Author's Note: Back again! Here's the next chapter. In case you didn't figure it out, this is "Proof".
And before the question of why I didn't do "JJ", let me explain: I wouldn't have been able to write as much if I did JJ leaving the BAU. However, I did write something combining that with "Coda" and Emily's departure from the show for the missing chapters fanfic. The other issue was structure. I wasn't able to fit much more into the story. So, I apologize for the fans who wanted to see a chapter around JJ leaving the BAU. You'll just have to wait for the "missing chapters" fanfic.
And one quick thing: I saw a review talking about this possible "Reid being a daddy" idea I've hinted at and it mentioned having Will leave because he's not ready to be a father. I'm not quite sure if they read the summary well, but I'm going to explain it again: This story is mostly unseen moments that create a JJ/Reid realtionship that fits with the canon and as such Will is present as Henry's father. Once I pass Season 8, it's fair game for the original chapters.
This also reminds me: Don't worry so much on the whole "Reid being a daddy" thing. I've only hinted at it. Only I know if it will go any further. You leave that to me, okay? Thanks.
Anyway, reviews are welcomed and recommended. Any feedback is helpful. Here's my take on what happened off-screen.
Enjoy!
September 28th, 2011: Durant, OK – Ben Bradstone Case
"Spence, we need to talk about this," JJ said as she followed Spencer.
"What do we need to talk about?" he asked quickly without even turning to look at her.
"Look, I get it. You're disappointed with the way we handled Emily."
"Listen, I have a lot going on, alright?"
"You know what I think it is?"
"What?"
"You're mad that Hotch and I controlled our micro-expressions at the hospital and you weren't able to detect our deception."
The thought that she would even think that was why he was upset made him mad. She thought he was mad because he couldn't realize they were lying. This just pissed him off.
"You think this is about my profiling skills?" he asked angrily. "Listen to me, Jennifer, the only reason you were able to manage my perceptions was because I trusted you. I came to your house for ten weeks in a row, crying over losing a friend and not once did you have the decency to tell me the truth."
"I couldn't," she responded, her eyes not meeting his.
"You couldn't or you wouldn't?"
"No, I couldn't!" She was fighting back tears now.
"What if I had starting taking dilaudid again? Would you have let me?" he asked seriously.
She was stunned. The very thought of him washing four years of sobriety down the drain made her sick to her stomach.
"You didn't," she said unsurely.
"Yeah, but I thought about it." He was serious. The pain of losing a close friend like Emily made him hurt. He wanted the pain to go away. The only thing keeping him from relapsing was that Emily wouldn't have wanted him giving up his sobriety. He turned around and started walking away.
"Spence!" JJ called out. He spun back to look at her, his arms raised as if to say 'What?' to her. "I'm sorry."
"It's too late. Alright?" he said, anger and some hatred in his voice.
"Reid?" Emily called out, having heard part of his conversation with JJ, who was now in tears. Her best friend, someone who had been in love with her, now hated her. The thought was too much to bear.
JJ ran off to the bathroom. Emily followed her while Morgan went to confront Spencer.
"What the hell was that about, Reid?" Morgan asked sharply.
"She lied to me. She freaking lied to me," Spencer said. "I was in love with her. I thought I could trust her. Losing Emily destroyed me. I almost quit the BAU because of it."
"Why didn't you?" Morgan asked.
"Because I was not going to be like them."
"Like who?"
"My father, Elle, Gideon. They all left. I wasn't going to do that. I was not about to turn into them."
"What does this have to do with JJ?"
"She lied to me about Emily. Emily just became another person to add to that list. I have abandonment issues and no one seems to freaking realize that. You all expect to have someone leave and get over it after a few weeks. I can't. When my dad left, I was forced to take care of my mentally ill mother by myself while also being tormented every day in high school. When Elle left I couldn't just get over it. I lost a friend I confided in. When Gideon left, I lost a mentor and a father. He left me the exact same way my father did. When Emily left, I was told she was dead and I didn't get a chance to say goodbye. Then I find seven months later that two people I trusted with my life lied to me knowing I had so many people leave me before. I felt like they couldn't trust me. So how could I trust them? And everyone else acts like nothing ever happened. Everyone just stopped thinking about it except me. I damn well couldn't stop thinking about it!"
"And I'm willing to bet that JJ wanted to tell you. She wanted you to know why Emily was gone. But she couldn't for our sake. She wanted Emily to be safe. She wanted us to be safe."
"But at the risk of me being emotionally destroyed by another person leaving me?" He started tearing up. "Morgan, let's just focus on the case right now. We can talk about my personal issues later. Every second we waste is another second closer to finding another body."
Morgan sighed in defeat. If he couldn't talk sense into him, no one could. Except JJ or Emily, but he won't say a word to them.
JJ ran into the bathroom and let the tears flow out. Her best friend – her former lover – now hated her. She felt hurt. Emily found her with her face in her hands, still crying.
"JJ, you know he doesn't mean it. He's just getting used to me being back with the team after he thought I was dead," she said, trying to reassure JJ.
"No. He meant it. I feel terrible. I had to lie to him to keep you safe, but all I did was add your name to a list of others who abandoned him. I don't know what to do. I don't want him to hate me. I used to date him. I love him with all my heart and I hurt him. I can't even think about talking to him without wanting to let my tears create a waterfall," JJ said, tears spilling as she spoke.
"He'll come around eventually. I know Reid. He'll come back around and realize what really happened and why he couldn't know."
"I'm not so sure, Emily." JJ sighed. "Let's get back to the case."
Later, Hotch split up the team again, once again pairing JJ and Reid. He pulled Reid aside for a moment.
"If you want to be mad at someone, be mad at me," he said to Reid.
"I can't. I didn't come to your house crying for ten weeks," Reid said solemnly.
They eventually caught the UnSub trying to torture his niece. The team boarded the jet and flew back to D.C. Emily sat across from Reid and spoke to him.
"Look, Reid, I know you're mad at us because we didn't tell you what really happened, and I understand that. But I promise you, we had no choice. You mourned the loss of a friend. I mourned the loss of six." She paused for minute remembering the seven months she spent away from her friends. "This whole thing gave me an ulcer. Please don't give me another one."
She tried to convince him to join them at Rossi's for a cooking lesson the next night. All he said was, "We'll see." That cemented it. He might never forgive them.
The next night, the team, save for Reid, was at Rossi's for the cooking lesson. Emily thought to herself, Reid's never going to forgive us. I don't blame him. I won't blame him if he leaves or never speaks to us again. Then the doorbell rang. Morgan went to see who was at the door as Rossi continued his lesson. When Morgan came back, he had another person following him: Spencer Reid.
"Sorry I'm late," Spencer said as he stood between JJ and Emily. He had thought a lot about what had happened recently. He decided that he should apologize for what he said and how he acted. Once Rossi was done with the lesson, Spencer caught up with JJ.
"JJ, I wanted to talk to you," he said.
JJ just turned away. She was still hurt by how he acted.
"Look I know I was an ass to you. I was just hurt because I've had so many people leave me that when Emily left, she was just another name to add to the list. I felt betrayed when I found out she was alive and you didn't tell me. I thought you all of a sudden didn't trust me. I trusted you and Hotch and you both lied to me. I understand that you couldn't tell. I'm sorry for being such a jackass about it." She kept her back towards him. He gave up hope. "I'm sorry, JJ. Please don't hate me." She didn't respond. Feeling defeated, he turned to walk away. JJ turned around, ran to Spencer, turned him around and placed a kiss on his lips. He reeled back in shock and looked around to make sure no one saw.
"Spence, I wanted tell you, I really did. I just couldn't without risking Emily's or any of the team's lives. It hurt me to watch you walk in in tears every week. I'm sorry," she said.
"You don't need to be sorry. I was the one being a jerk about it. You wanted to protect us and I thought you didn't trust me."
"I would trust you with my life, Spence. Don't forget that I will always love you Spence," she told him.
He flashed back to the morning after they slept together and pondered on his feelings. Did she mean it like she did last time, or not?
1. Again, don't ask about the kiss, it just came to me and it worked. 2. Yes, the final sentence is leading into the next chapter. What is the next chapter? This:
Reid meets an old friend at a bar after an important event.
You should be able to find out what that means. What is this important event? Who is this old friend? Leave your thoughts in a review. Like I said, any feedback is helpful. Thanks and I'll see you next time!
-D.C. al Coda
