When Words Become Superfluous

To Handle Adversity

"If you live long enough, you'll make mistakes. But if you learn from them, you'll be a better person. It's how you handle adversity, not how it affects you. The main thing is never quit, never quit, never quit."

-William J. Clinton

Spencer walked into the bullpen with his dress shirt and loose tie. He was half dreading going back to work and half waiting desperately to get back to the office. This was for one reason and one reason only; Evie. That night at her house when she had drawn him in her apartment, they had almost done it... they had almost kissed. Then Spencer freaked out at the last second and screwed it up. That night never left his mind. He should've kissed her. He should've leaned in and never went back, but he didn't. What if he didn't get a second chance?

"Hey there, Pretty Boy. So how was Evie's place? Did the Doctor get some love?" he prodded, nudging Reid as he threw his satchel down next to his desk.

"No." Reid plainly said with a bitter tone. The smile faded from Morgan's face. Reid knew he shouldn't be taking out anything on Morgan, but he really wasn't in the mood. He need coffee. Spencer started making his way up the stairs and towards the kitchenette, Derek following.

"Hey! Reid!" he called after him. Reid just kept walking until he got to the coffee machine. Luckily someone had already made it so he grabbed a mug from the cabinet and poured himself the drink that he definitely needed right now. Even the smell of it made Reid feel a bit better. He noticed Morgan's presence standing right beside him, staring with worry, but he didn't acknowledge him. He kept his eyes down on his mug as he poured the coffee, and then put the pot back.

Reid was about to turn and walk away, when Morgan grabbed his shoulder. Reid shot a glare at Morgan that instantly softened when he saw the look in his friends eye. It wasn't blaming, it wasn't demanding, it was worried. Derek's only intentions were to help Spencer, and he should've known this from the start.

"I- I screwed up with her." Reid said, trying to choke out the right words. He looked down at the ground and waiting for Morgan to say something.

"How? Everything seemed to be going so great!"

"It was! Then we were back at her place and..." Reid trailed off. He was so angry with himself. He was so close! Why'd he chicken out?

"Did you... did you try to, uh..."

"No, no! Morgan you know I wouldn't do that. I haven't even hugged the girl yet!" Reid said, his voice getting high like it did when he got worked up about something. Morgan patted the air to tell Reid to calm it down, so he tried the best he could. Spence took a deep breath. "No, we were at her place sitting on her living room floor and there was a moment and she started leaning in, and I started leaning in, and we were literally 1.8 inches apart!" Spencer said even faster than usual and frustrated. Morgan raised an eyebrow when he had said 1.8, but other than that, ignored it.

"So... did you kiss her?"

"No!" Spencer exclaimed, barely letting Morgan finish his sentence. He put his mug on the corner and paced the room, running his hands through his hair. "I freaked out at last second and said I needed to go." Spencer croaked, frantically moving about the room in circles.

"Hey, hey. Calm down, kid. Stay still." Morgan said, holding his arm out to stop Reid from pacing further. Spencer looked up at Morgan with a helpless gaze that was pleading for help. "Listen, Reid. You'll get another chance. You freaked out once, but you know that you messed up which proves that you really do want to be with her. Everyone makes mistakes, even the famous Doctor Reid." Morgan said, tilting his head as he talked to him. Spencer gave him a small smile, but it was forced. If anyone, Morgan knew a lot about girls. Still though, he didn't see the dissappointment painted across Evie's face.