(xxxxx)

The wind was blowing ferociously as the rain poured down on her dark brown hair. She kicked the door open to her new apartment complex and ran inside carrying two paper bags. As she was about to climb the stairs, she heard a crash as her bag ripped open and spilled its contents all over the lobby floor.

"Great! Just great!" she said as she placed the other bag down and scrambled to gather the runaway fruits.

She ran towards the mailboxes to pick up one of the apples, when the door to the apartment complex swung open again.

"Would you like some help?"

She turned to see a brunette dressed in a suit and tie with a messenger bag over his shoulder looking at her holding a can out to her.

"Thank you. That would be much appreciated," she said loading up the other bag with the spilled items.

"I can carry a few things too," the man said opening his bag to let her place some items inside. Once everything was picked up they started up the stairs. "What floor?"

"Floor two. I'm 209," she said as they reached the top of the stairs.

"You're the new neighbor," he said as she glanced back at him. "I … uh … I'm 206. I heard Mr. Grayson moved to Florida to be with his family and the super told me they already found a tenant … uh … you," he explained.

She smiled at him when she reached her door. Placing the bag down on the floor, she pulled out her key and unlocked the door. They both stepped inside and heading straight for her kitchen. Along the way, she flipped on light switches. Her home was rather bare. She had a card table in the dining room, a couch, a small TV stand with a bulky TV that had rabbit ears. She placed the bag on the counter with a sigh of relief. She turned to see the man emptying his bag on to her counter. Once he was finished he smiled awkwardly at her and waved before starting to walk away.

"Wait, how can I repay your kindness?" she asked.

"No … you don't need to repay me. I'm glad to help," he smiled.

"Oh, I'm Molly," she said holding out her hand.

The man looked at her hand. He looked like he was considering something. Just when she thought about pulling her hand back, he reached out and gently shook it. His hand was soft and warm.

"Dr. Spencer Reid … wait … I mean … Spencer … just Spencer. I don't know why I said that. You don't need to know that," he stuttered nervously.

Molly giggled. "A doctor huh? And yet you don't live here?"

"I'm not a medical doctor. There are actually lots of different degrees that give the title of doctor. Veterinary, Psychology, Pharmacy, Ministry, Dentistry, Law, Health Science … you can even get a doctorate in music."

"Do you normally ramble when you're nervous?" she said smiling as she leaned against her counter.

"Uh … yes. Yes, I do," he said playing with the strap of his bag.

"You don't have to be nervous around me," she said softly. "So, what type of doctor are you? If you don't mind me asking."

"I … um … I work for the FBI … the uh, BAU, Behavioral Analysis Unit. I have PhD's in Chemistry, Engineering, and Math. I also have BA's in Psychology, Sociology, and Philosophy."

Molly raised her eyebrows in surprise.

"Good Lord. I never met a genius before," she said.

"I don't know if I would say genius – " he started.

"Oh don't be modest. You are definitely a genius," she insisted. "So FBI, huh? That sounds dangerous."

"Yea, it can be. But we are good at what we do. We don't get injured often," he said without hint of bragging.

"That's good to know," she said with a sparkle in her deep brown eyes.

Spencer felt his cheeks turning red. He looked down at his feet.

"I should … uh … probably go. Let you get settled in," he said walking toward the door.

When they reached the door, Spencer stepped outside before turning back to look at Molly. She was leaning on the door frame, her hair beginning to dry.

"It was nice to meet you," Molly said smiling.

Spencer nodded. "Yes, uh, likewise."

He walked off to his door and looked back at Molly once more before going into his apartment.

(xxxxx)

Spencer was getting ready for work when he heard a knock at his door. He placed his coffee down on the table and walked over to his door. After unlocked each bolt, he swung the door open to see a basket sitting on the floor. He looked around, but didn't see anyone. Picking the basket up, he brought it inside and placed it on the kitchen table. There was an array of muffins and a small folded piece of paper tucked in the front. He pulled it out and flipped it open.

Spencer,

Thank you for your help yesterday. See you around.

Molly

Spencer felt a smile creeping across his lips. He wasn't one to make friends easily, but she didn't seem put off by his ramblings. It might be nice to have a friend outside of work. He grabbed the basket and the rest of his belongings before heading out the door.

(xxxxx)

Spencer walked into the bullpen carrying the basket of muffins and placed them down on his desk.

"Oh, muffins!" Emily said as she rolled her chair over to steal one.

"Reid, you shouldn't have," Derek teased as he reached in and took one.

"I didn't, they are from my new neighbor," he said as he placed his bag on the floor.
"A new neighbor, huh? Another grandma eager to help out the poor skinny boy of 206," Derek said before biting into his muffin.

"No she isn't a grandma. She's actually about my age I guess," Spencer said as he picked through the basket.

Emily and Derek glanced at each other.

"A girl your age?" Emily said becoming more interested.

"Yea," Spencer said. He still had no idea they were looking at him as he peeled the paper off his blueberry muffin. He lifted it to his mouth, but stopped when he caught their glare. "What?"

"Is she pretty?" Emily said grinning from ear to ear.

"Yea, she's pretty. Why?" he asked genuinely confused.

"What does she look like?" Emily pressed further.

Spencer furrowed his brow. "Uh, she's got long dark brown hair, brown eyes, about 5 foot 7," Spencer said now looking to Derek.
"What made her bring you a basket of muffins? Or did she give one to everybody in the apartment complex?" Derek asked.

"No … uh just me. I helped her carry her groceries yesterday when her bag ripped," he said looking between the two.

"Oh, a gentleman," Emily said with a smirk.

"I'm not sure what's going on here. Why are you both looking at me that way?" Spencer asked.

"Nothing pretty boy. It's just nice to hear you are making a new friend," Derek said before turning to walk off.

"You should help her more often. These muffins are delicious," Emily said as she went back to her work.

Spencer wasn't sure exactly why they were asking him these questions, but if he had to guess it was probably due to the lack of romance in his life. He could count on one hand the women he had been with and he was getting to the point where he didn't really care anymore. He felt it was a waste of time that could be better spent somewhere else. But it didn't stop the small voice in the back of his head that kept trying to bring up Molly. He wasn't lying about her being pretty. She really was a naturally beautiful girl and she seemed like she would be nice company to have around.

(xxxxx)

Spencer walked up the stairs after work and was about to go to his apartment, when he glanced down at Molly's door. He hesitated a moment before walking over to her door and knocking on it. He heard noise inside and within a moment the door swung open. Molly had her hair up in a high ponytail that left the tips of her hair tickling her shoulders. She wore a bright pink tank top and black short shorts that made Spencer blush.

"Hey you," she said smiling.

"Hi," he said waving awkwardly at her.

"You wanna come in?" she asked stepping aside.

"Um, just for a minute. I won't keep you," he said stepping inside.

Molly shut the door and walked over to mute the television. When she bent over the couch, Spencer could see a glimpse of her ass cheeks as they peaked out. He looked away quickly, but felt his pulse racing.

"So what do I owe the pleasure?" she asked bringing his attention back to her.

"I uh … wanted to thank you for the muffins. That was very kind of you," he said as he held tightly to his bag.

"Don't mention it. I wanted to thank you for your help," she said smiling at him.

Spencer pinched his lips together unsure what to say next. Molly noticed his nervousness.

"How was work? Catch any bad guys today?"

Spencer chuckled softly.

"What? Isn't that what you do? You said your FBI right?" she asked furrowing her brow.

"Yes, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to laugh. I … it's just that we don't call them bad guys. We call them un-subs," he explained.

"What does un-sub mean?"

"It means unknown subject," Spencer replied.

"Hmm, interesting. Well, did you catch any un-subs today?" she rephrased.

"No, thankfully we were not called on a case today. We just caught up on paperwork," he said.

"Hey, I know this might sound weird, but I was just going to get some dinner and I don't know my way around here still. You wouldn't want to go get something together would you?" she asked.

He could see the nervousness in her eyes and body language. She was afraid of being rejected. Boy did he know that feeling.

"Sure. Would you mind if I go drop off my things first?" he asked.

"Not at all. I don't think this is appropriate to wear out anyway. Just come back over when you are ready."

Spencer nodded before walking out of the apartment. He once again felt a smile trying to find its way out. Nobody ever asks to hang out with him unless they are from work. He was excited to get to know Molly better.

(xxxxx)

"This Fried Rice is to die for!" Molly moaned as she took another bite of her dinner.

"You want to try the Shrimp? It's really good," Spencer asked as he lifted one of them off his plate with his fork.

Molly grabbed his fork and slowly brought the Shrimp to her mouth. Normally this would have creeped Spencer out, but for some reason it didn't bother him that she was eating off the same fork as him. She sighed as she chewed.

"Wow, that is good," she said as she covered her mouth with her napkin and wiped her lips.

"Kyoto is one of my favorite restaurants," Spencer said as he took a sip of his soda.

"I can see why," Molly agreed.

They sat silently for a few minutes eating their dinner when Spencer decided to break the silence.

"So you know what I do for a living. What is it that you do?" he asked.

"A doctor," she said looking into his eyes.

"For real?" he said in surprise.

"No I'm kidding," she giggled. He loved her laugh. "I'm actually a teacher or was a teacher. I'm trying to find a job as we speak."

"What do you teach?" Spencer asked as he went back to eating.

"I was a 3rd grade teacher."

"Where did you teach?" he asked.

"A small school in Pennsylvania. There were hardly 100 kids in total at the school. It was very intimate. I loved it," she said getting a far off look in her eyes.

"If you loved it, what made you leave?" Spencer said.

"Uh … unfortunate circumstances," she said as she shoveled a mouthful of rice into her mouth.

Spencer knew she didn't want to talk further about it so he didn't push the subject. They continued the small talk during the rest of the meal. By the time they left the restaurant it was starting to get cooler out.

"Geez, the temperature is really dropping. Yesterday I was in shorts, now I feel like I need pants and a jacket," Molly said as she pulled her little purple cardigan tighter around herself.

Spencer shrugged out of his suit jacket and draped it over her shoulders.

"A cold front is coming through. It's supposed to be only a high of 67 tomorrow," Spencer said.

Molly couldn't believe how he sacrificed his warmth for her and didn't even give her a chance to acknowledge it. He really was a rare human being. She felt her heart skip a beat, which scared her. She just wanted to be his friend. Nothing more. She had to keep telling herself that. No matter what her and Spencer couldn't be more than friends.

By the time they got back to the apartment, Molly realized she had missed half of what Spencer was saying due to zoning out. She reached her door and unlocked it. Turning around she leaned on the door frame and smiled.

"I had a really great time tonight. Thank you again for your hospitality," she said.

"I had a great time as well," he said smiling at her.

"Goodnight Spencer," she said softly.

"Goodnight Molly," he said in return.

She slowly closed the door and leaned on it. She placed her hands on stomach and sighed. It was going to be harder than she thought not falling for him, but it was for his own good.