How can she be leaving? Reid thought to himself. The others on the team were probably all thinking the same thing, but for different reasons. They'd all become good friends over the years, best friends, really. They'd all miss her.
Earlier they'd all been told that JJ, their JJ, would be leaving the FBI. She's being moved to a different unit, and there was nothing they could do about it. They had all gone home that night, just to lie awake and think about all the memories they'd made together, all the cases they'd worked on, the friendships that had grown from it. They thought about how they couldn't see their unit functioning properly without JJ.
Reid couldn't think about it. He loved her, not like he used to, but he still did love her even if it had been hidden away, locked up deep inside him. He hadn't thought about it much lately until now. JJ is leaving. He said the words over and over in his head. Slowly, he began to replay all the good times they'd had.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, they'd all shouted at him. They joked about him being so young, and how he was so smart for his age. Look who's finally legal, Morgan had said, or something along those lines. A few minutes later he stepped aside for some reason that he doesn't remember now, which is odd because he remembers almost literally everything. Gideon had stepped over beside him. JJ said, Come on, Spence, time to blow out the candles. Reid smiled. He loved when she called him that. Gideon looked at Reid and said something like, you like her, or she's pretty. Reid just replied with a silent laugh and a smile to himself and said, she's the only one that calls me Spence, then walked over to the others. Someone put a party hat on him and they all sang Happy Birthday to him.
A few days later, they were on the flight back home after finishing a case. It was an interesting one, it got Reid thinking. Gideon came over and sat across from him. They made small talk when Gideon pulled out a pair of tickets to a football game. He handed them to Reid and said happy birthday. Thanks, he said, but honestly, I don't even know what this is for. It's a football team, Gideon replied with a quick laugh. Reid was good with books and facts but when it came to sports, clueless. You're coming with me, right? Reid said, studying the ticket. No, Gideon answered. Well then, who... Reid began to ask, but Gideon interrupted with a nod towards the other end of the plane. I happen to know a huge fan. Reid turned and saw JJ sitting there so peacefully. She was reading a book, her blond hair hanging down, hiding her face. The only one who calls you Spence, he said.