Chapter Nine

The next morning Ashley stayed at JJ's apartment. It was cozy, and sweet, and she wanted to get settled and look into the local real estate companies. Goodness knew there were a lot of them.

Spencer, though eager to see her again, was content with the knowledge he would later. She was moving here, and the urgency to get every moment he could with her was gone. Every once in a while, while filling out paperwork, he would think of her, but his focus remained on getting done. If he stayed late, he wouldn't be able to make the date he'd planned with Ashley. Unfortunately, as he finished his last file, early, JJ called "conference room" and sent him an apologetic look.

'Great' he thought. Instead of the sweet, beautiful girl he was going to see he got to go catch a monster. JJ sent Ashley a quick text, apologizing for both of them, and sending her their cell phone numbers.

Four Days Later

Ashley had called JJ and Spencer every day since they'd left, but without them she felt her heart hurting. She'd gotten dependent. Ali and Cassandra were a great help, but they'd pretty much unpacked Ali, and Cass was staying there with her, on the couch. They'd shopped a bit for apartments, but none were really good. Ashley had plenty of money, she'd received a big inheritance and her restaurant had only added to that, plus her college had been paid for on a full ride scholarship, but none of them were the right one.

The case had been awful. JJ called her and put her on speaker phone so that the rest of the team didn't have to focus on the images drifting through their heads. "Hey Ash, you're on speaker." She said. Ashley heard the weakness in her voice and forced herself to be cheerful. "Hi! What can I do ya for?" she said.

"I wondered if you might sing for us. Something cheerful?" asked JJ, glad to hear the bubbly voice that was her cousin. "Gladly. Anything special? Garcia, you're the Queen of cheery." She specified. Garcia, laughing suggested "Don't Rain on My Parade" Glee version. "But of course. Only the best for ya'll!" she smiled, immediately bursting out into the song. Those on the plane were stunned into silence. Her voice was melodic, hitting every note, and drifting through the air, solid and clear but sounding more like liquid silver might.

"Anything else?" she asked when she'd finished. Only JJ was unsurprised by her skill, having heard her talent before. "Yeah. Why don't you sing one of your favorites?" Suggested JJ, not as unhappy now. Ashley began singing the Glee version of "I Dreamed a Dream" With background music from the computer.

"That was wonderful Ash. Thank you so much. Will you come pick me up? We'll be there in an hour." Said JJ. "Of course cousin! See you there ya'll!" she answered and they heard the beep that signaled the end of a call. "Wow" murmured Garcia, "I didn't see that one coming." "Well I told you she sang." JJ said to the accusing looks of the team. "JJ, that wasn't singing. That was something else." Derek informed her. "I've met women who work their whole live to achieve that level of beauty in their voices, and she's what? Twenty-seven? Twenty-eight?" he told her. "Where did she go to school?" asked Hotch. "Oh. She has a bachelor of arts in Journalism, from Georgetown and a bachelor of arts in Management from somewhere." JJ said. "No vocal training?" asked Emily dubiously. "Well… she took chorus in high school." Said JJ doubtfully. "So that was all raw talent. Why does she own a restaurant again?" thought Morgan out loud.

JJ noticed that Spencer had remained quiet through all of this. "How about you Spencer? Defending me, or attacking me?" she teased. "Defending you, I guess. I don't see how it's your fault that we didn't know she sang." He answered, thoughtfully.

When they pulled up to the tarmac, Ashley was waiting for them. She hugged them all, and held Spencer's hand as they entered the building, her arm slung around JJ's waist. "Any new prospects for home?" Derek asked her, hoping she'd be moving sooner than later. "Nope." She said, popping the 'p'. "Well, if Jayje kicks you out, you can always stay with me!" said a cheerful Garcia.

Ashley laughed, and it occurred to Reid that her laugh was equal only to the sound of her voice in his mind. He noticed that her hair was a little wavy tonight. As they all separated in the bullpen, Ashley headed off with JJ. Spencer sighed, knowing he would have work to make up. Chasing after her, he grabbed her wrist in the hall. "Hey, wait a minute!" he said. JJ was glowing with pride, and she went off in the direction of her office. "Do you need something Spencer?" Ashley asked happily. "I got to see your apartment. Don't you want to see mine?" he invited her. She nodded gaily, and after informing JJ, they went off on their long-awaited date.