(Disclaimer: I don't own the characters of and the show criminal minds.)

So this was meant to be a one shot from a request by ahowell1993, but it was such a great idea that I deceided to make a full story from this.

It's a Maeve and Reid love story, but Maeve's stalker does go away and Reid and Maeve can actually have a relationship, it's kinda like a what could've happened story. I think Spencer deserves a bit of love in his life.

Some parts of this first chapter will derive from their date in season 8 episode 10, but it's mostly different considering this one is actually successful.

Go check out ahowell1993's stories, credit for the idea goes to her.

It won't be too long a story as it was only meant to be a two-shot at most, but I hope this is what you wanted ahowell1993.

4 years earlier

Spencer wandered nervously into the restaurant, halting at the entrance desk.

"Hi, do you have a reservation with us tonight?" A bubbly waitress asked, flashing him a genuine smile.

"Uh... yea, it should be under Spencer Reid." He replied.

She looked down at the booking register and thumbed through the names. Her finger paused on his name and she peered back up at him a smile berating her lips. She looked over him with hungry eyes.

"Sure, you're right here, a little early though." Reid looked at his feet with shame. "But that's fine, I can take you to your table now." She flashed him a toothy grin, grabbing a single menu from the counter.

"Oh uh, I'm still waiting for someone." Spencer admitted sheepishly.

The waitresses smile drooped, her hand slowly and painstaking pulled out a second menu. She'd hoped he'd be alone

"I'll take you to your table now and if you give me your girlfriends name I'll bring her over when she arrives." The waitress grumbled in a sulky tone.

Reid's tongue fumbled in his mouth for a minute taken aback; girlfriend? Is that what they were to each other now? Spencer hadn't had a girlfriend...ever. He swallowed thickly.

"That'd be great, thank you. Her name is Maeve Donovan." The waitress jotted this down on her palm.

She began skulking off and Reid followed hurriedly.

She stopped at a small table facing a window, beyond the window lay a garden shadowed by night. On the table a large cream candle stood on a floral plate, casting whispy figures of light against the red and white checked tablecloth.

"This is you." The waitress nodded curtly down at the table.

Reid thanked her and shimmed down awkwardly. As soon as he was alone his fingers began to drum insatiable on the table.

He adjusted his navy bow tie yet again and smoothed down his light blue shirt, (which had started to uncoil from the safety of his trousers.)

He pulled on his bow tie a little, regretting the decision to wear it. His fiddled with his hair, before rubbing his face with frustration. He opened his eyes hoping no one could see how scared he was.

There was an elderly couple sat opposite him, quietly enjoying a meal in each other's company. The woman laughed at her partner, smacking his shoulder lightly. He leaned over and planted of soft kiss on her cheek and Spencer watched as her cheeks burned red. Reid watched them for a few more minutes, trying to figure out how they made each other so happy. Could he do that for Maeve? He wanted to.

He reached down into his messenger and pulled out a book. He fumbled for the ribbon he had filling his pocket. He tied it around the book and set it on the table. He shifted its position so it sat straight. He smiled at it, remembering reading it himself.

"Spencer?"

Reid whipped around to see a small brown haired woman watching him with both curiosity and shyness. Her creamy chocolate eyes met his and she smiled, Reid couldn't help his own lips from turning up.

"Fancy meeting you here." She murmured, her smile widening.

"Hi" he said nervously.

"Hi" she replied, with equal nerves lacing her voice. She went to sit down and Reid scrambled from his seat, finally coming to his senses. He bashed his knee of the table edge, shaking the hot wax from the candle. He grimaced at her and she giggled at his clumsiness. He pulled out the chair opposite him and she slid gracefully into it.

"Thank you." She said, her eyes beamed at him. He stumbled back to his seat, his cheeks blushing in embarrassment.

"It's lovely here." Maeve gasped, gazing around the restaurant.

"I'm glad you like it." Reid responded, drinking in her beauty. She was wearing a mustard yellow cardigan, the collar of her cream blouse sticking out from the top. She wasn't wearing much makeup, her eyelids were a subtle brown shade and her eyelashes coated in a thin layer of mascara. Spencer knew she didn't need it. He had been right. He told Alex that "it doesn't matter what she looks like, I mean... she's already the most beautiful girl in the world to me" he hadn't been wrong, but then again when was he?

"You look...really nice." He stuttered. Now it was Maeve's turn to blush.

"So do you." Her eyes wandered to the book, and her mouth lifted sneakily.

"Is that..."

"The Narrative of John Smith, yea, I..uh didn't know if you had it...so, I got it for you." He grabbed it and held it eagerly out towards Maeve. Her small, soft fingers brushed Reid's as she took it from him and he shivered. Maeve laughed at the copy Reid had given her wrapped in a silky brown label, Reid bit his lip, disappointed, Maeve caught this look.

"Oh Spencer, I love it...it's just.. well" she pulled a small red giftbag from beside her feet and handed it him.

"What's this?" He smirked, searching through the tissue paper. His fingers danced across a book and he chuckled. He revealed an identical twin to the book he'd just given Maeve.

"I guess we have the same taste." Maeve giggled.

Reid had already read the book several time, but even so, he gazed at it in wonder. He opened it up and found a quote scrawled out in what must of been Maeve's petit handwriting.

"Love is our true destiny. We do not find the meaning of life by ourselves alone - We find it with another."

"Thomas Merton." Reid whispered, catching her eyes and sharing a loving glance with her.

The waitress came back over, she seemed more bubbly now and she smiled sweetly at Spencer when she skipped over.

"Can I get you two love birds any drinks?" She asked, her voice sickly sweet.

"Do you like wine?" Reid asked Maeve, she nodded, a smile still playing on her lips.

"Can we see what selection you do?"

"Sure, sugar." The waitress hopped off, swaying her hips purposely, glancing back to see if Spencer had been watching, but groaned when she saw his eyes locked back on Maeve.

Reid ordered Maeve's favourite wine and then their food.

Maeve had got lasagna and Reid was now explaining all the different facts he had on the dish. Unlike most people, however, Maeve was listening intently, her head resting in her palm and her elbow sat on the table, watching him thoughtfully.

"...And it actually originated from the region of Emilia-Romagna in Italy. The earliest recipes are dated from the thirteenth century, however, when it was first prepared tomatoes were not known to Europeans, so instead, in their recipes, different types of cheeses were used. It's was so popular, that July 29th was named National Lasagna Day, and it still is to this day."

"You can make lasagna in the dishwasher." Maeve added happily. Reid narrowed his eyes and thought for a second; only a second.

"Oh yea, I guess you're right, you'd have to cover it to keep water out though." Spencer warned and Maeve laughed, he joined in after a few moments.

A comfortable silence elapsed between the two, both of whom were still smiling. Reid's face turned to worry all of a sudden.

"Are you sure you're safe?" Reid asked fearfully, his fingers reaching out and touching Maeve's.

"It's been... god, months now, I haven't had any threats or messages." She held his hand fully now, looking deep into Spencer's eyes. " I can't live like this anymore. I can't be alone any longer." Her own brown eyes were pleading with Spencer's hazel ones.

"You won't be. I promise." He whispered, edging closer to her, their faces centimetres apart.

Maeve shifted closer and their lips were almost touching. An overwhelming desire to kiss her came over him.

The arrival of their drinks forced them away from each other, but Reid couldn't stop grinning like a fool.

He eventually got his chance. He paid for the food, no matter how much Maeve politely protested, and they walked out together.

Maeve turned to face him, taking his hand gently in hers.

"Thank you Spencer. I haven't felt this good for... I don't even know how long."

"Me too." He squeaked nervously.

"Can I...can I kiss you?" He asked apprehensively.

Maeve tittered lightly, curling her fingers more tightly around Spencer's.

"Of course. You don't need to as..." she began, but Spencer's lips were already on hers. This was the second time he'd ever kissed a girl. Lila had been the first, but this was different. Reid unwound his hands from hers and wrapped them around Maeve, pulling her closer to him. He felt the warmth of her lips and tongue seep into his mouth. It felt so much more than a kiss. It was soft and tender, yet meaningful. The kiss lasted a good minute, only breaking for air. He still had his hands around her, not wanting to have any distance between each other. Maeve pulled her hands up and caressed his face pulling it towards her once more for a second kiss.

When the taxi dropped Maeve outside her house, Spencer walked her to her door. Before she could step inside, he suddenly remembered what he needed to say to her.

"A few weeks ago, before you got off the phone, you said 'bye, love you'. I..I uh never got the chance to say it back." Maeve smiled at his cuteness.

"I love you Spencer Reid." She said giving him his 'chance'.

"I love you too, Maeve Donovan."