Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds


Hotch looked up from his drink, Reid and Derek both deep in thought. 'For a bar this is awfully quiet.'

'Those girls are motor mouths.' Derek said with a smile as he nursed his drink. 'They are fun to be with though.'

'They are... we need to outshine them more.' Hotch added in.

'Out shine them? Really? You sure you want that challenge Hotch?' Reid asked laughing. 'You do realise you need to pick up some skills before you go in and try that one out.'

'Anything's worth a try.' Hotch said and finished off his scotch. 'Want a beer?'

'Go for it.'

'Please.'

Hotch walked to the bar and Derek turned his attention on Reid. 'So you and JJ then eh?'

'You and Penelope?'

'No way... she doesn't like me like that, but come on JJ? Finally?'

'No, we've just gotten closer, and I like it, it makes me feel like everything's not about the job after all.' Reid said and finished his drink as Hotch returned. 'That was quick.'

'The girls only paid for our next round.'

'When the hell they do that?'

'No idea... but be grateful, Derek yours is from Penelope, Reid from JJ and me from Emily.'

'Anything happening there Hotch?'

'What you mean?'

'What I mean is that you had you arm around the back of her chair earlier, you've never done that.'

Hotch didn't look shaken by Derek's claim. 'Maybe it's for the same reason that you and Penelope's banter has picked up and you seem more in each other's pocket than outsiders.'

'I'd say Kevin being gone has given her free reign.'

'Well maybe but what's JJ's reason for being so relaxed in Reid's company... and Emily in yours?'

'We've just grown closer.' Hotch commented and they knew they were right when Derek found himself nodding and Reid shortly joining.

'I've been a bit of dick really.' Derek said running his hand over the back of his neck, he knew the silence was his prompt. 'I told her I loved her when she was vulnerable. If I really meant it why didn't I fight for her when Lynch came along? Why didn't I make her happy?'

'Because you took her for granted, you thought space was what she needed most. That's not your fault, that's how much you love her.' Hotch told him. 'Emily probably doesn't believe me because of Hailey. There's no future there, so I think I need to be honest with myself and let Emily in.'

'So come kid... what's your excuse, why haven't you made a go at JJ?'

'I'm too young... she doesn't want to date a kid I'm sure.'

'Reid, you're only a kid to me because you're like my little brother, to JJ you are so much more.'

'How can you be sure?'

'Oh come on... no girl acts like she does and give you nicknames like she does...' He trailed off as Hotch and Reid stared at him with a raised eyebrow. 'Fuck. How deep am I here?'

'Drownable deep Morgan.... you need to out it, there's nothing holding back now, you're single, she's single, go for it.'

'Well then what restraints are there on you Hotch? Don't give me the boss talk, who cares apart from Strauss? And Reid, be the man you think JJ needs and go for it.'

'So that's us decided then?' Reid asked rolling his glass around in his hand. 'We just commit a friendship killer.'

'That we are.' Derek said and took a swig of his drink, finishing it off. 'Right next round on me... what you want?'

'Another beer will do.'

'Yeah same as before thanks.' Hotch told him and this time he turned to Reid. 'You and I know Penelope loves him, how's he going to see it?'

'He's going to need to do what us two are going to have to do.'

'Oh and what would that be?'

'Go in blind sighted.' Reid commented as Derek make his way back. 'For a Friday this place is fast.'

'The girl's have played their part in that, told the bartenders to watch us; we'll be back and forth.'

'Plus all 3 of them know all those barmen... they come here regularly... I think it's like a who you know thing.'

'Those girls go out too much.'

'Not for long.' Derek commented and then switched his attention to the television that had just been put on. 'Big fire.' Hotch and Reid then twisted to look. 'Shit.' He said dropping his beer. 'We need to go, that's Penelope's apartment block.'