The week was uneventful. Calm and quiet, just the way Reid and Riley liked it. The team enjoyed their week in London, claiming to Strauss there was a lot of red tape and paperwork they had to clear up before they were allowed to leave. They weren't sure if she particularly bought that, but she didn't protest. If she was displeased, she'd make sure to make their lives hell when they got home. Right now, it was worth it.
Reid was discharged on Friday morning. He was feeling so much better. The bruise was all but cleared on his head and the pain had completely subsided. The ache of his ribs was to a lesser degree and almost non-existent with the help of aspirin. All things considered, he was as good as new and perfectly allowed to fly home with the others on Sunday morning.
Saturday night was a happy affair. The team treated Riley and Reid to dinner, allowing them to enjoy the city for at least a little while. Riley stunned her husband once again in a slimming crimson dress the accentuated her figure. She thought it made her look fat. He didn't think anything, his brain completely shut down when he looked at the stunning lady in red.
It was late when everyone got back to the hotel. They rode up in the elevator together. Reid and Riley were wrapped in each others arms in their bliss. Emily and Morgan made sure to keep a good distance, standing on either side of the car. It seemed their relationship was severed beyond repair. There was no hope of fixing it this time. Emily blamed herself... she never should have told him the truth. Now everything was ruined.
They separated when they reached their floor, going to their respective rooms. Riley helped Reid change and get into bed before heading to the bathroom. She emerged sometime later with perfectly brushed curls and a beautiful jade green baby doll nightgown. Reid couldn't take his eyes off her, watching as she went to her bag to fetch her book.
"You look beautiful," He muttered.
"Hmm, thanks," She grumbled. "I should have bought some pajamas this week. Oh well, it's just one more night."
Her words were gibberish to him as he admired. The longer he stared at those long, lithe legs the less he was able to resist her. The pain in his rib hadn't been too bad today...
Book in hand, she made her way to her side of the bed. Getting under the covers, she leaned over and pecked a kiss on Reid's lips. "Goodnight, Sweetheart." Riley adjusted herself on the pillows and opened to the most recent page, preparing to read a chapter or two before she went to sleep.
That was it; Reid had had enough. He hadn't made love to his wife in two weeks. He finally felt strong enough with nothing infiltrating his thoughts; he was not about to lose another night.
"It's kind of hot in here." Reid mentioned as he casually sat up. He pushed the covers off of him. "Are you warm?"
"I'm okay," Riley said, unsuspecting. "I could turn the thermostat down if you're uncomfortable."
"No, I just need to relax a little." He ensured. He fixed the covers at the end of the bed, giving him complete unrestricted access. Riley was none the wiser, going back to her book without a second thought.
Now he had a full view of her. Her one leg was stretched out straight, running all the way up until it disappeared under the short, lacy hem of the nightie. Her other leg was bent slightly at the knee, her foot planted on the mattress. Reid had learned many years ago - on the couch in her old apartment - just how to put her into submission. Needless to say he used it many times after.
With one long finger, he traced a light pattern on the bottom of her foot. She twitched a bit, but said nothing, just kept on reading. He went in again to gently swirl his fingers on the soft pads, sending a much greater tingle through her.
"Stop," She whined lightly.
"Stop what?" He asked as he tickled her foot for the third time.
She yanked her foot away. "That, you know I'm ticklish."
"Oh, are you?" He asked, feigning ignorance. Before she could whip it away, Reid grabbed her foot and pulled it too him. Feeling no mercy, he sent her into a spasm of giggles with his talented fingers.
Her book got tossed away as she fell into his possession. The other foot tried to push him off, which was futile since he just grabbed that one, too.
"Spencer, stop!" She screamed, her giggles filling the room.
He loved having her in his complete control. He managed to slide her down from the pillows so she was flat on the bed.
"Please," There were tears in her eyes as she laughed. "I surrender, you win!"
"Tell me you love me." He demanded with a grin.
Through her laughter, she exclaimed, "I love you!"
"Tell me your mine." He requested, practically having to yell over her shrieking laughter.
"I'm yours!" She squealed. "I'm yours and I always will be!"
That was enough for him. At last he stoppped his torture and set her legs on either side of him. Before she could collect herself, he crawled up to her level, meeting her bright brown eyes with his hazel. He met her smile as he leaned down and brought Riley into a full kiss.
She moaned softly, her hand resting on his cheek. His kiss was so tender, it sent a spark through both their bodies. Reid shifted her so Riley was directly beneath him. As the kiss broke, he spreading sweet butterfly kisses along her jaw line and to her ear.
"Oh, Spencer," she exhaled, wrapping her arm around him. As badly as she wanted this... she knew it wasn't fair. "Sweetheart, we can't."
"Yes, we can." He breathed on her ear. The smell of his breath reached her - so minty and warm - she wanted to feel it all over her.
"No, it's not right." She shook her head, struggling a bit to get away from him, which was useless since this was the only place her body wanted to be.
"What's not right? We're here, we're married... I think it's legal in this country." He teased, reciting her argument from her narcotic haze. "Please, I want you so badly."
"I want you, too." Riley moaned out. She bit her lip to keep her composure. "But you're still injured, I don't want you to hurt yourself."
"No, I'm okay," Reid sat up to meet her eyes again. "I'm breathing fine and the aspirin's helping; if we take our time, it'll be alright."
"Okay, but this hotel doesn't seem to have very thick walls and Emily is right on the other side of that wall." She indicated her statement by pointing towards the headboard.
Reid had had enough of this. They had finally gotten a break and nothing was going to keep him from her. The alpha male inside him took over as he quickly took her wrists and held them over her head, his whole body pinning her to the bed.
He demanded in a very fierce tone. "Well, then, Emily can put some headphones on because tonight is the last night of my honeymoon and I am making love to my wife."
Riley was completely blown away by his sudden dominance. She rarely saw this side of him and wasn't a huge fan of it. She adored the caring, gentle man that he was. But every once in a while - like right now - it was an incredible turn on. She couldn't have denied him if she wanted to.
"Okay," she whispered, an excited smile spreading over her face. "I love you."
"I love you," Reid replied as he matched her smile. He leaned down and claimed her lips as his once again.
Emily switched off the light in the bathroom. She was ready for bed now, dressed in a tank top and pajama pants. Tomorrow she had to go back and face the world. She'd type up her transfer request and give it to Hotch Monday morning. There would be questions, but she would just keep it vague. She just couldn't do it anymore. Hopefully Cold Cases or Organized Crime or something would have an opening and she could get out right away. The sooner the better.
As she turned down her bed, there was a knock on the door. Emily had a pretty good idea of who it might be and she was not in the mood to speak to him. Ever. He didn't want her, that was plain as day. She didn't need to hear his reasoning why.
Still, though, she went to check the peephole. Sure enough, there he stood. Morgan, in sweats and undershirt, waited impatiently, looking back to the hole as if he could see her, too. She would just tell him off, simple as that. She was going to bed alone and whatever he wanted wasn't her problem. It never should have been.
Opening the door, she noticed the saddened expression on his face. Emily hesitated, suddenly sympathetic. But she wouldn't let it sway her. "What do you want?"
"I want to talk." He said. "We never got to finish our conversation."
"I just figured that was the end of it." She said.
"It wasn't." Morgan informed. "I have something I need to say."
She was not about to concede to him, but he stepped closer, looking deeply into her eyes. "Please, Emily."
Hating her lack of will power, she opened the door for him to enter. Once safe inside, she closed it and locked it. Why, she wasn't sure considering he would be leaving within five minutes.
"Okay," She said, folding her arms. "Say what you have to say."
Her cold demeanor made him want to put on a defense, but he kept calm. He didn't want to yell, he didn't want to get upset. He wanted to say this so they could finally be together... if that was what she still wanted. It had been a few days, perhaps his distance had made her reconsider.
"I'm sorry," was the first thing he said. "I hate the way I've treated because you. That wasn't right. I care very deeply for you, Emily, and I despise myself for not giving you the respect you deserve."
Emily's anger and pain subsided a bit at that. "Apology accepted."
"You have no idea how much your words meant to me." Morgan continued without acknowledging her apology. "Emily, it's been agony thinking I lost you... because the truth is..."
Morgan wanted so badly to run. The door was so inviting. He could rush to it and rip it open, lock and all, vanish from this place. But the girl in front of it... with such beautiful hair and the sweetest smile... she was worth staying put.
"What?" She pressed. Emily just wanted to hear it and kick him out.
"The truth is I've wanted to hear that for a long time. I want more, too." It spilled forth from him like a waterfall, unable to be stopped.
Emily scowled. "How much more can you handle?"
"Excuse me?" He asked.
"Morgan, I swear," She could feel her tears building up, "I don't remember a week that's gone by where you weren't with at least two other girls."
"Looks can be deceiving, Emily." He said, saying a lot more than his words suggested.
She didn't understand. "What are you talking about?"
"How many men have you been with since you and I got together?" He asked.
Finally, she could be superior. If he thought for a second he was going to turn this around, she'd stamp that idea down. "For your information, none. It's only been you since our first night together, so don't stand there and try to make me the bad guy."
"No... but it does make us even." Morgan explained.
Now she was really confused. "Why? How many girls have you been with?"
"Since you, none." He explained. "You're the only girl I've been with since Reid's funeral... and you're the only girl I wanted to be with."
"You're such a liar!" Emily cried. Did he think she was stupid? "You said it yourself, you slept with Cheyenne after your date."
But instead of humiliation, he grinned. "I said we went back to her apartment. Where she showed me around, talked for about fifteens, made it very clear she was interested in me... and then I said a very respectful goodbye and left."
Emily didn't buy it. "Why would you go back to her apartment if you didn't intend to sleep with her?"
"So I could tell you I did." He clarified with a slight smile.
His truth did nothing but fuel her fury. "I was right, you wanted to make me jealous! You wanted to drive me away! If you didn't want me anymore, why didn't you just say so?"
"I didn't do it to drive you away!" He screamed, anger burning in his eyes now, too. Morgan turned away from her. She was just wasn't getting it... maybe she did want more, but she just couldn't see how much she meant to him.
Emily couldn't make sense of this. "Then why..." Her voice faded as she thought, extremely carefully. Why would he want to upset her and make her jealous if... if he really wanted her?
And suddenly it clicked. Morgan couldn't even look at her, but he heard her relieved laughter fill the room. It burned in his ears and he suddenly felt like some little kid making a fool of himself before a girl.
"You wanted to make me jealous... so I would confront you... and force you into something more serious." She couldn't stop the smile on her face as a few tears leaked out. "If you wanted a relationship, why didn't you just say something?"
"Because I suck at relationships!" Morgan cried as he turned around. "And I never really cared because I didn't want one... but that was before you. I didn't want to ask you to get more serious with me... and then it not work. I wouldn't be able to stand myself if I hurt you... why do you think I made that first date for you, because I care about you so much."
"I thought that night was because you wanted to show me what a king of romance you could be." She smirked while folding her arms.
"Yeah, well... that was just a cover." He shrugged. Suddenly he was getting bashful and it was awfully cute. "I'd actually been planning it for awhile, I was going to save it for Valentine's Day... but I made a few calls and got the ball rolling a month early."
He really did care about her. To be thinking about Valentine's Day so far ahead and they weren't even together. "So you... you do want to be with me? With only me?"
"Yes," He said, looking up and meeting her eyes. "As long as you want me, too."
"I do," She nodded, taking a step towards him. "Maybe it's foolish to think we can do it, that we can make a relationship work... but I want to try."
"Maybe the reason relationships never worked before was... because it wasn't the right person." Morgan suggested. "Nobody has ever made me feel like you do, Emily... because you're my friend. With any other girl, I would sleep with her and have a good time, but I never connected with her like we do. And in the morning, it didn't matter how hot she was or how great or... whatever, I didn't want anything to do with her. All I would think about was saying goodbye so I could be with my friends... but with you, it's different. I wake up in the morning... and I'm already with a friend. I'm with my best friend."
She couldn't stop the warmth flooding her cheeks as she smiled. Morgan continued. "I'm sorry, I tried to play games with you. I should have treated you better than that... if I had seen you with all kinds of guys, I wouln't think you'd want me, either."
"Why couldn't you just tell me?" She asked, moving closer.
"God, Emily, I wouldn't even know where to start!" Morgan exclaimed. He was still reluctant to get closer to her, ashamed of himself, hating to be so vulnerable. "I mean... what would I say to even convince you?"
"Well," She grinned climbing onto the bed. She kneeled on the edge, close enough to pull him to her. Both Emily's arms went around his neck, her torso pressed right against his. "All you had to do was hold me close and make me feel safe and say 'Emily Prentiss, you are incredibly gorgeous, an amazing person and a goddess in bed.' Please correct me if I'm wrong here."
"Oh, I will," He teased, his one hand taking a stroke on her backside.
"You continue with, 'I think you're one of a kind, I don't want any man to ever have the priveleage of holding you in his arms, so would please go steady with me?'"
"Go steady? What is this, 1952?" He cried, loving to hear her giggle after so long.
"Derek Morgan," She interrupted, her smile so bright, it lit up her beautiful chocolate brown eyes like a Christmas tree. "Would you be my boyfriend?"
"Yes." He answered. And with that, leaned down and met her in a warm kiss. It was the sweetest, truest kiss they had ever shared. No hidden feelings, no secret agenda... just two people slowly falling in love with each other.
Reid sat on the plane the next day. He was relaxed on one of the sofas, glad to be going home. He was twice as happy it was on the BAU jet; he wasn't sure he could stand six more hours cramped in one chair. He was not claustrophobic, but the lack of space certainly built his anxiety. The FBI had spoiled him, indeed.
Footsteps interrupted his thoughts; someone was joining him on the plane. Turning to look, he smiled as he spotted Riley in jeans and oversized red sweater. "Hey," he called. "I thought you wanted to talk to Emily."
"I tried, but the team told me to go wait on the plane." She informed. "They said they needed to discuss something, I thought you were with them."
"No," He shook his head, looking out the window. "Whatever it is, they'll tell me later. Now I get a few minutes alone with you."
She smiled as she hurried over. Reid's hands landed on her hips and guided her to sit on his lap. They met in a kiss and Riley's arms went around his shoulders. They couldn't describe how wonderful it was to be going home.
"Hotch told me I'll have to stay out of the field for a few weeks because of my head injury." He said, not in the least bit upset by that. "I'll be home every night for awhile."
"Oh, yay. You know, I have been practicing my cooking. Maybe I could make us a romantic dinner in a few days." She said, hopeful.
"Yeah..." He said slowly with a big fake smile. "That sounds... delicious."
"You're such a bad liar." She shook her head, making him laugh.
"Well... here's something truthful. I want you to know I'm holding to my promise. I will make this trip up to you."
She thought for a moment, the hint of a smirk on her face. "I thought that was what last night was about. It certainly was good enough."
"Really?" He wondered with a satifisied grin.
"Oh yeah," She leaned down, resting her brow on hers. Her hand ran down through a lock of his hair. "I'm surprised I can walk today."
They both laughed as he kissed her again. Quick, but sweet. "No, I mean it. I don't know how I'm going to do it, but I'm going to give you a proper honeymoon. You deserve it."
"So do you." Riley replied, stroking that same lock of hair over and over. "I'm so glad you're okay."
At that, they kissed again, a gentle but passionate one. They couldn't let themselves be too amorous; after all DC was a good 6 hours away, it wouldn't be wise to ge too excited.
"Geez, I can't go anywhere without seeing those two make-out." Morgan's voice cried as he appeared on the plane. They hadn't even heard him come on. Right behind him was Emily. She deliberately passed him, going to take a seat on the couch opposite the happy couple. Morgan took the seat as far from her as possible.
"Technically, we're still on our honeymoon!" Reid yelled, clutching his wife around the middle.
Riley looked to each one curiously. The body language between them did not seem good. "Please don't tell me you two are still fighting."
"We're not still fighting," Emily said sincerely.
Reid didn't buy it. "Then why is there a space half the size of this cabin between you two."
"Well, we have to keep up appearances." Morgan said. He flashed a smile to Emily, "Right, Baby?"
Emily gave a smile and Riley was stunned. "What's going on?"
"Well..." She looked to the happy couple. "We took both your advice and... we talked things through."
"Really?" Reid asked, looking to Morgan for confirmation. "And... what did you decide?"
"That we're both idiots. We both really care about each other, we don't want to be with anyone else nor do we want to other to." Morgan explained. "So we're giving the relationship thing a shot."
Riley smiled, "Good for you."
"Why are you so far apart, then?" Reid wondered, still confused.
"Like Morgan said, we have to keep up appearances." Emily further explained. "Look, as great as this is... we want to just be about us. For one thing, we're in the same unit. If they knew we were dating, one of us would have to transfer. And, despite my threat... neither of us are ready for that."
"Not to mention, if everyone knows, that puts a lot of pressure on us." Morgan added. "This is going to be strange territory for us for awhile, we need to navigate it on our own without a lot of conflicting outside help. So as far as anyone's concerned, Prentiss and I are still at odds."
"You're the only ones who can know." Emily said in a partial plea. Her eyes landed on Reid, "I know you're not happy about this... because you're right, this could jeopardize our team. You don't have to like this, Reid, but... can you please keep our secret?"
He hesitated, thinking. Reid clutched Riley closer to him. Emily and Morgan waited through the tense silence, hoping their friend wouldn't fail them this time.
To their relief, he smiled and nodded. "Yeah, I can keep your secret. I'm happy for you guys."
"But you were so angry before." Emily mentioned.
"I'm not going to lie, I am worried about what this will do to our team... but it's not like we're going to be together forever. Eventually something is going to break us up... I hope it's a long time from now, but it will happen. It's inevitable. As for you guys... well..." He reached up to brush back a piece of his wife's hair, "if this had happened before Riley and I were together... I would be upset. I'd be fighting you tooth and nail not to risk the dynamic of our team."
"But now?" Morgan pressed.
"Now..." He met Riley's eyes. "I'm in love... I'm the happiest I've ever been." He turned back, looking from one to the other to clarify his point. "What kind of friend would I be if I didn't want that same thing for the two of you?"
"Thank you, Reid," Emily sighed, smiling.
"Your secret's safe with us." Riley added.
It was then the rest of the team began clamoring on board. There was something secretive about them, like they were intentionally keeping Reid and Riley out of the loop. Emily and Morgan suddenly had the same expressions and the newlyweds knew something was going on.
Everyone took seats on the plane, all facing in their direction. "How are you guys doing?" JJ asked as she sat next to Emily.
"Not bad, we're happy to be going home." Reid said. "What's going on?"
"Listen, guys," Garcia grinned exchanging a glance with JJ and Emily, "we feel really bad your honeymoon got ruined."
"After everything you've been through, you deserved to have some time alone." Added JJ.
"Thank you," Riley replied, sensing more.
"After we solved the case, we all got together and talked things over." Emily said. "We want to do something special for you."
"So," Garcia beamed. "We all chipped in and Hotch and Rossi pulled some strings and I might have worked a little magic, too."
Morgan spoke next, "And together, we are giving you guys a second honeymoon."
They were absolutely speechless for a moment. Both of them glanced at each other before Reid muttered, "You're kidding."
"Nope," Emily smiled, "This Valentine's Day weekend, you two lovebirds will spend four days and three nights in a private cabin at the Poconos Ski Resort in Pennsylvania."
Riley completely lit up at the idea. "Oh my God! You're joking?"
"Nope," Rossi said with a shake of his head. "You'll leave that in the afternoon on the 14th and come back Sunday evening."
"Oh," She cooed, looking to her husband. "You and me in the Poconos, that's so romantic."
"But I don't know how to ski." Reid mentioned, somewhat worried.
He was completely missing the point. Riley gave him a slight glare and suddenly he understood. "I don't need to know how to ski."
"Precisely." She answered, leaning down to meet his lips, completely forgetting their was a plane full of people around them.
As their kiss ended, they turned their group of friends, most of which were stiffling giggles. "Thank you, you guys. This means so much to us." Riley exclaimed.
"You should thank Morgan," Hotch informed. "It was his idea."
That was a bigger surprise than the actual trip. They both looked to him, amazed and touched at the same time.
"Morgan, I never knew you were such a romantic." Reid said.
"There's a lot you don't know about me, kid." He grumbled. Morgan did not like being seen as some soft and sensitive guy to most of the world. "Alright, enough of this sappy junk. Can we get this plane in the air already?"
Everyone laughed and agreed, taking proper seats amoung the plane. No one but Riley noticed Emily quickly catching Morgan's eye, giving him a secretive smile, and Riley suspected that Derek Morgan was a much bigger romantic than anyone knew.