Chapter Fifteen

'I suspect the secret of personal attraction is locked up in our unique imperfections, flaws and frailties.'-
Hugh Mackay

Arriving home Lauren felt the overwhelming sense that it was no longer 'home'. She walked carefully through the room where the attack had happened and swallowed hard.

It was getting dark out and Lauren was quick to turn on every light she had. Her entire body was tensed and she wanted to laugh at herself for being such a girl. But deep down she was terrified. She shook off the feeling best she could and decided to be as strong as was possible.

After showering and throwing on a large baggy tee shirt and sweat pants Lauren felt a little better. It wouldn't be long until JJ arrived and at least she wouldn't be alone then. Trying to occupy her mind she began rushing about trying to find refreshments. She found a bag of chips which she opened into a bowl. She wasn't the best hostess, but then she reasoned she hadn't actually been expecting company before all of this...Her hands shook at the memories so she quickly walked into the living room placing the bowl on the table.

A small amount of tidying and Lauren had run out of things to do. It was now her mind over worked. The small trophy she had been hit with was placed back on the coffee table, yet at a different angle than Lauren had always had it. But as she reached out to move it her hands began to shake again, her eyes watered and she took a step back.

The sudden knocking at the door made Lauren's heart almost leap from her chest. There was a moment of panic before she relaxed realising it would be JJ. Whispering quick gratitude to any God who was listening for the company she made her way to the door and tugged it open.

"Thank god you're here—Dr Reid!" Lauren stared in shock at the tall man in front of her. "What are you doing here?" It was then Lauren remembered what she looked like. She crossed her arms over her chest in an effort to hide the old Care Bears shirt she wore and lowered her gaze in a desperate attempt to shield him from the view of her without make up.

"JJ had to go back tonight, her boy is ill." He said it so matter of factly that he didn't even seem to notice Lauren's futile attempts to make the ground swallow her whole. "I said I would cover for her. I hope you don't mind I just—"

"No, it's fine. It's good." Lauren laughed nervously and mentally took back her thanks she had given to God. "Come in." He smiled awkwardly and walked past her.

A long silent moment passed in which neither did anything. "Help yourself to food." Lauren gestured to the bowl of chips. "I'm sorry, it's all I got." Spencer nodded and smiled letting his satchel slide from his shoulder. "I was just thinking of watching a couple of DVDs, an easy activity on the brain." She smiled.

"Actually the brain—" He began.

"I just meant nothing too strenuous or active." Her eyes widened. "Not that you were thinking of doing anything active." Lauren felt her face redden and turned away. But Spencer looked back at her completely oblivious and she sighed with relief. "You can choose anything you like, I'll be right back."

"Ok." He replied and moved to the large array of colourful DVD cases. Lauren rushed into her small bathroom and stared in the mirror. Her hair was a wet mangled wreck and her skin was completely flushed. Groaning in annoyance she pulled open her make up bag and set to work.

By the time Lauren had put on some make up, dried her hair and pulled on a set of more attractive pyjamas Spencer still hadn't decided on a DVD.

"Having trouble choosing?" She asked, a little calmer now she felt more presentable. He seemed to glance over her new look momentarily before turning back to the movies.

"You have a lot of choice."

"Yeah, I'm a bit of a movie hoarder." She laughed and stood closer to him. "Ok let's watch…" She closed her eyes and ran a finger randomly over the DVDs. She felt her finger tip travel over the plastic before she stopped. "This one." She announced, opened her eyes and found herself pointing at Watchmen. She glanced to Spencer who seemed to be happy with the selection.

Spencer couldn't deny the fact that being here with Lauren was the best time he had had in quite some time. As the movie progressed he couldn't help but glance over to her as she stared intently at the screen. He had been attracted to many women, but something about her made him more than just physically drawn in by her.

He had been quite stunned when she'd first opened the door. He'd never seen her in such a casual state and he felt awkward for catching her off guard. But even then he hadn't been able to stop looking at how her wet hair fell into her face, framing her eyes and smile.

A frown creased his brow as he thought about the next day. The team would be returning home, and it was the first time Spencer had not wanted to go. He realised how unrealistic he was being in wanting to stay, especially for the reason he wanted to stay.

In his mind he reasoned with himself. He understood that being attracted to Lauren wasn't a bad or abnormal thing. But he shouldn't make rash decisions in this state. All the endorphins and emotions he felt now were just a normal reaction to finding someone attractive and having a want to be with them. But the feelings would pass if he left.

Yet there was a nagging feeling Spencer couldn't justify. It felt as though these feelings were more than just the first flush of excitement of meeting someone new. He frowned. These thoughts were clouding his usual sharp judgement. And even now his sensible side was telling him that feeling anything for a woman who may not return the interest was clearly not sensible.

Lauren suddenly let out a small laugh as she watched the movie and every confusing thought faded away and he smiled widely at her.

Lauren felt comfortable with Spencer there. The evening was turning out to be pretty perfect. It didn't take a genius to realise she was falling for the adorable Dr Reid. Everything about him made her want to climb over the seat and kiss him. Lauren smiled at her thought and glanced to him. But she frowned and looked away.

It was quite obvious that he wouldn't be attracted to her. She was a Detective with an intelligence level no where near to his. She barely understood some of the facts he spilled and there were times she couldn't keep with his thought process. And yet she couldn't help but think there was something between them. Was she really just imagining it? Lauren wouldn't put it past herself. Her history with men wasn't great.

As she sat and mulled over the hopeless thought of being attracted to a man out of her league she noticed what part of the movie was on.

Lauren's eye's widened and she almost choked on her chip as the characters on screen began a rather steamy, intimate scene. With a glance to Spencer she noticed how suddenly awkward the moment had become. He kept his focus on the floor and his fingers gripped the edge of the couch they sat on.

And it just kept going. Lauren had never remembered the scene being quite so long. Finally Lauren couldn't take it.

"I'm gonna get a drink, you want something?" She said standing so quickly she almost fell over her own feet.

"I'll just have water." He replied curtly and moved his legs to let her pass.

In the kitchen Lauren took a deep breath and leaned against the small slate topped island. The cold surface cooled her flushing. A quick moment to regain herself and Lauren returned with the drinks and to her relief the scene had long passed. She sat back down, settled in and finished watching the movie.

After Watchmen they had decided on Star Trek. Spencer had been a little more than thrilled to find out she was a fan, though when he began to go into details about the anomalies of some of the science behind it she seemed to just be smiling politely rather than understanding. It hadn't helped that her unfaltering attention had caught him off guard more than a few times.

Spencer had gotten pretty involved with the movie he hadn't noticed the time go by. When he finally glanced at the clock it had gone midnight. As he turned back to the movie he felt something fall against him. Looking down he stared at Lauren, quite obviously asleep. She was breathing deeply as her head rested against his chest.

It was a long time before Spencer relaxed from his tensed state. His gaze fell over Lauren's still body and as he let his arms rest on her she sighed deeply. The sound made him smile involuntarily, but the smile remained. Every part of his being felt at ease and happier than he thought he could ever be. At that moment he couldn't think of anything he wanted more and then he glanced down at her lips. But the thought quickly dissipated as he scolded himself for even thinking of such a thing.