Spencer Reid – The College Days

I do not own Criminal Minds and no copyright infringement is intended. I'm purely a fan knowing she's going to make plenty of mistakes. Those are all mine, as well as the plots and any new characters I introduce. Hope you enjoy!

Introduction

The year is 2002 and Reid is still 20 but not for long. This is his last year in Caltech and he has already completed his Ph.D.s in Maths, Chemistry and Engineering. He's completing his B.A.s in Sociology and Psychology. Some of the classes I wanted to mention were not offered in 2002-2003 at Caltech, but they were included in the catalogue and I will be taking advantage of that.

If I deviate from the show's canon or portray Caltech/Pasadena in a way different to reality, please bear with me. Let's call it "poetic license" to fit my purposes.

Ok, now here we go...

Chapter 1 – The Library

Because I've been treated so wrong

I've been treated so long

As if I'm becoming untouchable

My Skin – Natalie Merchant

Luna had been working part-time at the Milikan library since August, helping new students gather their bearings, complete forms, select courses and find curriculum materials. She was a freshman herself, but had become highly involved as a way to earn extra credits. She wanted to take a couple of courses that were not being offered that year, but had heard that they may allow select students to take the exam as long as they were able to prepare on their own. She was determined to be one of those select students.

She had seen him coming to the library regularly for a month now, since she started. Another night owl, she thought, eyeing the clock behind her desk. She observed him with curiosity. He was obviously young, but looked like an old professor. He certainly dressed like one, in earthy colours, with his messenger bag always with him. Today he was wearing plain beige pants that were a tiny bit too short for him and she could see mismatched socks (green and yellow) peaking out of his blue Converse. He was wearing long sleeves, despite the mild days they were having. His white shirt had come loose from his trousers and he was sporting a duck-tail, while he hunched over his books. She found it endearing and had to fight the urge of going up to him and tucking it in. His hair was always a little dishevelled, as if he had just gotten out of bed, and his eyes had never met hers directly. She liked his strong jaw, his high cheekbones, his straight nose and the way he pouted his lips and frowned in concentration, as if he was about to shout Eureka at any point.

It was 10 o'clock and the library should have been closed for an hour, with the summer timetable. They were the only two left and she couldn't bring herself to break his concentration. She locked the door and thought she would start returning books to their shelves. Ella will be happy to know she can come in a little later in the morning, she thought as she texted her friend. She had become close to the other librarian over the past month, although their work shifts conflicted these days and they didn't get to see each other much. Being a few years older, Ella mothered her a bit, she thought fondly.

Reid heard a noise and noticed the petite librarian locking the doors. He wondered why she wouldn't have asked him to leave and started perspiring, nervous that this could be a trap. Suddenly he was very aware that he was in a closed space with another person. Calm down, Reid. There are cameras in the library and she's still working, he thought as he silently stood up and peered out of the window. Yup, there was a bunch of alpha males peacocking right outside of the building's door. He knew their type and felt a pang of anxiety at having to leave while they were still there. Just fifteen more minutes, and then I'll leave. Hopefully they will have gone too.

Luna had returned all the books to their shelves and had been logging registrations to issue student cards for the newbies for the past half an hour when she realised it was almost midnight. On a Friday night. And she was still working. Wow, I need to improve my social life.

Gathering her stuff, she left her bag on the counter and walked up to the boy, who was giving no signs of ever leaving. She had seen him look out of the window before, while she was roaming around the aisles, and noticed his consternation when he realised there was people outside. She thought she would let him stay for a little longer.

"Hi, it's Reid, right?"

"Erm... hi" he said while casting a quick glance at the 'Silence' sign attached to the column directly behind the girl. Then he remembered there was nobody else in the library to disturb. "Yes, hi, erm... I'm Dr. Reid." Why did I feel the need to point that out? He thought, regretting it already and wondering why the girl was talking to him.

"Well, hi doctor Reid. Aren't you a little young to be a doctor? Oh, excuse my manners - my name is Luna and I'm very sorry but I need to kick you out because I'm about to call it a day." She smiled at the irony of her words. "It's midnight."

"Oh, I'm so sorry, I'm so very sorry, I didn't realise what time it was. I only meant to stay for a few more minutes, then lost track of time..." he was obviously feeling nervous and stood up in such a rush that he caused some of his papers to fall.

"Don't worry, I have caught up with a bit of work. Here, take these." Luna returned some of the papers she had picked up. She noticed the subject – the impact of passive-aggressive behaviours on students' performance.

Luna looked at him while he neatly and quickly put all his things away and looked around dubiously, not sure of where to leave the multiple books he had been reading. She reached out and touched his hand, grabbing the books. She felt him wince slightly at the touch.

"I'll leave these behind the desk", she explained as he hurried towards the door. "Doctor Reid, you will not be able to get out until I open the door, so you may as well wait for me." She could see him fidgeting by the door as she made sure all the windows were closed and the lights were off at the desks. Then she grabbed her bag and headed towards the boy.

"You know, since you've kept me here until so late, the least you could do is walk me home." Was she being too forward?

Reid's eyes grew wide. He had not been expecting this and he looked at her suspiciously. Women didn't usually ask to spend time with him alone, he bored them and made them nervous. Almost as nervous as they made him. But he considered the girl's words and admitted she was probably right. Besides, she looked non-threatening and had a smile on her face, waiting for him to acquiesce. He also saw what looked like a flicker of insecurity cross her eyes as he kept her waiting for an answer.

"Of course, yes, sure. I can walk you home. I didn't mean to keep you here, and I've probably ruined your plans..." He trailed off.

"Well, as sad as it sounds, I had nothing planned for this Friday night, good doctor."