The Jason Gideon Detective Agency

Chap. 7-Alpha and Omega

Three Weeks Later

1800 Hours

Somewhere in DC

Spencer sat at the bar, sipping his drink, waiting for Caroline to arrive. A few moments later, his eyes moved to the front door as a pretty brunette entered, dressed in a sleek black pantsuit. He smiled; it was Caroline, and he raised his hand and waved at her. She smiled back, and walked towards him, kissing his cheek as he stood. They had been conversing every night, sometimes by phone, but usually via email, and he'd even set up an instant messaging account in order to keep up with her.

"This place is lovely, Spencer." He beamed, and then the waitress approached, ready to seat them, and as they settled in, Caroline ordered a glass of red wine, and chuckled as the waitress checked her ID and glanced sideways at Spencer.

Caroline realized that the waitress thought he was cute, and smiled to herself as she sat and tucked the napkin into her lap, and listened as Spencer spoke.

"Thank you, Caroline. Anyway, how is your conference?"

"Boring. A lot of old PI's, sitting around, bullshitting about the good old days when you didn't need a license and a carry permit. It seems rather mob-ish, actually." He chuckled.

"I am sorry it's boring, but you look nice."

"Yeah, Gideon's been on me to dress better. So tell me about this new case-really, a serial killer in Montana?"

"I emailed you. We caught the guy." She smiled as the waitress appeared with her wine and she sipped it.

"I haven't had time to check it since lunch. I am glad you caught the guy. Say, did you hear about Petty Officer Johnson's Tribunal? She pled guilty to killing Perez." Spencer looked at her, gauging her reaction, and noticed that Caroline appeared sad. He spoke to her, soothingly.

"I am glad that justice was served, but I am sorry that your first case was so difficult." Caroline sighed.

"You always say the most lovely things, thank you. We are waiting for the indictment for Paul Richardson." He nods.

"Yes, sometimes the civilian police and DA's take awhile." Caroline shrugged.

"Anyway, apparently, the Perez's have decided not to pursue a civil case against Petty Officer Johnson, which I guess is good news, but it's so sad all around. A dead Marine, a young woman in military jail for a really long time, and families in mourning. I am not sure I am cut out for this; I have considered going back to teaching."

He pauses for a moment, scanning the menu and deciding on the grilled halibut. Caroline did the same, and chose the turkey burger for herself. He spoke to her, gently.

"You would be good at so many things. Have you started looking at teaching jobs? Back to MIT?" She shrugs.

"MIT isn't currently hiring people back. The only places on the East Coast that have engineering or literature openings are Virginia Tech, Georgetown, or Columbia. My dad thinks he can get me on at Annapolis if I am interested, too." Spencer raised an eyebrow; her casual mention of Georgetown was odd-was she uninterested in living in DC, or was she just playing cool? He decided to ask.

"Which are you leaning towards?"

"Well, actually, Gid is trying to keep me on by offering me more money, and of course, Boston is my home, and where I feel the most welcome. But if I *do* decide to change, I am leaning towards one of the Virginia schools. I have been to New York, and I hate it. Boston is just a few hour's drive from the DC area, and so, Georgetown or Virginia Tech would be acceptable." He smiles, and replies.

"Well, like I have told you, I think you do well at the PI thing, but if it doesn't make you happy, you should move on." She nods as the waitress appears again and they place their dinner orders. They chat some more about their jobs before moving on to more personal topics. He had told her about his mother; finding that it was easy to talk to her, and that she wasn't judgmental. He now relays to her a funny anecdote, and as their food arrives and they begin to eat, he finds himself smiling at the way she tossed her head back and laughed, and the way her big brown eyes shone when they discussed literature and facts, as if they were sharing the same brain.

As the meal wound down, and they sipped at their drinks and polished off the bottle of wine they'd ordered, Spencer was suddenly overcome with something akin to lust, and spoke huskily to her.

"So, Dr. Steinberg, what are your plans for the rest of the evening?" She smiled, taking his bait.

"I had nothing pressing-do you have an idea?" He smiles, and nods.

"How about coming to my place for some coffee?" His forwardness surprised even him, and though Caroline blushed and raised an eyebrow, she nodded.

"Sounds lovely." He grinned, and flagged down the waitress to retrieve their check. After he paid and they hailed a cab, they stumbled into his apartment slightly tipsy and very much enjoying each other's company.

A few hours later found the couple wrapped up in each other, sharing sweet, soft kisses and clumsy, tender touches. They were aware of an electricity growing between them, and as the night went on, they were soon in Spencer's bed, their kisses more assured, and their touches more exact. A little while later found them making love, and later, they both had fallen asleep, entwined and dreaming about the other.

The next morning, Spencer awoke with a start when his phone rang. He groaned and looked at the clock before realizing that there was a decidedly female body also groaning awake next to him. He inhaled sharply as the events of the previous night came flooding back to him-dinner with Caroline, chatting, and the wine, and then winding up in bed together. He smiled as she opened her eyes and looked at him, blushing lightly.

"Good morning, Spencer." He replied.

"Good morning. I am sorry that my phone went off so early; it must be JJ."

Caroline nods, and fumbles on the nightstand next to her for her glasses before sitting upright. She had put on his undershirt before falling asleep, and now he smiled at her scantily-clad figure wrapped up in his blankets. He liked the feeling of waking up next to a woman, and as he picked up the phone to return the call, he saw her smile, too. Sure enough, his display read "work" and he played JJ's message as he reached out for Caroline, pulling her close to him, not yet ready to leave the warm, comfy, lusty cocoon the two had made. He grimaced when JJ asked him to report to the office as soon as he could, and as he hung up, he turned and kissed Caroline's forehead before speaking.

"It looks like I need to head into the office. Can I drop you somewhere on my way?" She nodded, the feelings of lust and love she had for the man crashing around her. She smiled, and replied.

"Oh, bummer. I was looking forward to some nice post-coital breakfast where you feed me bagels and recite Derrida." He grinned.

"Sorry, next time. I am really sorry that we have to cut this short. It's not too weird, is it?" She shook her head, and wiggled out of the bed, pulling her slacks on before speaking to him.

"No, it's understandable. I would never fault you for dealing with work stuff. Gid has been known to call us into the office at the break of dawn, too." He grins, having climbed out of bed, too, and begun dressing. He slipped on a pair of trousers before eyeing Caroline as she smoothed the blouse she'd worn the night before over her slim figure, and left her brown curls falling around her shoulders. He smiled, wondering how many times this scene would play out for them, and not daring to hope it would be many times. As he strode to the closet and selected a shirt and tie, he heard Caroline slip into his bathroom, and he let out a sigh. It was so natural for them-usually, it was usually so awkward the morning after, but they seemed so at ease with each other already. He chose to take it as a sign, and sat down to put on his shoes and call JJ back to let her know he was on his way, but needed to make a quick stop.

"JJ, this is Spencer. Yeah, I got your message. I will be there in about a half-hour; I need to make a stop on the way. Just a quick in and out, I think….yeah, we can talk later. Dinner? Oh, it was well, thanks, I had a nice time, and I think Dr. Steinberg did, too." He blushed, knowing that JJ could likely tell he was lying, but didn't care. He listened as she told him to hurry, and that she would see him in a little while. Caroline appeared in the bedroom again, her face washed, and her brown hair pulled back again, and he spoke to her.

"Thank you for being so understanding. I hate to rush this, but will you be ready in about 10 minutes? I am just going to brush my teeth, and then we can be off." She nodded, and replied as he headed for the bathroom.

"Yes, that's fine, I understand, really. I will be in the kitchen, investigating the coffee situation." He chuckled as he shut himself in the bathroom and cleaned up carefully, not wanting to lose the scent of Caroline's kisses that lingered on his skin. He shaved quickly and then brushed his teeth, and finally ran his hairbrush through his hair, then stepped back, sighing as he took in his image, and then turned quickly back into the bedroom, grabbing his bag and phone and headed for the kitchen. He smiled as Caroline held out a go mug of coffee, but he shook his head.

"You drink it. I'll get some at the office; we are really in a rush." She nods, picks up her purse, and indicates the door. He leads her out, and down the hallway, stopping only to lock the door behind him.

The elevator ride proved to be a little awkward; no one in his building was used to seeing the young man leaving the building with a pretty young woman on his arm, and they stared openly. The two young people ignored the stares and climbed into Spencer's car, and began the trek towards the hotel she was staying at. She chuckled lightly and he looked at her.

"What?"

"Nothing; it's just that I better think of some really good reason for not showing up for breakfast this morning. We were supposed to meet at six to eat and then have a phone meeting with Gideon before day four of the conference." He chuckled.

"I see the problem. Just tell them you went for a walk and lost track of time." She snorted.

"I never lose track of time. I have OCD, remember." He shrugged.

"Tell them the truth, then. I know JJ suspects something is up; she said she'd tried to call twice before the one that woke us up." Caroline nods, and then replies.

"Well, I am sorry, then. I hope it doesn't cause her to harass you too much. I guess you're right; my absence last night likely was noticed, too-we ARE private eyes, after all." He nodded as they approached the hotel she was staying at. As he pulled into the parking area, they looked at each other, and then smiled ruefully. He leaned over and kissed her cheek softly as she spoke to him.

"Thanks for a wonderful evening, and an interesting start to the day. We should do it again sometime." He smiled and nodded as she left the car without another word. He watched her go, then sighed before turning out of the lot and heading onto work.

Several Days Later

Spencer and Caroline had been exchanging emails and phone calls for about a month and a half now, but their night together had managed to be kept quiet. JJ suspected, but kept it to herself, as did Top Stafford. Finally, Caroline found herself in DC again, this time for a workshop, and this time, she surprised Spencer by showing up at the Bullpen to take him to lunch. As she was ushered into the Bullpen by a security guard, Prentiss poked Spencer and motioned to the door. He looked up and smiled, and Prentiss giggled.

"Go to her, Reid." He nodded as he stood and strode across the room, greeting Caroline with a smile and saying something that made her laugh. Several pairs of eyes watched the couple, as they instantly became joyful and expressed in their body language and facial expressions the growing love and lust they shared for each other, for they were surrounded by 150 behavioral profilers. A few moments later, he led her by the hand towards his desk, and indicated a visitor's chair for her. She settled in, and then smiled at the others.

"Hi, again, everyone. I just came to see if Sp-uh, Dr. Reid wanted to go to lunch. I am in town for a few days for a conference…" she trailed off as they all looked her with knowing smiles, and blushed tomato red. Spencer grimaced at them, and they turned back to their computers, glancing at the pair every so often as Spencer finished his current paperwork, and then stood.

"Let me just hand this to Hotch, and then we can head out." Caroline nods, and as he disappears, Prentiss scoots closer to the girl.

"So, you and Dr. Reid have become close, have you? Spill all. I want all the juicy details." Caroline blushed and giggled, and then shook her head.

"There isn't much to spill. We've just been emailing and talking since dinner that one time, and I was in town and had a free day before the conference starts." Emily nodded.

"What is the conference for? More PI stuff?" Caroline shook her head.

"No, actually, it's the annual Biomedical Engineering Professionals Conference. Four days of talking about cloning, DNA, and science." Prentiss shrugged.

"Ok. Well, have fun, and hey, if you want to keep Dr. Reid out past lunch, I won't tell." Caroline rolled her eyes, but nodded.

"Thank you, Agent Prentiss." Just then, Spencer reappeared, and grabbed his jacket. He turned to Caroline and spoke.

"Are you ready?" She nodded, and then they left the building together, Spencer relaying that Hotch gave him the afternoon free. Caroline chuckled, and told him that Prentiss had hinted that they should spend the afternoon together, as well, and he grimaced.

"My colleagues can be annoying at times. Remind me to ask Prentiss to keep her opinions to herself." He smiled, and she shook her head as they climbed into the rental car Caroline had.

"You shouldn't say that; they wouldn't tease you if they didn't care." He nods.

"I know. I just wish sometimes that they cared a little less." They both laugh, and proceed to a nearby bistro for a light lunch, then agree to go back to Spencer's again. Caroline had revealed that she was indeed unhappy at her job, and this conference was going to be a little trial, a four-day time frame, to see how DC fit her. They had been talking about one of them relocating, for they had grown closer and Caroline had come into DC for a few over-nights, but nothing so serious as this week. Spencer was hoping and praying that her last day, which was supposed to be a second interview at Georgetown, went well, and that Caroline would soon be living nearby really soon.

Several months later

Home of Spencer Reid

Somewhere in DC

Spencer arrived home at the same time as Caroline, kissing her quickly as she opened the door to their apartment. Her job had panned out at Georgetown, and she'd quickly moved in with him, and became a permanent fixture in his life and at the BAU. Of course, JJ loved her, and others thought they were a perfect match. He grinned as she carefully arranged their things in their proper places, and then he pulled her to him, and settled her into his lap on the couch, and they remained entwined for several minutes, just quietly enjoying the peace and quiet. They had begun to discuss marriage, and he was going to ask her soon, at their one-year anniversary later that month. He was content, and she was happy, and as he kissed her, and picked her up to carry her to the bedroom, he smiled.

"I love you, Caroline."

"I love you, Spencer."

The end.