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A/n hello all. Here is the next chapter. Hope you will enjoy. Have a great weekend.

Chocolate and Peas

JJ dropped a case file onto a pile stacked on her desk and slumped into her chair. Their most recent case had ended, but there were so many unanswered questions. The work on her desk called for attention, but she ignored it and studied her phone. Hotch had informed her that the team was back in DC. JJ reached up and nervously tugged at her pendant.

They were safe, Spence was safe, but for the first time in a long time, they'd failed. The kidnapped children were with their families, but Frank had disappeared into the Nevada desert with Jane.

Spence said Gideon was incandescent with rage that his quarry had seemingly vanished. He'd also told her there had to be a logical explanation, but he didn't have the energy to figure the solution.

JJ forced herself to work on the usual paperwork that followed a case until a gentle tapping sounded on her door. She looked up and felt a huge smile on her face at the beautiful sight of Spence.

"Hey," he said and entered.

JJ stood, hurried around the desk, reached around Spence to shut the door, and then she hugged him tightly.

'Wow," he gasped after she kissed him. "I missed you."

"I missed you, too."

They stood in the half-light of her desk lamp, and JJ studied Spencer's face as he watched her. Lamplight always did something to his eyes that made her think of the angels seen in Renaissance paintings.

"What are you looking for," Spencer asked in a quiet voice.

"Hm?"

"You're staring at me."

JJ felt a blush heat her cheeks, and her heart rate climbed. "Sorry, that's rude."

Spencer brushed his fingers through her hair. "Don't apologize. I've seen you look at me that way in the past, and I've always wondered if I have something in my teeth," he gently joked.

JJ light slapped his shoulder. "Very funny."

"You don't have to tell me," Spencer replied and turned for the door as he clung to her hand. "Let's go home."

"Alright."

JJ didn't know why she found it so difficult and embarrassing to admit her admiration for Spencer. She followed him out, and soon they were out of the building and on their way to her place.

"Oh no," Spencer said after they'd driven five miles from Quantico.

"What? Did you forget something?"

"Yes, that we're supposed to be keeping our relationship a secret, and there we were strolling around holding hands. We're lucky we didn't run into anyone."

JJ glanced over from the driver's side. "You want to tell them."

Spencer sighed and looked over at JJ. "I'm not sure anymore. If we don't, then one day someone will find out, and they'll be angry."

"Gideon knows," JJ said.

"Yes, he's known since the beginning. Still, I sometimes wonder why I care what anyone thinks."

"You care because we work together, and the powers that be might split us up if they find out."

"You mean Strauss."

"Yes."

Reid reached over and touched JJ's hand. "I won't lose you. I've loved you since the moment we met, even if I know love, at first sight, is impossible."

JJ chuckled. "Really? If it is, then we suffer the same delusion because I've loved you since the beginning, Spence. I just had more difficulty admitting it to myself and you."

"It's crazy because love is simply a function of –"

"Chemicals and hormones in the brain," JJ said.

"Yes."

"Don't sound so surprised. Emily called me when you were on the jet coming home and told me all about peas and chocolate."

Because the interior of JJ's car was dark, Reid hoped she wouldn't see the blush spreading over his cheeks. "Um, well, I was merely pointing out that love chemicals can be found in multiple sources."

"Is that so?" JJ teased.

"Yes."

"Well, we're nearly home. I don't know if I have peas in the freezer, but I have chocolate sauce in the fridge and the chocolate chip and mint ice cream you love."

"Um, well, I am a little hungry."

JJ laughed and pulled the car off the main road and into her neighborhood. "I am not surprised.

CMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCM

JJ sat propped up in bed with a cup of hot chocolate and her writing materials. Spence had gone home for the night, and she found herself unable to sleep.

Four days had passed since Frank and Jane had disappeared in the desert, and the search had expanded nationwide, but so far, nothing.

Gideon had said he thought it was unlikely they'd find Frank anytime soon. He'd gone undetected for decades. Morgan said Frank probably had backup plans for his backup plans. Emily wondered if Jane would realize that Frank was incapable of love or if he would kill her before she figured out her predicament. Spencer hadn't said anything, but JJ knew their failure weighed on him.

JJ picked up her pen and wrote a short letter that she hoped would take Spencer's mind off Frank and Nevada.

Dearest Spence,

It's night, and I'm sitting in bed with a cup of hot chocolate and thinking about earlier this week. I wish I had ice cream, but the game you suggested we play disposed of all I had, and I haven't had time to replace it. I think you owe me.

I have been thinking about something else we spoke about that night. You asked me why I stare at you in the lamplight. I couldn't say it out loud, but you always remind me of a Raphaelite Angel in a painting.

Don't laugh.

Anyway, now that I have shared a pretty embarrassing view of you, I wanted to make an invitation to you.

The Superbowl is coming up in a couple of weeks. I know you don't like football games and so I am proposing a trade. You watch the game with me, and I will cook for you my grandmother's salmon and mushy peas. She was English, and it was a favorite for us until she passed away the year before I went to college.

I realize that mushy peas may sound uninviting, but I promise you won't be disappointed. I'm sure you'll do your research before we sit down, so I'm not afraid you'll be surprised.

I'm looking forward to dinner with you and finding out if peas work as well as the chocolate did the other night.

Love you with all of my heart,

JJ.

JJ folded the letter and put it under her pillow until she had time to ready it for mail in the morning. Perhaps the letter would give her pleasant dreams. She sighed, hugged her pillow, and turned over to greet the Sandman.