A/N

Sorry about the delay. I was waiting on edits and my editor and I have been swamped at work lately so. This chapter has not been completely edited yet. There may be minor changes later. I just didn't wan anyone to have to wait any longer for the next chapter. Happy Reading.

Update: 4/12/16-editing complete. Mostly commas, but a few minor word changes.

Chapter IV

Pulling up in front of Aaron's house in the cab Grace turned to Spencer saying, "Thank you for everything tonight Spencer. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't been there."

"I'm glad I was there to help," Spencer exited the cab and helped Grace out. He then turned and paid the cabbie off.

"Spencer, aren't you going to need him to take you home?" Grace questioned him confused.

"I'm walking you in and we need to talk to Hotch together Anna Grace and tell him what we decided over dinner about dealing with Nathanial. I'll find a way home after that." Spencer answered.

Nodding her agreement Grace made her way to the front door. She had her key in the lock when it opened to reveal her brother.

"Grace, Reid," was all Aaron said as he stepped back to allow them into the house. After shutting the door, Aaron indicated that they should take seats in the living room. Grace sat down on one end of the couch feeling like she had when he had caught her out past curfew. She hated to think what Spencer was thinking or feeling. Aaron was rather intimidating on a good day and tonight did not qualify as one of their better days. Spencer had taken the other end of the couch and was sitting stiffly on the edge of the cushion. Grace knew he had to be uncomfortable with what was going on and she wanted to reach over and take his hand to let him know it would be ok, but she knew that would probably only make things worse. Aaron took his usual seat in the armchair.

"First, Reid, let me say thank you for assisting Grace this evening." Hotch started. Then continuing he turned to his sister "Second, Grace I tried to tell you . . . ."

Grace cut him off saying "Don't say it Aaron. I know you warned me." Bounding off the sofa angrily and walking the short distance to the mantle over the fireplace she continued, "Right now isn't the time to give me the I told you so speech or for you to go all father figure on me. Right now I just need my brother not a dad and I need my brother to be understanding and help me." When she turned back to face the room the two men realized that Grace had tears running down her face.

Getting up Aaron walked to Grace taking her by the shoulders saying, "It will be ok Grace. I'm sorry. We'll figure it out." Spencer was startled to see Grace was crying. She hadn't seemed that bothered by the situation when they were at dinner. He had this mad desire to go to her, hold her and tell her everything was going to be ok. He wasn't sure why he felt that way or why he felt so strongly about it. Sure they were friends, but they'd only known each other a few weeks and this felt different than when he wanted to protect JJ or even Elle before she left. Spencer didn't have long to think about the ramifications of what that might mean because Anna Grace had started talking.

Taking a deep breath Grace said, "I had gone there tonight to break off the relationship with Nate. As you already know that didn't go as planned. Spencer and I talked about the best way to break things off in the safest manner possible because of Nate's increasingly volatile nature. Our thought," she said looking at Spencer, "was that I set up another night out with him and wherever that place is set up, you, Haley, Morgan and Garcia will be there on 'dates' of your own so that if things get out of hand I have help." Grace stopped and turned to look directly at Spencer. She could tell he was even more concerned than he had been at dinner so she gave him a swift smile trying to let him he know she was ok.

Smiling back, Spencer took the cue and said, "Hotch I felt it best that Anna Grace not be left alone with this guy. She said he's never been physically violent before, but I didn't think it was safe to take the chance that wouldn't change. We also felt that I shouldn't be there since he's seen me and we don't want to provoke him. I can always be close by just in case."

Hotch said nothing for a minute, noting the dynamic between Grace and Spencer had changed subtly, before agreeing that their plan was a good one. "When were you planning to do this?"

"Anna Grace wants to set this up as soon as possible and I agree with her," Spencer said looking to Grace for her agreement. She gave a tentative smile and nodded.

"Ok, set it up and let me know," Aaron said.

"If that's all settled I think I'll head up to bed," Grace said moving towards the stairs. Spencer stood to say good night. As she started to leave she stopped in front of Spencer and stood on tip toe to kiss his cheek and quietly say, "Thank you again Doctor Knight."

As she stepped back Spencer looked down at her and said lightly, "Good night Anna Grace." He turned and watched her as she started up the stairs. Halfway up Grace turned one more time and smiled back at Spencer.

After she disappeared up the stairs Spencer turned back to find Hotch eyeing him in a way only Hotch could. "Reid, is there anything further you need to tell me?" Aaron was fairly certain that Anna Grace had developed feelings for Spencer. What was less certain was how Spencer felt about her. He appeared to care a great deal about her, but how deep did those feelings actually go, Hotch wondered.

"No there's nothing I need to tell you at least that you don't already know. Your sister is an amazing woman and for some unknown reason she has decided that she wants to be my friend." Spencer replied.

"If that changes you will let me know." Hotch stated in a way that left no question as to what he meant.

"Of course." Spencer answered slightly uncomfortable by where the conversation had gone. He wasn't even sure himself about his feelings for Anna Grace but yet Hotch saw something that made him question Spencer's feelings for his little sister.

"Well then, there's blankets and a pillow there at the end of the couch. The metro is closed by now and I'm not going to have you taking a cab all the way home this late. We'll get you home in the morning." Hotch said as he headed to bed.

**Two hours later**

Grace hadn't been able to sleep. She had been tossing and turning since coming up to bed. Her thoughts were racing around in her head causing sleep to elude her. Picking up her phone and noted that it was after one in the morning. Dropping her phone back on the night stand she decided that she would go downstairs to watch tv for a bit to help her sleep. Slipping downstairs Grace came around the couch grabbed the remote and started to sit down when a sleepy voice behind her said, "Anna Grace?"

Yelping mildly in surprise she whirled around and saw that Spencer was laying on the couch. Whispering she said, "Spencer what on earth are you still doing here? You nearly gave me a heart attack"

"Hotch pointed out that the metro wasn't running because of the hour and he wouldn't let me take a cab back. So I'm supposed to be sleeping here." Spencer answered sitting up and looking at Grace. He couldn't help but notice that Grace was only wearing a long t-shirt that barely came down to mid-thigh and that her hair that was usually pulled up in some fashion was hanging loosely about her face. Looking anywhere but at directly her he said, "Um, Anna Grace?"

"What Spenc. . . oh good grief, I should go. Good night." She fumbled realizing what she wasn't wearing.

"Grace wait, you came down here for something. What was it?"

Grace stopped noting that he had called her only by her preferred middle name something he had never done before. She turned saying, "I, I couldn't sleep and so I came down to watch tv. But I can't be down here wearing only this with you here."

"You could always put pants on and come back." Spencer replied. "I wasn't asleep. I don't really sleep much. We could watch tv together."

Grace had to chuckle causing Spencer to ask "What's so funny?" Grace smiled faintly and said, "Most guys try to get a girls pants off and here you are telling me to put mine on. Spencer Reid you never cease to amaze me." Leaning down her hair brushed his face as she swiftly kissed his check, smiled and headed up the stairs to retrieve her yoga pants and a blanket.

Spencer hardly had time to register what Grace had said and done much less that she was gone before she was back and curling up on the opposite end of the couch from him with a blanket. "So, pick your poison. Comedy, Drama, Horror?" Grace said handing him a binder of movies.

"You watch horror movies?" Spencer ask Grace, surprised that was something she would enjoy.

"Those are my favorite." Grace responded. "Aaron never understood it either. I prefer psychological thrillers to blood and guts horror movies, but I'll watch either."

"Do you know why horror movies are so successful?"
"No I can't say that I do. But I'm sure you know and are about to

tell me."

"They prey on our instinctual need to survive. In tribal days, a woman's scream would signal danger and the men would return from hunting to protect their pack. That's why it's always the women and not the men who fall victim to the bogeyman.[1]"

"Good to know. If we ever play Trivial Pursuit you are definitely on my team."

As she spoke Grace had started to pull her hair back in a ponytail when Spencer said, "You should leave it down. It looks really nice down. I didn't realize it was so long."

Grace blushed slightly but ceased pulling it up. Spencer smiled at the fact that she had listened to his suggestion before turning to thumbing through the movies in Grace's binder. Finding one he thought they would both like he pulled it out. Laying the binder over to the side by where he was sitting he stood up to put the movie in. "So what did you pick?" Grace asked curious as to Spencer's taste in movies.

"You will have to wait and see," he responded amused.

"Tease." Grace replied smiling at him. Spencer felt that odd fuzzy feeling again. Then he heard Hotch's question in his head again and decide to just ignore the feeling because that would be easier than confronting the fact that he was falling for Hotch's little sister and the ramifications of that.

Grace looked at Spencer expectantly when he sat down on the couch. He had an odd look on his face that she couldn't figure out. When he didn't say anything she smiled coyly and said, "What not even a hint? Will you at least tell me which genre?"

Responding finally he eyed her in a mock speculative manner saying, "Horror." Without saying a word Grace scooted over close to where Spencer was sitting on the couch. Turning to look at her he ask, "What are you doing?"

"Well you said the genre was horror, so I'm just preparing for the thrills and chills of whatever Dr. Spencer Reid has chosen for our evening entertainment. Unless this makes you uncomfortable." Grace said beaming at him and leaning her head on his shoulder. Coughing slightly he shook his head indicating that she was fine where she was. He knew he should tell she needed to give him space but it felt good to have her sitting so close beside him. Heaven help them both if Hotch found them sitting so close together.

Spencer wasn't really sure what to make of Grace. The only other girl that had ever shown a slight bit of interest in him was Lila Archer. She had been very clear in the fact that she found Spencer attractive as more than friends from the start. Hell, less than 48 hours into knowing Lila she was kissing him in her pool and had nearly gotten them both killed because of it. Grace on the other hand seemed to want to be friends but he also felt like there might be more, but he wasn't sure because of his lack of anything to compare her behavior with. Hotch's question earlier also made him question not only what his feelings were, but what Anna Grace's feelings might be also. It was also part of why he hadn't been asleep. Besides none of that mattered right now as Anna Grace was still involved with someone else. He was sure Morgan would tell him he was overthinking everything. Morgan, the one person he would normally be able to ask about this kind of thing was the last person he could talk to about having a crush on their boss's kid sister. Then he remembered Morgan teasing him the day Anna Grace had started. Had Morgan seen something that Spencer himself hadn't been aware of? Shaking his head slightly to clear his thoughts he told himself silently 'You and Anna Grace are just friends, nothing more.'

Spencer had chosen The Birds for the movie. Grace had seen it many times and loved it. By the time the movie was half over Grace and Spencer had fallen asleep on the couch together.

***The Next Morning***

Grace woke up slightly confused as to where she was because the last thing she remembered was watching The Birds with Spencer on the couch. Attempting to stretch she realized she couldn't move because something was preventing her from moving. That something turned out to be Spencer's arm around her waist and she was snuggled up against him. Part of her didn't want to wake him, but she knew if Aaron or Haley found them like this there would be all kinds of awkward questions that she wasn't prepared to answer and she didn't want to subject Spencer to. Turning her head slightly to look up at him she whispered, "Spencer. Spencer wake up."

Spencer twitched and opened his eyes. He noted quickly that he and Anna Grace were not in the positions he last remembered them being in, they were laying tangled together on the couch and that he had his arm securely around Anna Grace's waist. "Good morning Anna Grace."

"Good morning Spencer. Um, any idea how we ended up like this?" she ask looking up at him.

"No," was all the verbal response she got. He was showing no signs of moving anytime soon if anything he was settling in as if he was going back to sleep. If they had been anywhere but her brother's couch she would have gladly acquiesced to that desire, however the idea of being found by Aaron cuddling with Spencer was not a pleasant one. Spencer had tightened his hold on her waist and leaned his head back smiling at her, deciding to hold her as long as he could get away with it. Even if he wasn't sure of his feelings for her this felt right and he didn't want it to end. Grace continued by saying, "Spencer as nice as this is, you do remember whose house we are in and upon whose couch we are laying in a rather interesting position, right?"

That got his attention. Bolting up right Spencer caused Grace to fall off the couch. She landed with a thud. "Anna Grace I'm so sorry," Spencer started before he realized that she was laughing quietly. "I take it you are ok?"

"Yes, I'm fine. We are an absolute mess." She said smiling up at him from the floor. "They aren't going to be able to let us out together if this keeps up."

Standing up Spencer reached down to help Grace up saying, "Maybe it would be best if we were found making breakfast in the kitchen together." Once on her feet Grace agreed that the kitchen was the best place to be. The pair were in the middle of making pancakes, eggs, and bacon with coffee brewing when Haley and Aaron came in.

"You both are up early," Aaron said entering the kitchen.

"Couldn't sleep," they said almost simultaneously causing them to laugh and glance at each other. The look that passed between them told Aaron that there was something more going on. Aaron gave them both a rather odd look before turning to the coffee pot and leaving them to the preparations of breakfast. Once he had his and Haley's coffee poured he turned and watched the two cooking together. Even though Grace and Reid had only known each other a short amount of time they seemed incredibly comfortable with each other and were working together in the kitchen in a way he and Haley had never been able to. Spencer wasn't one to be so relaxed with someone he hadn't known long, but with Grace it was as though they had known each other for years. He was more relaxed than he was even with most of the team. The situation was worth keeping an eye on, but truthfully there weren't many other men that Aaron would rather see Grace involved with. Spencer was a good man and he knew that if Spencer and Grace were to date that she would be treated well.

Following breakfast Hotch told Spencer he would take him home and went up to change and get his keys. Taking the opportunity afforded by her brother's momentary absence Grace followed Spencer into the living room and touched Spencer's arm to get his attention saying, "Thank you again for everything last night and I don't just mean the coffee shop rescue mission. I enjoyed the time we spent together last night. Next time maybe we'll make it through an entire movie."

Spencer felt that odd feeling again when she touched his arm. He took a step back towards her so that they were standing close together. "Anna Grace," he began, "last night aside from the coffee shop rescue, as you call it, was nice. I really enjoyed spending time with you as well. Maybe we can catch a movie together soon." Hearing Hotch coming back down the stairs Spencer stepped back and finished by saying, "I'll see you at work tomorrow Anna Grace."

"See you Spencer." Smiling at Spencer, Grace headed up the stairs to take a shower and get ready for the day.

[1] Episode 6.21 The Stranger