Chapter 2

Scarlett sat cross legged on the desk behind Penelope Garcia's elaborate computer set up, eating a pint of shrimp lo mein. Garcia had turned to face her and was working on her take out container. She laughed as Scarlett replayed her visit with Morgan and Reid from earlier today.

"You did not call Doctor Spencer Reid 'farm boy'- oh, and let me guess, it went over his head, right?" she giggled and waved her chopsticks over her head for emphasis.

Scarlett shook her head and laughed. "Right over…" she lifted a shrimp to her mouth and chewed thoughtfully. "I thought you were exaggerating when you said he was socially awkward."

"Umm, no- didn't exaggerate in the least, sweetie. I swear, cross my hearts," Garcia made a double xx over her chest as if crossing two hearts in a Doctor Who reference, "that he is as cute as a bunny and about as skittish." She wrinkled her nose like a rabbit and Scarlett giggled.

"I can see that. I've got eyes, don't I?" Scarlett rolled them skyward. "God help me, Penny, I can't help it that I went crazy over that boy from the first time I saw him…" she sighed. "Pretty lame, I guess, huh?" She lowered her eyes to meet her friend's expression.

Garcia reached over and patted her knee. "No, honey… it's not lame. I am a total believer in 'love at first sight' … But I am hoping you don't hold him to an ideal that you may have concocted. For all his super human brains and cuteness, he is only human…" she smiled softly.

Scarlett sighed and squeezed her friend's hand. "I promise I won't do that, Pen, cross my hearts," she swore. "I still owe you for getting me the chance to work with the BAU. I won't repay your kindness by doing a wrong by your friend."

"I know sweetie," Garcia stood up and started throwing away Chinese containers strewn about her station. "I know you are a doll-baby and would never hurt anyone on purpose. Just keep in mind that 'social awkwardness' and don't scare the poor boy to death either," she teased, tossing a fortune cookie over.

Grabbing it one handed, Scarlett sat up straighter when she heard the door to the tech cave, as Penelope so lovingly referred to it, open behind her. She cringed inwardly praying it wasn't one of her new superiors. She didn't want to make a poor first impression. She watched Garcia's face and relaxed as she saw her smile.

"What can I do you for, my young genius friend and compadre?" Garcia addressed from over Katy's shoulder, adding a conspirator's wink to her girlfriend. Scarlett took note and turned to look over her shoulder, swinging her legs along the desk to face the door.

Reid's face blushed as he watched Scarlett move to face him. He flushed deeper as he completely forgot why he'd come to see Garcia.

"Reid? You've met Katy, right?" Garcia's voice pulled his gaze off Scarlett and his attention back to the file in his hand.

"Hey, yeah. Hi…" he blushed a crimson pink… "Um, Garcia," he cleared his throat and handed over the manila file. "JJ asked me to give this to you; she said if you could have whatever you can get together by five?" Ripping a page from the notebook he was carrying, he also handed that over. "And if you could, look into this for me?"

Penelope pulled open the paper and set down the file while settling herself in front of her bank of computers. "Anything for you cutie," she teased. "And so ends lunch break…" She threw a smile over her shoulder to Scarlett. "I've got to get back to work, but we'll catch up later okay kiddos?" Her gaze included Reid. "Don't forget… 7pm, Jazz Street Café. I have reservations made…" she'd turned back and was already clacking away at the keys, effectively cutting off any argument Spencer may have tried to bring up.

Scarlett shrugged and slid off the desk, following Reid out the door. She linked her arm into his, eliciting a twitch up his arm. She smiled up at him as Reid absently noted her head barely reached his shoulder. She squeezed his forearm.

"So, where is this place," she asked Reid casually, while gently keeping her hand resting on his arm. "I'd like to dress up a bit, but if it's too far, I have to forgo fashion because I'll have to take Juliet," she explained. Scarlett stopped at the doors to the BAU, waiting patiently for a response.

Spencer looked down at her. "Um, it's about nine blocks north from here. It's a really nice place; they have a house band that plays very well, if you are a fan of jazz and blues. Uh, we usually try to get together there a few times a month if we can," he stopped talking suddenly, wondering if he was babbling yet. Looking at Scarlett's face, he didn't think so. She seemed to be paying attention. He stammered nervously as he watched her watching him. Rather intensely, if he was judging correctly. And her hand still rested in the crook of his arm. "Um, where are you staying at, from here, I mean…" mentally he face palmed himself… "Are you staying close by here?"

Scarlett gave that throaty laugh again and it still affected him strangely. He'd have to think about that more, later on. Right now, he was trying very hard to concentrate on stringing words together when this slip of a girl was tying him in knots. He watched her lean into him and he was surprised when he didn't feel the need to pull away. He smiled a little nervously and scuffed his shoe against his pant leg.

"I'm staying at the Radisson," she shrugged. "I'm guessing it's too far to walk?" She felt him stiffen as a strange look crossed his face.

"No, you can't walk those streets at night. There is some rough territory between there and the café."

Without thinking, Spencer caught her by the hand and pulled her along through the doors into the office. He didn't notice her expression of surprise or the ones crossing his co-workers faces as her tugged her over to his desk. He scribbled his number on a piece of scrap paper and handed it to her.

"Call me when you are ready. I'll pick you up," he stated simply. He looked down into those green eyes, and it occurred to him what he just did. Looking around nervously, he rubbed the back of his neck. "…if that's alright for you?" he added sheepishly.

Scarlett reached over and took the proffered number. "Thanks. I'd appreciate that, Spence, really. I'm still getting used to the area." Gently, she gave is forearm another slight squeeze. "What time should I be ready?" she inquired sweetly.

Calculating the distance and mapping the route out in his head, he answered simply, "Six fifteen."

She shook her head and gave him a strange look. "Ok, farm boy. I'll call you later and make sure I'm ready to leave at six fifteen." Slowly almost reluctantly, she removed her hand from his arm and turned to leave the BAU, grabbing her bag up along the way. She tossed a quick wave over to Morgan, who was shaking his head in amazement.

Spencer glanced over to where Derek was seated and saw JJ and Blake watching him with open mouthed surprise. He looked back to the doors and shrugged while turning to walk away.

Morgan was on him in an instant. Smiling. Reid stopped in his tracks and braced himself for the teasing when he moved to stand in front of him.

"I would have given her a lift, Reid. You didn't have to step up like that."

Spencer met his friend's questioning look and shrugged. "I guess I should have known that," he stated, pushing an errant lock of hair back behind his ear. "I don't know what came over me. I just didn't want her to even think of walking the streets at night." Shaking his head, he contemplated his reaction.

Derek nudged him in the ribs lightly. "She has a way of doing that," he offered. "She has something about her that makes people want to take care of her…" he shrugged noncommittally. "Just try not to forget she's a federal agent, kid. This isn't her first rodeo, she does know how to look out for herself, mean streets or not."

Reid frowned. Of course, he'd known that too. What in the world was coming over him?