Hotchniss - Bonds, Deals and Running

Chapter 22

Chapter 22

The office was full of the BAU's typical whirlwind of activity. JJ leaned against Garcia's desk, stirring her coffee absentmindedly, while Morgan was turning around in circles on a chair he had found nearby. Garcia, as always, was surrounded by screens, though her attention was firmly fixed on the conversation at hand.

"I'm telling you," JJ said, her voice just above a whisper, though her tone carried a conspiratorial edge, "there's something going on with Emily."

Garcia raised a brow, her fingers hovering over her keyboard. "What do you mean something? Is she okay? Is it work-related? Oh God, is she leaving again?"

"No, no," JJ said quickly, waving a hand to dismiss the concern. "Not bad. Good. Really good, actually. Haven't you noticed? She's... glowing. Happier. Lighter."

Morgan chuckled, folding his arms. "Glowing? What is she, pregnant?"

JJ rolled her eyes. "No, Derek. I mean, she's just... different. Relaxed. And I think it's because she's seeing someone."

Garcia gasped, clasping her hands together dramatically. "Our Emily has a mystery lover? Oh, this is juicy. Who do you think it is?"

"Well," JJ started, leaning in slightly, her tone lowering even more. "I have a theory. But you're not going to believe it."

Morgan leaned forward, clearly intrigued now. "Try me."

JJ hesitated, glancing around to make sure no one else was listening. "I think... it might be Hotch."

The words landed like a bomb. Morgan's eyes widened in disbelief, and Garcia's mouth fell open. "Hotch?" Garcia repeated, her voice climbing an octave. "Our former boss Hotch? No way. No way. That man is like... the definition of professional and untouchable."

Morgan snorted, shaking his head. "Yeah, no disrespect, JJ, but that's a stretch. Mixing work and love doesn't really sound like him"

"Well, think about it," JJ pressed. "They've been spending more time together. And Emily's been in an unusually good mood. Plus, have you noticed how he looks at her sometimes? There's a softness there."

Garcia squinted suspiciously. "That could just be respect. You know, like 'oh, Emily's the new boss now; she's got this.'" She made air quotes, clearly unconvinced. "Besides, Hotch is so... serious. I mean, can you imagine him breaking the rules to date a coworker?"

Before JJ could respond, a voice chimed in behind them. "Hey I was looking everywhere for you... What are you guys talking about?"
The three of them turned to see Reid standing there, a stack of files in his arms and a curious look on his face.

Morgan grinned. "Oh, hey, pretty boy. We're just trying to solve a mystery. JJ thinks Emily's dating someone, and she's convinced it's Hotch."

Reid tilted his head slightly, his brow furrowing. "Oh. That's not a mystery. They are."

For a moment, the silence was deafening. Garcia froze mid-gesture, her mouth open in shock. Morgan blinked. JJ's coffee cup almost slipped from her hand.

"What?" Garcia finally squeaked. "What did you just say?... And JJ I swear, if you spill your coffee in my bat-cave..." She threatened quickly but turned her gaze and focus back to Reid immediately.

Reid, seemingly oblivious to their collective astonishment, shrugged casually. "I said they're dating. I saw them kissing a few days ago."

"What?!" JJ exclaimed, her voice rising a bit too loudly. She quickly glanced around to make sure no one else heard before leaning closer to Reid. "Are you serious?"

"Of course I'm serious," Reid said matter-of-factly, setting his files on Garcia's desk. "It was three days ago around 9:11PM. I was leaving late because I was reviewing the case files from..."

Morgan cut him off, raising a hand. "Hold up, hold up. You saw them kissing and didn't say anything?"

Reid blinked, genuinely confused. "Why would I say anything? It didn't seem relevant."

Garcia threw her hands in the air. "Relevant? Reid, our boss—well, former boss—and our Emily, our current boss, are secretly dating, and you didn't think that was worth mentioning?"

"Well," Reid started, pushing his glasses up his nose, "statistically speaking, workplace relationships can be challenging, but they're not uncommon, especially in high-stress environments like ours. And since Hotch is no longer in a supervisory role, it doesn't technically violate any HR policies..."

"Reid!" JJ interrupted. "Focus. How long do you think this has been going on?"

Reid tilted his head again, considering. "Judging by their body language and the way they interact, I'd say... at least a few months. Maybe longer"

Morgan let out a low whistle, leaning back in his chair. "Wow. I mean, Hotch and Emily. Who would've thought?"

"I would've," JJ muttered, giving him a pointed look. "I told you there was something going on."

"Well, okay. I mean we all knew to some extent that something was going on, but the two most professional people we know actually acting on it, sneaking around and hiding, that's what surprises me." Morgan said rolling his eyes.

Garcia was still staring at Reid, her mind clearly racing. "I need to process this. This is... this is huge. This is, like, bigger than when we found out about Rossi's four marriages."

"Don't remind me," Morgan muttered with a chuckle.

"Actually, it was three," Reid murmured, but everyone was so caught up in the news they didn't hear that.

Reid, meanwhile, looked entirely unfazed by the commotion he had caused.

Morgan shook his head, grinning. "Reid, you are one of a kind, man."

Garcia turned to the others, her eyes wide. "We need to find out more. If they've been keeping this a secret, there's got to be a reason."

JJ nodded slowly, a smile tugging at her lips. "Or maybe they just wanted to enjoy it without us meddling."

Morgan smirked. "Too late for that now."