1x17 - 'A Real Rain'
Whilst hunting down a vigilante in New York, Reid's continued attempts to ignore Morgan begin to fail.
"I'm looking forward to seeing New York," said Reid, an almost throwaway comment that caught Morgan's immediate and absolute attention, as everything Reid-related did. He processed the statement and blinked.
"You've never been to New York?" It was the first time in a long time that he'd spoken to Reid in a personal context.
"We've never had an unsub there," was Reid's simple reply, unflustered. Morgan held his gaze, utterly shocked. How on earth was that a justification? Reid didn't seem too disturbed by the stare.
"Reid – it's a one hour flight!" Morgan protested, and Reid bowed his head, ashamed.
"Well, if we have some time, I'll show you around," JJ promised, and Morgan's heart leapt into his throat. Before Reid could reply, he spoke, trying to distract him again.
"It's a three hour train ride, man!"
Elle giggled as Reid avoided Morgan's accusing look, unaware of Morgan's desire to show Reid around himself. Show him Morgan's New York. Pizza slices. A football game at Madison Square Garden. Drinks in –
Stop it, thought Morgan. Let JJ show him Fifth Avenue, the Empire State Building, and Central Park. What did he care? Reid quite clearly didn't. he should follow in the genius's footsteps.
...
"Excuse me, could I get a fork, perhaps?" Reid asked a passing waiter. Morgan and JJ both began to giggle and Reid, embarrassed, pulled up his shield. "Did you know that experts credit Confucious with the advent of the chopstick? He acquitted knives with acts of aggression."
Morgan leaned towards the man, holding up the abandoned pair of chopsticks. "You don't know how to use them, do you?" he teased. It was like normal, like before, and fooled Reid into looking at Morgan's eyes.
Reid sighed and lifted his hand to take the chopsticks. "It's like trying to forage for dinner with a pair of number two pencils!" as the others laughed, Reid's fingers brushed Morgan's. Both were struck by the physical contact, their senses heightened by the lack of it over the past couple of weeks. By the time the others had stopped laughing, both men had secured neutral expressions on their faces.
"Ok here, let me help you," JJ offered, taking the chopsticks and looping a hair band around the top.
"Oh, the rubber band trick," Morgan noted, his voice too even.
"Yeah, the rubber band trick," JJ agreed.
...
Reid found himself standing beside Morgan, watching the body being loaded into the coroner's van. They both glanced at each other in the same moment, and shared a long look of both compassion and confusion at the world. There was something achingly familiar about it, and although parts of their brains were screaming the familiar warnings, a slightly larger side was sighing with relief at the emotions they saw reflected in the other's eyes.
NB - 1x18 next! I've already started writing it and let's just say there will be a massive change in Morgan and Reid's relationship. I'm sorry this took so long, there's been a lot going on at home recently. What do you think of this, and what do you think will happen next? Comments are gold =]
