04/09: Three's a crowd. There's one too many people in this scene, but the third wheel's not getting it, no matter how many hints the others drop. (300 words)


Take A Hint | 300 words | Rated K

"Hey," Reid said as Garcia grabbed her fluffy purse out of his hands. He had not yet been cleared for the field since being shot so was instead helping the BAU team from Quantico, and as a result, being very annoying to Garcia, who liked working by herself. He kept touching all her stuff and trying to do stuff on her computers.

"Stop touching. I don't know where your hands have been," she snapped. Reid put his hands in his lap and muttered that they were very clean.

"Did you know that soap causes grease and dirt to be pulled off your hands and suspended in water?" Reid asked her. Garcia rolled her eyes and pretended not to hear him. "Those molecules are then washed off when –"

"Reid."

"Knock, knock," said a male voice from the doorway. Garcia spun around in her chair and grinned.

"Hey, baby doll," she greeted.

"You ready for lunch?" Kevin asked his girlfriend. He held up his sandwich as Garcia showed him her lunch too. He glanced at Reid, who seemed oblivious to the fact that Garcia and Kevin wanted to have lunch together.

"Kevin. Did you know that soap causes dirt to be –" Reid started to ask him.

"Reid, really?" Garcia asked. She smiled at Kevin apologetically. "Why don't you go to the cafeteria and have a lunch break?"

"Oh, no. I'm fine, thanks – I had a big breakfast," he assured her.

"Well, you should get some fresh air," she suggested. "Hobble around on your crutches?" she asked when Reid shook his head at the fresh air suggestion. "Reid," Garcia said desperately. He glanced between her and Kevin, then seemed to realise something.

"Oh. Would you like to sit down?" Reid asked.

"Yes," Garcia sighed gratefully.

"Okay. I'll go get another chair."


A/N: I thought this prompt was perfect for Reid because he's just the kind of person to not get a hint that people want to be left alone. Plus, I love Garcia and Reid scenes!