Welcome to One Shot Month! I apologize that chapters were skipped but family comes first. I also apologize for the A/Ns at the end of each chapter last week because I did not realize what the date was and said things were being updated this week when they will not be updated until October.

This will be the last chapter for this story. It is not very long however this story has been so popular there is now a poll for another Criminal Minds/DeGrassi crossover on the DeGrassi Saviors website. You have two options and yes you can vote for both and multiple times. I will leave the poll up until One Shot Month ends.

And FYI a Quasar is an unusually bright object found in the remote areas of the universe and a Globular Cluster is a tight, spherical grouping of hundreds of thousands of stars. It will be something you want to know shortly as you read. They have further meanings but these are the important ones for this chapter.

Anyway read on and I hope you enjoy this last chapter…for now anyway depending on the poll results.

Ch. 4 A Quasar Among Globular Clusters

(REID)

"What do you have Garcia?" I ask after answering my ringing phone.

"I have a request from your blue-eyed angel, is Hotch around?"

"Hotch," I call with a furrowed brow wondering what the request could be and why it requires Hotch.

"Garcia have something?" Hotch questions walking over.

"Yes Clare would like to come back to observe from here. She can watch from my office," Garcia tells us and I look at Hotch.

"As long as she's not in the way and isn't interfering with your work it's fine," Hotch replies.

"I think she wants to help she figured out the case we're on. And you know it took only a night for her to figure out a connection between herself and the past victims of her own stalker. Something not even our resident genius could do," Garcia points out.

"Garcia keep her safe," I request.

"I won't let her out of my sight," Garcia says and hangs up.

"She's not a victim on this case," Hotch comments as I put my phone away.

"I know but I'm still worried, she's been away from me for two and a half months and now that she's with me I don't want to be away from her and I don't want anything to happen to her," I comment and Hotch grins wide chuckling slightly. "What?" I query.

"You're in love," Hotch says and I smile.

"It might be a little soon to be in love but I know she's like no one else I've ever known, a quasar among globular clusters."

"Have you told her that?" Hotch asks laughing slightly.

"No."

"Maybe rephrase it when you do," Hotch advises and I twist my mouth at him.

"We've been through the apartment but the cab driver was a victim of circumstance. If this unsub is trying to imitate The Zodiac then the cab driver would have been the last victim," Rossi says coming over to us.

"We need to focus on the letters, Garcia should have them al for us now. Let's go back to the round table room and go over the evidence and any unsolved homicides from the last two weeks, there may be a connection that we missed," Hotch instructs.

We get back in the SUVs and drive back to Quantico. When we get back to the round table room Clare comes in before we even sit down.

"I found a copy of one of the coded messages and recognized some of the symbols. Tech Princess if you would," Clare says to Garcia and she puts the coded letter on the screen. "Okay first this unsub is smart, each letter is not only a different symbol but is from a different source and like The Zodiac it's not broken into sentences or even words," Clare tells us.

"I see a future in the BAU for this one," Rossi whispers to me with a grin and I nod.

"This one is Old Persian which hasn't been used since the 4th century. This one here is Berber it was used in Africa but hasn't been used since the 3rd century. This is Sarati a language invented by Author J.R.R. Tolkein. As far as I can tell each of these symbols is from a different alphabet and a different source."

"These seem very obscure who would know something like this? A scholar or linguist?" Prentiss asks.

"Anyone with an internet connection and the determination could find the symbols," I speak up.

"Spence is right it just takes patience and research," Clare says.

"Okay Reid you and Clare work on the messages, the rest of us will look at open cases in the area. Garcia we need every unsolved homicide within a hundred miles in the last six months," Hotch orders.

"I'll have it for you in such a flash it might hurt your eyes," Garcia quips before rushing back to her office.

I put my hand at Clare's back and we sit at the table looking at the code while the others begin combing through unsolved homicides from the last several months. Working together we break enough of the code that we find letter patterns that make words and once we've done that the rest of the code is easy.

"Hotch we've got it," I announce and everyone looks at us. "Smarter than The Zodiac, more suave than Ted Bundy, more brutal than Edmund Kemper. If you do not stop me I will continue killing. Are you smart enough to stop me?" I read the words of the translated note to them, the note had no punctuation or capitalization it was three lines of symbol strings. We translated it and wrote it out with the proper punctuation and capitalization. After reading the letter I post it on the board with the other clues and the only victim we're aware of.

"Well he's narcissistic, that's a lot of boasting," Prentiss remarks.

"And he's referencing a lot of serial killers, The Zodiac, Ted Bundy, Edmund Kemper. All of them had different styles and victimology if he's emulating all of them that's a huge victim pool," Morgan comments.

"And they all had victims in California, recent DNA evidence linking Bundy to murders in California," I point out.

"So is he killing in California and sending communication to media and FBI in D.C.?" J.J. asks.

"It's possible but it seems unlikely, talking about the serial killers doesn't mean he's trying to emulate them or kill in their areas. Bundy killed in several other states," Rossi remarks.

"Spence what if he's not emulating each killer but only emulating a part of them?" Clare whispers to me and I look at the note again.

"Clare you're brilliant," I grin and everyone looks at us.

"Well are you going to share your girlfriend's brilliance?" Rossi asks.

"The unsub isn't emulating each killer only a part of them. The unsub says he's smarter than The Zodiac and sent coded messages like The Zodiac. He boasts about being more Suave than Ted Bundy who was notorious for luring his victims with charm and pity," I'm saying before Prentiss cuts in.

"And bragging that he's more brutal than Edmund Kemper, who killed his grandparents at fifteen, viciously killed and dismembered hitchhikers and then killed his mom and a friend in a virtual bloodbath."

"I think we're ready to give the profile, J.J. arrange a press conference. Clare you've been a tremendous help but you should get back to Reid's place now. Reid you can take her, we'll all get some rest after giving the profile and press conference and begin fresh in the morning, I'll see you at eight," Hotch says to me.

"Goodnight everyone," Clare says. Garcia and J.J. hug her goodnight and we leave the roundtable room and come face to face with Erin Strauss.

"Section Chief Strauss this is Clare Edwards," I introduce her.

"I know who she is, you're on active investigation what is she doing here?"

"She's assisting us as a special consultant, she has a specialty in dead languages," I sort of lie.

"Does she? Well I heard how you helped in the investigation into your stalker. It's nice to meet you Clare."

"You as well Ma'am," Clare says politely.

"I was just taking her home," I tell Chief Strauss and she steps aside.

We take the metro back to my place and stop at a Chinese place to get take-out on the way. Sitting down to eat as soon as we're back in the apartment.

"You know you're brilliant, how did you even recognize those symbols without researching them?"

"You'll laugh but the first two I recognized because I did a paper on ancient languages in grade ten. The third one I just remembered from when I read J.R.R. Tolkein's books."

"I think it's incredible and I didn't even see what you saw in the notes context, you got right away that the unsub emulating various aspects of each killer," I comment and Clare blushes.

"You would have seen it, it's just that I was staring at the note while everyone else was talking."

"You're selling yourself short not many people can keep up with me while breaking a code. I can see you as a future member of the BAU. I'm not the only one you impressed the entire team," I tell her with a huge grin as I envision her working with us in the future.

"It is pretty exciting but I want to be a writer and a journalist, and finish at Columbia first."

"Rossi is a writer and an agent. J.J. does a lot of work or a journalist, being on the BAU doesn't exclude you from anything you want to do."

"You mean like having multiple Ph.D's?" Clare comments with a smile.

"Yeah like that. It's something to consider anyway. If you are interested, we could easily get you accepted to the academy."

(CLARE)

I wake up to a kiss from Spence and it puts a smile on my lips.

"I have to go, I'll call you later and call Garcia if you need anything," Spence tells me.

"What time is it?"

"Almost seven you should go back to sleep," Spence tells me.

"Be careful," I yawn before falling asleep again.

I wake up a little after nine and take a shower. After my shower and getting dressed I look in Spence's kitchen to see what he has for breakfast. I guess being a bachelor and having a job where you travel a lot you wouldn't keep a lot of food in your house, and Spence doesn't. I'm debating whether to have cookies for breakfast or leave Spence's apartment and find a coffee shop when there's a knock on the door.

"Clare?" A voice call from the other side of the door but it's not one I recognize. It's a southern accent and it sounds friendly but I still stay quiet. "I'm Will, J.J.'s boyfriend," he calls and I let out a breath before opening the door to a pleasant looking southern gentleman with kind eyes who has a toddler holding his hand. "Hi J.J. thought I could keep you company today since they're working. Believe me it helps to be distracted when they're doing the dangerous things to out doing the dangerous stuff like chasing down serial killers. This is our son Henry; we're going to Smithsonian's National Zoo if you'd like to join us?" Will offers and I grin.

"Hi Henry," I smile kneeling down to be on his level and then stand up again. "That sounds wonderful, definitely better than pacing around here all day or wandering alone worried about Spence. And somehow I don't think they'll let me back to observe today or help, not that I think I could be much help in tracking and arresting a serial killer," I comment as I grab my purse, put on my shoes and lock Spence's apartment.

"I heard that you were a great help yesterday, and in your own case. J.J. was impressed and Spencer hasn't stopped talking about you since they came back from Toronto," Will says as we walk down to his car.

"Really? I mean he talks about me to you?"

"J.J. and Spencer have been close a long time, he's Henry's Godfather and he's over at our place once a week for dinner when they aren't away on a case."

"That's good because he has almost no food at his place, which was reminds me I'll need to get breakfast at the zoo."

"No problem there's a café right inside the zoo," Will smiles.

On the way to the zoo, and while I eat breakfast and Henry sips at a hot chocolate Will tells me how he met J.J. and how their relationship blossomed. I have a good time with Will and Henry at the zoo, I spend a lot of time talking with Will and it's fun to watch Henry react to the animals. When we're leaving the zoo Spence calls to tell me that they'll be working late and he's not sure when he'll be back. Will gets a similar call from J.J. so Will, Henry and I stop to have dinner and just as we're finishing Penelope shows up.

"How did you know we were…never mind you are the supreme oracle," I laugh when I see her.

"That I am my clever pookie and I am going to steal you from Will. My beautiful Godson needs to get to bed, Wonder Boy is working late and I am stealing you for some prime shopping," Garcia says taking my hand.

"Okay then, bye Will it was great to meet you and I had a really good time today, it was much better than worrying about Spence. Goodbye Henry," I wave.

"We had fun too and it was good to finally meet you after hearing so much," Will says while Henry waves at me.

"Come on Cutie we have a lot of shopping to do," Penelope tells me and we go out to her car which is just as wild as her personality.

We don't actually do a whole lot of shopping mostly talking and coffee drinking but I do buy a few souvenirs. I do have a good time with her and by the time she drops me at Spence's apartment he's home.

"So did you catch the bad guy?"

"We did, he's in jail now and we linked four murders to him including the cab driver."

"Good so does that mean you're all mine tomorrow?"

"I have some paperwork but yes after that I'm all yours," Spence grins and I smile.

I only get Spence to myself for a few days before he has to go to Florida for another case. I worry about him but I spend the days wandering the Smithsonian which is so immense I never get bored. I also spend more time with Will and some with Garcia when she's not on with the team. Spence calls every night and we talk for at least an hour. When everyone returns from Florida I have him for a whole week and it is wonderful, we spend every moment together. Sadly, my time in D.C. seems to be over far too quickly. On my last night in D.C. Rossi invites everyone to his house for dinner to say goodbye.

"Columbia's a good school, you know that Reid and I have standing invitations to guest lecture. He's never been interested before but I'm sure he is now," Rossi comments and I smile.

"I would love for you both to come to New York."

"Have you given any thought to going to the academy?" Rossi questions.

"I don't think I could pass the physical requirements."

"You'd be surprised and if you apply directly to the BAU you don't have to go through as many physical requirements as the field," Dave says and I bight my lip.

I have been contemplating joining the BAU after graduation since Spencer brought it up. I actually think about it all through dinner, and talk to nearly everyone about the possibility. Aside from the team Hotch brought his son Jack, Will is here with Henry and Garcia brought her boyfriend Kevin who also works at the FBI. I have a great time with everyone and a wonderful night with Spencer before he takes me to the airport the next day.

"I can't believe our time is over already," I sigh.

"I was gone for part of it, but I can make it up to you by coming to New York the next chance I get," Spence says and I grin wide.

"I would love that and I'll be back here too, I've become good friends with Penelope, J.J. and Will. And I've been thinking a lot about apply to the BAU after graduation and it's an intriguing possibility, and after everything with Asher journalism has been a little tainted for me. It's something I will definitely think about while I'm at Columbia."

Spence grins wide and ensnares my lips into a blistering kiss.

Okay that's it for this one I hope you all enjoyed it. Don't forget to vote in the poll on the DeGrassi Saviors website if you want more DeGrassi/Criminal Minds crossover.