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A/n this chapter is set between the season two finale and "Doubt." I am assuming there was a time interval between cases. Also, this will be the last chapter. The story was never intended to go beyond the beginning of Season Three. Thank you all for your kind support. I truly appreciate you all. Take care.

A New Direction

Reid put aside a file folder and heaved a troubled sigh. A week had passed since Sarah's murder, and Reid couldn't stop thinking about it and the aftermath. He rubbed his eyes and then wished he hadn't because one of his contacts began to burn.

"Hey, you okay," Emily asked.

"Yeah, um, I rubbed my eyes and nearly dislodged a contact. Gotta run to the men's room."

When Reid returned to his desk, Emily was packing it in for the day. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah, just tired. How are you?"

Emily sat back in her chair and frowned. "I'm alright. I need a day to unwind."

"I agree. Um, Emily, I wanted to ask you something."

'Okay."

Reid hated that she looked wary of him. "I wanted to apologize for missing the jet in New Orleans and ignoring your phone calls."

Emily held up a hand to stop his words. "You don't have to speak, Spencer. I know it won't happen again. The important thing to me is that we're friends."

Reid felt relief in his gut and smiled widely. "Thank you. I was thinking about Sarah and Gideon, and I didn't want to walk on eggshells anymore. Life is too short."

"Yes, it is. I'm glad you have JJ, Spencer."

"Thank you. I will always be thankful that we gave it a chance."

"Me too. You were getting a bit pathetic. Both of you."

Reid crumpled a piece of notepaper and tossed it at Emily.

Emily laughed and ducked. "Okay, now you're in trouble."

Soon the bullpen was a paper ball battleground with missiles flying everywhere and littering the floor. JJ walked in and said. "Good to know you two are mature adults when left to your own devices. Should I call Hotch?"

Reid and Emily were red-faced and laughing as they launched their final attacks on each other. "Um, just working out an argument in a non-violent manner."

"Oh. May I ask what you are fighting about?"

Reid and Emily looked at each other. "Nope," they said in unison.

"Okay," JJ shrugged. "Next time you want to play poker, it'll be without the addition of my Cheetos to the pot."

"Oh…" Emily pretended to pout. 'Such threats."

Later as JJ cuddled up to Reid after he shut off the lights, she said. "You okay?" You've been quiet except for your fight with Emily."

"JJ, are you jealous?"

"What? NO!. I wondered if everything is alright in general."

Reid stroked her hair in the darkness. "Yes, I guess I'm worried about Gideon. He hasn't been back to the office yet, and I hope he's okay."

"Hotch said he'd be back next week." JJ shivered and held tighter to Reid. "I wish I couldn't empathize with him. When you coded –"

"JJ."

"I wanted to run out of that awful place and find you. I was so frightened. I wished it were me instead of you.'

"Don't say that, JJ. I could never survive losing you."

'Let's not talk about it anymore. Let's get some sleep."

Reid kissed her and said. "As usual, you have the best suggestions."

CMCMCMCMCMCMCM

Reid was sitting on JJ's sofa when he heard her squeal with delight and then heard her run out to the living room. She jumped onto the couch and hugged him.

"Spence," she said, as excitement made her blue eyes sparkle. "Are you sure?" JJ held out the folded letter she'd found on the bed.

"Of what," Reid pretended ignorance.

JJ smacked him with the note. "This note you left on my pillow."

"Oh. Did I leave a note for you."

JJ rolled her eyes. "Let me read it, and maybe that will jog your memory."

Dear JJ,

I love you, and I want to ask you something important.

I have been thinking about Gideon and Sarah. What happened to them is a tragedy in more than one way. I never want us to have regrets or feel like we let life pass us by.

"So, I'd like to move in with you and live our lives together. Let's see where it takes us. What do you say?

Talk to me after you read this. I will be waiting.

Love you,

Spence.

JJ's eyes were full of tears now. "Yes, let's move in together. Now!"

"You're not sorry it wasn't a proposal of marriage?"

"No! I'm not ready for that yet."

"Good, because neither am I. We need to get to know each other in a domestic setting."

JJ laughed and said, "I love when you use words like domestic."

"Do you?"

"Yes."

"I'm glad to know. Now, let's talk about our lives together."

"A perfect idea," said JJ and kissed him.

"I agree. I love you, Jennifer Jareau. Thank you for standing by me.

'I always will. I love you so very much, Spencer Reid.

They cuddled and talked of what their life together might bring, and neither felt afraid.

THE END