Spencer leaned against a wall and pulled out his cell phone. The harsh light of the hallway leading toward the dining area of Bennington banished the shadows back to their netherworld. He dialed and listened as the phone rang three times before JJ answered.

"Hey," she greeted him, a little breathless as she spoke.

"Hi, you okay," he asked.

"Yeah, just lying down and fell asleep. I think I was the one dreaming this time. Something about a clock tower and a clown."

"Yikes," Spencer teased and chuckled when he almost heard his fiancé roll her eyes.

"Not funny. Anyway, did you get permission?"

"Yes, but are you sure –"

"I'm sure," JJ interrupted, and then she sighed. "I want you to spend as much time as possible with your mom, Spence. I'll be okay alone for one night."

Spencer pushed away from the wall and began to pace slowly through the hall, his shoes squeaking on the tile floor. "I know, but I worry about you. I wish you were here with me, but – you know what we discussed last night. "

"Your mom isn't ready for someone new, babe. Soon she will be, and when we finally introduce her to her grandchild, it will be – incredible."

"You're right. Thanks, beautiful."

"My job's done," JJ said and made Spencer laugh.

"Go on, Spence. Talk to your mom. I'm sure she'll be thrilled to have you stay the night with her."

"Alright, I'm going now," Spencer said as he saw Dr. Norman approaching him.

"Love you," JJ made kissing noises that had him chuckling.

"Love you too," he responded and put away his phone.

"Your mom's still in the dining area. Hamburger's are on the menu, and she always takes her time eating burgers." Dr. Norman explained.

"She loves a good burger," Spencer said. "She used to take me to McDonald's on good days, especially if she was well enough to take me for a dental checkup," Spencer added as they began to walk toward the dining area.

"My boys used to beg for Happy Meals all the time," Dr. Norman said. "I gave in way too many times for their health."

"Well, sometimes it's good to indulge, or so my mom used to say," Spencer said and smiled as they entered to see his mom in her pink robe and her attention on her meal.

Here it goes. Spencer thought as he approached her table.

CMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCMCM

JJ was buttoning her blouse the following day when the hotel room door opened, and Spencer walked in. He went straight to her, breathed in the spicy scent of her shampoo, and let it cleanse the lingering smell of antiseptic of Bennington from his nostrils. He put his hand on her belly, kissed her, and hugged her until she pushed him back.

"Babe, what's wrong?"

He stroked her hair and blew out a breath. "I missed you," he said after a long silence broken only by the distant sounds of cars and the low hum of the air conditioner in one corner of the room.

"I missed you too, but – I can see the fear in your eyes, Spence. Talk to me!"

"I – I had another dream. I saw my dad again. It was so real. I don't understand what's happening."

JJ pulled him to the unmade bed, and they sat together. She squeezed his hand hard enough to make him look at her. "You want to look into Riley Jenkins."

It wasn't a question. Spencer suddenly realized he wished he'd lied to her, told her he would stay a few more days to see his mom, push her to go home where she'd be safe, and – he tugged his hand free and stood.

"Yes," he finally admitted. "I want you –"

"I'm not going home!"

"JJ, please, I need to be sure you're safe."

JJ pushed awkwardly to her feet and stepped before him as he tried to pace the room length. "No, not this time. I'm staying here. You will not go through this alone. Do you understand me?"

"JJ, please, you're due in three weeks, and I don't want you to –"

'What, worry about you? Damn it, Spencer, we're in this together. We're getting married in six months. We're going to be parents. Don't shut me out!"

Spencer pulled her back into his arms and held her tight as he blinked away tears from stress and the anger storming through him. What if his dad was a monster?

"Let me help you," JJ said into his shoulder. "I can't walk away from you now."

"Alright," he said after a long pause that drew out like a sharp blade against a whetstone. "Just promise me you'll go home if you start to feel overwhelmed."

JJ nodded her head. "I promise."

"Thank you," he took her face in both hands, stared into the cobalt blue eyes he adored, and kissed her.

"Where do we start," JJ asked.

"I'm going to visit the locals and get the Riley Jenkins files."

JJ smiled, and something in her eyes frightened him. It also made his heart swell with pride for her talents in dealing with LEOs. "What?" Spencer asked, even though he already knew the answer.

"Let me call and – smooth things over first," JJ suggested.

Spencer sighed and then laughed. "What would I do without you?"

"You'll never have to find out," JJ said as she reached for her phone. "Watch and learn," she teased him.