Tickle Book

Exhausted

     "Spence, you need to eat." JJ said, staring at the genius that was stuck in his files. Reid didn't look up, not even seeming to notice that she was talking.

     "Spence?" JJ asked again.

     "Hmm? Oh, I'm not hungry.." Reid answered, seeing the plate of pizza and pushing it away before burying his head back into the case file.

     "You haven't eaten since Monday."

     "And?"

     "It's Wednesday."

     "Look, JJ- I'm fine."

     "You need to go to sle-"

     "JJ, I'm fine!"

     JJ jumped back a little bit, not expecting him to snap like that. Reid just kind of waved it off and resumed looking at the file.

     "Come with me."

     "What? JJ, I-"

     "Now."

     Reid looked up at JJ with surprise. She had never taken that kind of authoritative tone with him. He reluctantly got up and followed her to a stairwell in the police station. As soon as the door was shut, JJ turned around and just hugged him. He gave her a confused stare, but quickly hugged back, resting his head on hers.

     "What the hell is going on with you?"  JJ asked, not breaking away from the hug because she could tell that Reid didn't want to, but sitting the both of them down on the stairs.

     "I-I just really wanna find this guy."

     "You're overworking yourself again."

     "Well, I don't think I am. I-I wanna catch this dude, that's all. He's grabbing kids, JJ."

     "We all do, Spence. You just can't put every ounce of your time into it."

     "B-but-"

     "But nothing. You're gonna come back to the hotel with me, get something to eat, and get some sleep. Okay?"

     "Can I bring the case files?"

     "No, absolutely not."

     "That's what I thought."

     So, off they went. JJ decided to take Reid to his favorite restaurant before going to the hotel, which he was incredibly thankful for.

     "I don't think I've ever seen you eat so much in my life!" JJ teased.

     "I was hungry!" Reid defended himself.

     "Yeah, that's why you have sauce all over your face!" JJ said, grabbing a napkin and wiping his cheek. Reid blushed lightly. They ate and chatted for a while in the restaurant.

"You tired?" JJ asked, seeing Reid try to hide a yawn.

"Yeah, kinda." He answered in defeat.

"Alright, back to the hotel we go." JJ decided as she stood up, grabbing Reid's arm and leading him back to the car.

"I don't like it out here.." Reid said a bit shakily as he grabbed JJ's hand with his free one. He was filled with regret about parking all the way across the large parking lot.

"Why?" JJ asked as she looked at him.

"It's stupid."

"I'm sure it's not."