ARDENT [A Spencer Reid/Criminal Minds Fan-Fic]

FOUR | FRIENDS

(Lauren's P.O.V.) 

"Do I need to dress formal, or..." I shouted to Spencer from his room, while going through my clothes. He was in the living room, reading a book while waiting on me. 

"No!" I heard him say, as he appeared in the doorway. I dropped my clothes, out of ideas. I turned to him.

"Then what?" I asked him, sighing loudly. 

"That." He said, gesturing to my whole body. I was wearing a pair of jeans with a white t-shirt. I looked down, frustrated. 

"If you want me to make a good impression on your friends, why are you telling me to wear something so drab?" I asked him, walking towards him. He walked towards me as well. He wrapped his hands around my waist, smiling.

"Because," he began. "You look fine. Not to mention, they dress like that as well." 

"Alright, fine." I pulled away from him and went to the bathroom to do my hair. I brushed through it, calmly. I pushed my hair around, admiring it. I smiled at the mirror. I ran back out to Spencer, who was waiting on me once again. He pulled his bag up over his shoulder, opening the door. He stood behind it, holding it open for me. I grinned, walking out the door.

He brushed past me, charging down the stairs. I took my time on each step. By the time I had reached the lobby, he was holding that door for me too.

"Spencer, stop it. I can hold my own doors!" I whined. He laughed at me, closing the door behind us. He ran towards his car. 

"Spencer, let me drive." I said, walking in the other direction, towards my car. He sighed. I looked back at him, my hand on the car door. "What?" I asked, chuckling slightly. He looked up at me with his puppy dog eyes.

"The team never lets me drive. Usually you do." He said, seeming sad. I stepped away from my door, while gesturing towards it. 

"Then drive my car." I said, feeling generous. He perked up again. He charged towards it, slinging open the door. He jumped into the seat, getting a feel for it. 

I got into the passenger's side, watching him attempt to start the car. I forget how old his vehicle is. Spencer was always very vintage, even before I met him. His car was old and worn, unlike mine, which was nice, clean, and newer. 

Once he got the car started and began getting used to it, we pulled out of the parking lot and started to drive down the road. 

"Spencer." I said. He turned his head for a second to look at me curiously. "Where are we going again."

"Oh." He said, staring at the road. "I've got this friend, Garcia. I mean, you'll probably call her Penelope. But anyways, she's having a get together with the team."

"Oh my god." I said, sounding stressed. "This get together is for me, isn't it?" I looked at him, almost angry. He turned and grinned at me, giggling a bit. 

"I apologize. I forget how much you hate attention." He looked regretful. I felt bad for him, some what. 

The rest of the car ride was spent in silence, with a very quiet radio in the background. Finally, we arrived at the woman's apartment. Spencer got out of the car before I did. He walked over to a tall, large man, talking to him. He turned and pointed at the car, which I was just getting out of. I face-palmed, before fully opening the door and stepping out.

I walked over to them, reading myself for an introduction. The large man reached his hand out to me. 

"Derek Morgan." He said, his smile bright. "You are Spencer's girlfriend?" He nearly laughed. I took his hand, smiling, laughing as well. I hesitated a moment. Was Spencer calling me his girlfriend? We weren't really dating. I would barely consider us friends with benefits. We'd only slept together once.

Reluctantly, I agreed to the statement. Spencer grabbed my hand, holding it. He pulled me along with him and Derek. A blond, plump woman was waiting for us outside. She jumped for joy when she saw us, her white teeth showing behind her bright pink lipstick. She stuck her hand out to me, as well.

"Hi, I am Penelope! You must be Lauren!" She exclaimed. I nodded, taking her hand, shaking it. She opened the door to the apartment building, allowing us all inside. 

"Everyone is already upstairs. You guys are the last ones. Slackers." She said, climbing the stairs. Once we arrived at her apartment, she knocked four times, hoping for someone to come to the door. A blonde woman opened the door wide, waiting for us to all enter. She shut it back, turning. She placed her arms by her side. 

"Lauren." She said to me. "I am JJ." More people began to swarm me. 

A dark-haired man threw his hand out, speaking. "Erin Hotchner."

"Alex." A brunette said.

"David Rossi. You must be Lauren." An older man had kindly said. I nodded at all of these people, putting their faces and names into my brain. Sometimes, I wished I had a memory like Spencer. 

Penelope ran over, handing a glass of wine. I smiled, overwhelmed with people. I took the glass into my hands. 

"A toast!" David began. "To the friendships and relationships that we can develop with a full house. I am so glad that Lauren and Reid are together! A toast, to friends!" 

We all tapped our glasses together with one another and took a sip of wine.