JJ/Reid – AU
A/N: Prompt: Life goes on. Written for LiveJournal Community "Criminal Minds Het Drabble"
She is busy placing files on the conference table when he enters the room. JJ continues organizing things for the team, hoping that if she ignores his presence he won't ask her.
Again.
Luckily the rest of the team trickles into the room before he is able to say something.
As JJ briefs them on the new case, she focuses her attention to the screen. By avoiding directly looking at any of them, she manages to avoid looking at him. Under the pretext of looking at the photos she places onscreen, his gaze is fixed on her. Observing. Analyzing. Judging.
Profiler first, last and always – like he can't turn it off. No matter how much it annoys her right now, JJ doesn't ever want him to change. Things have turned upside down all around her, but he is still the same person she had met years ago. He is just Reid.
Telling them the ETA for takeoff, Hotch wraps up the briefing. Reid takes his time replacing the photos from his file in chronological order as the rest of their team follow their fearless leader out of the conference room. Busy doing the same, JJ lets out a breath when he finally rises from his seat, but she isn't in the clear yet.
Instead of leaving, Reid closes the door firmly. Reminded of another door being closed, JJ flinches.
Turning to face her, Reid hugs his file to his chest as if it will shield him from the anger he's going to provoke. Not for the first time he asks, "What's going on, JJ?"
Her eyes roll and she mimics his stance, "Nothing Reid." When he keeps looking at her, unconvinced, she sighs, "What do you want me to say, Reid?" He doesn't answer.
Recognizing the technique from her interrogation training, JJ shakes her head in disbelief and tosses her file down onto the table. "Whatever happened to our "no profiling" rule?"
It's his turn to shake his head. "It doesn't apply here. We're friends JJ, you can tell me."
One hand stays resting on her hip as she brings the other up to pinch the bridge of her nose. Eyes closed she tells him, "Will left." Glancing over at him, JJ gives Reid an incredulous smile, "You want to know the worst part?" She takes a deep breath and confesses, "Nothing's changed."
JJ begins to pace. "I thought something would change, you know? I mean, we've been living together for a while, with each other longer – for God's sake, we have a son together! – I should need time to learn how to live without him, but I don't."
Collapsing in the nearest chair, JJ covers her eyes with her hands. "I'm a terrible person."
Moving to stand beside her, Reid places his hand on her right shoulder. "You're not terrible."
JJ removes her hands and glances up at him before focusing on her fidgeting fingers, "He's Henry's father."
The pressure of Reid's hand increases.
"But?"
In her lap her hands still. JJ looks up at him, making eye contact for the first time in days. Moments later, JJ looks away smiling, her right hand coming up to cover his.
Reid looks down at their hands and smiles.
JJ is no longer wearing the ring she exchanged with Will to commemorate her son's birth.