Prentiss, Morgan, J.J. and Hotchner approached the ICU. The doctors said the head injury had caused some swelling. Reid could be unconscious for at least 24 to 36 hours. It was decided that J.J. would stay with him. The remainder of the team would continue to work the case until another team could take over.
J.J. sat by Reid's bedside. She held his hand tenderly. She was thinking about how they would tell Reid about Gideon. There was no way to know Gideon would have a pulmonary embolism. She smiled slightly, tears trailing down her face. She was sure Reid would know the statistics regarding post surgery complications by age group and type of injury. She gasped, taking in short bursts of air. She laid her head down on Reid's bed and cried herself to sleep.
J.J. dreamed happy memories of Gideon. The birthday hat Gideon insisted Reid wear on his 24th birthday, the way he teased Morgan about getting his groove thing going, the black and white film he had shown the team. J.J. slept until a nurse woke her and told her visiting hours were over. She begged to stay with Reid. The charge nurse informed her only family members were allowed to stay with patients in the ICU.
"I'm his fiancee."
The nurse looked suspicious.
"I thought you were a coworker?"
J.J.'s hands were below the bed. While she was talking to the nurse, she took a gold ring on her right hand and slid it onto her left hand.
"I am a coworker" J.J. answered as she flashed the ring on her left hand at the nurse.
"Well, all right then."
J.J. hoped Reid wouldn't mind the lie. The truth was, J.J. didn't know how she felt. The date she went on with Reid was awkward. He was so shy and quiet. But, he was a gentleman. Reid had opened her car door and paid for their refreshments. He had walked her to her door at the end of the date. J.J. hadn't expected anything but as she was fumbling with her keys, Reid had moved closer to her. He placed two fingers gently under her chin to lift her face upward. He brushed his lips lightly against hers. The kiss was chaste but it had left her flushed. They didn't have another date and they never discussed it.
J.J. smiled at the memory. She put her head back onto the bed and fell back asleep.