At work on Tuesday, Derek crossed his arms, looking at Penelope. "How was the hangover?"

"Spencer Reid is an evil little genius and I'm plotting my revenge, I just haven't thought of the right way to do it. What about you? You had another sleepover."

He scoffed. "It was very uneventful. I passed out from drinking so much, woke up, we had breakfast, and I went home. That's it."

"Damn, you two may just be the most boring couple in America. Congratulations."

He mock laughed. "Maybe we'd be more interesting if someone had told me that his birthday just passed and I'm a horrible boyfriend for not doing anything."

She gasped. "You didn't do anything?!"

"Nobody told me!" he said, defending himself. "You didn't, JJ didn't, he didn't."

She paused for a second before shrugging. "I mean, it kind of makes sense. He doesn't really do the whole birthday thing, so I can see why he wouldn't tell you."

"But still, you and JJ did something for him and I had to hear about it several weeks later in the middle of a conversation."

"Okay, that's kinda my fault," she said, tapping her fingers on the counter. "Did he seem bummed out or anything?"

"No, he just sort of shrugged it off and then we changed the subject. But come on, I'm a pretty shit boyfriend if I can't even do something for his birthday."

"Well it's never too late?" she suggested. "You could do something next Tuesday, for the one month anniversary of his 22nd birthday?"

He sighed. "I'll bite. Why would I do that?"

"To show him how much you care, because something tells me that something happened between you two, because you didn't start the shift talking about the party or anything involving Spencer, meaning there was a super awkward moment you've yet to tell me about. So I gave you a great idea. Are you going to tell me?"

"I'm sorry, but it's staying between the two of us."

"That bad, huh?"

He raised his eyebrows and checked the clock, looking at the time. "Time to unlock the doors," he spoke up, walking to the front door and unlocking it, walking back to the register and logging in.

"This isn't over," she said, taking out her Sharpie.

"Yes, it is."

When Spencer came into the shop later that morning, Penelope seemed to glare at him, and he gravitated toward Derek's line.

"Give a person an early wake-up call after a night of embarrassing you one time and apparently it's the end of the world," he said, shaking his head and looking at Derek.

Before he could open his mouth, Derek wrote his order down on the cup, starting to make it. "Are you busy a week from today?" he asked, taking out the whipped cream.

"Just with my classes, then I'm free. Why?"

Derek shook up the canister, putting it on top of his drink. "I have plans, and I wanted to know if you would join me."

Spencer shrugged. "That depends. Is it home improvement related, and will I possibly need to take you to the emergency room?"

He laughed to himself. "Not quite working on it yet, and I'm not planning on it. So, yes or no?"

He thought it over, handing Derek his card. "...Yes. Can I know what it is?"

Derek took it, swiping. "Not quite yet." He handed him his card and receipt. "Have a nice day."

Spencer turned to Penelope. "...Doesn't he know I hate surprises?"

Penelope put up her hand before walking away.

"...I think she's giving you the silent treatment," Derek said, sliding his drink over to him. "Good luck with that, it's dangerous."

Spencer raised his eyebrows before picking up his drink, taking a sip and adjusting his strap on his bag, walking over to a table and sitting down.

Derek turned to her, smirking. "Seriously, silent treatment?"

"I'm pretty sure I'm still slightly hungover and his phone call didn't help, so yes, seriously the silent treatment."

Over the next week, Derek did his best to get everything he could to think of the perfect way to belatedly celebrate Spencer's birthday. He knew he wasn't a fan of alcohol, so taking him out drinking was definitely out of the question. He knew he had a very wide interest in movies, but didn't want to choose a bad one for them to see and never live it down. He finally set up some plans that he was happy with and couldn't wait to surprise Spencer.

On Tuesday, Spencer texted Derek, wondering what he needed to do. Derek messaged him back, letting him know that he should come by the coffee house, drop off a key to his house, and spend some time away until later that day. It took a lot of convincing and a phone call from Penelope to reassure him that Derek had good intentions. Spencer came by after his second class and set the key on the counter.

"That's my spare, but don't lose it," Spencer said.

Derek handed him his drink. "I promise."

"And you won't move anything around or change anything?"

Derek took his card, swiping it. "If anything gets moved, I'll move it right back. I promise."

Spencer looked at him cautiously before picking up the key, putting it into his hand. "Don't make me regret this."

"Don't worry, I won't." He winked at Spencer. "Have a good one."

Spencer eyed Penelope. "Judging by the phone call, you're in on this too?"

She nodded, giving him a thumbs up. "And I promise everything he promised on top of a promise that I won't let him screw up."

Derek raised an eyebrow. "...Thanks?"

"Does this mean you forgive me for the wake-up calls?" he asked hopefully, taking a sip of his coffee.

"...This time."

"I'll take it." He waved to the two of them before walking out.

Derek spun the keychain around on his finger. "Please tell me he's going to like this?"

She thought to herself and shrugged. "I don't know. He's definitely not the type you can read like a book, but if it were me? I for one would love it."

He held up crossed fingers and she laughed, nudging him. "Come on, one more hour and we can get that answer ourselves."

Derek unlocked the door to Spencer's apartment, stepping inside. "And you're sure his favorite is chocolate cake?"

Penelope nodded, pushing past him and walking to the kitchen. "I've made it for him and seen him light up at it enough times. Besides, he can never turn down my baked goods."

He walked over. "So do I get to see it now?"

She opened the container, showing it to him. "Yes, that is 'Happy Belated Birthday, Spencer' written out in binary. I did 'Happy Birthday' in it for him a couple of years ago and he absolutely loved it."

He set a bag on the counter, taking out assorted decorations. "And he'll appreciate all of this and not pull that Spencer thing of 'it doesn't matter, I don't care'?"

"He should anyway." She turned to him. "You ordered his favorite dinner, right?"

"Indeed I did, and it'll be ready for you to pick up in about an hour." He pulled out a banner, looking at her. "Seriously?"

"What? I don't see anything wrong with it."

He pointed to the banner, which said 'Happy Unfortunately Belated Birthday, Spencer'. "Was this necessary?"

"It is belated, and it is unfortunate that he never mentioned it. I fail to see a problem."

He shook his head, picking up some pins and hanging the banner.

"So, he has the world's worst sweet tooth? Is that a recent development or has he always been that way?" Derek asked.

"Oh, always. Back when I met him, he always had some sort of candy on him, and I'm pretty sure it was a different kind every day."

He gripped the counter, looking at everything he'd bought. "He's not used to birthdays. What if he doesn't appreciate this?"

"Honey, if he doesn't, I'd be happy for you to switch sides and I'll snatch you up myself."

He smirked. "And you think he'll like it?"

She counted it off on her fingers. "You ordered his all-time favorite dinner, his favorite dessert, you're showing him that you care by giving him a birthday, decor in his favorite color, a ton of different sweets, some of his favorite movies, and some amazing Doctor Who gifts. Believe me, he's going to absolutely love it, though he's going to be awkward about it."

"Thanks for getting me into Doctor Who so I could know what all of this stuff was."

She smiled, kissing his cheek. "You're very welcome."

Shortly before Spencer got back to the apartment, Penelope kissed his cheek before heading out. "Let me know how it goes, and if there's another sleepover."

He gave her a thumbs up, giving her a hug and kissing the top of her head. "Thank you."

"Anytime." She picked up her purse. "And don't forget to put the snuggly blankets on the couch."

He nodded, walking over and pulling some blankets out of a bag, setting them on the couch. He looked around at his hard work and took a deep breath, hoping all of this would go over well.

His phone went off in his pocket and he pulled it out, checking his messages.

Am I allowed to enter my own place, or do I need to knock first?

He smiled to himself. I'd say knock. It'll work better.

Okay, whatever that means. I'll see you in a few minutes.

Derek laughed softly, putting the movies on top of his player and sorting them, before stretching slightly, crossing his fingers.

When there was a knock on the door, Derek took a deep breath and exhaled, walking over and opening it.

"Welcome home."

Spencer raised an eyebrow. "...Thank you?" He took his bag off of his shoulder, walking inside and setting it on his armchair. "Sorry if I'm late. I had to finish some groupwork for one of my classes, and let me tell you, I'd have rather been getting my teeth pulled out individually without novacaine."

"It couldn't be that bad, could it?"

Spencer scoffed, pulling off his jacket, setting it down, before unwrapping his scarf and putting it on the hook by the door. "You'd be surprised. So, why couldn't I come to my own apartment for the last few hours?"

Derek held up his arms. "...Surprise."

Spencer looked around and saw all of the decorations, along with the banner. He smiled to himself, seeing trays of food in the kitchen and what was sure to be one of Penelope's cake containers on the counter. "What's all of this?"

Derek shrugged. "I know that you said birthdays aren't a big deal, but I wanted you to know that to me, it's a huge deal, and I want to show that I appreciate you."

Spencer laughed softly. "I know you appreciate me, you didn't need to do this."

"I know I didn't need to. I wanted to." He leaned in, kissing Spencer's cheek. "Hungry?"

"After two hours in the library with neanderthals? Starving."

He smirked, picking up the trays and walking over to the table, setting them down. "Dinner is served."

"I guessed you're a wine guy," Derek said, walking over to the fridge.

Spencer nodded, picking up his fork. "I am, and I prefer red."

Derek reached in, taking out the bottle and holding it up. "I'm really good at guessing." He poured Spencer a glass, setting it down on the counter, and grabbed himself a water bottle.

Spencer smirked. "I'm impressed." He took a sip, setting his glass down. "How did you know I liked this?" he asked, pointing his fork into the tray.

"We talked about it at the Halloween party. You told me when you moved in, JJ took you to dinner there, and it tasted like home. I remembered that and I picked it up."

"I thought I was the one with the good memory," Spencer teased, taking another bite.

"You've got the eidetic, I've got the selective. I may mess up a few orders once in a while at the coffee shop or forget something when I go to pick up things for my houses, but I remember things that are genuinely important."

Spencer smiled to himself. "I appreciate that." He pointed to the streamers and balloons. "Not that I'm doubting your abilities, but those have Penelope written all over them." He pointed to the banner. "Especially that."

"Streamers and balloons were me, but the banner? I'll admit that was all her."

"So was all of this your idea, or hers?" he asked.

He pointed to himself, swallowing the food in his mouth. "Her suggestion, but all me. I hope you don't mind, but I have a few other things planned."

Spencer raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"

"Finish dinner and you'll find out."

"Someone's bossy," Spencer said, smirking and taking another bite.

"Do you need to do anything tonight?" Derek asked, cleaning up the kitchen.

Spencer thought to himself. "I finished all of my notes and work at the library earlier, so no. Why?"

He washed his hands before putting up a finger, walking to the living room and holding up the DVDs. "Because you're going to be busy."

Spencer eyed the cases. "The Day of the Doctor and The Avengers. I'm impressed."

"As well you should be, Derek said, smiling. "Which first?"

"Surprise me," Spencer told him, walking over to the couch, and pulling one of the blankets over himself. "And please tell me this blanket can stay?"

Derek opened one of the cases, putting in the movie. "All yours. Consider it part of your gift."

Spencer looked at him, confused. "...Gift?"

He reached beside the couch, grabbing a gift bag and handing it to Spencer, before sitting beside him and pulling his own blanket over him. He wrapped himself in the blanket, putting a pillow behind his back. "What, you think I'd celebrate your birthday and not get you a gift? I'm already a month late on the celebrating, I had to do something."

Spencer shook his head. "This has been great, you didn't need to do anything."

"I didn't need to, I wanted to. I know you're new to the whole birthday thing, but I enjoy doing nice things for the people I care about, and celebrating them."

He smiled, reaching in the bag and pulling out the tissue paper. "This wrapping job has Penelope written all over it," he mumbled to himself.

"Yeah, she insisted."

Spencer pulled out a travel mug covered in Doctor Who quotes, smirking. "What, you want me to make my own coffee now?"

"No, but I think it'd be a good idea for you to have, considering I've seen you without coffee and it's not pleasant."

Spencer wrinkled his nose. "Thanks." He then reached in the bag and took out some Doctor Who pins. "'You Never Forget Your First Doctor', huh? Who was yours?"

"I'm a next generation Whovian, so sorry to say I started with Nine."

He shrugged. "It beats the people who only started watching for Eleven and never bothered to look into the previous doctors." He reached in again, taking out some journals, smiling. "Bad Wolf and River Song's Diary. Very nice."

"I thought so."

Spencer put everything back into the bag, leaning over and wrapping his arms around Derek, pulling him into a hug before kissing his cheek. "Thank you, it's very sweet."

Derek rubbed his back. "I'm glad you like it. Now, considering the theme of your gift, I think it's only appropriate that we enjoy Ten, Eleven, and of course, John Hurt's War Doctor."

Spencer nodded, leaning against him as Derek pressed play.

The two of them watched, occasionally adding their own commentary. During the Doctor Who special, they talked about their favorite episodes and their favorite Doctors. Derek learned that Spencer's favorite was Four, while Spencer learned that Derek's was Nine. Spencer's favorite villain was the Daleks, while Derek's were the weeping angels, despite the outcome of them. Spencer also didn't hesitate to open up the different bags of candy, sampling them. When the movie finished, Derek patted Spencer's arm.

"I need to get up and change the movie."

Spencer groaned. "Fine." He sat up, fixing the blanket around himself as Derek opened the player. "Drink?"

"Sure, I'll take a water." He took the disc out, putting it back into the case, before taking the other one out. "I judged by the Halloween costume you were a Marvel fan?"

"You guessed correctly," Spencer said, walking in and setting two water bottles on the table. "Though I have an equal-sized portion of my heart devoted to DC. I can't choose a comic universe, it's a sin."

Derek smirked, walking over and pulling the blanket over himself. "Good life choice." He held out his arm and Spencer leaned over, resting his head against Derek's chest.

"So I take it you're a Bruce Banner fan?"

Spencer shrugged, taking a bite of a sour belt. "I guess you could say that. Much like with comic universes, I'm an equal opportunity superhero fan. There's no one Avenger I prefer to another, and I don't dislike anyone."

"Come on, not even a little bit?"

He thought to himself, wrapping Derek's arm around him. "If I had to dislike anyone, just in this specific film? I don't know, maybe Hawkeye, because we really don't get his true character. I mean, he's possessed for most of it. What we do see is genius and brilliant, but it's not enough to make anyone really love the character I suppose." He eyed Derek. "What about you? Any character dislikes in the Avengers universe?"

"Grandpa Rogers I guess."

Spencer nudged him with his elbow. "That's not nice! He's only been unfrozen for a couple of weeks when the events of The Avengers take place, so he's not quite used to modern terminology or anything."

Derek glanced at him. "So what, you relate to the old man?"

He shrugged. "Well, sort of. You've said it yourself, I'm not really with modern times. I may have the brains to be a Bruce Banner or a Tony Stark, but I'm definitely more of a Steve Rogers."

He raised an eyebrow. "So you're telling me you're actually in your 90s and you look that good? Tell me your secret."

Spencer wrinkled his nose, grabbing the pillow behind him and hitting Derek with it. "I liked you better when you were injured and delusional."

Derek laughed softly, patting his arm. "I'm sure you did."

Once the movie was over, Derek turned to Spencer. "Cake?"

Spencer hummed to himself before shrugging. "That depends."

"...On?"

"You don't seem like a baker, so on the fact that Penelope was invasive and made it."

He smiled, nodding. "She insisted on making her double chocolate cake for you, said it's your favorite."

"She was right." Spencer got up, walking to the kitchen and grabbing plates out of his cabinet, setting them on the counter.

Derek followed, taking a candle out of a box on the counter and putting it in the middle of the cake lighting it and humming Happy Birthday.

Spencer looked at him, curious. "What are you doing?"

"It may be a month late, but we are celebrating your birthday, so it's only fair that you get to make another wish."

"Oh?"

"Yes, oh." Derek finished humming the song before motioning toward the cake. "Make a wish."

Spencer took a breath, thinking to himself, before blowing out the candle, pulling it out of the cake and smiling. "Satisfied?"

"Indeed." Derek cut into the cake, putting the slices on separate plates and picking one up, along with a fork. "You know, I've been working with Penelope for years and she's never made me this."

Spencer shrugged, taking a bite. "She must not like you as much as she likes me."

Derek put a hand to his chest, faking pain, before taking a bite. "...Oh she definitely likes you more if she makes this for you whenever you want it. Now, let's just hope it's not poisoned as one last bit of revenge for your wake up call." He saw Spencer pausing before taking another bite. "I'm kidding. If anything, she'd put something in your coffee. Just stick to my line for a while."

Spencer picked up a bit of frosting, throwing it at Derek's face. "That's not funny."

"Really?" He reached over to his cheek, putting the frosting on his finger and licking it. "I think it's hilarious."

After they stayed up talking for a while, Derek checked the time on his phone and sighed.

"I've got to get home to the furry little one, and you need some sleep for school tomorrow."

Spencer nodded, picking up their glasses and walking over to the sink, setting them inside. "So I'll see you tomorrow morning?"

"You bet, I'll have your usual tooth rotter for you in no time."

Spencer elbowed him, smiling. "Thanks."

"I've seen you without coffee. Trust me, I'm doing the world a favor."

His smile grew. "I meant for tonight. Aside from JJ and Penelope, nobody ever really makes a big deal about my birthday. I know I say it doesn't matter and I don't need it, but it's nice to be noticed, especially when you've spent a good portion of your life invisible."

"It was my pleasure. Honestly."

He nodded, wrapping his arms around Derek's neck and pulling him in for a kiss. He pulled back, resting his forehead against Derek's. "I'm still not ready to say it, Derek," he said softly, avoiding eye contact.

Derek shook his head. "You don't have to be."

"I know, but," Spencer swallowed before looking him in the eyes. "Tonight was a definite step in the direction of being ready to say it. I can't tell you when, I can't tell you how, but this? It's feeling right, and I just-"

Derek put a finger to his lips. "I get it." He moved his finger, giving him a quick peck. "I'll see you in the morning."

Spencer nodded, walking him to the door, opening it and resting his hand against it. "Will you accept an 'I greatly appreciate your company and feel some kind of way toward you'?"

Derek smiled, nodding. "Gladly." He took his keys out of his pocket, walking toward his car and getting in, starting it.

The next day at work, Derek had to divulge every bit of information from the night before to Penelope, as payment for her help planning it.

"So he liked the movies?" she asked, cleaning up the counter.

He nodded. "Doctor Who and The Avengers? Perfect night. It also gave us opportunities to talk about certain things."

She raised an eyebrow. "Things? What are things?"

He shrugged slightly. "Nothing overly exciting. Just our favorite things about them. Doctors, superheroes, companions, plots - those kinds of things."

"So you two are already a boring couple? I'm not surprised but damn."

He shook his head, looking over at the door. "It's about that time."

"Spencer time?"

"And he looks pissed."

"Good luck."

Spencer walked up to the counter, slamming his books down and looking at Derek.

"And why do you have a permanent 'I'm going to murder someone in their sleep' face?" Penelope asked.

"Does this have anything to do with group work?" Derek asked, reaching for a cup and writing his order on the side before starting to make it.

He ran a hand over his face, groaning. "The least a professor could do is put me in a group with people at least somewhat near my level in intelligence. Not three completely incompetent idiots who can't do anything. I understand, he wants me to bring them up, but at this point, they're dragging me down and I'm going to snap."

Penelope raised an eyebrow, motioning toward him. "...And this isn't snapped?" He gave her a look and she put her hands in the air. "Hushing, shushing, and butting out."

He looked at Derek. "I know I said I'd be by one of your houses this week to help you out, but unfortunately, it seems all of my free time this week will be spent doing this project on my own, then attempting to dumb it down to their intelligence level and make it seem like they actually did something. Then at some point, I need to meet up with them to pass said 'dumbing down' by them to be sure they understand what the hell they're doing, come up with a presentation schedule to figure out which of them says what when, and make sure they know what the hell it all means before we present it on Monday." He exhaled, eyeing Derek. "Coffee."

Derek slid his coffee over to him, taking his credit card and swiping it. "So I take it you'll be by your usual times?"

"I still need my lifeline," he said, taking a sip and sighing. "But, unfortunately, no remodeling, no extra visits, nothing until I'm done with the Three Stooges."

"Nice nickname," Derek said, handing the credit card back ."Good luck, and my phone is going to be on if you need to text or rant or send pictures of your head bursting into a million pieces."

He mock laughed, taking another sip of his drink and picking up his books. "Just came from class dealing with them, and now I need to spend an hour in the library working on this project with them, go to my next class, come here, then meet with them again. Group work is something the devil came up with, I swear it."

"Good luck again," Derek told him, then watched as he walked out.

"Oh, he is not a happy camper. Derek Morgan, I'd like you to meet stressed-out Spencer Reid. He's not pretty, he's very emotional, and you avoid him at all costs until he's done stressing."

He nodded. "Consider it noted."

Over the next couple of days, as he had been warned, Spencer was the exact opposite of social. He would come in for his coffee, enjoy the small talk, and then head out, dreading getting to his destination. Derek would try texting him to give him a small distraction or calm him down for a while, but usually he would only get one word responses or Spencer wouldn't respond until he got back from the library later that night.

"I'll gladly take advice at this point," Derek said, cleaning off the counter.

"Oh?" Penelope said, crossing her arms. "You want my dating advice?"

"I feel like he's taken like twelve steps back. He's no longer the Spencer who can joke around and have fun and enjoy himself. He's reverted back into Spencer who crawls into his shell and ignores socializing and wouldn't know what fun is if you gave him a million dollars to describe it."

She laughed softly, clicking her Sharpie a few times. "So, your problem is all the progress you made is suddenly gone?"

"Yes, exactly. I text him and I either get one word or 'I'm too busy' or, even better, ignored."

"Well, the big project goes in on Monday. Maybe offer to take him out to dinner or something Monday night to give him something to look forward to after the big project."

"...Baby Girl, you are an absolute genius."

She smirked. "Believe me, I know. Now, if I'm not wrong, your Boy Wonder should be here soon for his fix and could probably use the pick-me-up of a date."

He gave her a thumbs up, fixing his apron and setting his Sharpie on the counter.

Spencer walked in, taking his credit card out of his pocket and tossing it on the counter, giving Derek a look.

"Uh oh," Penelope said. "That's the stupid question face."

Derek raised an eyebrow, taking out a cup and writing out his order. "What's the stupid question face?"

"Something you've obviously been lucky enough to evade up to this point," she said, eyeing Spencer. "Scale of 1-10?"

"9 ½," he said shortly.

"...Dare I ask?"

He clicked his tongue, exhaling. "And I quote, 'so, when we do this presentation, do we need to like, talk?'. How did this imbecile make it into a senior level class? How did she graduate preschool?"

"Ouch," Derek said, sliding the coffee over to him and sliding his card. "Are you at least making progress?"

"I'm going to be at the library late tonight, spend the entire weekend in working on the presentation with them online, because I think if I need to look at their faces anymore after tonight, I'll end up in the back of a cop car, then early Monday morning, I signed us up for the first presentation slot."

"Smart move," Derek said, handing it back to him. He saw Penelope pointing a finger at him out of the corner of his eye. "Do you have a minute?"

Spencer checked his watch, exhaling. "I can make one exist. Go."

Derek paused before clearing his throat. "I was just wondering if you wanted to do something Monday night, erase all memory of this project from hell and forget it ever existed. It'll give you something to look forward to and a reason not to commit a felony."

Spencer ran a hand over his face, putting a sleeve on his coffee cup. "Um, yeah, sure, that works. I have a meeting with my advisor after my classes. I can meet you here when I'm done."

"Sounds good."

Spencer shuffled on his feet, chewing on his cheek and looking up at Derek. "...Can I see you for a minute?"

"That depends on if you have one?"

Spencer gave him a nervous smile, nodding.

He motioned toward the back room and Spencer nodded again, following him back there.

"What's up?" Derek asked.

Spencer sighed. "I am sorry I have been so distant and unreasonable this week. I don't know if you've noticed, but I'm an independent person, and when I get shoved into a group? I just go into overdrive and I'm not myself."

"I get it. Believe me, I get it. Been there, done that, suffered through it. It's fine."

He exhaled, nodding. "Can Monday be on me, to thank you for putting up with me through this?"

Derek gave him a smile. "If that's what you need to do to make yourself feel better? Go for it."

Spencer pressed his forehead against Derek's. "Thank you."

"Of course."

"Do you have another minute?"

Derek smirked. "Maybe."'

Spencer smiled before leaning in, kissing him. Derek rested a hand on the back of Spencer's neck, reaching up and running his fingers through his hair. Spencer smiled against his mouth, wrapping his arms around Derek's neck.

Penelope walked to the back room a couple of minutes later, squealing. "Oh, dear lord, you two are adorable!"

Spencer blushed, pulling back, biting his lip, while Derek put his hands down by his side, smiling slightly. "I'll be right out," he told her.

She tucked her phone back into her pocket. "I'll be waiting."

"...She has photographic evidence, doesn't she?"

Derek nodded. "I'm afraid so."

Spencer sighed, adjusting his bag on his shoulder. "I should get going. The Three Stooges sure as hell aren't going to finish this project without me."

Derek kissed his cheek. "Good luck."

"I need it."

Spencer walked out of the back room, coffee in hand, still blushing. He waved to Penelope and walked out of the shop, taking out his car keys.

"That's what I call good customer service," Penelope said, wagging her eyebrows.

Derek ran a hand over his scalp. "...At least now he's calm?"

She laughed to herself. "Calm, bright red, and a little lovesick. Good combo."

He shrugged. "He has less of a desire to kill somebody right now. I definitely prefer embarrassed Spencer to murderous Spencer."

"I have to give you that one."

He felt his phone buzz in his pocket and pulled it out, checking it.

See you on Monday. Thanks for talking me off the ledge.

I think I sort of kissed you off the ledge. He knew that would have Spencer blushing.

It vibrated again and he checked it. And you wonder why I won't say 'I love you' yet. See you Monday :)

Derek shook his head, both glad that sarcastic Spencer was back, and still frustrated that he was stupid enough to let that phrase slip. He tucked his phone back into his pocket.

"What has you turning color?" Penelope asked, nudging him.

He shook his head again. "Nothing."