The Calm Before the Storm

[Reid Chase]

Turning her nose up at Corey's comment, she looked up at him with a look that said: "Really?" She snorted and shook her head. "I look good in blue and in leather. Anything else is...debatable."

The last time she had worn something remotely resembling a dress was when she was at prom. Even then, she couldn't stand being in it for too long and ended up ditching her date for some sweats and bingewatching Charmed reruns with popcorn butter staining her top.

"I'll find somethin'. Probably gonna have to call mom for advice. Haven't worn a dress since high school. She'd probably freak." By then, she was just mumbling to herself. She was still trying to get rid of the nerves from being asked to go away for a whole week with Corey. And now she had to think of a dress. Of course, what Reid couldn't admit to herself was she was actually excited.

Blinking when he mentioned Navy doctor, Reid gave an impressed look. "Really? That's cool. Wow. Probably gonna be a whole lot of people in uniform. You're gonna have to up your game, Spencer." She ribbed him again and chuckled.

[Corey Spencer]

"Well..." Corey's dark eyes gleamed with a rarely seen glint of near mischievousness. He didn't often find himself in such a playful mood, though a few hours spent with Reid typically kept the demons of his past and present at bay. She was close by, making the urge to slip an arm around her slender waist and pull her nearly off the ground with almost frightening ease irresistible. "I'll insist you look good in just about anything." He said as almost a challenge.

The big man didn't release his hold on Reid, rather he found a certain sense of comfort in her closeness. He took in the firm, toned feel of her body against him and the soft brush of her hair on his skin. "Do I?" He asked with a light laugh. "Step up my game?" It seemed a challenge was more than willing to accept. Especially when during the brief struggling he ended up pausing as he caught her gaze, his features growing sober under the captivating allure of Reid's brilliant, emerald eyes. "And how, exactly, am I going to manage that?" He asked, his tone low.

[Reid Chase]

When Corey pulled her into him, her sneakered feet slightly touching off the ground, Reid issued a small snort and gasp, pursing her lips to stop herself from laughing. It was rare that Corey showed any physical affection when they were out in public, Reid was the same but like Corey, she found comfort in the hold.

She pulled both hands out and patted his chest and looked up into his brown eyes, her own blue ones sparkling with a mixture of uncertainty, playfulness and, if she were being honest with herself, a sense of belonging. Her lips parted slightly before her tongue slid across her bottom lip as her eyes went from his down to his lips before going back up to his eyes.

Reid was about to respond when a burp escaped her lips. "Oh...whoops." She grimaced and fanned the space between them. She could taste the onions and sauerkraut from the hotdogs in her mouth.

[Corey Spencer]

At some point Corey had stopped being surprised when certain moments like these were interrupted by a random act of Reid. He recoiled, pulling away as he settled Reid back to the sidewalk before shaking his head. He sighed, slowly turning and starting along the path they had been walking in originally. "You know exactly how to ruin a moment, you know?" He said, smirking as he cast the redhead a sideways glance.

Slowly, with his usual, deliberate pace, Corey strode down the sidewalk. He couldn't help but steal a brief look at the police officer every now and again. Even with her sometimes crass sense of humor and excellent timing she remained an endearing and alluring presence. "Anyway, I wouldn't worry much about this trip to San Diego. It's just going to be a bunch of soldiers getting together and drinking until they can't walk." He glanced her way again, a playful smirk touching his features now. "You'll fit right in."

[Reid Chase]

Reid bit her lower lip and looked to the side at him when he put her down. She gave him a wide grin when he looked at her. She followed him as he started moving again, her hand hovering close to his. Although she wasn't the type to hold hands, she suddenly felt the urge to.

Fighting it was surprisingly hard and she found herself itching to reach out even more. She blinked when he started talking and she laughed. "Oh yeah, my kind of crowd." She smirked before throwing caution to the wind and letting the back of her hand brush against his. She then stepped in front of him and placed her hands on his shoulder before pecking him on the cheek.

"We can make moments whenever we want." She smiled, her thumb brushing against the spot on his cheek where she had kissed. "Come home with me tonight?"

[Corey Spencer]

"Once we get passed the part of the night when they start trying to dance we can leave." Corey chuckled softly at some memory that sprouted up with his comment. Age and experience had tempered the big man in recent years he was no stranger to long nights spent with a bottle and and a group of rambunctious friends. His head shook faintly and he sighed almost wistfully. "You're not going to get anything out of them after that anyway."

He stopped abruptly as Reid stepped in front of him. He'd caught the brushing of her hand against his and it brought out a light smile. He studied her features for a long moment even if there was no question he would be accepting her invitation. "Yeah." He confirmed with a nod. His hand came up to cover hers as it brushed along his cheek. He lowered her hand and started moving forward again, keeping hold of her hand in the process. Public displays of affection be damned.

[Reid Chase]

Laughing at his comment about dancing, Reid could not agree with the sentiment more, nodding her approval at the idea. "If they start a conga line, I am so busting outta there." The wistful sigh that came from Corey made Reid smile slightly. She didn't have that many people in her life that caused her to react the way he did when talking about friends. It must be nice.

Having him look at her the way he did warmed Reid in a way only he had ever managed to do. She didn't know why it was this quiet giant that managed to subdue her but that he did. She'd done a lot of growing up with him and she seemed to be a lot more accepting of the things she thought she had been embittered to.

When he took her hand and started walking, her instinct to pull away weren't there. She squeezed his hand after awhile and leaned into him as they walked home.