Perfection Chapter 3: Something Shiny, a criminal minds fanfic

Perfection

Chapter Three: Something Shiny

By Ann Parker (TV)

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Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "What lies behind us, and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us."

Hotch heard his doorbell ring and excused himself from the rest. One of the changes that had occurred since Reid's abduction was Haley's insistence with getting to know her husband's team better. She had realized just how close he was to them when he briefly recounted the events to her and almost broke down. If they were that important then she wanted to get to know them on more than just face recognition. That was why she was throwing this little get-together and he was glad she had talked him into it. He was actually enjoying himself; something he felt didn't happen enough.

He opened the door to reveal the missing two members of the team. "Ah, there's the babysitters," he teased as Sarah and Reid entered the house. The two had babysat for him and Haley a few times so they could have a night out. At first he had been incredibly worried about the idea, but with some reassurance from Gideon that Sarah could handle the baby on her own as well as Reid, he agreed to it. It had worked out quite well.

"Sorry we're late," Sarah replied. "We got…stuck in traffic." Hotch eyed the pair and just shook his head. He didn't really want to know what that lie was covering up. They made their way down the hall and into the kitchen where Sarah set down her desert.

"Everyone's outside," Hotch gestured to his patio and they nodded. They followed him outside where everyone greeted them. It was Morgan that was the first to comment on their appearance – the wet hair and Sarah's lack of makeup (not that she wore much in the first place) – and their timing.

"Did you shower together?" he asked.

"No," Sarah and Reid said in unison. A slight shade of pink crept across both of their faces.

"Double negative. That means yes," Morgan commented.

"Sa-wa," came Jack's little voice, just learning how to talk, and saving the both of them from further scrutiny. He hadn't quite mastered her name yet, not that she cared. He was sitting on Haley's lap. Everyone noticed Sarah's face light up as she made her way to him. He was growing quite attached to his babysitter, to the amusement of everyone else. She sat down next to Haley, who handed him over to her.

"Hey little man," she greeted, setting him down on her lap, facing her. Her hands held on to his sides as she bounced him slightly on her knee, making him laugh. That was until he noticed a shiny object on her hand, something that always attracts a child. He took hold of her finger and waved it up and down, catching everyone else's attention in the process. Sarah looked up at Reid who simply smiled. They had forgotten that they were going to have to share that information.

"Well that makes it easy," he commented to her and she laughed.

"Is that what I think it is?" asked JJ. Sarah nodded and girls were quickly surrounding her. The guys made their way to Reid.

"So we give you a few days off and this is what happens?" Hotch asked. Reid shrugged, still grinning. They could hear the girls commenting on the ring in the background.

"Hey Reid, where did you get the ring?" asked Emily. Reid glanced at Gideon, unsure if he should reveal that information. The older man nodded in approval.

"Gideon actually gave it to me," he replied. He noticed Sarah's head snap up, briefly making eye contact with him, then Gideon, then back to him.

"You didn't tell me that," she commented.

"We, um, never got around to that, remember?" he replied. Everyone noticed as now a deep shade of red appeared on Sarah's face.

"Oh, right," she just about whispered, now highly embarrassed.

"Okay, eww," stated Garcia and the group broke into laughter. Shortly there after the excitement died down a little and the group returned to idle conversation as they prepared to eat. Sarah made her way into the kitchen where Gideon was getting a glass of water. Without so much as a word she pulled him into a hug.

"Thank you," she mumbled against his chest. She didn't notice the smile on his face.

"You're welcome," he replied, kissing the top of her head. She pulled away from him and looked up at the man that she considered to be her real father.

"The ring is beautiful," she continued. "Whose was it?"

"My great grandmother's," he replied. "It looks quite at home on your hand." Sarah grinned back up at him. "Have you gotten some rest the last few days?" he asked. She nodded.

"Yes, I'm all rested and ready to come back. Thanks for the little break," she replied.

"Food's ready," stated Morgan, sticking his head in the door. They nodded and headed back outside. They conversation over dinner remained light, including Reid's explanation about the history of cole slaw. It was about an hour later when all the food was put away and a game of cards had started that Reid found himself leaning on the railing that surrounded the patio, watching Sarah playing with Jack in the sandbox.

"That could be your own kid someday soon," Hotch commented, slightly startling Reid. He hadn't even heard him approach. Reid sighed, not looking into Hotch's eyes. The team leader could sense something was wrong. "You do want kids someday, don't you?"

"It's not a matter of wanting," he replied after a minute. "Sarah might never be able to conceive." He whispered the last part, remembering the night she had revealed that to him. It was after coming home from watching Jack one night. He remembered his hatred for her stepfather reaching a new height. She had suffered so much internal damage that the doctors feared the scar tissue alone would make conception an improbability. He also had his own reservations with his mother's illness, but Sarah had told him that shouldn't be a reason not to. He noticed how Hotch hadn't said anything yet, probably taken aback by that revelation. "Look, don't tell the others. Gideon already knows, but I don't think she'd want everyone else to know. I probably shouldn't have even told you."

Hotch nodded, "of course. I'm sorry Reid." He patted Reid on the back. Finally looking back up at him, Reid smiled slightly.

"It's okay. I have her, which is more than I ever thought I would have," he stated and Hotch smiled slightly. Giggling from out in the yard got the attention from both of them. Reid smiled at the sight of Sarah blowing raspberries on Jack's stomach. "I think I need to rescue your son." Hotch laughed as Reid headed out into the yard towards them.

"Look at you two, covered in sand," Reid commented once he reached them. Sarah smiled as she began to dust Jack off. "Did you know that sand particles can range from 1/16 to 2 millimeters?"

"No I didn't Professor Reid," she teased, handing him Jack to carry. He took hold of the child as she stood up to dust herself off. "Looks like I'm going to have to shower again," she added as they headed back to the rest.

"I could help you with that," he winked. She smacked his arm.

"Doctor Reid! There is a child present," she laughed.

"What? I don't think he's grasped the English language enough to understand that." He pulled her to him, kissing her softly. She grinned when they separated and tapped his nose.

"I think I've made a monster out of you," she commented. "Well, me, and the book Morgan gave you." They could hear Morgan just about choke on his drink and start coughing since she made sure they were just in earshot of the rest when she added the last part. "You okay over there, Derek?" she asked. They were now on the patio with everyone else. Reid handed Jack over to Haley, who was now getting a little fussy.

"What book is she talking about?" asked Garcia. This caused him to cough even more. Sarah and Reid laughed as the rest looked on in confusion. They sat down at the table.

"Oh, it was nothing really," Sarah continued, realizing she had gotten the best of Morgan. "Now, what game are we playing?" They began a new hand of gin, unaware that their world was about to come crashing down.