What could a guy like me, ever really offer?
She's perfect as she could be, why should I even bother?"
The thoughts that ran through Spencer's head while he shuffled around his apartment, trying to mentally map out what he needed to do to get ready for his date with J.J. Later today. His first date. He didn't know whether he should be embarrassed that Gideon had essentially set him up, but with the game mere hours in the future, he could hardly spend the time perseverating on it, he had other things to think about. He had, reluctantly, talked to Hotch and Morgan. Hotch provided quiet reassurance, but Morgan was all in. He loved the thought of The Kid and Blondie getting together. They both deserved the happiness, and obviously had a quiet fondness for one another. But Morgan, in true Morgan-form, was acting like Spencer's personal dating coach and hype man. He helped Spencer decide on an outfit, away from his usual khakis and sweater vests. Spencer had the outfit folded neatly on top of his dresser, waiting patiently next to a box containing the gift that Morgan had helped him select for J.J. He had made a reservation for a restaurant near the stadium, which boasted upscale pub style food. Both Hotch and Morgan assured him that it would be perfect for after the game. He had everything timed out perfectly so they would have time to leisurely leave the stadium and walk to the restaurant. The weather was supposed to be clear tonight, just about 55F, which was perfect. He sipped his second cup of coffee and stared at the chess board in front of him. For the first time in his life he felt it difficult to focus on his favorite game. He couldn't believe that he was going on a date with Jennifer Jareau. Since the first day he met her, he had been nearly enamored by the beautiful woman who kept the team moving in the right direction daily. But it wasn't just her beauty that had captivated the young agent. He was a gangly, awkward young man, hardly past his teenage years starting at the FBI, and yet J.J. Usually so stern while handing out files and briefing the team, always had a softness with him. Often gently patting his back as she walked by his desk in the bullpen, or making sure that Morgan wasn't offloading extra files onto him to lighten his stack. And after all, she was the only person in the whole world who called him 'Spence'.
He slowly and strategically showered and dressed. Wanting to make sure that he was timing things just right to arrive at J.J.'s apartment to pick her up with plenty of time to partake in pre-game festivities, which Morgan had taught him were called 'tailgating'. Spencer couldn't be more nervous about this football game if he had tried. He knew nothing about the game, and his interest in sports was limited to say the least, but with the offer to spend the evening with the beautiful J.J. On the table, he was willing to endure much worst than a football game.
The drive to her apartment was painstakingly slow, and gave his brain just enough time to think of all of the reasons that this was a bad idea. After all, this was J.J. She was perfect in every way Spencer could think of. She was smart, brave, hard-working, she was strong willed yet still gentle, and with all of those things, Spencer thought she was the most beautiful girl he'd ever seen. What could a guy like him ever really offer, he thought? He'd never been popular, and was awkward at best in social situations. While his intelligence made him stand out in his career, it was often a hindrance when it came to interpersonal relationships. Girls hardly took a second glance at him, and he had learned the hard way that when they did there was almost always an ulterior motive. All of this not to even mention that he had never really dated before. Always being the youngest in his class didn't exactly lead to fraternization with the opposite sex. He pulled up to the curb in front of J.J.s apartment. She lived on the left side of the large, blue duplex. He knew this from a time when Penelope had driven them both home after a long flight, dropping J.J. Off first. He grabbed the box off of the passenger seat, and took a deep breath as he walked to her door. He took note of the small garden in front of her porch, decorated with mums and pumpkins, perfect for early fall. Her welcome mat donned a swirling and delicate floral decor. Despite all of the gruesome things that she dealt with at work, she managed to still maintain her view of the beauty in the word. The thought warming his heart, and subsequently his cheeks, he rang the doorbell. A few seconds passed before the door opened to reveal J.J., looking as beautiful as ever in her dark jeans and Redskins tee shirt, with her blond hair pulled carefully back from her face. She had done her makeup, and her blue eyes popped behind the black eyeliner and mascara. Her lightly painted lips stretched into a smile at the sight of him. Spencer couldn't help but smile himself, especially when he noted the black, low-top Converse she was wearing, matching his own. She opened the door for him and gestured him inside. She took a moment to appraise his appearance. Dressed in jeans and a Redskins sweatshirt, he looked nothing like the carefully dressed agent she was used to seeing at work. "Nice shirt Spence!" She commented, wondering if he hadn't bought it specifically for the occasion. While she knew that Spencer wasn't one for sports, she thought it was great that Gideon was trying to help the younger team members bond. She knew Gideon had a special sentiment for the young man, but was surprised at the lengths he had gone to ensure that Spence learned to socialize with his teammates; after all box seats to an NFL game didn't come cheap. "I'm glad you think so" Spencer grinned, as he held out the box he had been carrying, neatly ties with a red bow. "For me?" J.J. Asked, offering her biggest smile. She opened the box, and revealed a thick, Redskins hoodie, with the same logo as Spencer's sweater. "Oh my gosh, Spence! This is perfect! I was going to wear a jacket but I was so sad to cover up my shirt!". Spencer felt a blush rising in his cheeks. "You're very welcome" he said as she leaned forward to hug him. "Oh, Penelope is going to be so jealous!". "Penelope?" Spencer asked with a questioning tone. The smile slowly faded from J.J.'s face. "Well, yeah." She said. "I figured Gideon wanted the younger team members to get to know each other better, so I asked Penelope to join us. Since Gideon bought the whole box for the game, I didn't think it would be a problem. That is ok, isn't it…" she trailed off quietly. Spencer swallowed the lump in his throat and managed to croak out "Of course it is". He had misread the entire situation. This was never meant to be a date to her, just coworkers hanging out. The warmth and excitement he had been feeling dwindled. He did his best to put a smile on his face as they discussed who's car to take to pick up Penelope on the way. Spencer made a mental note to himself to excuse himself to the bathroom at some point through the evening to call the restaurant and change their reservation to three. He sighed inwardly to himself. He knew it was too good to be true that J.J. Would be interested in him romantically, but at that moment, he decided that even if he couldn't have J.J. In that way, she still deserved for him to be the best friend he possibly could. And that is what he vowed to himself to be, from that moment on.
She's so high, high above me.