Soulmates

Chapter 48-Lawyers, Human Rights, and possible wrong convictions

Trigger Warnings: Talks of possible coercion, and Torture. 

It was physical evaluation time. The whole team, slash Rossi and Hotch, we're at the gym exercising. Ryan was currently trying to help Reid lift some weights. "Come on, Reid, put some muscles into it." He said. "I... don't think... I have muscles." Reid strained out as he continued to try and lift the weight. Ryan heard Morgan, who was weightlifting next to Reid, chuckle a little, "Reid, I'm telling you, just get the waiver." He said. 

Reid had decided that he wanted to try the physical evaluation. Though god knows why. The man was as skinny as a lam-pole, and Ryan had guessed that he had rarely ever done a push-up in his life. His strengths really did reside in his intellect. "Reid, I think he's right. You're the smartest person on this time. You don't need to prove anything by killing yourself." Ryan said while sighing. "I... Want... to try." Reid panted out as he tried to lift the weight again, to no success. 

Ryan hung his head, "Okay, Reid, come here." He instructed. Reid got off the bench and stood where Ryan stood. "If you can do 20 push-ups, you can do the eval. Otherwise, I'm signing the damn waiver myself." He said. So Reid tried and made it to 10 before he gave up. "Fine. I'll... get the waiver." Reid conceded. Both Ryan and Morgan nodded. Ryan patted Reid's back as he got up. JJ then approached them in a workout sweatshirt and sweatpants. "I don't think I've had this good of a workout since before I found out I was pregnant." She said as she wiped her face with a towel that was wrapped around her face. 

Ryan laughed, "Yeah, but lifting a baby is pretty good exercise." He said. JJ nodded, "That is true, and just the way you have to hold them." She said. "Right. Have you or Will tried holding him one handed yet?" Ryan asked. JJ nodded, "Yeah. It's much harder than it looks." She said. Ryan nodded, "Yeah. Linda used to do it so effortlessly with Tyler and Emma, and I used to think, "How is she doing that?" He recalled. "Oh yes, Will seems to think I have it down cold, but it took real work before I could do it." JJ said as Morgan finished with his weightlifting and got up from the bench. 

"You know you two should write a book on parenthood." Morgan said with a hint of sarcasm. Ryan and JJ gave him amused looks, "Or you could just get yourself a kid." JJ shot back. Morgan gave them a sarcastic laugh. They then walked over to the wresting area where Emily, who was wearing a red tank top and sweatpants, was duking it out with an instructor. She managed to pin the instructor down with a submission hold with her legs around his head, and she had a hold of his elbow and pulled. Not enough to dislocate him but enough to make it clear who won. 

The instructor tapped the mat to signal his surrender. Emily let him go, and he got up. "I think it's safe to say you're fit." The instructor said and then walked off. Morgan whistled, "Look at you, kicking ass." He said. Emily wiped a sweat from her brow. "Oh, that was nothing." She said. "You know, I think I saw the guy limping a little." Ryan jest. Emily gave him a look of disbelief, "What do you mean I hardly touched him." She claimed. Ryan scoffed, "Yeah, sure." He said.

 "Hey, buster, I don't remember you complaining all those times I saved your ass on the task force." Emily said. Morgan, JJ, and Reid all oohed. Ryan looked at them, "Grow up, you three." He said. Ryan then turned back to Emily, "I think it's safe to say that the times that you've needed to save my ass were few and far between." He said. "What about that time in Maine where she had to shoot the unsub before he killed you?" Reid reminded. "Yes. Not to mention, the unsub managed to break your arm." Morgan said, stiring the pot.

Ryan gave them an annoyed look, "It was a fractured radius." He said. JJ shrugged, "Kinda the same thing." She said. Ryan shook his head, "No, it isn't." He argued. Emily hummed, "That has me thinking. When was the last time you were tested in wrestling or self-defense techniques?" She asked. Ryan looked at her and sighed, "I don't need to be tested. I can take care of myself." He claimed. Emily gave him a sort of challenge look, "Care to prove it?" She asked, rubbing her hands together.