Title: Matters of the Universe: This is me (Part 4 of 15)
Author: Trista Groulx aka dustytiger
Rating: T (same as the show to be safe)
Disclaimer: I still do not own CM, it's a pitty really, it belongs to many people, writers, directors, actors, actresses, creators, network types none of whom are me. I also do not own the quotes at the beginning. They belong to the people who wrote and preform them, and likely SOCAN as well.
Summary: Reid and Prentiss meet in a bar one night before she joins the team, but things don't go how she plans. What happens when they have to work together?
Notes: The prompt for this chapter was "Emily's 'Inner Geek' moment" I chose going on a haunted walk, cause that is epically geeky, and something I love. I totally get the Prentiss' inner geek as I work with a bunch of theatre kids who don't understand mine. I would love some fuzzies I've had a rough couple of days. This song is from a band who was the first band I saw live.

"Try everything that ever made you wonder, how to change, but be yourself now change, but be yourself now." Wide Mouth Mason (Change)

Prentiss could not believe she had butterflies in her stomach as she waited for Reid to arrive. She knew that they weren't going on a real date, but she had still found herself fixing her make up after work. She had changed into a pair of jeans and cotton bell sleeved shirt. She heard the doorman buzz her apartment and inform her that a doctor Reid was there. She told him to send him up and waited for the knock on the door. Prentiss wasn't sure why she was so excited about that night she was sure she was just going out with a friend. She opened the door and saw Spencer Reid standing there wearing slightly more casual clothes than he wore at work. He was also holding small "Edible Arrangements" arrangement that was contained in a mug. It had different kind of fruit as well as quite a few chocolate covered strawberries.

"I wasn't sure if I should get you flowers or chocolate," he explained, smiling at her uncertainly. "My mom always told me I should always bring a gift the first time I visit someone. I've heard of these and thought it would be a nice compromise."

"Thank you, that was really thoughtful," she assured him, taking the arrangement. She put it on the table and took one of the strawberries. "These are really good. Are you ready?"

"If you are, yes, I am."

"Let's go, what do you have planned?"

"We have reservations for dinner, and then I thought we might just act like tourists and go on a tour, are there any that you might be interested in?"

"Don't laugh, but I've always wanted to go on one of the ghost walks. I know you're a scientist, but there is a lot of history to them. You said I could do anything I wanted you never said it couldn't be geeky."

"Actually, that sounds interesting. Most cities have one, perhaps if we enjoy it we could do go do the tours when we are on cases if we need to stress down."

"That sounds great, Reid, thank you for not laughing at me. Most guys would run off into the night if I suggested something so geeky."

He shrugged. "I am a geek too, in case you somehow missed that fact."

They left her condo and went for dinner. She was amazed by the find. She knew she would have to thank Garcia later. The place had good food, and despite the location wasn't overly busy. They were sipping on wine as they waited for their appetizer.

"This is nice," she told him.

"It is," he agreed. "I still need to explain my behaviour the other night."

"Reid, let's not ruin this, let me pretend that this is a real date a little longer."

"That was why I didn't want your number at the bar the other night."

"I'm sorry?"

"Getting your number at a bar, and letting things progress from there seemed like something Morgan might do. I didn't want that – I don't want that. You seemed different and I would rather have let you go then to only be able to know you for a short time. I realise you're not like the women Morgan dates, but I don't have a lot of experience when it comes to matters of the heart. Morgan tries to teach me but that's not what I am looking for. I guess being in that environment had me worried that I was starting to take his – teachings, to heart and I didn't want you to be that woman."

"Reid. You make it very difficult to be mad at you, but I understand now. Just know that I am not the kind of woman who is looking to pick up someone at a bar for a one night stand. I've done it in the past but I'm looking for something more."

"I know that now, and I'm sorry for having misjudged you I was so intrigued by you I must have forgotten to profile you."

She laughed. "Are you profiling me now?"

"No, I don't profile my friends. I think it would be best if we remained friends due to the fact you just joined the team and this position means a lot to you. I don't want to be the reason you are reassigned because we are fraternising."

"So technical, but I agree with you. I don't want to be reassigned because of a new relationship."

"Good. I'm glad we agree."

The server came back with their appetiser. The two of them smiled and thanked her and began to share the food. As they ate they discussed mostly work, but also spoke about their childhoods, and how different they had been. By the time their dessert was served they were acting as if they had been friends forever. It didn't feel like a first date but it also didn't feel like just a quiet dinner with a friend. Neither of them wanted to change the arrangement they'd made but they both felt that there was something more going on. Reid paid for their meal and they went in search of a ghost tour.

Reid had paid for their tour as well, but before it started he noticed that the guide seemed very interested in Prentiss. He didn't like that the man had assumed that they were just friends and could tell that Prentiss was not liking the attention either. The tour guide as coming back over and Reid decided to wrap his arm around Prentiss' waist. His breath caught as he waited for her reaction, expecting her to flinch, or shy away; instead she curled up into the embrace. The whole way through 1the tour they touched, or held hands acting like they were a couple.

At first Prentiss wanted to make herself believe that she was only acting that way with Reid to ward of the advances of the tour guide, but soon she found herself enjoying the attention she was getting from her co-worker. She loved feeling his longer fingers wrapped up in hers, or on her hip and especially when it found its way to the small of her back. Part of her wanted him to let his hand slide slightly lower but it never did. When they would stop to listen to the tour guide they would stand closer and closer together with each story. By the last one she was curled up comfortably in his arms. When the tour was over they were walking back toward her building, and she realised they were still holding hands.

"Reid, you're holding my hand," she told him.

"Oh, right – sorry Emily," he told her. "I guess I just got comfortable."

"I didn't say I didn't like it, but what about work?"

"We can pretend nothing has changed. We've been able to make everyone believe we had never met before. We're friends and that is all at the moment if it grows into something more it's our business."

"All right."

They walked to her apartment, talking mostly about the tour and how much they had learned. Prentiss couldn't remember having smiled so much on a date before. She had had a wonderful time, and part of her didn't want it to end. Despite being in a secure building he walked her up to her door.

"I had a good time, thank you Reid," she told him looking for her keys.

"I can't remember when I've had such a good time with anyone," he told her.

She laughed. "That was smooth."

"Was that bad? I'm sorry. I just wanted you to know I had a good time. I am trying to tell you what I'm really thinking after the way I acted when we first met. I'm sorry if I'm babbling, I'm nervous, I guess."

"You need to calm down Spencer, I really did have a great time tonight. Just go with the flow."

He nodded and brushed a piece from in front of her eyes and behind her ear. Prentiss couldn't help but sigh happily feeling him so close. Her eyes slipped shut and she savoured the sensation of him being so close. She gasped when she realised his lips were pressed gently against hers, but relaxed quickly into the embrace. They shared the kiss for a long moment before he pulled away.

"Goodnight, Emily, I'll see you tomorrow," he told her.

"Sure," she whispered. "Wait…"

He turned around. "Emily this was a good night, let's not rush anything. If we don't get a case tomorrow I'd like you to come over after work. I'll make you dinner and then we could play a game of chess."

"That sounds wonderful, are you sure you don't want to come in and help me eat some of that arrangement you gave me."

"I want to come inside, but I know if I go inside I won't be able to stop myself, and I don't want to do that on a first date. I want this to work out and rushing this isn't the way to do that."

"You're a great guy Doctor Reid, we'll do this your way."

She leaned in and kissed him softly one last time before she went inside. She put her keys on the table and sighed softly. She couldn't remember having such a wonderful date before; and she had certainly not been with a man who didn't take her invitation inside before. She took another piece of the fruit from her arrangement. Smiling, she replayed the evening in her mind. She knew that Reid was different, and was looking forward to another date with him and hoped that having it at his place would lead things where she wanted them to go. She wondered why he was so instant on taking things slowly. She got changed hoping the whispers about his lack of a romantic past weren't true.

End Part 4

Notes: Things are getting fun, eh? I'm so shocked by how different these two stories are. Don't know what I'm talking about check out Wing Man by Fanatical Writer. Hearts for the support guys it means soo much