Destiny's Cafe

Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds nor do I make any money.


Ch1


On a street in Washington D.C. a man was walking to sort out the memories that were troublong him. It wasn't working. They continued to torment him. He and his team had just gotten back from Wyoming. The case they had been on was hard for him to get over. It involved a string of kidnappings that all ended in murder. But that wasn't what was troubling the man. He was tormented by the face of the last victim. She had been the daughter of the police cheif. She was a sweet girl her name was Michelle. She had been getting ready to graduate high school. She had entertained the team bringing, them fresh baked cookies everyday. The man was upset mostly because he and Michelle had grown to be friends. She like him had been exceptionally bright and shy. They had had many discussions over books while he had been held up at the office with a bum ankle that he had twisted not long after they had arrived on the case.

They had narrowwed down on the suspect just hours before she had been taken. The unsub had thought that having her would make them stop. He had given them an ultimatum. But Michelle had been smart. When she had been ungagged to prove that she was alive. She had given them location. But before they could get there the unsub had figured out what she had done and killed her. Just as the team kicked in the door he had slit her throat. The team cuffed him and when they brought him in. He was tempted to kill him. For he had killed his friend.

As the man continued to walk he started to notice the people on the street that passed. He saw the mother's with their children and the businessmen rushing about even on a Saturday. As he passed a park he sat down and watch the children play and the mother's talk to each other. As he watched he noticed that he was profiling. He could tell that the mom with the short red hair was cheating on her husband with his best friend, that the blonde was an alcoholic, the one with long brown hair seemed to be the only deccent one out of them. She was the only one in the group without a significant other.

The brunette got tired of hearing them all complaining about their too busy husbands or that they hadn't gotten the most expensive peice of jewelry on their anniversary. She got up to leave. As she walked to the slide she called to her friends that she needed to get back to work that her lunch break was almost over. They asked her how the store was doing.

" It's going good. Now that it's the beginging of the new school year I had a lot of people quit but some of them stayed on. Luckily Summer finished school last year so she's completely happy to run the cafe.Winifred is is still in school to be a librain or I would have to put up all the books and run the store." she said smiling as she picked up a little boy around four and dusted off his pant.

" That's great. Autumn are you holding this months book club meeting at the store? Or is it at your house?" the red head asked.

" I think Summer said she would host it at her house. But I'll ask her for you when I get back."

" Ok, well you have my number When you find out for sure call me and I'll pass it on to the others."

" Ok. See you guys in a couple of days." she said as she grabbed her son and turned to the group. " Say bye bye Donovan."

" Buh Bye." he said with a loud laugh.

As she walked in his direction he could hear her conversation with her son.

" So hunny, did you have fun with the others?"

" Yeah but Bobby was mean to me. He pushed me off the swing. I hurt my knee."

" Why did he push you?"

" He pushed me off 'cause I was swingin' higher dahn him."

" Well did you push him back or did you walk away? Because you know that it's not okay to hit people."

" No mommy I didn't hit him. Sarah did." he said giggling.

He couldn't help but smile at that. He could also see the small smile that she tried to hide.

" Did you thank her then?"

" Yeah."

As they went past him, she turned to him and smiled. He saw that she was beautiful. Her hair looked like dark chocolate shot through with caremel. She had smoke colored eyes that seemed to glow as she talked to her son. She unlike her friends she was barley wearing any make-up she just had some kohl around her eyes and a little bit of silver eyeshadow. She was dressed in a pair of silver suit pants with dark purple topped with a fitted leather jacket. On her feet where on a pair of purple ballet flats. As she crossed the street she kept her son in her arms but when she reached the other side she let him down holding his hand. As they walked to their destination they continued to talk

When he lost sight of them he dicided to that he needed to get going he was suppost to meet a friend for lunch. He got up and started down the way that the woman had gone. As he walked he remembered how he had gotten talked into meeting Penelope for lunch. She had seen his remorse over the last case and had offered to listen to him. Normaly Spencer would have just ignored her but she had been percistant. He had finally given in when she had played her big sister card. He checked his watch and saw that he was running late.

Spencer used his tall thin build to push his way through the slightly crowded sidewalk.He kept looking up trying to find the store that Penelope had told him to meet her at. All that he knew is that the store was called Destiny's Cafe. She said that it was close to her apartment and that it combined his two favorite things. Coffee and books.

Spencer walked for another block before he finally spotted the store. It had a big bay window with a display that would draw anyone in. There was a pillow backed chair big enough for two. In front of it was a chest for to rest your feet, All around it were books, some open others closed as if someone couldn't decide which one to read. Next to the chair was a small table with another book and what appeared to be a large cup of coffee.

When he stepped inside he was greeted by a gust of warm air and the smell of candle wax. Over speakers he heard music being played with flutes and harps. Cherry oak shelves where lined with an array of books in all sizes and colors. Over head tiny lights showered down from the rafters like stars. The checkout counter was an old maple cabinet heavely carved with constellation and moonscapses. A woman with long red hair sat behind it. She was highlighting passages out of a book. She glanced up and adjusted her wire framed glasses.

" Welcome to Cafe Destiny. Can I help you?"

" I'm looking for the cafe. Could you direct me there?"

" Oh, just go toward the back and to your right you'll see a set of stairs just go up and you'll be there. Enjoy"

" Thank you."

As the clerk went back to her book, Spencer made his way to the back. Across the room a small couch and two chairs faced a stone fireplace. On the coffee table in front of them was a lamp fashioned out of statue of three robed women standing back to back with their arms raised high. Other shelves held trinkets, statues of dragons, crystal eggs, colored stones. He passed shelves with books on one side and rows of candles on the other.

At the rear, stairs led up to the second floor, He climbed and found more books and the cafe.

A dozen tables of glossy wood were arranged near the front window. Along the side was a glass display counter with an impressive array of pastries, sandwhiches and a couldren of the days soup. The prices were very reasonable. Spencer thought he'd get a sandwhich and a bowl of soup with his coffee. Looking around he spotted Penelope sitting at one of the tables nearest the window. What suprised him was that there child sitting with her. It looked like a small boy.

" Donovan how is school going? I heard from your mom that you are getting into trouble in class."

" It's going okay but I get bored."

" Why's that sweetie?"

" Mommy already taught me all the stuff. It's so boring to go over it again." he said sounding like it was the hardest thing in the world.

" So why is it that you get in trouble."

" 'Cause I don't like to sit. I want to color but the teacher doesn't like it."

At that Spencer felt that he should interupt. So he cleared his throat to get their attention. It brought a smile to his face to see both of them whip their heads around. When Penelope caught sight of him she squealed jumping out of her seat to

" Reid. Hey sweetie. What took you so long? I was beginning to think you were never going to show."

" Sorry Garcia. I got caught up in my thoughts. So what's good here, I'm starved?"

" Well the Irish Stew is good. But it depends on your mood. All the specials are on the board. Just go up and order and they'll bring it out to you."

" Okay, I'll be right back Garcia."

When he reached the counter no one was standing there but there was a sign. Ring bell for service. When he struck the bell he heard a female voice call out from the back. The voice was low and smoky.

" I'll be right there."

A mintue passed and Reid saw that same woman from the park. She had skin that would be best discribed as alabaster. The thick dark hair was pulled back into a severe bun that showed off high checkbones. Around her neck was a large pendent made of moonstone with a star sapphire in it's center. With her jacket gone Reid could see that she was wearing a silk blouse that had little puffs that ended right at her shoulder. Her wrists were covered by numerous silver bangles. When she reached the counter she smiled.

" What can I get you today, shuga?" she asked with a slight southern accent.

" Uh, I'll have the Irish stew, a ham sandwhich and a large coffee. Please."

After he had placed the order he went back to Garcia's table to wait for his food. He wasn't paying attention to the conversation that Garica and the boy were having. So he was suprised when he felt a tap on his shoulder. While he was thinking about the woman, she had arrived at the table with his food. When he turned to look at her he flushed at being cought daydreaming. She smiled at him and placed his food down in front of him and moved over to the boy. She leaned over his chair and peppered his face with kisses. The boy started to laugh causeing Garcia and the woman to join him.

" Hi. I'm Autumn Muhn and this is my son Donovan nice to meet you. Pen said she had a friend coming for lunch."

" Oh sorry. I'm Dr. Spencer Reid. I'm a co-worker of Penelope's."

" Nice to meet you Dr. Spencer Reid. Welcome to Destiny's Cafe."

" Thank you. Your store is lovely and by the smell so is your food."

" That's great. I'll tell Summer. She'll love the complement. Now." she said turning to Donovan. " Honey, you want a snack? Summer's got your favorite already made up for you."

" Yes please. Can I have a strawberry lemonade with it, mommy?"

" You sure can shug. I'll be right back guys."

When she left the table Reid followed her with his eyes. When he came back to the present Garcia was watching him with a knowing smile. Reid felt himself flush from his neck to his hairline. All that did was make Garcia laugh at him. At her laugh Donovan looked at her and followed her gaze to Reid. He also smiled. Garica had let him in on her secret. She was trying to set her friend up with his mom. He was happy his mom didn't date saying the only man she had time for was him and that made her happy. But he knew she was lonely.