Reid's mouth twitched a bit as he concentrated, sitting at the table again. This did not go unnoticed with Lila. She didn't know what to do with herself and found her eyes focused on Reid. Another person may not enjoy being watched, but Reid was an anomaly to her, much like most people who encountered him.

"What is it?" she asked.

"It's interesting… the unsub obviously knows we have a history…" he picked up another letter, "But there are no details about us. About anything. It's like everything he knows about us is simply… hearsay."

"Rumors?" Lila clarified.

"Yeah… like what the… tabloids said about us." Reid remembered the magazines, 'the mystery man in Lila Archer's life'. That was one thing he was glad he never had to deal with. He was in the public eye enough; he didn't need his romantic life under a microscope. "Again… it's public record."

He tossed the letter aside and rubbed his eyes. He was getting tired. Despite the obscene amount of coffee, it wasn't enough to battle the minimal sleep the boy was running on.

"Reid," Elle said, getting his attention. He dropped his hands and looked to her with tired eyes, seeing her point towards the door.

It had been left open after Hotch and Morgan's departure. Riley stood at the threshold, unsure if it were alright to enter. An odd sensation hit him. Mixed with the relief of her arrival and anxiety from the fact Lila was still in the room.

"You know," Lila said, standing up. "I think I could use some coffee."

"Yeah, I don't know what's taking Morgan so long." Elle replied, standing with her. "I'll show you where it is."

Lila's hand rested on Spencer's shoulder. "Can I get you any, Spencer?"

Riley resisted the urge not to scream to keep her manicured paw off her boyfriend. Though it was next to impossible to remain calm, seeing Reid twist tensely at her touch. "No," his voice squeaked, standing up. He flashed her an uneasy smile. "I'm okay."

"Okay," she gave him a smile, not bothering to even acknowledge Riley was staring at her, and left with Elle.

Once she was out of sight, Reid calmed down, giving Riley a relaxed smile. "Hi. You're a sight for sore eyes."

She wanted to apologize, but the bitterness seeped over the gentler feelings. She set her coffee on the table. "Spencer… what is going on with you two?"

"Nothing!" he cried, going to stand with her. "I can't believe you would even think that. You're smarter than that."

"Oh, I'm sorry, I don't have an IQ of 187. When I see my boyfriend act like an idiot over another girl, I tend to feel a little doubtful."

"Riley, that's ridiculous." He put his hands on her hips, pulling her close to him. He wrapped his arms around her, but she refused to give into the embrace. "If I need to remind you how madly in love you I am…"

He pressed his lips to her temple. Riley wanted to believe him and give into his touch, but she pulled back from his arms. "I'm not blind, Spencer. You think I didn't see you before… or just now. I don't make you tense up like that. I don't make you nervous like she does. I've barely been in the same room with you two and I've never seen you act so… abnormal before. She does that to you. I don't."

Reid took a step away. "Because when I'm around you, I feel safe and comfortable."

"Safe and comfortable." She repeated in a bitter tone. "Wow, that's sexy."

After a long silence, Reid spoke in a soft tone. "I used to feel nervous around you."

At first, Riley felt her stomach drop out, unsure what was going to follow those words. Perhaps she'd finally managed to push him away. Reid moved towards her. "I wasn't late."

Those words were unexpected. "What?"

"The day we met… I wasn't late." He explained.

"What are talking about? I waited for you for two-"

"I got to the restaurant on time." He interrupted. "I was dreading that evaluation, you know that because of all the times I cancelled… I kept assuring myself if I stayed calm and focused, there wouldn't be a problem and I would keep my job… and then I looked in the window."

He paused. "My eyes landed on this… creature… this… Snow White… she was beautiful. Her hair was braided and she wore glasses over eyes that sparkled like diamond dust and… she had slightly crooked teeth that gave her a very minor overbite that made her irresistibly cute. I had never seen anyone so beautiful."

Riley listened to the tale. There was an overwhelming pressure in her eyes, like she wanted to cry, and had to look away. Spencer's thumb brushed her lip as he spoke. "I loved watching her lips as she spoke to the waiter. I watched her… and I was so lightheaded… I couldn't move… I could barely breathe.

"And then Snow White pulled out a brown folder. With the FBI seal on it. And I was shocked. I knew immediately who she was… I was supposed to sit in front of this woman and let her psychologically evaluate me… I couldn't get a grip on myself outside, how was I supposed to sit in front of her and not be nervous?"

The tears were getting harder to hold back. She still couldn't look at him. "After awhile, I still couldn't get under control… all I wanted to do was watch you. I didn't know you were going to be my therapist, I didn't know I was going to fall in love with you, I had no idea how upside down my life was going to turn… all I wanted to do was be near you. And then you got up to leave and… I wasn't ready to let you go… I'd never be ready to let you go."

"Spencer…" she whispered. A few tears had finally made a break for it.

"Lila does make me nervous… but not as bad as you did. My body has instincts that act on their own. You know that, you're a doctor. And it makes my mind foggy and I am not in control. I hate not being in control." He paused, his hand resting on her cheek. "I used to feel like that around you, but I'm glad I don't anymore. I'm not terrified I'm going to be humiliated or ridiculed by you. I know that no matter what I do, you are on my side, even if I'm wrong… you come near me and I feel content, you hold me at night and I feel protected… so if you ask me, safe and comfortable… is pretty amazing."

He watched her, waiting for a response. Riley's eyes were fixed on his, another tear managed to slip out. Without a word, her arm went around Reid's neck, pulling them together. Her lips met his, kissing him in a way no else ever could.

Reid's hands went back to her hips. Their kiss lasted until the last possible second without the need for oxygen. "I'm sorry," she whispered, pressing her forehead to his. Her eyes remained closed as more tears dripped out. Her hand stroked the back of his head. "I'm sorry I got so jealous. Just the thought of losing you makes me crazy. I can't live without you."

"You're not going to lose me." He said. "You're stuck with me, too."

Now could be it. It wasn't perfect, it wasn't romantic or in a warm, idealistic setting… but Reid couldn't envision a better time.

Reid's one arm went around her waist, pulling her closer. He leaned close to her ear to whisper, one hand slipped into the pocket of his sweater. The box came into his fingers, ready to emerge.

"Riley… do you remember… when Engles had us… and I made you run away?" He began.

"Yeah," she huffed into his hair.

"And when Andrews… kidnapped you and tried to stab me to death?"

"Unfortunately, yes…" She grumbled. Her grip on him became tighter.

"I would gladly die for you, at any time. Deciding that," he kissed her cheek and pulled back to look in her eyes, "I don't even have to think, it's one of easiest decisions I could ever make. I have no problem giving my life for you… but… I want to give my life to you."

She looked frightened, "Spencer… what are saying?"

"Reid." Hotch said in the doorway.

Quickly, Reid and Riley pulled apart. Reid said a silent curse towards his boss. It didn't matter if Hotch left this very second, the moment was ruined. His hand came out of his pocket, empty.

"What is it?" Riley asked.

"I want everyone sent home. It's getting late and I need everyone here in the morning." He explained.

"What's going on?" Reid asked.

"I just spoke to NYPD." He explained. "They… matched the eye found in Lila's flowers."

"Wow… I take it that means… it's someone important." Reid inferred.

Hotch took a deep breath. "It belongs to Adam Jackson."

Reid was without speech. His chest began to feel tight. And it suddenly made sense. The flash of those eyes, in the mindset of Amanda, staring at him in triumph across the hotel lobby. "They're sure?"

"DNA matches," Hotch explained. "They explained that Adam was found dead today in his room. He'd been killed in his sleep. Once they started the autopsy… they found his left eye removed."

Though she may not know much about Lila, Riley did know about Amanda/Adam. "How did he die?" Riley asked.

"He was stabbed in the stomach and bled out. It seems almost like a suicide, but there was no weapon present. It has to be murder."

"It has to," Reid exclaimed. "Larisssa Henshstein, Myra Little, and Ethan were killed the same way. The prostitutes were stabbed in the stomach and bled out, too. It's all connected."

"Elle's case and this case? You really think it's the same?" Hotch asked.

It didn't matter right now. Reid just had a horrible thought. "Hotch… I need to use your phone."

Without waiting for permission, Reid pushed past him and hurried to his office. Hotch and Riley were in quick pursuit. They caught up as he was in the middle of dialing. "Yes, this is Dr. Spencer Reid with the BAU. I need to be connected to the Las Vegas Field Office. My parents need to be picked up in protective custody immediately and brought to Virginia. We have an unsub who is targeting me and I am certain their lives are in danger." He paused, listening. "My father is William Reid, it's important that you pick him up first. My mother is Diana Reid, she's a patient at the Bennington Sanitarium. It'll be easier to get her to come if he's there. She trusts him… Thank you, I'll hold."

"Reid…" Hotch's tone was soft. He wanted to be sure he wasn't jumping to conclusions. "Do you really think it's escalated to that?"

Reid looked at Hotch. There was fear and panic in his eyes. "Adam Jackson is dead. He was in a maximum security criminal hospital. If the unsub can get in there… he can definitely get to my mother."

Reid was right. He waited to be connected as Hotch gave a nod. "I'm going to send everyone home."

"Hotch," he called before he left. "Don't let Lila leave. I want to accompany her to the hotel so I can make sure she's safe."

Hotch agreed, leaving them. Reid was desperate for the office to connect, unbelieving a moment ago, he felt relaxed and confidant enough to propose.

He was grateful when two warm arms wrapped around him from behind. "It's going to be okay." Riley whispered, placing a kiss on the back of his neck. Nothing could calm him like the warm embrace of roses.