AN: So, after prodding and poking and some help from my beta, here is the next chapter. I hope you all enjoy.

Also, the final ballot for the 2011 Profiler's Choice Criminal Minds awards is up at Chit Chat on Author's Corner. Please take the time to check it out, and enjoy the many wonderful stories there. Several of my stories- "Careless Man's Careful Daughter", "Eternal Changes", "Silent Cries", "Notorious", and "Sparks" have made the ballot.

Dr. Spencer Reid watched as one of the workers with the catering company picked up the empty plates, glasses, and silverware from the table. He had his fingers wrapped loosely around the half-filled glass of soda, assuring that it didn't get collected with everything else. The genius was now the only one at the table, the other four having abandoned him in favor of the dance floor. Sitting with his back to the wall, Reid had a view of the rest of the gymnasium. Though Alexa and Darren had been swallowed by the crowd on the dance floor, Ethan and Eve were in plain view. From the cozy position the couple had taken up as they swayed to the slow music Reid was certain that he had been forgotten by the same friend who had asked him to come to keep him company.

~I could probably slip out without anyone noticing, ~ Reid mused, as the worker disappeared with the dirty dishes. ~And it would probably take awhile before anyone noticed I was gone too, if they ever did, ~ he added thinking about how things had gone so far.

Quite a few people had stopped by the table while they had been eating, some stopping to chat with Ethan, though all of them had remembered Alexa. Most of the time, Reid had been overlooked. It was like he was invisible to everyone. Which, in a way, was better than how high school was. How many times had he wished he was invisible so that his tormentors would just leave him alone? On occasion, someone would recognize him and say something to him. Ask him what he was up to these days.

~Why is it such a surprise for them to find out that I'm a FBI agent? ~ Reid thought, the myriad of shocked reactions he had heard during the past hour playing through his mind. He lifted his glass to his lips, taking a sip of the syrupy cola soft-drink, the carbonation tickling his throat as he swallowed it.

Was it because of how they remembered him? His physical size? Or his youthful appearance? The one thing he was thankful for was that no one had told him he looked just like he did in high school like Parker Dunlevy had a few years ago. He sure hoped he didn't still look like a twelve-year-old. He might still have things to learn but he had done some growing up during the fifteen years that had passed. ~Which apparently can't be said for everyone, ~ he thought as his eyes fell on a table across the room where Rick Lambert and several of his old football pals sat.

The former football players were carrying on and laughing loudly. At times their laughter was loud enough to reach Reid's ears. It was a sound that he remembered all to well. One that had haunted his dreams more than once. Though he couldn't be sure, from where he sat it appeared as though Rick and his buddies were having beer chugging contests, which didn't bode well. Giving his earlier run in with Rick the last thing he wanted to do was deal with him and the other former football players after they had consumed a large amount of alcohol.

Again he considered slipping out of the room, hopefully unnoticed. It wasn't like he was actually having any fun. He could sit alone in his hotel room just as well, though he doubted that Morgan would let that happen. Even if the older man didn't try to get him to talk about his night, he could definitely see Morgan insisting that they hit the town. Spending time with Morgan wouldn't be such a shabby way to spend the rest of his evening.

Reid was just about ready to slip out and call Morgan for a ride when he heard someone say his name.

"Spencer Reid! What a surprise to finally see you at one of these reunions!"

Reid glanced in the direction of the voice to see who it was that had addressed him. Recognizing the man approaching the table, Reid got to his feet. "Principal Sellers, it's good to see you again," he said, holding his hand out to the older gentleman.

"That sentiment definitely goes both ways, Spencer," Benjamin Sellers said, shaking the proffered hand. "Or perhaps the more appropriate address would be Dr. Reid."

"That's not necessary," Spencer replied, ducking his head. The fact that his high school principle had followed him enough to know that he had gotten a doctorate degree was flattering but made him feel a bit self-conscious. He hadn't liked being the center of attention back then, and despite everything he had gone through since, that hadn't changed.

Reid found himself wondering if perhaps he shouldn't have been using the title all night. Perhaps it would have gained him some recognition among his peers. He thought of a question he had once asked Hotch about Gideon's insistence of always introducing him as Dr. Reid instead of agent like the rest of the team.

"Do you know why he always introduces me as Dr. Reid?"

"Because he knows that people so you as a kid and he wants to make sure that they respect you."*

Even now, his teammates were more likely to introduce him using doctor instead of agent though he certainly hoped that reasoning had changed at least partially. He'd like to think he had grown enough that the wouldn't be seen as a kid by anyone.

"Mind if I sit down for a bit?" Mr. Sellers asked, hoping to get a chance to talk to one of the school's most notable graduates during his years at the school.

"Of course not," Reid said, gesturing to one of the many empty chairs even as he recalled some of the meetings he'd had with Principal Sellers during his highschool career - some more pleasant that others. The federal agent waited for the older gentleman to be seated before setting back down himself.

"I'm not afraid to admit that I kept tabs on you after you graduated, Spencer. Guess I wanted to make sure that the right decision had been made and that you did okay out in the real world. Apparently, I had nothing to worry about."

"I had all the graduation requirements met. I couldn't see what could be gained by staying in highschool another year instead of going on to college. Mrs. Coale and Miss Simmiens agreed with me."

"It was never about the academics, Spencer. I knew that even the extra work we could provide you wouldn't pose a challenge for you. I was concerned about someone so young going on to college, though. I felt some more 'socializing' with your peers would benefit you. You've proved me wrong - three doctorates and the youngest member of the FBI and the BAU. You've certainly done well."

"Most of the kids I went to highschool with never saw me as their peer, and they never would have," Reid replied. "Once I convinced Miss Simmiens of that fact, she had no trouble convincing my guidance counselor that letting me graduate was in my best interest."

"I've got to admit that even after all the other children that I saw Miss Simmiens advocate for, part of me thought she made a mistake in your case. I was happy to be proven wrong."

"Me too," Reid replied lightly, hoping that his former principle didn't take the comment the wrong way.

"So, you're still with the BAU?"

Reid nodded. "Going on six years now and despite some of the things I've seen and have been through, I wouldn't want to be anywhere else."

"It's good to hear that. I'm always happy to hear that my students have found something in life they are happy to be doing. You becoming a profiler really didn't surprise me either," Sellers admitted.

That admission surprised Reid, especially after all the shocked reactions he had received from people he had known when they found out he was a FBI agent. "Really? Why not?"

"Well, you always did have a fascination with human behavior. Mr. Fuller was always talking about the thought-provoking questions you posed in his psychology class and about how you devoured the psychology books he did have," Benjamin Sellers replied, watching as his former student ducked his head at the praise. "Secondly, given everything that you went through during you years at school it doesn't surprise me that you would go into a field that would allow you to help other people. That was one of the things that always impressed me about you Spencer that no matter how mean the other students got you never became resentful of it. Oh sure, you were hurt and upset, and who could blame you. I've often wondered if there had been something that the rest of the faculty and myself could've done to save you from some of the bullying that went on."

"You all did the best you could and I wasn't the only one that fell victim to the bullying. You and the other teachers couldn't be everywhere."

"And right there, you prove my point. With an attitude like that, despite having the intelligence to be able to do whatever you wanted in life, it doesn't surprise me to find you trying to do something to protect those who fall prey to others."

"I've never thought about it that way," Reid replied, a thoughtful look coming over his face.

"I'm proud of you, Spencer. I'm not sure how much hearing that from the principle who tried to hold you back means, but I am."

"Hearing those words means a lot to me, sir."

Benjamin Sellers nodded, satisfied with the reply. "So, what about your personal life? Are you here with anyone?"

On the strip, Derek Morgan was taking a break from feeding the slot machines by nursing a drink at the casino bar. In the corner of the partitioned off area, a band played. They had a kind of amateur sound to them, and it was a bit too loud - something that Morgan would never have thought he would admit to - the music was still enjoyable. His foot tapped in time with the music, as he stared down in the Jack and Coke in front of him.

Morgan glanced down at the cell phone on his hip, making sure that he hadn't missed any calls. The last thing he wanted was for Reid to call and he not catch the call for an hour or so afterwards. He had no clue what was going on at that high school, and if Reid managed to get himself into trouble or if someone said something to him that upset him . . . well Morgan had flown out to Vegas to provide support. What kind of support would he be sitting in a casino bar sipping a drink?

"You look a bit lonely," a silvery voice said at his side.

Morgan glanced to his left to find the stool next to him was now occupied by a skinny, raven-haired beauty with mocha skin. The streak of purple in the woman's hair reminded him briefly of Garcia although the seductive smile that she was giving him was nothing like the flirtatious one that his Baby Girl often gave to him. ~Nor does it make my heart skip a beat like when Reid smiles at me, ~ Morgan added silently.

"Guess I am in a way," Morgan replied, thinking of the public high school that he would much rather be at right about now.

"Perhaps I can help change that," the mocha-skinned beauty replied.

"Sorry Sweetheart, but I'm kind of biding my time until I can meet up with somebody special tonight," Morgan replied.

"They can't be all that special, if you're sitting here alone in a bar."

"You might be surprised," Morgan told her, turning away from her as he picked up his glass and took a drink.

Morgan felt a hand move slowly up his arm. "What she doesn't know won't hurt her," the woman whispered leaning close to his ear.

Just then his cell phone rang. He reached quickly for it, glancing at the screen. Seeing Garcia's name on the screen, he felt a pang of disappointment even as he answered the call. "Hey Baby Girl," he said, holding the phone up to one ear and covering the other ear up with his hand.

"Just wanted to check in with my favorite Stud Muffin. How is Sin City?"

"Full of temptations," Morgan replied loudly, glancing over at the beauty who was now slipping from the bar stool. "Give me a moment why I got somewhere I can hear you better, Garcia."

"Sure thing, my Chocolate Adonis."

Morgan retrieved some money from his wallet, and placed it beside his half-drank Jack and Coke, before leaving the bar. Making his way to the casino's entrance, he leaned against one wall and put the phone up to his ear.

"Okay, Pretty Mama, I can hear your sweet dulcet tones now."

"I sure hope my Boy Genius isn't where he could hear you say those flattering words to me, as I wouldn't want to hurt his feelings."

"Reid is still at his reunion and I doubt us flirting hurts his feelings," Morgan said with a laugh.

"I'm telling you, don't be so sure about that. I will maintain that our young doctor is pinning away for you until either I die or you admit to him how you feel about him. Given your stubborn streak, I'm starting to think the former might come true first."

"You're crazy. Have I told you that before?"

"Sure have, Sugar," Garcia replied.

"How are things out east?" Morgan asked, glad to have Garcia on the phone to pass some time but hoping to steer her away from the subject of him and Reid.

*Dialogue taking from "Extereme Aggressor"