Disclaimer: I still don't own Criminal Minds. Or anything other brand names mentioned. I know, it's hard to believe, but I swear it's the truth.
Author's Note: I know this chapter is mostly fluff, but it was needed before I can really introduce the plot line. Bear with me, I promise it will get more interesting soon.
Huge shoutout to silvermoony77 for commenting, you're the best! This chapter's for you!
Chapter Two - Coffee
I skipped down the hall to my front door, I couldn't help it.
"Hello, my dears!" I called as I opened the door. Rebecca and Megan looked over at me, smiling
"What's up with you? I swear, I haven't seen you this happy since you discovered the Stephanie Plum books." Megan said.
"Oh shut up. Don't kill my joy," I laughed, taking off my coat, and skipped over to the sofa.
"So who is he?" Megan inquired.
"What makes you think there's a guy?" I asked innocently. They both just looked at me. "Okay, fine. I met this guy at the bookstore; he gave me his number, and we're going out for coffee."
"By the way you're blushing, I'd say you're leaving out key details," Rebecca laughed.
"Well," I started, "he's smart; a doctor. And he works for the FBI, the Behavioral Analysis Unit? He's only like, twenty-five, though."
"No," Megan said impatiently, "what's he look like? How'd he act? C'mon, give us something!" I smiled.
"He's really shy, awkward, but in an endearing, cute way. He's tall and kinda skinny, but I can tell he's strong. And he has these beautiful hazel eyes, and dirty blonde hair, just long enough to tie back." I looked up at them, waiting for their response.
"You are so red," Rebecca laughed, "So what's his rank? One to ten?"
"Ten, definitely."
"To the computer," Megan announced, "We need to check this guy out." I tried to protest, but they weren't having it. Megan deposited her laptop on the coffee table, his name already entered in Google's search bar. Becca reached over and clicked Enter.
"Woah, buddy. This guy's famous!" Rebecca decided, "Click that first one, it looks official." I clicked. It was a write up on how changes in one's environment affect behavior. Instantly interested, I kept reading, faster that usual, engrossed in his writing.
"This guy's perfect for you, class A nerd," Megan commented. I stuck my tongue out at her. Apparently they weren't interested in psychology, so I exited out of the article.
BDBDBDBDBD
"Leigh, chill out! It's just a phone call," Rebecca said as she sat down beside me. I glanced at the clock, 10:30. He wouldn't still be working. I'd waited two days to call, never having worked up the nerve.
"Just a phone call," I repeated. Breathing out, I dialed his number. I shooed Megan and Rebecca out of the room and started pacing as soon as I heard it ringing.
"Hello?" I heard him answer, sleepily.
"Oh, it's Leigh, from the bookstore? Did I call at a bad time?" I asked nervously.
"No," he answered quickly, "I just got home, actually," Waiting for me to respond, I tried to think of something to say.
"So do you still want to go out for coffee? I know a great place just down the road and I thought maybe we could go tomorrow sometime…?" I asked, talking too fast.
"Okay. Um, I'll meet you there tomorrow night at seven, I guess? After I get off of work?"
"It's a date." I replied, smiling. Then I realized what I'd said. Mentally groaning, I fell back onto the sofa. He was taking too long to respond and it was making me nervous.
"Yeah, I'll see you there," he replied. I said a quick goodbye before snapping my phone shut. I yelled at Megan and Rebecca to come back in; knowing they were listening at the door.
"I'm meeting him tomorrow at seven," I said as they walked back into the room.
BDBDBDBDBD
I sat at the small table, methodically stirring my coffee, when I heard him walk up.
"Hey," I said, smiling up at him. It was hard to believe I had known him for such a short time, I already felt so close to him.
"Hey," he responded, sitting down. His voice was different, I noticed; more strained.
"What's wrong?" I asked; mad at myself for being so forward.
"Tough case," he responded, "I can't figure out the motive. There's no connection between the victims that I can find. But I shouldn't be telling you this anyway, what a way to start a date." I blushed, and when he realized what he had said, he went scarlet. I tried not to laugh, and managed to hold it down to a chuckle. I smiled at him.
"A date?" I couldn't help but tease him.
"Well I mean, I uh…" he was getting so flustered, I grinned at him. He just looked down at the table. I could tell he wasn't used to attention. That just made him all the more adorable.
The longer we talked in that little coffee shop, the more attached to him I became. He told me reluctantly about his work, saying he didn't want to drag me into that mess. Eventually, he warmed up to me and I realized how difficult the job must be for him, especially without anyone to fall back on. He told me little about his childhood, I could tell it was hard for him, and focused more on his work. I could tell his coworkers were like family to him, and probably the only true friends he had.
Soon, he got me talking about my life. It was so easy to open up to him. I told him things about me no one knew, not even Megan and Rebecca. He understood me like no one I'd ever met. He understood my thoughts, my view of the world. He was able to relate to me like no one else ever had.
When the owner came over to tell us it was closing time, I looked up and realized we were the only two left in the café. I blushed, standing up nervously, fiddling with the ring I always wore. I didn't want him to leave me yet. Apparently he didn't either.
"Would you like me to walk you home?" he asked nervously. I accepted, wondering how he knew I had walked here, and then I realized his was the only car in the lot.
We walked in comfortable silence down the sidewalk for a while, until I felt a raindrop hit my cheek. I looked up at the sky and saw clouds covering the stars. You know those rainstorms, the ones that start like a bucket of water being dumped on your head? This was one of those rainstorms.
We both looked at each other, not sure whether to laugh or scream. He looped his arm around my waist and we took off down the street, towards my building. As soon as we made it through the front doors, we took one look at each other and burst out laughing. Saying we looked like drowned rats would be an understatement. His shirt was completely soaked through; I was right about him being strong, you don't get abs like those by chance. His hair stuck to his forehead, dripping water onto his face. I resisted the urge to push it away. We slowly made our way to the elevator. Both of us still laughing so hard tears were flowing down our cheeks. We leaned on each other for support as we walked towards the automatic doors.
As the elevator rose, we managed to get control of ourselves, and we realized how cold we were. I pressed myself closer to his side and I felt him tighten his hold around my waist. He noticed I was shivering and pulled me into his jacket. I was bathed in his scent; it smelled like nothing I'd ever come in contact with; uniquely Spencer. I leaned my face closer to him, inhaling my new favorite scent.
When the doors opened, we made our way to my front door and I tried to unlock the door with my shaking hands. I whispered a silent thank you that Megan and Rebecca were visiting their friend in Georgia for the next two days. We stepped inside and I immediately turned the heat up. I didn't have to think about if I should invite him inside; it just felt like the natural thing to do.
"There's no way you're going back out in that, so make yourself at home. I have some sweats in my room that would probably fit you, if you'd like to change out of those wet clothes," I said as I took his coat, hanging it on the coat rack.
"That'd be great, thanks." I walked into the room I shared with Megan and unearthed a pair of men's sweatpants she'd borrowed from her brother. I searched my closet and eventually found a large sweatshirt I usually used as pajamas. After changing into a pair of Soffes and my worn Spill Canvas concert tee from my teen years, I walked back into the living room, Spencer's change of clothes in tow. I gave him the sweats and showed him the bathroom where he could change before walking back into my room to take care of my wet clothes.
When I came out, he was standing in the living room, eyes scanning the room. I liked seeing him in my apartment, walking around, looking at my photos and books piled up on the coffee table. Seeing him there was like finding something I didn't know had been missing. And now that I'd found it, I didn't know if I'd be able to give it up.
I walked over to him as he picked up a Lady Gaga CD stashed on the entertainment center.
"I wouldn't have thought you liked pop," he said with a smile.
"Oh no, that's Megan's," I corrected him, "I share this place with her and our friend Rebecca. We've been friends since the seventh grade," I said smiling.
"Then what kind of music do you listen to?"
"I'm more of a classical kind of girl; Beethoven, Mozart."
"I knew I wasn't the only person left in the world who appreciated classical music," he looked over at me and smiled. I looked into his eyes and realized how close we were. My gaze flicked down to his mouth and I unconsciously licked my lips. Slowly moving towards him, I felt his warm breath washing over my skin. I heard his sharp intake of breath just before I touched my lips to his.
Sorry for any grammar mistakes, I wrote this pretty fast, and I didn't have a lot of time to edit because I'm late getting this chapter up. Remember, reviews = updates, so click that little link! If you do, I'll be happy and look like the smiley :D