Profile//Spencer Reid//Criminal Minds

Chapter Twenty-Three

"It's hard being just friends when you dress like that."

I reached over, slapping Reid's arm.

"Stop it!" I laughed, crossing my legs. "Someone might hear."

The Team decided, on our night off, that we would go out and get something to eat. Garcia, however, decided to "give me a make over" before we met at the restaurant.

She dressed me in a somewhat skimpy dress and did my makeup and hair. (pictures at the bottom) I didn't want to wear something so girly because of Reid, if I'm being honest.

The two of us have been..friends. No fights or anything, it's the way it used to be. I just, I wish that he was mine again. I miss cuddling with him after work, just laying in bed in silence, that's how I liked it. I missed getting to work with messy hair and clothes and everyone gives us those 'we know what you did' looks.

Hotch arrives, finally, after half an hour of waiting.

"What took so long?" I smile at the man.

"Jack would not go to sleep," he laughs, sitting beside me. "You look nice."

"Thanks to Garcia." I smile, taking a sip of wine.

We order some food, everyone's laughing and smiling and these are the moments I like to remember.

When no ones rubbing their forehead from headaches, bent over the piles of papework, disgusted by the crimes that surround us. The moments when everyone is happy and enjoy each other's presence.

My eyes drift over everyone until they land on Spencer.

His eyes on already on me, a small smile pulling at his lips.

"What?" I smile.

"You're just really beautiful."

"Reid," I nudge him with my elbow. "You can't say things like that."

"I'm sorry," he shakes his head. "You're just astonishing."

"I would like to take this time," Hotch raises his glass. "To praise this amazing team. We've been through thick and thin together and I wouldn't have it any other way. I love you guys."

I smile, raising my glass to him, along with everyone else. "We love you too, Hotch."

And then, simultaneously, our phones go off. Groans fall from all of our mouths as we all put in money for the meal and leave.

I ride back with Garcia and JJ. I go inside and grab my go bag from underneath my desk and change.

----

"Look there's been some kind of misunderstanding, all right? I'm innocent. I didn't, I-I couldn't do this. Will someone listen to me?" Merlin yelled in the interrogation room.

"I'm going in." I said to Hotch before entering the interrogation room.

"Who are you?" Merlin asked.

"I'm Agent Heath, Mr. Merlin, have you been advised of your rights?"

"Yeah."

"Do you know where you are?"

"Some FBI place, right?"

"You're at the Behavioral Analysis Unit in Quantico, Virginia," I said, sitting down at the table. "Do you know why you're here?"

"Because you think I'm a killer."

"Are you a killer?"

"No," Merlin said. "Why won't anybody believe me? I am not-"