The anticipation of their first date filled the air as Spencer Reid and Lilith Brooks stepped into the cozy restaurant. Soft lighting cast a warm glow over the elegant décor, creating an intimate atmosphere perfect for the occasion. They exchanged nervous smiles, feeling a mix of excitement and butterflies in their stomachs.

A hostess led them to a private booth near a window, providing a lovely view of the city lights. Spencer pulled out Lilith's chair, a small gesture that made her heart flutter. As they settled into their seats, their eyes locked, and they couldn't help but feel a deep connection forming between them.

Spencer, always a man of intellect and curiosity, began the conversation.

"So, Lilith, tell me about your work as a historian," he inquired, genuinely interested in every detail.

A playful smile danced across Lilith's lips as she leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs elegantly.

"Well, Dr. Reid, prepare yourself for the riveting world of historical facts and ancient mysteries," she responded, feigning seriousness. "You see, I spend my days unraveling the secrets of the past, digging through dusty archives and deciphering cryptic texts. It's like being a detective, but with a time machine."

Spencer's eyes sparkled with amusement as he played along, intrigued by her witty response.

"Ah, so you're a time-traveling detective," he mused, a smirk tugging at the corners of his mouth. "I must admit, that's quite impressive. Have you ever encountered any famous historical figures during your adventures?"

Lilith leaned forward, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

"Well, there was this one time I bumped into Leonardo da Vinci while he was sketching the Mona Lisa," she replied, her voice filled with mock excitement. "We had a fascinating conversation about art and science, of course."

Spencer couldn't help but chuckle, enjoying the lighthearted banter between them. The way Lilith infused humor into their conversation made him feel at ease, allowing him to let his guard down and simply enjoy the moment.

"I'm starting to think you have a secret time-traveling alter ego," he teased, his tone filled with mock suspicion. "Maybe you're the real mastermind behind some of history's greatest mysteries."

Lilith raised an eyebrow, a playful challenge evident in her expression.

"Now, now, Mr. Reid, don't let your imagination run wild," she replied, her voice dripping with mock innocence. "But if I were a secret mastermind, I wouldn't tell you, would I? After all, I can't have my secrets falling into the wrong hands."

Their laughter filled the air, blending seamlessly with the soothing ambiance of the restaurant. In that moment, they were completely immersed in each other's company, forgetting the world outside and reveling in the joy of the present.

Lilith leaned forward, a playful glimmer in her eyes, and said, "Okay, Spencer, it's time for me to rapid-fire ask you all my ultimate get-to-know-you questions. Are you ready?"

Spencer chuckled, once again captivated by Lilith's playful energy. "I'm as ready as I'll ever be. Hit me with your best shot."

Lilith grinned mischievously. "Alright, here's an important one: if you were a fictional character, who would you be?"

Spencer tilted his head, contemplating the question. "Hmm, that's a tough one. I suppose I would choose Sherlock Holmes. His brilliant mind and insatiable thirst for knowledge resonate with me on a deep level, my eidetic memory and super profiling skills help me relate a little."

Lilith nodded, an amused smile playing on her lips. "I can definitely see the resemblance. Now, tell me, what's your go-to karaoke song?"

Spencer's cheeks flushed slightly, a hint of bashfulness creeping in. "Well, I'm not much of a singer, but if I had to choose, I'd go with 'Piano Man'. It's a classic and always brings out the inner performer in me, I sung it with my team once at a karaoke bar, brings back good memories."

Lilith smiled at that. "I'll have to remember that for our next karaoke night. Now, let's switch gears. If you could have any superpower, what would it be?"

Spencer's brows furrowed thoughtfully. "That's a tough one. I think I would choose the power of telepathy. It would allow me to delve into the depths of the human mind, gaining invaluable insight into the complexities of human behavior."

Lilith nodded, impressed by Spencer's choice. "That would definitely come in handy for your work. Now, here's a fun one: if you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you bring with you?"

Spencer's eyes sparkled with amusement as he pondered the question. "Well, I would definitely bring a stack of books to keep me entertained and intellectually stimulated. And, of course, a Swiss Army knife for practical purposes. Lastly, I would bring a photograph of my team, to remind me of the people who mean the most to me."

Lilith smiled, her gaze filled with warmth. "That's incredibly thoughtful. I'm sure your team would appreciate being included in your deserted island essentials". She took a slight pause, enjoying her time questioning the man across from her "Okay. Now, let's wrap it up with one last question: what's your guilty pleasure?"

Spencer's lips curved into a playful grin. "I have a weakness for crime dramas and detective novels. There's something captivating about unraveling mysteries and solving complex puzzles. It's a guilty pleasure that I indulge in whenever I have a spare moment."

Lilith chuckled, raising her glass in a toast. "Well, here's to embracing our guilty pleasures and enjoying the little things in life."

The two clinked their glasses together as Lilith revealed to the man across from her how impressed she was with his knowledge of anything and everything he was questioned about.

"Well a lot of it comes with an eidetic memory" Spencer responded.

Their conversation flowed effortlessly, as if they had known each other for years. They laughed, shared stories, and discovered numerous shared interests. The two had moved on to the discussion of movies when Lilith bought up his memory again.

As their desserts arrived, Lilith couldn't resist a mischievous grin. "Let's put your knowledge to the test one more time. I challenge you to a riddle. If you get the answer right, you plan our next date, get it wrong and I get to plan it. Are you up for it?"

Spencer leaned forward, a mix of excitement and determination in his eyes. "Bring it on, Lilith. I've never been one to shy away from a challenge. Besides, either way I get another date and that's a win in my book".

Lilith cleared her throat, her eyes twinkling, "What has keys but can't open locks? AND what has a bank but can't store money?"

Spencer furrowed his brow, deep in thought, searching for the answer. He paused a moment, "Let me think... Keys that can't open locks... A bank that can't store money... Hmm... I believe the answer is a piano and a river. Keys on a piano and a riverbank!"

Lilith clapped her hands in delight, impressed by Spencer's quick thinking. "I must admit, your deductive reasoning skills are truly remarkable, Even if the riddles were fairly easy".

The evening continued with their playful banter, laughter, and genuine connection. The restaurant echoed with their shared joy, as if it couldn't contain the happiness emanating from the couple.

As they finished their desserts and prepared to leave, their playful teasing gradually transformed into a sense of comfort and ease. They walked hand in hand, their hearts light and full of excitement for the journey they had just embarked upon. It was a first date they would cherish forever, a perfect blend of intellectual stimulation and lighthearted connection.

Spencer couldn't help but be captivated by Lilith's presence. Her genuine kindness and compassion shone through every word and gesture. It was evident that she cared deeply about making a positive impact on the world, just like him.

As the night drew to a close, Spencer and Lilith found themselves standing outside the restaurant, a gentle breeze carrying their laughter and lingering connection. The glow of the streetlights illuminated their faces, their eyes locked on one another's.

Spencer cleared his throat, his voice slightly tinged with nervous anticipation. "Lilith, I had an incredible time tonight. I really enjoyed your company."

Lilith's eyes softened as she replied, "Spencer, the feeling is so very mutual. This date exceeded all my expectations."

A soft smile graced Spencer's lips as he reached out to tuck a strand of hair behind Lilith's ear. "I'm glad to hear that. I know we made that deal at dinner, it's my turn to plan a date. As a date 1.5 would you be up for a casual coffee date tomorrow?" He paused for a moment, "if our schedules allow that is."

Lilith's smile widened, her gaze fixed on Spencer's earnest expression. "I would love that, Spencer. A coffee date sounds perfect. As long as a case doesn't come up, of course."

Spencer nodded, his excitement barely contained. "Absolutely, as long as no cases disrupt our plans. I'll make sure to keep my calendar clear for you."

With a tender smile, Lilith leaned you, placing a gentle kiss on Spencer's cheek. "Until tomorrow, Spence. I'm already looking forward to it."

Spencer's cheeks flushed with a rosy hue as she returned his smile. "I can't wait."

No one except for JJ called him Spence but lord did he enjoy the way it sounded coming from Lilith's lips.

He couldn't wipe the smile off his face until he fell asleep that night.

***
AN: a double update? crazy