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When the nurse returned to assist Chriscelia, JJ entered with her and took a seat. As soon as the bathroom door closed Spencer said, "I need to talk to you, JJ."

"Of course, Spence. I can see something's bothering you."

"Not now," He insisted quietly. "Perhaps we can speak tomorrow after Chriscelia leaves to see her doctor. She has an appointment with her therapist that she scheduled before the – well, anyway, I'm going to insist that she go to both appointments. She'll be gone for at least two hours."

"I think that's a great idea. Don't be upset, but I think Chriscelia needs to talk to someone outside of our crazy and mixed up family."

Spencer smiled as she grinned at him and put an arm around his waist. They hugged briefly and were separating when Chriscelia returned. "Aha," she exclaimed. "Caught you alone and hugging, what's going on?"

Spencer saw that she smiled, but the perceived happiness didn't reach her eyes. Instead, the fear he saw, broke his heart and made him go to her and help her sit on the edge of the bed, while the nurse arranged her IV pole into position. Chriscelia pulled the sheet and hospital blanket over her legs as Spencer arranged her pillows.

"Sorry," JJ continued the conversation. "I needed the hug. You scared me," she said with a bit of false irritation.

"Hm," Chriscelia responded. "Are you sure that's all. I sense something else."

"You're right," Spencer said. "JJ's exaggerating. I needed the hug, but I need one more from you, oh my beautiful wife."

Spencer hugged her carefully and saw that the smile on her face now reached her eyes. She kissed him gently as if they'd woken in their bed at home on an average day, with all the promise of the golden sunlight shining through the windows.

"Thank you," he said.

"You're welcome."

"Guys," JJ said and smirked at them. "I better go."

"You don't have to leave," Chriscelia said as she sat back against her pillows.

"I should go home and see my boys," JJ said. "I'll call you later," she directed at Spencer. "I'll call you in a couple of days," she said to Chriscelia after leaning down for a hug. "You take care of yourself and my little goddaughter."

"Not that again," Chriscelia complained, but she smiled at her friend.

"Sorry, but I have to plant the suggestion every time I see you, or you might forget."

Spencer rolled his eyes. "I doubt it."

"Hush," JJ said, and Chriscelia laughed. "I'm out of here," JJ said, and she was gone.

"I'm so glad we're friends," Chriscelia said. "I like her."

"JJ will always be special to me because of Henry," Spencer said as he sat with his back to the door and Chriscelia's hand gripped tight in his fingers. "She made me his godfather when I was sure I never wanted kids, and then he changed my mind."

"I'm glad," Chriscelia said. "I think our little girl is glad too."

Spencer smiled then leaned forward and kissed his wife. His forehead stayed pressed to hers after the kiss ended and he whispered. "Thank God you're all right. I couldn't live if something happened to you."

Spencer felt her arms come around him, and his head dropped to her shoulder. "I love you," Chriscelia whispered. "I'm sorry for the terrible things I said today."

Spencer pulled away and shook his head. "You don't need to apologize."

"Yes, I do, but we'll talk later," she yawned. "Right now, I want to go home."

Spencer looked at her IV bag and noticed that it had nearly depleted. "I'm going to see if I can find a nurse and start the process to get you out of here and back home where you belong."

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JJ knocked on the Reids' front door the next day just as Spencer finished picking up books that had scattered around the Great Room. He hurried to the front door, looked at the security feed and smiled when JJ stuck her tongue out at him.

"Nice," he greeted. "Did aliens replace you with a six-year-old?"

"No," she insisted and kissed his cheek.

"What's this," Reid wondered at the wonderful smelling bag she carried.

"It's Will's famous beef and barley stew, along with some freshly made bread from Gail's Bakery and a green salad made by Emily."

"Goodness," Reid said as he took the insulated bag and led the way to the kitchen. "Rossi brought us his signature Carbonara for dinner last night, and Tara brought a casserole that we haven't touched yet. Our freezer is overflowing."

"Good," JJ quipped. "You won't starve."

"I resent that remark. Just because you all think I can't cook, doesn't mean we'll starve."

JJ stopped in the act of unzipping the bag. "Spence, I know you're great with breakfast food, but there's a reason we were relieved when you met Chriscelia. The woman can cook!"

"Yes, and I've picked up a few things in the last year. Did you know I can make soup?"

JJ pulled on a pair of oven mitts and carefully removed the three-quart slow cooker. She plugged it in and removed the salad before she responded. "Well, good for you, Spence."

"You don't sound convinced."

JJ put away the salad with another small container that Spencer couldn't identify and set the freshly baked bread on the counter. "I'm not," JJ admitted. "Chriscelia told Garcia about your attempt to make homemade chicken soup."

Spencer shook his head. "That was a month ago. I'm much better now."

"I'm glad to hear it, but do you want to talk about your exploits in the kitchen, or what's truly bothering you?"

Spencer sighed and leaned against the granite counter top. "I'm trying to decide what to do."

"Will you be angry if I say I know you're thinking about leaving the BAU."

Spencer laughed a bitter laugh. "I'm not going to ask you how you know."

JJ touched his arm. "I know because I recognize the look in your eyes from my mirror, Spence. I understand how you feel, better than you will ever know."

"Thank you for not saying you know how I feel because no one knows except for me. I feel like I can't continue to put my family in danger, JJ."

"It sounds like you've made up your mind," JJ reasoned. "I'm sad you want to leave, but I know you have to do what you have to do."

"I asked you here because I want your advice. Why have you chosen to stay after everything?"

JJ gave him a tiny smile. "Will and I have an agreement. If my job's too much, either of us can call it, say its over. I'd be a stay at home mom, and Will would open a breakfast place."

Spencer smiled, and his chuckle became a sob. He wiped at his eyes and pulled gently away from JJ when she tried to hug him. "Maybe that's a good idea."

"You're not Will and me," JJ reminded him.

"No, but, it's strange you have such an arrangement because I promised myself that if anything happened after we lost Steven, that I'd quit. I still feel that way."

JJ squeezed his hand. "Why are you talking to me instead of your wife? She deserves to know how you feel."

Spencer nodded and drew in a deep breath. "Before she collapsed the other day, she was so angry with me; I thought she'd leave. She said terrible things, and she was right. If not for me, and my job, she wouldn't have been on Cat's radar. I put her and my baby in mortal jeopardy, JJ. How can I forgive myself for such a thing?"

"You didn't put them in danger, Spence."

"I did –"

"No, you didn't," she argued. "You are not responsible for Cat and her inability to let go of her irrational anger toward you. You're not responsible for Lindsay and her choice to become a killer. She could have made different choices, Spence. They both could've made different choices, but they didn't, and Chriscelia was caught in the middle."

"Don't you think I know that," Spencer argued. "The truth is that my job is dangerous. It's okay for me to decide to go on, but not for me to drag Chriscelia in with me."

"You're right," JJ admitted. "I just don't want to see you leave and then regret it."

"Neither do I."

"Then I think you should talk to your wife. Tell her what you're thinking and feeling even if it hurts. She will understand."

"I don't want her to feel guilty, that she pushed me into this decision because she's afraid and I want to protect her."

"Again," JJ repeated. "You need to tell her everything you just said to me. She's more than your wife, Spence. She's your partner and best friend. She's the mother of your child. She loves you more than all the team put together. Trust her."

Spencer finally smiled. "I will. Thanks for listening."

JJ hugged him tightly. "I want you to be happy, Spence. If that means you have to leave, then I will understand."

"I know. I'd feel the same way about you."

They were quiet until JJ said. "Now, what else can I do around here to help you two."

"Nothing," Spencer assured her. "I just finished tidying the Great Room, and all the beds are made," he said with a laugh.

"You know," JJ said with a smirk. "My grandmother used to say that as long as the dishes were off the floor and the beds were made, the rest didn't matter."

Spencer frowned. "Seriously."

"Yep, but I think she didn't take her advice because she had the cleanest house I've ever seen."

At that moment, Spencer heard Chriscelia's voice from the direction of the front door. "Babe, I'm back."

"In the kitchen," Spencer called, and his face lit up like a star in the evening sky.

JJ stepped forward to hug her as soon as she entered the kitchen. "Hey, Chriscelia. You okay."

"Hi, JJ. Yeah, just got back from two doctors' appointments."

"How are you and the baby," Spencer said anxiously after embracing her and kissing her.

"We're fine. We have a clean bill of health. Dr. Osorio wants to go back to twice a weekly for the next few weeks because of the kidnapping, but it was a good session."

They were quiet for a minute, then Chriscelia said. "I hope you won't take this the wrong way JJ, but what are you doing here?"

"Brought you and Spence some of Will's beef and barley soup, bread, and salad."

"Did you tell her that everyone is burying us in food," Chriscelia said from the comfort of Spencer's arms.

"Yes, and she said they're all worried about us and want us to take it easy."

"Well, it smells delicious. Tell Will we say thanks."

"I will. Now, it's time for me to leave you two alone. Get some rest," JJ directed to Chriscelia.

"I promise."

The two friends hugged, then JJ turned to embrace Spencer. "Take care of yourself, Spence. Call me if you need anything."

Spencer nodded. "I'll walk you to the door."

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"Dinner was delicious," Chriscelia said as she watched Spencer load the dishwasher. He refused to let her do it, but she had successfully argued to clear the table and put away the leftovers.

"Agreed," Spencer said as he programmed the appliance and turned to her. "You should be sitting down, babe. I want to talk to you."

"I will."

Spencer followed her to the Great Room. She sat and studied him as he joined her after kicking off his shoes and socks.

"What is it?" She probed.

"You told me that your appointment with Dr. Osorio went well. I know you're still angry with me."

"Spencer, I am, but I –"

Spencer held up at hand. "What would you say if I told you I'm seriously considering leaving the BAU?"