A/n I hope you all enjoy this short tag to "The Crossing." To all my loyal readers in America, happy Labor Day.

Spencer was halfway through War and Peace, the original Russian version, when his doorbell rang. His eyebrows raised as he put aside the massive volume and strode to the door. He wasn't expecting anyone at nine on a Sunday night.

"JJ," he greeted happily. "What are you doing here? I mean, I'm fine that you're here, but – "

He stopped in shock when she pushed the door shut, dropped her bags, and crushed her mouth down on his. He tried to push her away, but she whispered. "Don't - I need you so badly."

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Later, JJ sat bundled into Spencer's arms with a cup of hot cocoa with whipped cream and dark chocolate shavings, her favorite comfort drink. Spencer had a cup of decaf with hazelnut creamer and a chocolate chip cookie.

"Okay, tell me," Spencer said.

Instead, JJ handed him a letter she'd kept from her days at university. Spencer put aside his coffee, read the letter, and looked at her. "JJ, what – "

"Oh, he's no longer a threat. I got off easily. He loved to ski, and one winter day after I'd finally decided to call the police, he was on a trip and decided to go backcountry skiing. An avalanche took him. They found his body after the spring thaw. Good riddance," She spat out.

"Okay, but why did you keep this?"

"I didn't keep it on purpose. It just – I thought I'd need it for evidence, and then – after Michael was gone, I never believed it until someone found his remains. I had called the police when he went missing because I thought it was another trick to keep me off balance, and – well, afterward, I put it away in a shoe box, and it just stayed with me. I –"

Spencer kissed her. "I understand. Why look at it now, because of Keri," he inquired.

"Yeah. If not for a twist of fate, maybe I'd still be looking over my shoulder."

Spencer sighed and grabbed one of her hands as she sipped her drink. "I wish I could tell you you're incorrect, but the sad truth is most stalkers don't serve significant sentences. The courts relegate most to mental health facilities and – you know, the state of our mental healthcare system.

"Yeah," JJ glumly spoke. "Keri will probably have to change her name and move somewhere far away."

Spencer hugged her and laid a hand on her belly. "I'm glad you didn't have to move away. If I'd never met you – I'd have missed out on so much."

"Me too," JJ whispered. "I'm scared, though. What if we have a girl and –"

Spencer put a finger to her lips. "As you tell me, let's not borrow trouble."

"But, you know all the statistics and – "

"I do, but I'm trying to ignore them," Spencer quipped.

JJ rolled her eyes. "Okay, we'll place our heads firmly in the sand until she's an adult."

Spencer chuckled and shook his head. "She? Do you know something I don't," he cheerfully demanded.

"Nope, just – I don't know. I guess you could say that if we had a boy, he might have a stalker or could be –"

"Stop," Spencer overrode her thought. "Do not say it!"

"Sorry, you're right. My imagination is out of control."

Spencer pulled her back into his arms and gestured to her coco. "Your drink is getting cold. Also, I understand what you mean. Our jobs are bound to skew our worldview and our parenting.

JJ laughed and reached for her drink. "True, let's make a pact not to voice our paranoia around the kids."

"Kids, as in more than one," Spencer probed, his eyes growing concerned.

"We're not having twins if that's what you think, but – I think we should have more than one, so this one," she put her hand on her stomach, "has a sibling."

"Research shows that a child with at least one sibling socialize more quickly than an only child."

"There he is, my Spence," JJ said, kissing him. "Glad you're back to spouting statistics. I was scared for a minute."

"Glad to be back," Spencer teased.

"So am I," JJ said and finished her drink. "Want to get some sleep? We have to work tomorrow."

"Don't remind me!"