People who make no noise are dangerous- Jean De La Fontaine
It had been a few weeks since Spencer admitted to having a problem with dilaudid and was receiving help from Hannah and the therapy sessions. Throughout all this, Rachel stood by Spencer and helped him. After leaving Hannah's house, Spencer found himself sleeping in Rachel's guest room. The two friends spent the majority of their time together to the point where Spencer felt comfortable enough to formally introduce the team to her.
It was Henry's birthday and JJ thought it would be the perfect opportunity for the team to meet Rachel. The party would be a relaxed setting and hopefully Rachel would feel comfortable. Everyone was excited to finally meet Rachel, the friend that kept their genius happy.
The Friday before Henry's Rachel was finishing some paperwork while talking to Rebecca.
"So, let me get this straight. You have agreed to go to Spencer's godson's birthday tomorrow? And the only person you will know will be Spencer?" Rebecca asked leaning over the printer.
"Well, if Jason is going, that will be another person. But yes I'm going to the birthday party." Rachel sighed for the sixth time. For some reason, the stupid printer kept saying that it was low on paper, even though Rachel had just put in some more.
"Why are you going?" Rebecca said as she knew Rachel didn't really like making new friends.
"I'm going because Spencer asked me to go." Rachel said.
"Are you sure that's all it is?" Rebecca smirked.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, you have been spending quite a lot of time with Spencer. If I was a fool,I would say that Spencer is your new best friend. But I know he can't take that title from me. So… that leaves me with one answer."
"Which is?" Rachel said half distracted from the conversation as she was still having a battle with the printer.
"You. Like. Him." Rebecca said confidently.
Rachel stopped what she was doing and slowly turned to Rebecca. "Why would you think that?"
Rebecca laughed at the shock written on her friend's face. "You spend a lot of time with him. Not only that, you went all mama bear when I asked you for his number. I honestly thought that was my last day on earth. And you're always wearing that necklace that he brought you out of the blue. I mean, do you ever take that necklace off?"
Rachel blushed and looked back at the mention of the necklace that she proudly. She honestly loved the necklace so much. Whenever she was having a particular hard day, Rachel would hold the necklace and play with it. When Spencer gave her the necklace, he had failed to mention that the necklace could also hold a picture. The picture that Rachel had used was one of herself and Spencer holding Jet when they first bought him. Rachel loved how happy Spencer looked in that picture, while holding the over excited dog.
"Like I said before, you like Spencer. I think you might even be a bit in love with him." Rebecca said, as Rachel rolled her eyes.
"Changing the subject, are you going to the club with Caleb later?" Rachel said, letting out a sigh when the printer finally began to print.
"Yeah are you coming?"
"Nah, I want to get an early night because I have to get up early tomorrow. And also I don't fancy having a hangover while being around children." Rachel laughed.
"Okay be safe though." Rebecca said. "Hey remember those flowers that came the other day for you, who were they from?"
"I think they were from the Evans family." Rachel said.
A dark figure stood at the corner of the sidewalk watching everyone. It was a busy evening and nobody took notice of him. The man pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and took a deep breath inhaling the smoke and continued to watch.
As he smoked, he checked his high price watch for the time. He watched a group of people leave the hospital, and one of the women dropped her purse but hadn't noticed.
The man finished his cigarette and picked the purse up. He then called for the woman who turned back. The man knew it was Rebecca, not that Rebecca knew the man.
Rebecca smiled gingerly and took her purse and she noticed that on his left arm, the man had a tattoo of a knife. As quickly as she could, Rebecca ran off to catch up with the group she had just left.
The man watched and chuckled. A few minutes later, the person he had been waiting for appeared. She was in a rush as she moved towards her car.
The man gave a sinister smile. It was the same woman that he sent the flowers to earlier that week claiming to be from the Evans.
It won't be long till you meet me in person, Rachel Collins, and this time you will pay.
Early the next morning, Rachel had just finished getting Jet ready. Spencer thought it would be a good idea to bring Jet to the party too. After having her breakfast, Rachel got a text from Spencer saying that he was outside. Getting her things together and putting Jet on a lead, Rachel left her apartment and got into Spencer's car. When she entered the car, she handed Spencer a croissant.
"Oooo thanks." Spencer said as he started to drive to JJ's.
For the most part of the journey was done in silence as the radio played some music.
"Are you nervous?" Spencer asked randomly.
"A bit," Rachel said truthfully. "I'm worried that they might find out the reason on how we met."
Approaching a red stop sign, Spencer turned and looked at Rachel who looked very concerned.
"We will go with the story of me spilling coffee on you. It is believable as it is something that might likely happen because I'm clumsy." Spence said eyes back on the road.
"Yeah, but they're profilers. They will be able to see if I'm lying and when they do, they might ask."
Spencer thought for a moment. "If they do ask, just make it into a joke and make me tell the story."
Rachel nodded.
"But in all seriousness Rae, you have nothing to be worried about. They are going to love you, I promise." Spence chuckled. "And by the way, we're here."
Rachel smiled and took Jet out of the backseat. The trio walked about to JJ's house and rang the doorbell. Will opened the door and smiled when he saw Spencer.
"Hey Spencer, how are ya?" Will asked.
"I'm good thanks. Will, I want you to meet Rachel." Spencer while Will shook hands with Rachel.
"Nice to meet you Rachel, JJ told me that you would be coming today." Will said.
"Ah yes, Spencer decided to drag me out my bed this morning, not that I had anything planned for today." Rachel smiled.
"And who's this cute little fellow," Will said, bending down to pet Jet.
"This is Jet, I share ownership with Spencer. I look after him when Spencer is going on a case and vice versa. When I have to work long hours at work, Spencer will look after him." Rachel said as she watched Jet enjoy the petting.
Before Will could reply, Henry ran and gave a tight hug to Spencer's legs while yelling "Uncle Spencer!"
Spencer smiled and picked the birthday boy up. "Hello Henry. How are you?"
"Good. Guess what Uncle Spencer."
"What?"
"It's my birthday! Mommy and daddy got me a bike! Wanna see me ride it?" Henry asked all in one breath.
"Oooo I would love to see you ride the bike. But before I see you ride your bike, I want you to meet my friend. This is Rachel."
Henry looked from Spencer to Rachel and then back at Spencer again. He then made grabby hands at Rachel who took him into her arms. Will watched in surprise, knowing that Henry wasn't this friendly with strangers.
"Hi Rachel. It's my birthday!" Henry exclaimed. "Wanna see me ride my bike?"
Rachel chuckled. "Sure why not." Putting Henry down.
"Henry you need to go and ask your mother before you go on the bike." Will imputed before his son took Rachel's hand and led her in the house.
The adults walked into the house that was now covered in different colour balloons. Jet looked curious as he saw a balloon. He tried to bite it, but was soon pulled away by Spencer.
When they entered the kitchen, they found JJ who was getting the food and drinks ready for the party. Hearing footsteps, JJ looked up.
"Mommy, I want to show Rachel and Uncle Spencer my bike, but Daddy said I have to ask you." Henry bouncing on his feet.
"Oh? Spencer and Rachel are here? Sure honey but be careful." And with that Henry was off in the garden.
JJ went over to greet Spencer and then turned to Rachel smiling. "Hi Rachel, I'm glad to finally meet you properly."
"Same here."
"And is this that beautiful puppy that is on your desk Spencer?" JJ asked, eyeing the puppy.
"Yep! This is the famous Jet." Spencer said as Jet enjoyed all the extra attention he was getting.
"Rachel! Are you coming to see me ride my bike?" Henry yelled.
"You better get going, that boy has been very demanding today." JJ sighed.
Rachel left with Jet and went into the garden. Once Henry and Jet had been formally introduced to each other, Rachel ran alongside Henry as he peddled while Jet chased them. Henry was having the time of his life and so was Jet.
Just like her husband, JJ was shocked at how comfortable Henry was with Rachel.
"I've never seen Henry this close to someone that he just met." JJ said, still in awe.
"Well, Rachel is a Doctor that works on the children ward. She must have to deal with plenty of children, and as a result is very comfortable around them. Henry must sense that and is therefore comfortable around Rachel.
The three adults left Rachel to play with Henry as they got things ready for the party. Rachel didn't notice that people had started to arrive and when she did, she couldn't find Spencer. Henry had got off his bike, and went to get a drink to speak to some of the other members of the BAU.
Jet soon began to whine, wanting attention. Rachel knelt down and began to play with the pup and didn't hear someone approaching her.
"Rachel?" A voice said as Rachel looked up from Jet.
"Yes." Rachel said as she looked at the man now standing in front of her.
"Hi, I'm Morgan. I saw you and thought I would come and say hi seeing you're not playing chase the bike." Morgan smiled.
Rachel laughed. "Oh yes. It's even a while since I've run for so long without a break."
"Really? You look like a natural" Morgan said. "And take that from someone who goes to the gym regularly."
"I try and go on runs with this little guy, but it's never been that intense or long." Rachel smiled.
"You look after Jet?" Morgan asked, looking confused. "I thought he was Pretty Boy's."
Rachel laughed. "Pretty boy? That's a new one. But I look after Jet whenever Spencer goes on cases. And Spencer looks after Jet when I work the night shift."
"What do you call Spencer then?"
"Wikipedia or Doctor Who. But mostly Spency." Rachel laughed.
"Wikipedia?Ooo I like that one. Come on let's go and annoy him."
The duo went to the living room where they found everyone else crowding around a table.
"Hey Wikipedia, pass me the drink will you?" Morgan said with a cheeky grin.
"Not you too. I knew it was a bad idea for you to be introduced to Morgan." Spencer groaned.
Everyone laughed.
"Seeing everyone is here I'll introduce you to everyone. Everyone, this is Rachel, she's my friend. Rachel, you've already met Gideon, JJ, Will and now Morgan. But everyone else Hotch, Emily and Garcia. And that's J-"
"Rachel!" Jack said as he ran and hugged her. "I haven't seen you in ages."
"That's because you haven't done anything stupid hurt yourself." Rachel said, raising an eyebrow.
"Yep you can say that again." Hotch said.
Spencer looked so confused.
"Rachel has looked after Jack when I've taken him to the doctor whether it's for a checkup or a scan." Hotch answered.
"Yep, and Rachel is the best doctor ever. She makes me feel better instantly." Jack said, smiling at his favourite doctor.
"Looks like you know most of us then." JJ said, smiling.
Garcia walked over to Rachel, "I've seen that shirt someone."
"I got at Zara's," Rachel said looking down at the top. "I love that shop."
"OMG you love that shop too? Emily, JJ, we need to take Rachel with us the next time we go shopping." Garcia said with a big smile on her face.
Emily nodded. "That sounds like a plan."
"Sorry to disrupt the conversation, but who wants cake?"
The children all got excited and so did some of the adults. Jet, who found his way to the living room, was now trying to eat some of Rachel's cake.
Soon everyone migrated to the backyard, as Henry went on his bike and this time Jake ran with him and Jet followed close behind. Rachel was in deep conversation with the women as Morgan and Will made sure the kids were okay.
Spencer stood back and watched how Rachel felt so comfortable with everyone.
"You like her," Hotch said standing next to Spencer.
"Hmmm? What do you mean?"
"You want to pursue a romantic relationship with Rachel."
"How do you know that?" Spencer asked, feeling a light blush on his cheeks.
"The way you look at her, I noticed it when her mother was driving you a check up. You like her." Hotch said. "The way it took you long for you to introduce her to us. How long have you known each other?"
"Nine months."
"And it took you that long. It shows you want to have something solid before you introduce her to people you think of as family."
Spencer sighed. "I do like Rachel and I would like for us to be more than friends but I don't how move on from-"
"Maeve" Hotch finished.
"Yeah." Spencer said looking down. "How did you move on from Haley?"
"I never properly moved from her. She'll always have a place in my heart, but I learnt to make room for someone else. I told Beth about Haley and Beth understood. If she can't understand about Maeve, then she's not the one for you." Hotch said watching Jake.
Spencer hummed. "I'm going to tell her soon about Maeve. I think I owe her that much, after she opened up to me."
Hotch raised his eyebrow.
"Let's just say, when I met Rachel, she wasn't in the best place. But now she is." Spencer said feeling like he could trust Hotch.
"Just tell her when you read Spencer. People can surprise you."
Meanwhile, Rachel was in a deep conversation with the girls.
"Rachel, where did you get that beautiful necklace from?" Garcia asked.
"Spencer gave it to me." Rachel said as Emily took a closer look.
"So you're the girl he wanted to give it to." JJ said, smiling. "A few months ago, Spencer asked what the best gift for a girl is. I said if you want to play it safe, then jewellery. He came back to me later that week and showed me that necklace. I thought it was amazing."
"Yeah I love it." Rachel said smiling.
A few hours later Henry and Jack were tired and JJ announced it was time for Henry to go to bed. Everyone took that as their cue to leave.
The women and Morgan exchanged numbers with Rachel and the women promised that they would go on a shopping spree soon.
With a sleepy Jet in her arms, Rachel and Spencer left JJ's house and got into Spencer's car.
"It wasn't too bad was it?" Spencer asked.
"No it wasn't. Everyone is lovely, Spency." Rachel yawned.
"Oh? Is it someone's bedtime?" Spencer joked.
"Shush you." Rachel laughed.