Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds and no copyright infringement is intended

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"JJ, I still can't believe this is happening," Reid said as he stood at JJ's office door, watching the beautiful blonde put her things in a box. She was about to put her latest picture of Henry with the other things when she stopped.

"Spence, I want you to have this. You're still Henry's godfather." She looked straight ahead instead of at Reid. "There are things even Strauss and budget cuts can't change."

Reid took the picture of the toddler smiling into the camera. JJ was right. They couldn't take away the friendship and love they had for one another, because none of the suits in the boardroom had been through what they'd been through together. She'd always be his first date, the only person in the world that called him Spence, and the mother of his godchild. That was part of his life he shared with no one else. "Thank you," he choked out. "I'll put it on my desk. Do you want me to help you out with that?" He inclined his head toward the box.

"No, I want to make a quiet exit. I've said my goodbyes to everyone and you're expected in the conference room." She came around the desk to stand in front of him. "I know this is something you've heard too seldom in your life Spence…I love you." She entwined her arms around his shoulders, enveloping him in a warm embrace. Reid didn't want to let go. If he didn't let go, she couldn't leave.

Finally, she gently pushed him away and he could see the tears in her eyes. "Go," she said. "They'll be waiting for you." With one last look, Reid left the office, clutching the picture of Henry close to his heart.

The conference room was quiet as he entered. This wasn't like with Elle or Gideon. They had left on their own, but JJ had been callously ripped from them and the room held almost the aura of a funeral pall.

Reid took his seat while Hotch remained standing in front of the screen where they'd seen the most horrid of crime scenes. It had been turned off. It somehow seemed fitting. It was now blank; reflecting on its screen what they all felt, emptiness.

"I know how much the loss of JJ has hurt us, but we have to carry on." He paused for a moment and cleared his throat. "Cases," he said. "I think we'll split them up for assessment and, like JJ did, go with the most urgent. As far as liaison duties go with families and the local LEOs, I'll take care of that." He paused again. "Now, as far as the press goes, I want you to handle that Reid."

The eyes of the other five team members in the room opened wide in surprise at Hotch's announcement, none wider than Reid's. "Th…the press, Hotch I don't think…"

Hotch raised his fingers to the bridge of his nose as if trying to stave off a headache. "That's my decision," Hotch replied, "now let's get to work."

As the team members filed out of the room, Rossi held back. "Aaron, have you thought about this, Reid…and the press!"

"Yes Dave, I've thought about it. Morgan and Prentiss spend most of their time in the field, you're too high profile and my plate is full right now so who does that leave?"

Rossi shook his head, "It's just that Reid…I mean you know the way he spouts off information, especially when he's in front of groups and…"

"Exactly," Hotch interjected. "If you were the press would you want a lot of press conferences or ask a lot of questions?"