A Friend's Care

Fandom: Criminal Minds

Author: Ahsoka1248

Rating: T

JJ and I arrived to work in separate vehicles, despite the fact that we were living together and we were engaged. We had yet to announce our relationship because of the policies against relationships between coworkers. Garcia came to greet us, and she narrowed her eyes at us.

"So, when are you going to tell everyone else?"

"What?"
I already knew what, but I wasn't going to let on yet.
"Oh, come on. You and JJ are engaged."
Our cheerful friend said it louder than she probably should have, and I grimaced.

"Garcia, keep it quiet. I mean, alright fine, JJ proposed last night, and I said yes. But Garcia, you know the rules. Romantic relationships between coworkers at the FBI is prohibited."

"I know. But I already told Hotch."

"You what? Garcia!"

She just grinned at me.

"Garcia, how did you know?"
"I was starting to get suspicious so I hacked the security cameras you installed in your apartment. I saw it all."

My eyes widened at the thought that Garcia had hacked into the security camera and seen everything, including what we did after JJ proposed. At the time, I had forgotten about the camera. I glanced up, and saw Hotch watching us from his office.
"We'd better go talk to Hotch, Jayje."

We walked into his office, and he sighed.
"Hotch, listen..."

I prepared to launch into a list of apologies and reasons we shouldn't be punished for our relationship.

"Calm down, Emily. You two aren't in any kind of trouble. Not from me, at least. I can't say that you won't be in trouble at a later date, but I'm not going to do anything about it. I'm happy for you two, I really am. Why don't you two tell the rest of the team? I'm sure they'll be happy too."

We nodded.
"Alright."

I let out a breath I didn't realize I'd been holding, and we walked into the regular office, intending to tell the others.

"Alright, everyone. Could we please have your attention for a moment?"
I slipped my hand into my fiancé's and she nodded.

"Here we go. JJ and I are engaged," I said.

"Congratulations," Morgan said with a genuine smile, clapping me on the shoulder.

"Congratulations," Reid echoed, but his smile was obviously fake, and his congratulations sounded hollow.

My eyes narrowed, and I decided I would track him down later and talk to him, find out if he was jealous. Garcia smiled at us.

"See, that wasn't so hard, was it?"

I kissed JJ on the lips briefly.
"I love you so much, JJ."
"I love you too, Em."

An Hour Later...

I cornered Reid and narrowed my eyes at him.
"What's going on, Reid?"
"What do you mean?"

"When you said congratulations, it sounded hollow. Your smile was fake. All of which are indications that you did not mean it. What's wrong, Reid?"

"JJ dating Will was one thing. They were obviously happy together, and I didn't want to wreck that. Then they got married. Fine. Then I find out that Will and JJ were getting a divorce. I was giving her time to recover, and I was preparing to make my move on her. Then I find out that you two are engaged. Not that I have a problem with that, I want her to be happy, but I just wish she had given me time to at least make one move on her."
"Wait. You're in love with JJ?"

"Yes. That's exactly it, Emily. I won't do anything to ruin your relationship, though."

"I'm sorry, Reid. I really am. I had no idea you were interested in her, or I would have given you time to make your move before I tried."

Reid was almost crying by now.

"I'm so sorry, Reid."
I wrapped my arms around him gently, and he sobbed into my chest.