A/N: It's been requested for me to have an companion piece to this story that focuses on characters outside of the Reid family in a series of one-shots, but in this universe. I have an idea or two, but would love some requests/prompts. I'll take it as far back as to the beginning of "Second Chances" aka Season 7. Just keep in mind that if you request something beyond where we currently are in "Partners," I may write it but hold posting if it will spoil too many things in this story - particularly if I've made significant changes. The Reids can appear as well, but I'm looking at this as an opportunity for the others to shine and for me to work on how I write a few of them as well. Before anyone asks, Morgan and Ella are getting their own chapter in "You are my Sunshine" coming up so hold that request.

Now, on with the story. Let's lighten things back up a little bit. You'll now see why I changed the order of a few episodes.


JJ and Reid exited the elevator, immediately being spotted by Blake. "Good morning you two."

JJ smiled, "Morning Blake."

The senior agent gently pulled JJ into a hug and then squeezed Reid's arm. "How are you doing, JJ? You sure you took off enough time?"

"Yep," JJ replied. "Don't get me wrong, I love my kids," she caught Spence's gaze, "and husband, but I was getting a little stir crazy. Spence made me get three doctors' clearance for my return as well." He smiled and rolled his eyes as he took a sip of his tea. Blake smiled at both of their reactions as they entered the bullpen. JJ noticed the agents seemed to be gathering. "What's this?"

Morgan saddled up to them. "Apparently we have a mandatory sexual harassment seminar." The group nodded and groaned. "Welcome back Mr. and Mrs. Pretty Boy," he grinned, getting chuckles. He gently hugged JJ.

"Thanks Morgan," Reid replied. The ladies settled into their seats, turning to face the projector that had been set up. Garcia came out of her office, hugging the couple before taking a seat. Reid leaned against a desk to face the screen, Morgan also stood.

The woman from HR turned on the projector and got started. "I'm Agent Gordon. Thank you all for coming." A few murmurs from the group. "We'll just dive right in then. Let's talk about sexual harassment. Most people think of sexual harassment is when someone, like a supervisor, asks for sexual favors in return for something, like a promotion. But, sexual harassment isn't always a quid pro quo arrangement. Maybe its catching two coworkers, even if they are married, kissing in the break room." JJ glanced back at Reid, who was turning pink. He thought they had behaved appropriately aside from their moment after he was cleared back for duty nearly two years ago, for which Hotch talked to them about. She shrugged and smiled, not all that worried about it, before turning back to face Gordon again. He caught the small smile on Morgan's face before she continued her lecture. "Moments like that should be saved for at home, not in the work environment." She paused for a second. "Or maybe it's a conversation between two coworkers that makes you uncomfortable. Maybe these coworkers use phrases like 'baby girl,' 'chocolate thunder,' or 'where's my big black twelve pack?'" Reid noticed Morgan and Garcia exchange a glance. JJ shot him another quick look too, this time biting her lip to keep from laughing. This was an interesting first day back. At least the focus wasn't on them too much.

"Who blabbed?" Garcia whispered.

Agent Gordon continued. "And that create a what? A hostile work environment." Reid noticed Garcia repeating it quietly. He felt bad for her. He was slightly embarrassed that JJ and himself were called out, but he wasn't too worried if Hotch hadn't said anything else to them since. They were usually quite good, particularly in the field, to keep it professional. But Morgan and Garcia? This had been going on for a decade, who was bothered by it now? "So messages like 'more cushion for the pushing' – not appropriate." A few chuckles from the group. "'I'll be the Coco to your Ice-T' – not appropriate.'" More chuckles. Reid noticed JJ bite her lip harder. "'Flarpy Blunderguff' – I don't even know what that means, but not appropriate." Then Reid saw something. JJ and Garcia exchanged a look, JJ quick to look down. Hmm, that was interesting. Garcia was soon up and apologizing as she left. Reid zoned out for the rest of the presentation, trying to figure out what that last phrase could possibly mean.


He finally couldn't take it anymore when the case was over and asked while they were on the plane headed home. "So do I even want to know what that flarpy blunderguff term is supposed to mean?"

JJ coughed on her tea at her husband's question. He patted her back as she worked on breathing properly again. He momentarily felt bad for not checking if she was drinking or not when he asked, not wanting to re-damage her recovering lungs. "What makes you think I know?"

"Ha, don't think I didn't see the look you exchanged with Garcia when Agent Gordon mentioned it." She could see the curiosity and amusement on his face and sparkle in his eyes. Two could play at this game. She was surprised he was asking on the plane, however. Maybe he didn't realize just how inappropriate this conversation was for mixed company.

She wondered if she should mention that she learned about it from Maeve of all people or if he'd put that together after she told him. She was the one now re-engaged to the artist, after all. Although Garcia was the one that came up with the odd name after JJ described it to her – without disclosing her source of course. It amused her that apparently there was always an 'interesting' side hiding under the quiet, smart ones. Oh well, to her and Bobby's benefit apparently.

"Well..." She leaned in close, blocking the view of her lips from the rest with her hand as she whispered in his ear, just in case. She watched as he started to blush and cover his face slightly as she went into detail. He started to squirm some and she wasn't sure if he was uncomfortable or turned on until she was finished and looked into his eyes. They had darkened, something that happened when… She swallowed.

"Sounds...fascinating," he whispered, his voice dropping a half octave, also something that only she'd ever heard. He captured her lips for a hot kiss.

"Spence," she breathed. His one hand had slipped behind her, pulling her closer, her legs dangling with his since she was just about in his lap. He kissed her pulse point on her neck, feeling it race. "You realize where we are, right?"

He captured her lips once more, albeit in a slightly tamer kiss, before pulling back and resting his forehead against hers. "Mmmhmm," he murmured. She raised an eyebrow. "Don't care," he whispered, kissing right behind her ear lope knowing the response he'd get. After the past few months, he figured regulations be damned right now. She bit her lip to keep from moaning, but leaned further into him, her body having a mind of its own. His hand was still on her back, rubbing circles with his thumb, starting to drive her crazy.

"Please save joining the mile high club for your own time or HR is going to have to give us another presentation," Hotch commented, walking by to get something from the bar.

That effectively pulled them apart, bringing Reid to his senses. He blushed and JJ laughed, extracting herself from her husband. She loved it when Hotch would suddenly come up with a zinger. It didn't happen often, but it was a good reminder that he did know how to have fun from time to time. "I think a regular plane would be too cramped, particularly given how tall Spence is. Although, he is skinny enough that it might work."

"JJ!" Reid groaned.

She grinned and kissed his cheek. Hotch smiled softly and shook his head, heading back to his usual seat. Normally he would have given them a harsher lecture, but since it was just the team and given everything they'd been through, he figured he could cut them a little slack. He was just glad despite it all, they still appeared to be just as in love as they had always been, if not more so.

Lowering her voice again, she caught his eye. "When we get home, we can try that out if you find it so intriguing."

He smiled and wagged his eyebrows, "Works for me." She laughed and shook her head at his antics, enjoying laughing again without the weight of something lurking in the shadows. He pulled her close again to whisper in her ear. "But do we have enough chocolate syrup at home? Or would you prefer Cheetos? And we'll have to stop at the art supply store first."

She smacked his chest and laughed again, louder. "You're incorrigible Spencer Reid."

"That's why you love me," he replied with an easy smile.

"One of the many reasons," she added, kissing him softly again before extracting herself from his grasp and going to grab some water. She needed to cool down and tea wasn't going to cut it. She spotted Morgan and Garcia quickly shift their gaze back to each other, amused smirks on their faces. The tech goddess did look up though, raising an eyebrow at JJ. She had a feeling Garcia would be asking questions later that she would have to plead the fifth on. Blake also had to shift her gaze to look back at her book.

Slipping back into the seat next him after retrieving two bottles she smiled at him. "Thanks JJ." She nodded as she took a sip of water before she grabbed a deck of cards that was always tucked away in a pocket on the plane.

She raised an eyebrow at him, "Gin?" He nodded, taking the cards to shuffle. He gestured towards the rest and she knew what he meant. She stuck her head out into the aisle. "Anyone want to watch me beat Spence at cards?"

"Oh that's how's this is going to be Mrs. Reid? You know you've only beaten me that one time." He still hadn't figured out how she did that all those years ago, other than his thoughts being distracted by her. He hadn't mastered not letting her cloud his thoughts at that point in their relationship, hadn't fully learned how to suppress his feelings. Now, he was happy to let her occupy a good portion of his brain function but also knew how to focus as needed.

Garcia stood and joined them, pulling Morgan with her. Cards would distract her from thinking over everything with Shane. "Deal us in, Blackjack." It also made her happy to see them smiling and laughing after everything.

Reid nodded. "Alex? Care to see me take my wife's ego down a notch?" JJ smacked his arm, earning a chuckle from the rest. He turned at caught her eyes. "Save that for later." A playful smirk crossed his lips. He was more comfortable with that kind of banter in front of Morgan and Garcia; it was Hotch that could still embarrass him.

She rolled her eyes as Blake joined them, sitting opposite of the group at the table. "Like I said, incorrigible."


JJ stretched and grabbed her coat after finishing up her paperwork from the Cleveland case. She looked up at her husband. "You ready to go?"

He nodded. "Sure." As he slipped on his jacket he continued. "Hey, you wouldn't want to go to a Korean film festival, would you? It's not far from the house. A lot of the entries probably aren't subtitled yet but I can do a simultaneous whisper translation while we watch." By the time he was finished they were slipping their bags on their shoulders and heading out the glass doors.

JJ smiled. "You don't think that would annoy everyone else in the audience Spence?" She snuck a hand around his elbow as he shoved his in his pocket.

Reid shrugged. "We can find some seats away from others. I doubt it will be sold out."

She eyed him for a second and could tell this was something he really wanted to do. She had a feeling he wanted them to get out and do something since they hadn't really done that recently. He might also be trying to distract her from the fact that she had a nightmare during this past case. "Buy me some popcorn and sour patch kids and I'm game." She smiled at him as they boarded the elevator. "Although, your hot breath in my ear all night might drive me crazy."

Reid chuckled, pulling her to him as the doors closed, planting a soft kiss on her lips. "Promise to make up for that later." She bit her lip as she smiled, pulling him down for another kiss.

"I'll hold you to that."


"Happy Valentine's Day, Auntie Alex!"

Blake smiled widely at the sight of the five year old by her desk, handing her an Spiderman Valentine with a sucker attached. A brief flash of Ethan danced in her head but she forced herself to focus. "Thank you Henry! Happy Valentine's Day to you too!" She slid out of her desk chair and hugged the little boy.

He smiled and scampered off towards Morgan's office with JJ, who smiled at the older woman. She returned it and then looked up at Reid by her desk, a stroller next to him. Henry had insisted on bringing Valentines to the team since he was getting some for his classmates and none of the three adults in the house could deny him that wish. They had left Sandy in Garcia's office. "I'm an Aunt now?" She didn't know she had earned that title.

Reid tilted his head, confused. "Of course you are; you're family." Blake swallowed the small lump in her throat, Ethan again coming to mind. The more time she spent with Reid, the more memories of her son that surfaced. She had imagined what her son would be like as an adult and a part of her was sure he'd be like her teammate. She wasn't sure how to handle the memories that kept coming up in her mind. Every time she thought of Ethan, she also missed James a little bit more. Having him so close, but yet still far away, was starting to get to her more. For now, she pushed those thoughts aside and simply stood and hugged the young man.

"Thank you Spencer."

Reid smiled as he pulled back. "You're welcome." Both heard giggles on the walkway as Henry was making his way now to Rossi and Hotch. Then they heard babble from the stroller.

Blake smiled. "Hmm, you make have a future linguist on your hands. Sounds like she'll be talking soon." Reid smiled as Blake bent down, getting a wide smile as the girl registered her face. She glanced back up, "May I?"

"Of course," Reid replied. Blake scooped up the nearly seven month old. She smiled widely as the girl continued to babble at her and kick some, clearly wanting to get down and crawl. She had just figured it out a few days ago, exciting her parents.

"Hey now, JJ didn't mention my god baby girl was here too," greeted Morgan, coming down from his office to the pair in the bullpen. Blake smiled and turned with the girl to see her godfather.

"De mo!" Ella stated.

"Well, did you hear that? Sounded like Derek Morgan to me," he joked, getting the go ahead from Blake to take her.

"Oh Stud, I'm pretty sure her first words are going to revolve around her parents," teased Garcia, approaching with Sandy.

"Oh I don't know, she is a genius' kid. She probably knows a quality man when she sees him." He winked at his original baby girl.

"Which is why 'dada' is a much more likely first word, Morgan," joked Rossi, enjoying his sucker from Henry on the walkway. JJ chuckled as she led her son to the last office.

"Hi Uncle Aaron! Happy Valentine's Day!" Henry greeted, running behind the large desk. The smile that broke out on the unit chief's face made JJ's heart happy. It had taken a great deal of time, but she was glad to see that smile more and more now. It took her back to the early years on the team when he was so happy and in love with Haley and their new son. Somewhere along the line he had lost that, even before Foyet ripped her away.

Hotch turned and took the Valentine from him, running a hand over the boy's head. "Thank you Henry. Happy Valentine's Day to you too. Did you get a lot of fun cards at school today?"

"Yep! I got a Snoopy one from Bobby and Katie gave me a Nemo one!" JJ smiled at the conversation going on before her. She didn't notice Reid slip in behind her. "But my favorite is the Simon Chipmunk one from Ashley!"

"Is that because you like Simon or Ashley, Henry?" Reid asked, winking at JJ when she turned at his voice.

Henry looked down for a second, thinking. "Both Daddy! Simon is funny and smart and Ashley is nice; she shares her markers with me."

Hotch chuckled, amused at how now Jack found girls to be icky for the most part. Funny how things changed as they got older…and then changed back a little while later. He wasn't ready for that one though. He also noticed Henry's name for Reid and smiled at that. "Thanks again for the sucker, Henry."

Henry nodded and then pulled another one out of his bag. "For Jack!" Before Hotch could reply, he scampered over to his parents. He grabbed Reid's hand. "We see Grant and Gina now?" He had a few more to give out.

Reid briefly caught JJ's eyes. "You may need to supervise the passing around of Ella in the bullpen." She chuckled and nodded. He looked back down to Henry. "Sure, bud, let's go." Henry pulled him out the door to find Anderson and Sharp, among a few others. She watched for a moment and sighed, not noticing that Hotch had stood up and was behind her now.

"JJ," he started, getting her attention. "How are you doing?"

She smiled softly. "I'm…okay." He eyed her. "Getting there anyway. The nightmares are less often and Spence…"

Hotch squeezed her arm. "I'm glad you have him to support you through this. Just remember, if you ever need to take some time or want to talk…"

JJ nodded and mimicked his gesture. "I know and thanks. And me too," she added, referencing her husband. "The kids help too." Just then Ella's laugh carried up to the office and the pair noticed Morgan blowing raspberries on her stomach.

Hotch smiled. "I can see why." Jack helped him through everything with Haley, even when he had to help Jack through it at the same time.

She smiled as well. Turning to catch his eye, she changed topics. "You have plans with Beth this weekend?"

"Uh, no," Hotch replied. JJ wrinkled her brow. "We broke up." JJ opened her mouth, but he cut her off. "She got offered a huge promotion, but it was in Hong Kong. I didn't want to hold her back."

JJ sighed and squeezed his arm again. "I'm sorry Aaron."

He nodded. "Thanks JJ. It's okay, we may have not been meant to be, but she helped me…" JJ squeezed his arm again, knowing what he was thinking. She had helped him heal after Haley, opened him up to love again. She was actually surprised at how much he had just opened up.

"Well, if you ever want Spence and I to set you up," she teased. Hotch chuckled and shot her a look. She smiled. "What? Would you rather Morgan or, god forbid, Garcia try to play match maker?"

That got another laugh. "Point taken." Ella's squeal pulled their attention back to the bullpen.

"Care to rescue her with me?" Hotch usually wasn't one to fight to get to hold the little girl, so she was pleasantly surprised when he nodded and followed her out the door.

"I believe this is a work place, not a daycare," he commented. The group down in the bullpen looked at him as he approached, trying to decide how to respond. "Maybe I should take this distraction away from all of you." Morgan raised an eyebrow and then grinned, handing him Ella. She was quick to smile and pat her hand on Hotch's cheek, getting a smile from the man as well.

"Awww, now that is the cutest scene right there," gushed Garcia.

Reid nodded, returning with Henry. He had given out the rest of his cards with candy. "Can't say that's something I ever imagined seeing a few years ago." Not just Hotch holding a baby that wasn't his in the bullpen, but that said baby was his…and JJ's.

Sandy wrapped an arm around her son-in-law, mildly surprising him. "Please, fate is why you and my daughter are together, not some happy accident." Reid blinked a few times, registering that comment, before he caught her eyes. She could see she had struck a nerve and pulled him in for a quick hug.

"Thank you," he whispered in her ear and she nodded, patting his cheek as they separated. JJ turned to her daughter, trying to not be overwhelmed with emotions at the scene. Ella started to fuss some.

She looked at her parents and waved her arms. "What do you want Ella?" Reid asked. The rest of the team exchanged glances, wondering why he didn't just take her from Hotch. Ella tapped her hand on her forehead and then tilted it towards her mouth.

Reid stepped towards her then, "You want me to hold you and get you a drink?" Ella smiled and babbled, reaching out for him. Reid took her into his arms as JJ dug out a sippy cup with water in it and handed it to him.

"Umm, what just happened?" Morgan asked. "How did you know what she wanted specifically?"

Blake grinned. "Teaching her sign, I see."

JJ nodded. "Yeah. I'll give you one guess whose idea that was." The team smiled. "But it's been nice knowing what she wants when she fusses. She's gotten good at a handful of signs so far."

"Genius genes at work there," Morgan teased, although proud of his goddaughter. Reid rolled his eyes even as he smiled.

"You guys all have a great Valentines night and weekend," JJ commented. The group shared similar sentiments as the Reids packed up and headed out the door.

Rossi saddled up next to Hotch. "Is it weird that I agree with both Reid and Sandy?" Ignoring the conversation about Ella signing.

Hotch smiled; he had that same thought. His two youngest agents did seem fated to end up together. Given how long it had taken, however, it was still a bit of a surprise at times. All he could pray for was that they were finally past the trouble that liked to follow this team around; they deserved the love and happiness that they used, in turn, to energize this team with. This visit was just one example of that.