"Garcia, can you get in touch with JJ?" Reid asked.

"Probably, but I won't. She wants to take a break from this place, I won't stand in her way," answered Garcia, sadly.

"I just want to check on her."

"Find your own way then. I'm not breaking her trust."

"Please?"

"No. I have work to do. Goodbye."

JJ swallowed around the lump in her throat as she steered her car onto the highway. She had sent a message to Will, letting him know she was coming up to visit him, but had left it at that. When she saw him, she'd tell him everything, but until then, she needed as much of a clear head as she could get.

"I'm making a mistake," she said to herself. "I know I am."

But was she really? She deserved to be respected, deserved a decent break. It wasn't great that it had come like this, but a break was something she had been considering. And she missed Will, seeing him would be nice. That was the thought that sustained her for the next day and a half.

Exhausted, JJ finally climbed out of her car and stretched her aching legs. She felt her knees crack, which relieved the pressure in them, and her legs felt like they were being pulled apart, but she was glad to be standing anyway. After a couple of minutes of breathing in cool air, JJ locked her car and walked over to the front door of Will's small townhome. She gave a quick knock, then stepped back, hoping that Will wouldn't be upset at her coming to his home before calling him. She was thinking of leaving when the door opened and Will's smiling face poked out.

"JJ! Hi!" Will exclaimed, his delight at seeing her evident on his face. "Come in! Have you booked somewhere to stay? Cause if you did, cancel it. You can stay with me."

JJ smiled. "Hi. I didn't book anything yet, I had planned to find somewhere close to you."

"Where are your bags?"

"In the car."

Will grinned. He snatched her car keys from her hand and ran down to where she had parked. Less than two minutes later, he was back, carrying two overnight bags and wheeling a suitcase along behind him. Quietly, he slipped the keys back into JJ's hand and wordlessly walked through the front door, still carrying the luggage. JJ followed him inside.

"Welcome to your temporary home, Jennifer Jareau," Will said, giving her a sweeping bow and making her laugh.

"Thank you, Will," said JJ, giving him a cuddle.

"So tell me, what happened? It's not that I don't love you being here indefinitely, JJ, but even a text message can convey pain. Yours told me that you were hurting pretty bad. What is going on over there?"

JJ sighed. She cuddled into Will's chest and said, "it's been a nightmare lately. I guess the final straw was when I was blamed for Reid being abducted. It was bad enough I blamed myself when it wasn't my fault, but to be treated like I am incompetent... I'm sick of being treated like crap and I cannot take anymore. I've had it, Will... am I overreacting?"

"No. Look, I know that I'm not there all the time, but the work you did when you brought the team over to help me was amazing. You're great with victims and families, with detectives, and I noticed that nobody gave you the slightest bit of recognition. I understand that you're having a hard time with that."

"They don't care. Not even a tiny bit. I don't deserve that, Will."

"No, you don't."

"I don't know what to do."

"Do you still want to work for the FBI?"

JJ smiled. "Yes," she answered confidently.

"Well then, I think you should go back to work. Not today, not this week. Maybe in a month? I don't want you to go just yet."

"I don't want to go yet, either." She snuggled into Will's side, pressing herself against his warm body. "I need a break."

"And a break is what you shall get. I will take time off, we can go sightseeing and spend time together. Without the drama that comes with police work. How does that sound?"

A small smile lit up JJ's face. "That sounds amazing to me, Will. I'd like that."

One Week Later

JJ rolled onto her back, savouring the warmth that radiated off of Will's body. They had been laying on the grass in Will's backyard, enjoying the sun, when sprinklers had gone off, soaking them. Instinctively, JJ had rolled to her side and buried her face in her boyfriend's chest while they waited out the short bursts of water. Afterwards, they had stayed in that position, cuddling close until they dried off.

"I think I might go and grab a shower," said Will as they finally sat up. His back was soaked, making JJ snicker.

"Yes, that looks like a good idea to me," she said, laughing.

"Are you coming with me?"

"No. I am fine, thank you." JJ kissed him. "I have something I want to do. Can I borrow your laptop?"

"It's in the study. No password."

"Thank you."

JJ let Will pull her to her feet. Together, they walked into the house, leaving their muddy shoes at the back door, and separated at the top of the staircase. JJ entered the cosy study, her feet squashing into the plush carpeting. As she sat in the desk chair, her body comfortably moulding to the shape of it, she let out a contented sigh. The past week had left her feeling more relaxed than ever, and she was beginning to feel more at ease. She knew that she would eventually need to deal with things at work, but it wouldn't be before she was ready to do so. She turned on the laptop and smiled at the screensaver that flashed by, logged in, and set to work.