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Spencer wakes up in his new apartment and sits up, stretching his arms over his head. It was day three of living in Virginia, and there were clothes and boxes still covering the floors.
The twenty-one year old had just made the drastic move from Virginia for his mothers sake. She had been residing in a facility in Vegas due to her schizophrenia, but hadn't been liking it too much the last couple of years.
Spencer would do anything to make his mother more comfortable, the guilt of sending her away in the first place taking up a hearty amount of space in his head. He also didn't think her Vegas facility was fitting his own standards anymore.
He called around for months, and researched hundreds of places around the U.S. He ended up finding a place near D.C that had a great research program and high quality care. He took a risk and was surprisingly able to get his mother in.
It worked out that Spencer had a friend in the area. Spencer had met Jennifer Jareau, or JJ, when he was nineteen. He was helping out with a lecture at CalTech, where he was working on a PhD. He was walking down the hall when the women's credentials fell out of her pocket. Spencer quickly picked them up and noticed she worked with the FBI. He couldn't contain his excitement, so he talked her ear off. She ended up giving him her number and they chatted on the phone once and awhile. They even had lunch when they were in the same area. They weren't super close, but it was nice to know someone in this new area. JJ had been excited to hear the news of Spencer moving close.
He was hoping to meet up with her soon, but his priority was making sure his mother was settling in well. So, he gets himself up and ready for the day.
He puts on a comfy sweater along with his coat. It's early December and Spencer was not accommodated the coldness of Virginia.
Spencer makes his way to the second coffee shop he's going to try since moving. He can't continue the day without caffeine. The coffee from the day before was not up to his standards, so he's trying a new one today.
He gets his coffee and exits the shop, taking an experimental sip out of the holiday designed to go cup. He grimaces, that's two shops he'll never go to again. While turning the corner to head in the direction of the bus stop, he runs right into somebody. He drops his coffee and it spills all over the sidewalk. He immediately begins to apologize, almost expecting to hear watch where you're going, kid.
"I'm so sorry," He finally looks at the person. It's a man who seems to be in his late twenties, with warm brown skin, and very defined muscles. Yet, he doesn't look angry at all. There's even a small grin on his face. Spencer forgets how to speak.
"It's okay, kid. My fault."
Even his voice sounds perfect.
"No, really I should've been paying attention," Spencer continues.
"Don't worry about it- here, let me buy you a new coffee." The man says, pointing to the coffee shop Spencer had just emerged from. Now that Spencer isn't as worried about getting harassed, he notices more about the man. He's around the same height Spencer, has a very sharp and defined face, and is wearing jeans and a leather jacket. He seems to have a confidence Spencer could only dream about.
"Oh don't worry about it- it wasn't good anyway."
The man raises his eyebrows, "This place? Yeah, no good."
Spencer smiles a bit and avoids making eye contact, "I just moved here, thought I'd try it."
The man smiles and Spencer notices that it might be the most beautiful smile he's ever seen.
"Well then," the man shrugs. "Let me take you to a different coffee shop. There's a great place a few blocks down."
"Well," Spencer hesitates. He doesn't know why he's even debating going to get coffee with this random strange man. Of course hes gorgeous, and seems extremely nice, but is this safe? He doesn't know why his usually weary instincts are telling him to say yes instead of telling him to run away quickly.
Nonetheless, he lands on, "Sure."
They sit down in a nice small coffee shop. It's comfortable and the sound of the chatting isn't very loud, Spencer recognizes. The shop is decorated with a variety of Christmas items, and he can hear the faint sound of Christmas music playing. They both order a coffee and Spencer doesn't remember how they ended up gravitating to the small two person table instead of parting ways with their to go cups.
"Thanks again, you really didn't have to." Spencer reiterates.
"It's no problem, plus you're new here and needed someone to show you your next permanent coffee spot, right?" He asks with a grin.
Spencer takes a small sip and his eyes widen a bit. "Wow. Yes, definitely. This is amazing."
"Told you," The man smiles that charming grin. "We haven't even exchanged names. I'm Derek."
"Oh- right," Spencer nods in realization. "I'm Spencer."
"Where did you move here from?"
"Vegas."
"Wow, that's far. How come you're here?" Derek asks next.
"Well, my mom was in a facility due to having schizophrenia and it wasn't meeting our standards anymore. I found one here that seemed great- and was able to find a great place to do my postdoctoral work nearby. Plus, I have a friend who lives here. So it all just kind of worked out."
"Hold on," Derek furrows his eyebrows. "Postdoc work?"
Spencer nods, "I have three PhD's."
"How old are you?" Derek asks, and Spencer can see nothing but confusion on his face. He has to hold back a laugh.
"Twenty one."
"Are you messing with me?" Derek asks, looking perplexed.
"No," Spencer smiles a little, amused. "I graduated high school at twelve, went to CalTech, as well as MIT and now I have three PhD's. Mathematics, engineering, and chemistry."
"High school at twelve?" Derek scoffs. "So you're a genius. I'm having coffee with a random genius I met on the street."
Spencer feels himself flush, "Well I don't believe intelligence can be accurately quantified but, I do have an IQ of 187, an eidetic memory, can read twenty thousand words per minute and, as you know, have three PhD's."
Derek lets out a huff of laughter, "Don't be so humble. You're a genius."
"Alright," Spencer smiles. "I'm a genius."
"Well, postdoctoral huh? You enjoying it so far?"
"I actually haven't started yet- I start on Monday. I decided to give myself a week to get settled in and make sure my mom is okay at her new place."
"That makes sense," Derek nods, taking another sip of his coffee.
"Well what about you? What do you do for work?"
"I work for the FBI." Derek responds.
"FBI? So you're pretty smart too."
"I guess so," Derek grins. Spencer is about to ask him what unit he's with when Derek's phone starts ringing. He groans and picks up, saying only "Morgan," which Spencer can surmise is his last name.
"Sorry kid, that was actually work. I gotta go." Derek explains when he hangs up a few seconds later.
Spencer nods, finding himself surprisingly disappointed. What are the chances one of the fist days after the move he meets someone who wants to hang out with him?
"Maybe we can keep the conversation going another time, what's your number?" Derek asks.
Spencer finds himself blushing again, not expecting Derek to want to see him again. Quickly, with almost shaking hands, he fetches a pen out of his messenger bag and scribbles his number onto a napkin.
"Great, thanks. Good luck with your first day of work." Derek says, taking the napkin and flashing him one last smile.
"Thanks- good luck with uh- your work too." Spencer stammers out. Derek nods and rushes out of the coffee shop.
Spencer finds himself sitting in the coffee shop for a few more minutes, astonished. Things like this never happened to him. He was awkward, and never had much luck making friends. Especially not with strong confident men, like Derek.
He wants to know more about him. He didn't get to know what unit of the FBI he works for. Does he know JJ? Where did he grow up? Where did he go to college? How old is he?
He finally gets up, deciding he's late enough to meeting his mother. As he makes his way to the bus stop, he can't stop replaying Derek Morgan's grin in his head.