Atlas: A Dr. Spencer Reid Love Story

For Me, It's You (Lo Moon)

-Season 3: 2007-

To him, she was stunning in the most realistic way possible – nothing that would be plastered upon billboards or magazine covers, but an image that could engrave itself into anyone's consciousness. She towered most women at 5'10", but wore her height with pride as she was usually adorned in small heels. Her most common pose required her hands openly resting on the hips that matched her voluptuous figure in a fair-skinned glow. Freckles dashed along her body, over-taking her chubby cheeks while a patch rested on a section of her forehead close to her hairline. Her face couldn't be discerned as one shape, but rather smooth edges all meeting together to form a small, slightly protruded chin with one inconspicuous dimple, cupid-bow lips with a pink tint naturally emitting, and a bulb nose that squarely led to the section of skin between her mismatched eyebrows – one more sophisticated than the other. Light-brown, untamed spindled curls with dashes of red sat in an asymmetrical bob that allowed one side to dangle at her jawline while the other rested closer to the lobe of her ear. However, it was her slightly down-turned, hooded eyes that held a dashing array of browns with stubby eyelashes and two, slim wrinkles nesting directly beneath the lower lid near her faint blue veins with a light purple permanently tattooed to her skin that engraved itself into Spencer's mind. It wasn't until Spencer visited Gideon on his deathbed that he met his young, estranged daughter: Veronica. Gideon encouraged the two to continue contact, and they realized they were the last people who could remember Jason for what he truly was – a mentor and father to countless. The strangers turned friends each grasped one of Gideon's hands and allowed the hours to pass, telling stories and exchanging laughter, before he slowly faded away. Spencer wasn't sure what compelled him, but as Veronica began to sob, he embraced her as if he had known her for an eternity. From that moment forward, there was an unbreakable bond between two unknowing lovers.

-End of Season 3: 2008-

"My father never talked about his job, you know," Veronica said nonchalantly as her stubby fingers traced the lip of the mug holding steaming earl gray tea with far too many spoonfuls of honey.

Spencer was mid-swallow as she spoke, quickly lowering his cup as his hands gripped the sides. His eyes flickered to hers.

"That's understandable...It's a, um, risky job and sometimes the people you care about the most can be put in danger, so most of us keep our private lives, well, private," Reid took another sip, his gaze delving into the blackness of his mug as Veronica glued her eyes to his face. Her composure was almost too perfect, Reid thought. He continued to fidget in his seat, his fingers turning red from the pressure he applied to the side of his mug.

"So you would never tell me about your work?" She tilted her head slightly to the right, Reid's heart beating faster as she did so– a typical sensation that arose when he was near her. His nose twitched as he coyly glanced up to meet her earthy orbs.

"No," He replied smoothly. A moment passed as his breath settled and their eyes continued a silent conversation.

There was a another ten-second pause before Veronica leaned forward so her upper body was over the table, her face closer to Spencer's as his nose came head-first into her whirling scent of vanilla and lavender.

"Why?" She spoke with such repose, it was more of a statement than a question. Images of her father popped in his head – a man who held that same chilling calmness.

"Because - because I would never want you in any kind of danger," He muttered, his words flowing sincerely.

Veronica puffed, "Please tell me you aren't saying that because of my father," denial settling in her mind as dread filled her stomach.

"Veronica-" Reid sternly spoke, his hands finally escaping the grasp of his mug to clasp with hers.

"What I've been saying – what I'm about to say – I'm not saying it for Gideon, I'm saying it for me – for you..." He trailed off as his thumb caressed the top of her hand.