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Part 13 of Of Innocence and Empathy
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Peja's Wonderful World of Makebelieve Import
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2020-11-05
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Of Innocence and Empathy: Empathic Adaptations

Summary:

Series: Of Innocence and Empathy
Beta: None
Rating: uh. mention of a homosexual relationship? I hate looking the ratings up now.
Disclaimer: I don't own them. Damnit.
Challenge: 50episodes – Criminal Minds, Morgan/Reid
Table: 2
Prompt: 29. Justice
Word Count: 685
Author’s Note: Post-Compassionate Curiosity
Author's Other Note: This is in answer to Jalabert's challenge.
Submitted through CriminalMinds_slash

Work Text:

 

Of Innocence and Empathy: Empathic Adaptations
by Frogg

 

"Do you think you could be a little more discreet?" The words were out of Morgan's mouth before he'd finished closing the conference room door.

JJ blinked, stepping back into the edge of the table. "Excuse me?"

"On the plane? You outed me and Reid. You could have gotten both of us fired." Morgan's voice was low and angry.

'No, not angry, annoyed,' JJ decided, feeling her face heat with mortification. "You heard me?"

Morgan shook his head once. "Emily told me you sounded jealous. I had to ask her what she was talking about."

"And she told you."

A glare was her only answer.

JJ steeled herself. "I'm sorry, you're right. I should have used more discretion," she started.

"You could have just asked me," Morgan pointed out acidly.

"No, I couldn't have. I couldn't have asked Reid, either," JJ went on, holding up a hand to keep Morgan from interrupting her again. "I *am* sorry I said anything in front of Emily. I didn't know if the two of you were...in a relationship, or moving in that direction, or just..." She shook her head. "After what we learned in Chicago, and Reid...I didn't know if what I thought I was seeing was real or not."

"Wait," Morgan broke in then. "What about Reid?"

"Reid started college at age twelve," JJ pointed out wryly. "I know he was bullied; I don't know how badly, and part of me doesn't want to. I thought you might," she finished with a shrug. "In any case, I couldn't ask you, or Reid, without risking the comfort you obviously gave each other, or making things awkward between us, or between you and Reid. So I went to Gideon and Hotch to see if I was seeing things." She paused, looking Morgan squarely in the eyes, willing him to listen. "I am sorry I said anything in public. You're right, I don't have the right to decide that for you. I won't do it again."

Morgan didn't answer right away, but as JJ held his gaze, the tension slowly leeched from his frame. "I'll hold you to that," he said finally.

JJ nodded. "Are we good?"

"What do you mean, are we good?" he asked in honest confusion.

"You and Hotch have been...distant, at best, since Chicago. I don't want you to be on the outs with two of us at the same time."

He nodded slowly. "We're good."

"Then do you mind if I ask what's going on with you and Reid?" JJ smiled.

The question startled a laugh from Morgan. "Now you ask me," he said, shaking his head in bemusement.

JJ simply shrugged, tilting her head sideways a little.

Morgan reached up and rubbed the back of his neck, then dropped his arm carelessly. "I love him, JJ," he finally answered quietly.

"I rather thought that was the case, back on the plane," JJ said softly. "And Reid?"

Morgan shook his head. "I don't know." Reluctantly, he moved further into the room and all but collapsed into a chair, playing with a pen left on the table despondantly. "I just don't know."

"You'll have to talk to him about it - eventually - but from what I've seen, I don't think you have anything to worry about." Pause. "If my opinion counts for anything, what with me not being a profiler," JJ added, resting one hand on his shoulder in support.

There was a poignant mix of sadness and hope on Morgan's face as he looked up at her. "It counts for a lot, JJ." Then he smiled, a flash of white teeth showing for a moment. "Question for you."

"Okay."

"Why were you jealous?"

JJ groaned softly. "I wasn't jealous of either of you. But you looked so comfortable with each other..." Her voice trailed off. "I want that with someone," she finally added.

Morgan's hand covered hers in support. After a long moment, he bowed his head. "Thanks." The word was nearly inaudible.

"You're welcome." JJ didn't have to ask what for. "You can talk to me, you know."

"That's what I'm afraid of."

 

end

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