Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds

A/N: Thanks again to all those who read and reviewed

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Reid exited the elevator on the sixth floor of the FBI building in Quantico. The day was bright and sunny which was mirrored in JJ's appearance as she greeted him cheerfully despite the fact that her arms were loaded down with files. "Good morning Spence, lovely day out there."

"Morning JJ, yeah it's nice," Reid replied absentmindedly. "Ah, do you need some help with those," he indicated the stack of files she held.

"No thanks, I got it covered. So many cases, I have to decide which one we tackle next."

"So anything really interesting?"

"Oh no you don't, you're on consults today and nothing more. You're leaving this afternoon for Ohio. I don't even know why you came in today anyway." JJ remarked as they made their way towards the bullpen.

"Well better here where I could do some good than at home doing nothing," Reid replied arriving at his desk and setting his messenger bag on the floor.

"Hey man, you still fretting about meeting the Grahams," Morgan interjected, approaching them with a mug of steaming coffee in his hands. He sipped the brew as he leaned on his desk eyeing his friend.

"I wouldn't say fretting, Morgan," Reid said in response to the older profiler's usual ribbing.

"I would, you should see your face." Emily added as she followed closely behind Morgan with a mug in her hands as well.

"Alright, that's enough; don't we have something a little more productive to do?" Hotch said with authority as he and Rossi walked through the bullpen on the way to their offices. The three profilers turned to the stack of files on their desks and settled down to their tasks while JJ continued to her office, still lugging the stack of files that carried people's destinies.

"Looks like Reid's really getting the gears about meeting his girlfriend's family. Boy's gotta loosen up." Rossi told Hotch as they mounted the stairs to their offices.

"Couldn't agree with you more Dave. Couldn't agree with you more.

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Reid's SUV had just passed the road sign announcing the couple had entered Fairfield County, an indication their six hour drive from Washington, DC to Lancaster, Ohio was almost at an end. Reid had wanted to fly but Allie had insisted it would be more fun to drive. They had left mid afternoon and taken turns at the wheel.

The traffic on the I-70 had not been heavy and they had made good time, stopping in Clarksburg to have dinner. Allie, as Reid expected, was a good traveling companion. She was interested in the scenery and pointing out things of interest or singing off key to CDs or songs on the radio. Her easy going nature helped to quell a few of the butterflies that were running rampant in Reid's stomach as they neared their destination.

Allie told him that, as she suspected, her mother was not thrilled that they had chosen to stay in a hotel but said she understood Reid's reluctance to stay in their home although she stressed he was welcome. He hoped it would not start them off on the wrong foot.

Allie was talking to her mother on her cell phone, "Yeah, we'll be there shortly, we're just coming to the Granville/Lancaster exit." There was silence as she listened to her mother. "What kind of a surprise? You kill me when you do that Mom, okay see you soon. Love you. Bye."

"They can't wait for us to get there," she said closing her phone and putting it in her purse. "Mom says she's got a surprise for me. It's probably chocolate fudge brownies, my favorite. Mom makes the best brownies in the world, which is not really a good thing. I'm liable to eat too many and put on twenty pounds. And then I'd…"

"Still be beautiful." Reid said from behind the wheel.

"He speaks! You've been awfully quiet for a while."

"Considering I haven't been able to get a word in for the last, oh," he looked at the odometer, "Fifty miles."

"Sorry, I'm just excited. I guess I tend to babble but I'm really worried about the brownies. I have to fit into my dress for Saturday night. It's new and it's sure to knock your mismatched socks off Dr. Reid. Turn right at this exit."

"I'm sure you don't have to worry and you'll be beautiful, you always are because you're beautiful in here," he touched her chest in the general vicinity of her heart.

"Hey keep your hands to yourself bucko and keep your eyes on the road." Allie said teasingly, then whispered in his ear. "But remember that for later."

Soon they entered the picturesque town of Lancaster, Ohio. Allie directed him through the streets until they came to Oakbluff Road. Allie told him to pull into the third house from the corner, a spacious two story with a three car garage.

Reid felt his pulse quicken as they got out of the SUV and the butterflies that had lessened somewhat, once again invaded his stomach. He had the urge to get back into his vehicle and hightail it out of there but he knew he could not do that. He would do nothing, he swore to himself, to disappoint the woman standing beside him, sliding her soft hand in his.

"Ready," she said softly.

Reid nodded, unable to find his voice at that moment. They walked up the sidewalk hand in hand and Allie opened the front door, calling out, "Hi, we're here."

A middle aged couple appeared from what Reid assumed was the living room. The woman, who was a little shorter than Allie, had a warm face and short auburn hair. She opened her arms to accept her daughter. Allie went happily into the outstretched arms. The man was medium height with dark brown hair. He too smiled warmly at his daughter and caught her in a tight hug. Reid stood off to the side silently sizing up the people who had given the world this wonderful young woman.

"Oh, Mom, Dad," she turned toward Reid, "I'd like you to meet Doc…" Allie was stopped by her mother's words and a hand on her arm.

"Could you hold off for just a moment Honey, we have a surprise."

"But Mom," she turned and shrugged at Spencer as her mother grabbed her hand and headed into the room they'd just appeared from.

Reid saw Allie's eyes and mouth open wide and she was quickly enveloped in a huge hug by a woman a little older than Allie, a man a little younger and an elderly couple.

"Chelsea, Dylan, and Grandma and Grandpa, oh my God."

The butterflies were now swarming, unchecked.