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Time Heals All Wounds

"Dr. Reid, I do believe that you owe me a dance," JJ informed him with a smile.

"Only because today is your wedding day," Reid replied, extending his hand to her, leading her back to the dance floor.

"Sooo, why so glum chum?" She inquired as they moved around the floor.

"I don't know what you're talking about," he replied softly.

"Spence . . ."

"Look at the way she's dancing with Hotch . . . she's leaving us again," he sighed.

"I had a feeling . . . but at least you get to say goodbye this time . . . and keep in touch . . ."

"I'm worried about Morgan," he confessed. "He loves her . . ."

"We all love her."

"Not the way that he does," he protested with conviction.

"And you Spence?"

"You know I love him," he replied with a whisper. "And I can't stand to see him hurting."

"Well you're my family and I can't stand to see you hurting."

"Coming from anyone other than you that would almost be incestuous." JJ gave him a look. "Think about it. I love Morgan. Morgan loves Emily. Emily loves Hotch. Garcia loves Morgan too . . . and don't even get me started on Rossi and Strauss . . ." Reid involuntarily shivered at the thought.

"Wait; what? What do you know that I don't?"

"Oh God. It's another curse of having an eidetic memory . . ." he recounted what he and Garcia had witnessed Saturday morning.

"Oh . . . My . . . God . . ."

"Tell me about it." He twirled her around. "Look at them," he whispered.

"They say that time heals all wounds," JJ commented softly.

"Yeah," he said ruefully. "Whoever "they" are didn't have an eidetic memory. I'd say Rose Kennedy got it right. 'It has been said, 'time heals all wounds.' I do not agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessens. But it is never gone.'"

"Wow Spence . . . that . . . is . . . unbelievably depressing," JJ said with a small laugh.

Reid gave her a sad smile. "But far more likely than time waiving a magic wand."

"I suppose that's true."

"Mind if I cut in?" A voice behind Reid drawled.

"Of course not," Reid replied, trying not to squirm as JJ pressed a kiss to his cheek.

"Thanks for the dance Spence." He nodded, stepping back as Will stepped forward to reclaim his bride.