"Do you trust me?" Will asked one night, right after JJ had come home from a case. JJ nods, as if she wasn't really paying attention.

"Then tell me why you're so hung up about this. I understand why you're upset, but there's something more – something you're not telling me." Will demanded.

"I'm honestly tired, Will."

Will paused, as if to control his anger, "JJ, I'm done with you. It's been two months. I'm sick of this. I'm scared of what I'm becoming – scared of what we're becoming – but you're too caught up in Reid's death to care."

JJ sighed and pushed past him without a word.

Will flung the keys she had just set down on the table against the wall. It hit the wall with a loud thud before it clanged to the floor. JJ froze. She had never, ever seen Will throw anything before.

"I've had people I love die too. I moved on!" Will growled.

"I thought of all people you would understand, William."

"You really want to go there? You really want to play the guilt game? Well okay, did you know I'm taking anti-depressants?"

For a second, JJ turns, and she realizes just how much she has been missing out in the past 8 weeks. Standing in front of her right now was a man that loved her – a man she had neglected – a man who had cried for her love only to receive nothing in return.

"I think he's still alive, Will – and that's why I can't get over him." JJ coughs out, and for once, she isn't lying about this.

Will pauses and thinks that his wife has really gone mad.

"Are you kidding me? The whole BAU has accepted that REID IS DEAD! I'm fucking done with all your bullshit."

Will pulls out his wedding ring and throws it at JJ. It hits her stomach and she scrambles to catch it, but it had already rolled under the sofa.

"Goodbye, Jennifer."

The door slams. And JJ starts to cry.

Reid takes some time to settle into Elle's department.

If someone were to describe Elle's house as 'sparsely-furnished', it would still be an overstatement. Elle's house was empty.

There was a television and a couch – no side table, no bookshelves, no pictures, nothing. In the bedroom, there was a bed and a closet – no side table, no night light. In Reid's room, which he knew was completely empty before Hotch arranged for him to come here, there was nothing but a bed.

In the kitchen – or rather the room with a fridge and a stove, there were no pots, no pans, no plates. One red cup sat on the counter next to a kettle.

Reid had an inkling that Elle hadn't really gotten over the incident – even after half a decade.

"Is this your house?" Reid asked.

"Technically I'm renting it, but yes, I stay here. It's a new thing – minimalism." Elle says, smirking.

"This isn't a house, Elle."

Elle paused, surprised how much Reid's emotional quotient had increased since the last time she saw him.

"Less things to hide behind – easier for me to spot something out of place." Elle shrugs.

"Are you saying that you got shot in your own home because you didn't notice something 'out of place' and that's why it's your fault?"

Elle sighs. "Reid – an agent protects the people – I couldn't even protect myself."

Reid was momentarily lost for words. He couldn't find anything to tell Elle that would make her feel better. What she said was true – but there were other factors to take into account. He decides to change the subject.

"Where do I go from here? I want to go back to the BAU. It's what I've been doing my whole life."

"Reid, they're going to catch the guy that shot you, and what that happens, you can go back. It'll be 6 months tops. Don't worry, you'll get your home sweet home soon enough – for now, though, you'll accept the bed I prepared," Elle said, giving him a playful shove.

Reid suddenly felt bittersweet.

"And after I go back to the BAU, we go back to not talking?"

Elle gave a half-smile and broke eye contact with Reid. She knew he still blamed himself for not being able to help her, but it wasn't his fault – she didn't want to be helped. She looks up again, and her heart goes a little faster at how close Reid had gotten when she was looking away.

"We will keep in touch, don't worry. Hotch keeps in touch, JJ too." Elle says, turning away and stalking back to her room.

Reid stands in Elle's living room and wonders why on Earth he stepped so close to Elle Greenaway.

hello hello BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHOS REVIEWING ;) anyhow i know reidxelle is not exactly 'popular' but somehow i think they're cute together :D but anyhow this can still go both ways :D bye for now - trawling tumblr for reid x elle gifs