AN: Hello my sweets. I so sorry for the delay :\ I promise I never forgot about you. So thank you for your patience and for taking your time following my (weirdo) story. I will like to thank Vampire Act for doing such an amazing job as my beta. You deserve a statue! Alright I'll leave it to you to read this chap. Enjoy :D
Garcia tapped away on her personal keyboard at her kitchen counter while humming a cheerful song with a steaming mug of sugary coffee sitting at a safe distance from her 'baby'. The plan seemed to be going smoothly now that Reid was in constant surveillance. As for the presents, she was pleased at how unexpected and a little tiny bit disturbing they ended up. "Excellent," she drummed her hands on pink porcelain. "Phase one completed."
Monday morning and the air seemed chillier than yesterday. You couldn't tell spring was approaching if it weren't for the budding cherry blossoms on the lawn of headquarters. Reid smiled into his scarf with the prospect of feeling the warm sun against his skin again.
The weekend went on without a hitch and Reid was allowed to go back to work on Monday. Being trapped in Emily's house, and Jacuzzi, was starting to get to the young genius. He was a little cross to see a couple of police cars parked on his street when Hotch ordered Reid to move back into his apartment. Well, Hotch knew what was best so there was no way to protest it.
Reid sighed when he saw a thick stack of manuscripts with a tiny yellow post-it note right on top of the light blue cover page. He snatched it up and read the neat and almost elegant cursive of one Dave Rossi.
"You get first dibs plus an espresso machine if you edit it. -Rossi"
"That's nice," Reid muttered softly into his scarf before he pulled it out of his neck in one fluid motion.
The espresso machine was plenty, Reid stated. Of course it was very kind of Rossi to let Reid lay first eyes on the manuscript so anything else the older man offered was too much for Reid's little heart to take. This certainly made up for the last terrible week.
Out of the blue his phone began to vibrate in his coat pocket. "This early?" He checked the screen with a quick glance and saw the sender's name light up. Reid opened the text.
Hey dude. Guess who's showing up DC on Thurs.
ES
This was a surprise. Ethan's typical texts consisted of, "U still a junkie?" or "Sorry that was stupid. Congratulations on your sobriety."
Always the jokester, his old friend/rival was. Reid knew, however silly Ethan was, he had his best interests at heart and was the only one other than Hotch- who would check in on Reid's 'past problem'. Reid texted back.
No. I don't know. Is it you?
SR
He sent the message and was quickly greeted with a response.
No it's not me. It's Blackburn. He's giving a lecture on Thurs. Go and say hi for me. I wish I can go but I'm doing a tour. L
ES
I'll try and make it then.
SR
Great! He was the best prof. Anyway, are you okay?
ES
Agreed. And yes, I'm doing well.
SR
Good. :D
ES
Reid spread a wide smile across his thin face at the thought of Ethan's predictability. Blackburn had been Ethan's hero since college, and it must hurt him not to be able to go and bask in his presence. Reid remembered how insanely amusing it was to observe Ethan's utter fan-like giddiness over the man. To his friend's credit, Reid was also inspired by the professor to join the FBI and to meet Gideon that same year. He guessed it would be fair to meet the man who set his life into motion.
"Did you finish reading?" Rossi interrupted Reid's thoughts, fully expecting a barrage of words and excitement hit him like a speeding train about Rossi's book. The older man raised his brow inquisitively at the lack of noise Reid was known for.
"No," Reid's smile turned downward. "I was distracted."
"What about, if you don't mind me asking?" Rossi asked and Reid scrunched up his eyes clearly a little taken aback by Rossi's curiosity. "What? I can't have a normal conversation with you?"
"I'm sorry," Reid turned his body towards his amused senior agent. "I just found out that my old professor Douglas Blackburn is doing a lecture on Thursday."
"Blackburn?" Rossi's charming east coast accent raised an octave. "That little punk? I haven't seen him in fifteen years."
"You know him?" Reid sat at the edge of his seat. He remembered how Gideon would sometimes spring up about his old acquaintances in random instances. Rossi had that same glint in his eyes whenever he would reminisce about the old days that he nicknamed 'the wilder days' when he could date anyone he wanted and do whatever he pleased.
"That man drove me crazy," Rossi raised an impressed brow down at the younger man. "He was your professor. Small world," he paused for a couple seconds. "I hope you can get someone to escort you to the lecture kid. You're on watch now."
Reid scooted back into his seat and tapped his fingers on his chin thoughtfully. "I'll ask Morgan."
Rossi chuckled that the thought of the possibility of Morgan accepting Reid's invitation cross the genius's mind. "Do you know any super models you can bribe him with?"
"No," Reid frowned into his fingers. Morgan would never agree to go to a lecture willingly, nor would Garcia and Prentiss. J.J. and Hotch had their families, and he felt guilty even considering taking their time away from their kids. He didn't know Lynch well enough to invite him. "How would you like to go with me? You could catch up to-"
"No," Rossi interrupted quickly. "Sorry kid, but I rather stick a burning fork through my tongue. That man and I don't see eye to eye."
"Oh," Reid thought back and could see why Rossi and his old professor didn't get along. Blackburn probably insulted Rossi unknowingly and the agent hasn't forgiven him since. That seemed to be the pattern of destruction his old professor had. "I'll go by myself. The admirer hasn't sent me anything since Friday so he might have given up and fled with the sight of the cop cars."
"You're going to have to go to mother," Rossi pointed a chubby finger towards one of the windows. The window revealed Hotch pacing the room while making a serious phone call to a higher up or maybe even the president for all he knew. "Good luck."
Why was he so nervous? Reid clenched the doorknob that belonged to Hotch's office door. It was a little intimidating; the way the black door was overpowering his vision. Mocking him that it was futile to even try to convince the all-powerful Hotch to lower Reid's security. 'Just try.' The door seemed to speak. 'I want to watch you dance.'
Reid gulped and willed himself to open the door with a pale clammy hand.
Hotch conveniently hung up the phone and a pleasantly surprised expression lit his face. He laced his fingers together and casually placed them on top of his paperwork, ready to give Reid all his undivided attention. Hotch welcomed Reid with a cool nod and a welcoming smile. Reid sighed in relief and felt silly to feel bullied by a stupid door.
"Hotch, I know this isn't the right time to ask for a favor but," he licked his lips nervously. His soft and boyish voice came out raspier than he would have liked. "My old professor from Cal Tech is coming to do a lecture Thursday evening, and I was hoping to attend. Is it possible that I can go by myself despite of what's been happening in the previous week?"
Hotch's warmth faded into concern. "I take it that Morgan and the rest of the team turned you down."
Reid shook his head. "I only bothered to ask Rossi."
Hotch quirked a thick black brow.
"He knows my professor. Um… Morgan and the others would never go to a lecture and let alone a lecture with me. They have their own things to do anyway," Reid gave him a half smile like the obviousness of it all just hit him.
"How about I go with you?" Hotch suggested coolly like it was nothing. Reid crossed his bad leg over the other and let his head prop up on the back of his hand. Did Hotch just say what I think he said?
"I'm sorry?"
"I wouldn't mind joining you," Hotch shrugged, undetached his hands from each other, and had one reach for the phone. "I'll call security and let them know."
"N-no," Reid sprung up from his chair and leaned over the light wooden desk. "You don't have to. I can go by myself. You can have someone else escort me um... Hotch," Reid panicked inwardly because A) Going on any event, big or small, with Hotch was considered a huge deal in his little world and B) Hotch volunteering was the most surprising thing he ever heard.
Hotch gave him a look that said, 'this is final.'
Reid stepped back and calmly sat back in his seat to try and collect himself. Hotch was already talking to whoever was head of Reid's surveillance team and in Reid's mind, it seemed like a mix of a nightmare and a dream.
Hotch finished his order quickly and hung up the phone. "Letting you go by yourself is too much of a risk," Hotch spoke sternly at the knowledge with that tone of voice would have the genius snap out his thoughts. "Besides, sending someone you're not familiar with would be troublesome. You would have no problem slipping from their watch, and I hate to admit it, you are capable of doing it just to prove yourself. You can see why it's important I go with you."
"Hotch," Reid thought of a reason but he decided it wasn't worth the effort. When Hotch made up his mind about something it was impossible to try and convince him otherwise. Hotch made a good impression as a mountain.
Reid sighed because he could as easily backed out and not go altogether. It was too late for that now and it would be a rude to cancel just because Hotch got out of his way to let Reid go to that stupid lecture. "Thank you Hotch," Reid stood up awkwardly and gave him an apologetic smile. "I'll make it up for you. I swear."
Hotch waved his hand to decline the offer, "No need. This would be good for you and take your mind off things. We need that brain to be full functioning."
"Right," Reid nodded and gave Hotch see you later wave. He closed the door from behind him and then stared out into the bullpen. Morgan and Prentiss looked up curiously from their stations like a couple of merekats and there was Rossi not too far behind the two with what looked like a smug smirk. Reid hoped he was imagining things.
Thursday
It was getting dark soon and the darker it got the more his stomach twisted over and over. So nervous. Why was he so nervous? This was ridiculous. Reid adjusted his favorite dark purple tie and stared at his reflection. "This is silly. This is-," he took off his tie and stared at his naked neck grimly. "I'm overreacting."
It's just a lecture. A late night lecture at a university, by his old professor his friend hero-worshiped and he happened to be going with his boss. Nothing more, nothing less.
….
Maybe I should wear those jeans instead, Reid thought and spun on his heels. He crossed his room to his closet and rummaged for those cursed jeans Garcia bought him. "There they are," Reid took the jeans out of his hanger and he felt relief wash over him. There they were, untouched since that last disastrous date he had weeks ago. Pristine and glorious.
Wait.
Reid slumped onto his bed that conveniently was a few feet behind him. The jeans were now splayed on the bed next to him, witness to the mini meltdown Reid was having. "Why is this happening?" Reid perched his face into his hands. He didn't quite know how to make of these feelings that were running up and down in his body. His mind couldn't quite make sense of it all. All but how insane he was reacting.
In the end Reid decided on his usual attire. A brown pin stripped blazer, navy button down, dark slacks, black pin stripped vest, purple tie, and his old black chucks. Good, Reid thought.
His phone vibrated in his pocket and he knew it was Hotch. "Hello?"
"I'm waiting outside your door."
Reid halted on whatever he was doing. "Um… why didn't you knock?"
"Jack said it wasn't cool to knock today. Thought I'd keep up with the trend," Hotch quipped. "Are you ready?"
"Yeah," Reid rushed to grab his wallet and his keys. He was happy that his nervousness wasn't as intense as it was before Hotch called him. It was non-existent when he opened the door and saw Hotch standing there wearing a black long coat with his phone pressed against his hear. "You can hang up now."
Hotch smirked and years fell off his face. Something about that made Reid's stomach flip and his face burn. It was the image of off duty Hotch that was so alien but so playful that can butter up any living human who weren't psychopaths. "Right," Hotch hung up the phone. "Lets go."
They ended up getting there earlier than expected. There were five other people finding their seats in this giant auditorium. Reid took the time to enjoy the lack of bodies before they began swarming in for the famous professor. It would be any minute now when that would happen.
"So what did your professor teach?" Hotch was sitting next to Reid with a pamphlet he found on free events to do in the city.
"Criminology. I wouldn't have taken it if Ethan didn't drag me there. It was a morning class," Reid smiled wryly into his free coffee cup. "I figured it must have been interesting for Ethan to be excited about a morning class. He usually got up around eleven."
"Ethan was your rival, right? I remember now," Hotch tapped the pamphlet on his knee.
"He thinks it's funny calling us frienemies," Reid softly said. "Truthfully, if it wasn't for Ethan and Blackburn I wouldn't be where I am today. I owe them a lot and I hope one day I can pay them back."
"I think all the hard work you put in is more then plenty," Hotch patted Reid's shoulder reassuringly. Reid could feel his ears burn at the kind words flowing freely from Hotch's mouth. The butterflies in his stomach returned with full force so Reid got up with the excuse of another cup of coffee. "Do you want a cup too?" He asked. Hotch politely declined and Reid went on his way.
Reid stood in the now growing queue for the coffee and free treats. The crowds were starting to show as he expected. This was good for him, so he could temporarily lose himself within the queue and forget about fleeing from Hotch's genuine compliments like a frightened deer. God, why couldn't he have just the same social graces as Ethan? Why was he the socially awkward genius and not him?
"Bloody hell," a striking familiar voice rang in Reid's ear. Why now? Why here? Reid turned around and his heart sank. Nick was a couple of people behind him bouncing up and down like a two year old in the line. He was getting ready to cut it to get to Reid. This can't be happening, Reid thought over and over until the man finally reached him. "Spencer! You came to see our old professor too I see." Nick grinned youthfully, his eyes crinkled at the shear coincidence and clearly happy to see his ex.
"Y-yes. I-I erhm," Reid glanced to where Hotch was sitting and he was overjoyed that the man was busy reading the pamphlet. "I'm guessing you're here to say hi too."
"Right, I am," Nick dipped his hands in his pockets to try and control his excitement. Despite the circumstances it was a little flattering to have an ex jumping for joy to see you, Reid observed. "So are you here with anybody?"
Reid repressed the frown that wanted to escape from his lips. "Yes I'm here with my boss. He's sitting in the front."
"Ah, good," Nick stretched his neck curiously. "The man with the short dark hair? He must be the head of the BAU then am I right? That's where you're working if I remember correctly."
Reid nodded silently. The only thing he can do -other than hide under the table and die- was to just carry on as normal, and hopefully Hotch wouldn't find out about his ex. Not like that was very likely, Nick wasn't as rash and- oh there he goes.
Nick abandoned his spot on the queue and the coffee and headed towards Hotch who was unaware of the utter hell Reid's has been suffering.
"Excuse me," Nick stretched his hand out to Hotch and his lips curled into a stupid cheeky smile. Hotch snapped his head up from the pamphlet and stared curiously at the man looming over him, who was clearly not afraid of personal boundaries, he noted. "Hi, I'm Nick, Spencer's old… friend. It's very nice to meet you."
"Yes hello," Hotch shook the odd British man's hand carefully, eyeing Reid who was standing nervously behind him with shifting eyes. "I'm Aaron Hotchner. Would you care to join us?"
Nick's eyes lit up like a Christmas tree, and in no time he was sitting next to Reid and began yammering about how cool the BAU was. Reid felt his world tilting like a carnival ride. To his right Nick was besides himself at the thought of joining two official G-men, and to his left was Hotch curiously looking at Reid like he had something stuck between his teeth.
This isn't happening…