Title: Matters of the Universe: Bringing Sexy Back (Part 6 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 one was "Reid wears purple" this one is another song that's hard to find. Tuuli as I knew it is defunct but the members have bands, they are one of a very small group of girl only Canadian bands who have gotten some radio play.

"In your head it makes sense, Now I have dropped my defense, I hope you figure it out soon, I can't comprehend the mess we're in this time, Better off without me, My gut has never failed me, I'm struggling to see your view, I'm done with this game, It always ends the same, I hope you're feeling fine, I know it hurts to cry, It only hurts cuz I belong beside you, You think about the times the stars just won't align, It never works cuz I belong beside you." Tuuli (A Thousand Stars)

Reid hoped that he would get to work before the rest of the team. He wanted to talk to Prentiss about what had happened. He was glad when he saw Prentiss leaving the break room, but sighed seeing Morgan was right behind her.

"Hey kid!" Morgan said. "So your Hollywood Hottie is in town!"

Reid wanted to sink into the floor. If Morgan knew about Lila being in town that likely meant that Prentiss knew the whole story by now. Reid had wanted to tell her himself, without having the added bonus of Morgan's embellishments. The only thing Reid could do was pretend he didn't know what Morgan was going on.

"Hollywood hottie?" asked Reid. "I have no idea what you're talking about."

"You always wear purple when she comes to visit. She says that purple brings out your eyes," Morgan explained. "I mean I guess it makes sense to let a model to play dress up with since you can't dress yourself."

"You base the possibility of my seeing an old friend upon on what I'm wearing? I resent the fact that you think I can't dress myself."

"That and the fact that you are featured in the entertainment section of the paper this morning, and unless you suddenly broke out of your shell you would not achieve that accommodation on your own."

"What?" he squeaked.

"You weren't doing anything scandalous kid, don't worry. It's a picture of you and Lila Archer at what looks like a Starbucks. I would be more embarrassed about drinking that wimpy ass shit you claim is coffee in front of a beautiful woman like Miss Archer, but I guess she already know all about your geeky quirks."

Reid took the paper and sure enough there was the picture in question. He knew that they were simply engrossed in a friendly conversation but no one else knew that; Prentiss had no way of knowing that. He knew that he would have to make it up to her, but he first needed to find out how she was feeling. It wasn't going to be easy to explain his friendship with Lila especially knowing how Morgan liked to exaggerate their friendship.

"Don't worry Reid, I told Prentiss all about you and Lila, including your impromptu dip in her pool gun and all."

"I appreciate that," he growled going back to his desk, knowing that he was going to have to do a lot to make up for what had happened the night before.

Before Reid hadn't had a chance to talk to Prentiss they were called away on a case. After a long day he decided he needed to talk to her before she got more upset with what happened the night before. He knew that after everything that had happened since they met it would not be easy to make it up to her. He had stopped at a candy store on the way back to the hotel and go her favourite candies. He walked down the hall to her room and knocked on the door. She opened the door and sighed softly seeing him.

"Reid, it's been a long day," she told him.

"I know," he assured her. "I can't sleep without telling you what I need to tell you."

"I know all about your Hollywood Hottie, all right? I get it. She's gorgeous, It's fine really we never really talked about anything anyway, you don't have to keep throwing it in my face."

"Throwing what in your face? Let me tell you my side of this. Morgan only knows part of the story. Yes, I have a past with Lila but it was classic transference. She kissed me, I kissed her back, there was a point where there might have been a chance for us, but it didn't work out. It seems odd that we are friends, but we are. I am one of the only people who treats her like a person and not like a celebrity."

"How nice."

"She's just my friend. We realised early into trying a relationship that what we had was the most normal thing in either of our lives, and neither of us wanted to risk that connection for something more physical. Yes, we have a past, we can't erase that, but I keep my friends close to me because I don't have many outside of my job."

"Why the hell should I believe that? I saw the way she greeted you."

"That's just how she greets her friends. I didn't kiss her back, because I'm uncomfortable with that. I simply hugged her, I hug Garcia occasionally and that doesn't mean I am looking to date her. I tried to introduce you and you left."

"You introduced me as your Emily!"

"I didn't know how you would feel if I'd introduced you as my girlfriend."

"Here's a hint Reid when a gorgeous young blonde actress comes to your door and you're trying to make a good second impression with someone, it wouldn't be over doing it if you introduced the cougar you are with as your wife."

"I don't know why you insist upon calling yourself that, besides Lila would know I was lying, not that I am planning on introducing her to another woman. We had only been on a few dates, we hadn't discussed where our relationship was going, I was afraid to move too quickly."

"Whatever, no I'm not falling for this again Doctor Reid! You roped me into your sweet innocent, socially clueless act once. I saw those pictures!"

"You saw what the media wanted you to see. I was out for coffee with a friend that's all. I assure you. I'm sorry that I hurt you, that was never my intention you have to believe me."

"I want to believe you, but it's hard Reid with how everything has happened between us."

"I know but I don't want to give up on whatever this is between us, it feels too good to let go over a misunderstanding. Can you please let me explain about Lila?"

"I don't know what you need to explain about your ex girlfriend."

"She was never my girlfriend. I suppose if the situation had been different she could have been but after nearly getting killed by her friend and former assistant I thought it would be best if we remained friends. I admit to kissing her, I can't deny that but we both valued our friendship too much to risk anything. Then a few months after we met she came to visit me and she admitted to me she was gay but wasn't ready to tell anyone. She's ready to tell her family but it's hard with her schedule so when she needs to get the press off her back she'll come see me and make sure that we are photographed together so her family doesn't find out before she has the chance to tell them to their face. You can call her if you don't believe me. She feels horrible about what happened last night."

She sighed. "Thank you for explaining that to me, I still need to process everything."

He nodded. "All right, goodnight." He kissed her cheek softly.

"Spencer, if you do that I'll want more and we're on a case."

"I'm sorry Emily, when we get home would you like to come over again."

"Sure, but this time put a tie on your door knob."

"A tie on my door knob?"

She laughed. "So that your friends know you have a girl in your room."

"I don't think I understand."

She laughed. "I forget how different your college experience was from everyone elses'. I just don't want our next date to be interrupted."

"If it makes you feel better my only other friends work with us."

"Why didn't you tell me about Lila?"

"I didn't see it as necessary yet, she doesn't usually show up unannounced like that. I didn't think I needed to tell you about the few friends I have. I don't feel the need to know who your friends are. I trust that if someone is important to you you'll tell what I need to know."

"Okay. By the way, she's right about purple being your colour."

Reid's cheeks started to turn red. "Um, thank you, we're good?"

"We're good, goodnight Reid."

"Goodnight Emily."

He hugged her gently then left the room. Prentiss was still surprised by what had just happened. She was glad that Reid had decided to talk to her about what had happened, and she knew he was telling the truth. She realised how little she knew about Reid, but she still felt a connection to the young genius. She was glad that their age difference didn't seem to bother him. She picked up her book but couldn't seem to focus on it, her mind kept wondering to Reid and where their relationship might go. She was glad that he was trying to make her feel like she was really a part of the team, even if he might have ulterior motives. She knew she at the very least wanted to be friends with him and that it might change the course of her career with the BAU.

End Part 6

Notes: Well that was that. I survived my week and am going on a baking binge and dancing tomorrow to celebrate! YAY! I hope you enjoyed and are also checking out "Wing Man" fuzzies to all who have reviewed, faved, or alerted this. I shall send you virtual baked goods.