A/N No Sophie.
I haven't been sitting still on my holiday have I?
"Veronica!" No answer. "Veronica!" Then there was some stumbling before she appeared at the top of the stairs. "Finally, can you come down? There's someone I want you to meet."
"Is it your new guy? Greg?"
Her mother shook her head. "Yes, can you please come down?"
"Sure mom, let me just shut off the computer."
"Okay." She walked back into the living room. "She'll be right there."
"So, does she know I exist?"
"Yeah, can't keep anything a secret from her anyway."
Greg nodded. "Right, because she's smart."
"She's not just smart.."
"Genius, I know. You've warned me about it a million times. Though I don't know why you should warn me for that. Besides, she's 26 and she still lives with you.."
"Hey." Veronica said as she walked into the room. "You're Greg, right?"
Greg smiled and got up to shake her hand. "I am, it's nice to meet you Veronica."
She studied him for a second before letting go of his hand. "M-hm, nice to meet you to." She turned towards her mother. "Did you start on dinner yet?"
"Wouldn't dare to start without you."
"Good because you always forget the rosemary." She smiled at Greg. "Do you like rosemary? Or do you prefer thyme or basil?"
"It doesn't matter, as long as it tastes good."
Veronica shook her head and turned to the kitchen.
"Tell me, how is it that a genius becomes a chef and not a mathematician or scientist?"
She shrugged. "Math bores her."
"So she cooks instead?"
"Yes, and she never makes something simple."
"So what are we having?"
"Beats me.. I think a three course meal but she changes things last minute."
Veronica walked back from the kitchen. "So, mom tells me you need someone to cook for a barbeque next week?"
Greg glanced over at her. "Yes, do you like barbecues?"
"Yeah, but not the electric ones. The charcoal brings a much better taste."
"So, maybe you could help me out?"
"Yeah, sure. I've never met a SRU team before, you're the head negotiator?"
"I am."
"Do you like physiological profiling?"
"I do."
"Me too, I've read a couple of books about it years back. I applied for an internship at SRU but I was denied."
Greg looked up surprised, he was the one in charge of that. "Oh, did they say why?"
"Yeah, I was too young."
"How old were you?"
"14, I was in my second year of college, criminology."
"14?" Greg repeated.
"Yeah."
"That's uuh.. wow.. did you finish it?"
"Yeah.. it was a little too easy. Then I applied for a FBI internship, but again I was too young. So I went to study culinary arts. Started working in a restaurant when I was 19, went to Paris when I was 22. Studied under someone for a year. Then the same in Italy and India before coming back here, last year."
"That sounds impressive."
"Nah.." Then the kitchen timer went off. "I'll be right back."
…
"This is your barbecue?" Veronica said as she was standing in Greg's backyard. "This?"
He smiled. "Yes, I'm a simple guy."
"How am I.." She looked the barbecue over. "I need my own barbecue.."
Greg smiled at her. "I'll call your mom and make sure she brings it over."
"Thank you, kitchen?" He nodded and helped her carry the bags in. She sighed again as she looked around. "This is your kitchen?"
He full out laughed. "God, your mother was right.. She'll love it when I say that. Come on, I'll drive you home and text everyone the address." He grabbed the bags again.
"Thanks."
…
Ed walked towards the barbecue, Greg was standing there talking to Veronica. "Wow, fancy barbecue." He smiled at them. "That one looks like you should turn it around.." He said pointing to one of the steaks.
Greg sighed and Veronica looked up at Ed. "Really?"
"Yeah.."
"How do you know?"
"Well, I'm a guy.."
"Hmm." She grabbed three bowls and put them in front of Ed. "Which one of these is thyme?"
"Uuhm.." He looked at them. "How should I know?"
"Exactly, you stick to the guns, I'll stick to the food." She turned to Greg. "Steaks are done, mind handing me some plates?"
"Of course." He grabbed the plates and handed them to everyone after she'd put a steak on them.
Jules stood in front of the table with food. "It all looks so good." She looked to Greg next to her. "You made this?"
"No, Veronica."
"All of it?"
"Yeah"
They could hear Spike a few feet away. "I want another burger."
"You've already had 4!" Ed laughed.
"But they're just so good." He grabbed his plate and walked towards Veronica. "Do you have another burger?"
She smiled at him. "Sure, in the fridge. Let me just grill if for you." She briefly glanced at Ed as he was walking towards her. "At least someone appreciates it."
"I'm sorry." He said. "Can I have another steak?" He smiled charmingly.
"Are you going to tell me how to grill it?"
"No."
"Sure. Anyone else want something from the grill?" They all shook their heads. "Be right back." She smiled at them both. She came back and put them on the grill.
Ed came to stand next to her. "So, do you have your own restaurant?"
"No, I have my own kitchen."
"So you work for someone?"
"Sort of." Then her phone started ringing. She glanced at the caller display but her hands were greasy. "Can you pick it up and hold it against my ear?"
"Sure." He did as she asked.
"Francois? No.. Non, ce n'est pas si difficile Francois.." She sighed. "I give you my kitchen for one night.. Non, faire bouillir premier.. Yes, exactly.. Just handle it Francois, Je ne serai pas toujours là pour tenir la main." She signed for Ed to cut the line.
"You speak French?"
"Yep." She wiped her hands on her apron. "Here." She handed him his plate and walked towards Spike with his.
"You're young." Ed said, making Veronica look up.
"Yes?"
"But the food tastes amazing."
Her brow furrowed. "Thank you?"
"And Greg mentioned you're smart."
"Where are you going with this?"
"It's just.. why do you cook?"
"Everyone can understand food. If I make something that tastes amazing, anyone will notice it tastes amazing. If I make a complicated formula, few people will understand. I want to touch many people, not just a few."