JJ entered her apartment followed closely by Spencer. It was two months after the events in Kansas and they had just returned from upstate New York on a serial rapist case. Fortunately it had only taken them one day to catch this guy. JJ was grateful for the easy cases. She dropped her bag by the door and slumped in her favorite chair. Spencer picked up her bag and went into the bed room. Walking over to the closet, he rummaged around in the back looking for something he'd hidden there a few weeks ago.
When he returned to the living room he found JJ fast asleep in the chair. He pulled his phone out of his pocket and made a quick call then returned to the bedroom. He placed the item he had taken out of the closet in his jacket pocket and hung it up. Stripping down he walked into the bathroom and turned on the shower. He collected the clothes he'd let fall to the floor and threw them in the hamper. Sticking a hand in the falling water he determined it was warm enough and stepped in sighing with pleasure as the hot water hit the sore places on his neck and shoulders. He jumped when another set of hands and arms wrapped around him and a mouth kissed the back of his neck.
"Babe, I thought you were asleep." He said groaning when her hands began to massage his back.
"I was, but I heard the shower and the thought of your beautiful body under all this hot water, made me quite hot. So I came in for a cool down." She said in that wonderfully throaty voice she saved just for him.
"I don't think you're going to get a cool down babe, I like it hot and forceful. He said turning and kissing her till she went weak in the knees."
When he let her breathe again she said. "That all depends on how you define "cool down" She kissed his neck again working her tongue down his chest and sucking on a nipple.
He pushed her against the shower wall and said. "Well since you have all this energy let's see if we can't burn some of it off, shall we.
The water was cold by the time they stumbled out of the shower and into the bedroom where they continued their "relaxation therapy."
Several hours later just as the sun was going down, JJ awoke and found Spencer getting dressed. She gaped at him. He was putting on a suit and tie. Granted he looked great but she wondered if there was a party or wedding or even a funeral she'd forgotten about.
"Good you're awake; our reservations are in about an hour that should give you enough time to get ready." He said sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Ready for what babe, if you couldn't tell you wore me out, I just want to sleep." JJ said looking annoyed.
"You forgot didn't you?" He asked with great patience.
"I forgot what, Spencer." She said with even greater patience.
"It's our sixth month anniversary and I'm taking you out to eat. We have reservations at Franco's, your favorite restaurant. So get up and get dressed."
"We could just stay here and continue what we were doing." She winked suggestively at him.
"No way missy, we are going to have a romantic night out whether you like it or not." He said in his best mock stern voice.
"Yes sir. And how is it that you remembered and I forgot isn't that like against the natural order or something. She said as she got up and began to get dressed.
"Oh ha ha, I guess I'm just a romantic a heart. He quipped.
"Cute Spencer very cute," she said over her shoulder as she went into the bathroom to try to do something with the rat's nest her hair had become during their afternoon activities.
One hour later they entered the restaurant. It was rare these days that JJ could fluster him, but when she had appeared in the living room with her hair in flowing down over her shoulders, and wearing his favorite black dress, he nearly forgot his resolve to stay out of bed and get to the restaurant on time.
As they walked to the prearranged corner table, many male heads turned to look at JJ. Not for the first time did he wonder what she saw in him when she could have any male in the room. They sat down at the candle lit table and Spencer ordered some wine.
They talked about everything except work and the case. JJ knew that the attention from other men bothered Spencer. Sometimes he still didn't believe she wanted him, in spite of all evidence to the contrary. She forgave him though, mostly because he was so clueless when it came to other women. She'd seen a lot of women looking at him like he was the night's appetizer. She didn't blame them, there was something so sexy about a man who doesn't know he's hot. They lingered over dinner for a long time and after the fabulous meal was over he took her hand.
"JJ I love you. These last months have been the best of my life and I bless the day you loved me. He stood up then moved to kneel at her feet pulling the small jewelry box out of his jacket pocket. "Jennifer Jareau, will you make me the happiest man on earth, will you marry me?"
He opened the box and the most beautiful diamond ring she had ever seen glinted out from the velvet it was nestled in. It was a gorgeous 18 carat white gold solitaire with a princess cut ½ carat stone. Tears fell from her face as she took his face in her hands and kissed him.
"Can I take that as a yes?" He said grinning at her.
"Yes, you silly man, yes I'll marry you." She cried as he slipped the ring on her finger and cheers and clapping erupted around them.
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At about the same time across town, Gideon was in his living room sitting in his well worn easy chair with his laptop. He'd just ended a long IM conversation with Stephanie. It had only been a couple of months and he missed her terribly. He knew she felt the same even though she wouldn't say so. It was easier to communicate this way. He missed the sound of her voice but didn't think he could keep his composure if he heard it again.
He shut the computer and put it on the table and wondered what he was going to do. He wished that she were there now, with him and to hell with the consequences. He knew he should back away, he was too much the father figure for her and she had been hurt badly by the only blood family she'd had as a child. How could he contribute to that pain?
It wasn't right for him to want her. He had to find away to let it go and not hurt her. He still wanted to be her friend. He couldn't bear to lose that.
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Stephanie sat in her home office. She stared for a long time at her computer screen before turning it off. She sighed, she wasn't dumb she knew that Jason was pulling away and it hurt. It also made her resolve to do what she decided to do that much stronger. She swiveled around in her chair and picked up the letter she'd received only that day. It contained an offer she felt she couldn't refuse. Her career would take off and it would make her relationship with Jason possible. She'd had a call from the realtor she hired just after the case with Micheala Simms ended. The house had sold that day and she would be moving out in a month. She was heading to Virginia in two days to speak to the head of Health and Human services for the Commonwealth and the Governor as well. If all went as planned she would be the next and youngest Chief medical examiner of Virginia and an FBI consultant. Jason knew nothing of her plans. Only JJ knew and had been able to get her temporary clearance to surprise him and Spencer.
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Two days later in the office of the Governor of Virginia, Stephanie shook hands with Dr Susan Bryce the head of Health and Human Services and her new direct supervisor and she shook the hand of the Governor, the direct supervisor of Dr Bryce.
"You're sure you're up to this young lady, he said with a kind smile. You'll be the youngest Chief we've ever had and that's bound to cause problems for you."
"I can handle it." She said looking him straight in the eye.
"I believe you can, anyway you come very highly recommended. I'm sure your talents will be put to good use," he responded and rose to his feet. Now I must show you out, I have another appointment."
"Thank you sir, I won't let you down."
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JJ was at the elevator to meet her when she arrived at the BAU later that day. The door opened on The busy floor and she was engulfed by JJ's enthusiastic hug.
"Oh it's so good to see you again, I missed you." She said smiling, her eyes sparkling.
"Hello Jen, you're positively glowing, so come on lets see it." Stephanie demanded.
JJ held up her hand and Stephanie squealed with delight. "Oh Jen it's beautiful, it's good to know that brother of mine has great taste."
"Yeah, she said looking at the ring and smiling to herself, he sure does."
"Hey snap out of it, I'm dying to see Spencer." Stephanie said giggling at the way JJ mooned over her ring.
"Well come on then, and Stephanie tell the truth you're not dying to see Spencer, you missed him and want to see him because he's you brother but you're dying to see Gideon, am I right?" JJ smirked and then laughed at the look on her future sister in-laws face.
"You know if you're going to go all "scary profiler girl" on me I might decide not to be a bridesmaid." Stephanie pouted. "Am I really that easy to read, because if I am, I'm in big trouble?"
"First of all I'm not a profiler and secondly that's an empty threat, you know if you back out Spencer's going to want to know why and I know you haven't told him about your crush on his boss." JJ teased and before Stephanie could answer they'd turned the corner and been seen by both Morgan and Spencer.
Everyone was stunned when Stephanie told them about her new job and that she would be moving to Virginia to stay. Spencer was very happy to hear the news of course but he wasn't as clueless about his twin as most seemed to think and he wondered what this would mean for her relationship with Gideon. She hadn't said anything to him about what had happened between them in Kansas and he was doing his best not to pry. He figured that it wasn't settled between them and that was why she was keeping it to herself. So when JJ "distracted "him to let Stephanie get away to go to Gideon's office he pretended innocence and wished he could be a fly on the wall for that discussion.
So blissfully unaware that Spencer was not blissfully unaware, Stephanie climbed the stairs and went down the hall to Jason's office. She knocked on the door and entered at his distracted "Come in"
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He was deep in thought trying to catch up on paperwork when the knock sounded on the door.
"Come in" he said distractedly and hoped whoever it was would take the hint by all the paper on his desk and make it fast. He didn't look up as the door opened and closed. The person was silent and he looked up with an annoyed look that turned first to surprise and shock and then to joy as a smile spread over his normally solemn features.
"Hi Jason" she said. She was there and she was beautiful, and her voice. Well he couldn't believe it!
"Dr. Stephanie Matthews," he said getting up and going around the desk to wrap his arms around her.
His resolve to pull away was shattered; he couldn't do it, not now when she was here. It occurred to him to wonder if this wasn't what she had in mind showing up in his office with no warning. He found he didn't care.
If she had been worried about the reception she would get from him, it all went out the window when he hugged her. The next thing she knew he was kissing her like he never wanted to let her go. It took her breath away and she found her legs wouldn't hold her anymore when he finally released her. She staggered and sat down hard on a chair.
"Hey, he said concern filling his dark eyes, you ok?
"Yeah, that was some kiss Agent Gideon, a girl might wonder about your intentions after a kiss like that." She said looking him directly in the eye and he knew she'd known what he'd tried to do these last months and was annoyed by it.
"Yes, well I made a mistake, will you forgive me. He said sitting down next to her. You can chalk it up to an old man's insecurities."
"Yes, well after a kiss like that I hardly think you're an old man. She said. I'll forgive you on one condition."
"What's that," he asked unable to take his eyes off hers?
"Kiss me again and leave your doubts behind us in Kansas where they belong."
"That's two things." He said getting up and pulling her to her feet.
Spencer knocked on Gideon's office door. He figured he'd given them enough time to work things out. He entered without bothering to wait for an invitation and stopped in his tracks. Stephanie was sitting in Gideon's lap in the chair behind his desk where they were making out like a couple of teenagers. He figured they wouldn't have noticed a bomb going off beside them.
"Uh, guys-" No response.
"Hey uh Gideon! He said loudly and Stephanie jerked pulling away from Gideon. She nearly fell out of the chair and blushed crimson when she saw Spencer.
"I was going to see if you were free for lunch but I can see you're busy so I'll just go find something to poke out my minds eye and leave you to it." Spencer said turning and going out the door before either one could say anything. He closed the door, leaned back on it and began to laugh.
TBC