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A/n thanks again to everyone that supports this story and takes the time to comment.
JJ's mouth curved into a wide smile when Reid entered the conference room. Despite their agreement to keep their relationship a secret, it was difficult not to grin when she saw Spencer with his new haircut and dressed in what she liked to think of as "geek chic." "Hey, Spence."
"Hi JJ," Reid greeted as he joined Emily, Rossi, and Morgan. "Where's Hotch?"
"He was in the middle of talking to his doctor for reinstatement when I called him about the case," JJ replied.
"I'm surprised to hear he's reinstated," Reid said. "He needs to stay out of loud places and not fly until his ears are healed."
"You're right, but don't let's talk about it," Rossi advised as he noticed Hotch coming down the hallway toward their gathering.
"Good morning," Hotch said, his usual impassive expression firmly in place despite the healing scrapes on his face.
The team greeted him, then turned their attention to JJ, who went through a new case involving a copycat of the "Angel Maker" in Lower Canaan, Ohio.
Reid commented on staging the body, and Morgan said. "It's ritual, nice hair by the way," and flipped a hank into Reid's eyes.
JJ managed not to snap at Morgan to leave Spencer alone, and instead attempted to meet Reid's eyes with a sympathetic look. Spencer didn't meet her eyes, after the briefing and the realization of the team that the copycat was more than the usual fan.
"I'll kick his ass for you later," JJ murmured as they left the conference room to prepare for their flight to Ohio.
Reid waited until he was sure the team was out of earshot. "Thanks, but I'm fine. Your opinion is the only one that matters to me."
JJ winked at him and left him on the walkway over the bullpen.
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After they'd found Chole and she'd committed suicide by cop, it was time to go home. JJ asked Morgan, Emily, and Reid if anyone had directions back to the airstrip.
"There's only one road outta here," Morgan said. "We'll find it."
"Morgan doesn't ask for directions, JJ. You didn't know that."
"He thinks it's better to vibe it," Reid put in and got a glare from Morgan for his pains.
"All right, smart ass, you drive," Morgan said and tossed the keys to Reid.
"Oh great," Emily said as she moved away toward Hotch.
"Come on," JJ encouraged Reid.
They took their places in the vehicle and listened as Hotch told Emily he was driving back to Quantico because he shouldn't be flying.
JJ stared at the back of Reid's head and thought about what Rossi told Hotch about stretching it out for a couple of days, that a trip like that might be fun for Spencer and herself, one day.
You should ask him.
JJ wiped the smirk from her face when Spencer glanced in the rearview and found her eyes. He didn't smile, but as always, his love spoke to her from his beautiful face, and then he shut down his emotions when Morgan said. "Let's go, pretty boy. The jet is waiting."
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Reid yawned over his first cup of coffee for the morning. It was a beautiful fall day, and a Sunday made going to the park appealing, but then his eyes fell on his chess set, and he shook his head. If he went back to the place where he played chess with Eric, he'd think about Gideon and – his phone rang, and he grabbed it from his coffee table. It was JJ.
"Hey, Jennifer."
"Hi, Spence. How are you?"
"I'm great now that I've heard your voice."
"You're sweet."
"It's true."
"So, did you want to go to breakfast and maybe take a drive up to Colonial Williamsburg? I want to do some shopping."
Reid frowned. "I'm not sure I want to go shopping with a woman. Garcia talks about it all the time and makes it sound like an ordeal for men."
JJ laughed, and the hair on the back of his neck stood up at the sound. "I promise I won't drag you all over town. I want to find a birthday gift for my mom."
Reid decided that asking JJ why she couldn't find something in McLean wasn't worth the trouble. He looked forward to a Colonial Williamsburg excursion. He'd never been there, and he'd heard great things about the food.
"All right, I'll pick you up in thirty minutes."
"No way, Spence. It's a long drive. We'll take my car."
"My vehicle is in perfect working order," Reid protested.
"I'm sure it is, but we can't afford to break down, and my car's only three years old."
"Fine," Reid said and secretly was pleased as he hated driving long distances.
"Don't pretend you're not happy."
How does she do that?
Reid decided not to obsess over why JJ seemed to know what he was thinking at any given moment. He said goodbye and went to change his clothes for pieces in his newly acquired casual wardrobe.
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JJ knocked on Reid's door twenty- nine minutes later and stared in delight when he opened it and stepped out. He wore a long sleeve, dark brown cashmere sweater with a one-quarter zip in the front that showed the white tee shirt underneath. He'd paired it with blue jeans and his favorite sneakers. The jersey emphasized the brown in his hazel eyes so that they looked like melted milk chocolate.
"You look gorgeous," JJ breathed and leaned up for a kiss. "I'm not complaining, but why did you decide to add this to your wardrobe."
"I thought it might be time to broaden my experiences with clothing. I know that Morgan likes polo shirts, but I thought that for the season, I'd find some jerseys to wear. I was surprised how comfortable they are."
"Well, I approve," JJ said and squeezed his hand. "You look great no matter what, but this is taking it to another level, babe."
"Thank you. You look beautiful." Reid said as he took in her jeans, and the thin white sweater she wore with white running shoes and her hair down around her shoulders.
"Thank you."
"Ready to go," Reid inquired.
"Yep, let's go."
Reid enjoyed the scenery around them as they drove from D.C to Williamsburg. It was a long drive, but they made it in time for an early lunch at a small café on the edge of the town. It featured all the comfort foods he liked to eat.
"That was delicious," JJ said after pushing away her plate, now empty of pot roast, mashed potatoes, and green beans.
"I agree," Spencer sat back in his seat and thought about ordering dessert. "What do you want to do next?"
"It's time to go shopping."
"I think I overate. Why don't I wait here with a slice of apple pie and some coffee?"
"No," JJ waggled her finger at him. "The walk will do you good."
He pretended that he was irritated, but once they stepped out into the crisp fall air, he smiled at her. "It's beautiful," he said and studied the trees which were beginning to change colors and the grass which remained emerald green. All of the homes and shops still retained their eighteenth-century look for the benefit of tourists and for some reason; it made him feel as if he belonged there.
"I agree," JJ said as they linked hands and began to stroll down the sidewalk next to the quaint cobblestone streets.
Ten minutes later, The Williamsburg Craft House came into view on a small rise at the end of the block. It was two stories high, with columns supporting the porches on each floor. The back of the house was red brick and the front painted white. They entered the front door after climbing three steps up to the porch and found several other people milling around looking at jewelry, folk art, and other items laid out in a huge front room.
"Hey Spence, look at this scarf."
He wandered over to see JJ hold up a colorful scarf in a floral pattern. "For your mom," he asked uncertainly. Reid had never met JJ's mother, but the scarf seemed more suited to Garcia.
JJ took another look at the scarf and said. "You're right. It's too busy for mom, but it would be perfect for –"
"Garcia," Reid finished, and they laughed.
"Hm, you're finishing my sentences already, Spence."
His eyebrows went up. "Why is that important?"
JJ shook her head and went to a rack of vintage dresses from the early twentieth century. "I'm sure you've heard about couples who know each other so well; they can finish each other's sentences."
"Yes, I do. I was teasing you."
"Oh you," JJ rolled her eyes and then hurried to a wall featuring folk artwork. She roamed up and down, then shook her head. "I like most of these paintings, but it doesn't seem right for a gift. Mom doesn't like art you hang on walls. She'd rather have a book of prints on the coffee table.
Reid understood. He didn't have art on his walls. Why stare at something that took up space, but didn't have a function, especially when you could frame pictures and put them on a desk or in a scrapbook, as his mother favored?
"Does she like jewelry?"
JJ joined him at a table that featured vintage pieces from an estate sale. It was all half price, but JJ frowned over the selection. "Mom doesn't like rings, but she does like cameos. I don't see one, though. It all looks custom made."
Reid studied an eighteenth-century gimmel ring he spied in the selection. He knew they'd been popular as wedding rings and opened to reveal a heart.
"Spence?"
"Sorry," he turned to see JJ looking at a tavern style lamp that came with a hook. "Look at this. The last time I talked to mom, she mentioned wanting a lamp like this for her garden.
"What do you think?" Reid asked as he hefted the lamp. "It's not too heavy, and it appears to be authenticate to the eighteenth century."
"How do you know?"
Reid smirked at her, and she shook her head. "Right, you read a lot."
"Yes, I do."
"Let's pay for it, and then we'll head back to the car."
When they'd made it back to the car and locked the lantern inside, Reid looked at his watch. "It's only three. We can stay and look around a bit more if you want."
JJ shrugged. "Are you sure? You're the one that hates shopping."
"I don't hate it," Reid said. "I thought it'd be more of an ordeal. I'm pleasantly surprised."
JJ narrowed her eyes at him. "Hm, I think I should drag you into the nearest shoe shop and make you wait while I try on at least ten pairs."
"Jennifer!"
JJ grinned at him. "I'm kidding. Let's walk around a bit more and then we'll head back out to DC. There's something else I want to do."
"What?"
"You'll see."
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JJ took Reid back to her place, but he balked at going inside. "I thought we decided to take it slow."
JJ looked him up and down. "Spence. I'm starved. I want to order a pizza and watch a movie. I'm tired from all the walking around we did. I'm not in the mood for more."
"Oh, I'm sorry. I misunderstood and –"
JJ clapped a hand over his mouth. "It's okay. We'll watch a movie, have junk food and if you like I can take you home, or you can camp out on the couch."
Reid went scarlet. "I think taking me to the nearest VRE station is fine, Jennifer."
"If that's the way you want it, then I'll take you to the train after we watch the movie.
Three hours later, Spencer sat with his arm around JJ, who slept soundly with her head on his shoulder and didn't hear him snore as he leaned back against the cushions of her sofa. The television showed a blue screen and the remains of pizza, beer and popcorn lay scattered over the coffee table. It was a night Reid would often think of in the days to follow.