Chapter 7: Goodbye team, hello time!
By ten o'clock Hotch and Haley decided they needed to get their son home and in bed. Haley had quit drinking hours before, and assured Spencer she was fine to drive them all home. They thanked Spencer at the door, and Haley kissed him on the cheek while Aaron headed to the car to load up the baby. "Thanks Spencer. This might sound crazy, but I am so glad you had us over. I have always trusted Jason, but now, I know I will feel a little safer each time Aaron is out there with all of you." Spencer wasn't sure what to say, so he just said, "Goodnight Haley, it was an honor having you here."
Morgan got a call from his 'hottie' and invited Garcia and Elle to join him at a bar where several of his friends were waiting. They agreed, and asked Spencer if they could leave all of their cars at his house until the next morning and ride together since Elle was really the only one who should be driving anywhere. Spencer of course agreed. Jason hung out for just a moment longer, and when J.J. excused herself to go to the bathroom he found his perfect moment to run. "Good job Spencer. Tonight was great." "Thanks. I hope everyone had a good time." "I am sure all of your friends appreciated it as much as I did," and with that Jason patted his shoulder and took his leave. Spencer stood at the door with a smile on his face, proud that Gideon was proud, and content in the fact that Jason had called them all friends.
When J.J. came out of the bathroom, she found herself once again, alone with Spencer. "Did everyone leave?" she asked Spencer when she found him in the kitchen. He was startled; he had almost forgotten she was there. "Um, yes." "Oh, well I guess I should go too then," she said. He smiled, and walked her to the door. "Night Spenc tonight was pretty great. Thanks for having all of us over." "Thank you for coming," Spencer said. He shut the door behind her and leaned against it for a moment. She almost looked sad to leave, but he was certain he was imagining it. At least tonight went much better than when he had asked her to a football game. All through the game he had been confused, and had ended up cheering at the wrong moment to the dismay of a large man with a painted chest behind them. J.J. had to defend his honor, and no doubt thought he was a ridiculous wimp. They had hardly talked, and he had been happy to drop her off just to get the tension out of the car.
Spencer made his way back to the kitchen and began working again on the dishes, when he was disrupted by the doorbell. Someone must have forgotten something he thought. J.J. looked amused on the security screen and he opened the door with a confused look on his face. "I am blocked in. Garcia and Morgan's cars are blocking my exit route, and I can't get out. Neither of them are answering their phones. Do you mind if I come in and wait for a cab?" "No, of course not. I would offer to bring you home, but I suppose my car is worse off then yours in the garage. I am afraid a cab will cost you a small fortune from out here." "I know, but I don't want to put you out and make you wait until they happen to leave the bar and hear my calls," J.J. offered. Spencer thought for a moment, was she offering to spend the remainder of the night at his house, just hanging out with him? "Not at all, you are welcome to if you want, if not, I can pay for your cab." "Don't be silly, I have money, remember, I didn't buy a house. You wouldn't mind too much if I crashed here for a while?"
Spencer's heart jumped a beat. "Not at all. I have plenty of room, and plenty of wine. Can I get you a glass?" J.J. smiled, and pulled up a barstool to the counter. He poured her a glass, and went back to his dishes. She watched in silence as he first rinsed everything, then washed it, then soaked it in bleach, then rinsed it, then laid it on a rack to dry. She couldn't help but laugh out loud when she noticed he had a dishwasher. "What?" Spencer asked. "Nothing." Spencer couldn't help but smile and continued to clear the counters, which he then bleached, and went on to the dining room to finish any last minute pick up. He saw the flowers and was glad J.J. had returned so he could remember to send them home with her. He brought them to the sideboard by his front door so he wouldn't forget them again.
By the time he was done cleaning everything up and putting it all away; it looked like his house always did. With one exception, a beautiful blonde sitting at his kitchen bar drinking a glass of wine. He refilled it, and was taken aback by her question, "Are you trying to get me drunk Dr. Reid?" "Um, I, no…" "I am just teasing you. Besides, I partied in college; it will take more than a few glasses of wine anyway." Spencer smiled, relieved and asked if she would like to watch TV or read or get on his computer or… "TV is fine. Got any good movies?" Spencer poured himself a glass of water and led her to the living room.