So, no one liked chapter eight enough to review it, yet. Please consider reviewing to poke holes in my logic or whether the flow is bad. Thank you!

Chapter Nine:

Morgan whistled. "Now that is a sharp look for you, pretty boy."

Reid adjusted the collar of his tuxedo nervously.

"Is it too much?" he asked.

"For Gino's, no way," he said. "You're going to have a good time. Did you see what I left in your bedside drawer?"

"Which I won't need," he said with a touch of annoyance. "Why are you here again?"

"Moral support," he said with a smile. "And to make sure you cleaned off that five o'clock shadow."

"I hope Aditi is having fun getting ready at Garcia's," Reid said. "She isn't used to this much attention and I think Garcia overwhelmed her Monday."

"She'll get used to it," he said. "Aditi sounds like she deserves all the care in the world after what she's been through."

"That's what you don't get," Reid said. "Aditi doesn't want to be a charity case. She wants respect. Love is going to be harder with her."

"I think if some otherworldly beings want you two to be together, then if anyone has a chance at trying to make it work, it's you Reid."

"Thanks Morgan," he said. "She's enchanting. I definitely want to make something happen with her."

"Then you will," Morgan said with determination. "I don't doubt it."

Reid knocked on Garcia's door with a bouquet of flowers in one hand. She appeared with a giant smile on her face.

"You brought flowers for her!" she said.

"They're for you actually," he said. "There's another arrangement waiting at home for her. This is a thank-you gift."

"Awe, thanks Boy Wonder," she said taking them. "I'll put them in water."

Reid glanced around the apartment.

"Your new place is nice," he said.

"Thanks," she shouted.

Two minutes later she reappeared and put them on the fireplace ledge.

"Sergio is less likely to get to them there," she said.

Garcia then turned around. "Aditi, your prince is here!"

Batra looked stunning. Her hair was in partial updo and showed her gold hoop earrings. The off-the-shoulder black dress billowed around her as she walked. A large red ruby in a gold setting hung around her neck. Bangles on one wrist and black shoes with gold bows rounded out the stunning look. She looked magical.

"You clean up nicely," she said with a smile.

Reid thought his heart skipped a beat.

"Thanks," he said stuttered. "You look incredible."

"Thanks," she said. "Are yes ready?"

"Yes, let's go."

Garcia waved.

"You crazy kids have a good time," she said. "And remember, don't do anything I wouldn't do."

Batra picked up her gold clutch purse.

Reid held the door opened and they left.

Batra thought she was going to laugh the way Reid tripped over his words every time he looked at her. He kept staring at the menu when he talked even though she knew he probably had it memorized after glancing it over once. She hadn't thought of herself as attractive in years, but from the way Reid looked at her, she began to wonder if she still was something to look at.

"Does anything look appetizing to you?" he asked nervously. "Pick whatever you want."

"I think I'll have the Adriatic Seafood Brodetto," she said.

"I'll have Gino's Lobster Ravioli," he said.

They gave their orders and sipped their wine.

"Do you like the wine?" he asked anxiously.

"Its delicious," she said. "I truly feel like a queen."

"Not Cinderella?" he asked playfully.

"Cinderella was not a queen in the Disney movie," she said.

"Actually, Cinderella in the oldest recorded version from Egypt had her sandal stolen by an eagle and dropped in the presence of a king," he rambled and then blushed.

"There are several versions in a Thousand and One Arabian Nights," she said. "A couple involve jealous siblings transformed into serpents and dogs."

"I've read the whole series in Arabic," he said and took a long drink of wine.

"As have I," she said. "A version was donated to a clinic I helped out at, and I read it all in one night."

"Impressive," he said. "I bet you're a fast reader, judging from the way you've gone through my books."

"I guess I am," she said.

He took another sip of wine.

Batra then touched his hand.

"Spencer," she said. "You're doing fine."

"The last date I planed involved me being held at gun-point and eventually led to my incarceration," he blurted out.

"The last date I was arranged by a friend and he bored me to death," she said. "You're not boring me."

"The dinner date I planned with the girl I loved was interrupted when I thought her stalker was there, but it turned out to be the fiancée she never told me about," he rambled out.

"You're full of stories," she said. "Stories help us grow. You are who you are because of these experiences. Who you are is very special."

"You are too," he said. "I know you don't like being put on a pedestal, but the radiance of your personality glows alone."

"I think we're going to make this work," she said suddenly feeling emotional. "I think I do."

"I'm so happy," he said.

Their meals arrived. They dug in.

"This is spectacular," she said. "Would you like to try some with my spare fork?"

"Sure," he said as more wine was poured. "This is very good. Would you like to try mine?"

"Why not?" she said and took a spoonful. "I like mine better."

He laughed. "I'm glad you're happy."

They ate in silence for a few minutes. Reid suddenly looked sick.

"You okay?" she asked.

He pushed his plate aside and took off his suit jacket and replaced his napkin with it. His face was beet-red.

Reid leaned forward and beckoned her closer.

"My pants feel extremely tight," he moaned. "They dosed my drink with Sildenafil."

"Viagara?" she asked in a low tone.

He nodded.

He raised his hand.

"Check please," he said.

A waiter appeared. "Is there something wrong with the meal?"

Reid looked lost.

Batra looked to the waiter. "Acid reflux," she said. "He doesn't eat big meals often and this isn't sitting well with him. I am a dietician and was this was our first attempt at rich meal for him. It didn't work out as we hoped."

"I see," he said. "I'll get your check right away."

"Thank you," he gasped.

"Claiming to be a medical professional is hobby of mine," she said.

He smiled weakly.

Reid laid partially undressed in his bed. He felt lucky he could drive him and Batra home with little trouble after taking the back entrance out. He sighed. It was a frustrating ending to what could have been a nice date.

The door to his room opened. Batra appeared. She was still dressed in her stunning gown.

"I'd prefer to be alone right now," he said dully.

She took a seat on the edge of his bed.

"They're going to keep messing with our lives until we do what they want you know," she said.

"So, what do you suggest we do?" he asked.

She reached behind her back. The gown dropped to the floor. Batra was wearing nothing black lace underwear.

"You're not helping me," he said moaning.

Batra stepped out of the dress and removed is blanket.

"Let's take control of the narrative," she said.

"You're stunning," he said. "But I'm not sure what to do right now."

She took off the rest of her clothes.

"I do," she said. "You make me feel special Spencer, let me do that for you."

"I'm not sure I'm ready to make a kid though," he said.

Batra climbed on top of him and whispered into his ear.

"Garcia got me contraceptives hidden in my vitamins."

Reid smiled.

"Only if you want to," he said.

"I do."

"Let's make a baby," he said for the cameras and those listening.

Twenty-seven names were shared online. On all social media platforms and news websites around the world. Twenty-seven names with their Greek versions attached. Four hours later, Alicia would fire the anarchist hacker mole on her team. But the damage was done, and nothing could hide the identities of the couples.