AN: Sorry for the really short chapter...thought it was a good place to end it. I'll try and update soon since it's summer. We have about two-three chapters left. All mistakes are mine. Thanks for reading and please review. Warning: suicide attempt in this chapter.
JJ picks herself off the floor, refusing aid from Reid. She cannot meet his eyes and a red flush graces both their features. She hurriedly grabs the doorknob and flees the house, leaving the door open behind her as Reid stares dejectedly. She refuses to think about what just occurred, the Reid she knew could never do such a thing. She reaches her car, her hand outstretched when she pauses to look back at the house, something deep within her pleading for her to turn.
You feel like the complete and utter failure that you always knew you were when JJ rejects your help in getting off the floor. Her refusal hits you like a ton of bricks even though you know there is no reason for her to hang around. The voices play on your insecurities, revealing the flawed and broken man that you are. With the promise of JJ's help gone, you find that you lack the strength to push them back any longer. You realize in a last coherent thought that you should have insisted on an appointment today for new meds, tomorrow was too long to wait. You let your defenses fall as you succumb to them, knowing that they expose the ugly truth of reality.
JJ turns to face the house, as her face twists into a horrible image of pain and desperation and she screams "No, Spence!"
During the seconds it took her to escape from the house, Reid had raced up the steps and out of a window onto the roof. He balances precariously on the edge, his arms wind milling to keep his balance.
JJ is horrified. She has no idea that her actions could push him so far off the ledge of sanity. She did not know that she meant so much to him, that she held the balance of life and death for Spencer.
Her voice hoarse from her begging and imploring screams, she continues to try and convince him to get off the roof safely. She negotiates with him like the team would with a dangerously unsub. A part of her nearly laughs at the irony.
The neighbors stand outside their houses, mouths agape. It is the most perverse excitement most of them have ever seen. Someone has called 911. JJ can hear the sirens wailing in the distance.
JJ's cry echoes and reverberates throughout the neighborhood as Spencer holds his arms tightly behind his back and dives headfirst off the building onto the pavement.
JJ closes her eyes filled with despair as the emergency personnel arrive on the scene. The paramedics rush over to Spence carrying a backboard and their bags. JJ turns her back, shoulders hunched, tears streaming freely down her cheeks. She cannot bear to see them declare him dead.