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Reid stared thoughtfully at the stack of files on his desk. The trip home from Chicago had been quiet and solemn. He'd tried to think of something to say to Morgan, but the right words wouldn't come to his lips. Instead, he'd left Morgan to sit with headphones, eyes closed and pain radiating in the lines around his mouth.

"Hey," JJ said.

Reid flinched, looked up, and smiled. "Hey."

"You looked like you were deep in thought."

"I was thinking about the flight home. I should've talked to Morgan. Why did I sit there and stay silent?"

JJ blew out a breath and leaned against Reid's desk. "I think everyone felt the same, but sometimes it's better not to speak."

"But, you always tell me that talking about what's bothering you will make you feel better."

JJ reached out and smoothed two fingers through his hair. "You've always known that – you're a trained psychologist."

Reid nodded. "Yes."

"What I'm trying to say is that what we know isn't always the best way to handle a problem. Sometimes people need time alone to process what they feel. I think it'll take lots of time and acceptance from us for Morgan to open up."

"I don't see Morgan any differently."

"I do," JJ said.

Reid stared at her with surprise in his eyes. "What?"

"I mean that I see him in a new way because he survived something that I can't imagine. I've always seen him as tough, but now I see the strength that comes from adversity. He's compassionate and kind when he's not teasing you."

Reid finally chuckled and shook his head. "Yeah. I see what you mean. I guess it does change how I see him. I like it."

"Me too," JJ said and tousled Reid's hair. "Anyway, Christmas is coming up, and we have a couple of weeks off. Perhaps that time will help Morgan process what he needs."

"Do you think we should bring it up after some time has passed or just let it go?"

"What do you think," JJ said.

Reid pursed his lips and thought. "I think I'll wait awhile before I bring it up. Also, I'm not going to treat him differently. If you catch me, then kick me."

JJ laughed. "Oh, do not give me that kind of latitude, Dr. Reid."

Reid reached out and gently tugged on the ends of her hair as he stood. "Not funny, beautiful.

JJ, who was ready to smack him for pulling her hair, stopped and reached from his arm. "Hey, what did you call me."

Reid blushed and put his hands in his pockets. "Um, beautiful."

"Flattery will get you everywhere. I like the name."

"I speak only the truth."

"Come on," JJ looked around and noticed that the bullpen was empty, and then she kissed him.

"Hey," Reid said as his cheeks went pink. "Place of employment."

"I know. Let's get out of here."

"You read my mind."

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A week after the events in Chicago, Reid was lounging on his sofa with JJ. They had wrapped in a blanket his aunt Ethel had made for him and sipped cups of hot chocolate JJ had made from a mix she'd found online.

"This is great," Reid said for the second time. "My new favorite hot chocolate flavor is salted caramel."

"I still like mint chocolate better, but this is a close second," JJ said.

"So, what do you want to do now," Reid asked.

JJ was looking at the small Christmas tree she'd bought for Reid and forced him to decorate despite knowing that he wasn't going to be there for the actual holiday.

"Don't know - what do you want to do?"

"Well, we finished with the decorations," Reid said and gave her a look that made her laugh.

"Stop trying to be stern with me, Spence. It won't work. I know you like the new tree because I can see the happiness in your eyes when you look at it."

"Alright, you're correct," Reid said. "I give up arguing with you."

"It's about time you came to that realization."

Reid put his mug on the coffee table and turned to JJ. He gave her a look that made her say in a warning tone. "Spence."

JJ's warning fell on deaf ears, and he suddenly pounced and began to tickle her torso. She screamed with laughter and tried to push him away but couldn't summon the strength. "Spence," she spluttered, her face going scarlet.

"Are you sorry you were a smart mouth?"

"Yes."

"Good," Reid stopped tickling her and sat up. "That's all I wanted to hear."

"You're going to be sorry for that, Agent Reid."

"Oh no, I've been demoted."

"You're going to wish that demotion is all I do to you."

JJ shifted her clothing and smoothed back her hair as Reid rolled his eyes. "Your threats don't scare me."

"Then perhaps I'll keep the gift I bought for you."

Reid's face fell, and JJ laughed with delight. "I'm sorry."

"You should've thought about that before you decided to go all tickle monster."

"Come on, Jennifer."

JJ frowned and then rolled her eyes. "I hate when you get that look in your eyes. It makes me feel like I just kicked a puppy."

"I have no idea what you're talking about."

JJ sighed and picked up her mug. "I think you do, but let's not fight about it.

"Good. May I have my present now?"

"Say please."

"Please."

Once again, the pleading in his eyes made JJ shake her head. She left him there to go to her bag. When she returned, JJ carried a small, square box wrapped in red paper with candy canes printed. "Merry Christmas, Spence."

"Thank you," Reid said as his eyes lit up.

When Reid ripped off the paper and opened the box, his eyes filled with confusion. It held a single key.

"I don't understand."

"It's a key to my house."

"Jennifer. Oh wow, thank you."

Reid hugged her, then kissed her. "Are you sure you're ready for this?"

JJ nodded and took one of his hands. "I want you to know how much I love and trust you."

"I do know, Jenn. You don't have to make a gesture to me for me to understand how you feel."

"Yes, but I want you to know that you're free to come and go as you like. I'm looking forward to having you be there one day when I get home to surprise me."

"Thank you, Jenn. It means a lot to me."

"Good, because I've never given a man the key to my place. I was never sure before that I could trust anyone not to use it against me. I know you'd never treat me or my home with disrespect."

"No, I won't."

JJ kissed him again. "I wish we could spend Christmas day together, but I know that it's still too early on for you to meet my mom."

"Are you angry," Reid asked. "I know you've met my mother, but that was under different circumstances."

"No. I'm not. It's better this way. There are things you don't know – one day I will tell you.'

"It's alright because I've always known there's something you hold close inside, and I'll never try to get you to reveal it until you're ready."

"It's not because I don't trust you, Spence."

"Hey," Reid reached out and stroked her hair. "I understand."

JJ blew out a huge breath. "Thank you for not pushing. Oh," she sighed again. "I will miss you while I'm gone. Are you sure you can't get a flight out to Las Vegas?"

"No. Honestly, I'm not upset. My mother doesn't like Christmas. Christmas carols about Santa watching your every move – well, it doesn't mix with her condition despite knowing that he's not real."

"He's not?" JJ said, shocked. "You ruined my Christmas."

"Jennifer."

JJ began to laugh. "Oh, Spence."

"I think you don't get your gift now," Reid said and deliberately got up to walk away.

"No, please don't, Spence. I'll be a good girl."

"Ha, I will believe that when it occurs."

"Remember, I have a gun."

"So do I."

"Come on, Spence."

Reid winked at her and went to his bedroom. When he returned, JJ sat with her feet up on the couch. She shifted and let him sit next to her. JJ took the colorfully wrapped box and tore off the paper.

"Spence. What is this?"

JJ held up a blue coffee mug with the FBI logo on it. It looked like he'd swiped it from the company supply cabinet.

"It's a new coffee mug."

"I can see that, and it's nice, but –"

"I thought I'd give you something you can use every day that you'll know from me, but the others won't know."

JJ looked at the mug, then back, and Reid, and then a huge smile took the place of the confused expression she'd worn at seeing the gift. "You're a genius."

"I know," Reid said jumped away from JJ when she leaped at him. "Jenn."

After they kissed until breathing became a real issue, Reid said. "I didn't steal that from the supply if that's what you think."

"I wasn't thinking that."

"Uh-huh. I ordered it from the FBI's employee website."

"I don't care where it came from. I'm going to take it with me to the office after the holidays, and if anyone says anything, I'll tell them to get their own."

Reid smirked at her, and they returned to their comfortable positions on the sofa. After a few minutes, Reid sat up. "I nearly forgot something."

"What?"

Reid hurried from the room, then returned with a sprig of greenery and some tape. JJ watched him hang it over the doorway from the living room to the hallway that led to his bedroom. "There."

JJ stayed in her seat despite knowing with Reid wanted from her. "Why are you standing over there?"

Reid's face fell, and JJ bit her lip to keep back a laugh. "It's mistletoe."

"Oh, well, why do you assume I want to kiss you just because tradition dictates."

"Jennifer."

Reid's tone and his eyes made her sigh and went over to where he stood. "Let's get this over with then."

Reid bent and kissed her. JJ yanked him back when he attempted to end the kiss after just a couple of seconds. "No," she said and returned to her assault on his mouth. "You wanted to make out under the mistletoe, and we're going to follow through.

Reid decided that he didn't care if they were there until New Year's Day. He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. "Hm."

JJ suddenly pulled away from him and said, "I never told you how much fun it was to play with your physics magic rockets."

"What?"

"Yeah. Seeing the look on your face when you hit Emily on the head with one and then when Hotch told you off for it."

"Jenn, you're not helping the mood."

"Babe, remember when I said I'd make you pay for your tickle monster impression?"

Reid swallowed. "Um, beautiful you – "

"Don't think the use of your pet name for me is going to keep you out of trouble.

Reid took in her deep blue eyes and her firm lips. "Jennifer."

"You may be able to create rockets with water and aspirin tablets, but I have talents, too."

"Um, what kind of talents," Reid said, and his voice had climbed two octaves.

"If you're good and you do everything, I tell you, I'll make you go off just like one of your rockets."

"God," Reid said and gulped loudly.

"Come on," JJ took his hand and led him down the hall to his bedroom.

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The next morning it was snowing when JJ's cab arrived. "I'm going to miss you," JJ said, and a tear rolled down her cheek.

"Me too," Reid said and kissed her. "I love you so much."

"I love you too. Please be careful and if you get lonely on Christmas Day, don't hesitate to call me. I'll probably need you to call me at that point."

Reid laughed despite the tears he felt in his eyes. "Okay."

"Love you," JJ said and pecked him on the cheek.

Reid watched her hurry out to the cab as he stood at his window. It was going to be a long holiday.