Reid set up the chessboard in the diner exactly where they left off.

"Thanks! Eidetic memory comes in handy, sometimes." Natalie teased.

Reid smiled without showing his teeth, a sight Natalie enjoyed. She smirked at him.

"Checkmate."

"What?" Reid asked, confused. "No way."

Natalie showed the move she just made as the waiter brought their milkshakes.

The waiter seemed to overhear the conversation and he was trying not to laugh at the antics of the two.

"You two are a cute couple." He told them and walked away.

Reid's eyes practically bulged out of his head as did Natalie's. Natalie sipped her milkshake, trying not to look at Reid. His face became red and for the first time, she blushed too.

Reid put his hand behind his neck, he pursed his lips together as he locked eyes with Natalie.

She titled her head as she still had her straw in her mouth, clearly pretending to drink the shake as to avoid saying anything. This wouldn't be so awkward if feelings weren't involved, we would just laugh it off. Natalie thought to herself. Right?

Reid decided to give this one to Natalie, "What do you think of what he just said?" His words were smooth as he had somehow calmed down his blushing, his face now at its normal color and his body relaxed.

Natalie looked at him a little confused, Reid had settled into himself. Something she knew he was quite capable of but it still shocked her. After all, he was still the quirkiest agent. It's a side of Reid the team didn't get to see much unless he was spitting out facts or practicing magic.

She raised an eyebrow and thought for a moment before answering, she read what Reid wanted her to do but she decided to throw it back at him, "What do I think of it? I think it's true." Natalie let the words roll off her tongue as she took another sip of her milkshake, trying to hide the fact that she was a little shaky.

Reid looked stunned, she had made him blush again which made her smile and a giggle burst through.

Reid couldn't help as a laugh escaped his lips too. He shook his head. That was quite the hint she gave. He decided he needed to tell her about his feelings, he guessed or profiled she would reciprocate given the flirtatious nature of their conversations at times as well as the level of care she displayed for him. But sharing feelings with someone was still such a vulnerable thing, he couldn't be sure. He decided the risk was worth it given he never had the chance to be with Maeve.

Reid moved the chessboard so nothing was between the two of them besides their milkshakes.

He sighed deeply before he began.

Natalie's heart started to race. She didn't realize how nervous she would be or how much she had longed to tell the truth but she didn't want to initiate it. She knew about Maeve and he knew about Connor, the past made her hesitate. She didn't want Reid to think she was projecting or anything like that. Her body tensed as she waited for the agent to let his words confirm what she felt.

"Nat," he placed both hands on the table, he kept fidgeting with them as he spoke.

"Every-time I've thought to say this, it seemed like a bad time. I don't want to worry about that. What happened with Maeve and Connor is awful and I know neither of us will ever forget them or how they made us feel. I know we will always love them and that's okay."

Natalie smiled at his thoughtfulness to mention each of the loves of their lives that were gone. She appreciated that about him and how much they understood that about each other.

Reid continued, "I've gone back and forth because what happened with Maeve makes me hesitate to share feelings, what if I share and they aren't reciprocated or something happens to you." He swallowed thinking about that. "But then I thought again and I think I should share, I really think Maeve wouldn't want me to be lonely all of my life. I wouldn't say I'm miserable but I think I'd get there if I didn't share these feelings with you."

Natalie watched him for a moment, he started to speak again, "I'm trying to lay everything out right now. It's hard so I don't know how to describe this but I do know I care for you a great deal in a way I haven't cared for others. It's different. I really do always want your company. You understand me on a level no one on this earth does. The only person who has understood me better is Maeve and maybe, my mom."

Natalie nodded in understanding and gave a small smile, she decided to reach for the hands laying on the table, she held them as he spoke.

"I'm not afraid of your touch, I like it. You make me laugh which is not easy. You're kind and strong, two qualities I didn't realize could act together. Despite your strength, I feel a strong desire to protect you which is not something I feel often. It's something I do but to feel this need to protect is not a natural trait for me. I tried to push these feelings down but I can't, I don't want to."

Natalie smiled, she gave an empathetic look to his vulnerability in sharing with her.

Reid was going to begin again but Natalie interrupted this time, hands still holding his,

"I'm going to come out and say this first, it's a relief to hear you share these feelings. It's like fresh air as silly as that sounds because the feelings I have for you are so real, I was afraid of them. I was afraid they meant I'd forget Connor but thank you for saying that about him and Maeve too. They are people we can't forget and I don't want either one of us too." Natalie locked eyes for the next part she was about to say. She didn't really know what it would be but she let the words come as they did, she wasn't going to sugarcoat or clean it up.

"My turn to be as vulnerable as you, an admirable trait by the way. I was drawn to you. When Morgan first told me about you, I was amazed and intrigued by you. But I didn't know you yet but I knew a lot about you from Morgan. Everything he told me about you made me want to know you. And then I did know you. And everything I learned about you made me fall for you over and over. Although at the time, I thought I just really liked your friendship. I look back and I know it was more. It was quick and felt too fast but that's okay. Fast isn't fast if it's right. I care so deeply for you and I admire you. I have never needed protection but I'll happily take it. I have so much respect for you, who you are, and everything you've gone through. You make me laugh too, although I don't know that it's intentional. I like it when you become so confident in yourself when you aren't sharing facts or practicing magic. It's a side of you that I've only seen you display around me so far, it's sweet. You are very sweet and that makes me fall harder."

Natalie let out a deep breath, "mouth full. sorry."

Reid smiled and squeezed her hands, he shook his head, "Don't be sorry. I'm very happy."

"Me too." She replied.

"That being said, I'd like to take you-you on a date." He said trying to portray the confident side of him she had mentioned.

"Do you want this to count?" She asked.

"Do you?" He asked, stunned.

She laughed and shrugged, "When do you want to take me on a date, Dr. Reid?"

A laugh escaped him, "Dr. Reid? Not Spence now?"

She shrugged again, "teasing."

"Is tomorrow too soon?" He asked, seriously.

"Pending a case, tomorrow's perfect." She smiled.

The pair finished the chess game Natalie won and started another one, Natalie was so glad the waiter said what he did because who knows when the quirky pair have would have told each other how they felt if he hadn't.

They ordered two more milkshakes and fries to dip them in, neither of them wanted the night to end but it would eventually come to a close but until it did, they stayed extremely present in the moment, both evading happiness.