It was six days later when Spencer returned from his first case back. He was trudging up the stairs when he heard Lizzie. It sounded as though she was trying to sing to herself. It was kind of adorable despite being off-key. As soon as Spencer reached the landing, Lizzie's face lit up. She raced toward him with her arms stretched out. After a quick hug around his waist she backed away to talk to him.

(L) Where've you been?

(S) I had to go out of town for work.

(L) Out of town? What do you do?

(S) I work for the FBI.

Lizzie's jaw dropped. All this time she had known him, and never once did she realize he worked for the FBI. She just assumed he was a teacher or a librarian or something.

(L) You capture bad guys?

Spencer nodded.

(L) You ever been shot?

Spencer nodded again.

(L) You ever shoot anyone?

(S) Yes.

(L) Whoa. You're kind of scary.

Spencer started laughing.

(S) Scary? Why am I scary?

(L) I don't know. You could commit a crime and get away with it.

(S) Do you think I'm the type of guy to do something like that?

(L) No, but sometimes people seem really nice and they are actually not. Jade calls them wolves in sheep's clothing.

(S) That is true. You should always be careful, but I can assure you, I am not a bad guy. Definitely a sheep and not a wolf.

He grinned as she smiled back at him.

(L) I believe you.

(S) I'm going to go inside and get settled in. I need to shower and eat something.

(L) Ok. See you later agent.

Spencer started laughing again as he shook his head.

(S) Let's just stick with Spencer.

Lizzie nodded as he picked up his go bag and let himself into his apartment. She turned and ran into her apartment running to the kitchen where Jade was cleaning up from dinner. She let out a few excited shrieks that caught Jade's attention.

(L) Spencer's back and guess what? He works for the FBI! Isn't that great news?

Jade dropped the dish she was holding. Her face paling almost instantly.

(J) How do you know that?

(L) I asked him where he's been, and he told me he was out of town and that he worked for the FBI. Jade, maybe he can help us!

(J) No! Don't you dare say anything to him! Do you understand? I've told you before that you are never to tell anyone!

The smile fell from Lizzie's face as confusion flooded her face.

(L) But … but he would help us. He told me he's not a bad guy. He's not a wolf.

(J) Look at me, Lizzie! You have to swear you won't tell Spencer. You swear or you will never be allowed to talk to him again. Do you understand?

Lizzie's lip trembled while Jade clutched her arms tightly. Lizzie nodded her head before Jade pulled her in tightly for a hug.

(xxxxx)

It was barely fifteen minutes later when Spencer heard knocking at his door. He had just stepped out of the shower. His hair still dripping wet as he yanked a white shirt over his head and hurried to the door. He swung it open to see Jade standing before him with a dish in her hand.

"Hey," she said with a smile.

"Hi."

"I'm sorry to bother you, um, Lizzie mentioned you just got home and hadn't eaten. We had some extra Lasagna and I thought you might like a home cooked meal. If not, you can dispose of it. I won't be offended."

"Wow, that's really kind of you. Thank you," he said as he took the dish.

"Don't mention it. Welcome home by the way. Lizzie said you were out of town because you're an FBI agent?"

"Yea. I, uh, work for the BAU. The Behavioral Analysis Unit," he said shyly.

"Does that mean you study criminals?"

"Sort of. We observe serial killer's behaviors and use that knowledge to set up a profile," he briefly explained.

"Oh, wow, that's some pretty heavy stuff. How do you deal with what you see?" she asked with genuine concern.

"It's hard sometimes, but we all find ways of dealing with it," he said.

"Well, if you ever need a friend to distract you, Lizzie and I are right across the hall."

"Thank you. I appreciate that," he said.

"Well, enjoy. I'll let you go," she said as she turned to walk away.

"Hold on, um, I was going to ask you … tomorrow night my friend … coworker … well, it's his birthday and everyone was going to go out to this bar, and I wondered if you'd like to come along. Might be nice to get out of the house for once," he said nervously.

"Oh, Spencer, I'd love to, but what about Lizzie and Nana? I can't just leave them," she said with a frown.

"Well, I actually already asked a friend of mine. She works part time at a nursing facility in town and she offered to babysit. I mean, if you want her to."

He saw the hesitation in her eyes. The clear debate going on inside her brain as she glanced back at her apartment door and then back to him.

"Ok, yea. I'll go with you. What time?"

"As long as we don't get called away on a case, I'll come get you at 9?"

"Ok," she said.

"So, I'll see you tomorrow then."

"Yea, tomorrow."

Spencer closed the door behind Jade, and she sunk against the wall. What was she doing? She shouldn't be hanging out with him. She should be cutting off communication with him. Maybe he wouldn't find out. He said they went after serial killers, so he wouldn't have any reason to look into her past. She stood up and sighed. It would be fine. She was just being overly cautious and paranoid. Everything would be alright. She hoped.

(xxxxx)

Spencer held the door open for Jade as they entered the bar the following evening. The lights were low, music was playing, and there were lots of conversations being had all at once. Spencer had dressed as he usually did for work. Sporting a coat over his navy-blue button down and a blue striped tie.

Jade, after hours of trying on different clothes, decided on jeans with holes at the knees, a black sweetheart top and a long-tailed cream sweater over it. Her makeup was subtle but more than she normally wore. Her hair was half up in a messy ponytail, while the bottom half trailed down her back. Spencer thought she looked stunning.

"Are you sure they are ok with me coming?" Jade asked again as she nervously chewed on her pointer finger.

"Yes, I promise. They were excited when I told them I invited you. Just beware, Garcia is going to hug you. She is a hugger," he said as he pulled her hand from her mouth and lead the way toward their favorite area of the bar.

Just as he finished his sentence, a squeal was heard, and Jade watched as a short blonde wearing a dress straight out of the 80's came running toward them.

"You came!" the woman cried as she hugged Spencer and then Jade. "You must be Jade! I'm Penelope, it is so nice to meet you!"

"Hi," Jade said with a shy smile.

"I love your hair! The blue streaks are adorable!"

"Oh, um, thanks," Jade replied as she self-consciously touched the top of her head.

"Come on, let's get you guys a drink!" Penelope said as she dragged them to the table. "Guys, this is Jade. Jade, this is J.J. and her husband Will."

"Oh, you're Henry's mom and dad," Jade said as she shook their hands.

"Yes, it's nice to meet you. Henry had a great time playing with Lizzie," J.J. said with a smile.

"We've all been learning our sign language per Henry's request," Will said in his thick New Orleans accent.

"Oh, that's really nice of you. I know Lizzie will like that."

"Ok, ok, there's more people to introduce!" Penelope said as she grabbed Jade's hand. "This is our boss, who rarely comes out with us, Aaron Hotchner."

"You can call me Hotch. Everyone else does," he said with a small smile and shake of her hand.

"This is David Rossi," she said. "And Alex Blake and the man of the hour, our birthday boy, Derek Morgan."

"Derek's, fine. Pleasure to meet you," he said shaking her hand last.

"Ok, now that the introductions are complete. Let's get these two some drinks!" Penelope said excitedly.

"Mama, give them some air. Come on, let's go dance while they settle in," Derek said as way of distraction.

Jade saw Spencer show him a thank you look. Derek dragged Penelope off as the two of them found open seats at the table. After a moment of browsing the menu, they both placed their drink orders.

"Have you always lived in Virginia?" Alex asked conversationally.

"Yes," Jade said nervously.

"Reid told us you are caring for your sick grandmother," Rossi said as he studied her.

Jade tried to keep eye contact, but her eyes dropped to the table as she shifted anxiously in her seat.

"Yes, she has Alzheimer's, so Lizzie and I moved in to help care for her."

"That's quite an undertaking. Do you have any background in health care?" Rossi asked.

"No, sir. I don't. But I've learned a lot from the doctors we've taken her to and I do research at home. When the time comes that I can't care for her any longer, I'll find a good home for her," Jade explained.

"You are an extraordinary young woman," he said with a smile.

"Oh, thank you, but it's nothing."

"J.J. how is Henry liking Karate?" Spencer said as he tried to the turn conversation away from Jade.

For the next thirty minutes, J.J. and Hotch took turns sharing stories about Henry and Jack. Jade was happy to listen and not be the center of attention. Not long after Derek and Penelope made their way back to the table and started telling stories that had everyone laughing. Jade genuinely liked these people.

Close to midnight, Jade tried to stifle a yawn, but Spencer caught it. He got up from his chair and started the process of saying goodbye to everyone. Before long they were making their way back to the apartment complex together.

"Did you have a good time?" Spencer asked softly as they walked home.

"Yea," she said smiling. "You have wonderful friends."

"Yea, they're great. Sorry for all the interrogating when we got there," he said.

"It's ok. I'm the new person. I get it."

"Sometimes we forget to turn off our profiling and get a little carried away with our questioning though."

"What do you mean?" Jade said as internally her heart rate increased.

"Oh, just that sometimes when we talk to people we see tells and start pushing further for information. We don't even realize it sometimes," he explained.

"Oh … yea, that makes sense. It probably comes second nature. It's ok though. I didn't mind," she said as she tried to hide her anxiety.

"They seemed to really like you."

The rest of the walk was in silence until they reached the floor of their apartments. Jade leaned against the door as Spencer turned to face her.

"I'm glad you went tonight," he said.

"Thank you for inviting me. I had a good time," she said.

"I'll see you later," he said almost questioningly.

"Yea," she said with a smile.

Spencer seemed nervous as he moved closer and held open his arms. Jade hesitantly leaned forward until she was embraced against his chest. Her arms wrapped around his waist.

"Have a good night," he said barely above a whisper.

"You too," Jade replied as they separated, and both went into their apartments.