The next day at work, before Spencer and Derek showed up, JJ was in Garcia's lair.

She leaned against Garcia's desk, crossing her arms. "How did he do this weekend? He usually calls on Sunday nights, but I guess he fell asleep before he could call me."

"I'm sure he was exhausted. He went for one long run on Saturday, and two on Sunday. I guess it's his own brand of therapy, because he comes back happier and with a clear head."

She raised an eyebrow. "Wow. How was he?"

She smiled, leaning back in her chair. "During the day? It was like I had the old, fun Spencer Reid back. He was talkative and excited and all around happy. It was like he didn't have a negative bone in his body, and he didn't just attempt over a month ago. Instead, he just enjoyed himself. There wasn't a wall between us and he was really open to talking. He let a lot of things out I never expected, and he never really went into his mind like he usually does."

"What about at night?"

She sighed. "The nightmares were back. Derek told me he might have them without him being there, but they were bad. Once he snapped out of them, though, he was sheepish Spencer, and when he was calmed down, he was back to himself. I guess the nightmares are never really going to go away, but as long as he has Derek there to keep them away? He'll be fine."

"So, what, he just needs to rely on Derek the rest of his life?"

She shrugged again. "He doesn't seem to mind. When he came to pick up Reid and Clooney? He seemed like he was happy to be there, like it was the highlight of his weekend, despite the fact he spent the entire weekend home with his family."

"Really?"

"Mhm. So, Boy Wonder didn't call you last night?"

She shook her head. "No, why?"

"Derek didn't call me either. Do you think-"

"Definitely not," JJ finished. "Spence has made it quite clear he doesn't want to go there with Derek."

"Yeah, he has with me too, but come on."

JJ shrugged. "Just saying, I don't see it happening."

Emily walked in a few minutes later. "Don't tell me you two are in here contemplating Reid and Morgan."

JJ smiled. "Spence would never let it happen, so I've accepted the fact that it's not going to. Garcia might be harder to convince. Are they in yet?"

"Just got a call from Derek, Spencer requested an appointment with his therapist this morning, so they're running late."

"Uh oh," Garcia started, turning her chair around to face her, "is everything okay?"

"He didn't sound too upset, probably just has a few things to get off his chest before coming to work and looking at photos of victims."

"Did he say anything else?"

She shook her head. "Just said they'd be late. I'm not going to profile them, and you shouldn't either."

JJ got up, stretching slightly. "Guess we should get to work."

Garcia looked at her. "If you hear so much as a whisper-"

"You'll be the first to know, I promise."

Spencer sat on the couch. "I'm sorry that I moved my appointment up, but I had a really productive weekend."

She leaned back in her seat. "It's fine, Spencer. Tell me about it."

He chewed on his lip, wondering to begin. "Derek went home for the weekend, and I spent time with another of my co-workers, Penelope. She was absolutely amazing. She was welcoming and kind and she listened to my problems. She allowed me to talk her ear off as long as I wanted, and didn't pass judgment or think anything negative about me, not even once."

"Can you finally accept that your co-workers are more than that?"

He nodded, smiling slightly. "They don't look at my wrist and see someone who needs fixing. They see someone that just needs someone to talk to. They've all put themselves out there. They talk to me when I need it, and listen when I just need to talk. It's a lot better than I thought it was. My only regret is not learning this sooner."

"So you had a good weekend?"

He chewed on his lip. "I spent time with Penelope, like I said, and unfortunately the nightmares came back, more intense than they were before. She got Derek on the phone and he was able to talk me down. Afterward, she turned on some soft music and talked to me and made me feel like I wasn't alone. And the next morning, she went on my morning jog with me. She's obviously not the type to go jogging, but it meant a lot that she'd do that for me. I ended up opening up to her with things I haven't told you or Derek, and it just felt great to have someone else to lean on. She learned a lot about me, and I opened up to her more than I ever thought I would."

"Do you think you'll be able to lean on Penelope, should something happen and Derek's not around?"

He didn't even hesitate. "Definitely. She's always been the mother bear type, very protective over me no matter what the situation. After spending most of the weekend with her, I just know she cares."

"What happened when Derek came back?"

"That morning, I had my first flashback in a while, and after opening up to Penelope so much, I just, I needed to go for a second run and clear my head. It's the best way to do it these days. I came back, took a shower, and Derek was there waiting to take me back home. I spent some time with him and then I wrote in my journal for a while. I know you told me that I should share what I put in my journals with someone, and rather than sitting there boring him with the, for lack of a better word, highlights, I let him read it."

She raised her eyebrows, impressed. "You let him read your journals?"

He nodded. "It was the best way for him to know everything I'd been hiding. With everything he's done for me, I figured he deserved to know. I gave him the journal, I sat down beside him, and waited for him to ask any questions."

"Did he?"

He exhaled. "Quite a few. I told him things I never thought I'd really tell anyone, things that I kept locked inside for years and never thought would see the light of day. But something about telling him made it feel okay. I don't have any secrets, or skeletons in my closet anymore. He knows it all."

"Is that okay with you?"

He smiled slightly. "Of course. I trust him with everything."

"Did anything else happen this weekend?"

"I talked to him, and he opened up to me. It felt like we trusted each other a lot and there's nobody out there that's ever going to find out."

"Is Derek here with you today?"

He nodded. "I came on the way to work, and he's my ride, so he's out in the waiting room."

"Do you mind if he comes in for a few minutes?"

Spencer shook his head. "Not at all." He got up, opening the door and poking his head out. "Derek, could you come in here?"

Derek raised an eyebrow, setting his magazine down and walking into the room, closing the door behind him. He took the seat beside Spencer and looked over at his doctor.

"Spencer tells me he owes most of his progress to you."

"He sells himself short," Derek started, looking over at Spencer and holding out his hand. "He's a lot stronger than he gives himself credit for."

Spencer smiled slightly. "Derek's help is what's made me open up so much. Without everything he's done, I wouldn't be where I am today. To be honest, I probably wouldn't even be here today if it wasn't for everything he did for me." He took Derek's hand, squeezing it. "Thank you."

"Is there a relationship here?" she asked, looking between the two.

Spencer bit down on his lip. "We don't really have a label for it. We were co-workers and roommates, but it's blossomed into more than that. I don't want to put a name on it and then have something happen. But we're taking it slow, and we don't want our team to know, so I'd appreciate if this stayed out of any of the forms you're sending to my superior at work."

She nodded. "Of course." She turned to Derek. "You do understand he's extremely fragile?"

"That I do."

"And he's going to be dependent?"

"I understand completely."

After a few more questions, she turned to Spencer. "You've chosen an incredible ally here, Spencer. Congratulations on your progress. I'll see you next week?"

He smiled, nodding. "Thank you, and yes." He pushed himself up, pulling on his jacket.

Before getting out of the car at work, Spencer leaned over, kissing Derek softly. "Thank you for everything."

Derek ran a hand through his hair, smiling. "I've said it before, I'll say it again. Anything for you, Pretty Boy."

Spencer kissed his cheek and they walked inside. After the elevator stopped on their floor, Spencer walked to his desk, grabbing his coffee mug and making his way to the break room.

JJ raised an eyebrow. "Somebody has a bit of a spring in his step."

He shrugged. "I'm having a good Monday. Is that not allowed?"

"Oh, it is," she started, holding out the coffee pot to him. "Do I get to know why it's a good Monday, or do I have to guess?"

He shrugged again, pouring in his coffee and mixing in the sugar.

"You're done with therapy?"

He shook his head. "I'll be back there next week."

She chewed on her cheek. "Hm. That good of a time at Garcia's?"

"She was fantastic, but no." He stirred in his sugar, sipping the coffee.

She followed him back to his desk. "Did you and Derek confess your love for each other?"

He rolled his eyes. "You've caught me." He sat down, drinking his coffee and grabbing a folder from his pile.

"…Is that sarcasm?"

He shrugged. "Wouldn't you like to know?"