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Chapter 2

"Hey Hotch, what's up?"

Reid and Tony enter the NCIS office together. Both teams are getting suited up with Kevlar vests and going over different plans of attack. Hotch looks up at the pair and hands Reid his vest.

"We got a tip from a Laundromat that saw a woman come in and wash bloody clothes. She was on the list of rape victims, and she was recently discharged from the Navy. Her name is Rachel Carter." Hotch explains while Reid throws on his armor. "Where's Morgan?"

"Right here." Morgan shuffles past Hotch and Reid and starts getting ready. "Where are we heading?"

"Kensington Apartments on East Woodrow," Gibbs interrupts. He stands with his team, all ready to go, even Tony.

Hotch motions for his team to come over. "Alright, we all know the plan. Go in silently, try to take her quietly, be prepared if she's going to attack. We don't know what kind of state she's in right now." They all nod knowingly. "Let's go."

They use the stairs this time, heading all the way down to the parking garage. The large group spilt into three SUVs. Derek can't help but feel a bit smug when Reid climbs into the backseat of the car he's driving, and not the one Tony's in. The feeling dissipates when Reid gives the other man a wave through the window. Morgan scowls and tears out of the lot, leading the other two vehicles.

It's a short, terse drive to the unsub's apartment. Morgan can see Reid chewing his lip anxiously. He tightens his grip on the steering wheel, then loosens it until he's barely guiding the car. His left foot taps in agitation.

"Next left," Reid mutters. Morgan nods, flips off the police lights, and turns. He parks in front of a hydrant right outside of the building's entrance. He, Reid, and Prentiss step out and wait while Hotch and Tony park further down the street. Without a word the agents all take their positions. Gibbs and Hotch wait by the front doors, while McGee, Prentiss, Ziva and Rossi take the sides and back of the building. Reid, Morgan and DiNozzo enter the apartment.

Reid talks to the receptionist while the two larger agents walk up the stairs, guns drawn. They reach the door marked 319. They share a professional look, and Morgan raises his hand. Four short, sharp knocks ring out.

"Rachel Carter? This is the FBI. Open up, we just want to talk," Morgan calls.

After a few moments of silence, Tony shakes his head. "We're going to have to kick it in."

Morgan steps back and holsters his gun while Tony prepares to enter. With as much of a running start as he can get, Morgan pushes all of his weight on the solid wooden door. It gives and bangs against the inner wall. Tony steps in, quickly scanning the room.

"Clear."

Morgan enters as well and starts into the kitchen. "Clear." He notices a knife set. The largest knife is missing. "She's here though," he whispers urgently. Tony nods and points to a hallway. Morgan comes up next to him.

Back to back, each man faces a door. Tony licks his lips and whispers, "One." Morgan tightens his grip on his pistol. "Two." They reach a hand out to their respective knobs. Their hearts begin to race, blood pounds in their ears, their breathing picks up.

"Three! AH! Fuck!"

Morgan whips around to see Tony twisting a young woman's arm. A large bloody knife drops from her hand and clatters to the floor. Tony manages to push her face first into the wall and pull her arms behind her. Morgan grabs the knife and Tony's dropped gun.

"Rachel Carter you're under arrest for the murders of Kevin Winston, Darrel Brians, Eric Evans, and Adam Williamson." Morgan recites the struggling, crying woman's rights as Tony marches her to the elevator. It isn't until they're waiting to reach the ground floor that Morgan notices the bleeding wound on DiNozzo's arm. "Shit, she got you good."

Tony shakes his head and tightens his grip on Rachel's arm. "I'm fine."

Derek feels a flare of indignation at the macho façade, but doesn't say anything. They reach the ground floor and are met face-to-face with the barrel of Reid's revolver. He stows it immediately and jogs to call in Gibbs and Hotch.

A sudden chaos breaks out in the lobby. Lights flash and sirens wail; police officers and forensics teams stampede passed the two FBI teams. Rachel Carter is placed in the back of a cruiser and shipped off to the NCIS building for interrogation. Reid congratulates Morgan with a quick hug, but he doesn't see DiNozzo anywhere near.

"Where's Tony?"

Morgan manages to control the want to scowl. "He's probably at the ambulance getting stitched up."

"He got hurt?" Reid yelps with shock.

"Yeah. Rachel got him be surprise. He said he's fine though."

Reid scrunches up his face. "I should still go check on him."

Spencer scurries off towards the blinking ambulance and Derek sighs. "Would you check on me Pretty Boy?"

Spencer is just a moment too late, and he catches the ambulance as it's driving away. He curses mildly and stops a passing officer. He tells the genius that the emergency vehicle is heading to Providence Hospital several streets over. Reid furrows his brow and turns back to his team.

He considers asking Hotch or Morgan for a ride when Ziva approaches him. "I was going to go make sure Tony is okay. Would you like to come with me?"

Reid clears his throat and nods. "Yeah, thanks."

They walk back to Hotch and Gibbs, who are speaking with different police men. Hotch turns to his youngest team member. "I'm going with Agent David to make sure Tony is okay, if that's alright."

Hotch raises an eyebrow. "Sure Reid. Tell him thanks for me," he says.

"I will." Reid waves to Gibbs who promises to stop by later. Ziva and Spencer walk back to the NCIS SUV. "Oh wait, doesn't Tony have the-?"

Ziva smirks and holds up a set of keys. "We don't trust Tony with the only set of keys anymore."

Reid laughs as they strap themselves in. The quick ride there is filled with stories of Tony's many faux-pas. Once they reach the hospital and find his room, Spencer is still grinning.

"Man, if I knew getting stabbed would make you so happy I'd have done it sooner."

Tony sits up on the hospital bed, looking at his partner and would-be lover. His shirt is gone, revealing tanned skin pulled taut over toned muscles. His left arm is wrapped in clean gauze. Spencer blushes but stands at the foot on the bed looking at Tony. Ziva crosses her arms and cocks a hip.

"I see you're just fine Tony." Her tone is sternly playful. "I just came to make sure you're okay. Now that I know you are, I'll be leaving." Ziva gives Reid a small smile goes into the waiting room.

Spencer shifts his weight to his other foot and Tony grins up at him.

"Wanna see my stitches?"

Reid bites his lip to stop a smile, but walks over so he can see the injury. "So, uh, what happened?" He reaches a slightly shaky hand to pull the bandage down. There's a four inch gash that's been sewn up on Tony's bicep. Spencer grimaces and runs his fingers along the skin next to it.

"She was waiting behind the door and when I opened it she lunged." Tony doesn't look at the hands on his arm, choosing instead to watch the other man's face. "I almost lost my arm you know," he says seriously.

Spencer grins widely. "I hardly think such a cut like this would require amputation."

"Well, Doctor Reid, since you know so much about stab wounds, surely you know that best cure for one," Tony says with a teasing tone.

"Stitches and antiseptics?" Reid guesses.

"Nope; kissing it better."

Heat creeps up Spencer's neck and settles in his cheeks. He stares wide-eyed at Tony who smiles kindly at him. "I-uh… Uhm," he stutters for a few moments until Tony lets out a low chuckle.

"Right, nothing until I've taken you out for dinner first?" The Italian man stares at the young genius, who is gaping a little. "You'll still be here for a while, and I'm sure your team can get by without you for a bit. Please Spence, have dinner with me before you leave."

"Er… I… uh-uhm-"

"Hey, Reid, you in here?"

Said man turns around to see Derek poking his head through the doorway. His foot is halfway through, but he doesn't enter. Derek feels a lump rise from stomach and land in his throat as he takes in the close proximity of his friend and the shirtless agent. He reigns in a snarl and jerks his head.

"I need to talk to you for a second."

"Uh," Spencer drops his hand from Tony's arm and nods, "Sure. I'll be right back."

The two BAU agents step into the empty hallway and close the heavy door behind them. Morgan turns on Spencer immediately.

"What the hell is going with you two?"

"Wh-what?" Spencer is shocked at the ferocity in Derek's voice.

"Spencer, don't tell me you're buying that crap." Dark eyes narrow in anger.

"What crap, Morgan?"

Derek scoffs and crosses his arms. "You know the guy's a player."

Reid feels a surge of animosity. "Why do you always do this? Do you think I can't protect myself? Look Morgan," he jabs a thin finger at the large chest in front of him, "I'm perfectly capable of living my own life and making my own decisions." He turns to go back into the room, but Derek grabs his wrist.

Derek takes a deep breath and tries to make his voice calmer and softer. "Please, Reid, just do this one thing for me. Do not let this guy get to you." He implores his friend with his eyes, but Spencer scowls at him. He shakes loose of the grip on him and stalks back into the room, leaving the door purposely cracked.

"Sorry about that, Tony." Morgan can see that Reid is standing confidently next to the injured man, who looks at him with confusion. "I'd love to go out to dinner with you by the way."

Morgan growls and storms away, missing the delighted grin on Tony's face, and spiteful glee in Reid's eyes. He stomps down the stairs, through the parking lot, and slams his car door closed. His fingers are shaking and digging into his palms, his jaw clenched, grinding his teeth together. He lashes out and hits the dashboard. A dull thud resounds in the enclosed space and he doesn't feel any better. The angry and sullen agent sits still, breathing heavily. His chest heaves and his eyes feel itchy with tears. Derek just simply can't believe that Reid can't do this one little thing for him. After all the things he's done for Reid, and all their trust and friendship, he can't listen to him just this one time?

Silence; he allows himself a few minutes of angry thoughts, but once the initial rage passes, he reevaluates what happened. He supposes that Spencer may have point. He's old enough to make decisions for himself, and yes maybe he has intervened at inopportune moments when someone takes a strong liking to Reid, but he still feels betrayed.

Oh and that fucking DiNozzo guy.

Another wave of fury crashes over Derek. He digs his fingernails into the steering wheel. He knows all about DiNozzo. He's a fucking no good ladies' man who only wants Reid because he looks so damn innocent and corruptible. He couldn't appreciate Spencer, couldn't love him and understand him like Derek could. Why the hell would someone like Reid waste his time on a guy like that? Then it dawns on him.

In Spencer's eyes, he's no better than DiNozzo.

An hour later, Spencer finds himself sitting at a booth across from Tony in a small Lebanese restaurant. A nice old man with a heavy accent takes their orders and leaves them with their conversation.

"So, Spence, what does a genius do in his spare time?" Tony asks. He leans on his good arm and watches the attractive man in front of him fidget nervously. A smile hasn't left his face since they left the hospital.

"Oh, uh," Spencer licks his lips, "when I actually have free time I read a lot."

"Figures," Tony laughs, "What else?"

"I play chess at a park near my apartment. Sometimes I teach kids how to play. And uh," he pauses, thinking, "Huh. Not much else. I guess I get so wrapped up in working cases that I don't have time to socialize. I mean," Tony's lips twitch upwards even more as Spencer starts talking faster, "I'm usually so wiped out with work that I just crash when I get home. I get well below the recommended amount of sleep, which is seven to nine hours a night for someone my age. I average about six hours when we're on a case that lasts multiple days. And when we get cases back-to-back it's even worse. In fact my record was two hours of sleep in a week. And you're letting me ramble, why are you not shutting me up?"

Tony grins again, his cheeks are getting sore. Spencer is starting to turn red again. He looks at his hands that are resting in his lap.

"You're cute Spencer," Tony says plainly.

Spencer notices the way his eyes wrinkle in the corner when he smiles, and how his ears moves when he speaks.

Derek's eyes wrinkle too, but his nose twitches.

"Riz bil-Foul!" The old Lebanese man returns carrying two plates. He sets the rice dish in front of Spencer and the shish taouk in front of Tony. They thank him and Spencer looks at his food hesitantly.

"Come on," Tony urges him, already taking his first bite and swallowing it, "it won't bite." Spencer scrunches his nose and scoops some rice and beans up and shoves it in his mouth. He doesn't hear Tony whisper 'but I do' as he swallows.

"Oh." Spencer looks up with wide eyes. His tongue darts out the swipe across his lips. "Oh wow. That's really good!" He takes several bites, moaning about how delicious it is. Tony agrees and they launch into stories about their favorite ethnic restaurants, which turns into embarrassing food related stories, which turns into just plain embarrassing stories.

"-and then JJ finally points out the flashlight in my front pocket looks like, well, uh, you know," Reid finishes with a wave of his hand. Tony leans back and laughs heartily while the man across from him eats the last bit of his dinner. He opens his eyes and spots some sauce on the corner of his date's mouth.

"You got a little…" he points on himself. Spencer wipes his lip with his thumb, but misses. Tony shakes his head fondly and reaches out to swipe the bit of red from his mouth. "Got it," he whispers. Tony rubs his thumb gently, marveling at the how warm the skin had felt, and that the kid had let him touch him freely.

Spencer stares openly at Tony. He's surprised at how soft the Italian man's hands are. He had been expecting calloused fingertips. Derek is the only one who's touched me like that. He darts his eyes to his empty plate at the thought and resists the urge to bite his nails.

"I, uh," Tony clears his throat, "I guess we should get back to the office."

Spencer nods mutely, chewing on the inside of his cheek. Tony leaves money on the table, and waves goodbye to the old man. They walk back to Tony's car, and climb in. Spencer looks out the window, but then discreetly stares at Tony from the corner of his eyes.

Reid can't deny that he's an attractive man. His eyes are a clear and bright blue, his nose straight as an arrow, jaw strong, lips full and un-chewed. He's tall, broad and muscular, and witty. Spencer can't help but want to like him.

"Hey, Spence," Tony looks at him as his parks in the nearly deserted garage. Spencer glances at the clock; it is 2:38 am. He looks back up at his date. "I'm glad you went out to dinner with me tonight." Tony lowers his voice to a whisper. "I've never met anyone like you."

Tony lifts a hand to skim across Spencer's cheek. The younger agent parts his lips in a nervous breath. He can see Tony starting to drift towards him, his eyes closing slowly. Spencer automatically leans in a bit and lets his lids fall shut. A soft press of lips. Spencer feels something in his chest jerk. Tony presses a little more firmly; Spencer lets his lips move with Tony's.

Tony's hand slips to the back of Spencer's head, tilting him so he can brush his tongue lightly against Spencer's lips. Without thought, Spencer's mouth parts and allows Tony in. Their tongues meet hesitantly, only for a moment, before Spencer pulls back.

"U-uhm. I," he squeaks out, "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." He opens the door and slips out. He clutches at the strap of his bag and avoids looking at Tony who stands on the other side of the car. "I-I'm so sorry Tony! I don't think I like you. I'm sorry."

Spencer backpedals, turns on his heel and nearly runs out of the garage and out onto the sidewalk. He listens intently for footsteps and sighs in relief when he doesn't hear any. Thoughts race in his head and his chest fills with guilt.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with the man himself, but something about Tony just doesn't fit with Spencer. They aren't quite right for each other. Spencer doesn't believe in predetermined destinies or soul mates, but something in his mind is screaming that he and Tony aren't meant to be. The skin isn't the right shade or texture, his eyes are too light, his smile quirked awkwardly. He's the same height as Spencer, his muscle too subtle and understated. He's witty, and missing the sincerity and generosity that Reid needs to feel.

Spencer wanders down the sidewalk aimlessly. His feet shuffle audibly in the empty street. A streetlight above him buzzes, and a couple neon signs call out to him. Faint chords waft passed Reid and he looks up. Down the street, dim lights pour through big windows and soft music plays from the outdoor speakers. It's the all night café he'd visited earlier.

Feeling completely exhausted and in need of a pick-me-up, Reid picks up his pace and gratefully enters the coffee shop. He orders a coffee without looking anyone in the eye. He needs to sit and decompress. All he needs is some time to think.

"Hey Spencer."

Ah! Who is the mystery person? Next chapter is the last chapter in this little three-shot! Review my loves!