Compared to how their cases sometimes went, this one was very much considered a win in their books. Though they hadn't been able to stop the Unsub from killing the child he had already taken before their arrival, they did manage to rescue the next child that he kidnapped. They also gathered enough evidence to make sure that the Unsub wasn't going to get away with what he did. So while they mourned the loss of one child and the damage that had been done to another, they celebrated that they were able to have saved this other child's life. It had taken almost four days, but they'd done it.

They got back to the BAU in the late afternoon, giving them all enough time to wrap up their paperwork from the case. It was typical that conversation fell to what everyone planned on doing once they were done. Spencer only vaguely listened as Derek tried to talk Emily and Penelope into coming to a new club he'd heard of. He found his attention turning toward the same thing he'd thought about every time he'd had a little free time over the past four days.

Countless times he'd talked himself out of ever seeing Remy again. There were so many reasons that this was a bad idea. First and foremost was his job. Did he really want to not only put Remy at risk—and the job had proved its risk to those the team cared about time and time again; all someone had to do was look at Aaron for proof—but the man's son and ex-wife as well? Because if anything did grow from this, Remy wouldn't be the only person that would be at risk. Anyone connected to him would be as well. Remy's son was another reason he was hesitant. It wasn't that he didn't like children; he loved Henry! Children generally didn't like him. And it was a big thing to date someone who had a kid. That was a lot of responsibility. He'd heard his friends talk about their dates before and about dating people with kids. You didn't just date the parent. In a sense, you dated the kid as well. You couldn't take on one without the other. Was that something he was willing to do? Another big reason was Paul. Not only would Remy be at risk because of potential work troubles, but Paul might cause trouble as well. If he escalated any further in his behavior, anyone he perceived as a threat could be in trouble.

"Who's winning?"

The random question startled Spencer out of his thoughts and had him jerking his head up. He found Dave leaning against his desk. How on earth had the man gotten that close without him realizing it? He must've been deep in his thoughts. Cursing his inattention, Spencer replayed the man's question. His eyebrows furrowed down with confusion. "I'm sorry. What?"

Dave chuckled at his confusion. He turned a little, folding his hands in his lap. "You've got that look on your face my second wife used to get when she was having one of her internal arguments. So…who's winning?"

Oh. Spencer dropped his gaze to his lap. For a second he debated trying to brush the man off. He couldn't exactly tell Dave that he was debating whether or not to go out with some stranger he'd slept with! Then he decided that maybe he could talk to the man, so long as he didn't say anything incriminating. It might actually do him good to get an opinion from an outside source. Decision made, Spencer sat back in his seat, eyes darting to the side quickly to make sure that Emily, Penelope and Derek were still occupied. They were. He started to fiddle with the pen in his hand while he looked up at Dave. "I don't really know yet." He admitted. And isn't that just frustrating! "There's something that I want to do, yet my brain keeps pointing out all the reasons that I shouldn't. Yet…I want to. I really, really want to. More so than I thought possible."

If Dave thought his comment strange, he didn't show it. That was one thing that Spencer had found he liked about Dave. The man may mentally dissect what you said to him, but he didn't push the subject as others might. He'd just advise you as best as he could and only probe if he truly felt the need was there. The senior profiler took a moment, watching Spencer carefully before speaking up. "The logical choice isn't always the right one, kiddo. Sometimes our brains tell us one thing and our hearts tell us something else entirely and we have to decide which one we're going to listen to."

"I've always found it safest to listen to my head." Spencer admitted quietly.

"Listening to your head generally is safer. But listening to your heart, taking that risk that maybe you'll be hurt and maybe everything will go wrong, you might find you end up with something a hell of a lot more than you ever thought. John F. Kennedy said 'There are risks and costs to action. But they are far less than the risks of inaction.'" Rising from the desk, he clapped a hand on Spencer's shoulder. "You have to decide if you'd rather take the risk of action or suffer the cost of inaction, Reid. Sometimes it's not about what can happen if you decide to do something. It's what can happen if you decide not to." With those words of wisdom, Dave walked away, leaving him to think.

Dave's words played over and over in his head, making him think in ways he hadn't before. A slow smile started to build on his lips. Once more something interrupted his thoughts. This time it was the sound of someone calling his name. He looked up and found Emily, JJ, Penelope and Derek all staring at him. The girls al looked curious while Derek had a knowing sort of look on his face. "You're looking awfully happy, Reid." Emily teased him. "Got plans for after work?"

Without him realizing it, his smile grew a little. "Actually, I do." He sat forward and looked down at his desk, realizing he'd finished all his paperwork.

As he started to rise, Derek called over "I'll give you a ride home, Reid. It's a little late for the bus."

"That would be fantastic, thank you."

"So what kind of plans do you have there, sweetie?" Penelope asked. Her smile was just a little mischievous.

Spencer just pulled his bag over his head and smiled at the three women. "Have a good night. I'll see all of you tomorrow." He said politely. Then he and Derek were making their way out of the bullpen and Derek was chuckling lowly at his side. He reached out and ruffled his hair, making them both laugh as they went out the door, leaving behind three very amused women.

Emily was smiling even as she shook her head. "There's something going on with Reid."

"And Morgan knows what it is." JJ added in.

They watched for a moment longer while the two got into the elevator. Spencer's cheeks were red and Derek was laughing when the doors slid shut. The sight made Penelope smile. "Well, whatever it is, it's sure making him happy. And after whatever happened with his ex, Reid deserves a little happiness." She declared. Privately, she vowed to grill Derek at the first available opportunity. Something was going on and she was determined to find out just what that something was.

Closing his eyes, Remy stretched back in his chair, trying to work out the kink in his back. It had been a long day. Today had been his day for errands and it had been packed full of them. Not that he really minded doing them. He'd picked up some things for the house, things for the bar, and he'd even gotten in his grocery shopping, thankfully. Belle had threatened to beat him if she came by and found his cupboards so empty again. She wasn't afraid that he wouldn't be able to feed Andrei. She knew he'd pick things up to make sure that Andrei was fed. No, she worried that he wasn't eating properly. Their friendship was unique and he knew that it most likely confused quite a few people who didn't know them well. It worked for them, though. Their marriage had been all about heat. There was love there, yes, but not the everlasting kind, and that heat had faded. The love they had now worked perfectly for them. It was a friendly love shared between two people who knew it would never go any further than that.

His thoughts turned to his son and he couldn't help but smile a little. He'd managed to get some time in with him today as well. The two had spent the morning at the park playing together while Belle had gone to her medical appointment. Remy had had a blast. He and Andrei had run around the playground like lunatics, played on the swings, gone on the slide, and indulged in his son's favorite activity—building sandcastles in the sandbox. There was nothing Remy loved more than spending time with the little boy. Andrei was a happy-go-lucky five year old with Belle's bright blue eyes and Remy's auburn hair, only his hair held curls just like Belle's did. He was one of the happiest kids that Remy had ever seen. Andrei seemed to find joy in everything. He'd smiled early and once he'd learned to laugh it seemed he found a thousand reasons to do so. Remy knew he and Belle had done quite a bit wrong in their time together, but they had definitely done one thing right. Andrei was their pride and joy.

Once they were done at the park they'd met up with Belle for lunch downtown and then they'd split their separate ways, both needing to run errands. Privately, Remy could admit to being grateful at having such a busy day. It kept him from thinking too much. Because if he stopped to think, his mind inevitably went back to one place.

Remy let out a little sigh and gave in to his own thoughts. He pushed his chair back a little and kicked his feet up on the desk, letting his head tip back so that he could stare at the ceiling. He was in his office at the bar and things were starting to get into the busy time out there. No one would come to bug him. He felt free to indulge himself just the slightest bit.

It had only been four days ago that he'd met Spencer, yet the man constantly cropped up in his thoughts. Their night together was burned into his memory, eager to be replayed at any opportunity. He couldn't believe how much he was already thinking about him. At the same time, his brain was lecturing him on it, reminding him You're moving fast. That was what happened with Belle, too. It was all heat and flash and you two moved too fast. But this…it was different. With Belle it had been fast, yes. He'd jumped in way too quickly. But looking back, he could admit now that it had really been all about the sex. They hadn't been able to keep their hands off one another. Most of their time together had been spent in bed and that wasn't something to base a marriage on. They hadn't managed to find a friendship in there until after the divorce.

With Spencer, yes, he wanted the man. Who wouldn't? That long, lean body, surprisingly strong and with skin as soft as a baby's. The shaggy hair that got continuously in his face. Then those wide, brown eyes that just seemed to draw your attention and suck you right in. A mouth that simply begged to be kissed. Yeah, the man was beautiful, there was no denying that. Even more so because it was obvious that he didn't see it about himself. So yes, Remy wanted him. Again, who wouldn't? But that wasn't all he wanted from him. He didn't want just sex. He was just as interested in the mind inside that body. When they'd been talking, Remy could've happily listened to the young genius ramble on and on for hours. He enjoyed listening to him, watching his face light up and his hands move as he got into something he was saying. He'd been happy just sitting there at the bar with him and talking about anything they came across.

They'd talked that night in bed, too. With the night air cooling their skin, their bodies tangled together in the sheets, they'd talked about random things. Nothing important. Just little things. It had been nice. Easy. Comfortable. And Spencer hadn't been the only one talking. Remy had shared things too. More than he had thought he would. Spencer just had this way of looking at a person that left them feeling like he was honestly listening to their response. Not just listening to be polite or to make conversation but actively listening, as if every little bit of information was important. Remy had never felt so much like he'd been the center of someone's attention before. It was too bad work had called him away in the morning.

He wondered how this case was going for him. It seemed like one hell of a job, to go out and catch serial killers. It was a little fascinating to think that people could take human behavior and pair it with little things left at a scene or in a crime and use it to build a profile that actually helped them catch the bad guys. From the sounds of it, the job was dangerous, too. However, he reminded himself that Spencer had said he'd been doing this for years. That had to mean that he knew how to take care of himself.

That thought had him wondering yet again if Spencer would find him when he got back from this case. Would he come like he'd said he would? At times Spencer had seemed so relaxed and confident in himself and yet at other times he'd been very obviously shy and unsure. Nervous, really. Would those nerves keep him from coming back? Remy hoped not. He honestly hoped he'd come back. No matter that this had come on fast or that it could end with them both being burned, Remy knew he couldn't walk away. Not without seeing where it could go. When he did something, he went all the way. It was the only way he knew how to live.

Remy sighed and shook his head, clearing out his thoughts. Sitting here daydreaming wasn't going to get him anywhere. He couldn't help but chuckle at himself just a little bit. Mentally he started to lecture himself as he got up out of his chair and headed out of the office. Maybe if he was out in the bar he'd find something to do to occupy himself for the evening instead of mooning back in his office. He was acting like some infatuated teenager waiting for a crush to call. He was just shy of thirty years old! The last thing he needed to do was sit around daydreaming and waiting for some boy to come by. You had one night with him. One absolutely fantastic night, to be sure. But still just onenight. Maybe that's all it was meant to be. You're not going to get your hopes up and just dive into this like some young, innocent fool. If he comes by, then good, see where it leads—a little cautiously, of course. If he doesn't, get over it!

Any effectiveness his lectures had went right out the window when he stepped into the main part of the bar. Like a magnet, his eyes were drawn to the bar; or, more specifically, one particular patron at the bar. A smile curved his lips and, though he didn't know it, his eyes brightened slightly. He started to make his way through the crowd, exchanging greetings with those he knew as he went, never fully taking his eyes off the figure. That voice in his head that advised him to take this cautiously seemed to vanish entirely when he finally reached the bar and he could look at the face that had taken up so much of his thoughts these past four days. He slipped into the empty seat at Spencer's side and those captivating brown eyes turned to him and Remy knew there was no 'cautious' to it. "Bonsoir, Spencer." He said with a smile.

Spencer's lips curved in an answering smile that reached up and warmed his eyes. There was that hint of shyness there that Remy had seen the last time as well as a guilelessness that wasn't often found, well, in anyone anymore. "Hello, Remy." His eyes traced down Remy's body and then back up, making him shiver slightly underneath that gaze. There was a touch more heat there when they reached his face again. It was at contrast to the casual tone to his voice. "Are you working tonight?" A delightful little blush stained his cheeks and his eyes shot down towards the glass he was holding. "I mean, of course you are, seeing as how you're here and such. Obviously that means that you're working…"

God, he was adorable when flustered! Remy reached out and laid a hand on his arm, cutting his rambling off before it could really get going. He'd noticed in their night together that Spencer tended to startle slightly at casual touching. Not that he didn't like it. He seemed to like it okay. More, it seemed to surprise him. It did that now, surprising him enough that the flow of words cut off. Only when his eyes flashed back up did Remy speak again. "I'm not really working right now, actually. Today's technically my day off for errands and things like that but I didn't feel like sitting in my house alone, so I'm here, distracting myself." Distracting myself from thinking about you, that is.

"Oh." Spencer lifted his drink, taking a small sip off it. There was just a hint of a smile at his lips though. The shyness was still there, but it seemed to either fade or be pushed back just the slightest bit when he looked up again. What he asked next surprised Remy completely. "Would you like to play a game of pool with me?"

Now, that definitely hadn't been what he'd been expecting. Pool? He wanted to play pool? Intrigued, Remy tipped his head to the side for a second. Then he let out a small chuckle. "Sounds like fun."

Before they headed over to the tables, Spencer refilled his drink and Remy ordered one for himself. Then they made their way over. Luckily one of the tables was open. While Remy started to rack the balls, he cast a quick look at the man choosing out his pool stick. "So, how'd the case go?"

"Better than most, actually." He walked over to the table with a stick in hand, a peaceful look on his face. "We saved a child."

Remy straightened back up and smiled broadly. "That's great!"

"He'll need a little bit of counseling and support, but I believe he'll make it through this fine. He has a family that loves him and is very obviously willing to do what's needed to support him through this." He paused, grimacing slightly. "I just wish we'd been able to do it faster. We didn't finally wrap things up until early this morning."

Surprise had Remy's eyebrows arching up. He stepped back, gesturing for Spencer to take the first shot. "You just got back home today?"

"Mm hm." Spencer bent over to take his shot, giving Remy a perfect view of his ass as he did. And a fine ass it is, too he thought to himself. He tipped his head a little and watched the man's form as he took his shot. He was distracted enough he almost missed what Spencer said next. "We got in late this afternoon."

It took a second for Remy to process that as he was busy watching Spencer straighten and then move over and bend again. But then it clicked and he felt something in him warm a little bit. "And you came here tonight instead of home?" Once again, he felt like a teenager. The idea that Spencer came here instead of resting a night at home after a long case made him want to grin.

Spencer took his next shot and missed. When he straightened back up, Remy saw the blush in his cheeks again and he had a feeling that he knew what had messed up the younger man's shot. "I said I'd come here when I got back."

"And I'm so very glad you did." Remy brushed a hand over Spencer's arm when he moved up to the table. A quick look at the table and then he was lining up his shot. "So, do you gotta work tomorrow?"

"I do. Barring another case, I'll have the weekend off, though."

Tomorrow was Friday, which meant he had a day of work before two days off. Now that was definitely a thought worth smiling over. Remy sank his ball and moved to line up for the next. "We've got a band coming in tomorrow night. Jazz, this week. That usually draws in a big crowd so I'll be working the bar with Jimmy. But maybe you'd like to come and watch the show? If you're off in time for it." Just for the devil of it, he paused before taking his shot, turning to look over his shoulder and flash a smile and a quick wink back at Spencer, enjoying the way it made him flush and the way he was obviously embarrassed at being caught staring. "And maybe afterwards we can go back to my place, oui?"

"That…that sounds nice. I, um, I really enjoy good jazz music."

Amused, Remy looked back to the table to take his shot. He was enjoying these different sides to Spencer. The flustered, slightly shy side. The confident one that he'd shown at his apartment that night. They were so different and yet equally endearing. And then there was the intelligent side of him. That side came to the front now as a long ramble about different types of jazz spilled past the young man's lips. Some of the facts Remy knew and some he didn't, though he honestly found them all interesting. He caught on to one fact at the end, though, that really peaked his interest. "…My mom always enjoyed the emotion to jazz. It was one of her favorite things to listen to. That was why I opted for saxophone lessons instead of the standard piano lessons."

"You play the sax?"

Spencer nodded and moved forward for his turn at the table. "I do. It's been a few years but I still have my sax in the closet. Do you play?"

"I play a little guitar, me. Some violin. I was always more interested in painting my art than in playing it."

"What's your preferred medium for your art?"

Now that was a topic Remy had no problems talking about. Art was always an easy subject for him. "That depends on what I'm working on. For most things I like to paint. Occasionally, I like to play with charcoal, maybe for a portrait or something."

Spencer straightened up from the table and stepped back, looking at him with genuine interest on his face. "Do you do portraits often?"

"When the mood strikes me. Mostly, I paint whatever catches my eye. Sometimes it's a landscape, or a cityscape. Sometimes it's a couple sitting on the bench at the fair. Sometimes it's a dog napping with a child at the park…"

Talk of his art always got Remy going and now was no exception. Spencer didn't just take simple answers, but drew more and more out of him, asking detailed questions that Remy eagerly answered. Because of that, his attention wasn't fully focused on the game and he almost lost track of things until Spencer called out the pocket for his final shot. That stopped Remy in mid-speech. He stood still, watching as the young man took his shot and sunk the ball right as he'd called it. When he straightened back up, he had a small smile on his face, but good humor was bright in his eyes. Remy stared at him for a long moment before shaking his head and grinning. "You hustled me."

Spencer was all innocence when he held a hand up. "I don't know what you mean."

"Like hell you don't. You distracted me with talking about my art and you done wiped the table with this boy. You're a sneaky one, Spencer Reid." Smirking, he strode forward. He gave the man a quick look over before letting his eyes settle on Spencer's face once more. "I think I like that about you. Aint many that can beat me in pool."

"Pool is simple once one breaks down the physics of it."

"Mm hmm." Amused, Remy shook his head at him, unable to keep the smirk off his lips. "I'll remember that the next time I play against you. You aint taking me by surprise again. For now, what do you say we clear outta here for a while? Maybe find somewhere with less people, oui?"

To his surprise, something flashed over Spencer's features and the man clearly grimaced. It was enough to have Remy freezing and his smile wiping away. Had he misread him? He watched as Spencer's eyes dropped down and the young genius chewed at his bottom lip. There was a pause as he visibly gathered himself and then, eyes still down, he spoke. "Can we talk for a minute, first? There's uh, there's something I'd like to, to talk about first."

That didn't sound good. Not at all. "Um, oui, we can do that. C'mon."

The two put their cues back and then Remy led them over to an empty table off in the corner. The bar was busy, so they couldn't be totally private, but this would do well enough. Here was most likely the best that they'd be able to get. He and Spencer took their seats, sitting directly across from one another. Remy settled in and wrapped his hands around the soda he still hadn't finished. He couldn't help but worry about this. Whatever it was, it had Spencer looking so nervous and uncomfortable. His arms were resting on the table, his glass cradled between his hands, and he had his head bent down and was staring at his drink as if it held the answers for him. Worried, Remy reached out, touching his hand. "Whatever it is, just say it, Spencer." He said softly.

Spencer breathed out slowly before nodding. "Okay. You were honest with me right from the start, Remy. I owe you the same courtesy. There are some things I think you need to know before we take things any further than we have. Things I need you to take very seriously." He took a deep breath and steadied himself. "Being involved with someone in my line of work, it isn't easy and, and sometimes it, well, it isn't safe. The team and I, we go out and hunt some of the worst monsters that mankind has. And sometimes, those monsters hunt back."

Realization was dawning on Remy. Now he knew why Spencer seemed so nervous. Why he had turned so serious. This was an important subject. It was also one that Remy had already thought about. He'd thought about quite a bit the past four days, including the risks of being with someone who was an FBI agent. Just months back, hadn't there been that case all over the news about a serial killer known as The Reaper who had come after an FBI agent and killed his wife? That was a very clear example of what could happen to someone close to these kinds of people. He didn't get a chance to say his thoughts yet, though. Spencer wasn't done talking.

"There've been cases that we've handled over the years where those that we hunt found a way to come after us as well. Where the Unsub attacked us personally, either directly or through our families. Because of that, we've had losses. I, I don't want you walking into this, not knowing that. Not only is there you that you have to look out for, but your son as well, and I understand entirely that it's a, a huge risk and I would understand if it's one that you don't want to take…"

This whole time Remy had left his hand over Spencer's. He squeezed now, drawing his attention. "Spencer, Spencer." His voice was pitched slightly soft, just a little gentle. He curled his hand around Spencer's fingers, drawing it away from the glass, and he fixed his eyes on Spencer's downturned face. "I've already thought about that, Spencer. I've thought about quite a few things the past few days. I won't deny the risk that's there. But…I aint gonna let the fear of what could happen ruin the chance of something else. Something much more wonderful. If the day comes that something happens, then we'll deal with it then. I trust that you and the Bureau would do anything to keep me and my son safe. And I aint a pushover, neither. I have a gun in my house and I know how to use it. I know how to defend myself."

"Remy…"

"I'm not discounting what you say, Spencer." He cut him off gently. "I know the risk is there. I saw the Reaper case in the news. It's not gonna scare me away, though. Okay?"

Spencer's eyes lifted to him finally. As their eyes met, Remy held still, keeping his conviction strong. He met Spencer stare for stare, letting the young genius search his eyes .Whatever Spencer saw there must have eased his worries. The tension slowly faded off his face and a hesitant smile took its place. His hand turned just a little, their fingers lacing lightly together. "I think it's my turn to say that you're not quite like anyone I've met, Remy LeBeau."

"Merci." Remy said with an answering smile. "It's boring, being like everyone else. I'd rather be like me."

"I'm glad you are."

"Me too. Now, you ready to get outta here? I'm a little hungry for something better food than bar food, I think."

Spencer's smile grew a little wider and he gave Remy's hand a squeeze. "Let's go."