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A/n hello all. Thank you for waiting patiently for this update. One day perhaps RL will get out of the way! The new chapter takes place in the time frame between "The Fisher King, Part 2" and "PS911."
The Hangover
Spencer puttered quietly around JJ's kitchen. He had coffee brewing when he heard JJ say in a querulous tone. "Why are you so noisy?"
He turned and nearly laughed as JJ stepped carefully into the kitchen with her head clutched in her hands. Her eyes were bloodshot, and her golden hair stood up on one side. She glared at him as he smiled. "I'm glad your happy, Spencer."
Spencer winced a little at the use of his full name but said calmly and as softly as possible. "I'm happy because you're here."
JJ eased down into a chair at the table and said irritably, "Flattery sucks at eight in the morning when you have a hangover that could kill a shark."
"I tried to get you to drink some water and take an aspirin before bed, but you refused. Instead, you were more interested in attempting to remove my pants."
"I vaguely recall that you tried to resist."
"That's because you passed out five minutes later. Also, I'm not into sex with someone so profoundly drunk that they lose consciousness."
JJ finally looked at him through slitted eyes, and she managed a tiny smile. "I guess I should be grateful you have some respect. A boyfriend I had in college preferred drunken sex, and he'd stay sober enough to get it up, but I was usually too out of it to enjoy it. We broke up after the third time he got me so drunk I woke up feeling like I died."
"You never reported him for taking advantage of you. Consent is one thing, but intoxication is entirely different. You didn't have the wits to say no."
"I should've, but I was nineteen and happy to be dating a fellow soccer player. Unfortunately, he was a jerk, though he only wanted to talk about himself and never went to any of my matches. Luckily, I had a good friend who talked sense to me and reminded me that I'd be in major trouble if I contracted an STD or got pregnant."
"She has my thanks," Spencer said. "Now, how about the hangover cure I have concocted for you?"
"Oh, Spence, I don't think I can –"
JJ stopped and stared at the glass of water in one of Spencer's hands and a tablet in the other. "What is this?"
"Water and a mega-dose of B12. I also have a painkiller," Spence gestured to the counter, "And you should have some juice. Later we'll get something to eat, preferably with a carbohydrate load."
"I'd rather have coffee."
"No. You're dehydrated, and coffee will make that worse right now."
"Alright, Mr. Know-it-All. I'll do it your way."
Spencer decided not to be angry with her tone. He'd had one hangover in his life and had sworn on Carl Sagen never to drink that much again.
When JJ entered her living room an hour later, she looked much better. She'd showered, washed her hair, and put on a pair of battered jeans with a pink tee-shirt and sneakers. "Hey."
'Hi, you look - refreshed."
"I feel less like I want to curl up and die. Maybe we could have –"
"Bagels," Spencer pulled out a bag from her favorite bakery. "I went out while you were in the shower."
JJ kissed him and hugged him tightly. "Thank you."
"I wasn't sure if you wanted heavy dairy products like cream cheese, so I decided to let you choose from what you have here."
"You're right. I think just some grape jelly and some juice."
"Good idea."
"What are you going to have?"
"If you don't mind, I did get cream cheese for mine."
"Spence, you and dairy don't get along."
"I started taking a digestive enzyme. I'm fine."
"If you say so."
"I do."
JJ kissed him again and pulled him to his feet. "Let's go eat."
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Spencer joined JJ on her sofa after they ate and studied her for a few moments. "What's bothering you?"
"Why do you think something's bothering me?"
"Because you answered a question with another question."
JJ glared at him and crossed her arms over her chest. "Anyone ever tell you that profiling your girlfriend is irritating?"
"I don't need to be a profiler to know something is wrong. You got drunk last night after we heard the news Elle will be out of the hospital in a few weeks, and you're not looking me in the eye. What did I do?"
JJ finally turned to him, and her eyes were full of tears. "I'm sorry for the way I treated you about your mom."
"JJ's that was two weeks ago. Also, I read the letter you wrote me, and I do understand. I can barely deal with mom's illness on a good day. God. If I could find a cure for her, I'd go to the ends of the earth to obtain it, but not for her sake."
"Spence!"
"JJ, don't look at me like that. Of course, I want her to be well, but more for my sake. I'm humiliated that everyone found out my mother is in a sanitarium. Then she unwittingly became a pawn of the Fisher King."
"You shouldn't feel embarrassed. I think your mom is an incredible person, and I'd never have known that or at least not known so soon had she not been involved. I'm glad I got to meet her, even if I didn't talk to her. Now, I want the opportunity to see her again."
"I know that, JJ."
JJ stared at him and then smacked him hard on the arm. "Spencer Reid."
Spencer grinned at her. "JJ, I know that you think you can't handle my mom's condition, but you're wrong. I never doubted you."
"You didn't have to pretend to be completely selfish about your mom just to make me feel better."
"I wasn't acting," Reid said, and sadness filled his chocolate eyes. "There are days when I am so angry with her, and that's ridiculous because it's not her fault."
"No, it's not, but I get it. She's your mom, and you love her. I can't imagine losing someone in such a way."
Spencer watched JJ reach up and finger the heart pendant she wore. He wondered if she'd ever tell him what it meant to her.
"Well, she's not truly gone. You saw some of what she was like before she went to Bennington. On her good days, she's – amazing."
JJ leaned over and kissed him. "Of course she is. She raised you, Spencer Reid."
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Spencer sat down to write to his mother. First, he told her about Elle and the news they'd received. Then, Spencer told her about his conversation with JJ. After he finished the letter, Spencer sat for a long time and stared at his writing utensils with unseeing eyes. Then inspiration struck, and he pulled his writing paper and pen close.
My beautiful love,
I've been attempting to write a long letter to you but decided that I only have two thoughts I want to share.
Thank you.
You're always there for me, even if it's just a look or a touch on my hand. Your presence gives me strength.
One day, I believe that you and my mother will be true friends. It will happen at the right time, JJ. But, until that day, I'll keep writing to my mother about you, and she'll understand why I love you.
Always,
Spence.
