DAMAGED // spencer reid

34

Spencer's POV:

I could barely sleep last night. I was exhausted from the case, but I couldn't stop replaying the memory of Dylan and Addie together. It was like a constant bad dream I couldn't escape. I wished more than anything that I could just start over, keep Addie as my friend and nothing more. But I knew it could never be like that, it didn't matter when we met or how or if we were with other people: I would always find a way to be with her.

Finally, at 5am, I decided that I wasn't going to keep lying in bed and decided to be productive. I began to clean my apartment, something I can assure you doesn't happen often. I tidied up the strewn books, washed the mountain of dishes, did my laundry. After dressing in a pair of (slightly wrinkled) khakis, a dark green button-down and a gray cardigan, I sit in my newly-clean living room and stare at my cellphone on the coffee table. My fingers itch to call Addie, I don't even know why. Her voice just has this calming effect on me, and I know that we would find a way to talk about something.

No, Spencer, she's with Dylan right now. Probably lying next to him... hopefully just sleeping.

I shake my head, trying to clear her from my head. I wonder if I should call Katie, the barista I was seeing for a little bit while Addie was in San Francisco. Addie has a boyfriend, she's moved on, I should too. For good, this time.

Then I realized that it was 6:30 in the morning, and I shouldn't be calling anyone. I grab my satchel and head for the subway, I'll stop by the coffee shop to pass the time. I don't have to be at work until 7:30, so maybe I'll get breakfast and read my newest Sir Arthur Conan Doyle novel.

When I arrive at the coffee shop, the intense smell of espresso mixed with sweet pastries fills my nostrils and I can't help but give a little happy sigh. I haven't been here in a few weeks, especially with work being so busy. I remember how I used to come here with Addie, but I quickly push that thought away.

"Spencer?" A familiar voice asks, snapping me out of my stupor. Katie is behind the front counter, sporting a pink apron and a smile on her face. Well if this isn't a coincidence, I don't know what is.

"Katie? What are you doing here?" I ask, walking up to her.

"I just got hired here a few weeks ago, finally quit my job at the cafe downtown."

"Wow, that's great. I'm really happy to see you, this is actually my favorite coffee place," I admit, fiddling with my hands nervously.

"Yeah, I remembered. I was kinda hoping to run into you at some point, actually," she blushes.

"Really? Why me?"

"Because, silly! I thought it would be nice to catch up, we haven't seen each other in awhile. I know you're busy being a super badass FBI dude, but maybe you'd want to grab lunch sometime?" She asks with a sparkling grin. I don't know what to say, I'm trying to find reasons to say no, but there aren't any.

"Lunch sounds good. I don't know my schedule yet, but do you, um, still have my number?" I ask, inwardly cringing at my awkwardness.

"Yep! Wow, my morning just got a whole lot better," she laughs, "so, do you still take your coffee with a boatload of sugar?"

"Yeah, I do," I smile and she nods, beginning to make my order.

"This one's on the house. It was really nice to see you, Spencer, I look forward to lunch," Katie says, handing me my order once she's finished. I thank her before leaving, I figured I would get to work early and read my book there.

Is this lunch supposed to be a date? Great, now I can't even tell when a girl asks me on a date.

I expect to be the first one in the office this morning, minus Hotch, of course. But when I arrive, I'm surprised to see Addie already seated at her desk in the empty bullpen. I didn't think she would be here early, especially because Dylan is visiting. Did he do something to her? If he did, I swear I'm going to kill him.