Spencer was sitting on the couch in the living room reading a book. He was freshly showered for the first time in God knows how long and drinking a coffee. He was interrupted by a repetitious sound against the wall near his door. He tried to ignore it, but eventually it got to be too annoying. He stood up and wandered to the door and opened it. Peering out into the hallway, he saw what was causing the noise.

Sitting with her back against the wall by her apartment door was Lizzie. She looked upset as she bounced a tennis ball against his wall. Remembering that she was deaf, he figured she didn't realize it was causing a ruckus in his home.

She didn't stop bouncing the ball, but she glanced his way. Spencer dug deep into his mind to pull out his limited knowledge of sign language. He had picked some up over the years, but never indulged in learning it all.

He waved his hand to get the girls attention. When she looked at him, he lifted his hands and began moving them.

Do you realize that ball is making noise in my home?

Lizzie caught the ball and placed it down in her lap.

Sorry.

Are you alright?

Not really.

Want to talk about it?

Not really.

Spencer nodded and slowly walked over to where the ball had been previously bouncing. He slid down until he was sitting crisscrossed against the wall opposite her. He held out his hands, signaling for her to throw him the ball. She looked at him questioningly as if to say, 'are you sure', before bouncing the ball to him.

He returned the gesture and the two of them sat there in silence passing the ball back and forth. Spencer wasn't sure how long they had been doing this when Lizzie's door swung open and Jade stepped out.

"Oh, Dr. Reid, hi," she said startled to see him.

She noticed he was bouncing a ball with Lizzie.

"I'm sorry, she didn't disturb you, did she?"

Spencer shook his head no as the game continued.

"I hate to interrupt, but it's time for lunch," she said, signing along with her words.

Lizzie let out a high-pitched whine.

"I know you're bored. How about after lunch we go for a walk?"

Lizzie adamantly shook her head no.

"How about the park?"

Again, an adamant no.

"Lizzie, please stop being difficult. I'm doing the best I can," Jade said looking exhausted.

The little girl stood up and sighed dramatically. She looked to Spencer and gave him a small wave before wandering back inside. Jade watched her, then turned to Spencer.

"Thank you for entertaining her. It's not easy making friends in an apartment complex. Not to mention, not being able to hear or speak to anyone," Jade said.

"Does she not go to school?"

She leaned against the wall and frowned.

"No, she's homeschooled. We had some issues … in the past."

Spencer nodded, but his profiler mind began screaming questions in his mind. As he tried to fend them off, he noticed Jade watching him with a small smile tugging at her lips. He furrowed his brow in question.

"You look well today," she responded.

He slowly stood up and brushed the dirt off his pants.

"I showered," he replied.

"Underneath all that hair and dirt you're pretty handsome," she said with a grin. A moment of awkward silence followed before she pointed over her shoulder toward the open door. "I better go. It was nice to see you again, Dr. Reid."

"Spencer."

Jade tilted her head to the side, her forehead creasing.

"I'm sorry?"

"My name … it's Spencer. You don't have to call me Dr. Reid," he said in a low voice.

Her same small smile curled at the corner of her lips.

"Ok then. See you around, Spencer," she said before entering her apartment and closing the door.

Spencer stood there for a moment staring at her door. They were an interesting pair, Lizzie and Jade, but something about them made him feel … alive. He was curious about them. He wanted to know more about them. It gave him a sense of purpose and a reason to get out of bed. They were giving him life again.

(xxxxx)

A/N: During the story you will notice that when anyone is talking out loud to Lizzie, while also signing I will write in regular font. Whenever they are talking to Lizzie without using words and only sign language, I will write in italics.

Hope you enjoy! Thanks for reading and for any comments! xoxo