Work... and Play

Spencer and JJ walked into the conference room at the BAU where Hotch and Prentiss were already seated.

"Where's Morgan?" Spencer asked.

"He'll be in in a bit," said Emily. "He and Garcia had an errand to run, we can fill them in on the plane."

JJ nodded and made sure everyone had a case file, then started the briefing.

"This UnSub is killing people in Las Vegas on one side of town, then decapitating them and disposing of their heads in the exact opposite side of town." she reported.

"Marking territory?" asked Reid.

"More like inciting fear... he's saying nowhere in town is safe." Hotch stated. "Local law enforcement has asked us in because there's been an escalation. Two more bodies, and their severed heads found in as many days."

"Forensic counter-measure?" Emily offered.

"We don't think so," JJ said. "The UnSub hasn't made any attempt to disfigure the heads, except for what would typically occur when removed from the body.

"What's the victimology?" asked Reid.

"All over the map," Hotch said. There isn't an obvious common thread yet, we'll learn more when we get there. Wheels up in 30." Hotch stood up and pushed his chair back, the team following him out.

Spencer caught up with JJ - "Nothing like hitting the ground running, huh?" He said.

JJ smirked in reply as they all walked to the elevator - "Welcome back, Dr. Reid."

On the plane Morgan moved to sit in front of Spencer and JJ, who were next to each other, quietly talking.

"You gonna see your mom, this trip?" He said to Reid.

"Mmm-hmm," Spencer replied. "We have a lot to tell her."

JJ looked up at him and smiled, then looked down at her lap.

Morgan said, "I'll bet!" with a teasing grin.

"And you don't know the half of it," Spencer retorted.

Morgan's smile dropped. "What's that supposed to mean?"

JJ and Spencer just looked at each other, their eyes locked. A small smile played at the corner of Spencer's mouth and he said "All will be made clear soon enough."

"Oh you guys think you're funny..." Morgan complained. "If there's something to figure out, I'll do it."

"You're welcome to try," Reid shrugged, his face impassive.

They had decided to wait to tell the team about their engagement until after they'd told Diana. It was true that they were all family, but she was his mother, she deserved to know first.

The team worked the case all day, and they were still no closer to finding the UnSub. It was late evening before they called it a night, but there'd been no report of another murder so they all went to their hotel rooms. All except Morgan, who felt like doing a little gambling to unwind.

Reid inserted the card key into the slot and opened the door to his and JJ's room. Nobody batted an eye when Garcia had reserved just one room for them. Everyone had quickly gotten used to them being together, and it just seemed natural now.

As exhausted as both of them were, Reid caught her hand and pulled her to him, needing to touch her, hold her. She went to him, burying her face against his chest, and closing her eyes. The ugliness of the day was soon replaced with tender touches and soft kisses, Spencer stroking her hair and her arms completely around him.

"How did we ever get through our days without this?" she said quietly.

"I can't imagine," Spencer said, "but I don't intend to find out ever again."

JJ reluctantly pulled away from him and moved to the bathroom. "I'm for the shower, you coming?"

"Sure," he answered, "but not so hot this time!"

JJ flashed him a tired smile. "Oh don't be such a big baby," she teased.

They showered languorously, taking their time. It felt to the both of them that they were washing the brutal images of the day away, leaving only the warm comfort of each other. They stepped out and dried each other off, Spencer leaning down to softly kiss her bright pink nipples. JJ lifted his face to hers and ran her lips across his. He'd been aroused since they'd washed each other, but they didn't take it any further tonight. By mutual agreement and without any words they just climbed into bed naked, Spencer spooning up against her back and JJ bringing up her knees in unison with his, taking his hand and sliding it up between her breasts. They fell asleep almost immediately, breathing together in the quiet dark of the room, safe and warm in each other's arms.

They woke early, Spencer with a start. He cried out briefly, a short bark of alarm and JJ was instantly awake.

"Spence! What is it?" she reached for him.

Spencer quickly sat up, batting her hand away before he even knew what he was doing. He was still half asleep, and he was scared.

JJ said "Baby, it's okay... we're okay...wake up now." She put her hand on his arm, and saw his eyes finally focus.

Spencer was breathing hard. "JJ, what? Oh... damn, I'm sorry! I – I was dreaming about the case, and then Tobias was there and trying to cut my - " His face crumpled momentarily before he caught himself. He ran his hands through his hair, moving it off his face and looked at JJ, his eyes wide and afraid, his mouth open.

Jennifer's beautiful face was all soft concern and she reached for him, pulling him back down on the bed and wrapping her arms and legs around him. His face found her neck, and she felt hot tears spill onto her skin.

"Shhh, sweet baby... just relax," she crooned into his hair, her eyes flashing her concern and blinking back her own tears. "Baby I hate that you're still so haunted by that bastard, but he's gone, he's gone... he can't get you, can't hurt us..."

In reply Spencer just quickly nodded against her neck, holding onto her, not saying anything. She moved her hand up and down his arm, her other still wrapped around him.

JJ's phone went off. Hotch.

Spencer abruptly pushed off the bed and went into the bathroom, grabbing up his go bag on the way in. JJ watched him, then picked up her phone.

"Yes Hotch?" she answered.

"There's been a break in the case," Hotch stated, "I need you and Reid in the lobby in 20, I'll brief you on the way to the station."

"We'll be there," she answered, and hung up.

She got up and put her robe on, then went and knocked quietly on the bathroom door. "Spence, Hotch needs us downstairs." she told him.

Spencer opened the door, fully dressed. "I'm ready," he said. Not looking at her, he moved past her into the room and reached down for his converse sneakers.

JJ reached for him and caught the tail of his shirt. "Hey... are you - "

"I'm fine, I'm good, can we just go?" Spencer interrupted. He glanced up at her, irritated, as he leaned over to tie his shoes.

"No. We can't. Spencer listen to me... look at me!"

The pleading tone in her voice made the tension in his shoulders deflate and he looked up at her searching blue eyes.

"Jennifer I know what you're going to do, and I love you for it, I do. Believe me, I'd love to just fall into your warmth and sympathy and logic and just listen to you tell me how alright everything is... we just don't have time right now and I've got to get it together. So do you." He looked at her in her robe and said "Will you please just get dressed? Hotch is waiting."

She looked at him, and understood. There'll be more time for talk and comfort later, but right now, they needed to get going.

"You're right. Just know that I'm not about to let you suffer needlessly over that freak. We'll talk later." she stated, looking directly into his eyes.

"We will." Spencer stood up and put his hands on her waist and punctuated his words with kisses - "Thank you (kiss), I love you (kiss). Now get dressed!" He swatted at her butt as he pushed her towards the bathroom.

An anonymous tip had led the team to a junkyard on the outer edge of Las Vegas, primarily a last stop for old marquees and hotel signs. Nothing of significance, or anything anyone wanted, but still good for scrap metal. There were several small outbuildings on the property, and lately there was more activity than usual, according to the caller. He also reported odd smells coming from the area.

Garcia was running down the owner of the property, one Timothy Harker, and Hotch assigned Morgan and JJ to stay at the local police station in case any other reports came through, while Reid got a warrant to search the place. Hotch and Reid then went to investigate, and to see what they could find out from the owner.

They approached what looked to be the largest building, where someone might live, and cautiously drew their guns. "Timothy Harker, FBI! We just want to talk to you," Hotch yelled.

Reid went to the other side of the door as Hotch turned the knob. It was open. The two agents went into the shack, flanking formation. A pungent, repulsive smell hit both men hard in the face as they entered and Reid staggered, dropping his weapon. He quickly picked it up and ran back out, and fell to all fours in the dirt. Reid was fighting for control as an overwhelming wave of nausea rolled over him. He couldn't hold back and vomited right there in the dirt as Hotch ran up.

"REID! What happened?" Hotch demanded.

Spencer looked up at Hotch, breathing hard, then looked back down at the ground.

"Fish organs," he said shakily. "Burning."

Aaron Hotchner's face went from confused anger to understanding in half a second. He leaned down to put a hand on Reid's back.

"Just like Hankel," Hotch said, looking back up at the empty shack.