FIC: Must Like Dogs (4/?)
Title: Must Like Dogs 4/?
by: Innusiq
Rating: G
Pairing: Begins pre-Spencer Reid/Derek Morgan, with Spencer Reid/Derek Morgan end result
Word Count: 1500
Summary: AU Spencer is moving to D.C. and needs to find a place to live. In this part, we get a little (just a little) insight as to how Spencer ended up in D.C.
Author's Notes: P.O.V. changes between Reid and Gideon
Previous Parts:
Must Like Dogs part 1
Must Like Dogs part 2
Must Like Dogs part 3
It still feels strange referring to D.C. as home. Even while living in Pasadena, Las Vegas always felt more like home. Back then it had more to do with the fact he really didn't have a plan beyond college, making California feel more like a waiting station or prelude to his real life, until he discovered what exactly he wanted to do with said life.
Spencer snorts to himself, cleaning up his desk before pulling out his lunch. He's only lived in the surrounding area of D.C. a month, but even in that short time he feels more at home at a job with his nose buried in research, and a roommate who's more like a ship passing in the night, than he ever did anywhere else, including Las Vegas.
The knock on his office doorframe startles Spencer, but he smiles at the familiar, welcoming face of his unexpected visitor.
-----
"Dr. Reid, I was wondering if you'd be interested in a game."
The wide grin he receives in return to his question is answer enough. Gideon walks into the young man's office, portable chess set in hand.
"Agent Gideon," the young man greets respectfully, standing and motioning to the only other chair in the small, book-filled office. "Have a seat."
Gideon takes the proffered chair. "Please, no formalities. Jason will do..."
The widened eyes of the young doctor cues Gideon that the offer might be too informal. "Gideon will do."
Reid nods, throat clearing. "Gideon."
Gideon smiles at the ease settling over Reid. He met the young man when Reid was barely twenty, during a lecture given at Cal Tech for recruitment purposes. The student he met then was young, inquisitive, and more intelligent than anyone he'd ever known. The impression Spencer Reid left then is one not easily forgotten.
-----
Spencer perches on the corner of his desk, feeling a little more excited than he probably should, but he actually didn't expect or think Gideon would even care to check up on him. It is nice knowing there is someone, even at the most benign level, concerned about him.
"I can't imagine you are simply looking for a chess partner," he says, eyeing the chess set, fingers itching.
"Perhaps, perhaps not, but it would be a waste of a good hour debating when we could be playing."
Spencer grins and nods in agreement. He had mentioned playing chess to the F.B.I. agent before receiving his third doctorate and how he'd let the extracurricular activity slide by the wayside due to lacking a good opponent. He's surprised the older man remembered such a minor detail, and pleased just the same, eager to find out what kind of opponent Gideon could be.
-----
They move the impromptu chess match to the cafeteria, Gideon figuring Reid doesn't actually leave the office all that much, even for lunch, and settle into an easy give and take of a well strategized game. Reid is a good strategist, but the time away from the game and the lack of good opponents in the past is obvious, and proves Reid still has a lot to learn.
He goes easy on the young man to keep the game continuing through the entire hour, and observes what he can. It's fascinating, watching the brain with a 187 I.Q. calculating each move, but the kid is only calculating one move at a time. Gideon watches as fingers stretch and knuckles crack while Reid debates the next move. There is excitement in the innocent, hazel eyes as Reid moves each piece, and equal thrill when the piece is captured.
A promising opponent.
-----
Spencer stares at the board, a board that contains far less of his own pieces than Gideon's, but he can't say he is disappointed in the possibility of losing the game, because this is the best opponent he's ever played.
"How are you adjusting to your living arrangements?"
He looks up, surprised by the question.
"How are you adjusting to the East Coast? I can imagine it's much different than California, even Las Vegas."
Spencer looks back to the board, concentration back on his next move. "Okay, I guess. I live with a dog now."
It's a ridiculous comment really, Clooney being an animal and Morgan being, well, a person and probably more important to mention, but Spencer is still surprised the dog hasn't rebelled against him yet.
"By yourself?"
"Oh no," Spencer laughs. "No, no, he has an owner, but even that... I feel completely out of my element."
-----
Gideon can't help smiling at Reid's endearing honesty. He gathered the kid was more a loner than a person craving constant contact with others. After all, when they first met Gideon had received an informal wave over a more polite and respectful handshake, and from what he'd learned about the man's past, which was very little and underplayed, it was obvious Reid's privacy and personal space was something well preserved and guarded.
"Actually, I ended up moving into the one place you sent me the ad for. Did I thank you for helping me with my relocation?"
Gideon smiles. "Consider the game thanks enough."
Reid nods, head ducking in a humble gesture expressing the young doctor's belief that this one game is definitely not thanks enough. If that's the case, Gideon would hate to know the indebtedness felt if Reid knew the hand he had in the job offer too.
-----
"Check!" Spencer announces, knowing he shouldn't sound so smug, but he does nonetheless, which he completely blames on the adrenaline pumping through his veins playing his opponent causes.
They will definitely play again if he has any say in the matter.
Spenser sits back and watches Gideon, already knowing his own next move which will bring him that much closer to victor...
"Checkmate."
Reid stares at the board, mouth hanging open not just in shock, but awe as well.
"How did you..."
"Three moves ahead," Gideon replies to his unfinished question.
Reid shakes his head. "What?"
Gideon begins putting the game pieces away. "My first words of advice to your game: Always think three moves ahead."
Reid is still staring at the board, even as the pieces begin disappearing, thinking, 'I want to play again.'
Correction, he needs to play Gideon again.
"You will… stop by again... for a game…"
-----
The hour passes quickly, and as they make their way back to Reid's office, Gideon can tell by the other man's lighter steps, and the fast stream of words spilling from Reid's mouth, that his visit was appreciated and needed.
"Thanks for coming to visit Ag... hrm... Gideon. I think my age tends to intimidates many of my colleagues," Reid says, offering an unnecessary explanation.
"I believe it's your brain, but that just means you will have to try harder," he suggests, deducing Reid's comment being a hidden request for advice. "The error of youth is to believe that intelligence is a substitute for experience, while the error of age is to believe experience is a substitute for intelligence."
The quote makes the younger man pause in thought. After all, Teamwork and comradery are a joint effort. Reid can't simply sit back and expect others to make the first move.
-----
Spencer knows he has issues socializing with others, and doesn't need an F.B.I. Profiler telling him as much. After twenty-three years of not fitting in, no matter the situation, it's just hard letting go of the fail-safe distancing used to protect himself, but he appreciates Gideon's concern. At least there is someone in the city that cares.
Most days an hour feels too long, but today it just doesn't seem like enough time.
"Don't forget your set," Reid says, picking up the forgotten portable chess set from his desk and following Gideon out the door.
"You should hold on to it," Gideon says, holding up a hand to refuse the set. "Practice... for the next time. You never know, you might even find another worthy opponent among your coworkers."
Reid smiles, only one corner of his mouth quirking up, and thinks perhaps he's still capable of learning how to live.
-----
The BAU is rather subdued when he returns, especially considering the types of cases they tackle on a regular basis, but every workplace has its downtime. The piles of folders on each agent's desk tells the tale of a day spent playing catch up.
"Hey, Gideon, where'd you disappear to," Morgan asks, meeting him halfway through the room,
"Lunch… with a friend," Gideon replies, offering little by way of information, and attempting to change the subject. "Did you get your reports caught up?"
"Man, it's like they're regenerating," Morgan complains. "Or something."
Gideon remembers all too well his fledgling days at the bureau.
"Morgan, do you play chess?"
Morgan looks at him strangely.
"No… but I can play a mean game of checkers."
"Ah," Gideon returns, contemplating his next offer. "Well… if you're interested… I could teach you."
Morgan laughs, head shaking dismissively. "Yeah… sure… maybe."
Maybe is good enough.
-----
tbc...
by: Innusiq
Rating: G
Pairing: Begins pre-Spencer Reid/Derek Morgan, with Spencer Reid/Derek Morgan end result
Word Count: 1500
Summary: AU Spencer is moving to D.C. and needs to find a place to live. In this part, we get a little (just a little) insight as to how Spencer ended up in D.C.
Author's Notes: P.O.V. changes between Reid and Gideon
Previous Parts:
Must Like Dogs part 1
Must Like Dogs part 2
Must Like Dogs part 3
It still feels strange referring to D.C. as home. Even while living in Pasadena, Las Vegas always felt more like home. Back then it had more to do with the fact he really didn't have a plan beyond college, making California feel more like a waiting station or prelude to his real life, until he discovered what exactly he wanted to do with said life.
Spencer snorts to himself, cleaning up his desk before pulling out his lunch. He's only lived in the surrounding area of D.C. a month, but even in that short time he feels more at home at a job with his nose buried in research, and a roommate who's more like a ship passing in the night, than he ever did anywhere else, including Las Vegas.
The knock on his office doorframe startles Spencer, but he smiles at the familiar, welcoming face of his unexpected visitor.
-----
"Dr. Reid, I was wondering if you'd be interested in a game."
The wide grin he receives in return to his question is answer enough. Gideon walks into the young man's office, portable chess set in hand.
"Agent Gideon," the young man greets respectfully, standing and motioning to the only other chair in the small, book-filled office. "Have a seat."
Gideon takes the proffered chair. "Please, no formalities. Jason will do..."
The widened eyes of the young doctor cues Gideon that the offer might be too informal. "Gideon will do."
Reid nods, throat clearing. "Gideon."
Gideon smiles at the ease settling over Reid. He met the young man when Reid was barely twenty, during a lecture given at Cal Tech for recruitment purposes. The student he met then was young, inquisitive, and more intelligent than anyone he'd ever known. The impression Spencer Reid left then is one not easily forgotten.
-----
Spencer perches on the corner of his desk, feeling a little more excited than he probably should, but he actually didn't expect or think Gideon would even care to check up on him. It is nice knowing there is someone, even at the most benign level, concerned about him.
"I can't imagine you are simply looking for a chess partner," he says, eyeing the chess set, fingers itching.
"Perhaps, perhaps not, but it would be a waste of a good hour debating when we could be playing."
Spencer grins and nods in agreement. He had mentioned playing chess to the F.B.I. agent before receiving his third doctorate and how he'd let the extracurricular activity slide by the wayside due to lacking a good opponent. He's surprised the older man remembered such a minor detail, and pleased just the same, eager to find out what kind of opponent Gideon could be.
-----
They move the impromptu chess match to the cafeteria, Gideon figuring Reid doesn't actually leave the office all that much, even for lunch, and settle into an easy give and take of a well strategized game. Reid is a good strategist, but the time away from the game and the lack of good opponents in the past is obvious, and proves Reid still has a lot to learn.
He goes easy on the young man to keep the game continuing through the entire hour, and observes what he can. It's fascinating, watching the brain with a 187 I.Q. calculating each move, but the kid is only calculating one move at a time. Gideon watches as fingers stretch and knuckles crack while Reid debates the next move. There is excitement in the innocent, hazel eyes as Reid moves each piece, and equal thrill when the piece is captured.
A promising opponent.
-----
Spencer stares at the board, a board that contains far less of his own pieces than Gideon's, but he can't say he is disappointed in the possibility of losing the game, because this is the best opponent he's ever played.
"How are you adjusting to your living arrangements?"
He looks up, surprised by the question.
"How are you adjusting to the East Coast? I can imagine it's much different than California, even Las Vegas."
Spencer looks back to the board, concentration back on his next move. "Okay, I guess. I live with a dog now."
It's a ridiculous comment really, Clooney being an animal and Morgan being, well, a person and probably more important to mention, but Spencer is still surprised the dog hasn't rebelled against him yet.
"By yourself?"
"Oh no," Spencer laughs. "No, no, he has an owner, but even that... I feel completely out of my element."
-----
Gideon can't help smiling at Reid's endearing honesty. He gathered the kid was more a loner than a person craving constant contact with others. After all, when they first met Gideon had received an informal wave over a more polite and respectful handshake, and from what he'd learned about the man's past, which was very little and underplayed, it was obvious Reid's privacy and personal space was something well preserved and guarded.
"Actually, I ended up moving into the one place you sent me the ad for. Did I thank you for helping me with my relocation?"
Gideon smiles. "Consider the game thanks enough."
Reid nods, head ducking in a humble gesture expressing the young doctor's belief that this one game is definitely not thanks enough. If that's the case, Gideon would hate to know the indebtedness felt if Reid knew the hand he had in the job offer too.
-----
"Check!" Spencer announces, knowing he shouldn't sound so smug, but he does nonetheless, which he completely blames on the adrenaline pumping through his veins playing his opponent causes.
They will definitely play again if he has any say in the matter.
Spenser sits back and watches Gideon, already knowing his own next move which will bring him that much closer to victor...
"Checkmate."
Reid stares at the board, mouth hanging open not just in shock, but awe as well.
"How did you..."
"Three moves ahead," Gideon replies to his unfinished question.
Reid shakes his head. "What?"
Gideon begins putting the game pieces away. "My first words of advice to your game: Always think three moves ahead."
Reid is still staring at the board, even as the pieces begin disappearing, thinking, 'I want to play again.'
Correction, he needs to play Gideon again.
"You will… stop by again... for a game…"
-----
The hour passes quickly, and as they make their way back to Reid's office, Gideon can tell by the other man's lighter steps, and the fast stream of words spilling from Reid's mouth, that his visit was appreciated and needed.
"Thanks for coming to visit Ag... hrm... Gideon. I think my age tends to intimidates many of my colleagues," Reid says, offering an unnecessary explanation.
"I believe it's your brain, but that just means you will have to try harder," he suggests, deducing Reid's comment being a hidden request for advice. "The error of youth is to believe that intelligence is a substitute for experience, while the error of age is to believe experience is a substitute for intelligence."
The quote makes the younger man pause in thought. After all, Teamwork and comradery are a joint effort. Reid can't simply sit back and expect others to make the first move.
-----
Spencer knows he has issues socializing with others, and doesn't need an F.B.I. Profiler telling him as much. After twenty-three years of not fitting in, no matter the situation, it's just hard letting go of the fail-safe distancing used to protect himself, but he appreciates Gideon's concern. At least there is someone in the city that cares.
Most days an hour feels too long, but today it just doesn't seem like enough time.
"Don't forget your set," Reid says, picking up the forgotten portable chess set from his desk and following Gideon out the door.
"You should hold on to it," Gideon says, holding up a hand to refuse the set. "Practice... for the next time. You never know, you might even find another worthy opponent among your coworkers."
Reid smiles, only one corner of his mouth quirking up, and thinks perhaps he's still capable of learning how to live.
-----
The BAU is rather subdued when he returns, especially considering the types of cases they tackle on a regular basis, but every workplace has its downtime. The piles of folders on each agent's desk tells the tale of a day spent playing catch up.
"Hey, Gideon, where'd you disappear to," Morgan asks, meeting him halfway through the room,
"Lunch… with a friend," Gideon replies, offering little by way of information, and attempting to change the subject. "Did you get your reports caught up?"
"Man, it's like they're regenerating," Morgan complains. "Or something."
Gideon remembers all too well his fledgling days at the bureau.
"Morgan, do you play chess?"
Morgan looks at him strangely.
"No… but I can play a mean game of checkers."
"Ah," Gideon returns, contemplating his next offer. "Well… if you're interested… I could teach you."
Morgan laughs, head shaking dismissively. "Yeah… sure… maybe."
Maybe is good enough.
-----
tbc...