A/N: Thanks for the reviews! After a busy weekend I am back to writing. Hope the latest updates don't disappoint.
Reid and Allison's friendship grew. They found themselves often working together, and working together well. Their personalities complimented each other well. As cases came in bouts, Allie became better with each one at falling in with the rhythm with the team and learning the ways of the BAU. She had gained the friendship of not only Spencer, but also J.J., Emily, and Morgan. She had gained the respect of the others, although she wasn't sure about Agent Hotchner. Allie was well aware of his reputation and personality. Her expectations weren't high, but she hadn't received any feedback at all from her new boss. She just assumed that no comment was better then criticism. She knew he easily had more going on in his life than just the BAU, having recently returned from leave because of the death of his ex-wife.
After almost four months since Allison's first case with the BAU, the team had found themselves in North Carolina. It had been a long six days. The current case had not been kind to Allie. Between the humidity and the lack of sleep, she was plagued by headaches and nausea. Despite this, Allie put all of her energy into the case, finding it more important than focusing on herself. The deaths of military men in the surrounding area of Camp Lejeune hit particularly close to home for her because of her brother serving in the Navy.
Reid noticed how weary and frustrated Allie seemed to be, but didn't want to press the issue because after all, the job and the case came first. But at the same time he caught himself looking at Allie longer than necessary sometimes, and felt a tug at his stomach wanting to be nearer to her when the moments could come. He didn't understand where the line fell, and he didn't understand what he was feeling, but he didn't have the time to ponder this too much. All he knew was that he was comfortable with Allie, in a way unlike anyone he had ever known.
As the team got to the bottom of things, the intensity increased and Garcia had finally locked in on a possible location of the unsub. They stormed into a secluded equipment shed and found him, along with mounds of evidence including his clothes bloody from the victims. Once the team was wheels up, Reid found Allie half-asleep, staring out the window as they ascended for their short flight back to Quantico. He slid into the seat next to her. "Hey…" he said softly.
She looked back at him and attempted an exhausted smile. "Hi," she responded quietly.
"How's the view?" He asked, pointing out the window.
"Boring," she replied, but still returning her gaze back to it.
"Listen," Reid continued. "I… uh… don't want to bother you. But I just wanted to make sure you were okay. It's been a long week, and I can tell you haven't really been yourself."
Allie breathed a heavy sigh. "Don't worry about it, Reid," she replied.
"But…" Reid hesitated "I do," he said meaningfully. He instantly felt his cheeks turn a little red.
His comment affected Allie and she turned to face him. She was touched. She gave him a more heartfelt smile. "I'm okay," she said. "I'm tired, haven't been feeling the greatest but really, I'm ok. And… thanks."
Reid nodded. "Do you mind… if I sit by you for the rest of the flight?"
"Since when do you have to ask?" Allie replied playfully.
Reid's heart lifted, glad to be able to keep an eye on her.
Allie put her gaze to back out the window, resting her head on the side of the plane to her right. Reid shifted his weight to get more comfortable and noticed her left hand lying limply by her side. Before he thought too much about it, he placed his hand on top of hers, and gave it a slight squeeze. Allie didn't give much response except a small smile which Reid noticed on her features, and then she adjusted her hand so their fingers intertwined. And that was how they remained for the rest of the flight.