Reid's Reminiscences

by mabelreid

A series of small one-shots from Reid's POV about JJ. "There's no such thing as love at first sight." Reid believes it to be true, but will he find out otherwise when he meets the love of his life? It begins in Cannon but will diverge significantly because I'm back to shipping my original favorite couple.

1. Chapter 1

Disclaimer: see my profile.

A/n the series of short one-shots begins before the first season of CM.

"Love at first sight is romantic nonsense," Diana Reid said. "it exists only in cheap novels, trashy daytime television, and teenage girls' diaries.

Spencer Reid remembered his mother's words to him when he was fourteen and depressed because his crush, Amber, ignored him.

It was a rare, lucid day, and Diana said that true, enduring love meant sacrifice, patience, and tolerance.

"How can you accept someone completely when you barely know their name? Love at first sight is a hormonal response, nothing more."

Spencer knew she hadn't meant to speak harshly, but the words hurt. He'd retreated to his room and tried to find solace in homework and reading.

Nine years, two months, and six days later, Jennifer JJ Jareau walked into the BAU's conference room, and – Spencer lost the ability to think straight.

He'd met his teammates and had gathered with everyone as they discussed a new case, but he didn't realize that she would enter his sphere and utterly take his breath away.

JJ said, "Nice to meet you, Dr. Reid," when Gideon introduced them.

"Ah, hi," he'd squeaked.

If only the floor would open and drop him into the basement parking lot far below. Then he wouldn't feel his cheeks growing hot or see the smirk on Derek Morgan's face.

Hotch hadn't let the awkward moment stretch. He asked JJ to fill them in. She handed him a file, and the smell of her perfume as she passed him made him light-headed.

Five days later, they returned to DC after a gruesome case that wore all of them to the bone. As Spencer gathered his messenger bag and go bag from his desk after two hours of paperwork, he stood up to see JJ striding into the bullpen. He wondered how she had so much energy.

"Hey," she greeted. "You still here."

"Ah, j-just finished my r-report."

"Yeah, I'm ready to go. See you on Monday."

"Yeah, see you."

Spencer cursed his stuttering replies and the constant blushing around JJ, but she never seemed to notice, and she didn't tease him as Amber had years ago.

His mother had been right about love at first sight, but maybe he could dream that JJ's beautiful cobalt eyes might genuinely see him - someday.