February Night

Chapter 25

The dinner Lucy and Spencer had was delicious. Lucy had been surprised that Spencer had managed to get one of the most desired tables in the restaurant. There was a reason why this Italian restaurant was one of the most popular ones in the city. The food was just amazing, Lucy thought. And the restaurant was filled up to the last table.

They both had decided to try out some pasta and while Spencer had chosen tagliatelle with shrimps, Lucy had a plate full of spaghetti Carbonara in front of her. And it was the best Carbonara she had ever eaten.

While Spencer and Lucy ate, and shared a bottle of red wine, they talked. It felt as if they were the only ones in that restaurant. They were so into their talks, that they didn't realize the waitress that had come over to ask if they wanted some dessert. Only when she touched Lucy's shoulder, they stopped their conversation and looked up.

"Oh, sorry, we didn't notice you", Lucy apologized, but the waitress just smiled. Lucy and Spencer ordered a hot fudge sundae which they shared. It was huge and Lucy wasn't sure if they'd be able to finish it. They were already full of the main course they had. But...there always had to be some room for a dessert, she thought. Laughing, they continued their talks while they tried to fight this huge sundae.

It was almost midnight when they eventually left the restaurant – having eaten way too much. But they didn't regret it. Instead, Spencer suggested to take a walk through the park nearby. "I thought you as a profiler wouldn't suggest that since it's known that crimes also take place in dark, lonely parks", Lucy smirked as they made their way there.

Spencer chuckled and wrapped an arm around Lucy's shoulder. She snuggled into his chest. "Well, there are chances. But they're low, especially when you're not alone."

For a while, they just walked next to each other, enjoying the company and togetherness they had. "Can...can I ask you something?", Spencer suddenly asked and he sounded a bit insecure. Lucy looked up to him and couldn't help but admire his overall perfect face. Like a Greek god, she thought.

"Sure."

"Why...why me?"

Now, Lucy stopped and grabbed Spencer's arm to make him stop too. She didn't quite understand what he meant. She frowned at him. "Spencer...what do you mean?"

Spencer shrugged. "Why would...a woman like you fall for a man like me?" Lucy's eyes widened and her grip around his arm tightened.

"Why would you ask something like that?" She obviously was confused and he seemed to be insecure. Why did he have thoughts like this suddenly? Or...did he have them since the very beginning? Lucy bit her lips as she waited for him to reply. "I mean...I'm a nerd, I ramble way too much, I'm away a lot due to my job...I'm not a great catch at all", Spencer continued until Lucy pressed a finger on his lips to make him shut up.

"You need to listen to me very carefully", she said as she grabbed his hand to drag Spencer to a park bench that was close to them. They sat down without Lucy letting go of Spencer's hand even for a second. "I fell in love with you because of the way you are, who you are. I love that you're a nerd. I love that you're shy sometimes and I could listen to your ramblings all day long. See, I've had enough egoistic men who thought they could boss me around. I'm having enough of those. You're...you're sweet and caring and supporting and...I just feel so good when I'm with you. You make me laugh – even if it's not your intention sometimes – and you make me feel safe when I'm with you. So, stop wondering why I fell for you." Lucy glanced at Spencer, softly smiling. Those words had fell from her lips easier than she had thought. But she needed to make clear to Spencer that she wanted him, and only him.

A huge grin had appeared on Spencer's face now and he wrapped his arms around Lucy to pull her closer. He kissed her hair. "I can't remember a time I've been happier", he murmured into her hair and Lucy chuckled.

"Good. Because same here." She lifted her head and kissed Spencer deeply. For a moment, they remained sitting there until Lucy suddenly shivered.

"You're cold? We'd better go." Spencer got up and grabbed Lucy's hand. She followed him; she really started to be cold and would have loved to take a hot shower and snuggle into bed. It was late and all the food had made her tired.

Back at Lucy's apartment, Spencer kissed her long before he finally let her go inside. It was hard to say goodnight, but they had decided that it was too early in their relationship to spend the nights with each other. And Spencer would have to get up early in the morning anyway since paperwork was waiting for him.

"What's this between us now?", Spencer had quietly asked after the kiss and Lucy had smiled at him and gently stroked his cheek.

"I'd say it's a relationship. And you?"

Spencer had just nodded and kissed her once again. Now Lucy was laying in her bed, staring at the ceiling and couldn't fall asleep. She was way too happy at the moment to even think about drifting away into dreamland. She already was living a dream. She didn't have to be scared anymore, she was finally free and was with the man she had fallen in love with months ago. A smile appeared on her lips when she thought about Spencer. She hoped so much that this relationship would work. He had told her that he had never been in love that much and although Lucy would have loved to just shout out her feelings for Spencer into the world, they both had promised each other to keep their relationship secret for another few weeks. Spencer feared that the BAU team would tease him without mercy for a while and Spencer didn't want that yet. He knew his friends. He just wanted to enjoy those feelings for a little longer. And Lucy could understand that.

~

Only a week had passed after Spencer and Lucy's date and so far, they had been successful in not telling anybody about their relationship. However, Spencer couldn't hide his good mood or smiles anymore at work. His mind was filled with thoughts about Lucy more and more often when he couldn't be with her and Luke had already mentioned while with the team, that his sister seemed to be happier and more exhilarated than weeks before. He was wondering if it was because she didn't have to fear about what had happened in New York City or if there was something else.

Spencer had bitten his lips and buried his head in one of his books so he'd seemed to be busy and wouldn't have to join that conversation. He wouldn't be able to hold anything back, once they'd asked him if he knew something.

"Hey, boy genius!" Penelope's voice brought Spencer back into reality and he looked up from the file he had been currently working on. He was doing his paperwork, joined by Luke, Tara and JJ, since almost two hours now and none of them had really talked to each other during that time.

"What's the matter, Garcia?", Spencer asked as he closed the file and leaned back in his chair. The blonde technical analyst examined him with narrowed eyes.

"You and Lucy...what's going with you two?", she asked without hesitation. Suddenly, silence fell over all of them and Spencer felt everyone looking at him in confusion and curiosity.