Chapter 6: dessert in D minor
J.J. and Garcia insisted on helping clear the food into the kitchen, and Spencer accepted after he led everyone else into the sitting room. Both women complimented him over and over about the food, while they sat it in the kitchen and Spencer dished out cheesecake and fresh fruit on to plates and put coffee, several flavored creams and sugar on a tray. The girls helped him bring all of it to the sitting room and passed it out to everyone. Again, Spencer handed Haley a bowl of cheesecake for the baby. Everyone was seated in a large circle through the room, and all of them seemed to be focusing on different things. Jason commented on the painting over the mantel, Morgan and Elle joked about all of the books that lined 3 of the walls, Haley was explaining to Aaron that this was almost the exact molding she wanted in their bathroom, and Garcia and J.J. started to whisper about the piano.
"Do you play Spencer?" "Um, it's mostly decorative." "No it isn't. Please play us something!" Spencer was more nervous than he expected to be and he headed to the piano shaking slightly which everyone noticed except the baby, who was happily chewing on his father's tie. Spencer played the concerto he had practiced the night before and a thousand nights before that perfectly. The entire team sat in awe, though none of them but Haley were particularly surprised that a man like Spencer Reid would have so many hidden talents.
Easy conversation continued, Spencer explained that his aunt had been a piano teacher, and everyone was content to not prod. Spencer headed to the kitchen to refill several drinks, the wine and beer truly was serving him well as a social lubricant. He wondered what he would do with all of the left over alcohol. He never drank, and had in truth held the same glass of wine all night, not that anyone noticed, and yet his kitchen now seemed stocked enough with alcohol to provide for a very rowdy F.B.I. Christmas party. While in the kitchen Haley walked in and asked if there was somewhere she could lay the baby down. He went upstairs in search of extra blankets and was surprised to find J.J. behind him when he turned from the hall closet.
"Sorry, I wasn't trying to be nosey; I just thought I might be able to get a tour of the rest of your house." "Oh, um, sure. There isn't much more to see. Up here is just my room, office and bathroom. Help yourself." J.J. smiled and walked down the short hallway which would open into the large upstairs room. Spencer ran the blanket down to Haley and then ran back upstairs to make sure J.J. wouldn't find anything horribly embarrassing. He found her looking over the half wall down onto the sitting room where everyone was sitting and talking.
He didn't say anything, but she could sense him and commented, "You really are surprising Spenc," she turned to face him, "Dinner was great, the music impressive, your house is…amazing. What else should I know about you? Any other hidden talents?" Spencer blushed, taken off guard by the sex oozing from her voice. 'What would Morgan say?' he wondered. "Not that I can reveal without higher security clearance," he joked. J.J. giggled, and walked by him towards his bedroom area. "So, did your aunt decorate too?"
Spencer laughed. "No, unfortunately I have to take credit for this. I just tried to pick art I thought seemed, conversational, and furniture that seemed measurement appropriate." J.J. laughed out loud this time. "Well, I suppose even the analytical mind gets lucky sometimes. I am very jealous of your house. I thought about buying, it's such a big commitment, it seems so…all grown up. I don't suppose that has ever been a problem for you though, has it?" "J.J. you are a successful, intelligent, beautiful woman with a promising career and a bright future. What is commitment if not acceptance of our own position in life?" J.J. was taken aback first by his compliments, then by his point. She gave him a slight smile and walked passed him and said, "So, you think I am beautiful, huh?" as she ran her hand across his arm. Spencer couldn't help but smile and made a mental note to himself that regardless of any other reviews; tonight had been a success if J.J. was happy. He took a moment and watched her join the rest of the team in the sitting room from the safety of upstairs.