A/N: Thanks so much for the continued great reviews! The last chapter was a talk I knew was needed and I'm glad everyone felt I did an alright job with it. How will the pair move forward now?

The first thing his brain registered was the sunlight penetrating his eyelids. He blinked a few times, adjusting to the light. His head was resting on her chest and he could tell she was still asleep by her even breathing. Enjoying the moment, he decided to just lie there for a few minutes.

Waking up this morning, he felt like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders. Although their discussion was emotionally draining, to know that JJ wanted to be with him through it all, whatever that may be, was all he could ask for. He knew they still had so many things to talk about, so much more to get to know about each other. Yet, he also knew their relationship had taken a turn for the better.

His gaze shifted and he noticed that her tank top had ridden up over night. As he ran his hand over her exposed stomach, that desire that had been slowly rebuilding with the trust came surging back. He slowly slid his hand even higher and gently grazed the underside of her breast. He smiled when he felt her breath hitch.

"Spence…" Her voice came out as a sigh combined with a moan. He lifted his head to meet her hooded eyes. He watched as her eyes closed when as he moved his hand higher. She moaned softly before running a hand through his hair. She opened her eyes once more and locked with his. "Are you sure? We can wait some more-"

He shifted on the bed so he was hovering over her. "I love you Jennifer. So much. I trust you." With that, he kissed her so deeply and with such intensity she felt like she was about to explode. She hardly had time to register his use of her given name but it made her love him even more. No man she had ever been with had ever called her that; she'd gone by JJ ever since she was eleven. It warmed her heart in a way she never expected. The fact that he stated he trusted her nearly brought tears to her eyes.

"I love you Spencer," she breathed when they parted briefly. It was the last coherent statement either of them made of awhile.

JJ finished wrapping up the two picture frames she had purchased yesterday and turned back to see Spence sitting on the bed, running a hand through his hair. She furrowed her brow. "You okay?"

He sighed and leaned back on the bed. "I'm afraid to ask her." JJ sat down next to him and waited. "I want to believe Dr. Laple's theory about my headaches, but…"

"You have always wondered if it's the start of something else?"

Reid nodded. "I know my mom's disease started while working on her masters in college. I know my parents hadn't started dating just yet. Beyond that…"

JJ squeezed his hand. "Did the last case trigger this trip or have you been thinking about this for awhile?

Reid shrugged, "A little of both, I guess. Something about how James became so much like his mother through their illness. He was even willing to kill his sister. I guess…" he paused and met her eyes. "Sometimes I wonder if what all my mom and I really have in common is schizophrenia. Will I turn into James? I wanted to come here to make sure the headaches…" He let his voice trail off.

JJ hugged him tight, following his logic. That's what this trip was all about, finding out if she had headaches in the beginning as well. Why had she never thought about this before? The sad parallels between the Heathridges and Reids hadn't escaped her either, but she'd be damned if she let Reid become James. After a few minutes she asked, "You ready to go find out?" He nodded.

The pair stood to head to Bennington, but JJ pulled him back to her for a moment. "Spence, regardless of what you do or don't find out today, please know that I will never let you become like James. Okay?" A small smile crossed his face as he nodded. She kissed him softly before leaving their hotel room.

"I heard you were here."

The young couple turned and Reid smiled. "Dr. Norman. It's good to see you." The doctor smiled in return. "This is JJ, my girlfriend." JJ smiled and bit back a giggle, it seemed so good to hear him say that. Since they had started to date, they never had to do an introduction and she wasn't sure what he'd say.

JJ stuck out her hand and the pair shook hands. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise," Dr. Norman replied. "I will let you go visit." The pair nodded and smiled, heading to Diana's room.

Reid gently knocked and opened the door to find his mom curled up on her bed with her journal. He immediately frowned. "Hi mom."

She looked up and wrinkled her brow. "Office hours are over for today, you two. I hope you finished your final papers on time."

JJ watched as Reid deflated and sighed. She hadn't seen this side of Diana before, but knew it was possible. He stood there as if he couldn't decide how to proceed; he had placed so much hope on having another good day. She took a deep breath, praying she was doing the right thing. "We did ma'am. We just wanted to thank you for a wonderful semester; you're a great teacher."

Diana smiled and Reid took JJ's hand in thanks. "Well thank you. I enjoyed having you in my class. Perhaps you'll take the next one in the fall?"

The pair nodded and this time Reid spoke. "We'd be honored, Professor Reid. Enjoy your summer break."

She nodded. "You two as well. You know, you make such a handsome couple."

JJ smiled at that. "Thank you ma'am. We'll see you in the fall." They waved goodbye and closed her door. She immediately noticed his slumped shoulders as they walked down the hall and pulled him to her. She rubbed circles on his back as he held her tight. "I'm sorry Spence." A part of her felt guilty. Maybe if they had gotten here earlier in the day…

Reid pulled back. "It's okay JJ. I knew this might happen. I was just hoping I might get some answers, but it was a long shot for her to remember that time anyway."

JJ nodded. "Would Dr. Norman possibly know?" Reid seemed to ponder that for a moment and then nodded.

"Since I didn't start to work with your mother until her forties, I can't be certain about how her symptoms started, Dr. Reid. Given your field, I assume you're aware of the typical signs?" Dr. Norman was surprised when he found the young couple in his doorway not ten minutes after seeing them. He was even more concerned when the young man he'd grown quite fond of asked about his mother's history. He, of course, was happy to oblige after getting the okay to discuss it with JJ in the room.

Reid nodded. "Delusions, hallucinations, disorganized speech and behavior, along with social dysfunction that interferes with work and relationships for at least six months."

Dr. Norman watched the young man before him as he looked down at the floor. The woman with him soon squeezed his hand, an action of support that was starting to worry the elder doctor. "Spencer, are you starting to experience these symptoms?"

Reid lifted his head as he shook it. "No, but I've had headaches for over a year now. My doctor thinks they are just tension headaches but…"

Dr. Norman nodded, "But you can't shake the fear it's the prodrome or earliest symptom before the traditional ones?" Reid nodded. The doctor paused, trying to decide how to form his thoughts, recalling a conversation from years ago. He knew then that the younger Reid had some difficult things happen in his past with his job.

"Spencer, I understand your fear. Given the obvious family history, your stressful job, and some of your other history," he paused and Reid nodded, knowing he was talking about the dilaudid, "you have several factors that increase your risk. However, you are a few years past the typical onset of symptoms, which doesn't include headaches. If you are following your doctor's advice for the tension headaches, this should hopefully reduce your stress levels. You also happen to have a good support system that could help pick up on queues in changes in behavior so you can receive treatment early. I think you should just listen to your doctor for now. I'm always here if you want to talk as well."

Reid let out a deep breath, all while holding on to JJ's hand. This was all information he had tried to tell himself before, but it felt good to hear it from a doctor he's trusted for years. "Thank you Dr. Norman." The pair stood and shook his hand.

JJ paused before they left. "Dr. Norman, can you please give these to Diana when she's having a good day. I wanted her to have new pictures of Spence." She opened her purse and handed him two wrapped picture frames. One had the photo of Reid and Henry sleeping that hung in her hallway and another was one of the three of them leaving the park after Hotch's race. Garcia had snapped it when none were looking and it was one of her favorites; they truly looked like a family. She had them printed from her phone after leaving the Reids yesterday.

Dr. Norman nodded and smiled. "Absolutely." The pair started to leave his office when he stopped Reid. Reid gestured for JJ to go on ahead. Once she left the office, Dr. Norman set the presents on his desk and opened one of his drawers, pulling out a small box with an envelope taped to it. "Your mother gave this to me yesterday and asked me to give it to you. She said to tell you to take a chance." Reid opened the box and blinked; it was his grandmother's engagement ring. He hadn't seen it in 24 years; she had passed away when he was six. He was surprised his mom still had it. Tucking the ring into his pants pocket, he opened the note.

My dearest Spencer,

I want you to have this. I'm sure you remember it belonged to your grandmother. Their marriage was such a happy one, I wish you could have experienced it longer to know how a relationship can be, should be. I only hope you can hold onto the love you have for Jennifer and make things work. Be brave, my son, and use this ring as good luck.

Love,

Mom