Dinner with Dave

Disclaimer: I do not own criminal minds.

'Food is not about impressing people, it's about making them feel comfortable.' Ina Garten.

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The minute Dave Rossi walked up to the maitre'd in the restaurant; he began to think he had made a mistake. He saw the man's lips curve into a

small smile when he saw Spencer.

"I'm David Rossi, I have a reservation for eight o' clock." he said quietly.

"Of course sir; gentlemen, please follow me, " He led the two agents into a beautifully decorated, romantically lit dining room.

Rossi suddenly felt very conspicuous; he wished he had phoned and let them know his dinner companion had changed. Reid, on the other hand, was too busy looking around the restaurant to notice the attention he seemed to be attracting. The maitre 'd sat them down at a table for two. Dave noticed that there were couples all around them, including a pair of middle aged gentlemen who sat directly behind Spencer. The heavier of the two was casting appreciative glances Reid's way until his companion with the fading blond hair kicked him under the table.

Rossi ignored them. The maitre' d who resembled a young Antonio Banderas bent down and whispered in Rossi's ear.

"We have made this as special as possible Mr Rossi. I think you and your date will be greatly pleased."

"Yeah, about that.." Rossi didn't finish, for another man suddenly appeared at their table.

"Bonjour, I am Rene, it will be my pleasure to serve you tonight!" The Antonio Banderas look-alike clapped Rene on the back.

"Take good care of them Rene, Mr Rossi has a special guest." He gave Dave a wink and left. Rene presented Reid with a lovely long stemmed pink Rose.

"For you Monsiour."

Rossi felt his face turn red. He had forgot about the rose. What had seemed romantic when he requested it, now seemed incredibly corny.

Reid took the rose puzzled, he looked at Dave. "Pink?"

"Yes pink, why not?"

"I'm just surprised, most people would have selected a red rose. They are traditionally given to signify love and romance, the pink rose however is a symbol of grace and elegance. They are usually given as an expression of admiration, gratitude and appreciation." Reid said as he fiddled with the flower.

The waiter was impressed. "My goodness, intelligent as well as handsome" He gushed.

Reid turned and smiled at him. "That's funny, a hooker in Vegas said exactly the same thing to me."

The waiter stared open-mouthed at Reid.

"How about some drinks?" Rossi said, wishing to change the subject.

"Ah yes sir, we have the wine that you ordered right here on ice as requested."

"That's great, but I think I need a bourbon right away"

"I'll just have wine." said Reid.

Rene uncorked the wine and poured a small glass for Rossi to sample.

"It's fine, very good," He said brusquely.

The waiter poured a glass for Reid and turned to Rossi, "Might I add sir, you have excellent taste." His eyes quickly darted over to Reid. "I will get your bourbon for you."

Reid studied Rossi for a moment.

"Dave, do you always go to this much trouble for your dates?"

Rossi closed his eyes and rubbed his temple. "I don't think I went to this much trouble for any of my marriages."

Before Reid could comment any furthur Rene returned and set down a large plate of raw osyters. "Bon appetite!"

Rossi grabbed a tiny fork and began to help himself. He noticed Reid staring at the plate. "Something wrong?" He said as he pulled the osyter out of it's shell and slid it into his mouth.

Red picked up a rather large shell and studied it.

"Bivalve Mollusks, often thought of as an aphrodisiac. Some American and Italian researchers have claimed that the oyster is rich in rare amino acids that trigger increased levels of sex hormones."

"I'll try and control myself," Deadpanned Rossi as he reached for another one.

"Did you know," Said Reid, going into lecture mode, "-that osyters are bisexual or bi-gender? They propagate by shooting sperm into the water, then years later when they've matured they spawn as females by releasing eggs."

Rossi stopped and blinked at Reid. "Are you saying oysters can literally fuck themselves?"

"No no not really, you see..."

Rossi interupted. "Reid just eat one, try it."

Reid tentatively put the large oyster into his mouth and began to chew and chew and chew.

"Just swallow it, don't chew."

Reid continued to chew. "I'm trying to define the texture" He mumbled, his mouth full.

"Well you're not supposed to, just swallow."

Reid continued to chew.

"REID, YOU HAVE TO SWALLOW!"

Several diners looked their way. The two older gentlemen behind Reid gave Rossi a reproachful look. Just then a man holding a classical guitar approached their table. He bowed to both of them and launched into playing a passionate rendition of 'Forbidden Games.' Reid grinned at Rossi.

"I didn't order this." Dave groaned. He listened politely, then sent the guitarist away. Rossi leaned over the table.

"Reid, everybody here thinks we're on a date."

"Yes, I gathered that when I was given the rose."

"It doesn't bother you?"

Reid shrugged his shoulders. "I don't really care if people think I'm gay, and this is probaby the nicest place I've ever had dinner. I'm having a good time. Does it bother you?"

Dave sat back a moment and thought about it. He smiled at the young agent.

"No, I guess it doesn't." He said. "Great, here comes our food."

Rene put down two plates of sliced grilled lobster tails served over a bed of risotto in a mild curry cream sauce.

Rossi pointed his fork at Reid. "Please refrain from telling me about the sex life of the crustaceans, ok?"

Reid laughed, not something Rossi heard him do too often; it sounded nice.

The two men at the table behind Reid lifted their wine glasses in a toast toward Rossi. Rossi returned the gesture.

From then on the rest of the evening went better than he expected. Rossi entertained Reid with tales of the early days of the BAU and the exploits of himself, Gideon and Max Ryan. Reid talked to him about the case he had to be in court for tomorrow.

Rossi was having a great time, he felt relaxed and he didn't have to hold his stomach in the entire evening the way he would have on a date. David finally began to see that Spencer was more than a living breathing search engine.

Dessert came in the form of a chocolate souffle. Rossi begged off but Reid enthusiastically dug in. Rossi smiled at the young profiler's tremendous sweet tooth. 'My mother would have loved to feed this one.' He thought.

Reid was downing his third cup of coffee when David accidently knocked his eyeglass case on the floor. He bent down to get it when his foot got caught on his chair leg and he fell forward. Reid immediately reached over and grabbed his hands. Rossi looked up There was an audible gasp from the other diners. He realized now he was on bended knee in front of Spencer holding hands Everyone's eyes were upon them. Reid's mouth began to twitch. He knew everyone was waiting for him to say something. He said the first thing that popped into his head.

"Uh umm, Yes?"

The room broke into spontanious applause.

Rossi jumped to his feet, grabbed Reid by the arm and started to hot foot it out of the restaurant with Reid in tow. He passed by a teary Rene.

"You have my card info, give yourself a nice 30% tip." Rossi said as he rushed by.

The two gentlemen who had sat behind Reid both smiled and shook their heads.

"That old boy better pace himself, that might just kill him." said the bald one.

"Ah, but what a way to go." His companion snickered.

Rossi pulled Reid out the door, and the last thing he heard before they left was: "Hey, wasn't that David Rossi?"

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Rossi drove Reid back home. Spencer got out of the car, he bent down to talk to Dave.

"Thanks for dinner, it was great, I could have stayed for another cup of coffee though." He said in mock complaint.

"Are you kidding? I was afraid if we stayed any longer someone would have jumped up to marry us."

Reid just grinned at him, "Goodnight David, drive safe, I still need to study that file."

"That should take a good three minutes," He teased "Goodnight Reid, see you tomorrow."

Rossi drove off. He might not have realized it, but he smiled the rest of the way home.

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FIN.

AN: This is a silly story that popped into my head one day. Please read and review. I like feedback even on the goofy stuff. The last chapter is the following day at the BAU.