The next week passed by, and I didn't hear from Spencer. He was probably busy with work, so I found myself bored. Who knew that routine could become boring after so long and after being introduced to something new?

Please note the sarcasm.

It was a Wednesday morning when I next heard from Spencer, via text.

Sarah – would you like to get coffee tomorrow morning at Backroads?

I responded, indicating that I very much would love to get coffee with him, and before I knew it, I was sitting at a table with Spencer across from me that next morning.

"Morning," I said as he sat across from me.

"Morning." He set down a few files on the table, and began to scan over them.

"Busy couple of days?" I asked.

"Yeah, but today should be relatively calm."

"Fatal last words," I murmured sipping my mocha.

"You're, unfortunately, probably right," he said.

"As I usually am…I saw that the FBI was brought into those bank robberies on Monday…did that include the BAU?"

"Yeah, JJ's now-husband was hurt."

"Now-husband?" I questioned.

"Yeah, she married him on Sunday after the whole situation was over."

"That's amazing, tell her I said congratulations!" I said. "I'll bet it was a beautiful ceremony."

"Yeah, and their son was just as happy as they were."

"I'll bet," I said grinning at the thought. I took a bite of my croissant as Spencer asked me a question.

"Sarah…where do you see this going?"

"This?"

"Us."

"Oh," I said, wiping my mouth of crumbs with a napkin. "I don't really know."

"I mean, what should I say if my coworkers ask what we are?"

"Um…is there a reason they would be asking?" I asked. I didn't know if Spencer would talk about me outside of our conversations. He didn't seem like the kind to bring up his personal life without much prodding.

"They have a tendency to tease and notice things…it often leads to invasive ways of finding out who or what has changed in my life, so it's likely they'll want to know why I am with you so much. I figure if I give them an upfront answer, its less likely one of them will dig intrusively into your life as well."

"Well," I said, oddly touched that he wanted to prevent intrusively into my life, "I like hanging out with you and I really enjoyed our date, so is there a label you want to put on this?" I had a feeling that I knew where he was going with this, but I wanted him to take the lead, so as not to overstep.

"I guess, what I am trying to ask, is are we dating? Are we a couple?" he asked, leaning forward, his hazel eyes meeting my gaze.

"I think I'd like that," I said, reaching my hand across the table to cover his. It was a small gesture, but it felt right. Not too intimate, not too intruding. Just right.

"I would too," he said, smiling.

"So, I guess that makes you my boyfriend?" I said, instantly cringing as I said it. "Ew, wait no, I take that back. That sounds so cringy when I say it out loud."

"Significant other?"

"That sounds much better and far less like a YA novel," I said, smiling as I took a sip of my mocha. Just then Spencer's phone rang. He motioned for one second, picking up the phone.

"This is Dr. Reid," he said. Instantly, I saw his face harden ever-so-slightly. I knew then that he absolutely was getting called into work.

"I'll be there in 30," he said, hanging up. He turned to face me, his face already preparing to apologize.

"Duty calls?" I asked.

"Yeah, and I'm really sorry-" he started, but I waved him off.

"No need to apologize. Someone needs to protect us from the serial killers of the world."

"Thanks, and I'll call you when I get back and maybe teach you to make pad thai?" he said, gathering his files and coffee.

"Sounds great," I said, getting up to help him. "There you are."

"Thanks."

"Be safe, okay?" I said.

"I will," he confirmed. I tentatively stretched on my toes, and gave him a soft peck.

"Feel free to call me, okay?"

"I will," he affirmed. "See you when I get back."

"Great…Bye!" I said, and with that he turned to leave the shop. I sat back in my chair, the conversation now hitting me.

Oh. My. God.

I was dating someone.

I was in a relationship with someone.

This was a major break in routine, but it technically was allowed. I finished drinking my coffee as I thought over the day I had ahead.

I had work and then dinner and then sleep.

So exciting.

But the mere prospect of Spencer calling did give me something to look forward to. I quickly gathered my stuff and began my trek to my apartment to get ready for work. After I showered, I was about to get dressed when I noticed a text on my phone from Spencer.

Heading to Texas – call you later?

I quickly sent a response.

Sounds perfect. Be safe!

I got ready for the day, ensuring the door was locked tightly. As I made my walk to work, I felt a certain pep in my step and a smile on my face. There were feelings inside of me that I hadn't felt in years. When I sat at my desk at a job that I held a certain amount of hatred for, I couldn't help by think of the messy haired doctor and his many quirks.

And I couldn't wait to try his famed pad thai.

I also couldn't wait to see him again.