***Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds (although that would be really cool if I did!)

"I didn't know where else to go," JJ said, hoisting her bag further onto her shoulder. "Emily and Andrew just got engaged, and who knows what kind of X-rated business Garcia and Alvez are up to." She forced a laugh, but Reid saw right through her.

"Um, come in," he said, flabbergasted. Spence was wearing a gray T-shirt and a pair of boxers with little yellow ducks on them that made JJ blush. She thanked the universe that she was already flushed from drinking all night, and he would never notice.

JJ's eyes widened as she waited for him to step aside so she could pass. "Oh, right. Sorry."

She tiptoed into his apartment, not objecting as Reid took her bag and placed it on the sofa. "I'm sorry for waking you. I know it's late."

"No, not at all," Reid said, nervously scampering off into the kitchen. "Can I get you anything? Water? Tea? Coffee?"

"Water," she replied, then took a seat on the couch beside her luggage to wait for his return.

Spence emerged carrying two glasses of water. His hands were trembling, and JJ felt another flush of embarrassment. She hadn't meant to make him uncomfortable.

"So," Reid began, sitting a reasonable distance away from her, "do you want to talk about it?"

JJ took a sip of her water. "You mean why I came to your door at five in the morning with a bag full of clothes and runny mascara? No, not particularly."

Reid grinned. "Okay then."

"Seriously?" JJ asked him, taken aback. "No third degree? No grand inquisition?"

Spence shrugged. "If you don't want to talk about it, I won't force you. You'll spill it when you're ready."

JJ laughed, then felt a pang of guilt for laughing on a night like this. Did she deserve to feel anything above miserable after screwing up her marriage and putting her family's future in jeopardy?

The reminder hit her with a wave of exhaustion. Reid must have read it in her eyes, because he put his glass down and threw his arm over the back of the couch.

"Come here," he said, and JJ sank into him with relief.

She didn't need to talk about it. Not tonight. All she needed tonight was to feel safe and cared for in the arms of her best friend.

~

JJ awoke with the bitter flavor of stale liquor still on her tongue. She licked her lips, cringing at the spot of drool she'd left on her pillow.

Wait. Her pillowcases were white. This one was a deep burgundy.

This wasn't her pillow. This wasn't even her bed.

JJ sat up suddenly, wincing at the knocking of her skull. Where was she? How had she gotten here?

As hazy memories came flooding back, JJ rubbed her sore eyes and crept out of bed. She studied the spot she'd just vacated, wondering how badly she had screwed up in her drunken state. Surely she wouldn't have cheated on Will. No matter how bad things got, that was never an option.

JJ looked down at her wrinkled dress, attempting to smooth out the fabric as best she could. She ran her fingers through her mussed up hair, inventing an uneven part.

As she opened the door, JJ peeked out into the hallway. She could hear the sizzling of food frying, could smell the delectable aroma of freshly cooked bacon.

Reid stood in the kitchen, hunched over the stove. He flipped a pancake with a spatula, then took a sip from a steaming mug. At the sound of footsteps approaching, Reid looked up at her with bright eyes shielded by long brown bangs.

"You're up!" he said with enthusiasm, crossing the kitchen to grab a second mug from the cupboard. "Coffee?"

"Please," JJ croaked out, leaning against the wall.

"Coming right up!" Reid all but screamed at her.

"Spence," JJ pleaded, "would you take it down to a two or three?"

Reid blushed. "Sorry. I'm on my third cup. Hey, I think I might even have that french vanilla creamer you like so much."

"Actually," JJ stopped him, "I'll take it black."

Reid frowned at her. "That bad, huh? I have ibuprofen."

JJ shook her head. "Just the coffee," she said. "Thanks."

Reid slid a full mug across the counter toward her. JJ wrapped her hands around the ceramic handle and breathed in the oaky scent.

When she opened her eyes, her gaze landed on the couch. A single blanket was slung over the top of the loveseat, a matching burgundy pillow nestled beside the armrest.

"Spence," she sighed, leaning onto the counter for support, "I can't believe I put you out like this. I'm so sorry."

Reid slid a small pile of bacon onto a plate. "You didn't put me out. I like having you here."

His words made JJ blush. "But I made you sleep on the couch."

"I chose to sleep on the couch," Reid corrected her, placing a stack of pancakes onto the plate. "It seemed like you really needed your sleep. I wanted you to be comfortable."

JJ stared down at the delicious meal in front of her, tears forming in her eyes. Spence was so innocent, so selfless. The thought of him carrying her into his room and tucking her into his bed made her cheeks burn.

"I still think I should be the one taking care of you," JJ sighed, accepting a fork and knife from Spence. "You didn't have to do all this."

Reid ignored her, choosing instead to pour her a glass of orange juice. JJ took one bite of the bacon, burnt slightly at the edges, and beamed.

"Since when did you learn to cook like this?"

Reid grinned. "Since I got out of prison. It's funny how much you appreciate quality food after eating nothing but stale bread and soggy oatmeal."

JJ frowned. She hated thinking of the days Reid had spent behind bars. The memory still sent cold shockwaves through her.

"Everything okay?"

JJ shook her head. "Yeah. Just wondering how I ever got through those days without you."

Her voice cracked on the final syllable, causing Reid to pout. JJ recovered quickly, stuffing her face with pancake before his pitying look drew more tears from her eyelids.

"This is excellent," JJ blurted out, in an effort to dispel her raw emotion. "You should think about quitting the BAU and opening up your own brunch-themed food truck."

Reid cracked a smile. "Only if I can have my best friend as my partner."

JJ knew he'd meant "business partner," but the sentence still caught her breath. It reminded her of what Will had said. Shouldn't her husband be her best friend? If Reid was her ride-or-die and her first love, how could anyone else ever compare?

Although JJ knew they were talking strictly imagined futures, she couldn't help but feel guilty when she replied, "Deal."

***Author Note: If you enjoy this fanfiction, please check out my self-published book series on Amazon (see link in my profile). For some Jeid videos I've created, check out my YouTube channel (also linked in my profile). Thanks so much for all the support!