So it's probably not Monday anymore in your time zone. Sorry about that. Though isn't still Monday somewhere, right? Anyways, that's to everyone who has shown this story love and support! I really appreciate it!

I didn't know how to feel after my first case. It was a whirl wind to say the least. We had been gone just over sixty hours and I had experienced so many emotions during those sixty hours than I ever thought was possible.

After we had landed, Hotch took me with him to talk to the police department. It was going to be my job to gather all the information and form a short, concise statement to tell the press. Of course, everything had to be approved by him first. I would also be in charge of giving press and media updates as the case progressed. I didn't have authorization so I wasn't allowed to go out in the field or to visit a crime scene without Hotch's supervision. That was fine with me. Looking at all the bodies, blood, and disgust was something I wanted as little to do with as possible. That was always my least favorite part about working at the Seattle Police Department but I was lucky that hardly any of that came my way.

Once the case progressed to the point where we knew we were looking for a teenage boy who was hitch hiking and that's how he was getting his victims, did I have any problems with the press. "So you're saying we shouldn't help kids in need?" "Do we need to keep our children inside?" "How are you going to handle a case with a child as the criminal?" "Is this something that any child is capable of?" The questions were nonstop, and not all of them were very relevant to the case. I feel like I held it together really well. I stuck to what I had already planned on saying and then said that once we knew more we would inform them. After that I simply thanked them and walked away. Of course this sparked more questions.

"You're doing really well," Rossi told me when I went back into the police station. Everyone was gathered inside, going over more of the case. I was shaking a bit, not use to dealing with such high publicity cases.

"Thank you," I whispered softly and sat down. Thankfully, that was the last press conference I had to do. We caught the kid a couple of hours after that. All I had to do was deliver the good news and leave. That's exactly what I did. However, there were still a ton of questions, some of which were inappropriate, but I directed all other questions to the police department. The FBI's work here was done.

We all bored the jet, ready to go back home. I was excited that I had just finished my first case and I couldn't wait to go back home and tell JJ all about it.

"So," said Emily once we were all sitting and had taken off. "How was your first case? Everything you dreamed of and more?" She smiled at me which I returned.

"It was great. Is it wrong to say that I enjoyed it? Because I really enjoyed it." I felt bad saying I really had fun and greatly enjoyed this case since people died. I guess it is good I like my job right? I just feel a bit morbid that I like it so much since several people, including children, have lost their lives.

"Hey, that's totally fine," Emily said, reassuring me. "If we all didn't have the same passion and care for what we did. We would really suck at being profilers."

"Or we'd find different careers," Morgan chipped in. The rest of them nodded their agreement.

"Okay, that's good." I felt relieved that I wasn't the only to feel this way. Working for the FBI is a strange and wonderful feeling. Obviously something I haven't experienced before so I was questioning just about everything I thought and felt. "JJ kinda prepped me before I came out but I guess nothing really prepares you for it."

"Ain't that the truth," Morgan said with a half laugh. "You never know what you're going to see or hear on the job. It's fucking crazy."

"Yeah, I can see that," I said.

"Once we land," said Hotch in his firm, commanding voice, "you and I will go into my office and go over how to file paper work after a case. Then I'll have Garcia go over how to choose cases. You and her will be in charge of that. Cases can come at any time, day or night."

"Yes, sir," I said, nodding my head.

"C'mon, Hotch, it's the girls first case. We should go out and celebrate tonight." Part of me thought Morgan was suggesting this just to see me drunk again. However, another part of me thought he might actually mean it. It's probably the latter.

Hotch sighed heavily then said, "I guess that wouldn't be a terrible idea. I do need to show you how to do the paper work. After that if you guys want to go out and have fun, that's fine. We don't have anything scheduled for tomorrow anyways."

"Awesome! I'll just stop by JJ's and change then I can meet you guys wherever," I said, feeling the excitement sinking in.

"Is that where you're staying?" asked Emily.

I nodded. "Yeah, I'm just staying with her and crashing on her couch until I can find a place for myself. It's not a terrible arrangement. I've slept on their couch before. Plus Henry is so stinkin' cute, I love being around him. But I do really need to start looking more into my own place. I don't have a good study area at JJ's and I kinda need that."

"Are you a book worm like our Lover Boy over here?" Morgan elbowed Spencer gently and I saw color enter Spencer's face.

"Books are fun," Spencer said softly, bringing his eyes to meet mine.

"Books definitely are fun," I said, agreeing with Spencer. "But I'm also working on my PhD and I need lots of space for that. Especially when I get on my kicks. I'll spend like fourteen, fifteen hours going through books and articles that I could use for my dissertation. You should have seen my desk at home. Literally stacks on stacks of information."

"That's really impressive," Rossi said, making me smile.

"Thank you. I've been working really hard on it."

"When do you defend it?" Spencer asked me. The only person in the room, or well jet, that has gotten a PhD.

"Not for a while still. Plenty of time to prepare, but you know how it is. You write your paper, you think it's terrible, you cry and question what you're even doing with your life and contemplate just running off and starting over. Then you nap and reread your paper and realize it's not as bad as you think, you just need more information and some minor changes to make. Nothing that will destroy your life." I watched Spencer as I spoke, hoping he of all people would understand what I was going through. But his face was blank. Like I was talking gibberish or something. Apparently getting a PhD is not something Spencer and I can actually talk about and bond over.

"I had my papers done within a couple weeks and they only needed minor revision. I thought it was pretty easy." It was obvious he was proud of this. And in a way he should be. Getting a doctorate is a big damn deal. Except for most people it is a lot more stressful.

"Reid, you also have three PhDs. Lila's just working on her first," Morgan said, laughing at Spencer's face. "She is doing her damn hardest."

"Thanks," I said with a light laugh, "I'm surely trying."

The rest of the flight was fun. We all talked about this and that. I got to learn more about my coworkers and what they're like. I'm going to be spending a lot of time with these people so I should know the well. JJ says they are all one big family and I can definitely see that. I hope that I can one day be totally a part of that. I'm getting there, but I'm still the new girl. I'm still a bit of an outsider. It'll take time but I'm willing to be patient.

Once we got back, Hotch showed me how to do the post filing paper work. It didn't look that hard, but a bit time consuming. When possible Penelope would be helping me with it since we're both working the same position. Well she's still the tech person and everything but we're going to be working together when it comes to going through cases. Working with her always brings me joy.

Xoxo

He was excited when Morgan suggested they all go out after they got off, which was strange of him to think. He was sure he had never had a positive thought about going out for drinks before but there's a first time for everything right?

Lila was still with Hotch when he and Morgan exited the building. "Ready for some fun tonight, Reid?" Morgan asked him playfully.

"Yeah, I kind of am," he admitted quietly.

"I'm guessing this has nothing to do with a certain blonde that now works with us, huh?" Morgan's teasing smile took up his whole face. "Are you gonna actually talk to her? Besides the few comments you made on the jet?"

"I'd like to, I just don't know what I should say. We haven't talked since she was last out here."

"Reid, she's pretty easy going. Just say something to her. Make and effort. I'm sure she'll notice and pull the conversation forward." He did have to admit, Morgan's advice was good. In all their previous conversations, she was the one to take the lead. He was more comfortable with that. Maybe that would be his approach.

"Thanks, Morgan." The two of them parted ways and headed to their respected homes to get ready.

He was pleased to find out that the bar they were going to was more on the calmer side, comparted to where they went before. And the train would take him just a block away. He didn't have to rely on Morgan picking him up, though he did offer, and he could leave whenever he pleased.

He got himself ready and read a book before heading out to this bar. He was nervous and excited about this. He hadn't gotta a chance to really talk to Lila since she came back. Granted it's been less than a week. Still, he had to put all his focus on the case instead of how her outfits shaped her body, or the shade of red lipstick she wore that made her lips look plumper. He had noticed all these things and did not even get a chance to tell her. Or kiss her. He would really like to kiss her again. Hopefully he would get his chance.

The girls were all there by the time he walked in. He smiled and waved at them before joining them at their table. "Hey," he said as he sat down.

"Boy Wonder! Welcome!" Penelope said cheerfully. "You are the first male to join us!"

"Hey, Spencer," Lila said, smiling at him as he sat down.

It was about twenty minutes before Morgan arrived. Before then, he listened to Lila, Penelope, and Emily talk about girl things. They talked about getting their hair done in different styles and the types of makeup they use. He didn't understand any of it.

Rossi and Hotch came after Morgan. The group spent most of the time talking about this or that. He wasn't focusing too much on what was being said. He was too busy stealing glances at Lila.

His drink of choice was water. The others each had a glass of alcohol but nothing excessive. This time was going to be nothing like when he went out two years ago. He was thankful for that. He wanted to actually have a conversation with Lila, not have her totally drunk.

He had a couple glances of water before excusing himself to the bathroom. On his way back to the table, he ran into Lila at the bar, ordering another drink.

"Spencer!" She smiled at him as she spoke. "Want a drink? My treat?"

"N-no, I'm fine. Thanks anyways," he said awkwardly.

"Alright. If you change your mind, just let me know." She put some money on the bar counter and waited for her drink to be served to her.

"So," he said, trying to start a conversation but struggling to. "You like to drink?"

She laughed. "Yeah, I do. I'm sure you emember how I drank way too much last time. And I still occasionally get like that. But as of late I just enjoy a drink or two out with friends."

"Do you like to drink more than just alcohol?" He regretted the way that came out as soon as he spoke. What a stupid question to ask.

"Uh, yeah?" She seemed a bit confused by what he asked and he didn't blame her. "I'm a fan of going for coffee with my friends too if that's what you're asking. Caffeine comes in handy when you need to stay up and study. I did a lot of that back in college. The habit never really died."

"That's great," he said, "I like getting coffee too. Is that, is that something you would like? To get coffee with me?" He had no idea where this surge of confidence was coming from. It was like a confident spirit or something invaded his body and asked Lila out on a date (if he believed in spirits possessing people that is).

"Oh, Spencer," Lila said in a soft tone. Her face fell a bit and he instantly regretted talking to her at all. Of course she would turn him down. "I would, but Ben and I got back together."

This was a situation he had thought about. There was history between her and Ben. He knew this. He had seen the texts between them. More than he should have. For whatever reason she liked him. Obviously she would want to get back together with Ben. Spencer himself made no effort to contact her during the two years she was away. It was stupid of him to think that she would be available. Despite being a genius be sure felt like a fucking idiot.

"Oh, right. That's fine. I get it. Listen, it was nice seeing you. Congrats on getting the job. I'll see you tomorrow at work." He left quickly before she could say anything. He didn't want to be humiliated anymore than he already was. This quick getaway is exactly why he was glad he took to train here.

I added more of Spencer's point of view. I really like doing that. I definitely want the majority of the story to be from Lila's point of view but here and there add Spencer. What do you guys think? About anything with this chapter or the story in general. Comments and suggestions are appreciated! Until next week!