Someone Like You

Disclaimer – I own nothing but the ideas.

OK so we are ten years in the future of series six – so I have taken a few liberties with what our favourite people might be up to. In case it isn't clear, Hotch is Section Chief, Morgan is Unit Chief, JJ is back, Seaver's still in, Garcia is still a tech Goddess, Reid a profiling genius and Rossi has finally left the FBI!

. . .

I hate to turn up out of the blue uninvited,
But I couldn't stay away, I couldn't fight it,
I had hoped you'd see my face,
And that you'd be reminded that for me it isn't over,
. . .

Spencer sat at his desk, file open, computer on, pen in hand. None of it helped. He was not further forward than he had been half an hour ago. The only difference was that now it was starting to annoy him.

Tapping his pen furiously, as he tried to focus, Spencer suddenly became aware of a shadow being cast over his desk. Looking up he realised it was Morgan.

"You OK, kid?" his eyes showed his concern.

"How many birthdays do I have to celebrate with you before I enter adulthood in your eyes? I'm married and about to become a father. What do I need to do to prove I am not a child?" Reid moaned.

"Point taken, I'm sorry, but the sentiments the same, what's up?"

"Nothing," was all Reid could manage.

"OK, but if you change your mind, please talk to someone. I don't like secrets on the team," Morgan headed off towards his office, worried about what was eating away at Reid. He obviously wasn't himself.

Great, Spence thought to himself, others were starting to spot he wasn't on top of his game, just want he needed. He sat there for a while, before deciding there was one person he could try talking to. Rising from his seat he headed towards her office.

He knocked on her door, trying hard not to let his nerves show.

"Come in," called JJ's familiar voice.

Spencer entered and sat down, before he was asked.

JJ raised an eyebrow, trying to take in the troubled mind in front of her. She could see something was seriously bothering him.

"How can I help?" she asked, after he seemed reluctant to start.

"Do you believe in ghosts?"

JJ put her pen down and closed the file she was working on. She studied Spencer for a moment. Over the years he had asked her some peculiar questions, and they have had some strange conversations, but JJ had a bad feeling about this one.

JJ took a deep breath, "No, I don't think I do."

"I never have before; however I was once told, during a case, that my head was full of ghosts, and I have frequently considered how, due to my memory, things play on my mind, that I can't forget as easily as some. But those aren't ghosts, they're memories."

"OK," she drew the word out, "is there something from one of the cases that is particularly bothering you?"

Spencer paused, trying to gauge what JJ's reaction to what he was about to say, might be.

"I think I saw Emily," he blurted out, looking at the ground, for a hole to swallow him up.

JJ was glad he wasn't looking at her anymore. She was relieved he couldn't see her reaction.

Eventually his eyes rose to meet hers. He tried to read them, but he couldn't understand what he saw, sitting up, he looked confused at her lack of response.

JJ was use to thinking on her feet; she had faced enough press conference questions to be able to come up with quick answers, but Spencer had stumped her. She knew she was sitting there, mouth slightly open with no idea what she should say.

"JJ, I have seen her more than once. I saw her again today."

"Spencer," JJ finally found her voice, "I am sure there is a perfectly reasonable explanation for this." Though right now, JJ was still desperately trying hard to think of one.

"She was outside my house today, in a car. I wanted to go over to her, but I worried about making a fool of myself. It can't be her, she's dead. Am I going mad?"

JJ looked at the sadness in his eyes and it broke her heart to lie to him, but she knew she must, until certain decisions had been made.

"Spence, you're tired and we're all emotional at this time of year. It's not unusual to project your thoughts onto others. You probably have a new neighbour who is vaguely similar to Em and . . ." JJ finished her sentence with a shrug.

"Have you been speaking to Sophie?" Spencer questioned.

JJ looked confused, what had Sophie got to do with this?

"You near enough said exactly the same as her."

"Well in that case we must be talking sense. Now please Spencer, no more talk of Emily, you know how it still upsets Penelope."

Spencer took the hint that the conversation was over, and returned to his desk. JJ watched him go, rubbing her forehead. Picking her phone up, she rang through to Hotch.

"We have a problem," was all she said when he answered. Putting the phone down, she followed his instruction to go straight up to him.

Sitting opposite Hotch, JJ took a deep breath. She could see the concern in Hotch's face.

"Spencer has seen Em; he says she was back there this morning."

Hotch sighed, "She promised to stay away."

"I know, but I don't think she can help it any longer. I don't think we can underestimate the impact the isolation has had on her."

"I appreciate that JJ, but this isn't the way. She made her mind up after we found Doyle. She has to think about the effect she will have on others after this time."

JJ dropped her head, as a liaison officer she was use to finding the middle ground but she was damned if she could see it.

"I could try talking to her, again."

Hotch nodded, "Take a long lunch."

JJ left, dreading the conversation she was about to have.

. . .

Knocking on the room door, JJ waited for Emily to answer. Slowly the door opened a crack.

As soon as Emily saw it was JJ, she opened the door wider, allowing her in.

JJ looked around the room, this was must better than the original place Emily had stayed. JJ placed her purse on a table and sat down nearby.

"Emily, I know you were outside Spencer's again this morning."

Emily turned and looked at her suspiciously.

"How? You following me?"

"No, Spencer saw you!" JJ let the words sink in.

Emily slumped onto the edge of the bed.

JJ thought she looked broken, and she wasn't sure she knew how to fix her.

"I couldn't help JJ, I need to speak to him, and I need to explain. He's the only one. I need to give him and answer to the questions I know he has. You said it yourself, he worried that he never had chance to say Goodbye, neither did I."

JJ sighed; this wasn't going to go away. She couldn't ignore her, and maybe Emily was right, but if Spencer knew then he would have to be in on the lie, or they would have to tell everyone?

"I am not promising anything, but I will speak to Hotch and see if we can make arrangements for you to meet with Spencer, if he wants. But Emily you have to promise me you will stay away, until I have seen what I can do."

"He hasn't forgotten me JJ; I need to tell him I haven't forgotten him either."

. . .

Will Hotch and JJ drag Spencer into the lie? Will he agree to meet her? Will they both have the answers to their questions?

More as soon as I can – I promise. Please review – it really does encourage me (lots).