YAY! I put this story up last night and I already have a follower. Whoever you are, thank you so much! So, I know it seems that Jo is a little bland and lackluster characterwise but it's going to get better in this chapter. Furthermore, I would REALLY appreciate any and all reviews. As always, I own nothing but my characters.

Roughly 45 minutes later, Morgan and Spencer were sitting in the bleachers of the ODU gym watching the cheerleading practice. Well, Morgan was watching the cheerleading practice. Spencer was on a laptop, attempting to work on the case. It was obvious that Jo was the intended target, and the unsub had said himself that the others were just practice. But there was something different about how he tried to take Jo. There were certainly correlations between the cases: All the victims shared a similar appearance, age, and they were all taken from public places. All these things were consistent. There was no connecting factor within the occupations, or hobbies of the victims, but one thing stood out to Spencer. None of the other girls appeared to have struggled. They were all taken from a public place, but none of them seemed to show any signs of being drugged or forced to go with the unsub. With Jo, the unsub used another girl as bait. Why?

"Morgan, I just had a thought." Spencer said suddenly, snapping Morgan out of his gaze. Morgan turned attentively, despite the very tempting distraction of cheerleaders he wanted to close this case. "With all the other victims, it doesn't appear that the unsub took them against their will. By the time he chose another victim, he had already disposed of the body of the previous. With Jo, he used the previous victim as bait. He knew she wouldn't go willingly. Why?" Spencer did not look at Morgan as he said this, instead he rested his chin on his palm and stared intently at the laptop screen. "She said she knew the unsub, perhaps she knew him from a negative encounter with him and he knew that would put her off from going with him willingly?" Morgan countered, assuming a contemplative state, "We have to find out how they've interacted." Spencer nodded in agreement, before turning his gaze to Jo, who was standing on the palms of a yell leader, one leg held in a scorpion behind her head.

Yes, she was the girl all the guys went for. But he was the guy none of the girls went for. He found himself particularly distanced from the case because of that fact, and the constant reminder that she served. She was the symbol of popularity and normalcy, something he'd always secretly craved. Having an I.Q. of 187 strained his social life and often distanced himself from others simply because they looked at him as something to be used as a tool. A walking encyclopedia. Having her around made this all the more obvious simply because of what she represented, but at the end of the practice Spencer noticed something. While the other girls and the yell leaders formed into small groups, heading to the locker-room, Jo seated herself by the stereo with a notebook, reviewing the steps. She obviously held a point of leadership within the squad, but didn't interact with her teammates as socially as they did with each other.

"Hey Jo, that was pretty sweet. You come up with it?" Morgan asked, making his way down from the bleachers. "Mmhm. I still need three more eight counts before we can clean it though." She replied, not looking up from her notebook to see Morgan's flirtatious smile. She had been the first that day to repel his charms though. Throughout the practice some of the girls had whispered amongst themselves or even sent flirty winks towards Morgan throughout the routine. He had been happy to return the favor with a smile or a reciprocated wink, but said nothing as they left.

Spencer found himself bringing the focus back to the case, "Miss Merino-"

"Jo, Dr. Reid." She corrected him, making a note in her book.

"Er…Jo," He said awkwardly, this was not helping him in his endeavors to distance himself, "Have you had any negative encounters with any men recently, at all?" To this Jo looked up with a bitter laugh, "Every day of my life, am I supposed to be able to narrow it down?" She asked icily. This was obviously a touchy subject. "Again, we believe that the unsub knows you, but has been scorned by you in some manner. That's what he used his previous victim-"

"Christina," Jo corrected him again, "Her name was Christina Manning. She was 19 years old and she had a fiancé, a mother, a father, and a 10 year old little sister that she left behind."

"Jo, Dr. Reid isn't trying to offend you." Morgan intervened, "Or undermine seriousness of the matter. The point is he knew you wouldn't go with him willingly like the other girls did. This would imply that the interactions you've had with him weren't exactly pleasant." Jo eyed the two detectives warily, before standing, "There was a guy at a game last year. He wasn't exactly the serial killer type though…" She said softly, shouldering her bag, "He was a looker, real hot shot soccer player. Asked me if I wanted to do dinner, I told him no because I had a final the next week. He kept trying but I wasn't really interested. Finally he got all upset one day, started telling me that I didn't know how good I'd have it with him and that I was a stuck up bitch." Morgan nodded, "Does this guy have a name?"

"Martin Walker," She said, "But I don't think he's capable of something like this."

"Miss Me- er… Jo," Spencer corrected himself, and her eyes found his, "No offense, but I would rather be safe than sorry." She relaxed a bit, releasing tension from her shoulders and sighing, "Thank you, Dr. Reid. And you too Agent Morgan." She said biting her lip before making her way to the car, stereo and notebook in tow.

"Reid, eyeing up the victim are you?" Morgan said mischievously once she was a safe distance away. "Seeing as you were eyeing up everyone else on her squad, I don't see how you would have had time to notice." Spencer snapped. This whole situation was putting him on edge, and frankly he just wanted out. "Whoa there pretty boy, I touched a nerve." Morgan said, throwing up his hands in defense, "I didn't say there was anything wrong with that. Maybe you could wow her with some of your weird facts and knowledge." Reid scoffed, "She'd have to be capable of understanding it before she could appreciate it." Morgan raised an eyebrow, "I don't know that she's all that dumb, but whatever man." He countered before letting the argument drop.

Later that night, the BAU team found themselves sitting within Jo's apartment discussing the case. "Alright, I have some biscuits and some sweet tea here, if anyone wants any help yourselves." She said, setting the tray on the table. Penelope smiled sweetly before doing just that, along with Morgan and Prentiss. "Miss Mer-" Hotchner started, but the agent was cut off again. "I've gotten Dr. Reid in trouble for calling me that all day now, my name's Jo. No need for formalities." She said with a polite smile in Spencer's direction. He couldn't help but appreciate the fact that usage of her first name wasn't a privilege held specifically for Morgan or another member of the team. "Jo, we talked to Martin and he has a rock solid alibi for the case, and hardly fits the description you gave the team after the attack. Is there anyone else you could think of that this might be?"

Jo shook her head, "No sir. I don't do a whole lot of social running, my school work takes up most of my time." She sighed, "He said this wasn't over. Do you think he's going to try to take me again? Will he kill more girls?" This time it was Spencer who interjected, "The likelihood is that he now feels as though he's not ready to abduct you. He'll probably continue practicing-"

"Only if we don't catch him first." J.J. said maternally, giving Spencer a sharp look as she cut him off, "But he has been into your apartment. Are you sure there's nothing we could do to get you out of here, at least for the night?" Jo shook her head rigorously, a blonde curl falling onto her face. "No ma'am. That'd be letting him win, and if he wants to play games I'm more than happy to play. I refuse to change any part of my life for this man." It was then that the team saw the spark in her eye, this girl meant business. Hotch stood back, arms crossed before interjecting, "Alright, but you're aware that a member of the team will be with you or nearby at all times then?" Jo smiled, "By all means, ya'll are welcome to set up shop here if you guys want. Do what you've got to."

It was decided that Morgan and Reid would stay with Jo, as J.J. had to get home to her son and Prentiss had not been feeling well. Having been given an hour or two, Spencer ran home to grab some of his things before returning to the apartment so Morgan could do the same. "Dr. Reid," Said a voice as Jo emerged from the kitchen, "Do either you or Agent Morgan have any food allergies?" Spencer had been taken aback, "No, but-"

"That's all I asked Dr. Reid." She said with an impish smile before returning to the kitchen. Spencer wasn't sure what to do, he hadn't counted on her being so hospitable, and he felt somewhat bad that she had decided to cook dinner for them. Running an exasperated hand through his hair, he rose from his spot on the loveseat and followed her into the kitchen. "You really don't have to-"He started, before she whirled on him with a handful of potatoes. "Dr. Reid, the only people allowed in my kitchen are the ones making the food. I know I don't have to do this, but I want to. Now either help me peel the potatoes or go sit down." Feeling as though it would have been rude to leave her to do the work herself he sighed and picked up a knife and sat down at the kitchen table. She had set up a trashcan between them so as to catch the peelings, and was humming lightly to herself. They sat like this for a moment, Spencer thinking of all the possible ways out of the situation. He found himself smiling at her southern hospitality, and her spitfire attitude and couldn't help but grow slightly fond of her and her mannerisms. Not how he had intended things to go. Before he could formulate a definitive plan, Jo set down the knife she had been using as they had peeled the last of the potatoes.

"Is there a specific reason you don't like me?" She asked irritably. Sputtering, Spencer accidently let his knife slip, cutting his thumb. He hissed in pain, before he felt her grab his hand with a paper towel and guide him to the sink, "I'm so sorry, I didn't mean-"

"Oh hush." She said, running his finger under cool water before removing a first aid kit from under the cabinets. She took out a large Band-Aid and some antiseptic swabs, and as Spencer reached for them with his good hand she swatted it. "So help me, Dr. Reid you are not getting out of that question so easily." She said, turning off the sink and drying his hand, "As long as you're injured, you're at my mercy so fess up." She began to clean the wound before sticking on a large flesh colored Band-Aid.

"I-I don't dislike you," he started, stammering over his words, "I just- I thought…. Why would you want me to like you?" He sounded like an idiot. He knew that. But for some reason it didn't faze her, "I guess it bothered me that you seemed so standoffish around me. I wondered if I'd done something." She said lightly, picking up the potatoes and carrying them to the sink to wash them, "If I have, I'm terribly sorry but I never meant to offend you." It was then that Spencer felt a wave of guilt wash over him. He hadn't realized she had even noticed him until now, let alone cared whether he liked her or not. "I'm sorry, I just…didn't think you'd want someone like me-"

"Someone like you? And exactly what is that supposed to mean?" She continued on with her culinary activities while Spencer stood awkwardly in the doorway. "Someone who has more brains than social skills or common sense." It was then that she froze. She turned around lightly, holding the stitches in her left arm. "Dr. Reid why on earth would that be a problem?" To this he only shrugged, but she continued, "Let me guess, it's because of what I look like? Because I'm a cheerleader? Because you know exactly what I'm like from those two things? Let me tell you something Dr. Reid." She took a step closer, and pressed a finger to his chest, "I don't have a brain to get me through school. Sure, I get good grades and I'm smart, but that's only because every day of my life, I work my ass off to get those grades. I don't have a rich mommy and daddy to pay for things. I don't have anything, other than my talent in cheerleading. It wasn't my first choice on how to get through school, but it's getting me through school. I don't have any debt. Don't you dare judge me for what I have to do to survive, and don't you dare think I would judge you for what you do best."

Spencer was frozen. She was staring up at him, fire emerging from her deep blue eyes, and although she barely reached his chin, he could easily see that she was a force to be reckoned with. He nodded slowly, and she relaxed in front of him. "Thank you. I'm sorry if I-"

"Call me Spencer." He didn't know what possessed him to say it. It just felt right. He knew it was as soon as he saw the smile that lit up her face. "Alright, Spencer. I know you probably want to get back to work, so in the living room, on the right side of the fireplace, there's a whiteboard. You can use my desk, whatever you need, but make yourself at home." Spencer watched as she returned to what she had been doing, baffled. Was that all it took to make this girl happy? The right to call him by his first name? He lightly shook his head before retreating back to the living room, where he found the large whiteboard along with markers, and wheeled it out to sit by her desk. A knock resounded on her door, and he shot up. "Would you like me to get that?" He asked, and she poked her head out of the kitchen nervously and nodded her head. He could still see the fear in her eyes, and felt a surge of protectiveness wash over him. Peering out the hole in her door, he saw it was only Morgan carrying a bag of his things. "Hey pretty boy, how was your alone time with the pretty lady?" Morgan asked with a wink. Spencer rolled his eyes, before making his way back to the make-shift office he had set up. It wasn't long after that before he heard the sound of plates clattering as she set the table, and Morgan stood up to help. Feeling obliged to do the same, Spencer stood but she had already returned to the kitchen, only to emerge with a platter of pork chops and a large bowl of mashed potatoes, "Eat up boys. It's gonna be a long night. Sit wherever you want, but let me know if you need anything." She said happily and fixed herself a plate before grabbing three textbooks and sprawling across the floor.

Spencer couldn't help but smile at the almost childish position as she flipped through her books, highlighting things and furrowing her brow. It was going to be a long night, because not only did Spencer now have an unsub to unravel, he found himself wanting to unravel her, as well as his own feelings.