Spencer sat at his desk, his gaze fixed intently on the chessboard before him. The pieces were arranged in a familiar pattern, the black and white squares forming a grid of possibilities. He studied the board, his mind racing through the potential moves and countermoves, lost in the intricate dance of strategy and tactics.
Suddenly, a voice broke through his concentration, causing him to startle slightly. "Check. Checkmate in three moves," said a familiar voice behind him.
Spencer turned to see Gideon standing next to him moving the pieces on the board, a knowing smile on his face.
"What?" Spencer asked, blinking in confusion.
Derek with a grin chimed in, "You know, you'll beat him when you start learning."
Spencer furrowed his brow, puzzled by Derek's cryptic remark. "Learning what?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
"To think outside the box."
Spencer frowned. Lost in thought, he returned his gaze to the chessboard, the pieces blurred and indistinct before him. He couldn't shake the feeling that there was something he was missing, some key piece of the puzzle that eluded him.
Just as he was about to delve deeper into his thoughts, Elle's voice cut through the silence. "Question for you," she said, her tone serious.
"Shoot," Derek replied, turning his attention to her.
"The Footpath Killer," Elle began, her eyes narrowing in concentration. "Why did he stutter?"
As Spencer heard her voice and saw her approaching, a subtle flutter of nerves coursed through him.
She mesmerized him, her presence casting a spell that left him captivated. He watched as she leaned against her desk, her movements graceful and fluid, while Derek spoke beside her. Her proximity to him, right beside his desk, only heightened his awareness of her.
Try as he might, Spencer found it increasingly difficult to focus on the chessboard before him. His attention kept drifting back to Elle, her every gesture, every word captivating him in a way he couldn't explain. It was as if she held some inexplicable power over him, a magnetic pull that he couldn't resist.
Just as Spencer's thoughts began to spiral, a blonde figure appeared beside Elle, interrupting his reverie.
It was JJ, their new media liaison, her vibrant energy filling the room as she launched into conversation. Spencer forced himself to listen, nodding along absently as JJ chatted animatedly with Elle and Derek.
But trying as he might to follow the conversation, Spencer's mind remained fixated on Elle, her presence a constant distraction that left him feeling off balance. He couldn't shake the feeling of excitement that danced in his chest whenever he looked at her.
As Hotch's voice broke through the chatter, commanding everyone's attention to gather in the conference room, Spencer felt a sense of relief wash over him. The sudden shift in focus provided a welcome distraction from his tumultuous thoughts.
As he rose from his desk and followed the others into the room, he couldn't help but notice Elle's lingering gaze on him.
He turned to meet her stare, his heart skipping a beat at the intensity he found there. For a moment, they locked eyes, a silent exchange passing between them, before Elle finally broke the spell.
"Hey, Reid," she said softly, falling into step beside him as they made their way to the conference room. "You seemed a bit distracted back there. Everything okay?"
Spencer blinked, caught off guard by her sudden attention. He could feel the heat rising to his cheeks as he struggled to find the right words. "Um, yeah, I'm fine," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "Just...lost in thought, I guess."
Elle's brow furrowed with concern, her eyes searching his face for any sign of discomfort. "You sure?" she pressed, her tone gentle.
Spencer nodded, offering her a small smile in return. "Yeah, I'm sure," he replied, willing himself to appear more composed than he felt.
They entered the conference room and took their seats around the table and Spencer stll couldn't shake the feeling of Elle's gaze on him, a constant presence at his side.
As Spencer and Elle delved deeper into their analysis of the case, their conversation flowed seamlessly, each idea building upon the last as they pieced together the puzzle before them.
"The timer sets the road flare, which then lights the chemical mixture inside the canister. Simple," Elle mused, her brow furrowed in concentration.
"Yet sophisticated in its simplicity," Spencer added, nodding in agreement. "There's a meticulous construction to it."
"Chemical accelerant could mean a chemistry student," Elle stated, her gaze fixed on the evidence board.
"But it could also mean a chemistry professor," Spencer countered, his mind racing with possibilities.
Elle considered his words for a moment before offering her own insight. "I say student," she decided, her voice confident. "You need self-confidence to lecture in front of a classroom full of 30 college kids."
"Arsonists are socially incompetent," she continued, her tone thoughtful. "This guy doesn't go on dates. He doesn't go to parties. He doesn't feel comfortable in front of groups."
Spencer's brow furrowed as he realized she was describing him. His mind raced, but before he could respond, Elle continued.
"And, of course, he's a total psychopath," she added, her eyes flicking to Spencer as she saw him piecing it together.
"'Course," Spencer replied awkwardly, a hint of discomfort in his tone.
"I mean, not that you're anything like them, Reid. I didn't mean—"
Spencer held up a hand, cutting her off before she could finish. "It's okay, Elle," he reassured her, offering her a small smile. "I know what you meant."
"Still... I'm sorry... if I made you feel uncomfortable. That... wasn't my intention."
Spencer shook his head, dismissing her apology with a wave of his hand. "No harm done," he replied, his voice steady. "We're all just trying to understand the unsub, one puzzle piece at a time."
As they lingered in the aftermath of their discussion, a subtle tension hung in the air, laden with unspoken words and unexplored feelings.
"I appreciate your insight," Spencer said softly, breaking the silence that had settled between them. "You always think of the details,"
Elle met his gaze, a faint smile playing at the corners of her lips. "Thanks, Reid," she replied, her voice warm with gratitude. "You're not too bad yourself."
Spencer felt a rush of warmth spread through him at her words, a small spark of hope flickering to life within him. "I'm just doing my job," he murmured, his gaze dropping to his hands as he fiddled with the edge of his notebook.
Elle reached out, placing a reassuring hand on his arm. "You do more than just your job, Spencer," she said softly, her touch sending a shiver down his spine. "You care. And that makes all the difference."
Her hand on his arm sent a subtle tremor through him, a sensation he couldn't quite ignore. It was as if her touch carried an electric charge, stirring something deep within him. A tender shiver ran down his spine, a response to the gentle yet steadfast pressure of her fingertips against his skin.
"You care too," Spencer murmured, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Well, that makes two of us," she said with a smile, her eyes sparkling with warmth and sincerity.
On a quiet Sunday evening, Elle picked up her phone and dialed Spencer's number, curious about his recent date with JJ. As the call connected, she could sense a hint of apprehension in Spencer's voice.
"Hey, Reid, how was your date with JJ?" Elle inquired, her tone gentle.
Spencer let out a sigh on the other end of the line. "Well, it wasn't exactly a date," he admitted reluctantly.
"What happened?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
Spencer hesitated before confessing, "She brought Garcia along, so it wasn't exactly just the two of us."
Elle frowned, puzzled. "What? How did that happen?" she asked, her mind racing to fill in the blanks.
"I don't know, it just happened," Spencer said, a hint of embarrassment creeping into his voice.
"Well, that's... unexpected," she remarked, shaking her head in amusement.
Spencer let out a rueful laugh. "Tell me about it," he said, his tone resigned. "But it's fine. JJ just doesn't think of me in that way, whatever."
Elle's heart went out to him. "I'm sorry," she said softly.
"It's okay," Spencer said, his voice carrying a hint of resignation.
Elle paused, considering his words before a spark of determination lit up in her eyes. "Well, it's not that late, and you don't go to sleep early either way, so... how about we go for a drink?" she suggested, a playful smile tugging at the corners of her lips. "You don't turn 24 every day."
Spencer blinked in surprise at Elle's proposition, caught off guard by her spontaneity. But he couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement stir within him. "Sure, why not?" he replied, a smile spreading across his face. "A drink sounds nice."
The dimly lit ambiance of the bar provided a comforting backdrop as Spencer and Elle settled into their seats, the clink of glasses and murmur of conversation filling the air around them. Spencer tried to put on a brave face, but the weight of disappointment still lingered in his eyes.
Elle studied him for a moment, her heart aching at the sight of his pain. "Are you okay, Reid?" she asked softly, reaching out to gently touch his hand.
Spencer forced a smile, though it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Yeah, I'm fine," he replied, his voice tinged with sadness.
Elle shook her head, her expression full of empathy. "You don't have to pretend with me," she said gently. "I can see that you're hurting."
Spencer sighed, his shoulders slumping slightly. "It's just... JJ," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I thought maybe... but I guess I was wrong."
Elle reached out, squeezing his hand reassuringly. "Sometimes, things just aren't meant to be," she said softly. "And that's okay."
Her touch sent a jolt through him, his stomach twisting with nerves.
He usually avoided physical contact, but with her, it felt different—her hand on his sparked a flutter of warmth and longing he couldn't ignore. Despite his usual aversion, he found himself drawn to her touch, grateful for the comfort it offered in a way he had never experienced before.
Spencer nodded, though his heart still felt heavy with disappointment. "I know," he murmured. "It's just hard to accept sometimes."
Elle leaned in closer, her gaze locking with his in a silent display of solidarity. "You'll find someone, Spencer," she said earnestly. "I promise."
Spencer's lips curved into a small smile, touched by Elle's words of encouragement. "Thanks, Elle," he said gratefully. "I appreciate that."
She smiled back, her eyes shining with warmth. "Anytime..." she replied, her voice filled with sincerity.
"And remember, if you know, you know. JJ clearly wasn't meant for you, but I promise there will be many more pretty blonde girls who'll fall head over heels for you Doctor Reid."
Spencer chuckled softly, the heaviness in his heart beginning to lift. "I'll hold you to that," he said, his smile growing wider.
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, his words stumbling over one another as he struggled to articulate his thoughts. "And, uh, I don't... I mean, blonde hair... It's nice, right? JJ's hair is... beautiful. And I think she looks very... good in that color. But that doesn't... I mean, I don't... It's not like I have a preference or anything. Brown hair, dark brown, that's great too. I mean, your hair, Elle, it's... it's great. Really great. I like it. A lot. It suits you, and... and it's just... really nice."
Elle couldn't help but smile at his nervous rambling, her heart swelling with affection for the endearingly awkward man sitting across from her. "Thank you, Spencer," she said softly, reaching out to gently pat his hand. "That's very sweet of you to say."
Spencer blushed furiously at her words, his cheeks flushing with embarrassment. "I, uh, I mean... it's just... you know," he stammered, struggling to find the right words.
Elle chuckled softly, her laughter ringing out like a soothing melody in the crowded bar. "I know," she reassured him, her gaze warm and understanding. "And I appreciate it. Really... I do."
"You know, there's actually an interesting correlation between hair color and attraction," he began, his voice gaining confidence with each passing word. "Studies have shown that blonde hair is often associated with youth and vitality, which can be perceived as attractive traits. But then again, darker hair colors like brown and black are often seen as more sophisticated and mysterious, which can also be appealing to certain individuals."
Elle listened intently, her eyes never leaving Spencer's face as he spoke. She found herself captivated by the way his mind worked.
"And then there's the cultural aspect to consider," Spencer continued, his words flowing effortlessly now. "In some societies, blonde hair is highly coveted and seen as a symbol of beauty and desirability. But in others, darker hair colors are preferred, and blonde hair might not be as valued."
Elle nodded, absorbing Spencer's words with keen interest.
"And of course, personal preference plays a role as well," Spencer added, a hint of amusement coloring his tone. "Some people might have a strong preference for one hair color over another, while others might not have a preference at all. It's all subjective, really."
Elle's curiosity piqued, she leaned in slightly, her eyes fixed on Spencer with genuine interest. "So, Reid, if you had to choose, which hair color would you prefer?" she asked, her tone soft.
Spencer paused for a moment, his gaze thoughtful as he considered her question. "Honestly, I don't really have a preference when it comes to hair color," he confessed, his voice gentle. "I mean, sure, I can appreciate the beauty of different colors, but ultimately, looks are just superficial. What I look for in a person goes beyond mere physical appearance."
"And what is it that you look for, then?" she inquired, her curiosity getting the better of her.
Spencer smiled, a hint of warmth in his eyes. "I look for something more," he explained, his voice earnest. "I look for kindness, intelligence, compassion. Someone who... sees the world with the same sense of wonder and curiosity that I do. Someone who... challenges me, inspires me, makes me... want to be a better person."
Elle felt a swell of emotion stir within her as she listened to Spencer's words, her heart touched by the sincerity of his sentiment.
"Maybe one day," Spencer added softly, his gaze meeting hers. "Maybe one day, I'll find someone who fits that description. And when I do, I'll know... it's worth the wait."
Elle smiled, a warmth spreading through her chest at the thought of Spencer finding the love and happiness he deserved. "I have no doubt you will, Reid," she said, her voice filled with conviction. "And when you do, she'll be one lucky girl."
Spencer's gaze softened, touched by the sincerity in her voice. He could feel the warmth of her encouragement seeping into his soul, kindling a spark of hope within him.
A faint smile played on Spencer's lips as he glanced down, realizing that Elle's hand still rested on his.