The Essentials of Sociology

Chapter Four: Last Name, Agent-y, Boundary Type Thing

A/N: Hey, hey, hey. Well, some thought that what Reid said about him being "right there" in the last chapter was a declaration of love. Sorry to burst your bubbles, but it wasn't... if you perceive it that way, fine, but it didn't actually happen yet.

irishgirl9: Thanks! I'm from up North, so I must have googled wrong. I fixed it!

Love ya like a play cousin,

Blue Bot

"There seems to be some sort of sparkle about her, yes." Reid replied, taking a sip of his tall glass of ice water. The young doctor wore a simple smirk on his face as Morgan tried for the sixth time this Friday to get him to talk to a woman. Truth be told, Reid was perfectly content where he was, admiring from afar and having a casual drink with one of his closest friends. He hadn't come out to chat women up and use whatever manly wiles Morgan says that he has to lure them into bed. All Reid had wanted to do when he agreed to spend time with Morgan was… well, spend time with Morgan. That's why they were out at a casual restaurant, correct?

Reid sighed. He would never be able to get this stupid friendship thing right. Especially when he had woken up to more and more of those embarrassing night terrors starring Morgan, a shower, and more than his fair share of body wash. The poor boy had sadly grown used to these eccentric dreams, yes, but he has now resorted to doubling his daily dosage of caffeine that week and plans to continue to do so for days to pass. As long as he stays awake, no one shall know about the dark inner workings of his mind that just seem to get darker and darker as the days go on.

Morgan broke the doctor from his reverie with a curt, "Well, I don't think that she's all that pretty anyway."

Raising a pointed eyebrow, Reid asked, "Who?"

"That chick we were just talking about. She's kind of attached," Morgan sighed, leaning over the table to clink his glass of red wine with Reid's glass of water, "Aren't you paying attention, Wonder Boy? We were talking about her for the last five minutes."

"Oh!" he replied, "The woman with the short brown hair?"

Morgan smiled after her, "Yeah. I mean, she's a bit skinnier than most of the girls I would go for, but I kind of like it. It's like she has better things to do than eat three squares a day, you know?"

"Yep," Reid snickered, gesturing with his glass over to the brown haired woman, "Like date that guy who is at least five inches taller than you."

The agent drawled, "Shut up," at Reid before sliding a hand down his face, "I am getting no game tonight."

Reid glared, "Yeah. I know. Because you promised to spend the night with me. Your friend. Remember?"

"Yeah, yeah," Morgan nodded, "I remember. Just saying. There's not anything against having a little fun, right? Speaking of… can I ask you something?"

"No, I'm not going to participate in your sexual advances with women," Reid joked.

"Well, there goes my plans for tonight," Morgan chuckled, rolling his eyes and deciding to continue to be serious for at more than seven seconds, "Why don't you ever do anything fun, doc? All I ever see you do is read and solve cases."

Reid replied, "Well, fun is defined differently among people. I get joy out of reading and analytical work."

Morgan raised an eyebrow, "How come you find stuff like that fun?"

"Same way you find partying, drinking, and things of that caliber fun. I was raised on books and education, and my IQ doesn't necessarily hurt," Reid sighed, "Sometimes, I really do want to find normal things fun, but I just can't. I really enjoy being a nomad. I like spending time by myself and I like disappearing into the world of facts and science and math and possibilities, you know? That's what I like about what I find fun. What about you, Morgan?"

Before responding, Morgan had to think. He paused for several seconds before answering, "I don't really know. It's relaxing. Kind of zen, you know? Getting dressed in something cool, getting tipsy with your friends, maybe ending the night with someone good looking. You kind of know how the night's going to go. Painless, simple, and predictable. It's a far cry from the cases we have to solve, and I like the time off. I'd rather spend my time playing around, because I know I won't have the time to any other day of the week."

Reid nodded his reply as he digested his friend's response.

Morgan chuckled, "How do we get along?"

"I'm not yet sure." Reid responded, "I guess it's because before we were friends, we were coworkers. We rely on each other for protection whenever someone comes along that would want nothing more than to kill us in our sleep, and then we rinse and repeat. When the BAU became more than just a bunch of people fighting bad guys, we all developed into something like family. While we're really different from each other, I guess we love each other more than our differences and backgrounds."

"That all makes sense," Morgan nodded, taking another casual sip from his glass, "Leave it up to Pretty Boy to give a good answer."

Reid smiled, "Yeah. Leave it up to me, I guess."

There was a pregnant silence between the two where they just sat and lamented on what Reid had said about the two of them. Sometimes, opposites do attract. Sometimes, clichés have never seemed so correctly in line with their lives. Sometimes, maybe they had to stop thinking so much about things and just let go.

"Since we love each other and all, can you tell me what happened during Countdown?"

The doctor began to laugh, "Not on your life."

Morgan growled and folded his arms, starting to have a quiet fit. You know, the kinds that forty-year-olds can have without seeming childish. Oh, right. There is no such thing as a mature fit. He asked, "What if I say 'please' in a really respectful way?"

"Well, in that case, you will have earned yourself a 'no, thank you'." Reid replied with another laugh, "Why can't you just let it go?"

"Not on your life," Morgan copied to spite his friend, "I want to know! Come on, Reid. I think I deserve it."

Reid replied, "Of course, you deserve it. I'm just not telling you, because you won't take the news kindly. I want to spare you the heartache. Aren't I such a good friend?"

Morgan hissed, "No."

With that, Reid took a pointed sip on his water, "Well, that's not grateful behavior."

"I'm not going to win, am I?" Morgan prophesied

"Nope," Reid smiled.

Morgan growled, "What did I do that was so unforgiveable? Did I kiss you or something?"

Reid lied, "Nope."

"Holy fuck, I kissed you," Morgan gasped, bringing his hand up to hide his expression.

"Wh-what? No! We didn't… we didn't kiss." Reid continued to fib, "Why on Earth would… would we do s—something like that?"

Morgan began to lean back in his chair, "Why… why wouldn't you tell me I did that?"

Reid held his palms toward Morgan in surrender, "See? You're taking it badly. I knew you would take it badly!"

"Dude, I'm so sorry," Morgan apologized, looking up at his friend with frantic and harried worry in his eyes, "I didn't mean to invade your personal space like that. I wasn't in my right mind. I don't blame you if you're mad at me and…"

Reid shrugged and waved his hand, "No way! I'm fine. I mean… you may have asked me to fornicate afterward, but… that's all good, because we didn't. Fornicate, I mean. None of that… occurred. No sex. None."

The taller agent's eyes widened as Reid spoke, "I… no, I didn't."

"You did."

"I couldn't have."

"Clear as day. You asked me if I wanted to have sex with you."

"I refuse to believe that."

"Do you want me to quote you verbatim?"

"Please don't."

Reid sighed, "Morgan, I'm not 'weirded out'. You were drunk and I forgive you. It's okay with me, I just didn't want you to feel awkward after hearing that we… you know…"

Nodding hastily, Morgan replied, "I don't feel awkward. Do you feel awkward?"

"No. I don't feel awkward," Reid supplied.

"Good."

The two men smiled at the other and quieted. Suddenly, everything else in the room was a lot more interesting than the topic of them kissing. Like… the light music, or… the checkered tiles on the floor, or… the red curtains hanging from the ceiling. Reid cautiously glanced Morgan's way and their eyes met for a split second before Morgan decided to look at something else; something that wasn't Reid.

The silence was getting thicker and thicker. The soft sound of the people in the venue got farther and farther away until trying to hear them felt like swimming through jelly. There was only so much to hold one's attention, especially Reid, whom memorized everything he saw. There were 5 waiters on staff and 8 waitresses. Exactly 3 women were standing by the bar, 2 were waiting to be served while 1 had a drink in her hand. The woman with the drink was wearing a pinstriped blazer with 56.5 stripes on it, because, well, the cut of her waist severed one a moment ago as she sat. Why wouldn't Morgan just dammit say something already? If no one said something within the next few moments, he just might go mad.

"Isn't it—"

"Doesn't this seem—"

The two said instantaneously, "Awkward?"

"So very awkward…" Reid groaned, sliding a hand down his face.

Morgan folded his hands on the table and said, "I mean it's only awkward because I'm thinking about it. No! Don't take that the wrong way! It's not that I'm thinking about it thinking about it, but because, well, you know it's on my mind now when it usually isn't. And… well, not that kissing you would be awkward… even though it is! Just not in a bad way, because I assume you're a great kisser, but not like… help me?"

"Don't look at me. You're the one who started talking." Reid said, burying his face in his hands again.

Sighing, Morgan replied, "Well… was it as awkward as this is right now?"

"Was what awkward?"

Morgan looked around him to see if anyone was listening as he whispered, "The kiss."

"Not the whole time," Reid looked up, face still half buried in his hands to hide the rush of blood creeping up to color his cheeks, "You just kind of… fell on me while they were counting down, and as the New Year arrived, you must have gotten caught up in the moment and you just… kissed me."

"I'm sorry."

"No, really. It's fine," Reid shrugged, waving off the situation, "You weren't in your right mind, and I totally forgive you."

Morgan raised an eyebrow and peered closer to his friend, asking, "Are you… are you blushing?"

Shit, he forgot. Reid pulled the napkin off of his lap and placed it over his nose, "No. Psh, why… why would you think I was blushing? I'm not b-blushing."

"Oh, Reid," Morgan laughed, "It's fine. I'm sorry I got you so flustered."

"F-flustered? That w-word might be a little… st-strong," he gulped into the napkin, "And… and not true. Because I'm not flustered."

Morgan bit his lip, trying to hold back a smile, "What? Blushing and stuttering? That's not flustered to you?"

Dropping the cloth back into his lap, Reid looked up at Morgan through his eyelashes, pleading to his friend, "Shut up."

The smile Morgan was holding back appeared, all white and stunning as he laughed. Reid wasn't sure if he was laughing about the situation, the subject, or directly at Reid himself. He watched as the taller agent's eyes crinkled around the sides in that adorable way that they do when he's entertained. A laugh like that couldn't be directed toward the embarrassment of a friend—especially one of so much time—but it was somehow enchanting nonetheless. Reid pushed his hair out of his face as Morgan's laughter died down, "What do you find so funny?"

"You're adorable when you're embarrassed." Morgan chuckled, reaching across the table to place his hair back where it was, resting across his forehead, "Don't hide it when you blush. Don't hide period. I think the best way I've ever seen you was last night when you were yelling at me in a ripped Skynard tee shirt."

Reid felt too uncomfortable to answer.

"I mean, don't take this wrong, but… I like it when you lose control." Morgan revealed, taking a sip of wine.

Morgan's car stopped beside Reid's apartment and the young doctor found himself not wanting to go. Sure, he feels like this often when he's about to be separated from Morgan, but tonight, the feeling was incredibly strong. They actually had a good night. Before the secret was revealed and after. For the rest of the dinner, Morgan didn't once mention a woman, nor look anywhere but into his eyes. He was getting his best friend's undivided attention, and now, he could see why women flocked to him. It actually may not be because he is heartstoppingly beautiful, or has an FBI badge. Maybe the reason people like him so much is because when he looks at them, he makes them feel like the most important person in the world. Or, at least, that's how Reid felt all night.

The agent cleared his throat and stopped the engine, looking over at Reid, "Do you want me to walk you to the door?"

Reid paused, "… why would you?"

"I don't know," Morgan shrugged, "Because… well… this is a neighborhood where you might not be safest traveling alone, and… I am armed right now, just in case you need a guy to help you out if and when someone may just possibly have the chance to—"

"Morgan?" Reid asked with a smirk.

Morgan replied, thankful for the reprieve, "Yes?"

"Flustered?"

He turned away from Reid and murmured, "Shut up."

Reid unbuckled his seatbelt and aimed for the car door when his hand collided with Morgan's. The agent had reached across Reid's lap to touch the handle before him. Morgan looked up at Reid, "Let me get that for you."

"I'm not a woman, Morgan," Reid replied.

Morgan nodded, "I know that. I just… I wanted to."

Allowing his friend to get the door for him, Reid pulled himself and his messenger bag out of the car and waited to Morgan to walk back around. The walk up was quiet, but not the kind of quiet that wedged between them at the restaurant. This was a different kind of silence; it was almost comfortable. They didn't have to say anything to each other if they had nothing to say. They were just two friends, walking to the door of another's apartment. While Reid wanted so much for there to be more to their story, it seemed there wouldn't be. But, you know what? He was okay with that. As long as Morgan was happy, and their friendship wasn't in danger, Reid was happy as could be.

They reached the door and Reid pushed his hand into his pocket to retrieve his keys. Morgan waited as Reid unlocked his door and leaned back on his heels beside him.

"Goodnight," Reid said before heading into the door. All seemed to be going well for .57 seconds until Morgan grabbed his arm and tugged him back outside into the snowy air.

"Wait!" Morgan had uttered. As Reid turned to him, Morgan paused awkwardly as if he wasn't entirely sure why he had stopped his friend. Reid knows this because of the looseness in his mouth (in case something came to mind he could voice to fill the void), and the tightness of his eyes (as he came up with something to come to mind). Morgan swiftly held out his left hand out to Reid and Reid stared at him with confusion for a moment before realizing that he had been requesting a handshake. Taking the hand Morgan offered, Reid smiled and closed his left on top of both of their hands, saying, "You have been the perfect gentleman tonight. I had a really nice time. We should do it again!"

Morgan grinned, "We should?"

"Why not?" Reid chuckled, "We're not getting any younger, here."

Morgan nodded and patter Reid on the back with his free hand, "You're right, man, we're not. How does tomorrow night sound, huh? You, me, a couple of beers and the Cavaliers?"

Reid raised an eyebrow in confusion, "The Cavaliers…?"

"It's a basketball team, kid," Morgan laughed, "A pretty damn good one too, if I might add."

"I don't… I don't watch sports," Reid apologized, "I'm sorry…"

Morgan shrugged, "No, it's fine. Uh… you have any other ideas? I mean we could… read or something at the… library?"

Laughing at his attempt to be cordial, Reid replied, "Basketball is fine. It's not my forte, but I guess you could teach me how to better understand the game."

"You'll like it! Really. I would love to opportunity to get you into something," Morgan smiled with a smile that was perfectly bright until he realized something and shook his head quickly, "I meant 'get you into something' like… like becoming a fan or... Not dressing you up in anything… uh… presumptuous? Is that the word? That's a shitty word because if I could dress you—wait, let me stop that sentence. I mean uh… even though I have nothing against… well, now this just sounds strange. I—I don't mean—"

Reid snickered, removing his hands from Morgan's to clench onto the strap of his bag nervously as he responded with a casual, "Saturday. Basketball. If you let us use your place, Morgan, I'll bring the beer."

Morgan pulled lightly on the collar of his tee shirt, another one of his tells, "You can call me Derek, you know. I think we've well crossed that strictly last name, agent-y, boundary type thing."

"You okay?" Reid asked.

"I'm uh…" he removed his hand from his shirt and met Reid's eyes, "I'm awesome."

A smile crept up onto Reid's face as he ducked back into the house, "Goodnight… Derek."

As the door shut, Reid was pretty sure he heard Morgan say, "Goodnight, Pretty Boy."

A/N: I like it when Morgan gets flustered, because it's so OOC of him. It would probably be cute as fuck to see in CM too. Oh, well.

- Blueberry Pancakes