T H I R T Y S I X

SPENCER FELT COMFORTABLE; it was the kind of comfort that he hadn't felt in a very long time.

And as he shifted in his warm bed, arms wrapped around what he had once thought was impossible, he felt pure and utter bliss. This. This feeling. Moments like this one, the one happening right now.

This is what he wanted to wake up to every single day from now on.

It would be a striking difference from what he considered to be normal. Most nights, he would knock out on the sofa and wake up in smelly clothes, books surrounding him along with spilled cups of coffee on display. He didn't enjoy these mornings. In fact, Spencer would dread them. They were symbolic, alluding to the empty home he always tried to fill with pages upon pages. Maybe that's why he choose such a demanding job to begin with.

Memories came back to him in a flood, and he smiled. He looked down at Scout, curled against him, asleep, and his smile grew wider.

She curled on her side and he molded himself around her. His arms went around her torso and pulled her closer still, pressing a kiss against her ear. She unconsciously covered his hands with her own and gave a contented purr, snuggling back against him.

Good. It hadn't been a dream. She was actually here – in his bed. And as long as he held her close, this reality would never end. Spencer wouldn't let it.

He snuggled closer to her, careful so that she wouldn't stir in her sleep. The clock next to him said three-thirty, plenty of time to sleep and, tomorrow being a Monday, they could both get up early and Scout could get back home to freshen up. Right now, all he could do was fall back into bliss.

Scout came to wakefulness suddenly, and, for a brief, wild moment, wondered where she was. A ringing finally pulled her from sleep, and she sat up with a jerk. Sunlight was coming in through the window, and she looked at the clock.

6:30 AM

Her body dove to the nightstand and flipped open her cell phone, not looking at the caller i.d.

"Hello?" She said in a groggy tone, trying to wipe whatever sleep she at left in her eye, fixing the bird nest of her hair in the process.

"You finally answered." Of course, JJ.

"Hm? That's what makes the phone stop ringing."

Glancing at the lump next to her that was snoring soundly, she smiled into her phone. She bit down on the nail of her thumb to she the involuntary chuckle at the sight of Doctor Spencer Reid sleeping like a five year old.

"Scout?" JJ caught her attention.

"Yeah, I'm here. What's up?"

"Well for starters, where the hell are you? You were supposed to be here for the briefing at 6 in the morning. Hotch sent us all a text and he said he called you twice. If you didn't pick up, I would've driven to your place and broken in."

"What?" Scout glanced down at her device and noticed the notifications. "I must've slept through it all - I didn't even notice it. Fuck, I'm so sorry. Is Hotch pissed at me?"

"Not really, but he will be if you don't get your ass down here soon."

"Not gonna lie, I figured he would've been angrier."

"Well, he's more focused on something else."

"That being?"

"That's the second thing. You wouldn't have happened to hear from Spence recently. He isn't picking up either and we've called him a bunch of times too. Garcia tracked his phone and it says that he's home. I think Morgan is about to drive over and check on him -"

"No!"

"Wha -"

"I mean - sorry, Sumo almost ate my food." Scout glanced down at the dog that laid on the floor at the side of the bed.

"What I meant is, why don't you guys try calling him again? If I picked up them I'm sure he will too this time around, right? - Look, I've got to rush and get ready, I'll see you soon."

Hanging up the phone, Scout immediately shook Spencer's sleeping body as frantically as she could. For being such a lanky male, the dork did weight more than she expected.

"Hm - what? Ehh, Scout?" He groaned, trying to pull the blankets closer.

"Spencer! Wake the hell up! JJ's calling, we're late for work! Hotch is going to kill us both!"

'No! No! No!' Spencer's eyes snapped open as he sat up with a crazed mop of hair covering his forehead.

He grabbed his phone and tried to sound as awake as he possibly could, "Doctor Reid speaking."

Scout stifled her chuckle again and got out of bed, trying to salvage the whereabouts of her clothes from last night. With a blanket wrapped around her bare body, Spencer watched her move around his move with a certain gleam.

"Yeah, no. Sorry, JJ, I wasn't feeling too well last night and I forgot to charge my phone. - I'll be there soon. - No, Morgan doesn't need to come check on me. - Yes, I'm sure. - Okay, see you soon."

"Sumo! What the hell did you do?!" Scout shrieked from the kitchen.

Spencer grabbed his boxers from the floor and rugged them on to follow the commotion. In the living room, he found Scout holding up a shredded piece of clothing and a very guilt looking Saint Bernard puppy.

"What happened?"

"My shirt, it's - it's ruined. He must've ate it up last night when we were sleeping. What am I going to wear to the office now? I don't have any spare clothes with me and I didn't drive here."

"Where's your go bag?"

"At work, under my desk."

Spencer glanced down at what she was wearing: tailored pants, boots, and a blazer. Without a shirt, she would stick out like a fish out of water and she couldn't hide under the blazer. He grabbed her hand and took her back into the bedroom, digging through his closet.

"All of my shirts would be too big on you - but maybe -"

He pulled out a dark grey tee shirt that looked like the right size for her. Scout's eyes narrowed at the lettering in the front, Las Vegas Public High School: Physical Education and Athletics.

"Are you serious right now?"

Spencer gave her a sheepish smile, "It's the only thing that I have that will fit you and won't catch anyone's attention. Besides, your blazer will cover up the words and you can change into a spare shirt from you go bag on the jet. No one will notice."

"Spence!" Scout gave him an exasperated look, "We work with the most analytic and perceptive people in the whole United fucking States. I think they're gonna notice."

"Well, they will with that attitude." He pouted.

She sighed and snatched the shirt, "Fine, you big baby."

Spencer started to get ready as well, opting for a quick shower while Scout made him a fresh cup of coffee to go and packed his satchel. When he emerged ready to go and saw all that she had done, he felt his heart melt.

"You made coffee - but you hate the smell."

She rolled her eyes and shoved the drink at him, "Yeah, yeah, yeah. Don't get all soppy on me, Doc. We're still in a rush and I have no idea what I'm gonna do about Sumo."

"I'll call my landlord. One of the kids in the apartment takes care of everyone's dog when they're gone. I'll just ask if they look over Sumo, he'll be fine."

Scout reluctantly nodded and the pair left the apartment together rushing. In the car, she tried to fix herself in order to look as presentable as she could. It was difficult but an improvement and that's all that really mattered. Spencer, on the other hand, looked like he did every morning.

Clean and dreamy.

"What are you going to say?" Scout picked at her nail buds.

"About what?"

"The fact that we're both showing up late, looking like a mess, and together in the same car. Don't you think they'll be able to piece it together?"

"If we act like we have nothing to hide, then the team won't think we have something to hide."

"Are you saying that the Spencer Reid is good at lying?" Scout teased.

"Not - particularly, but I can try."

"And how far will that go?"

"Far enough, I hope."

The pair sat in silence until he glanced down at the small woman sitting next to him. She looked so comfortable, so natural at his side. They both lacked any awkwardness around each other.

"So?" He raises his eyebrow.

"So what?"

"Are you going to talk about last night?"

Scout's face felt like it was tingling and she tucked her hair back to cover her reaction, "What about last night?"

"Do you want me to say it out loud?"

She mockingly gasped, "Oh fuck, no! Just think of what scandalous beasts the world will think of us."

"Right, of course. What was I thinking?" He chuckled.

"And you call yourself a doctor? Wherever did you get your degree?"

"Hm - Caltech. Ever heard of it?"

"Sounds made up."

"Oh no, it's a real place."

"Oh really?"

"Yep, finished my undergraduate degree at sixteen, and received my first doctorate in Mathematics."

"You know what? I think I have heard of this - Caltech - before."

"Yeah?"

"It's a clown college right?"

Spencer shook his head and chuckled, "Yeah, a clown college, alright."

He pulled the car into the parking lot of the building. Whatever nerves they had were washed away through the conversation and Scout, for one, was grateful she had the tall doctor by her side. The normal dread of being alone and hiding herself from everyone, tucking arms and legs into a mold, didn't loom over her mind.

She was just Scout and that, for once, was enough.

The pair walked side by side, knowing smiles playing in their lips. Spencer - who never thought he would find the calm after a storm - was filled with an overwhelming kind of joy that he hadn't felt in a long time. He had learned to accept the hollowed longing in the pit of his stomach after Maeve dead right in front of his eyes.

He didn't know what he was supposed to do after that. Sure, he continued on with his days as best as he could but he couldn't forget her. She helped him, she changed him. He certainly couldn't just ignore that fact that she existed. But when Spencer saw her laying in the floor dead, his mind couldn't process anymore.

He had never been so desperate to get home. In fact, he ran the entire way, even though, at times, he wanted to collapse on the ground – his abdomen was cramping and his head hurt like hell. He remembered the story of Pheidippides, who ran all the way from Marathon to Athens to announce that the Greeks had won the Battle of Marathon before dying of exhaustion.

A part of him wanted to die that night, as well.

"Doc Ock?" Scout called his attention as she stood waiting outside the elevator on the BAU's floor, "You ready?"

Spencer gave a small jump and his brows rose in surprise, "Who, me? I'm always ready."

She gave him a low laugh and shook her head before signaling him to follow her, "C'mon nerd, let's put your acting skills to the test."

As they walked inside and quickly jogged towards the conference room, they noticed that the team was sitting silently. Scout gave them all a quick nod and pursed her lips as she lowered herself into her usual seat.

Spencer, on the other hand, gave no sign of remorse and kept his gaze on his feet until he reached his seat. The team watched them both with careful eyes as Hotch broke the silence.

"Where have you two been?" He said through his thick voice.

Scout sighed, "I slept in and my phone was dead, it was a stupid mistake and it won't happen again."

Hotch nodded and averted his gaze towards the doctor, "Reid, this hasn't happened before. What caused you to miss today's briefing? And you confirmed the time to come in last night, it's unlike you to forget."

"My mom -" He cleared his throat. "She slipped on a flight of stairs at her facility this morning. I got a call from one of her caretakers since they weren't sure how bad it really was. But she's fine now, I talked to her and everything seems to be okay besides some bruises. I'm sorry, Hotch, it won't happen again."

Scout stared, careful to not let her jaw drop at the amazing attempt he had displayed through lying teeth. She was actually shocked, the good doctor with a heart of gold and full of innocence was actually good at lying.

Hotch nodded, "I understand, Reid."

"Well, we're lucky today because there will be no need to take the jet out for our next case. Garcia, care to give a quick rundown for Wiley and Reid."

Garcia nodded, frazzled from being out on the spot and quickly signaled the two to open up the tablets in front of them.

"R - right. Okay, so, the FBI has gotten several reports of the previous week about a shooter targeting Dodea Virtual High School right here in Quantico. So far, all of the reports have been made online but we can't confirm if they're truthful of not. And so, we can't take that risk."

"Dodea Virtual?" Scout's eyebrows furrowed upwards, "That's my old high school."

"Any digital footprint that you've been able to catch so far?" Spencer asked.

Garcia shook her head, "None so far -"

"That's why the FBI doesn't want us to take a chance with the situation. If this really could be a shooter targeting the school, then they're well versed in technology and it's someone we have to keep a close eye on."

Scout shook her head, "And if it's just a kid pulling a prank?"

"Then that's a pretty messed up prank." Morgan scoffed.

"Yeah, it would be but it isn't uncommon. My graduating class filled the gymnasium with crickets and fed the birds muffins laced with laxatives. Dodea Virtual is known for their seniors pulling outrageous pranks, I've done it before. For all we know, this could just been some group of kids with water soakers and balloons."

"And for all we know, this could actually be a kid with a gun. Are you so certain you want to bet a teenager's life?" Morgan growled back at her, something she hadn't seen in her teammate before, and certainly not directed towards her.

Scout bit her bottom lip. He was right, she couldn't know for certain. In fact, she was letting her feelings for her old high school affect her outlook on the situation.

Hotch nodded, "We leave in 10, the car ride shouldn't be more than 30 minutes and the Superintendent would like to meet with us before school starts."

The team trailed out of the room one by one until Scout was left behind with Garcia. The techie sent her a soft smile before she started to pack away her materials.

"Is it just me or do you feel like your brain just can't keep up with the words coming out of your mouth?" She sighed and put her head down on the table.

Garcia chuckled, "I think you just described me perfectly."

"No, seriously, Pen. Am I really just that dense sometimes?"

"Hm -" She paused. "Yes."

"Thanks a lot, O' wise one." Scout scoffed with sarcasm and got up to straighten herself out.

"Learn to relax, we all mess up. Some more than others but you really can't blame yourself. You already made another mistake today."

Scout waved her off, "Yeah, yeah. I know, I fucked up by coming in late today. You already heard Hotch, his eyes burning through my soul was enough of a punishment for me."

"Oh no, I wasn't talking about that."

"Then what?"

Garcia gave her sly smile and pointed at her chest, "Las Vegas Public High School: Physical Education and Athletics?"

"What about it?" She shrugged and tried to cover the shirt with her blazer but was failing miserably.

"If I can recall correctly, which I always do, I'm quite certain that our very own Spencer Reid lived in Las Vegas and went to school there. Ironic? Maybe. coincidence? I think not."

"I - uh -" Scout's mouth fell to a gape, "I have no idea what you're talking about, Penelope."

"Uh huh." The blonde knowingly chuckled, "Of course, you don't."

"No - I - uh," She paused, feeling the usual flaming sensation rushing up to her cheeks, "Shut up."

Scout immediately grabbed her tablet and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, darting towards the exit for a quick get away.

"Stalker!" She yelled back at the techie and smiled at her giggled response.

Of course, Scout thought to herself with a smile. The most unlikely person just had to figure it out. After all, Garcia was a tech analyst and not educated with the behavioral side of the job. It always is the person you least suspect.

Please consider voting/commenting if you like this story and want show your support for more content.

AUTHOR'S NOTE:
uh oh, we going back to school the next chapter! also, act two ends in 4 chapters. can you believe it?? you are really gonna either love me or hate me by the end of it!
i'm honestly scared...

a special thanks to readers who comment:
@shortageonthestars
@jumpinjupman
@uncookedrotisorary
@_stxdia_
@ell_hound
@approximately_equal
@mycats17
@breedawnwriter
@moonlightascending
@epicmishamigo
@wackynatty
@cyn161
@ccluv123
@deborahsellis
@endlessdaze
@epicbeeboo
@missymoola
@andybeaword
@lydiahale7
@cmgg_lover

· · · · ·