Author's note: Hello, FanFiction world! Here I am back again without an update since November. I so, so, so apologize! And I really want to thank those of you who are sticking around to read more. And to those of you who discovered this story during my extended hiatus, I didn't give up on you!
So, to recap, this is set during season 2, after "Jones." JJ is pregnant. Will is the father, but he used her to cheat on his wife. When JJ discovered that she was pregnant she turned to Reid for support. Reid has been struggling with his Dilaudid addiction, so JJ helped him sign up for an in-patient rehab center.
Last chapter, JJ went to pick Reid up after his last day of the two week rehab and they went out to eat. (I also included the end of chapter six in italicized print)
"Mankind are governed more by their feelings than by reason."- Samuel Adams
After she'd left a generous tip at the table, they went up to the counter and Reid paid the bill.
They walked outside and JJ handed Reid her keys once again. "You're not such a bad chauffeur after all."
"Thanks" he replied as they got in the car. "Where to?"
JJ laughed, "I know you haven't been home in forever, but would you like to go shopping with me?"
Reid was completely taken aback. "Um… sure, what for?"
"See this skirt?" she motioned at the skirt she was wearing.
"Yeah, what about it? I mean it looks nice on you and all…"
"I NEVER wear this skirt. But it's the only thing that fits that looks halfway decent."
"So clothes shopping?" asked Reid, sarcastically rolling his eyes.
"If you don't mind… I'm not really showing yet, but I guess I'm just bloated. Remember, I've spent the last two weeks away on cases, that means eating out or fast food for EVERY meal!"
"Okay, shopping it is! What store?"
"Well, I feel like I should start investing in some maternity wear. My sister-in-law raved about Target at her baby shower." JJ replied.
Reid pulled out of the parking spot and headed in the direction of the nearest Target store. "I didn't know you were an aunt!"
"Yep, and I love it! My older brother Jacob and his wife Melissa have two kids. Macie is five and Tyler is almost two."
"Are you the baby of the family? I can't believe we've worked together for this long and I've never heard you discuss your childhood!" responded Reid.
"Yeah, I think I was a kind of a surprise. Jake was eight and Jessica was five when I was born."
"I didn't even know you had a sister! Do your siblings still live in Pennsylvania?"
"She died when I was eleven. Suicide." she squinted to prevent herself from letting tears escape her eyes. "This is why I don't talk about my family much." She laughed awkwardly and brushed her bangs aside. "Jake and Melissa live about thirty miles from my parents."
Reid's tone was now more serious, "JJ, I had no idea. I'm so sorry I pressed."
"It's okay, really, don't worry about it. It was pretty difficult for a while. My brother was in college by that time, so all of the sudden I was practically an only child. My parents even separated briefly, but I think the whole thing eventually made their marriage stronger."
Reid found a spot in the Target parking lot. "I'm no stranger to difficult childhoods, and ultimately I think it makes people who they are. Maybe your experiences then helped make you the compassionate, receptive woman you are today."
"Are you profiling me, Dr. Reid?" JJ laughed, a bit more comfortable now that they weren't talking about Jessica specifically.
They exited the vehicle then walked though the sliding doors of the retail store.
JJ made a beeline for the women's clothing department, in which she quickly found the maternity section. Spencer followed her, gawking at the clothes surrounding him. "You really seem to know your way around this store."
"I come here every so often. I get almost all of my clothes from stores in the mall though." replied JJ as she looked at some dress pants.
"I've only set foot in a Target store once or twice." replied Reid.
JJ moved on to another rack, this one displaying jeans. Again, the genius followed close behind her. 'What am I supposed to be doing right now?' he thought.
JJ held up a shirt with a bold black and red zigzag pattern. "What do you think of this?"
"It kinda looks like something Garcia would wear. But the shape looks like maternity wear."
The blonde laughed, "You're right, I'll get a more subdued print." She then opted for a gray and white plaid shirt from the same rack. "I think I'm ready to try this stuff on." Reid was surprised to see that JJ had at least ten items in her hands. 'How did she grab all those clothes already? We just got here!'
She led the way to the fitting rooms. Reid decided to sit in one of the chairs outside.
Spencer sat fidgeting in an uncomfortable blue chair. About ten minutes had passed, so he called down the row of fitting room doors, "Everything okay in there, JJ?"
"I'm almost done," came her voice from the third room, "just a sec."
Within a minute, the blonde agent emerged. "Sorry I'm keeping you out so late. I know you haven't been home in ages," she apologized as she sorted the clothes she was going to purchase from the ones she didn't want. "I'm done now and we can be on our way…."
Reid stood up. "I didn't mean to rush you. Actually I really do enjoy being able to spend time with you." JJ blushed, causing Reid to smile involuntarily. "At first I thought you would model each item of clothing, but after a few minutes I realized that wasn't the case…"
She cut him off, "Oh, sorry, did you want me to?"
"No, it's okay; I'll see them on you eventually at work. Plus, you'd look beautiful in anything." He saw the look of disbelief on her face, "What? It's true!"
"Oh, Spence! What did I do to deserve you as a friend?" 'Friend? Why did I say that?' she thought. So she went out on a limb, "Or, are we friends? This was technically a date… I'm so confused."
Reid's face was bright red but his eyes glowed with their usual enthusiasm as he asked, "Do you want to be more than friends, JJ? I mean, I would, if you want, but we don't have to, and I you're pregnant and all..." he rambled on.
JJ dropped the maternity clothes in the chair Spencer had been sitting in. "I'd love to." she replied as she threw her arms around him.
There they were, embracing in front of Target's fitting rooms, neither one letting go for several minutes, lost in their own euphoric world, oblivious to the store around them.
"Why not go out on a limb? That's where the fruit is."- Will Rogers
Hope you enjoyed it! And again, I'm really sorry for such a long time between chapters!
Please review! And remember, you can always send me threatening PM's if you're getting mad about the time between updates.
