Here you go, a chapter with a secret!
Reid stared across the jet at the nodding form of Bridie. They had caught the unsub after two days of undercover work. It had been a man named Louis Andrews, who was incredibly distraught and upset with his life. Though Reid was glad the team had caught the unsub, he was upset that they disrupted the cuddling session between Bridie and him. He comes back from his thoughts when Rossi slides in to the seat in front of him. He licks his lips, worried of what is going to be said.
"You like her," Rossi states. His tone suggests he already knows it, and that he's not going to be easily swayed on the assumption. Reid looks down at his hands and fidgets with his shirt. Rossi chuckles. "I'm not saying you can't. I'm just saying that I will wring your neck if you hurt her." Reid shakes his head.
"I would never hurt her, sir. She means a lot to me already." Rossi nods, raising an eyebrow.
"I can tell," he says, pulling down the collar of Reid's shirt the tiniest bit. The purple mark found there was small, but it existed. Reid's mouth goes dry, thinking that Rossi is going to punch him. "She doesn't cozy up to men very often—less so, now that she's a mother." Reid's eyes go wide, and he stares at Rossi. Rossi realizes the secret he just spilled. Bridie would hate him if he messed things up. Before Reid can speak, Rossi quickly says, "don't tell her I told you that." Reid's eyebrows furrow, and he glances at the now sleeping Bridie. When he looks back to Rossi, he's shaking his head. "If she hasn't told you yet, it's because she's afraid. A child is a large responsibility, and she's most likely afraid to add you to the mix. Seb is five, and he has a great relationship with his dad; Bridie is probably afraid that Seb won't like you—or the opposite, that he'll love you more than he love her or his father." Reid's head is spinning, thinking about Bridie having a son. He excuses himself, and sits across from JJ.
"Did you know that Bridie has a son?" Reid's voice is cool, smooth, and detached. He couldn't make sense of what he was learning. He thought that Bridie trusted him, at least enough to tell him about her family. JJ looks up and bites her lip. Her response is only a slow nod. Reid sighs. "Why didn't she tell me?" He asks. If JJ knew about Bridie's son—Seb, Rossi had called him Seb—then every team member knew. JJ sighs and gently touches Reid's hand.
"Relax, Spence. If she's keeping a secret from you, it's probably for a good reason. You guys have known each other for what, 4 days?" Reid only nods, not able to speak. "She probably thought you wouldn't want her if she had a kid—that's how a lot of men act, so she only assumed the worst." Reid nervously plays with his short hair.
"What do I do, JJ?" He asks, desperation clear in his scratchy voice. It is obvious that he's on the verge of tears. JJ smiles and leans back in her seat.
"Let her come to you and tell you herself. For all you know, she could have just been waiting for the right moment to tell you. So let her wait for that moment; let her do it her way. If your hickey says anything, then she really likes you. Spence, a child isn't the end of the world." Reid just nods, glad to have talked it over with a woman that would know first-hand. He pulls a chemistry book out of his messenger bag and begins reading. He would do anything to occupy the rest of the flight, as long as it took his mind off of the child that was being hidden from him.