"I need your help."
Spencer swallowed as he stared at her, at a loss for words. He had never seen that look on JJ's face. She was the bravest person he knew, and to see the sadness, the fear, in her eyes nearly killed him. His brows creased together in concern as he stepped closer.
"Hey, it's okay. Of course, I'll help, anything you need, okay?"
JJ nodded and used the end of her sleeve to wipe the tears before they could fall. "Okay," she whispered so softly he wasn't sure she had actually said it.
"Let me just go tell Morgan that I'm gonna go with you, okay? I'll be right back."
His hands shook as he slipped them into his pockets, quickly moving to where Morgan was leaning against his car. The older man raised his eyebrows. "Ready to go, pretty boy?"
Spencer shook his head. "I, uh, I'm actually gonna go with JJ." He swallowed. "She isn't feeling well again."
Morgan nodded, concern obvious on his face. "Okay. Make sure she gets home alright," he said as he climbed into his car.
Spencer just nodded as he rushed back to JJ's side. He was relieved to see that she was no longer on the verge of crying, but she still seemed shaken up.
"Do you want me to drive?" he offered, looking at her shaking hands.
She gave him a grateful smile and passed him her keys, nodding silently.
"Okay."
They made their way over to her smaller SUV, and Reid opened her door for her, making sure she was fully inside before shutting the door. He climbed into the driver's side and started the car. He hesitated as he went to pull out of the parking lot, not sure where he was headed.
"Um." He glanced over at her. "Did you want to talk at my apartment?"
She nodded again and he pulled out of the lot. He could hear her quiet sniffles as she pulled herself together, and he really had over to turn the radio on, making sure the volume was low. It was enough to keep the ride from being awkward, but he still couldn't stop himself from looking over at her in concern every few minutes.
Her cheeks were free of tears, but her hands were still twisting together in her lap. She had her head leaned against the cool window, looking outside, but he couldn't tell she wasn't actually seeing anything.
The drive was over soon enough with his apartment closer than her house, and he pulled up to park beside his own, rarely used, car. Turning toward JJ, he gave her a cautious smile that she returned as they both stepped out into the chilly morning air. He ushered her ahead of himself into his building and to the elevator. Pulling out his keys, he let them into his apartment.
Spencer looked at JJ, chewing on his lip. What was he supposed to do now? He wasn't very good at talking, particularly when he was nervous, and he didn't know how to start this conversation. He watched as she looked around his apartment.
It had been a while since she'd been there. "It still looks the same," she remarked, and he was relieved to see a sliver of a real smile on her face. "More books."
He smiled too, nodding. Biting his lip again, he gestured toward the kitchen. "Um, do you want something to drink? I have coffee, tea, water... and maybe juice?"
"Coffee would be great," she answered gratefully.
"I'll start some then," he responded. "Make yourself comfortable on the couch, I'll be quick."
Sighing, he pulled his coffee pot toward himself and got busy brewing a pot of fresh coffee. The familiar action was comforting, and the smell helped relax his tense body as he poured water into the reservoir. Shuffling around in his fridge for the milk, he set it on the counter after verifying it was still within date. He opened his sugar jar and pulled two mugs from his cabinet. A few minutes later, he was entering the living room again with two hot mugs of coffee.
JJ took hers carefully, relaxing into his couch as she blew on it, taking a tiny sip. "Thank you, Spence."
He nodded, taking a small sip as well before setting it in the coffee table to cool down a little bit. "You're welcome. Is it alright?"
"It's perfect," she responded, and he felt his cheeks tinge pink.
They were quiet for a few minutes and their smiles had gone, replaced by looks of contemplation. Finally, Spencer looked back at her, chewing on his cheek as he met her eyes.
"JJ..." He had no idea what to say.
She swallowed, looking back down at her lap. Her eyes closed for a few seconds before she reopened them. "Spence, I..." She laughed but there was no humor in the sound. It was hollow. "I don't even know where to begin."
Spencer reached over and settled his hand on her arm before he could think about it. JJ didn't seem to mind, though. "Hey. No matter what it is, we'll get through it, okay? I said I'd help."
This time it was her cheeks who turned pink. "You're a really good friend, Spence. I don't tell you that enough." He ducked his head shyly. "I don't know what I did to deserve you."
He jerked his head up to look at her but she spoke again before he had the chance to interject.
"I just, I don't know how to say it, you know. It just sounds so stupid in my head." She chewed on her lip.
Spencer frowned at her, waiting.
"I want to talk to you. I... I trust you more than anyone," she whispered and his heart clenched. "I just..." She reached over to set her mug on the table. "I think it would be easier to just show you. Is that okay?"
He nodded quickly, bit wanting to say or do anything that would make her feel unsafe confusing in him.
JJ slowly stood up and he could hear her rapid breathing. Her fingers were shaking again as she raised them to her hips. She met his eyes, searching them with her own. Whatever she saw, she must have been satisfied because she nodded once and slowly began to peel her navy cable knit sweater up her torso.
A split second of panic made Spencer freeze until he realized she was wearing a camisole underneath. He wasn't really sure where to look, and then she had pulled it off completely, her posture shrinking as she stood before him. As his gaze swept over her upper chest and arms, a gasp escaped him and his eyes widened. What...
Bruises were scattered about her pale skin, yellow, and purple, and blue, and green. He could see scratches on her upper arm, and a bruised handprint around her bicep. Spencer's mouth opened as he searched for the words to express the way he was feeling at that moment.
Confused.
Concerned.
Sad.
Worried.
Nauseous.
Angry.
"JJ..." he whispered softly, not daring to speak louder. As it was, she cowered even more. "What..." He swallowed heavily. "Will," he said, the name bitter and angry on his tongue.
JJ flinched at his statement, but she didn't deny it.
"Oh, JJ." His voice cracked as she looked up at him, tears in her own eyes. "I'm so sorry."
She shook her head and a few of her tears trickled down her cheek. "It isn't your fault, Spence."
"I knew something was wrong, JJ," he protested. "I knew you weren't okay, and I did nothing. I didn't think it was..." He took in a shuddering breath and stood.
JJ watched him sadly, barely meeting his eyes. "I'm sorry," she all but whimpered.
Her voice shattered his heart and he opened his arms. JJ rushed toward him and curled against his chest as she started to sob, one hand twisting in his shirt. His eyes widened as he wrapped his arms around her. Trusting his instincts, he started to make quiet shushing sounds as he rubbed her back.
"It's okay, you're okay," he whispered to her as his other hand settles on the back of her head, holding her close. "It's okay, JJ."
Her body shook as she cried harder and he slowly shifted them toward the couch, sitting and pulling her with him. She curled further into his chest, practically in his lap as she let it all out. Spencer felt so helpless as she cried in his arms, continuing to make soft sounds in her ear and he rubbed her back soothingly.
She shivered and he reached behind him to grab the soft blanket folded on the back of the couch. Wrapping it around the two of them, he slowly rocked her until her sobs had settled into small whimpers, and the tears slowed. They stayed that way for a while, slowly rocking, one hand holding her close while the other gently traced over the back of her shirt, huddled under the warm blanket.
Once she had stopped shivering and shaking, she peeled her cheek from his chest to look up at him from beneath her wet lashes.
"Hey."
He quirked a small smile. "Hi."
She bit her lip and grimaced as she looked down to see the tears, and yeah that was definitely snot, soaked into the front of his shirt. "Oh god," she muttered wiping her face as she sat up a bit, her cheeks burning. "I'm sorry, Spence."
He shook his head. "I don't mind." He barely resisted the urge to tuck her hair behind her ear. "How are you doing?"
JJ shrugged and he was pleased when she leaned back against his chest. "Better, I guess. Crying it out helps."
Spencer nodded as he looked down at her, his jaw clenching when he saw the marks on her body again.
"I just... God, I'm so embarrassed."
"JJ, you have nothing to be embarrassed about," he told her.
"I'm supposed to be an FBI agent, Reid. And I couldn't even protect myself. Look at me," she muttered, her tone only emphasizing his disgusted she was with herself.
I never stop looking at you, he thought. "JJ, yes, you might be an agent, but things like this can happen to anyone. It doesn't make you weak, or less of an agent," he said gently.
She looked down at her hands. She didn't comment on his response. "I couldn't tell you." Tilting her head back, JJ blinked against the tears. "He... Will, he uh." She cleared her throat. "He threatened you guys. Emily, Garcia... you. Henry too, but I didn't believe that. But it worked. He got what he wanted. I couldn't say anything, I couldn't let anything happen to you," she said, her voice cracking, taking a deep breath as her eyes welled up once more.
Spencer felt a few tears of his own spill down his cheeks. "Oh JJ. I'm so sorry." He pulled the blanket a little tighter around her. "You deserve so much better than that. I... I can't believe he used us against you."
She nodded. "Other than Henry, you're the most important to me." Her cheeks tinged pink and she backtracked. "I mean, you guys, the team." JJ shook her head, looking down. "I just couldn't take the chance of him doing anything."
Spencer chewed his lip as he watched her carefully, not sure if he wanted to ask. He didn't want to press her. "What made you change your mind?" he asked her softly.
JJ looked at him, her lip trembling. "I wasn't going to, but I just couldn't take it anymore." She closed her mouth to stifle her sob. "Before this case, he... It was one of the worst nights in so long. And I just couldn't do it."
He pulled her back into him, rubbing her back again as she continued.
"It just... it hurts." She sniffled loudly. "It's not just my arms," she whispered. "It's everywhere."
His stomach dropped as he just nodded.
"And I can still feel him," she whimpered as her sobs grew louder and her body shook with each one. "I-I can still feel him, Spence. Why can I still feel him?"
The two of them cried together as he held her closer than he'd ever held anyone else, doing everything he could to console and reassure her.
"It's okay, JJ," he whispered, pressing his lips to the top of her head. "You're safe, he's not here. You're safe, you're safe, you're safe..."
He didn't know how much later it was when they were both silent once again. Their coffee was ice cold, and the sun was shining brighter in the room. JJ was curled against his chest, still holding onto his shirt tightly. They rocked slightly as his hand stroked her hair.
He couldn't even remember the last time he'd been this close to someone. Maybe his ex-girlfriend? He was certain he'd never held her like this. He'd never clung to her, arms wrapped tightly, his cheek to her head as he shushed her. No, he'd never held anybody like this. He didn't really do physical affection but... JJ was different.
Having JJ this close was... it was an exquisite feeling, having her wrapped in his arm. And yet, he would have given it up in a heartbeat to have her safe and sound, free from the pain and fear she was battling now. He would give anything for her not to be in this situation. No one deserved to live like that, but JJ was the last person to ever cause anyone harm. She was such a caring person, he would never comprehend how anybody could hurt her like this. Even just seeing the tears in her eyes, the fear, shattered his heart into a million pieces. How could Will stand to see that? How could he enjoy it?
Thinking of Will filled Spencer with an anger, a rage, that he had never known. It was more than the anger he felt when they were dealing with a particularly evil UnSub. It was more than he had felt toward his childhood bullies. It was more than any of that.
This was JJ, the person he loved most in this world, with the exception of his mother. He had loved her for so long, and thinking about what Will had done to her... Spencer wished he could get his hands on WIll. He might be thin and appear nonthreatening, but a life of being bullied and hazed had taught him how to fight back, and he was quick. And he was sure that the anger and adrenaline running through him would give him an edge. But JJ didn't need anger right now. He was sure she had seen enough anger.
Spencer sighed heavily, breathing out through his nose slowly. He rested his cheek on top of her head as he continued to rock her gently until her sobbing had subsided and eased into slow, even breathing. He smiled sadly as he realized that she had cried herself to sleep. She needed her rest, and it was clear that she was exhausted, but he hated that she had been so upset that she'd passed out.
They stayed like that for a long time, until Spencer needed to use the restroom and couldn't hold it any longer. As gently as he could, he stood up, cradling JJ in his arms. He was surprised at how light she felt, and he could feel her ribs and hip bones a bit easier than he should be able to, as he held her against his chest. How much weight has she lost? Spencer wondered. Sighing, he turned slowly and settled her in his armchair, laying out a thick blanket over her to keep her warm.
He used the bathroom as quickly as possible before heading into his kitchen. Opening his fridge and freezer, he took inventory of what little food he had. Biting his lip, he tried to figure out what he could make. He could at least make a basic breakfast. The smell of breakfast cooking must have woken JJ, because when he peeked his head into the living room, she was sitting up in her seat, pulling the blanket tighter around herself.
.
Seeing his head peeking around the corner, JJ gave him a sheepish smile. She chewed on her lip, a bit unsure of what to do now. Despite the large blanket she had covering her, she couldn't help but feel exposed, and she knew that had more to do with the earlier revelation than her discarded sweater. Spencer's head had disappeared back into the kitchen and she was grateful for a small bit of privacy as she took a deep breath, regaining her composure a bit, as though she hadn't just cried herself to sleep in front of a man who meant the world to her.
With another glance at her sweater that was tossed over the back of the couch, she pulled the blanket tighter around her as she stood, walking into the kitchen. Her stomach growled loudly as she sniffed the air, looking over at the stove. Spencer chuckled at the noise and she blushed, sticking her tongue out at him.
"I, uh, I didn't have much left in the fridge, so hopefully you're in the mood for some bacon and eggs?" he asked looking at her with a hopeful smile.
She found herself smiling for the first time that morning as she looked up at him. Truthfully, she couldn't remember the last time she'd been so hungry, and the smell of the food cooking was making her mouth water. But even if she hadn't been hungry, that smile on his face would have been enough to make her agree anyway. "Definitely. It smells really good."
His face lit up and he turned to flip the bacon. "Good. I thought you might be hungry when you woke up," he said softly, almost shyly.
JJ blushed a little as she remembered how she had passed out on top of him. "Thanks, Spence. And um, I'm sorry for falling asleep on you."
Spencer shook his head as he cracked an egg into the skillet. "You have nothing to apologize for, JJ. I promise you that."
She just nodded, not quite sure how to respond as he looked at her, nothing but honesty in his warm brown eyes. JJ looked down at her hands, not wanting to stare.
A few minutes later they were seated on his couch, plates in their laps. JJ wasn't sure if she had ever felt quite so hungry as she took a large bite of buttered toast, only barely holding back from how good the food tasted. Her plate was empty before Spencer had even eaten half of his bacon and scrambled eggs. She grinned, snagging a strip of bacon from his plate. He scoffed, looking at her and she just chuckled, taking a big bite. He shook his head, using his other hand to block his plate from her, though they both knew that he didn't really mind. Normally he was quite the germaphobe, but he'd never really minded with JJ, a thought that warmed her heart and her cheeks.
She cleared her throat, looking back down at her empty plate, biting her lip as she realized she'd been staring at him. It had been a while since she'd been around him as much as she had the last few days, and she wasn't sure how to act normal now, after everything. Will had prevented her from seeing the team outside of work as much as possible, and she had come to really miss all of them, but she couldn't risk their safety. She had missed girls' nights with Pen and Emily, and she missed sparring with Derek at the gym. She missed their gatherings at Rossi's, and she missed their weekend barbecues. And she missed Spencer. She missed when they would go to the library together, and she missed when he would come to the park with her and Henry. She knew her son missed him too. It killed her to keep Henry away from his favorite person, other than her, of course, but she knew it was in everyone's best interest.
"Can Uncle 'pence come to the park?" he'd asked in his sweet little voice, every time, without fail. It physically hurt every single time she saw the disappointment in his eyes when she had to respond with, "He's busy today, buddy, but maybe next time, okay?"
Hearing his little voice in her head, she swallowed hard, taking a deep breath. She'd held on as long as she could for him, and now she was doing what was best for him too. She had to believe that she hadn't just made a huge mistake. Henry was and would always be her first priority, and she needed to keep him safe. Not that Will could ever be trusted, but with his behavior escalating the way it had been lately... She couldn't risk him hurting Henry, intentionally or not.
Spencer had noticed the change in her demeanor as she drew in on herself, her relaxed smile slipping from her face. He was, after all, trained to analyze behavior. But even more, he knew JJ, and he knew when she wasn't okay.
"JJ?" he inquired softly.
She looked up at him, her lips curved in a sad smile. "Sorry," she whispered, shaking her head. "I was just... thinking."
He nodded setting their empty plates on the coffee table.
"Are you... are you ready to talk about it?" he asked gently, not wanting to push her too hard.
She shook her head. "I don't think I'll ever be ready, but I don't really have a choice, do I?" He didn't answer. "But if I have to talk about it, I'm glad it's with you." She attempted a real smile this time.
Spencer knew this was the wrong time to feel happy. This situation was anything but happy. But her words made his cheeks tinge pink and he bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling. He swallowed, leaning into the cushions of the couch. "We can stop any time you need to," he promised her.
She nodded. "Thanks." The blanket was once again pulled around her shoulders as she took a deep breath, telling the story she'd kept secret for so long.
"Henry wasn't planned," she began. "Will and I were dating but I never really saw us being together forever, you know?" She'd been pretty certain she was in love with Spencer by that point. "It was nice being with someone, and I loved him, but I wasn't in love with him. We didn't have enough in common, I guess. Where we wanted to live, lifestyles, favorite sports teams," she chuckled softly. "I'd always wanted to get married one day, Will didn't. I wanted kids, he wasn't sure he ever would. Then I got pregnant with Henry, and he wanted to be involved. He gave up his job, his hometown, and he moved here. And he really was great while I was pregnant, he was," she said, remembering how he had doted on her and rubbed her back and gone to appointments with her, and he hadn't complained about her mood swings or cravings. "And when Henry was born, he was his little man. He loved being with Henry."
JJ sighed, fidgeting with her hands in her lap. "He wasn't anything like... like he is now. That didn't start until Henry was maybe 9 months old, or so. And really, it wasn't that bad at first. Henry was teething really bad, and he was keeping both of us up at night. And I guess one night Will just got really frustrated," JJ shrugged. "He started yelling, and that's all it was for a while. He just yelled a lot." She could remember being angry that he had dared speak to her like that, her anger quickly morphing into fear as he towered over her, his eyes narrowed as his loud voice echoed in her ears. "Then one time I just... I'd had enough. He was screaming at me, and I was exhausted from being up with Henry all night, and he just... anyway, I yelled back. I told him to 'shut the hell up,' actually, and told him that if he didn't calm down then he could go stay with a friend or something.
"He slapped me," she whispered, her voice cracking a little. "Across my cheek, and I was so shocked that I didn't even say anything. Right away, he started apologizing."
"I'm so sorry, cher. I didn't mean to do that," he said as he lifted his hand to cradle her reddening cheek, wiping away her single tear. "I'm sorry. I got angry, I didn't mean it," he insisted, and he did sound sincere.
"I-it's okay." It really wasn't, but she didn't know what else to say.
"I just got angry. You know you shouldn't yell at me like that."
JJ closed her eyes, willing her tears back. "I'm sorry," she whispered.
"It was a few weeks before he did it again, and he just seemed to feel so bad after. He would apologize a million times, and he'd be so sweet for the next few days, and I started to wonder if maybe it wasn't so bad. Maybe I was just exaggerating," she sniffled, tears threatening to fall.
"JJ, no. You weren't-"
She reached over and squeezed his hand. "I just- I need to get this out, Spence."
He nodded understandingly, squeezing her hand back, and the gesture was enough to keep the tears at bay for now.
"That's how it was for a few months. And it wasn't great, but I put up with it. Henry was barely a year old, and I couldn't-" she shook her head, sighing in frustration. "Then he stopped apologizing, he stopped being sweet. And it was happening more and more, until... It was a couple months after Henry's birthday when he b-beat me for the first time." She clenched her eyes tightly closed at the intrusive memory.
The rage in his narrowed eyes scared her to her core, but she stood her ground. "What the fuck did you just say to me?"
"I said to knock it off, Will! You can't just throw a tantrum whenever you get mad," she bit out angrily.
He took a step toward her, his eyes hardening as a cruel grin crept onto his face. "You think you've seen me mad, cher? Just you wait."
Her grip had tightened around Spencer's hand unconsciously, and he squeezed hers back, though not quite as hard. "Hey," he whispered, worried as her breathing sped up.
She let out a long breath through her nose as she opened her eyes, loosening her grip on his hand, wincing. "Sorry." She knew that must have hurt him.
"Don't be," he responded. "Are you okay?"
Instead of answering, she took another deep breath. "I'm almost done."
"It just got worse and worse from there. He just got more and more violent and suddenly he just... He was a complete stranger. The only time he was normal was around Henry, and even now... he doesn't spend any time with him unless he has to, and it isn't the same. He's not mean to him, but," she sighed. "He didn't want kids, remember? I think maybe that's what started all of this." She looked up at him, a bittersweet smile on her face. "But even knowing what I know about Will now, I wouldn't go back and change it. Henry is..."
Spencer nodded. "I know."
"Yeah. Anyway, like I said, things just... got really bad. He wouldn't let me see you guys anymore. I swear, I wanted to hang out with you guys, I did. I do. I love you guys," she said, tears falling now as she smiled at him. "I love you guys, and I miss all of you, so much. It killed me, but I had to do what he said," she insisted, and Spencer knew what was coming next. "I tried to leave once. He... he threatened you guys. And I know you're all trained and everything, but he's a cop, and he's smart. And I just... I couldn't risk it. I couldn't live with myself if anything happened to any of you because of me. You guys are my family."
Spencer felt tears pricking at his own eyes as he watched her cry. "We missed you too," he told her. "Every day. We love you too, JJ." I love you.
She gave him a shaky smile and his eyes creased in confusion.
"Wait... but you came out for drinks earlier this week," he said, the color draining from his face as she nodded, letting the blanket fall aside to gesture at the array of markings on her skin.
"It was worth it," she told him, remembering how nice it had felt to spend time with her friends, like old times. Even though she'd been terrified the whole time that Will would somehow show up and find her. If she let herself be free from that fear for even a second, she could trick herself into believing that none of this had ever happened.
"He's been so angry lately," she said. "And I don't know why, but it's just been so hard to pretend I'm okay. I don't like lying to any of you, but I promised myself that I wouldn't say anything. For Henry's sake and the team. I just... I feel so weak, but I can't," she wiped her eyes, "I can't do it anymore."
"Oh JJ," he whispered as she drew her knees up, pressing her face against them as she cried. Before he could think, he'd slid across the cushions until he was right beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders carefully, not wanting to spook her. "JJ, you are not weak. I promise you that, okay?" She cried harder as he spoke. "You're the strongest person I know, JJ. You've taken so much to protect the people you love. Nobody should ever have to experience what you have." She leaned into him and he held her tighter. "You've been so strong."
For yet another time that morning, he held her as she cried herself out. He rocked her and whispered to her, fighting back his own tears, needing to be strong for her as she cried over everything she had been forced to endure at the hands of the father of her child. She grieved over everything she had lost out on. She cried for herself, and for her son, and for her friends that she'd pushed away throughout the last couple of years.
This time she didn't cry herself to sleep though, and when she had no tears left to cry, she leaned back to wipe her face with her hands, grimacing. she was covered in tears and snot. JJ blushed and looked away from Spencer, embarrassed at the sheer amount she had cried that morning. She was sure she looked awful after the whole ordeal.
Spencer's hand settled on her arm, and she looked over at him shyly. His smile made her feel a bit better.
"Thank you for telling me, JJ."
She nodded her head. "I just don't know what to do," she said, though that wasn't quite true. They both knew what she needed to do, but she couldn't admit it to herself quite yet.
Thankfully, Spencer seemed to understand. "Let's take it one day at a time, okay? We can just figure out what you want to do today, and go from there."
JJ relaxed a little bit hearing his words, agreeing. "Okay." She reached over and rested her hand on his leg, giving him a genuinely grateful smile. "Thank you, Spence. I don't know what I would do without you."
Looking back down at her lip, JJ contemplated her options. They all terrified her, and nothing about the situation was ideal. But there was one thing she was sure about. "I don't want to go home," she whispered so quietly she wasn't sure she had heard her.
But he had. "Then you won't go home," he answered.
JJ looked up at him. "Spence, I don't have anywhere to go."
He shook his head. "Of course you do. I know it isn't much, but you can stay here. Or if you'd be more comfortable somewhere else, any of the team would be happy to let you stay with them."
She chewed on her quivering lip, and when she spoke, he was sure his heart would shatter. "They don't hate me?"
"They could never hate you, JJ. Why would you ask that?"
JJ shrugged. "Because I've bailed on them so many times. I haven't come to any of our get-togethers, and I barely talk to them anymore."
Spencer looked her directly in the eye. "I mean it, they could never hate you. They all love you, JJ." He gave her a small smile. "They just miss you. They might be a little hurt, but it's just because they're worried about you. When you're ready, we can talk to them about what's going on and they'll understand."
She nodded, a mixture of emotions flooding her brain. Relief that the team wasn't angry at her. Gratitude for Spencer being so kind and comforting. Dread at telling her friends what was going on. A pleased warmth from Spencer's use of 'we' instead of 'you'. "We can talk to them."
"Okay," she said. "I want to... I mean, if it's okay I..." She blushed softly. "I'd like to stay here, if that's alright."
When she dared to look at him, a small smile lit up his face. "Of course, that's more than okay." Then his brow furrowed. "What about Henry?"
JJ sighed. "I was thinking about that too. I don't want him staying with Will any longer," she told him. "I think I know how to get him away from Will without him knowing that I told you guys anything. At least for today, I'm not ready for that."
Spencer nodded. "Okay. How?"
A few minutes later, she stood with her phone pressed to her ear, tapping her other hand against her thigh anxiously.
"Jayje! What a lovely surprise," Penelope's bubbly voice answered.
"Hey Pen," she responded, grinning despite herself at her best friend's voice.
"What can I do you for, peaches?"
JJ sighed. "I uh... I need you to do me a favor."
"Anything for you," was Garcia's response.
"And I need you not to question it."
There was a pause. "Okayyy," Penelope said cautiously.
"I know this is really random and weird, but if Will happens to call and ask, I need you to pretend that Henry is staying the night at your place."
"Jayje, what's-"
"And that the rest of us are still out of town until tomorrow, Pen. I promise you, I'll explain, okay? As soon as I can, but can you please do this for me?"
Garcia sighed. "Yeah, I can do that, but you owe me answers!"
JJ nodded, though Penelope couldn't see her. "I promise, I'll explain soon. Thank you so much, really."
"I meant it, anything for you. I'm just happy to hear from you."
Closing her eyes briefly, JJ nodded as guilt swept over her. "I'll call you in the morning Pen. I love you."
"I love you too, peaches."