JJ was in the living area when Spencer entered with a hand behind his back and his feet very unsteady. "JJ," he squeaked.
"Yeah," she didn't face him when he spoke.
"Um, I need to talk to you."
"Okay," she was flipping through a gardening magazine.
"JJ!"
"What?" she looked up, her tone annoyed.
Spencer brought his hand around and held out a pink and white box. "When were you going to tell me?"
"Spence," her eyes began to spark. "What the hell? You going through my bathroom trash now? That's creepy and an invasion of privacy!"
"Don't yell at me. I deserve to know if – especially as we've never talked about kids or getting married."
"If you'd listen to me, I –" JJ shouted over him.
"Don't yell at me, Jennifer. You're the one that's pregnant, and you haven't told me about it. It's my baby and – "
"Hey," she spat back. "You don't know what you're talking about. Who says it was positive? Did you even look at the test?"
He felt his stomach clench at her suggestion that he touch the test after she'd – used it. "No, of course not. That's disgusting, JJ."
"So, you're going to accuse me without proof. Fine, Dr. Reid. Go ahead. Can't wait for you to dig your grave."
"That's – "he felt his face heat. "You have no right to –"
"Oh, but you have the right to come in here guns blazing. Come on," JJ taunted. "What's your evidence."
"You're late," Spencer said, and his heart rate slowed slightly. He'd save his outrage for later over her comment. There were more important things to discuss.
"How would you know," JJ asked, and the disbelief in her eyes almost made him laugh.
"Because we've been dating for more than a year and having sex. You always have PMS at the same time every month, and your interest in intercourse declines for six days. I can set my watch by you, but not this month."
"FYI, Spencer," JJ spat out. "I'm not pregnant. I took the test two days ago and saw the doctor yesterday. I'm not pregnant! My hormones were screwed up, the doc thinks it's all the stress. Are you happy now!"
Oh God, he was happy and so relieved, but – he looked at JJ, who was red-faced and had both fists clenched at her sides.
"JJ – " he began.
"Don't say it. I can see it in your eyes. You're happy! Good, because I'm thrilled. I don't want kids now, for your information."
"JJ, I – I'm so sorry. I shouldn't have – I'm sorry."
"That's it. I'm supposed to forgive you," JJ wiped away tears, unclenched her fists, and sat down. "I'm sorry, too. I should've told you it was a possibility. I was – scared. I'm not ready to be a mother."
Spencer cautiously approached as he spoke. "I – was freaking out because of the Dilaudid, and I don't think it's wise for me to father a child. My genetic code is – "
"Amazing," JJ said as she wiped away more tears. "Look at you! You're gorgeous, a genius, a talented profiler, and kind, sweet, generous, and loving. I could go on and on."
"Thank you, JJ. I appreciate what you think of me, but I also have a ten percent chance of inheriting my mother's condition. I can't bear to pass that chance to our baby. I would die if my child developed schizophrenia."
"Babe," JJ began.
"Don't say it won't happen. There's always a chance."
"Spence, don't be intentionally naïve."
"What?"
"You heard me," she held out a hand and waited until he calmed and sat. He couldn't look at her, though.
Intentionally naïve.
"We all have holes in our genetic codes: cancer, mental issues, disorders galore."
"But –"
"No." She put a finger to his lips. "I understand, honey. I love that you're willing to sacrifice having a child, but think about all you might give up."
"I – I'm not sure I can, right now." He admitted.
"It's okay," JJ hugged him so tight his ribs ached, but he didn't push her away. "There's time, and I know how much Gideon leaving hurt you. I'm sorry."
Spencer finally disentangled from her. "I'll be okay now that I have you. You're my rock, Jennifer."
"You're my cuddly bunny," JJ said and laughed when he rolled his eyes. "You're my strength, Dr. Reid."
"Not lately."
JJ smacked his shoulder. "Don't say that, or I won't apologize for the dig your own grave remark."
"It's alright. I can't spend the rest of my life avoiding such a popular idiom, can I?
JJ kissed him and sighed. "Nope, but I am sorry."
"It truly is, okay. We both lost our tempers. I'm sorry for snooping instead of letting you tell me in your own time."
"It's fine, just don't do it again."
Spencer laughed. "May I make a suggestion?"
"Sure."
"The next time you want to hide a pregnancy test, don't put it in the bathroom trash can in full view of the toilet."
JJ shook her head. "You are looking for more trouble, mister. "
He kissed her. "Just giving you some helpful advice."
"Seriously, though, we need to talk about where we're going at some point. Not now," JJ held up a hand when he started interrupting. "You need to – recover, and we need more time getting to know each other."
"I was going to say I agree," Spencer said, smirking when she frowned.
"Okay, smarty-pants, it's Sunday morning. What do you want to do?"
Spencer felt the last of his tension melt away. He wiggled his eyebrows and almost laughed when JJ said. "No, we did that last night. Let's go for a nice long walk, and if you don't complain, I'll treat you to lunch."
"I never complain," Spencer argued, but he wanted to smile.
"Ah, sure. Let me count the ways," JJ teased.
"I won't this time."
"We'll see," JJ said, taking his hand to lead him out the door.