AUTHOR'S NOTE: HEY EVERYONE! ZABE ROGUE HERE! I JUST WANT TO APOLOGIZE FOR ALL THE UTTER CONFUSION U HAVE GOTTEN FOR MY STORY! I'M REALLY NEW TO WRITING CRIMINAL MINDS FANFICS SO BEAR WITH ME. BUT I DID HAVE AN IDEA WITH THIS PROMPT THAT SORT OF RAN AWAY FROM ME. BUT THANKS TO THE ADVICE FROM Whatif-Only, I BELIVE I GOT THIS STORY ON THE RIGHT TRACK. SO DON'T GIVE UP ON THIS! I MADE THIS CHAPTER A LITTLE ANGSTY AND I'M BOOSTING UP THE RATING (NOT M) SO PLEASE REID, REVIEW AND ENJOY!
CCoAC's Writing Challenge
Challenge: Back to Basics Spring Challenge
Characters: Reid/JJ
Prompts: fresh flowers, baby bunnies, Easter Egg Hunt
Setting: AU Season 7, inspired by "Proof"
Nightly Confessions
Reid Home-Saturday, April 5; 6:30 P.M.
JJ was going out to dinner with Will LaMontgane and Spencer agreed to keep Henry tonight. He was in the kitchen, cooking some chicken nuggets and fries for dinner while the kids were watching Monsters Inc. Spencer felt troubled about this whole situation between himself and JJ. She was his best friend; they've been through everything together. He felt if they can go through half of the torture they've been through these past 10 years, they could go through anything. How Spencer wanted so much to rectify what was broken. What was preventing him?
A small tug on his pants tore Spencer away from his thoughts. He looked down and saw Henry staring up at him.
"I'm thirsty, Uncle Spence." He said.
"Okay, hold on."
Spencer went to the refrigerator, took out carton of fruit punch and poured some in Henry's Sippy-cup.
"Thanks, Uncle Spence." Henry smiled as he went back to the living room.
Spencer smiled as he fixed the last of the children's plates and handed it to them.
"Okay, once this movie is over," He said. "Wash up and get ready for bed."
Saturday, 8:53 P.M.
Spencer put the kids to bed around 8:30. After he cleaned up the living room and put the dishes up, he retired to his office upstairs. It where he goes to whenever he felt stressed or needed to think. Spencer looked at the photo album on his table and started to flip through the pictures. He kept flipping at normal speed when until he came across a picture of himself and JJ at his engagement party prior to…. that particular incident. No matter how much he tried, Spencer couldn't get that incident out of his head. Damn eidetic memory. He cursed. Everything was okay between him and JJ. They were finally at a point where they can forget about what happened and move on. Rossi's pasta party brought everyone back together, so did Gatsby and Spencer's engagement announcement. Life was finally coming together for Spencer. Why did he have to mess it up?
Spencer's Flashback: D.C. Memorial Hospital March 28, 11:37 P.M.
The rush of euphoric bliss flowed through Spencer Reid's veins as he shot up the last liquid in that dreadful vial. He couldn't take hospitals; he's been in them one to many times to know somebody he love either dies or goes away without telling. And now, Gatsby was in the ER, fighting for her life.
Spencer felt tears stinging in his eyes. None of this would've happened if it weren't for…
"Spence? Are you okay?"
Spencer heard that woman's voice coming near him. He didn't want to hear her voice; he didn't even want to see her face. Jennifer Jereau was the main reason why his beloved fiancée was shot by a sniper. She was the reason why he was on a relapse.
"What are you doing here, Jennifer?" Spencer slurred.
"The surgeon just informed us that Gatsby's out of surgery," JJ explained. "I came to look for you."
"Well, you found me. Now leave me alone."
JJ was taken aback by her friend's attitude. "Look, I know this is hard on you but Gatsby has been through worse and she's going to be…"
"Spare me the goddamn dramatics! It was your fault in the first place."
JJ was about to retort when she notice a certain dead look in Spencer's hazel eyes.
"Are you high right now?"
"Nothing gets past you."
"Spence, your fiancée is fighting for her life and you're shooting up! What the hell is wrong with you?
"YOU ARE! EVERYDAY SINCE YOU CAME BACK ALL YOU DID WAS LIE TO ME! AND NOW MY CHILDREN MIGHT LIVE WITHOUT THEIR MOTHER!
"I feel just as bad as you do!" JJ argued.
"No, you don't." Spencer spat. "You don't feel anything. You're just a little home wrecking bitch!"
Spencer got up and stormed out, leaving a wounded and angry JJ behind.
Present Day-Saturday April 5; 9:15 P.M.
After he finished looking through the photo album, Spencer found himself crying. He knew that what happened to Gatsby wasn't JJ's fault. Gatsby chose to confront the Unsub, alone which resulted in her getting shot with a sniper. Spencer knew how headstrong his wife was. Once she made a decision, she was sticking to it. JJ couldn't sway her even if she wanted to. It was Hankel all over again. Spencer was angrier with himself than he was at JJ. Of course, she lied to him, put his wife in danger and embarrassed him at his wedding reception but JJ did not deserve this three-year abuse. Spencer Reid finally accepted this realization and his mistakes yet this troubled him even more. He got his cell phone and called the one person who wouldn't judge him.
"Somebody had better be dying!" A voice growled.
"Honey, it's me." Spencer cried.
Dr. Gatsby Algernon-Reid's demeanor immediately went from sheer aggravation to deep concern as soon as she heard her husband's tearful voice on the other end of her phone.
Spencer, what's wrong? She asked. Why are you crying?
Spencer took a deep breath before replying. "I need to tell you something."
Gillespie's Restaurant-Saturday April 5; 9:20 P.M.
"You're all right, Mon Cherie?"
Jennifer "JJ" Jereau tore her eyes from her chocolate sundae and looked at her husband, Will LaMontgane. He had a look of concern on his face.
"Oh, it's nothing," She dismissed. "I was just thinking about…about something."
"It's about Spencer, ain't it?"
JJ smiled sadly. "I'm sorry, Will. I'm totally spoiling our evening brooding over something from long ago."
"Look JJ," Will sighed. "You need to stop blaming yourself. If Spencer can't understand that you did what you had to do, then he's not a good friend to begin with. You don't deserve this type of abuse."
"It's not just about the whole Emily dilemma or the Gatsby incident."
"Then what is it about?"
JJ didn't want Will to know about her shameful display nearly 3 years ago. But it cost her a dear friendship and it ate her up inside every single day. She needed to get this off her chest.
"You weren't there at Spencer and Gatsby's wedding."
"I know," Will confirmed. "I had some business to take care of in New Orleans. What about it? Did something happen? What did Spencer do to you?"
"It's not what he did." JJ revealed.
JJ's Flashback-Algernon/Reid Wedding; July 16, 3:34 P.M.
It was such a happy occasion. The first happy thing that's ever happened to the B.A.U. in a long time. The sun was out, flowers were all in bloom, and everyone was in a blissful mood. Except for Jennifer Jereau. She was sick; sick of herself, sick of Reid, sick of the freaking FBI for putting her family through hell….JJ was just plain sick. JJ thought about pouring another glass of champagne but decided to just chug down the whole bottle. She was so wasted, she could barely even two people calling her name. Or was it three?
"JJ! Where have you been? Everyone's been looking all over for you!"
JJ looked up and saw a concerned Penelope Garcia with some Indian guy in London couture.
"Oh, Penelope." She laughed. "Do Kevin know you're cheating on him with some British Bollywood model?"
"Jayje, this is Gatsby's friend, Remy." Penelope clarified. "He joined the BAU with us late last year, remember?"
"And I'm gay!" Remy Laurent added. "Remember that?"
JJ gave this weird look like she was constipated. And then she burst out laughing. She was laughing so hard, she fell out of her chair. Penelope rushed by to help her up. That's when she smelled the booze on her breath.
"JJ," She asked. "How much champagne did you have?"
"Not much." JJ lied. "Just one or two glasses."
Remy eyed the empty champagne bottle and three or four mini bottles of cheap rum.
"Plus the whole damn bottle and several rum bottles," He added. "She's straight up drunk!"
"I'm not drunk!" JJ objected. "I'm sober-impaired."
Penelope looked at her friend, worried. "We can't let anybody see her like this. Especially Reid."
"What do you want to do?" Remy asked. "Dump her in the pond?"
Penelope began to respond when she saw the new bride, Dr. Gatsby Algernon-Reid, rushing towards them, along with the matron of honor, Gatsby's best friend Celeste Bradley, and the best man, Derek Morgan; then all the color drained from her face. Noticing her look, Remy turned and saw them coming over.
"Merde," He cursed. "Now, what do we do?"
"I'll try and distract them," Garcia whispered. "Get Miss Tipsy halfway decent."
Garcia strutted her way down the stairs to meet the three other members of the wedding party. They all had concerned yet impatient looks on their faces.
"Garcia, everyone's waiting for the wedding party." Celeste said. "Have you and Remy found JJ yet?"
"Uh…no. I mean yeah." Penelope stammered. "I mean we did find JJ but she's not ready."
"What do you mean she's not ready?" Derek asked. "I know it doesn't take you women that long to get ready."
Penelope gave Derek a look. "Oh, my handsome Chocolate Ken Doll," She scolded. "You have a lot to learn about women."
"Penny," Gatsby asked, getting straight to the point. "Is JJ all right?"
Normally, Penelope would talk her way out of this one; practically any situation. But she didn't want anything or anyone come between The Wonder Twins and their special day.
"JJ's drunk," She revealed.
Gatsby sighed inwardly as she rushed up the stairs to the courtyard. She saw JJ Jereau struggling to stand up and Remy offering support. JJ looked up at Gatsby and smiled.
"Gatsby Reid!" She squealed. "I'm so happy for you. Spence is sooo lucky to have you for his wife. So lucky."
Gatsby turned away to avoid JJ's breath. "Okay, Jenny." She said. "I think it's time you head home."
"But I haven't made my speech yet for you guys." JJ whined.
"It's the thought that counts. Spencer and I know we still love you."
"No, he doesn't!" JJ cried. "Your husband thinks I'm a homewrecker! I didn't wreck nobody's home. I read Better Homes & Gardens every day!"
Gatsby's eyes widened as she turned to Derek who arrived at the courtyard along with Penelope and Celeste.
"She's worse off than I thought." She said.
"I told you." Penelope said.
"Everyone's waiting, Gatz." Celeste added. "What're we gonna do?"
Everyone was silent for five minutes before Gatsby finally came up with a plan.
"Penelope, you and Remy lock JJ in a closet until the ceremony is over," She said. "The rest of us will go back to the dining hall and carry on calmly and eloquently like ladies and gentlemen."
"But what if JJ gets out?" Remy asked.
"Then make sure she never crosses paths with my husband or a microphone!"
JJ couldn't recall if the closet was on the left side or the right. All she knew was that she was thirsty. Really, really thirsty. She saw the dining hall and knew that's where all the drinks were.
Garcia wouldn't mind if I went inside for a drink, JJ thought. Just one teeny-weeny little glass…
JJ stumbled in the hall and saw a castle full of glorious champagne glasses. It was beautiful! JJ dazedly walked towards this marvelous wonder, unaware of the three people running towards her. She just wanted a drink. One glass of champagne that would take her mind off of her mistakes, Spence, and the fact that she's a home wrecking bitch. JJ finally got a hold of a glass and was beginning to indulge in its pleasures until…
"Hold on there, sweetheart." Derek Morgan stopped her, taking the glass from her.
JJ tried to take the glass back from Morgan but she was blocked again. This time by Penelope Garcia and Remy Laurent.
"JJ," Penelope cautioned. "Don't you think you had one too many?"
The intoxicated agent scoffed. "Stop worrying about me. I'm fine! In fact, I'm gonna talk to Reid."
"No, you're not!" Remy objected. "You want the man to hate you any more than he does?"
JJ just held up the "Whatever" sign before she took two more champagne glasses from the castle and walked to the stage. From the bridal table, Gatsby could see JJ walking towards the stage and Derek, Penelope and Remy running after her.
"Jesus Christ!" She groaned.
Spencer, however, was clueless.
"Sweetheart," He said. "I thought JJ was sick?"
"She is," Gatsby assured. "She's just delirious. I'll take care of this."
Getting up from her table, Gatsby held up her dress as she rushed to the stage to stop JJ.
"Hey, you're in my way, Gretel." JJ slurred.
"JJ, my name is Gatsby. And you need to lie down somewhere."
"But I want to say something to Spence."
"I'm not letting you anywhere near my husband with you looking like this." Gatsby said, firmly.
"Looking like what?"
"You're hurting and you're drunk!"
"DAMN IT, GATSBY! JUST LET ME TALK TO HIM!"
JJ's outburst stopped everything. The music, dancing, socializing. Everyone stopped to look at the scene unraveling before him or her. Some were even recording it on their phones. Spencer got up from his seat and went over to the two women.
"What do you want, JJ?" He asked.
"I just want to make a toast, Spence." JJ smiled as she gulped down the champagne drinks. "To your wonderful, happy life!"
Spencer looked at Gatsby who gave him a look of helplessness. He came over to JJ, attempting to take the other drink from her hand.
"Why don't we go outside for some air, okay?"
"I'm not going anywhere with you!" JJ spat.
"You need help, Jennifer!"
"Help?" JJ laughed cynically. "Help? Ha! That's the pot calling the kettle black."
"This is not about me!" Spencer argued. "I'm not the one showing up drunk at my friend's wedding making an ass of myself!"
"At least I wasn't the one getting high while my fiancée was dying in the hospital." JJ countered.
Gatsby suddenly looked terrified. Everybody else was just stunned to silence. Spencer and JJ didn't notice anybody; they were too focused on their tempers and each other to even care. All they wanted to do was to tear each other apart. Physically and emotionally.
"Don't EVER compare my sickness to your unhappiness!" Spencer growled. "You made your bed, now you lie in it. You want to drink yourself to death, be my guest. Just don't let Henry see it."
JJ felt dumbfounded when she saw Spencer walk away from her, unaffected by her words. She wanted to hurt him, the way he hurt her. The line was being crossed, that much was certain. JJ just needed to know how far. She felt Penelope try to usher her away from the scene but JJ smacked her arm away. She wasn't done. Not by a long shot.
"I RATHER BE AN ANGRY DRUNK THAN A SCHIZTOPHRENIC JUNKIE!" JJ shouted.
Spencer stopped in his tracks and turned back to JJ, who was smiling in triumph. Not an ounce of remorse etched on her face.
"What did you say?" He asked in a dangerously low voice.
"You heard me." JJ replied. She walked over to Spencer, continuing her rant. "You're so worried about not being crazy, not being schizophrenic like your mother but you're addicted to strong narcotics that make you crazy? I'm shocked Gatsby stayed with you this long. Hell, I'm surprised you're still alive. But I feel more sorry for Isadora and Minerva because they have an on/off neurotic junkie for a dad. I hope you live to see their high school graduation, assuming you live long enough to stay sane."
Before JJ knew it, a hand flew across her face. It took JJ about a minute for JJ to realize that Spencer had slapped her hard. JJ touched her cheek and smirked.
"Well, it's about time Dr. Reid showed some balls."
Less than five seconds later, it was an all-out brawl. It lasted about six minutes and it took almost the whole wedding party (which consisted of most of the BAU) to break them up. Morgan and Rossi were holding Reid while Penelope, Remy and Emily Prentiss were holding JJ. Gatsby was in the middle.
"Look!" She announced. "This is my wedding and I am not going to let it turn into some freaking reality show! There are children here, for Christ's Sakes!" She turned to Penelope. "Penny, take JJ home." To Derek and Rossi, she said: "Uncle Derek, Pops, get Spencer cleaned up."
Emily and Penelope dragged JJ from the dining area. But the petite blonde wasn't going anywhere without any last words.
"I FUCKING HATE YOU, SPENCER REID!" She shouted. "DON'T EVER TALK TO ME AGAIN; I HOPE YOU ROT IN HELL!"
"GUESS WHAT, JENNIFER JEREAU?" Spencer shouted back. "THE FEELING'S MUTUAL!"
Fifteen minutes later, the pandemonium finally dissolved. Gatsby finally had some peace and quiet to herself when she heard some laughing and singing coming her way. She turned around to see her boss, Aaron Hotchner aka Hotch, laughing and sipping a strawberry daiquiri with his girlfriend, Beth Clemmons. (AN:I wanted Hotch to be funny!) He looked around the dining room and then looked down at this former protégé, who had a tired look on her face.
"What did I miss?" He asked, sipping on his drink.
"You really don't want to know." Gatsby replied.
Present Day-Saturday; 9:54 P.M.
After JJ finished her story, she looked at her husband, worriedly. Will's expression was unreadable at first. He didn't know what to make of the story. It took a while for Will to find the words but he finally found them.
"Wow, JJ." He said. "I always knew you get wild when you're drunk but I never thought it'd be this extreme."
"Yeah." JJ agreed, shamefully. "And what's worse was the aftermath. After I woke up with a total hangover, I remembered everything I said to Spence and I immediately felt terrible. But by the time I came to apologize…"
"It was too late." Will finished.
JJ nodded, trying to hold back her tears. "I really screwed up, Will. Spence is like a brother to me, I made him Henry's godfather. I don't want to lose him."
"Then tell him that," Will suggested. "I know this weekend you and Spencer are planning is about the kids. But don't you think it could be about something more? Like repairing broken relationships?"
"So you're saying I should talk to him?"
"I ain't telling you what to do, JJ; all that's up to you. Just steer clear from the booze this time."
JJ laughed as she kissed Will on the lips.
Reid Home; April 5, 10:13 P.M.
Spencer spent the last hour venting and crying to his wife about what he had done and his guilt over the way he treated JJ. Gatsby listened intentionally, without judgment. Who was she to judge anyway? She's no saint.
"It was my fault," He lamented. "I provoked her."
What do you mean? Gatsby asked.
"If JJ hadn't caught me shooting up at the hospital and if I didn't lash out on her like I did…"
Don't do that, Spency. Don't blame yourself. JJ would've gotten drunk and lashed out on our wedding regardless.
"Why do you say that?"
Because she was binge drinking to handle the stress in her life. Gatsby explained. The stress on her job, family, fixing her relationship with you.
Spencer felt like he was punched in the gut when he heard that revelation. JJ was binge drinking?
"How did you know?"
She told me almost right after your little wedding rumble. Said that she was drinking to relive stress. I recommended her to an AA Meeting in D.C. promising not to tell anyone.
"So why tell me?"
Because you're the only one in the world who knows what she's going through. Gatsby said. I know what she did hurt you, but she's your friend and she stuck by you when you were at your worst. You need to be there for her.
Spencer nodded at his wife's words. JJ was there for him even when he acted like a total dick. Now when she was at an all-time low, instead of helping her through it, he kicks her down. Well, Spencer decides now the cruelty ends tonight. Not only for his kids' sake, his colleagues or his wife. But for him.
"Okay, so where do I start?" He asked.
Start with the truth. Gatsby replied. That's always good. But why you're asking me? You're the genius. Figure it out.
"Don't pull the 'genius card' on me," Spencer teased. "You're a genius too."
Eso es verdad, mi amor. But I'm not the one with a three-year grudge against my best friend. I'm going to bed. Kiss the girls for me.
"I will. Wish me luck."
Ya don't need it. Gatsby said. I know JJ will forgive you. Good night, I love you more.
"I love you best." Spencer responded back. "Good night."
Spencer hung up the phone and exhaled very deeply. In the last 33 years of his life, he had seen heartache, pain, torture, misery, death, and every sad thing under the sun. But at the same time he has seen miracles, witnessed births, experienced triumphs, caught bad guys, met gorgeous women, fell in love, became a father, started his family and gained an extended family in the FBI. JJ was apart of his family. She was the sister he never had. There was no way he would let one bad thing ruin something so special. This time, Spencer was going to make this right.
AN: I made JJ's flashback a little longer because it explains a little better why they're not speaking. That's what I believe. If u suspect otherwise, then let me know. Anyway, ONE MORE CHAPTER LEFT! It WILL be a happy ending! :D