Chapter Seven

Spencer smiled. They had just finished the case, caught the bad guy, succeeded in their endeavor. They'd spend the night and then go home! Home… away from Ashley… he'd forgotten. His mood, which had been soaring moments before, now diminished almost completely. He'd have to leave Ashley in the morning.

JJ noticed, of course. "Spence, what's wrong?" she asked, as they exited the department. "Tomorrow, we leave, meaning we leave Ashley." He said. "Do you know the statistics of long distance relationships?" he nearly shouted in despair. She smiled. "Didn't I tell you? You're perfect for each other." She said, pleased with her matchmaking, and unworried about the problem. She knew something he didn't. "Go see her now, I'll see you in the morning." She said. Only after she left did Reid sigh and trudge towards her apartment.

When she opened the door and saw his expression, her smile disappeared. "Spencer what's wrong?" she asked, terrified that something had gone wrong, that one of the team had been hurt, or worse. "We're leaving. Tomorrow. This is our last night together." His voice broke on the last sentence. "Oh, Spencer, no! Silly, didn't Blue Jay tell you? This was really mostly a prelude to my visit! I'm going to see her in about a few days; I'm staying for at least two weeks! Maybe more, because Ali is moving up there, and I want to get her settled in, but we've been planning this for months, how could you not know…" she was rudely interrupted by Spencer's lips.

"Well, as welcome as that was…" she trailed off when she saw the look in Spencer's eyes. "You okay sweetie?" she asked, unsure if the look was good or bad. He just nodded, but something about it seemed reassuring and she leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his hips. He wanted to tell her how glad he was that she would be with him a while longer. He wanted to inform her how he felt, and how it was so different than anything he'd ever felt before. But for now, he was content to just hold her.

Eventually, they ended up on the couch again; watching a movie, neither was paying it any attention. She snuggled against her, her head on his shoulder, eyes closed. He was stroking her hair, and when she was asleep, he grabbed his phone and sent JJ a text.

To: Jennifer Jareau

That was mean JJ.

"What are you doing?" asked Ashley, looking up curiously. "Nothing." He said pressing his lips to her head gently. "You can go back to sleep." She shifted slightly. "Maybe I don't want to." She said, kissing his neck. "Ashley" he warned, "Sweetheart, I need to get back in just over an hour." He said in between kisses. "I won't see you for a few days. I want to send you off." She said before resuming her kissing. "No you don't. The responsible thing to do would be to wait!" He cried the last part as she got a little too close. She looked at him. "You talk too much, you know that?" she asked. "So I've been told." He chuckled. She kissed his mouth passionately, and he pushed her off.

Her countenance reminded her off their first date, and fearing a repeat, he pulled her closer to him and soothed her. "Don't you want me?" she asked, her voice breaking slightly. "Of course I want you sweetheart. I just can't right now. I promise, someday…" he trailed off as she wrapped her arms around him in an embrace. He rested his arms on her and rubbed her back.
"You're right, of course. I want to wait too, but it's so hard!" she said, miserably. "Don't be unhappy, sweetheart. I'll see you in a few days. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to berate your cousin for making me worry." He teased. "Ooh! I want to come!" she cried excitedly, jumping up. "Remind me no to get you angry." He chuckled happily, watching her gracefully pull her coat on. She grabbed his hand and led him out the door, pausing only to lock the door behind her. They walked to the hotel together, hand in hand, and took the elevator, to the fifth floor, where the team was. Knocking on room 504, where Garcia was, they were whole-heartedly greeted and ushered in.

"I thought we wanted to get JJ?" Ashley looked up at Spencer questioningly. "Wait, why do you want to 'get JJ'" asked Garcia. Spencer quickly explained the situation. "Oh that was so mean of her!" cried Garcia "Even I knew! Of course I'll help you. Just tell me how." She confirmed. "I want to use the door that adjoins your rooms to sneak up on her." Spencer informed her. "Ooh, I've never seen this side of you before!" smiled Ashley. Garcia chuckled.

They snuck quietly through the door, into her bedroom. JJ was asleep on the bed, peaceful to all appearances. "What should we do?" asked Ashley. "Shhh. Watch me, and do as I do." Spencer advised. Grabbing one side of the sheets he pulled them over her head, Ashley doing the same. JJ woke up due to the movement, encased in sheets. "Aaaah! Argh! What?" JJ struggled against the sheets until the couple let her up. "Next time perhaps you'll think twice before terrorizing my boyfriend!"cried Ashley. "Okay maybe I deserved that. But really, you too? Et tu Brute?" she teased, while Spencer glowed at being referred to as 'my boyfriend'.