Beauty and the Genius

Chapter 12

A fax came through and Gwen could tell by the look on her father's face that it was interesting.

"Case agent from the Philly field office sent it to me," her father said.

Gwen walked up and took the piece of paper from her father's hand. "Wow. Gnarly," Gwen said, reading some of it.

Spencer walked up and stood behind Gwen, looking over her shoulder. Gwen was acutely aware of how close he was to her and he smelled really good today. Gwen handed it to Hotch.

"This is detailed."

"Future tense. They're fantasies," Spencer said.

"That agent thinks it could be more than that," Rossi told Hotch.

"There's more of this?"

"A few boxes in the field office. I'd like to drive up there, look at rest of the material, make a judgement from that."

"Take Reid with you."

"Road trip – nice!" Spencer rushed over to his desk and grabbed his bag. "I've got books on tape with Peter Coyote reading the entire Foundation trilogy."

Rossi looked at Gwen and raised his eyebrow as if to say, "This guy? Really?"

Gwen walked back over to her desk as her father left to go start the SUV.

Spencer walked over to her. "You're not coming?"

"Pretty sure Hotch wants my father to take you and not me. You'll be able to get through it quicker. Besides, I have a mountain of paperwork calling my name." She reached up and straightened Spencer's tie.

"I'd feel much better if you were coming with us."

Gwen giggled and subconsciously ran her hands down Spencer's chest. "You'll be fine. I'll see you when you get back. Tell you what. Grab me something while you're there."

"Like what?"

Gwen shrugged. "I don't care what it is. Won't matter because it'll be coming from you."

Spencer laughed nervously and blushed.

"Gwen! I need that report from you!" Morgan yelled across the bullpen.

"Duty calls." Gwen leaned up and kissed Spencer on the cheek. "Ciao, Spencer."

Spencer left the BAU and made his way down to the parking garage where Rossi was waiting. Rossi said nothing and patted Spencer on the shoulder.

Later that night, Gwen got a call from Spencer. "Hey Spence, what's up? Where are you?"

"Um, looks like this just turned into an actual case."

"What?"

"Yeah. The case agent said there was a lock of hair found with everything in the storage unit."

"A trophy."

"I know we were supposed to get together tonight and..."

"Spence, calm down. It's fine. Life of a BAU agent. We can reschedule for when you get back. Just focus on the case alright?"

"Okay."

"Be careful." Gwen heard him laugh softly on the other end.

"I will. I promise. Bye Gwen."

"Ciao, Spencer." Gwen hung up the phone and sighed before ordering pizza just for herself.

Spencer was supposed to come over with his Doctor Who DVD collection. He'd been appalled when she said she hadn't seen Doctor Who, so he was determined to educate her.

She wasn't really that interested in the British TV show, but it was something Spencer was passionate about and she wanted to understand. Besides, it was really just an excuse to spend time with him.

Spencer walked up to Gwen's desk and set down a miniature Liberty Bell. "Made your father stop at the Independence National Historical Park so I could pick it up."

Gwen picked it up and looked at it.

"It's a scaled down replica. I checked it over and it's accurate."

"You know...I do believe we had a date before you left, so if you're not busy tonight..."

"I'd love to. I just need to run home and get the DVD's."

"What if we just did it at your place?"

"My...my place?"

Gwen nodded. "Yeah. I want to see where the great Spencer Reid spends his time."

Gwen and Spencer left together and picked up some dinner on the way to Spencer's apartment.

"Um, here we are," Spencer said as they walked in.

Gwen looked around.

It wasn't as spacious as her apartment, but there were books covering every surface.

Gwen threw herself on his couch. "I believe you have something to teach me, Doctor."

Spencer blushed as he walked over to the DVD player.