When they get to the hotel, Reid and Emily key up the winning performances on her laptop. The winners hadn't just sung the song they had PERFORMED it. One woman had gone so far as to wear a wig to make her look more like Joan Jett. The guys had done their best Rock God looks and actions, one even using a prop guitar to drive the crowd wild.

"Oh, I am so completely screwed," Reid mumbles.

"Why?"

"I can't do…that," he says gesturing at the computer and meaning all the performances.

"Sure you can. Come on, first of all, do you know the words?"

He nods. "Sure. Read them earlier."

"Okay, that's good. Now, do you know how to sing them along to the song as if…as if you were singing in the shower?"

"Umm…not really. Maybe. I don't know."

She smiles. "Come on let's sing it together. Just sing it. We'll worry about performance later."

Reid nods, completely unsure of himself and hating the feeling. He hadn't felt this bad since he had failed his firearms qualification and then been the only chance to save the lives of Hotch, a group of hostages and himself.

"I think I'm going to be sick."

Emily smiles and rubs his arm. "You'll be fine. I wouldn't have bet on you if I didn't believe that."

Reid stares into her eyes. "Really?

"Really."

She hits play and together they start to sing the song along with the performers. After a few times right, she manipulates the audio so they only hear the music, not the singer. Finally, she sings it once alone. Then Reid sings it. Emily claps as he makes it all the way through the song perfectly.

"Good, Reid. But we watched the videos together. You need to…to perform, not just sing it," she coaches him.

Reid sighs. "I'm beginning to think this was a big mistake. Huge. Colossal."

She places her hands on his shoulders. "You can do this, Reid. I know you can." He sighs. She thinks a second. "Did you ever as a kid grab a brush or something and sing into it to a song you really liked? Or play air guitar to something?"

Reid raises his eyebrows and shakes his head. "No."

"Oh. Crap." She thinks a second more. "Reid, what is String Theory?"

"What?"

She shrugs. "Just always wanted to know and understand it."

Reid launches into an explanation of a complex theory of life. The more he talks the more excited and animated he gets. Emily just leans against the dresser in her room and grins at him. Suddenly he realizes she's not really paying attention to his words.

"You're not listening to me," he says, somewhat hurt.

"Because I was watching you." She stands up and places him in front of the mirror. "Now, sing the song like you are explaining String Theory."

He is confused but shrugs and nods. She hits the play button on the computer screen and Reid gets his mind to sing as his body explains. He watches as if from outside himself as his body moves in time with the music. He stops mid-song and smiles. He turns to Emily.

"Thank you."

She smiles and nods. "Any time."

"You will remind me of this tomorrow, right?"

"You know I will, Reid. I promise to wait backstage for you. Morgan is going to talk to the restaurant owner in the morning. We'll have a few people between us and whoever sings the best out of the two of us will be the winner." She punches his shoulder lightly. "I hope it's you."

He smiles. "Well, if I remember what you taught me and don't puke on the front tables due to nerves maybe I'll have a chance."

She laughs as she studies his slacks, button up, and sweater vest. She slowly shakes her head. "Not dressed like that you won't." She glances at her watch. "It's nearly 5:30. How about you and I go shopping for something to wear tomorrow? When we get back maybe we can rehearse for the team. We need to make sure we can sell this."

Reid nods. "Okay. I need to run to my room really quickly. Meet you out front?"

Emily nods. "Sounds good."

As Reid leaves, he smiles when he sees JJ in the hall. "Hey, Jayje. You okay?"

She puts a smile on her face. "Fine, Spence. How was the practice?"

"It was okay. Em and I are going shopping for outfits. We have look andsound the part."

She nods. "Yep." She looks at him with concern. "Are you sure about doing this, Spence?"

He smiles. "Until a few minutes ago I was having a few doubts. Then Emily showed me a way to get through it. I'm kind of excited about it now."

She smiles and pats his arm. "I'm glad."

After he's gone, she takes a steadying breath. There would be nothing good about getting Emily worked up about Mack. JJ has decided not to say anything until the case is over unless Mack does something more. Between Rocky and having to really sell her performance on Friday her wife just didn't need any added stress. She keys the door to the room and walks in.

"Hey, Em. All set for tomorrow?"

Emily smiles. "Mostly. Need a costume, though. Heading out with Reid to do a little shopping."

"Great," JJ says.

Emily is immediately wary. JJ has yet to look at her and hasn't moved to hug or kiss her. When JJ turns to take her gun off Emily sees why. She calms the rage that ignites a fire within her before she speaks.

"Those singers really get into the part. May have to get leather pants to pull off Joan…so to speak," Emily says casually.

JJ nods and chuckles. "Probably." She starts to take off her slacks. "Maybe I can go with you to help you pick something out. I can tell you what will look so sexy the crowd will go nuts just seeing you."

Emily moves towards the door. "That's okay." JJ pulls off her blouse. "It would probably be best to treat that lipstick smear on your collar. It's not your color…or mine."


A/N: Hadn't planned to post another chapter but I just really, really liked this one. :o)