sighs, happy, and she smiles up at him.
"What?"
"I don't know. I was just thinking about how nice it will be to come home and have you here, and vice-versa. I just-I've never had a real live, grown-up girlfriend before, and it's nice." She giggles, and speaks.
"Well, I don't know how grown-up I am, but I know what you mean. It's exciting." He nods, and kisses her neck.
"Precisely."
"I had fun today, Spencer. Even if that Seaver woman is a world-class bitch, she was OK." He laughs heartily.
"I'm glad you had fun. I told you it would work out." She smiles and nods.
"You did, and you were right." They continue in their usual evening routine-reading, kissing, and chatting, but tonight, they took a break to make love again and watch the fireworks. Fiona fell asleep in his arms, and as he kissed her head and placed her carefully in his bed before curling up next to her, he whispered to her.
"Goodnight, Sweetheart. Sleep well."
End of Chapter 2
