Chapt 5: Defining a Dream
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It was a relatively calm day at BAU headquarters in Quantico as the adrenaline build up from the weekend's case ebbed and left the team in various crash states. Case notes and paperwork were the order of the day, so it was with little surprise that by 3 o'clock the BAU computer screens showed varying stages of FreeCell, Minesweeper, Spider Solitaire, or other digital distractions.
For Spencer Reid his need for distraction was two-fold; one he shared with his co-workers. The other was Dulcinea. He was going to at least talk to her and if all went well he would accept her invitation, but that was tonight when he was away from here. He had no intention of letting the others know about his mystery woman, at least not until he knew her name.
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Once again he found himself standing at the door to the apartment below his. This time however his nerves were on edge for decidedly different reasons. He'd considered retreating to his own apartment with every step, and now he was considering it again.
Finally, he knocked on her door. Just as before there was no answer to his staccato rapping. He knocked again. Still no answer. Great, I actually do this and no one's home. Reid silently wondered if he'd have the nerve to come back later or if he should even bother. Memories of last night's dreams assaulted him accompanied by the dark fears the generated. No, he would come by later, if only to prove to his traitorous subconscious that she was real and not that kind of Dulcinea! With that decided he made his way towards his own abode only to confronted with the very subject of his thoughts.
She was dressed much the same as the last time he saw her, save for the unbuttoned black dress shirt over her maroon tank top and the heavily laden backpack on her shoulder. When she saw him her smile seemed to brighten and unless he was terribly mistaken her cheeks flushed.
"Hey, I was beginning to think you hadn't taken me seriously," her eyes sparkling as she looked at him.
As he thought how close to correct she was, Spencer felt the flush coming over his own face and his body reacted to her presence of it's own accord. "Yeah, sorry about that. We only got back last night."
'We', she wondered who 'we' was but forced herself not to ask. She opted for a safer, "Oh, any place interesting?"
"It may have been. We didn't exactly have time to play tourist."
"Business trip," she rolled her eyes in understanding and offered a silent 'thank you' to the powers that be.
"Yeah."
"So, you here about dinner?" she asked as she adjusted her bag.
"If the offer's still available."
She looked slightly shocked, "Of course it is! But could we talk about it inside? I really need to get this monkey off my back."
"Oh, sure. Here, let me take it."
Chivalrous as usual, she said to herself. To him, "I don't think you really want to- it's a bit heavy."
Even as she said the words, Reid was removing the hefty load from her shoulders.
"What's in here the entire Encyclopedia Britannica?"
She laughed as she replied, "No, but close- textbooks."
"You're a student?" Reid was surprised and pleased at the idea.
"Guilty," she said as she opened the door, "for the next few months anyway." Entering the apartment, "Come on in. I don't think anything in here bites." She set her keys on the table inside the door, "Just drop that anywhere. Can I get you something to drink?" she asked as she headed for the kitchen.
For some reason the question startled him, "No, no thanks." Spencer cleared his throat self-consciously, "So what are you studying?"
Returning with a can of diet soda she plopped down on the couch. "I'm working on my MLS at Catholic."
"You're a librarian?" The incredulity in his voice was apparent.
"Soon, and technically I'll be a research librarian."
"Nice," a genuine smile on his face as he realized he was with a fellow geek- albeit a beautiful one. "So, about dinner…"
"Right. You probably have plans for the weekend, so how about Monday?"
Almost sheepishly, fidgeting with his hands and looking down causing his light brown locks to fall into his face, "actually, I don't. Have plans, I mean."
It was her turned to look startled, "Really?"
Looking up for a brief moment, "Really." Spencer summoned up his courage for his next question, which came out in just one word, "You?"
"I'm a librarian, remember. Of course I don't have plans, unless you count that," she flipped a hand toward her bag on the floor.
Reid smiled a giddy schoolboy smile, "There was a time when I would."
She laughed. "How 'bout tomorrow then?"
"That'd be great, well, unless something comes up at work."
That got a quizzical look out of her. "You must be important to your office."
"I wouldn't say that."
Deciding the topic would make good dinner discussion, she chose not to pursue it just yet. Instead, she cocked her head, "Well, tomorrow then. Around 8 good for you?"
"Fine. I guess I'll see you then." He moved towards the door, ready to make a hasty exit before his rising blood pressure caused his heart to explode or other parts of his anatomy got similar ideas.
Getting up from her position on the couch, "Wait a minute." She walked up to him and looked deep into his eyes, "What's your name?"
He'd completely forgotten about the names; he'd been too consumed by dinner arrangements. "Spencer. Reid." his voice was breathy as he took in her scent and felt her closeness.
"Spencer," she smiled as she said it. "Well, Spencer Reid I'm Ashlyn Lieman."
"Ashlyn?"
She let out a small chuckle, "Yes. Look it up and I'll see you tomorrow."
She smiled and gave him a peck on the cheek as he left.
Just as the door closed she heard Spencer's voice call out, "Dream."
Ashlyn grinned wider than she had in ages- he was noble, smart, drop-dead gorgeous, and tomorrow night he was having dinner with her.
