JJ opened her eyes and saw Reid's side of the bed was empty. She rolled over and found him pacing nervously in front of the bed, already showered and dressed.

"Good morning, JJ," he said quickly. "I wasn't sure what you wanted for breakfast so I ordered a variety." She looked over at the door and saw a huge tray covered with an assortment of breakfast foods. Reid was hopping around like a hyper little boy not sure where to focus his energy.

"Mmmm, come back to bed Spence," she muttered rolling back over and covering her head with a pillow. For a brief moment she had forgotten about shooting Garcia's attacker and her mother's illness. Suddenly it all came back in a flash of memories and she sat up quickly in the bed, wrapping a sheet around her body.

"I'll jump in the shower and we should head to the hospital," she said. "I want to spend a full day with my mother. She seemed pretty good yesterday, didn't you think," she asked without expecting a response. She walked to the bathroom with the sheet still wrapped around her and then seemed to change her mind and looked back at him. She crossed the room to where he was standing and planted a solid kiss on his mouth. "Good morning Spence," she smiled and dropped her sheet with a giggle as she ran to the bathroom.

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The entire day was spent at the hospital. Jimmy didn't make an appearance, giving plenty of opportunity for Reid to have quality time with JJ and her parents. He was impressed by the connection the three seemed to share. With his own father leaving and his mother's illness, he had never experienced the type of support and closeness JJ had with her family. Her mother was in high spirits early in the day, but early evening she began to fail.

"I think your mother needs some rest sweetie," JJ's father said, giving her a kiss on the cheek. "Why don't you kids head back to the hotel for the night?"

JJ saw the worried expression on her father's face and shook her head. "Dad," she whispered, "I don't want you to go through this alone." Tears welled up in Reid's eyes as he saw JJ's obvious pain. He glanced over at her mother who locked eyes with Reid and glanced between JJ and the door, indicating she wanted some time alone with her husband.

"JJ, I think we should really get something to eat," he said quietly. "We can bring something back for you sir," he said to JJ's father. JJ shot a hesitant look at her father who gave Reid a small smile.

"That's a great idea Spencer," he said. "I would love if you would bring me something to eat."

JJ kissed her mother before they walked out the door. Spencer took another look at JJ's mother who mouthed "Thank you," and smiled as he steered JJ out of the room.

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JJ and Reid ate dinner at a nearby Sports Bar and had a few drinks before they headed back to the hospital. Spencer actually had one drink in the time it took JJ to pound five. She held his hand across the table and tried to keep up conversation, but he knew by her lack of appetite for anything but alcohol that she was hurting. He kept thinking of JJ's father and thinking what it would be like marry your true love only to lose her when they still had so many plans for their future. The idea made him shudder as he couldn't imagine being so lucky to have JJ as wife to begin with, and then to lose her would be unbearable.

"What's wrong Spence," JJ asked noticing his shoulders shake. "Is it cold in here?"

"I was just thinking JJ. I was thinking about what it would be like if I lost you," he said fumbling nervously with his napkin. "I, um, I love you, do you know that?" His eyes were wide and he looked absolutely terrified that he had spoken the words out loud.

"I love you too Spence," JJ replied quietly with tears in her eyes. She began to lean over the table and give him a kiss when her phone rang loudly. She looked down at the caller ID and back at Spencer. Tears immediately rolled down her face and they didn't need to answer the phone to know what had happened.