To keep everyone in the know, I am going to give a bit of a spoiler for the story. Well, two. First, Reid is not gay, at least not in this story as it doesn't follow my idea. Second, if there is a pairing, it will be SR/PG as I don't particularly like Emily, an OC is too much work this late in a story and I don't want to break JJ and Will up. There. Now you know at least a bit. Though I am still not sure if there will be a 'ship at all.
That being said, this chapter could easily be taken as SR/PG, but that's all up to interpretation. Furthermore, it is easily the shortest of the chapters, and I apologize, but there is only so much I can add before it starts to sound strained. Oh, well, I did my best.
Thank you yada yada...
Chapter Twelve, Dinner For Two
Spencer froze. I didn't mean it like that! His mind screamed at him as he stared wide eyed out the wind shield. His mouth dropped, opening and closing like a fish for a good minute before he got a handle on himself enough to stutter out, "n-no, Gar-Penelope! Tha-that's not what I meant! It's just, I mean, why would someone like you want someone like me? I'm a socially awkward possibly Autistic genius with nearly no social graces. An-and you! You are this awesome, lively, exciting, colourful, amazing beautiful person."
Penelope's eye brows raised as she looks over at her long time friend. "Wow, Reid, that was really sweet, but you shouldn't sell yourself short. You are equally awesome-tastic as I am, just in your own genius-y way." She smiled brightly and Spencer turned into the restaurant's parking look blushing like crazy, looking at anything but the woman beside him.
The two entered the small family owned, operated and oriented restaurant they had chosen silently, they were each wrapped up in their own thoughts as they moved towards the table the waitress was leading them to.
"The special today is a half rack of ribs served with your choice of sides. We have Potato and Bacon soup today, and can I get you a drink to start?" The young, perhaps sixteen year old waitress asked as she stood at the end of the table, pen poised over a pad of paper.
"I'll," Spencer started then cleared his throat, "I'll have a cup of coffee. And would it be possible for you to throw this in the microwave for a minute?" He finished holding up a premade, but cold baby bottle."
"Of course sir, not a problem, and you miss?" The brunette girl asked after taking the bottle and turning to the woman seated across from Spencer.
"I'll have a water, with lemon if you could." She said with a small smile.
"Of course, you two give those menu's a once over, and I will be right back with your drinks." The girl left with a wide smile and a bounce to her step.
Spencer shook his head and began, and quickly finishing reading the menu. He sat with his hands folded together on the table in front of him while he watched Isadora in the travel seat rested on the seat beside him. Penelope, while she read slower, quickly decided on which entree she wished to have and looked up at the man across from her. "Would you like an appetizer, Spencer?"
Shocked for a moment at the use of his first name, the man nodded his head slowly. "If you want one," he paused, "Penelope."
The two shared a small smile and waited for the waitress to return with their drinks. Ten minutes later, the waitress returned with their drinks and the bottle balanced on a tray.
"You're water, with lemon," She set the water down in front of Penelope on a little white napkin. "You're coffee," She said and set the black steaming mug of coffee in front of Spencer. "And you're bottle. I took the liberty of checking the temperature before I came out, it should be good."
Spencer took the bottle with a small thank you and a nod.
"What can I get for you?"
"I'll have the manicotti, and could I get a garden salad to start with Italian dressing?" Penelope asked the young girl. "And we would like the bruschetta to start with, please." The girl in question scribbled it down on her note pad with a nod before turning to Spencer.
Spencer glanced at the closed menu and looked back at the girl. "Could I get the fettuccine Alfredo with chicken, and a soup to start?"
"Of course, would you like the bruschetta before the meal?" After receiving a nod from each she finished with, "I'll be right back with that." The girl left once again and the two were left alone. They talked while Spencer fed the baby. Their food arrived and they each tasted the other's dish as they hadn't ever been to this particular diner before. Conversation was light, and smiles and laughs were often. The pair each silently wondering why they hadn't gone to dinner before, and what was the best way to do it again.
The rest of the dinner was rather uneventful, neither brought up the words from the car, nor what Nathaniel had said about them, but small talked about anything that crossed their minds. And for Spencer, this was quite a few topics. They spent a fair amount of time discussing Isadora and things related to her. They enjoyed their meal and even had a small dessert after before the bill arrived. After a small squabble over who would pay, and for what, Spencer left with a satisfied smirk, a slightly disgruntled Penelope following him out.
The two drove in silence back to the office where Penelope had left her car again. Neither had much to say, but the silence was comfortable, not awkward like it could have been. Each had small smiles painted on their faces through out the drive. When the drive came to an end, Spencer had stopped his car right behind Esther in the FBI parking lot. Penelope smiled at him and stepped out of the car. "Bye Spencer, see you later."
Just as she was closing the door Spencer spoke. "Hey, Penelope?"
"Yes, Wonder Boy?" She asked halting her movements to look at the man in question.
"Can you give Nathaniel a call tomorrow and let him know I want the house?"
"I'd love to." Penelope smiled widely and closed the door to the Tahoe.