They had just gotten the location of the Unsub from Garcia which was about ten minutes out.

As the team was finishing putting on their Kevlar vests, Spencer was digging around in his pockets. “Where is it?” He thought,a slight nervousness settling in.

Ever since his hospital stay, he’d been carrying around the penny that he’d entertained Max’s nephew with that eventually led him to his greatest love. After their first meeting, Max had given him the penny to carry for work which he did until that fateful day when he’d received his brain injury. He had forgotten to take the penny out from his pants when he changed into new clothes for the next day and was in such a rush that day, he forgot to put the penny in his new pants the day the explosion hit.

After he recovered, he realized that he didn’t have the penny with him that day and wondered if he had the penny, then maybe he wouldn’t have gotten hurt. Usually, he didn’t believe in superstition or magical realism or fate per say, but since meeting Max, he’d started to be a convert. Everything about Max defied rational explanations and he started to believe a higher power, purpose was the reason Max had come into his life after all the terrible things that happened to him or by him. He knew he didn’t deserve Max but was forever grateful that she was in his life.

He had told Max about this and she’d pointed out the date on the penny was her birth year,which made it more special. She’d taken to calling it his lucky penny and he never left home without it again.

Now, he couldn’t find it. And he was starting to get antsy.

Rummaging around in his shoulder bag, mumbling to himself, Spencer was anxious that Luke started to notice.

“ Hey, brother.” Luke whispered to Spencer. “What’s wrong?”

Spencer sighed. “This sounds weird but I’m looking for a penny that Max had given me. I carry it everyday for luck.” He answered sheepishly.

Luke smiled knowingly. “Why would you think it’s weird?” He reached under his shirt.”I wear this crystal for protection that Penelope gave me after our first date.”

“Really?” Spencer expressed surprise.

Luke nodded.” During our last date, I almost got nicked by a car in the parking lot and Penny said that I needed to be careful and then,I teased her about needing a lucky charm. So, she gave me this.” He held up the chain with the purple crystal in it for Spencer to see. “ Very common belief in Latino cultures of talismans.”

Spencer smiled tightly. “Luke,I need to find mine.”

“Where was the last place you had it?”

“I thought it was in my pants pockets but nothing.” He showed Luke his empty pockets.

“It’s probably not in your bag since you wanted it near you as possible.” Luke looked around and noticed Spencer’s jacket on the coat rack. “How about here?”

Spencer perked up immediately. “I didn’t look yet.” He rushed over to Luke who put his hand in the left pocket, felt nothing then went to the right one and felt metal. Grasping it with two fingers, he held it up. “ This it?”

He nodded enthusiastically, his eyes sparkling.” Yes,it is.” He plucked the coin out of Luke’s hand.”Thank you, Luke.” He kissed it and put it in his pocket quickly, causing Luke to smile brightly. He didn’t think he’d ever seen Spencer this happy.

“Anytime, brother.” He slapped Spencer on the back.

“Alvez, Reid, let’s go.” Tara said, poking her head into the conference room.

“Coming.” Spencer replied, leading Luke out the door, a spring in his step.

****

Later back at the hotel:

Spencer dropped onto the lumpy mattress, letting out a breath. Today was an adventure. First, solving the case, losing the Penny, finding the Penny again, then capturing the Unsub which wasn’t easy. He was partnered with Luke and both just about tan head first into a machete that the Unsub was wielding. Thanks to a tackle by Luke and a lucky shot to the arm by Spencer, which caused the Unsub to drop the machete, the killer was subdued.

There was only one person he wanted to talk to after his day. Picking up his phone, he dialed a familiar number.

“Hello?” A beautiful voice asked.

Grinning, Spencer replied. “ Max, it’s me.”

“Mr.Magic! How are you.” She asked.

“Better now that I’m talking to you.” Spencer said, loving her nickname for him.

“Flatterer.”

“Truth.” He answered back.

Max settled on her couch. “So, how was the case ?”

“Well…”Spencer started, leaning back against the headboard. He reached into his pocket, fingering the cool penny. “You’ll never believe what happened….”

*****