JJ breezed into the office. She wasn't whistling, but she wasn't far from it. Garcia, carrying a potted plant toward her office paused, watching her. "What warm wind blew up your skirt?"

"What was that?" JJ dropped into a desk chair. She didn't spin around, but she gave it a couple of swings, back and forth.

"I said what has you in such a good mood?" JJ smiled, and Garcia said, "Uh-oh. Who's getting it?"

"Again, what?"

"You're looking smug. Smug is never good unless it's on a lover's face around some holiday or special anniversary. Then it might mean, 'ha, I have a gift for you that's going to make you jump my bones', but most other times it means that someone somehow is going to get shafted."

"Well, you're wrong. I have just arranged something that's going to make the entire department, and our unit in particular, look good. It's going to win enough brownie points for the director that I think he's going to be really behind the next funding push. It could mean more equipment so that we can get vital tests performed more quickly, additional support personel, better quality utility vehicles..."

"Who did you sleep with?" JJ gave her a look. "That was a joke, but I'm curious."

Dr. Spencer Reid had just entered. He dropped his bag on his desk, saying, "About what?"

"I know you're not used to not having the answers, Spenser," said Garcia, "but in this case I think you'd have to be psychic rather than just scary smart." Garcia pointed at JJ. "Our liason claims to have solved the entire department's every problem in one fell swoop."

"Oh, I didn't solve them." JJ examined her nails. "I've just made it possible for our work to be accomplished with greater ease and efficiency."

"As compared to laborous and inefficient?" asked Spencer.

"Come on, you know it wasn't meant like that. Any way, I can't take all the credit. Most of it, but not all," she said generously. "Aaron's input is going to be crucial." Garcia nodded wisely and started for her office again. "Don't you want to hear about it?"

"I know who the victim is going to be," the other woman called back, "and it isn't me, so further information can wait."

"I'm interested." Spencer sat down, folding his hands on the desktop.

JJ sat forward eagerly. "You know about the Conference of Criminal Investigators that's being held in Seattle next week?"

Spencer didn't exactly perk up, but he seemed more interested. "Of course I do. They're going to have expert lecturers from ten different nations. I hear they're even going to have an actual Sentinel--the only one to ever go public--lecturing on the use of natural human senses in investigations. I wanted to go, but I've used up my leave."

"I have gotten the director's approval to have Aaron present a talk on profiling at the converence."

Spencer sat back a little. "Wow! He's going to get to confer, swap information, and shoot the bull with fellow investigators from all over the world. I wonder if I can get him to pick up extra copies of the literature for me? Do you suppose if I lend him my camera he'd get some photos of the Sentinel and his Guide for me? We're only beginning to understand the psychology of that relationship, and any information would be invaluable in case one of them ever turns rogue. There was a case of that in Cascade, and I believe that the Guide in question very nearly..."

Aaron Hotchner had just entered. He waved at the two agents as he headed toward his own office. JJ stood up, cutting Spencer off, "Right. Look, I have to go break the good news to Aaron." She hurried off.

Spencer frowned, muttering, "Don't you usually announcer good news, and break bad news?"

Aaron Hotchner stared at the beaming young woman sitting across from him. "You're kidding, right?"

"I know it sounds too good to be true," said JJ, "but it is. Just think of the prestiege. This is really going to get your name out there, Aaron. I know you won't want to be with the FBI forever--you'll want something that pays better, with less risks now that you're going to be a father, and..."

"Stop. I want you to think about that last sentance. 'Now that you're going to be a father.' JJ, I am going to be a father. Soon. Very soon. Like within the next week to ten days, and you want me to fly out to Washington state and spend a weekend at a conference?"

JJ deflated. "Oh, that's right. But she's doing okay, isn't she?"

"She's on bedrest. I don't even like leaving her to come to work." He shook his head. "Sorry, but I can't do it. You'll have to get someone else from the unit."

She bit her lip thoughtfully. "Okay, I guess that could work. I just said 'one of our top men', I didn't say you specifically. Gideon would be a good substitute. He's got a wide reputation, and he's used to lecturing... You're shaking your head. Why are you shaking your head?"

"We need him here. JJ, I wouldn't be happy at losing anyone from this team for two days without it being scheduled time off or a leave for some illness or family emergency. But I'm not going to lose Gideon for that long just to make the director look good with the higher ups--and before you say anything, we both know that's why he agreed to it. The FBI damn sure isn't free of internal politics. How about Elle, or Derek?" He gave a small, sour smile. "Sex based or obsessional crime subjects are always big draws, sad to say."

"That's too true. I'm afraid they might think that we're trying to sensationalize things. And besides, I checked the roster of speakers, and they've already got several speakers in those areas."

"You could go and talk about the importance of smooth interaction between the bureau, local officials, and the public."

"And bore everyone to death. I long ago faced the fact that a lot of people view me as a professional ass kisser. It doesn't mean I like having their views rubbed in my face. Besides, I hate traveling when I don't have to, and I get enough of it in the normal course of our work." She was silent for a moment, then said, "They're having a separate conference later this year revolving around the use of the computer and the internet in investigations, so that lets Garcia out. I'm not sure I'd trust her at a convention, anyway. She impresses me as likely to be a 'go for the gusto' gal after a few drinks." They were silent for a little longer. "You know who that leaves, don't you?" Aaron sighed. "He might be flattered."

"I suppose so, and I'll believe that the next time that Porky Pig buzzes the building."