One afternoon, Spencer came to take Derek out for lunch for his break, and it couldn't have happened sooner. It was a very long day for Derek and the last thing he needed on his break was to spend the entire time in the coffeeshop. Once they were settled in a booth and had placed their orders, Derek wrung his hands together.

"What's bothering you?" Spencer asked, taking a sip of his soda and eyeing him.

"Excuse me?"

Spencer motioned toward his hands. "You only do that when you're nervous."

Derek quickly stopped, tapping his hands on the table. "We've been dating for five months and you've memorized my body language?"

Spencer shrugged slightly. "Call it a gift."

Derek laughed to himself. "I guess so. I was just wondering something, I guess."

"Okay... what are you wondering? Maybe I can help."

"Have you ever celebrated Valentine's Day?" Derek asked, looking over at him.

Spencer raised an eyebrow. "From what I've observed, it's what most refer to as a 'Hallmark holiday', meaning the holiday is completely commercialized and people have lost sight of what the true holiday is meant to be. I mean, nobody rushes out to celebrate the Feast of Saint Valentine-"

"A simple 'no' would've sufficed," Derek told him, smiling.

Spencer blushed. "And by that I mean 'no, I've never celebrated Valentine's Day'. I didn't even buy those little cards for classmates or eat Valentine's candy." He shrugged. "I never saw the point of it really."

"So, not even one Valentine?"

Spencer thought it over and shook his head. "Not including the year that JJ kissed me on the cheek when I was five and told me she'd be my Valentine and beat up any boy who tried to hurt me. Nope, not a single one."

"...Seriously?"

Spencer gave him a look. "Did we not go over the 'Julian' issue not too long ago?"

"Point taken." Derek picked up one of the fries off of his plate as the waitress set it down. "What if I make you a deal?"

"...I'm listening?"

He put some ketchup on his plate, dipping his fry into it. "I took Valentine's off. Me, you, date. I'll show you how you can have a fun Valentine's day and make it so JJ isn't your only Valentine's kiss."

Spencer thought it over before nodding. "Fine, but I hope you don't disappoint."

Derek scoffed. "I won't."

When Derek went back to work, Spencer walked him inside, getting his usual afternoon coffee.

Derek handed it over, smirking. "I'll see you on Valentine's."

Spencer took it, taking a sip. "I guess you will. Don't let me down." Spencer smiled, waving to Penelope and turning around, walking out of the shop.

Penelope shook her head, walking up behind Derek and humming.

He rolled his eyes, turning to her. "'Here Comes the Bride'? Really?"

"Well, they haven't exactly written 'Here Comes the Groom' yet," she offered.

"Not happening," he told her, tying his apron in the back.

"Not happening as in 'not yet', or not happening as in 'not even in a million years'?"

He clicked his tongue, pointing to the display case. "Get back to work."

Before Valentine's Day arrived, Derek looked at Penelope. "So, what's in the plans for you and Sam for the big love day?"

"I've given the reins to Sam," she explained, wiping down the counter.

He raised an eyebrow. "Little Miss 'I love planning romantic dates' isn't making the plans? What parallel universe have I fallen into and how do I escape?"

She mock laughed. "Considering last time I cooked for him, he failed to mention his food allergies? I decided that this one is all his."

"Wait. Hold up. You poisoned him?"

"I didn't do it on purpose!" she defended. "He just didn't say it and of course I'm not going to ask if he's allergic to every single ingredient in my dish because that would just be weird. So, to avoid him breaking out in rashes or a possible emergency room visit, I've told him that he can plan away and surprise me this Valentine's."

He laughed to himself, shaking his head. "I can't believe you poisoned him."

She backhanded him in the arm. "It's not funny, I was mortified!"

"Sorry, sweetness."

She rolled her eyes, elbowing him. "What about you, huh? Your first Valentine's with the boy wonder. Anything big planned?"

"Yes, actually. We're going to skip town, get married, adopt a bunch of adorable babies, and live happily ever after," he told her, starting a new pot of coffee.

She scoffed. "Come on, I'm serious. Please?"

"I'm working on it, and that's the truth," he explained. "Maybe if it's good enough, Spencer will tell you all about it the next time you two hang out, which is apparently a thing now, considering he met Sam before I did."

She thought about it before shrugging. "You snooze you lose. Now, considering he's never had a Valentine's Day before, I'm sure you won't mess up too bad."

"...Thank you?"

She smirked. "Anytime, sugar."

It had taken quite some time to think about, but Derek finally thought of what he believed to be the perfect Valentine's date for the two of them. Early on Valentine's Day, he drove to Spencer's place, knocking on the front door and waiting.

It took a few minutes, but Spencer finally opened the door, eyebrows raised. "...Yes?"

Derek grinned. "I'm sorry, did I wake you up? Should I come back?"

He shook his head slightly. "Fell asleep on the couch while reading, just give me ten minutes and a cup of coffee and I'll be fine." He stepped back, holding the door open for Derek. "I was up late last night."

"Doing what?" Derek asked, stepping inside and closing the door.

Spencer trudged to the kitchen, pouring himself a cup of coffee and putting in his sugar. "Will has to work tonight, so he and JJ did their date night last night. Unfortunately, they 'lost track of time' and I had Henry until nearly 2:00 a.m. He was asleep by 9:00, but now, he has a fun new habit of waking up screaming at midnight and not calming down."

Derek winced. "Well that sounds pleasant."

"Tell me about it," he mumbled, drinking his coffee. "What time are our plans?"

Derek checked the clock on Spencer's wall, clicking his tongue. "Whenever you're ready o'clock."

"And that's why you're the greatest person ever," Spencer told him, setting down his coffee mug and stretching. "How should I be dressing?"

"Obviously not formal," Derek said, motioning toward himself in jeans and a sweater. "And pack a bag."

Spencer gave him a thumbs up, walking to his bedroom and closing the door behind him.

Derek sat on the couch, looking through the thick books Spencer was reading and shaking his head, setting them back down. When he heard the mailman approaching, he got up, walking over and greeting him at the door, taking the mail from him and wishing him a good day. He flicked through, hoping to find a magazine or something to look through while Spencer dug through his closet, but only found a few envelopes. He set them down on the table, walking around and picking up the stacks of books on the endtable, putting them back on the shelves in his study.

Spencer stepped out, dressed in a sweater and slacks. "This okay?"

Derek looked over at him, nodding. "Perfect."

"Who was at the door?"

"Mailman," Derek explained, pointing to the stack of envelopes on the table. "Didn't know you were so popular."

He smiled nervously, checking the return addresses, and quickly walking to his room, putting them in his nightstand drawer. Before Derek could ask any questions, he turned to him. "Ready?"

Derek took his car keys out of his pocket, reaching over and grabbing Spencer's jacket, holding it out to him. "Ready."

"So, are we having more of your definition of 'fun' today?" Spencer asked, buckling his seatbelt. "I feel I should be warned in advance if I need to have 911 on speed dial."

Derek rolled his eyes. "Once. Once that happens and I'll never live it down."

Spencer shook his head slightly, grinning. "No, you won't."

"I guess I deserve that," Derek said, shrugging and starting the car. "Just now that we're going to have fun, by my definition and yours, and no emergency services will be necessary."

"We'll see," Spencer teased, turning the vent toward himself and tightening his scarf.

When Derek parked at the movie theater, Spencer looked out the window, eyebrow raised.

"Of all the romantic things to do on Valentine's Day, were going to see a movie?"

Derek shook his head. "We're doing a little more of a simple Valentine's," Derek explained, unbuckling his seat belt. "But trust me when I say that you will have an amazing time and you'll love it."

"If you insist," Spencer told him, unbuckling himself and getting out, closing the door.

Derek got out, locking the car and walking around, wrapping an arm around Spencer's shoulders and walking into the theater.

"Let me guess," he started, looking at the board, "we're going to see some sort of action thriller movie that you've been dying to see, and I'll spend the entire time pointing out the historical and locale inaccuracies?" Spencer guessed.

"Not quite." Derek reached in his pocket, taking out the tickets and holding them up to him. "Instead, we'll be seeing that documentary you wouldn't stop talking about last week."

He gasped, looking at the tickets and picking his out. "Seriously? I've been hearing about it for so long and reading up on the subject for months-"

Derek leaned over, capturing Spencer's lips and instantly silencing him.

Spencer immediately blushed, pulling back and smiling. "You're going to sit through a two hour documentary for me? It must be love."

"You bet." Derek kissed the top of his head, leading him over to the concession stand. "Now, if we're going to sit through a movie of any sort, I've learned you need sweet things of the candy variety, though you also enjoy the company of this sweet thing," he explained, pointing to himself.

Spencer laughed softly, nudging him with his elbow. "You may be running the date, but the sweets and treats are on me." He paused. "And by that I mean I'll be paying for them. They won't physically be on me."

Derek clicked his tongue, shaking his head. "Dealbreaker."

He rolled his eyes slightly, reaching in his wallet and taking out his credit card. "For that, you're buying your own soda."

Derek put a hand over his chest, acting wounded, while Spencer checked the menu board.

It wasn't until ten minutes later the two of them were heading into their theater, Spencer's arms filled with assorted snacks while Derek carried their drinks. Once they stepped inside, they realized the theater was completely empty, except for the two of them.

"What, not everybody wants to see this thrilling adventure?" Derek teased, motioning toward the empty seats.

Spencer shrugged. "Their loss. Do you want to pick, or…?"

"You've got the iffy eyesight. I'll leave it up to you."

He chewed on his cheeks and looked at the rows before choosing one in the middle, counting out the seats and taking the exact middle seat, sitting down and setting the different boxes of candy on the armrest while he took off his jacket, reaching in the pocket and taking out his glasses.

"What, were you a boy scout? 'Always prepared'?"

Spencer raised an eyebrow. "...No?" He put his glasses on, putting the case back into his pocket, sitting in his seat. "Why?"

Derek shook his head slightly. "Nevermind." He set the drinks down in the cupholders, sitting down beside Spencer and wrapping his arm around him. "So, you've been reading up on the subject, huh?"

"Quite a bit… as they mention things, I'd be happy to explain them to you, and if possible, go into further detail."

"Now that sounds interesting."

Spencer gasped. "That actually didn't sound sarcastic."

"That's because sarcasm isn't my only feature."

While the movie was playing, Spencer stayed true to his word and was sure to share any facts or information that he saw fit. He also was sure to share the candy that he had bought, making sure not to eat it all. Derek learned the hard way that if Spencer has all of the snacks available to him during a movie, he will eat every last piece of it and still have room for a full meal.

As they were walking out to the car, Derek stretched, getting a few kinks out of his back.

"So what's next?"

"Hm?" Derek asked, stretching out his arms.

"I know the great romantic Derek Morgan wouldn't just take a date to a movie and call it a night, or in this case, a day, since it's still early. So, I'm asking what's next," Spencer explained, opening his door and getting into the car, grateful that Derek had used the automatic starter.

Derek grinned, putting the keys in the ignition. "Next stop is," he checked the clock on his radio, "lunch."

Spencer raised his eyebrows, impressed. "Sounds good to me." He buckled himself. "Lead the way."

Derek parked at the restaurant, walking around and opening Spencer's door.

"I can't say your mother didn't raise a romantic," he said, taking Derek's hand and getting out.

Derek closed his door. "You bet." He linked his arm with Spencer. "And I'm not going to have my date bust his butt slipping on some ice before I'm done being a romantic."

"I'm not the one with the record here," Spencer defended. "How's the shoulder?"

Derek mock laughed, walking inside the restaurant.

Once they were settled and had their drinks, Derek picked up his menu. "Let's make this interesting."

"I'm listening," Spencer said, opening his own.

"A fun little game I've just invented, called 'hey, we've been dating for nearly five months now, let's see if you can order the other person's favorite dish on the menu'."

"That's quite the title," Spencer said, raising his eyebrows and scanning the menu.

"I'm working on it," Derek explained. "All we do is point to the menu when the waitress asks what we want, say it's for the other, and then we'll see how well we know each other."

"...That sounds great," Spencer told him, much to Derek's surprise. "I think it's interesting and a definite test to see how well we know each other, or if it goes badly, how well we think we know each other."

Derek grinned. "Perfect."

The waitress walked over and Derek put up a finger, looking at her. "I hope you don't mind, but we're going to do things a little bit differently."

"Oh?" she asked, taking her pen out of her apron and clicking it.

He nodded slightly. "We're surprising each other, seeing how well we know each other. We'll point to what we want to order for the other, and you can just bring it out to us, if that's okay?"

"Of course." She walked over. "What can I get you for him?"

Derek held up his menu, scanning it, before pointing to the fish and chips. "One of his favorites," he whispered, then pointing to the sides, specifically the sweet potato fries. "As are those."

She wrote it down, giving him a thumbs up and walking over to Spencer. "And you for him?"

Spencer clicked his tongue, pointing to the steak, "Medium," he whispered, "with…" he dragged his finger across the menu, landing on the baked macaroni and cheese, "this."

She nodded, writing it and taking the menus, walking away.

Derek noticed the smile on Spencer's face. "Someone's confident."

"You bet."

She came back with their meals a short while later, setting a plate down in front of Derek. "Medium cooked steak with baked macaroni and cheese," she started, before setting Spencer's plate down, "fish and chips with a side of sweet potato fries. Enjoy."

Derek gave her a smile. "We will." As she walked away, he eyed Spencer. "Okay, I'm predictable, I'll admit."

Spencer scoffed. "Understatement. You could've at least given me a challenge." He pointed at his plate. "But I'm impressed."

He shrugged slightly. "Well, I happen to know that the fish here is amazing, and you were saying not too long ago that you've yet to find a decent plate of fish and chips, and it's a shame because it's a great meal."

Spencer picked up his fork, taking a bite of the fish and smiling to himself. "Well, look at that, you were definitely right."

"I may not be a certifiable genius, but I know a thing or two," Derek said, winking and picking up his knife, cutting into his steak.

"So," Spencer started, chewing his food and swallowing, "are you taking a break from the house fixing?"

Derek thought it over. "I don't know. I mean, I really loved that last house, and it sold for a pretty penny, and that feeling is great. But winter isn't really a time to be working on houses, especially houses that aren't well insulated and with icy rooftops."

"I can imagine," he said, picking up a sweet potato fry, "but what about once the snow melts and everything?"

"Once the snow melts and it's safe, definitely. There's actually a place I've been looking at down on Park Street. Take a drive there and I'm sure you can see how much of a piece of crap it is once you spot it instantly."

Spencer nodded. "I know which one you're talking about. You're gonna turn it around?"

"You bet."

"...How long is that going to take you?"

"I don't know. Depending on the condition inside and everything, anywhere from six months to a couple of years. But it'll be worth it."

Spencer nodded, taking a deep breath and clicking his tongue before putting some salt on his chips. "And after that?"

"I haven't really talked about it yet, but maybe in a year or so I'll start working toward a license to do it full time? I do like the coffee shop and everything, but, I don't know, maybe I'll get out of it and do what I really want to do with life. I mean, come on, I have to compete with my boyfriend racking up the degrees."

Spencer laughed softly, nodding. "I guess you do."

"What about you, huh?" Derek asked, wiping his hands. "What are you going to do with your time?"

He cleared his throat. "Well, as great as being bored out of my mind and reading every single book in the public library is? I miss school. I mean, I don't miss the deadlines and the stress, I absolutely do not miss the stress, but I miss having challenges in the form of assignments and doing research and all of it. So I'll be going back to school in the fall, heck, maybe even in the summer if they offer the courses I need to finish up my degrees."

"Knew it would drive you crazy," Derek teased, smirking, "but that's good to hear. What about after that?"

Spencer took a sip of his soda. "After school I go to the coffee shop and get a drink?"

"You know what I mean. After you finish up those classes. Then what?"

He thought it over before shrugging. "I'll figure it out."

After dinner, Derek drove back to his house.

"Come on, that's it?" Spencer said. "I mean, dinner and a movie? From what I've read, that's rather typical and cliche."

Derek scoffed. "Well, thanks, but no, that isn't it. Keep your coat on, we're not going inside yet."

Spencer raised an eyebrow, confused, but buttoned up most of his coat, walking over to Derek. "Lead the way."

Derek wrapped an arm around his shoulders. "No problem."

The two of them walked to the park by Derek's house, following the shoveled pathway.

"So, how was your first official Valentine's?" Derek asked.

He chewed on his cheek. "...Better than I expected." When Derek gave him a look, he laughed nervously. "That came out wrong. What I meant to say was. Okay, as someone who doesn't exactly get dates and never joined in celebrating the holiday with anyone? I always imagined what the hype was and I wondered what it might be like for me. Never did I think someone would try so hard to make me happy and do what I wanted and it just, it feels great."

"Well, I'm glad," Derek said, leaning in and kissing him.

Spencer pulled back. "What was that?"

"Your first official 'end of Valentine's Day date' kiss," Derek explained, kissing his cheek and walking.

A short while later, Spencer looked down at his shoe. "I've got to tie my shoe or I'm going to trip. Keep walking, I'll catch up with you in a minute," he explained, sitting down on the bench and pulling his leg up.

"...I don't mind waiting."

Spencer shook his head. "It's fine, go on ahead."

Derek looked at him, confused, but when Spencer shooed him away with his hand, he put his hands up and turned around, walking down the pathway. It was less than a minute later that a snowball hit his back. He rolled his eyes, turning around and facing Spencer. "Seriously?"

Spencer shrugged, tossing another snowball in the air and catching it. "It seemed like the perfect opportunity and I went for it."

"You really want to start this? Because I promise I'll finish it."

Spencer eyed the snowball in his hand, thinking it over, before smiling, throwing it at him. "Let's go."

Derek shook his head. "Five minutes. Make as many snowballs as you can. Winner gets first shower back at my place. Loser gets second and has to walk Clooney."

"Sounds fair," Spencer said. "Starting?"

"Now," Derek told him, bending down and starting to make as many snowballs as he could.

He stood up five minutes later. "Last chance to back out, Pretty Boy. You're from Vegas. I'm from Chicago. I know a lot more about snowball fights."

"I've read a lot," Spencer defended, setting his snowballs on the bench beside him and taking out a clean pair of gloves from his pocket and tightening his scarf. "I'll be fine."

Derek grinned at him. "Bring it on."

The two of them threw snowballs back and forth for quite some time, hitting each other and the area around them. There was no clear cut 'winner' yet, and they only had one snowball left.

Spencer stepped toward him, wincing. "Come on."

"...You okay?"

He nodded slightly, hissing. "I think I slipped on some ice running from the last snowball. My ankle's probably swollen, I'll be fine."

"...Are you sure? You can barely walk."

Spencer shrugged it off. "I'll get it checked later. I won't back down from a challenge."

Derek thought about it before he sighed, setting his snowball down and walking over. "Sit down, let me see." As he was walking toward Spencer, he was hit by a snowball on the chest. "...Seriously?"

Spencer grinned at him. "I'm from Vegas. Bluffing is taught right after our ABCs and 123s."

"So your ankle?"

"Good as ever," Spencer said, walking over to him and pulling him into a hug. "Great game."

Derek laughed, hugging him and kissing his cheek. "Enjoy the first shower."

"Believe me, I will."

They walked back to Derek's house, Derek grabbing Spencer some fresh towels and handing them to him. "Go, take your ill-gotten victory shower. While you do that, I'll start a fire and walk Clooney, then after my shower, make us some cocoa."

"That sounds great." Spencer took the towels, smiling and adjusting his bag on his shoulder. "And nowhere in the rules did you indicate that I could bluff or fake an injury."

"Obviously, next time I'll need to make conditions for our impromptu snowball fight."

"Indeed." Spencer grinned, stepping into the bathroom and closing the door.

Derek smiled to himself, shaking his head, whistling for Clooney and grabbing his leash. Once he got back from the walk, he grabbed some logs and put the in the fireplace, starting a fire and cracking the doors to the fireplace open.

Spencer came out a few minutes later, brushing through his hair and tossing the brush into his bag. "Shower's all yours, and I even saved you some hot water."

Derek smirked. "Thanks." He went to his room, grabbing a pair of pajama pants. "Once I get out, how about I put on some cocoa, then we sit in front of the fire?"

"Perfect."

Derek stayed true to his word, making them hot chocolate with some whipped cream and milk, walking out to the living room and setting it on the table.

"Thanks," Spencer said, reaching out and taking a mug, using his other hand to rub Clooney's belly.

"Pleasure was all mine. It's kind of my job, Derek said, smiling at him and sitting beside him on the couch, wrapping an arm around his shoulders and kissing his cheek.

"Not for the cocoa, though that was an amazing added bonus," Spencer explained.

Then for what?"

He shrugged. "For a great first, and hopefully not last, Valentine's date. I had an amazing time and as I said, it was everything I'd expected and so much more."

"Well, I was honored to do it, and I'm happy that I could be your first Valentine."

Spencer leaned into him, resting his head against Derek's chest. "I love you."

"I love you too." Derek looked down at him. "Everything's okay, right?"

Spencer thought it over before nodding. "Today was perfect." He knew the time would come when he had to tell Derek the truth, but he didn't want that time to be now, after having such an amazing day together. Instead, he would find the right time to do it, and that would be soon.

Derek grinned. "I'm glad."

"Me too. And for all of this? Next date is on me."

"Another date planned by Spencer Reid? Wow, you must really like me, especially considering it won't involve an apology or an assignment of any sort."

Spencer nodded. "I guess I must."