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So, I've been sweating bullets over this one. Scared out of my mind.
I want to hear what you think. Fave's are nice. Reviews are better.
Reid/Review/Enjoy
Morgan lays Reid's best china on the table, pulling out wine glasses and silverware.
Reid bends to straighten Morgan's tie, sneaking in a kiss.
"Why don't you look handsome?" Reid whispers and Morgan ducks his head in embarrassment.
"Pretty Boy." He growls as the doorbell rings.
"Ah, ah- we've got company." Reid teases as he nibbles on Morgan's bottom lip. He runs his fingers through his hair, loving the delicious shiver that runs through him. Time to show his- their masterpiece to the world.
Reid straightens, making his way to the door. He gives one last look over his shoulder to calm Morgan, who nods and gives a twitchy smile. Everything will go fine.
Reid opens the door, and there stands Penelope, Hotch and Hayley, and Em and Jenny.
"Hey guys,come in, come in!" Reid waves them in; his enthusiasm catching as they all smile and stumble past each other.
Garcia presses a bouquet of flowers in his hand. She kisses him on the cheek and he smiles.
"Hey Princess. Guys." Morgan pokes his head out of the dining room.
Reid brow furrows.
"Let me get some water for these." He says. "Where's LaMontaine and Gideon?" Reid murmurs, concern lithing in his voice.
"I haven't heard from Will all day." J., sliding her rung up and down her finger. Reid can't help but notice Emily's inappropriately close to J.J., hand resting on the small of her back, as if it was quite accustomed to being there.
"That's odd." Reid frowns, "This was going to be...a celebration- to your engagement." The lie falls off Reid's tongue like a steady drum roll.
Morgan catches his eye as he heads from the dining room.
"The food should be ready in a minute. How about some wine?" Morgan suggests with that disarming smile that always manages to take Spencer's breathe away.
"that would be great." Halely says. And everyone agrees.
Hotch looks at his phone.
"Gideon just sent me a message. He's stuck in traffic, he'll be here in ten." Hotch says.
Prentiss smirks.
"Hey Morgan- I haven't heard of a hot date in a while. Losing your game?" She raises a brow over her glass. Morgan flashes her a smile. A rod of heat feels as if it's jammed up Reid's spine.
"Don't ask, don't tell. Isn't right that Prentiss? " Morgan retorts as he pours someone else glass. He looks between J.J and Emily.
J.J. Blushes scarlet as she takes a sip.
"This is some good wine." She says, raising her glass.
"Thank you for the sentiment. It's well received. Even if Will isn't here..." J.J. Frowns at the thought.
The doorbell rings. Reid moves off the arm of the couch to answer it.
"Gideon, how are you?"Reid exclaim as he opens the door again.
"Not bad. Thanks for having me. What's the occasion?" Gideon places his coat on the rack and he gives a little nod to the room.
"Nothing special. Just a get together among friends." Reid says and Morgan catches his eye. Reid blinks never missing a beat.
"Actually, it's a party for J.J and Will...but it seems he's a no show." Reid shrugs as something in the kitchen dings.
"The food's ready. Morgan, can you pour Gideon a glass?" Reid turns to Morgan who moves to do it.
"No, I'm alright. Let's eat." Gideon claps his hands together. They all move to the dining room. Something catches in his stomach as he sees the rope dangling from the top kitchen drawer.
"I'm going to help Morgan in the kitchen. Everyone, make yourselves comfortable." Reid says as he glides off to the kitchen.
As the door swings shut, he hisses at Morgan.
"The drawer?" Morgan jumps as he looks down.
"What, Pretty Boy? It's just a harmless piece of rope. See?" Morgan pulls the rope out off the drawer, tugging in taught between his hands.
"I think this would make a good gag- what do you say." He whispers seductively, as he twines his fingers through Reid's hair, pulling tight as he kisses him deep.
Morgan knows it's bee him the one bound and gagged. And he's not ashamed of that. Why would he be?
They separate, bringing steaming dishes out to the guest.
"Oh, Italian. I love Italian!" Garcia coos as they place the dishes on the table.
Morgan and Reid sit at the opposite ends of the dinning table. They give each other the briefest of smiles. Reid raises his glass.
"This is to the celebration of two people finding that ever evolving emotion called love. May it last forever more. To love, minds and free will." He toasts and every one raises their glasses and drink.
They pass the dishes around, serving themselves- eating and enjoying the company and conversation.
"Gideon, I was just reading-"
Morgan scoffs- "nuthin' new, kid." Every one laughs.
"Any way," Reid says good humored, "I was reading this article in some science journal. And it stated that humans are the only species that kill other humans for the sake of killing. What do you think?" Reid says before taking a bite of his bread stick.
Gideon laces his fingers together, looking past Reid, thoughtfully.
"Well, I-think that people have the tendency to commit acts of violence against one another. And in this society there are people put into place to bring them to justice."
"But how do you quantify justice?" Morgan swirls a piece of sausage the sauce on his plate. "Is it enough that a perpetrator is behind bars for life...that he gets the death sentence; even though the victim may still be alive, forever effected by what they've done. Or all the countless others who die and their tormentors get a merciful death; one that the victims have surely been denied." Morgan's fist clenches around his wine glass.
Spencer gives him a look: Cool it.
Derek straightens, relaxing his hand and shoulders.
"That is a great point, but then again, the judicial system is flawed. We are merely humans, casting judgment on others. I hardly consider that fair, but what other choice do we have?" Gideon says, turning his attention towards Derek.
There is an uneasy air settling over the guests.
"I wonder where Will is." J.J mused and Em frowns.
"He doesn't want to be found today?" She says, with a twinge of disdain. J.J swats her arm. Prentiss arches her brow, taunting.
They all make small talk, voices overlaying each other as they enjoy the company...
Hayley and Hotch cooing over Jack; J.J laying out plans for her wedding (Prentiss remains silent throughout that conversation); Reid speaking about his next disorientation, Morgan about the trainees and how he can't believe that they are going to be out in the field in the next few weeks...
They are comfortable, fitting together like worn puzzle pieces. Everything is going smoothly as everyone clears the table for desert.
Morgan made a devil's chocolate cake.
They move to the sitting area- Derek grabs Spencer's arm in fear.
He motions at the chest sitting in the middle of the room.
Will's waving hello. His fingers sticking out of the trunk.
Spencer gives Derek a tight lipped smile. Derek draws everyone's attention with some jazz music pouring out of Spencer's stereo system and Spencer stuffs Will's hand back into the case.
Everyone relaxes on chairs- Spencer sits at Derek's feet.
"So when were you going to tell us?" Garcia gushes. Spencer looks up at Derek in bewilderment. Derek shrugs- heart ramming against his temples.
"That you two were a 'thing.'" Garcia coos.
"What?" Spencer spazzes and Derek laughs.
"I'm pretty sure that breaks all types of fraternization policies." Derek squeezes Spencer's hand in reassurance.
Hotch snorts.
"When has our team ever followed the rules."
"You know, you could get in trouble someday." Hayley warns Hotch. Hotch rolls his eyes and grins, kissing her sweetly on the cheek.
"You guys thought you were hiding it?" Gideon scoffs. "You're so transparent. I saw it." Everyone laughs.
J.J frowns at her cell phone.
"I'm going to try Will again. Excuse me." J.J says as Prentiss reluctantly lets her up.
J.J calls...and there's a faint ringing in the middle of the room.
J.J squints.
Spencer and Derek sit stock still, holding their breathes.
J.J looks around confused.
"That's. Will's ringtone..."
A/N: One more chapter to go. Tell me what you think of this so far. Love to hear from you.