Author's Note: I'm so very sorry about the lack of updates, and I won't give any excuses! But, lucky for us all, I have a decently long update for you all! Hopefully I'll get back into the swing of updating in a much more timely fashion, but that's partially dependant on you guys! Leave me reviews, let me know what you think; they truly do keep me going! So here's the chapter, let me know what you think, and most importantly REVIEW :)

Chapter 16

Avery's POV:

Stunned, and a little dazed, I said the only thing that came to mind.

"Sorry I thought you were JJ", I stammered, giving him what I thought was a reassuring smile, but what was probably a nervous grin. Though I'd talked to JJ about what I was feeling for Spencer, I couldn't recall a single thing she'd said. I couldn't remember a single thing I'd said. Hell, I couldn't remember my own name. Not when he was standing there looking so adorably nervous and vulnerable. I just wanted to grab him and hug him until he never doubted his wonderful self. He shrugged, as if to say it was okay.

"I figured as much, but I hope you're not disappointed to find it's just me", he said self-consciously. I reached behind me and grabbed the counter; I was seriously fighting the urge to help him realize just how special he really was. I had to keep reminding myself that I wanted to slow things down. I shook my head vehemently, trying to convey just how okay I was that he was here. I shook my head for a while, trying to fathom how he could even think that I would ever be disappointed that he was near me. This man really didn't know how great he was, how much I loved having him around. Realizing I'd been shaking my head for an abnormally long time, I cleared my throat and spoke up.

"Spencer, why would I ever be disappointed to see you?" I questioned. He brightened a little, but looked down at his feet all the same.

"I thought you might have, uhm, regretted what ah happened yesterday", he mumbled so softly that I had to lean in closer to hear him. I felt my heart tug at his obvious heartache. Maybe JJ was right; maybe he did like me as much as I liked him. I couldn't stop myself from reaching out and placing a hand on his arm and giving it a small squeeze. When I did, he looked at his arm but still didn't look up at me. I frowned.

"Spence. Look at me please", I begged softly. When he finally met my eyes, I smiled at him and continued in a soft but resolute voice. "Spencer, I do not regret what happened. At all". His face softened a little, a small smile playing on his lips, but his relief didn't quite reach his eyes.

"Really?" he said unsurely.

"Of course not!" I reassured him. Then I frowned again as a thought struck me, did he regret what'd happened? I knew I didn't; things may have happened sooner than I would've wanted, but I still didn't regret kissing him. It was more like I'd enjoyed it way too much for someone I'd only known a week and that freaked me out. But maybe he had serious regrets or reservations or something. Silently I began to panic, until I finally blurted out, "Do you?"

He looked, in a word, disturbed. He mimicked my earlier motions and began shaking his head violently, but in his case he also waved his hands.

" No no of course not. I mean, how could I…of course not! Why would I ever regret…no!" he rambled quickly. I giggled at his flustered state. Before I could even think, I found myself hugging Spencer quite tightly. Once I realized what I'd done I decided slowing down could be damned, and I tried to convey my immense relief into that small display of affection. Relief that he seemed to return; he stiffened at first, but then wrapped his arms securely around my waist. I sighed in contentment before reluctantly releasing him and attempting to step back. As I moved to step back, I found that Spencer was still holding me quite tightly. I grinned, and brought my arms back to where they belonged; if we were going to start taking things slowly, I should still get to enjoy this hug while it lasted, right?

Spencer's POV:

Trying to explain the vast relief I felt when Avery explained that she didn't, in fact, regret kissing me last night would be like trying to explain the way that black holes function in space. Easy, completely comprehensible for me, but a total mess for everyone else. Except for maybe Avery. I'd tried to explain black holes to her once, and she'd patiently listened and seemingly caught on. I couldn't be sure, but I got the feeling that she would nearly always understand what I was trying to say, no matter how fast I said it. She certainly had a knack for making me feel accepted and worthwhile. Currently, she was making me feel both of those things, along with a whole host of other emotions, as she wrapped her arms around me. Noticing that I'd been too caught up in my race to explain that no I couldn't possibly regret doing the thing that I'd thought about since meeting her to hug her back, I quickly brought my arms up to her and tightened our embrace.

That was a whole problem in and of itself. How could Avery truly believe that I was in anyway regretting what had happened? Surely she knew that I'd only asked because I'd been sure she would regret it. How could she not? She was so lovely and kind; beautiful in every sense of the word. I, on the other hand, was socially inept and awkward. The way her voice had gotten so small, so unsure of herself had made my entire stomach tie in knots. I hoped to never hear her wonderful voice become so un-Avery like ever again.

As she loosened her arms and attempted to step back, I kept my arms firmly around her. I wasn't going anywhere soon, and I needed her to see that. That I didn't feel any remorse for my actions last night, and I was going to be there for her as long as she wanted me. I believe the message came through, because soon I felt her arms around me once more and her smiling face in the crook of my neck. It was peaceful and perfect; we were in our own little world of safety and comfort for an immeasurable amount of time. Finally though, reality set in, and we broke apart. I didn't even really step back however, preferring to stand near to Avery and grasp her smaller hand in my much larger one. She didn't seem to mind, and I smiled, noting the clear happiness written across her face.

"Spencer I'm not sure what would make you think that I would ever be upset that we, I mean, that we kissed", she said, blushing a little. It was adorable; even though she had seemed so self-confident she was uncharacteristically bashful when it came to talking about this sort of topic apparently. I'm not entirely sure why, but I found it completely endearing. In fact, knowing she was shy about this topic only made me want to kiss her heated face all the more.

"But regardless, I obviously don't. I do want to talk to you about it a little", she continued. I stood a little straighter. What did that mean? What would we need to talk about things? Was she really mad and had just been trying to save my feelings? I felt my palms begin to sweat, and my heartbeat pick up. Sensing my slight panic, Avery grasped my hand tighter and began rubbing small, soothing circles over my knuckles.

"Don't worry Spence, it's nothing bad; I promise. I just think that maybe we've been moving too fast. Like I've never felt like this with anyone, and I've really never truly dated so I have no frame of reference, but I'm pretty sure that we kind of skipped some steps. I mean we've barely known each other for a week, and it's been a pretty strange week for me to make matters worse. I'm not saying we should really stop talking or hanging out, because to be honest the idea of that makes me really upset, but maybe we should try to slow down? Stick to just talking and hanging out for now? And I know that probably sounds kinda dumb, but it's just something I've been thinking of this morning", she said all at once. I cleared my throat and spoke up.

"Avery, of course that's okay", I said, to her visible relief. "I mean I've never been in a relationship ever, and we both know I don't understand social conventions, so I completely trust your judgment on that part of this. And even if that weren't the case, I trust you and I respect what you want. If you want to slow down that's fine with me. As long as we don't stop talking, because I'm not sure if I could just stop hearing your voice everyday". She smiled widely, looking down at her feet briefly before returning her gaze to my face.

"You would never believe how relieved I am to hear you say that", she breathed. I grinned at the genuinely happy, relieved look on her face. She and I amiably chatted about topics that were much less serious, returning to the easy banter we usually had. After a while, JJ came in to ask whether or not Avery was up to answering some more questions. Avery agreed, and we returned to the conference room.

Avery's POV:

After answering some more questions, my brain was exhausted. I'd been through a lot in the past few weeks, and a lot in the past few days. Emotionally and mentally I was just done. As we were wrapping up our day and were heading out, Emily pulled me aside.

"Hey Avery, I'm sorry if anything I said offended you earlier. I tend to just say everything as bluntly as possible. I'm really trying to work on it, and I'm truly sorry if I hurt your feelings", she said sincerely. I gave her a reassuring look.

"It's okay Emily. I think I might just be a little extra sensitive lately, it really wasn't a big deal. Promise", I said, smiling. It was true, I'd kind of overreacted to what she'd said; she was just doing her job. She looked only slightly placated.

"Really?" she asked.

"Really really", I said genuinely. Just to prove that there were no hard feelings, I reached forward and pulled her into a hug. She was sort of stiff at first, but eventually eased into the embrace.

"Okay. Well I was just heading out to my gym", she said stepping back. "It just so happens that I have a guest pass, and I was told by a certain team member that you love to work out. Now since you really really aren't mad at me, and you like it so much, you should have no problem coming with me right?" she said looking at me hopefully. I smiled sadly; as great as working out seemed (and it seemed fantastic) I couldn't just leave the kids alone with anyone. Morgan and Arrow looked as if they hadn't slept in days, JJ kept checking her phone like she was itching to go, and I didn't even know where Penelope was.

"Prentiss, as much as I would absolutely love to work out, I can't. I have to take the kids home", I explained. She gave me an exasperated look.

"Actually you do not need to take the kids home", I heard a deep voice call from behind me. I turned to see a bemused looking Arrow standing in the doorway. "I wanted to spend some time with them anyways, so now would be the perfect opportunity for you to go out". My face must have betrayed my skepticism and concern, because as soon as I opened my mouth to retort he held up a hand to stop me. "I know you probably think I'm exhausted, but honestly? So are they. And all I wanna do is hang out with the kids for a while before nap time. For all of us", he said sincerely.

"Arrow are you sure?" I asked. He shot me a look that clearly said 'are you serious', so I threw my hands and grinned. Emily smiled as well and we all headed out.

SPENCERANDAVERYSPENCERANDAVERYSPENCERANDAVERYSPENCERANDAVERYSPENCERANDAVERY

I couldn't help but smile as Prentiss and I returned from the gym. It really had been a good workout, and I hadn't really remembered how much I loved exercising until I'd gotten the opportunity. And also getting to talk to Emily had really helped us warm up to each other; I was glad that we'd gotten the chance to get a little closer. Out of all the team members we had been the most distant, but hopefully after today that wouldn't last long. She really was a great person, I'd just never stopped to see it before.

"And you really haven't worked out in how long?" Prentiss questioned as she drove back to my house. We were both a bit tired and disgustingly sweaty, but none the less happy (gotta love endorphins!). I chuckled.

"I mean pushing that damn stroller was no joke, but other than that no. I had to watch the kids all the time", I said lightheartedly.

"I can't even imagine", she replied. "Literally all the time? There wasn't anyone you could leave them with?"

"Well I didn't let anyone I worked with know where I'd been living, and I don't have any friends that live around here anymore so not really", I said casually; Emily gave me a surprised look. "Don't get me wrong, I'd have told them if they asked but it was just a whole lot of drama and pity I didn't feel like dealing with. I did tell one of my friends at work, her name's Olivia. She's probably my best friend, at work or elsewhere. Anyways, she knows everything about me, but she's got a two year old son Carson to worry about. So I never took her up on her offer to take the kids for a night".

Prentiss threw me a more sympathetic look than I'd ever seen on her face. I hated that look, people had been giving to me my whole life. So I continued, "Every once and a while I let David, Sammy's son, watch them. I mean his family stayed in the room right next to us, and it was always only for a little while so I could go run or something".

Emily nodded, seemingly satisfied as we pulled up the driveway. I started to say my thanks, once again, but before I could begin she'd already shut the car off and opened her door. Seeing the probably questioning look on my face she spoke.

"Oh come on, you really think that I'm going to let you walk all the way into your house alone? Get real", she chuckled. I giggled and followed her into the house.

"Yeah yeah" I replied, turning my key in the door and beginning to open it up but looking at Prentiss behind me. "You know we should really do this again, it was…"

"SURPRISE!"

I jumped slightly as I heard a bunch of voices yell from inside the house just as a bunch of lights flipped on. I stared at the ecstatic looking faces of Penelope, Arrow, Derek, Spencer, Rossi, the kids, and Olivia standing in my living room. They all were smiling so hard I thought their faces must hurt. I was completely bewildered, not to mentioned surprised and confused. As realization dawned on me I felt a smirk pull across my face as I spoke up.

"Only you all would throw me a surprise party when I'm all sweaty and disgusting".