at·ten·tion
noun
notice taken of someone or something; the regarding of someone or something as interesting or important.
"We're going to that party" Michelle says.
Max had called her as soon as she returned to her apartment.
"It's not a party Michelle," Max says, switching the phone to her other ear and looking at the tickets spread out on her kitchen counter.
"It's a gala," Max finishes.
"I don't care if it's a damn cookout, I'm going. Do you know how many people file suits against universities? I need to pass some cards out."
"I'm sure the University has their own attorneys they work with, Michelle."
"If a prosecution actually has something viable on a pervy professor the university legal would drop them like it's hot."
"Yeah I guess you're right," Max trails off before saying, "besides, I guess I have to, I literally ignored him for 4 days after he kissed me, I'd feel bad if blew him off again."
Michelle's voice grew cold. "Bull shit," she says, before adding,
"You don't owe anybody anything. If you want to go, go. Simple as that."
Monday Night
Max and Michelle step out of their Uber at 6:15.
It was raining, and Michelle held an umbrella over the two of them.
She was dressed in a blue pinstriped pants suit, with gold buttons, and a long matching blazer.
Her strawberry blond hair flew freely in effortless waves under a hat that only she could pull off.
She kind of looks like a sexy mob boss, Max thought.
Max was outfitted in the only formal dress that she owned, of course, a gift from, Michelle.
It was a satin dress with a fitted bodice and pleats, colored emerald green and held up by thin black straps.
Her shoulder length hair was in curls, pinned to one side, and black strappy heels carried her forward.
Michelle takes Max's arm and escorts her in.
The gala was being held at the University's own art museum, they walked up the many steps to brandish their tickets at the door, and Michelle leaves her umbrella and hat at the coat check.
Michelle observes her reflection as they pass an ornate mirror and makes a face.
Unhappy with the way her curls reacted to the rain, she pulls her hair into a quick chic ponytail. When she is satisfied she looks at Max's reflection beside her own and says, "you look hot."
They walk past a gaggle of observers throwing their lots at a silent auction for art pieces, and enter into the main dining room.
A stage is set up at the far end of the the room, and white clothed tables line the floor, each a top with the whitest hydrangeas Max had ever seen.
Michelle and Max stand taking in the scene when they see a wave from a table 6 rows up.
Three more smiling faces met theirs as Spencer left the table to walk towards the two.
"Hey you guys made it!" He says, more excitement in his voice than normal.
His face was slightly flushed, and he holds a glass of amber liquid.
He was also wearing the outfit Max had picked out.
"We're uh, over at that table, come on and I'll introduce you to my team," he turns and begins walking back to the table he left.
"Team?" Max whispers to Michelle, stiffening. "Does that mean what I think it means?"
Michelle shushes her and says "play cool."
"Guys this is Max Brenner, she's my friend from next door," Spencer says when they make it to the table.
The people at the table smile warmly. "—-and her friend, Michelle James," Spencer continues.
Max attempts a smile at them, still tightly arm in arm with Michelle.
"This is David Rossi" Spencer points to a handsome middle aged man with olive skin, who tips a glass matching Spencer's at them.
Spencer continues introductions, going clock wise around the table, "Dr. Tara Lewis," a tall, beautiful woman with dark hair, and chocolate colored eyes and skin parts her lips to reveal white, perfectly straight teeth.
"Penelope Garcia," Spencer says, pointing at the colorful blond from the day before, who waves while sipping from a champagne flute, her face is also flushed.
"...and Emily Prentiss," Spencer finishes, ending with a fair skinned woman with dark, shoulder length hair, and ruby lips. "She's my boss at the BAU," Spencer adds from the side of his mouth.
The members of the table and the girls laugh.
Emily nods, and motions towards the three empty seats, "we all work together, actually." Emily says.
Michelle slides in beside Emily letting Max take the seat beside her.
Doing so leaves an empty chair for the still standing Spencer between Max and Rossi.
Spencer takes the back of the empty chair in his hands and bites his lip, smiling with appreciation at his guests.
Suddenly, another man walks up to him, letting him know to follow him to the front to get in place for the presentation.
He walks away with a wave, Garcia squeals, clapping her hands, and Rossi, Tara, and Emily all give him a thumbs up as he spins around eyes squinting from smiling so big.
Rossi leans across the empty chair to whisper to Max. "He's been a nervous wreck, so I made him down a scotch as soon as we got here. Kid never drinks and has no tolerance," he chuckles and leans back to his seat.
"So how long have you guys worked together?" Michelle asks with purpose, trying to take control of the conversation before any questions could be peppered their way.
Tara looks around "well I've worked with Reid almost 5 years, but everyone else here, a decade or more, right?"
The others nod.
"That's a long time to be working for the FBI," Michelle comments.
"Oh that's nothing," Garcia giggles, eying the oldest man, "Rossi's been with the FBI since the... 70's, right?"
"'78." Rossi says, taking a sip of his drink.
Max let's out a subtle, but shaky breath.
Michelle nods, continuing, "wow, I imagine you have seen a lot of bad guys."
Before Rossi can respond the MC calls for attention and the presentation of awards begins.
Max's hearing becomes muffled as she does the math in her head.
She wasn't sure about the others, but Rossi definitely would have been a part of the bureau when—-
Spencer was on stage now. She has missed his introduction, and simply hears him say—-
"I'd like to thank my mother, who unfortunately could not be here today, and my friends," he motions to the table, and bites back a smile, "who fill in the gaps."
Suddenly, a wave of dread washes over Max, and she wishes she would not have come.
Respectful applause fills the air and camera flashes dart like fire works.
A few city officials, and one other professor are presented awards as well.
Spencer returns to the table, with a metal around his neck.
He sits next to Max and the table peppers him with praise.
Plates full of melt in your mouth steak, potatoes, and asparagus are arranged by servers.
However, Max's leg is bouncing uncontrollably under the table, so Michelle puts a hand on it to calm her.
I'm at a table full of profilers, she thinks.
She wants to come up with some excuse to leave, but her mind is blank.
The others at the table begin telling stories about Reid, some embarrassing, some impressive, but all charming.
Reid leans into to her ear occasionally, giving her context to their stories, his hot breath dancing from her ear to her neck.
She's on her second glass of champagne when she notices the smell of Spencer's cologne mixed with Rossi's scotch on his breath is actually starting to calm her.
It keeps her glued to her seat, and makes her breath catch in her throat.
Not to mention, Spencer wasn't being shy tonight, and he looks over at her continuously to read her reactions to each story being told.
And soon, she didn't want to leave anymore, at least not without him.
"Alright, now I want to go look at this shmansy art." Garcia says, wiping her mouth, and tossing her napkin on her empty dessert plate.
"Yeah, Krystal has been looking for something new to go over the mantle," Rossi adds, taking a last bite of buttery bread pudding.
Michelle whispers in Max's ear, "if you're good to go look at the displays a bit, I'm going to go... mingle."
Michelle takes a sip from her martini as she waits for Max's response.
Max nods to her, and they all leave the table.
Rossi and Tara stop by the silent auction booths, Rossi appears already deep in thought, and Tara points out options she thinks might please his wife.
Meanwhile, Spencer and Max make their way to the main gallery, Emily and Garcia following a few steps behind.
Max and Spencer laugh as Garcia's voice reaches them from behind.
She's made an inappropriate remark about the painting they just passed.
They look behind them and Emily gives an apologetic, but amused look at some of the other passersby.
Max's resolve calms more and more as they walk, and she listens to Spencer's insertions about the items they passed.
It reminds her of the art festival.
Of the night they kissed...
They're looking at a recreation of Venus of Willemdorf when she notices they're alone, the other guests having taken a different route in the various forks of the gallery.
"Hey, thanks for coming tonight" Spencer says as he scratches the back of his head.
"Don't sound so surprised" Max says, giving him a coy look over her shoulder as she continues walking.
When they exit the main gallery they find Michelle, chatting up a tall, dark and handsome man with glasses.
She motions for him to wait and saunters to Max and Spencer.
"Getting lots of cards out?" Max asks, leaning to look at the man who's eyes are trailing after Michelle.
"Yeah, sure— " she says, with a wave of her hand. "Look, would you hate me if I asked you to get a ride home with the good doctor I—" she looks back to give the man a wave before facing them again, "kinda got some thing going on here."
Spencer flushes, but before Max can object Spencer says, "I don't mind."
Michelle's eye flash in dark amusement, "I mean you're going to the same place," she reasons.
Spencer says, "the, uh, gala folks gifted me an Uber ride here and back, it's really no trouble."
Max looks at Michelle with a tight smile, "well I guess that all works out then."
"Wonderful!" Michelle throws up her hands and gives Max a hug, making a point to whisper "sometimes you need a push" into her ear before walking away.
Max was giving Spencer an apologetic look when the two are approached by Spencer's team, all holding drinks.
"Hey kid, I think we are about to head out" Rossi says, he hands Spencer one of the two drinks in his hand.
Emily also has two drinks, and hands one to Max.
Rossi continues, "but first, we just wanted to say how proud we are of you, and thanks for inviting us along."
The three raise their glasses in a toast, and Spencer and Max follow suit.
They chat a little while longer, and when they finish their drinks, Rossi gives Spencer a fatherly hug.
And Max swears she sees the Italian wink at her.
Next, Garcia wraps Spencer up in her arms and whispers something in his ear with a giggle.
The other two women give him their own goodbyes before nodding to Max and walking out.
Spencer, still a little flushed from the drink and all the attention, checks a notification on his phone.
He looks to Max and says, "the car is here."
✈️
"The greatest gift you can give anyone is attention." Jim Rohn
