Chapter Four

"Education's purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one."- Malcolm Forbes

After Detective Lewis had talked to the crowd she rejoined Spencer and Morgan.

"Have you found anything?" She asked sounding exhausted.

"Not much, very similar to the other victims." Spencer said almost hesitantly not wanting to distress her further. She put her hand on her forehead in frustration. As she moved it a strand of blonde hair fell from the tight knot and in front of her eyes. Spencer couldn't help but look at it. It was as if that one strand let out her vulnerability. He noticed only now how her once bright eyes were slightly dull from fatigue and her fair skin seemed even paler.

"I didn't get anything from the statements either. A whole crowd of people and not one of them saw anything of substance." She said clipping a small pad to her belt.

"I'm going to stay at the scene, see if I can't figure out how the killer could get by so many people unnoticed." Morgan said, pulling on a pair of latex gloves.

"Ok, I'm going to head back to the office. Type up some reports before it gets too late." Detective Lewis looked to Spencer. Normally he would volunteer to stay and help Morgan, he found it interesting how he worked. But now he was drawn to the Detective.

"I should get back to." He said looking to her. "I should tell Hotch about the scene."

"You can catch a ride with me then, Dr Reid." She smiled and seemed almost thankful to him for the company.

Driving through New York was like wading through treacle. It was dark now, Spencer glanced at the illuminated clock in the car. 7:30pm.

"Did you need to get back to your hotel?" Detective Lewis asked, obviously noticing his glance.

"Oh, no." Spencer replied. Unsure of what to say now he was thankful when she did the talking.

"Well if you're not in a rush, do you mind if we stop for a bite?" She asked. "I forgot to eat during all the fuss of today." Spencer gave a small smile in response and she returned the gesture. Pulling over to the right she parked up next to a small restaurant. It looked inviting from the outside, a warm yellow glow came from inside and the smell of fresh food flowed all the way to the car.

The restaurant was called Hearth's Place and Spencer wouldn't exactly have called it a restaurant. It was small, only around 15 tables set out though only about 4 were filled. They got a table quickly and it became apparent that Detective Lewis was a regular here.

"Hard day again, Lauren?" A rather rotund older woman asked. She almost gawked at Spencer when she noticed him. "I didn't know you'd be having company." The woman wiped down her hands on her apron and smiled. Her yellowed teeth were slightly off-putting but Spencer tried his best not to grimace.

"This is Dr Spencer Reid." Detective Lewis introduced. "This is Liliana, she owns the restaurant."

"Hello." Spencer said looking to the young Detective instead, the old woman's gaze made him nervous. Detective Lewis was much more pleasant to gaze at anyway. Liliana moved away quickly to the kitchen, and he could hear all the way from where he sat how 'Lauren had finally brought a young man in.' Detective Lewis was obviously mortified; her cheeks blushed and she laughed nervously. Spencer didn't know how to react so remained silent, as he did in most uncomfortable situations.

"Don't worry, she doesn't cook the food, just takes the orders." She smiled at him broadly and some of the sparkle brightened her eyes once again. It was almost hypnotising. "So what would you like?" She asked looking down to the dog eared menu. "It's all home cooked, and I'm paying." Again she smiled and again he had a hard time to look away. But he glanced down. The selection did sound appetising.

After ordering there was a slightly awkward silence and for once Spencer decided to speak first. Normally he wouldn't dare but his extreme tension in social situations wasn't present when with her.

"So how do you know Hotch, Detective Lewis?" He had hardly been able to contain the question since they had first met.

"Please, call me Lauren." She said smiling. "Detective Lewis makes me sound…old." She laughed softly and Spencer couldn't help but smile in response. "But to answer your question he is my Godfather." That was not what Spencer was expecting. She leaned on the table and he moved forwards slightly as if she was drawing him. "Whilst in America studying my mother met someone." She began explaining. "He was a one night stand and when my mother found out she was pregnant she didn't know what to do. So she turned to her closest friend for adice and support. That was Hotch. I was born in England when my mother returned there. But I came to America on and off on long visits. During those visits I stayed with Hotch. He practically helped raise me." Before Spencer had time to process the amazing information laid before him a plate of steaming mushroom risotto was placed under his nose.

"Here you are kids, enjoy it." Liliana said, nudging Lauren as she passed. She shook her head in embarrassment before digging into her own food.

"So is it my turn to ask a question?" Lauren asked half way through the meal. Spencer looked to her.

"If you wish."

"Ok," She said before pausing as if to think of a question. "How smart are you exactly?"

"I have an IQ of 187." His answer was quick, and rehearsed. He had said it many times before.

"Pretty smart then." She replied and smiled. "So how come you're the only one without Agent in front of their name?" Spencer furrowed his brow in confusion at the question. "Well, Hotch is Agent Hotchner and Morgan is Agent Morgan etcetera." She continued. "But you're the only one introduced as doctor. Do you prefer it that way?"

"Oh I see." He said now understanding the question. "No, Hotch thinks it might put people off making comments about my age."

"'Cause you're so young and all?"

"Yes, I guess so." Spencer replied. His age was always a topic of conversation and he had slowly grown accustomed to it. But he didn't understand why people couldn't comprehend that someone of his age could have the accomplishments he did.

"Well, if I had as many doctorates as you, and a brain like yours I would want to flash it around to." She commented.

"But you're also young and you're a Detective." Spencer said. It was odd to find himself with someone in a situation like his.

"Ah yes. Well that's only 'cause Hotch thought I'd have a knack for this crime fighting stuff and I believed him so much I wouldn't let any bad guy defeat me." She smiled at Spencer and he stared back, it was hard not to. "But yeah, I just wouldn't stop so in the end I gained my achievements to become Detective quite quickly. The others don't really like it much, only 'cause I get to order them around now." A small laugh left her and Spencer smiled without realising. It was such a relief to him. To find himself being able to socialise with someone without the normal awkwardness or tension that he found usually was associated with it. People either avoided talking to him or didn't understand him. Though it did help that she did most of the talking.

The quick bite Lauren had hoped for turned out to last for more than three hours. Arriving at Spencer's hotel the clock read 11:20pm.

"Sorry about keeping you out so late." She said laughing softly. "You don't have a curfew do you?"

"No." Spencer replied seriously but he smiled back after a while seemingly realising it was a joke. "Thanks for the food."

"Thanks for the company." Lauren replied. She looked at him for a moment and he looked back. It was a strange feeling. She barely knew him but she felt really comfortable with him. After realising how weird that was she looked down at the steering wheel. "I guess I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Yep." He said simply before opening the door and getting out. He held it open for a while longer before shutting it and heading inside, glancing back only twice. Not that she was counting, of course.