Kiss Me More

Chapter 1

I couldn't believe this was happening again- Dave was blowing me off for work as usual, and after I'd flown across the country to see him, too. I didn't see my stepfather often, but since I was considering that Georgetown University scholarship, I figured I'd stop by for a visit. See campus, scope out the territory, all that. And here he was again, dragging us into the office on a weekend after he'd promised me his full attention. I definitely should have listened to mom.

Dave was in the driver's seat, pulling into his designated parking spot while I sat in the passenger seat brooding. He didn't seem to notice. Or maybe he did, but didn't want to dignify my behavior with a response.

"I promise it'll only take an hour," he was saying. "You can stay in the car or come in with me, your choice."

I considered my options. Wait in the car, bored out of my mind, or come inside and sit in Dave's office, bored out of my mind.

I unbuckled my seatbelt and popped the car door open. "Let's see this office of yours."

It was essentially what I'd imagined. A standard office building, standard elevator ride, standard office workers milling around. The main room was arranged like a police department, most of the desks clustered outside in an open-concept style. Dave's office was just above the main area, next to a door labeled Aaron Hotchner. This was where they put the bosses, then.

We navigated through the maze of desks, receiving a few polite greetings from his coworkers. Dave always responded with a nod and a perfunctory smile- he didn't seem close with most of them. I was surprised by the amount of people still working, considering it was a holiday weekend.

When we reached the steps to his office, he turned to me. "Actually, would you mind getting me a coffee from the break room? I think I'll need the caffeine if I'm going to get through this paperwork."

I glanced at the room he had gestured towards. "Sure. How do you take it?"

"Just black is fine. Thanks, kiddo."

I hated it when he called me that. I was a grown woman, for god's sake. I paid taxes and cooked my own meals and changed my own tires. I hadn't been a "kiddo" in years. But I was trying to cut him some slack. He and mom hadn't talked in a while, and it wasn't entirely his fault. Mom wasn't a saint. Now that I was older, I understood why they'd gone their separate ways. Our relationship had been distant since the divorce, but I was trying to change that- we both were. He seemed lonely, and I was eager for some kind of a father back in my life. So fine, I could bring him some coffee and bite my tongue when he called me old nicknames. It wouldn't kill me.

The break room was empty when I walked in, and the coffee pot was almost drained. Good timing, on my part. I opened the cupboard in search of a mug and found them all inconveniently perched on the top shelf, just out of my reach. Shit. I had never been short, but now I found myself standing on tiptoe and straining to grasp the ceramic handle.

"Oh, uh, can I help?" A voice behind me interrupted my efforts. A tall man, clad in sweater vest and tie stood in the doorframe, looking concerned. Doctor Spencer Reid, if I remembered correctly. The BAU's youngest and brightest member, albeit a poor conversationalist.

"Yes, please." I stepped back from the counter to allow him room. "You guys should have a stepstool in here or something."

He reached up and retrieved the mug. "They're usually not so high up." He remarked, handing it to me.

"Thanks."

The young doctor shifted his weight awkwardly. "You're Rossi's daughter, right? We've, uh, we've met before, I think."