IMPORTANT NOTICE
So when I was originally planning out this story it was just going to place over the course of April Fools day, meaning that this would be its final instalment however after seeing the response to this story via the reviews and realising that I still had a lot of ideas for where to take the idea I'm asking you the readers to vote on a poll I've put up on my profile page for what you want to happen next, choices are: complete it here, continue as a dedicated sequel (maybe more than one), continue the story under the same name or other. So go over to my profile to make your feelings known. Thank you for all your support.
"Tada" he exclaimed in his best magician's voice.
"Your conference rooms?" Erin asked incredulously, not quite seeing the magic the younger agent had clearly performed.
"It'll work, trust me." Youthful energy filled his voice as he pushed open the door and flicked on the lights. He placed his bags on the long table that monopolised the room.
"See, we can fit all the food on this table and…" He said, spinning around to face the projector, " I have the first series of Doctor Who in my desk I know you'll love it. So, what do you think?" He eagerly asked practically rocking on his feet with excitement.
"It's perfect." She smiled, wondering if the young agent's mood was normally this contagious or if it was just her.
"I'll set up the projector then, I watched Garcia do it last week, it can't be too hard." He whispered in a voice more for himself than for Strauss.
Even after the time it had taken for Erin to empty the bags of their food and spread the dishes across the table, lay out plates and cutlery borrowed from the break room and dispose of all excess rubbish, Spencer was still struggling with the projector. He was currently sat on the floor surrounded by cables, brow furrowed in frustration, mumbling to himself about how much he hated technology. After ten more minutes of watching the boy flounder and hearing him muttering in a dismayed tone about how Garcia made it look so simple, Erin decided to step in. She was by no means an expert in technology and would normally run for the hills in this sort of situation, but it was affecting Spencer and she couldn't have that. So she sighed as she sat next to the young man and began to try and make sense of the self-induced mess around him. It took another ten minutes with both FBI employees working together to attack the problem as logically as they could, with only the occasional outburst directed at technology in the form of determined phrases such as 'We can't let it beat us.' before the projector sprung into life. Forgetting themselves they both cheered in delight upon seeing the Doctor Who logo projected onto the wall.
"We did it!" Reid exclaimed, seizing Erin in a bear hug, both parties were surprised at this action for Erin could not remember the last time she'd been hugged, let alone at work. For Reid he was shocked in himself, in his day to day life he avoided being touched as much as possible and yet here he was initiating a hug. His mind did not compute but in is heart he knew that it was the right thing to do. The squeezing on his back told him that Strauss thought the same.
After pulling away Erin turned to the table overflowing with food. "Let the feast begin." She called in an exaggerated Shakespearian accent. With that the two piled their plates high, scoffing their food down while playing the first episode. It became clear to Erin that this must be a favourite of Spencer's as without noticing he was mouthing the dialog on the screen in between mouthfuls of food. His perfect lip sync had her laughing under her breath, which turned into a cough as Reid looked over to her. She wondered if there was any skill he couldn't master. Every now and again the younger agent would whisper an explanation or backstory about what was happening on screen to the slightly lost older agent.
Four episodes later and Erin was proud to say with Spencer's guidance she was starting to understand the appeal of the wacky sci-fi series, reluctantly checked her watch, knowing that she would not like the answer, eleven o'clock…far too late for a Monday night.
"Last episode Reid, then we need to call it a night, it's getting late."
The young man in question turned in his seat to look at Erin, ready to plead for more time however after seeing her 'don't push me' stare he turned back to the screen with a groan to enjoy the last episode. After the episode finished Erin called once again "Right come on kid." her words seemed to nudge Spencer into action.
"Fine." He groaned voice breaking to make way for a particularly large yawn. Strauss smiled to herself, he would never admit that he was half asleep even if his body was not cooperating. She packed the leftovers back into their containers, now only needing two bags to fit them in. She couldn't decide whether she was proud or embarrassed that the two of them had eaten two carrier bags worth of take out. Spencer had placed the DVDs back in his desk and was tucking away the pile of cables on the floor. Once the room was suitably clean with every sign that they had ever taken it over gone, Erin nodded in approval scanning the room.
"Good job, it was like we we're never here."
"Thank you, I mean for everything…" Spencer's sentence was cut off by a large yawn. "Today's been the best April Fools day ever I really enjoyed it…" another yawn broke up his sentence, "You couldn't have been kinder to me." A quick hug later and the lad was reaching for his satchel, stepping towards the door.
It took a moment for her brain to process all that Reid had said, in that time he had just made it to the door before she shouted him back.
"Where do you think you're going?" She questioned.
"Umm, to the subway station." He answered, confused, one hand rubbing at his eyes.
"Not going to happen, you're practically asleep now. You sit down for more than five minutes and you'll be dead to the world, let me grab my bags and I'll drop you off." She could see that he was gearing up to put up a protest, so hit him with her best 'don't push me' stare again. Any objections fell silent and as his shoulders dropped in defeat another yawn escaped his mouth, causing his skin to take on a pink tint of embarrassment.
"Good." She smiled at him then walked out of the room to retrieve her bag.
The drive to Spencer's apartment was quiet with only a brief stop at a local homeless shelter Erin knew, to donate the uneaten food. After passing on directions to his apartment building Spencer promptly fell asleep, snoozing in the passenger seat.
At a red light Erin leaned over to tuck a lock of hair that had fallen into his face behind his ear, smiling at the sight. Thinking over the day's events she realised that her smile had barely left her face since the young agent had appeared in her office. In fact, he had brought out a side to her that up until then she believed she'd lost after too many years battling the darkness. It was then, looking over at the young agent murmuring in his sleep that she knew she would be keeping an extra special eye on him.
Her mood darken upon reaching Reid's apartment, knowing she would have to wake the young man who looked every bit an angel in sleep.
"Reid." She called softly. "Reid, sweetie wake up, we're here."
Spencer's eyes slowly fluttered open, scanning the car. Concern evident before his sight landed on Erin. She smiled down at him, provoking a sleepy gin in return from Reid.
"Now are you sure you're going to be okay? Because I can always walk you up if you're still feeling a bit out of it." She fussed, knowing she was going into mother hen mode but being unable to stop it.
"I'll be fine." Spencer replied sleepily.
"Ok then, now don't be a stranger my door is always open for you, April Fools day or not."
"Thank you once again for today and be careful what you wish for an offer like that and you might never get me out of your office." He laughed.
"I wouldn't have it any other way." she reassured.
After finishing a particularly long yawn Spencer turned to open the car door. After stepping out of the SUV he locked eyes with Strauss "Goodnight, Erin." he tentatively spoke.
"Goodnight, Spencer." She called out smiling as he shut the car door and retreated into the building, turning back to the car to offer a small wave. Erin watched the man go, now understanding what it felt to be the parent at the school gates dropping their child off for the first time. A mixture of emotions bubbled in her as she finally started the car, satisfied that Spencer had made it to his apartment safely. The young agent had captured her heart after just one day, her world had been completely changed for the better by his sudden arrival. Whatever came next she knew her life would be brighter with Spencer in it.
ahowell1993- Don't worry Spencer's managed to avoid a pranking from Morgan for this year at least.
Troubled-Angel-26- Glad you like my little story couldn't help sneaking in a little Rossi into the story he always makes me smile on the show hopefully his appearance also made you smile.
BJames- Don't worry I don't have the heart to kill off Strauss. I'm beginning to think you might be psychic or have peeked at my notes for this story so far your predictions have been uncannily close, I will say that a lot of my plans have the pair in a more domesticated setting. As for the Strossi pairing it depends on what root I choose to take the story down.
Guest- Thank you for reading and taking the time to review.
walkthepathofdaydreams- The Dave/Erin scene kind of snuck up on me but it made me smile so I kept it in, happy you're a fan. (P.S. love the username)
Anon- I agree with your view on Strauss, she developed a lot over her course on the show but she mostly went unnoticed. I started this story after going on a hunt for a decent Strauss/Reid family/friendship focused story and found it lacking. Hopefully more stories showing the softer sides of Strauss will appeared soon to fill the gap.
Lady Layla McGonagall- Ask and you shall receive, here's the update. Only a few days behind my usual schedule...