"Where's Henry?" JJ had been sitting on the couch after pouring herself a glass of wine. Reid, Garcia, and Henry had left less than ten minutes ago. Turning toward the front door she saw the father of her child standing there, annoyance on his face. So that's how this night was going to go.

"He's having dinner with his godparents." She rose from her seat, crossing her arms in front of her. "He heard us fighting on Sunday so I didn't want him here for this." She paused, gauging his reaction. His shoulders slumped a bit, feeling guilty. "They are going to have him back in time for bath and story time so you can spend some time with him."

"Oh." He paused for a minute and the pair just stared at each other. "Thanks for that. I've missed him the past few days."

"You're welcome." She headed back to the couch, waiting for him to follow. She heard his bag drop onto the tile entryway and soon he was sitting on the other end of the couch. The middle empty cushion seemed like an ocean between them, he was so distant. "So, you wanted to talk?"

Will nodded. "I haven't changed my mind. This is what's best for all of us." JJ gave a slight nod in agreement. "I was planning on getting some more of my things tonight. I'm going to go home to New Orleans for awhile."


"Earth to Dr. Reid!"

Reid shook his head and glanced at Garcia, who he guessed by the amused look on her face had been calling him for some time. "Sorry," he smiled sheepishly.

"Where did that giant brain of yours wonder off to?" She had been trying to make some small talk with him while Henry was playing in the ball pit at the restaurant.

"Nothing in particular." He picked up his piece of pizza, taking another bite and hoping she didn't press the issue. Although he could come up with a quick lie, he really didn't like the idea of lying to one of his best friends. Yet he couldn't exactly admit to thinking about how the conversation at JJ's house was going.

Garcia raised an eyebrow, opening her mouth to make a sarcastic comment when he was saved by Henry running back up. "Hey little man, did you have fun?"

"Yeah! More pizza?" he asked, hungry again.

"Sure thing, sweetie." Garcia set him back on his booster seat in the booth and cut up another piece for him. Reid simply took another bite, thankful for the distraction.


JJ felt her heart start to race, fear sinking in. She swallowed. "What about Henry?"

Will sighed. "A part of me wants to take him with me, but having lost my momma when I was young I can't bare the thought of him not growing up without his mom around."

A sigh of relief escaped her lips. "Thank you for that." There was a pause in the conversation while they let a few things sink in. "Are you going to move back there? I still want you in his life as well."

Will ran his hand through his hair. "Honestly, I'm not sure. I don't have any family there so its not really home, but I never really felt right here either. I'll let you know when I come back in a few weeks. In the mean time, I'll make sure to call everyday and talk with Henry."

JJ nodded, not sure how to respond. A part of her was relieved, but another didn't want her son with an absent father either. Plus, what was she going to do when she has a case?

"I'm going to pack some until Henry gets home." With that, Will left her alone with her thoughts.

"Daddy!" The four adults smiled at the toddler as he charged towards Will after Garcia set him down. "You forgive mommy?" Everyone froze.

"Um, yeah, buddy. Let's go get a bath, okay?" Will answered, recovering quickly. JJ locked eyes with Reid as the father and son climbed the stairs.

"What did he mean?" asked Garcia, walking towards JJ after they heard the bathroom door close. She got partway to JJ when her foot collided with something on the ground. Looking down, she saw 3 pieces of luggage with Will's car keys on top. "Jayje, what happened?"

"Pen…" JJ hesitated. She really didn't want to have this conversation now. "Can we not talk about this now? I promise I will, but right now I just can't." Reid could see tears threatening to fall.

"Garcia, lets go," he chimed in, trying to help.

Garcia spun on her heels. "What? We can't go right now. And why aren't you more surprised? What is going on? Is he leaving? Why? You want me to talk to him?" The questions just flew out of her mouth and she started towards the stairs.

"Garcia, don't." The tech stopped, having never heard JJ use that tone before. She turned to look at one of her best friends, concerned. "Look," JJ's voice softened. "I promise we'll talk. I'm just not up to it tonight, okay?"

Garcia nodded and pulled JJ into a hug. "Okay mama. Please let me know if there is anything I can do."

"I will, thanks Pen." The two pulled apart. "Thank you for taking Henry tonight."

"Anytime sugar." The other two could tell she was trying to be cheerful. "We'll get out of your hair now, come on Reid." She headed out the door first, leaving Reid standing there.

"I'm sorry, JJ. I tried to get her to stay in the car, but she would have none of it."

JJ smiled, "That's okay. See you tomorrow." Reid nodded before shutting the door behind him. Sighing, JJ headed back to her wine glass and couch. Now she had another thing to think about.


"Wheels up in 30." Hotch stated at the end of the round table meeting. JJ slightly groaned. Of course they would get a case so soon. She had spent the weekend spending one-on-one time with her son, trying to come to terms with being a single parent. She still wasn't sure what she wanted to do about when they had a case and now it has hit her in the face. Will had already left for New Orleans. She hadn't even had a chance to talk to Garcia and now…

The group was starting to get up to head out. All, she noticed, except for Reid. No, he stayed seated, watching her, as if he knew what she was about to do. "Uh, guys, just a second." Everyone turned around. She noticed out of the corner of her eye that Garcia was heading her way.

"JJ, you don't-"

JJ raised her hand, stopping her friend.

"JJ, what's going on?" asked Hotch, she could see the concern on her unit chief's face.

"I um…" She placed her hands on the table, leaning on it. "I wasn't planning on tell you guys this way or even really this soon. I'm still trying to come to terms with it myself. But since we have to go on a case and I'm going to need some help, I don't really have a choice here." She was so focused on getting this out that she hadn't noticed that she was rambling or that Reid was now at her side, at least not until she felt his hand on hers. She turned and looked at him, finding comfort in his soft touch.

"JJ." Morgan's voice brought her back and she stood up, releasing Reid's hand.

"Will and I broke up. He's taking some time away and left for New Orleans." She could hardly look at the expressions on everyone's faces. She had now become another BAU relationship casualty.

Taking a deep breath, she continued. "So I either can't go or need to find someone to watch Henry."

"Done. No worries, peaches," answered Garcia, pulling her into a hug.

"Thanks Pen. Really."

"JJ, I'm so sorry." This time it was Prentiss pulling her into an embrace.

"Thank you, all of you." She made brief eye contact with Reid before looking at the rest. "I wish I could have told you differently. I'm still processing all of this just like you so right now all I would really like to do is do our job so I can come back to my son." Everyone nodded and started to head out, honoring her wish. Garcia stayed back to get her house key and day care information.

JJ watched her leave, and waited, knowing he was still there.

"You okay? I know that's not how you planned."

"I'm fine, I think. And I honestly didn't have a plan. I tried to figure it out over the weekend, but it's a little overwhelming."

Reid chuckled softly, "Yeah, unsubs tend to never work on our schedules, do they?"

JJ laughed and turned to face him, finding him leaning against the doorframe. "I guess not." She headed over to him and as she walked by, he gave her shoulder a slight squeeze. She glanced back, offering a smile in thanks before heading to her office to make some phone calls before getting to the jet.