So…finally done with this chapter. And ready for bed. : ) I've been agonizing over this chapter for days. I hope you enjoy. Let me know what you think. As always r/r/e.

You stare at the coffee he places on your desk, and without a word he walks away.

He's kind of driving you nuts.

You're not the brightest crayon in the crayon box when it comes to social cues; you readily acknowledge this.

Its been a couple of days since Kat and the Dirty Dozen takedown; Derek has called you Pretty Boy seven times since. Not his record, but still.

All the touches, and the way he looks at you when he thinks you don't see…

It kind of adds up, but its more than you can hope for.

Maybe a different perspective could help right now.

"JJ, can I talk to you for a moment?" You ask as she passes by your desk.

"Yeah what's up Spence?" She gives you a smile as you purse your lips together.

You shake your head, as nod toward the break room. She raises her brows before following towards the office.

You shut the door as soon as she steps inside.

"What's this all about, Spencer?"

Goodness, she sounds like a big sister right now.

"What would you assume if someone gave you a term of endearment and the ln proceeds to continually call you such. Finds reason to touch you, buys you coffee and remembers exactly how you take it. And the way they look at you when they think you're not aware…" The words seem to pour from you as you pace the break room. J.J. has a grin plastered on her face.

"It's Derek isn't it?" She looks back she's holding back giggles. You groan, hiding your face in your hands. You can frickin feel the blush creeping up your face.

"Yes. And I don't know if it just Morgan being Morgan… or if he's really interested in me." It's like poking your tongue in the empty space of a newly lost tooth when you finally say it out loud.

"Well, if you've got that vibe that he'd be interested in dating you…why not go for it?"Jayje thinks she's being helpful, but its just opening a can of jitters and nerves.

"Because I don't do well with 'vibes.' I'd rather not have my block knocked off because I'm reading him wrong"—

"Derek wouldn't harm you because of that."

"But he could very well terminate our friendship. And where would that leave me? Heartbroken, without one of my best friends, and in an awkward work environment. Is it really worth it? I think I should keep my big mouth shut for once."

"This is the same guy you swore hated you when you first met…and look at you two now. Thick as thieves. There's a strong possibility he likes you back."

"J.J., we're not in grade school. This is just a stupid crush I have. It'll work itself out eventually…right?" A thirty-one year old man should not be thinking about crushes.

"How long have you had feelings for him?"

"A while." You supply vaguely, she shakes her head. You know down to the day when hit you that your feelings had changed, but somethings should be kept to yourself.

"Its up to you, but I've got the feeling that Derek doesn't know that you have feelings for him. And if he's really flirting with you, maybe he's ready to take your relationship to the next step. But you won't know until you talk to him."

"Alright, I'll talk to him. But if he laughs in my face, I blame you." You pout.

"Spence, give Derek the benefit of the doubt. He just might surprise you." She shifts over to you and gives you a hug. You hug her back.

"Thanks for listening to my prattle." You murmur.

"Anytime Spencer." She squeezes tight before letting you go.

She leaves you alone in the room with your thoughts.

/

After a day of post-case paperwork and catching up on files, one by one the team leaves for home.

You feel a warm hand on your shoulder.

"Hey Kid. I'll give you a ride home if you want." You look up to find Derek by your side.

He looks…nervous.

Kind of a weird look on him.

You take him up on his offer, stuffing some files in your satchel to work on at home.

"Can we go to this coffee shop down the street. My treat?" You ask.

Derek sighs in mock exasperation.

"Sure Reid." He drawls, as he throws his arm around your shoulders. He smiles bright as you lean into his touch.

/

You scoot into the booth, taking the seat opposite of Morgan. The coffee shop is not too crowded, as people meet after work or school.

You try and think of the best way of approaching this. Your stomach in knots as you take your first drink of coffee.

You feel Derek nudge you with his foot and you startle.

"You got your thinky face on. Come on Reid, spit it out." Derek prods as he goes for a sip of his coffee.

37.8% couples meet at work.

40% of people dating start off as friends first.

You pick at the label of your coffee cup.

You and Derek could be really good together.

Band-Aid approach it is then.

"It has come to my attention that you have…um, been flirting with me. I just need it to be clarified. Are you just being Derek Morgan, world class flirt or Derek—my best friend who maybe wants to be more than friends?"

He chokes on his coffee, eyes wide.

There's no backtracking out of this one.

Damn, he's looking guilty as hell.

"Well, that all depends…" he stalls, clearing his throat. "What if I said yes. I'm Derek, attempting to flirt with my certified genius of a best friend in hopes that we can be more than friends?"

"Even with all the crap that's going on in my life. With all the uncertainty?"

"Yeah, even with all the crap and uncertainty. I've told you time and time again, I'll always have your back, no matter what."

Derek's eyes go wide.

"Shit. Please tell me I'm not making a fool of myself, Kid." He squeezes his eyes shut. It's unsettling to see Derek doubt himself. "I'm no good at this, and you don't"-

"Derek." You try to cut his line of thought off. His eyes squeeze tighter still; his hand that rests on the table balls into a fist.

"Derek. I like you too, in case you were worried about that." You say, placing your hand on top his. Derek relaxes, looking up at you in awe.

" You do?" he laughs in disbelief.

You crack the biggest smile.

"Do you think I would drag you all the way over here just to reject you?" You sigh.

" I thought between the two of us, you were 'people smart,' Derek."

"Not as smart as I claim to be." He shakes his head, entwining his fingers with yours.

"So you'd be up to movie nights and dates and things like that?"

You nod.

"And hugs and kisses and embarrassing pet names like 'pretty boy' and"—

"Morgan, we do all that anyway…well not the kisses. But I'd be up for that." You laugh. Derek leans across the table and presses a kiss to your forehead. You face heats up as blush travels to your cheeks.

"So…when did you realize you had feelings for me?" You ask.

"When Doctor Bryar held Elle hostage on the train in Texas… that's when I kind of knew something was up then. The first time I thought I could loose you." Derek confesses.

"Slessman's room…going through those cd cases. I knew I had an odd…affection for you, and it grew from there." You toy with your empty coffee cup.

Eleven years, you two have been skirting around each other.

A thought stops you cold.

"What about Savanna?" you whisper. Your stomach drops and your heartbeat is in your ears.

Derek takes a shaky breathes before looking at you.

" I um… I talked to her the past couple of days about this…she's not happy about it but she was…understanding. She told me she had a feeling I liked you more than I let on. And of course she was right. I just didn't want to admit it."Derek lets out a shuttering breath.

It's kind of uncomfortable to hear, and you feel sympathy for Savanna and Derek.

"So we're good?" Derek finally looks up again. You nod.

"Yeah we're good. So now you can let your theoretically possible boyfriend clear the check and take him to his apartment so you both can let all this sink in." You try to joke.

Derek laughs, smile brightening his face.

"I think you can drop the possible and make that a probable. I'm your theoretically probable boyfriend." Derek gives your hand another squeeze.

You wouldn't have it any other way.

A/n: Whenever I write a pre slash story, it's always Derek making the first move. And this time I wanted Spencer to beat him to the punch. Hopefully this turned out OK. Let me know what you you for your time. Everything's appreciated.