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Reid flipped through a reference book he tracked down at the library and ran a finger swiftly down the page. "Aha, I found it."

He began to write in the yellow pad next to his elbow and thought about the look on Garcia's face when he told her about his find.

Garcia believed that doing research the old-fashioned way wasted time. She told Reid in a very superior tone, 'You can find anything you need online in seconds.' Reid had smirked at her and said that searching through real books in a library was fun. Garcia had rolled her eyes dramatically and said, "Oh, my sweet technophobe."

Reid smiled to himself and wondered what she might think if he revealed that he could use a computer nearly as well as any hacker on the planet. Garcia had no idea that he'd taken several courses in computer science on a whim and had, against his will, enjoyed them immensely. He felt that using them daily was a waste of time when not necessary.

"Honey," JJ said as she entered the room with her cellphone. "Mom wants to talk to you."

Reid looked up and saw that JJ's eyes were dancing with glee, and he felt his stomach churn. "Why?" He mouthed.

JJ's eyes widened and, she shook her head. "Just say hello," she whispered back.

Reid liked Sandy and, they'd spoken multiple times, but the expression in JJ's eyes had him questioning their motive. "Fine," he said and took the phone. "Hello, Sandy."

"Spencer, how are you?"

"I'm well, Sandy, and you?"

"I'm great, enjoying the fall weather here."

"How is it?"

"Fine, fine, just raining, but also beautiful with the last of the leaves falling."

"Yeah, it's been cold here."

After a pause, Sandy said in an amused tone. "Spencer, we've never had such an awkward conversation. What's on your mind?"

"I was going to ask you the same. I could see from JJ's eyes that you two are planning something and, you have yet to reveal it to me, which means I'm not going to like it."

"That's not true, Spencer," Sandy said, and her tone changed a little. "We've been talking about the holidays. I know it isn't easy to get away because of your jobs. I also know that Jennifer hasn't met your mother. I hope you don't mind, but she told me that your mother's begun a new medicine and is doing well."

"No, I don't mind, Sandy. Yes, she is adjusting well to the new regime. Thank you for asking."

"I'm glad. Jennifer also told me that Christmas isn't your mother's favorite holiday. So, we discussed the possibility of you going to Las Vegas from Thanksgiving, and then perhaps you can come here for Christmas. I told her that I would agree to whatever you want."

"Sandy, I appreciate your suggestion. I was going to speak with my mother's doctor and determine if now is a good time to introduce Jennifer."

"Well, you let me know what you decide."

"I will. Thank you."

"You're welcome. I love you, son-in-law to be."

"I love you, Sandy."

"Let me talk to Jennifer for a minute."

Reid handed the phone back to JJ and returned to his desk but found that he couldn't concentrate on the paper he needed to finish for The New England Journal of Medicine. The thought of finally introducing his mother to JJ made him happy and nervous at the same time.

"Hey," JJ approached and leaned against the desk. "I'm sorry if mom ambushed you. She likes to tease you a little."

"It's okay," Reid said and smiled up at JJ. "I know what you were trying to do. She's right. Now might be the best time for you to meet mom. I'll talk to Dr. Norman and see what he advises."

"Good," JJ said and squeezed his hand. "I have looked forward to meeting your mom again. I want to have a real conversation instead of pleasantries."

"My mom loves you, Jennifer, don't worry."

JJ sighed and sat down in his lap. "How, Spence? She doesn't know me."

"She does," Reid said and tapped his daily letter which, lay next to his writing pad. "I write about you all the time, and when I saw her last, she was aware enough to understand how much I adore you. She loves you because you made my life complete, and she saw how happy I am."

JJ kissed him and then wiped away a solitary tear on her cheek. "Don't make me cry."

"Sorry."

JJ smirked, smacked his shoulder, and stood up. "Alright, then it is settled. You talk to Dr. Norman and when you have a date, let me know, and I'll call the airlines."

"Agreed."

CMCMCMCMCMCMCM

JJ dropped her go-bag and purse next to Reid's bed and pulled off her jacket. She sighed, sat down, and tugged off her boots. She lay back with her legs hanging off the edge and looked over at Reid when he toed off his shoes and then lay down next to her. "I shouldn't have let you talk me into leaving. I can't stop thinking about the stack on my desk."

"I know," Reid reached out and pushed a strand of hair back from her face. He studied her for a minute and then said. "I need you, Jenn. I don't want to think about Floyd Felynn Ferrell and cannibalism and those women."

JJ sat up from her position on the bed. "Let's talk about something happy, like our trip to Las Vegas."

"I talked to Hotch, and he said we are to go no matter what happens. I think he hopes that you and I will stand the test of time."

Reid sat up. He looked at the engagement ring she wore, which still felt new when he held her hand. He traced the outlines of it and the stones that sparkled in the light. "We will because I won't let us become another statistic."

"You like statistics," JJ gently teased him.

Reid closed the distance between them and kissed the tip of her nose, which made her laugh. "I prefer the positive, now."

"Oh, I see."

They were quiet for a moment and content to sit studying each other until JJ said. "I have a great idea."

Reid narrowed his eyes at her tone. "What?"

"I want to play a game."

"Now."

"Yes," JJ said and tugged him up. "It'll take your mind off the case and of Morgan. I promise."

"I wasn't thinking about Morgan," Reid lied as he followed JJ into the living area.

"You can't lie convincingly to me, Spence."

"Okay, so I'm a bit concerned for him."

"So am I. He'll be alright, though."

"I suppose you're right."

JJ stopped him and then went to a drawer in his desk, opened it, and pulled out a deck of playing cards. "You shuffle," she said and handed him the deck.

"You want to play poker?"

'Yes."

Reid frowned a little and looked over at his chessboard. "I was hoping that you might want to learn chess, finally."

JJ smirked at him and rolled her eyes. "No. I have no interest in chess. I'll leave it to you and Emily."

"Okay, but I think you'd be good at it."

"Anyway," JJ pulled him to the kitchen table. "We can't play strip chess."

"Excuse me."

"You heard me. Now sit down. We'll have a few games of strip poker, and we'll see how long you're thinking about the case or Morgan."

Reid sat and decided that he didn't need to teach JJ how to play chess. He didn't like the light of challenge in her eyes, but he'd do his best not to let her distract him.

An hour later, JJ wore her slacks and a smile, while Reid wore only his boxers and a frown. "You're not playing fair."

"Put down the cards, Spence, and let me take in your naked glory."

"Oh, very funny."

Reid lay down his cards but jumped when JJ's phone buzzed. "Damn it," she cursed and hurried to grab it from the countertop.

"That was Hotch," she said, and she was white as a sheet.

Reid hurried to her and tugged her into his arms. "What's wrong?"

"It's Penelope. Someone shot her."

"No!"

Reid tried to pull away from her, but she held onto him. "Spence, honey. Hotch doesn't know anything yet. Let's get to the hospital, and then we'll know.'

JJ watched Reid try to push down the terror she knew clawed in his gut. He swallowed hard, opened his mouth, then closed it. He stared into her eyes for a moment then said, slowly, "You're right. We'll obtain the facts and determine the best course of action."

"There's my, Spence."

Reid kissed her, and then he managed a tiny smile. "Thank you,"

"Why?"

"Because you love me, and you know how much Garcia means to me."

"She's our best friend. We're going to be strong for her and get her through this."

"Yes, we are," Reid said firmly and tried to make himself believe the bravado he layered into his voice.

They hurried to dress and then ran out the door into the cold November night and toward an uncertain fate of a beloved friend. Reid let JJ drive her car because he knew she realized that he couldn't concentrate and that driving would help her find equal footing.

"How did this happen?" Reid said quietly. "She was fine a few hours ago."

JJ didn't respond to a question that had no answer. She glanced over at him in the darkness of the car.

Half an hour later, they sat in the waiting room holding hands when Emily entered and walked up to meet them. "She's in surgery," Reid said. "That's all they'll tell us."

"Where's Morgan?"

JJ shrugged as Hotch and Rossi arrive. "I don't know."

Reid watched as Rossi and Hotch spoke to each other in quiet tones, but he couldn't force himself to try and figure out the conversation based on their body language. "I want to find him," he said to JJ.

"Who? Morgan?"

"No, the unsub. I want to the person that hurt Garcia, now!"

"Me too, but let's put out energy into good thoughts for Pen, okay."

"Alright, but there is something I'd like to do. Will you both come with me?" Reid directed this to Emily and JJ.

"Sure, what do you want to do?"

"I think we have time that we should go and donate blood."

Emily and JJ looked at each other, and then JJ kissed Reid despite Hotch looking their way. "I think that's a wonderful idea."

"Me too," Emily agreed. "Let's go."

The trio stood up and explained to Hotch and Rossi what they meant to do. "I think I'll stay here in case there is news," Hotch said. "Garcia asked me long ago to be her emergency contact and her medical power of attorney. She said I'm the most level-headed."

Reid watched Hotch's eyes as his boss spoke. His face was granite and expressionless, but rage and sympathy filled his eyes. They frightened Reid because Hotch would never give up until they found the person responsible for shooting Garcia.

Later after he gave blood and he and JJ waited for Emily and Rossi, he turned to JJ and said. "Jennifer, I can't believe this happened to Penelope. She's harmless."

"Unless she's after you on her computer."

For the first time in an hour, Reid felt like smiling. "You're right. She is terrifying when it comes to hacking."

"I keep thinking about her answering the phone that time in Milwaukee with Strauss."

Reid chuckled a little. "Yes. I thought Strauss was going to explode."

"She didn't learn her lesson," JJ said. "She still talks to Morgan like that every day."

"I'm glad. I never want Penelope to change. I don't want any of us to change." Reid said.

"We're family," JJ said and clasped his hand as Rossi came out of the donation area with a cup of orange juice and a grimace.

"I think they took more than a pint," Rossi said and looked at them in amazement when they both burst out laughing. "I think they took too much from you as well," Rossi continued.

"We're sorry," Reid said. "Humans often employ humor in times of great stress to counteract the adrenaline and cortisol in our bloodstreams which can be detrimental."

"I think he's trying to say that we needed it, and Garcia would understand and approve," Emily said as she joined them, also carrying orange juice in a cup.

"Yes, that is my reasoning."

"The kid is right," Rossi said. "Now, let's get back upstairs and find out where we stand. Then we'll find the son of a bitch that did this."