I realize that this story is becoming huge so a quick summary: Reid met his wife on Pi day and marries her about a year later. They have a child, named Jenna together. His wife dies when Jenna is around seven. Reid quits the BAU to teach at Georgetown. It is now five years later and Reid is considering another relationship. Please feel free to review other chapters.

Chapter Twenty-Five

"I must be behaving a like a good girl," Jenna said on the way to Garcia's. "First dinner at Aunt Penelope's and next week you're letting me stay over-night at a friend's house on a school night. You should have sent me to talk to Aunt J.J. ages ago."

"Maybe I should have. Ms. Long said it will be a study night and you're being sent to the guest room at ten. Don't forget she is a light sleeper."

"And single," she said with a grin.

Reid nearly stopped the car. "What?"

"Come on, Dad. She work in the Smithsonian, around your age, and Tess would make a great step-sister."

"What makes you think I'd be interested in another relationship?"

"Dad it's been five years. Don't you get lonely?"

"I have you."

"But you what I mean," she said with a broad smile.

"I am not having this conversation with you," he said keeping his eyes firmly on the road as his face turned red.

Jenna laughed the whole way to Garcia's.

…

"Does she have a natural talent for reading micro expressions?" Reid said picking at his dinner with Hotch. "It can't be a pure coincidence."

"I'm more inclined to think it has more to do with her age," Hotch said. "She is thinking about boys so she is starting to wonder about how you must feel being single."

Reid groaned. "Boys. I finally learned the name of the kid. His name is Tom and was high school freshman who tutored Jen's best friend. He broke her heart. I now understand what paternal rage is."

Hotch couldn't stop himself from grinning. "Thankfully J.J. was there to get Jenna to open up about it."

Reid nodded. "I'm finally taking the African proverb 'It takes a village to raise a child,' to heart."

"No matter how busy we may seem Spencer, we will always be there for you."

"Thanks Hotch," Reid said.

"Now back to your relationship question. Jenna's openness might help you open your heart up."

"It is a little more complicated than that."

"How so?"

Reid bit his lip. "I'm not sure I'm ready to talk about it. I always thought Jane would be the only woman in my life.

"I felt that way for a long time too Reid," Hotch said. "But eventually you learn that it is okay to love again. I'm sure it is what Jane would have wanted."

"I know but is harder to put that feeling into action."

"It takes time and courage Reid. You just have to take the first step."

…

Rayburn pulled down the visor and looked at mirror. She was about to pull out lipstick but then decided against it. Since when did she care about how she looked that much? Rayburn knew why but she wasn't ready to admit it to herself. She snapped the visor shut and hurried out of her car.

Reid was already seated when she arrived. He smiled briefly at her and she returned it but neither said a word. She purposely took a seat twos space away from him.

Rayburn briefly glanced at him when she got up to speak. She and her ex were on better speaking terms. But now Stephanie was even angrier at her since the rules were being enforced at both homes. She discussed how she was more afraid than ever of losing her.

Reid briefly glanced at her when he got up. He spoke about how he managed to through a friend discover the source of Jenna's anger. It was because a boy a few years older than her broke her heart. He discussed how blindsided he felt by the revelation and his further fears about his daughter growing up.

When the meeting concluded both got up and slowly approached each other.

Reid spoke first.

"Would you like to get a better cup of coffee?" he asked.

"I have the sitter booked for another hour, so sure," she said.

"Great," Reid said. "There's a place a couple blocks down if you feel like walking together rather than driving."

"I'd like that," she said.

They walked out together and didn't say much aside from comment on how cold the weather was getting.

Once they got in the shop they ordered their drinks and then sat down at a table in the corner. Neither were ready to speak. They just sipped their coffee and looked into each other eyes. Rayburn finally laughed.

"I wasn't this nervous on my first date," she said.

"I don't know what to think," he said. "My daughter just announced she was okay with me dating again so long as it was her friend's mother."

She laughed. "She is very picky then. My daughter I think wants me to date a con artist to make the case for my ex winning custody better."

He suddenly looked sad. "Well what could make it better than the father of the daughter who beat her up once?"

Reid suddenly stood up. "I'm sorry I shouldn't have invited—"

Rayburn grabbed his hand. "Spencer, no. We're both adults. We're entitled to our feelings."

"But they'd kill us if they knew," he argued.

"They're not here now, so let's enjoy our coffee together," she said firmly.

He slowly sat down. "What if this leads to something?"

"Let's find out together," she said. "Now tell me something about yourself I don't know from your casefiles."

"I like soap operas," he said. "Now you tell me something I wouldn't be able to guess about you."

"I collect barbies and still do. My collection is so massive…"