The first night that the team was in Las Cruces, Spencer texted Jessica. "Ignore Garcia. She's making something out of nothing."
Jessica raised an eyebrow at this. "Penelope hasn't said anything to me today."
"Then ignore my last message too."
"Nope. Too late. Now I have to know what this is about."
"Penelope dearest, whatever might my beloved cousin be afraid of you telling me?"
"Probably that he thinks Agent Seaver is pretty," Garcia replied. "He denied it, but I heard it in his voice."
"And who is Agent Seaver?"
"A trainee agent from the Academy who is on loan to help us solve this case because her father is a serial killer and it gives her a 'unique perspective'."
Jessica frowned. "…you know, maybe Spencer shouldn't date her. I'd hate to see what her father would do if something went wrong between them."
"Don't worry, sweetie, her father's in prison for life."
"And that worked SO well with Foyet," Jessica pointed out.
"…okay, maybe you're right," Garcia conceded. "I shall cancel my matchmaking plans."
"I have convinced Penelope not to play matchmaker," Jessica informed Spencer. "You're welcome."
Spencer gave this message a dubious look, then decided not to look a gift horse in the mouth.
A week later, Jessica had just finished washing a mixing bowl when her phone went off with a message from Emily. "I don't know if Reid has told you about Agent Seaver, but I have just become her supervisory agent and she's going to be finishing her training with the BAU."
"What! You couldn't have told me this half an hour ago?" Jessica complained. "I just went to the trouble of making sure my batch had an exact multiple of five Christmas cookies, and now you tell me there are six of you!"
"Uh…actually, there were six of us, and now there are seven," Emily corrected.
"I baked a separate batch for Spencer and me, so he doesn't count," Jessica explained.
"It's okay. We'll live if we don't all get the exact same number of cookies," Emily assured.
"Blasphemy. The cookies must be perfect. And perfect means evenly distributed."
"Can you borrow some from your other batch?" Emily suggested.
"I guess I'll have to," Jessica agreed reluctantly.
Late the following afternoon, Seaver was going over some paperwork with Prentiss when two bags of cookies were dropped on the desk. Jessica narrowed her eyes at Seaver, then turned to Prentiss. "She's blonde. You didn't tell me she was blonde."
"Why does it matter?" Prentiss said and signed, bewildered.
"The BAU hasn't had any blondes since JJ left! Now I can finally have blonde solidarity with someone again!"
"Oookay…" Prentiss turned to Seaver. "Ashley Seaver, meet Dr. Reid's cousin Jessica Warner. She apparently really likes your hair."
"Oh. Uh, thank you?" Seaver said awkwardly. "Nice to meet you?"
"Nice to meet you too," Jessica replied, Prentiss interpreting. "Us blondes have to stick together."
Seaver nodded slowly, not sure what to say to that. "Yes. We will show the world that blondes must be taken seriously."
"Exactly!" Jessica signed cheerfully. "Now eat those cookies, and merry Christmas!" She headed up the stairs toward Hotch and Rossi's offices to continue distributing cookies.
Seaver turned back to Prentiss. "So, is she…?"
"She's deaf and non-speaking," Prentiss confirmed.
"Is everyone from that family so…intense?" Seaver asked warily.
Prentiss eyed Jessica through the window of Rossi's office. "I think the Christmas spirit has been getting to her this week. She's usually a bit more mellow than that."
"Does she come here a lot, then?"
"She's Reid's legal ward, which pretty much makes her part of the BAU family. Expect more baked goods in the future."
Seaver tried a cookie. "Hmm. I'll look forward to that."
That weekend, Will's department had a Christmas party. He and JJ both attended, and Jessica babysat Henry. After dinner, Henry decided to play his favorite game of grabbing a random book and asking the nearest person (in this case, Jessica) to read it to him. He started off with a couple picture books, then went upstairs and grabbed JJ's passport from her bedside drawer. "Read this!"
"This isn't really a book you read…" Jessica started to sign, then trailed off. Henry was holding the passport open, showing several recent stamps from Afghanistan. Jessica took the passport for a closer look. It was definitely JJ's, and JJ had definitely been spending a lot of time out of the country. Jessica looked up at Henry again. "Henry, is your mom often gone for days?"
Henry's eyes widened. "No!"
Jessica raised an eyebrow. "Did she tell you to say that?"
"Yes," Henry admitted. "She said it's a secret."
"Well, you did a good job of keeping it until now, but this book tells people she's been gone. So don't ask them to read it for you, okay?"
"Okay." Henry grabbed another picture book. "Read this!"
When Will and JJ got home, Jessica steeled herself for an awkward conversation. "So, Henry showed me your passport," she signed to JJ.
JJ's eyes widened. "I take it you saw the most recent stamps?"
"Yes. I gather from Henry that I wasn't supposed to know about that."
JJ nodded. "My assignment is highly classified. Please don't tell anyone else. Not even Spence."
"I won't," Jessica promised. "And I warned Henry not to show your passport around."
"Thank you."
Thankfully, JJ was able to stay in the country long enough to celebrate Christmas. However, she was gone by New Year's. Jessica tried very hard not to react when Garcia complained about JJ not joining the team's New Year's Eve party. Thankfully, none of the profilers were looking at Jessica.
Spencer's GP referred him to a specialist, who took several scans. Unfortunately, the team was sent out to Miami that day, so Spencer wasn't able to meet with the doctor to discuss the results until the day he got home—which also happened to be Jessica's birthday. Spencer finally got home near dinnertime, looking upset and still wearing his sunglasses.
"How did it go?" Jessica asked, concerned.
"Happy birthday," Spencer replied. He took a wrapped gift out of his bag and handed it to her.
"Thank you," Jessica signed, setting the gift down without opening it. "Are you going to answer my question?"
"Are you going to open the gift?"
"Not until you tell me how it went," Jessica insisted.
Spencer sank into a chair and rubbed his forehead before signing again. "The doctor said I'm crazy."
"The doctor said that?" Jessica repeated skeptically.
"Not in those exact words, but he said my scans show nothing wrong. There has to be something wrong! I'm not hearing voices, I'm not seeing things—I know what schizophrenia looks like, and I'm not having a schizophrenic break! I'm not!"
Jessica raised an eyebrow. "Did he say you were schizophrenic, or did he say your scans showed nothing wrong? Because those are two very different statements."
Spencer finally calmed somewhat. "He said the scans show nothing wrong, and I should look for a psychosomatic cause."
"Like stress?" Jessica suggested. "God knows you've got plenty of sources of that."
"I have extreme sensitivity to light and sound and my head feels like it's splitting open for days at a time. That's got to be more than just 'stress'," Spencer insisted.
"Well, unless you've gotten an MD without telling me, I'd defer to the doctor's expertise here," Jessica replied.
"…I've answered your question. Are you going to open your gift now?"
"Fine." Jessica tore off the wrapping paper to reveal a book full of cat photos with funny captions. "Thank you."
"You're welcome. Now what do you want for dinner?"
Jessica sighed. "Just go lie down. I'll make dinner myself."
"It's your birthday, you shouldn't have to cook."
"And you shouldn't make your headache worse by going out to a restaurant that will presumably be louder and possibly brighter than this apartment," Jessica retorted. "You being in pain will not make my birthday better! Now go lie down, or I'll text Derek and tell him to come carry you to bed!"
"Okay, I'm going," Spencer signed quickly. He finally headed into his room.
Jessica shook her head and took out a saucepan. Spencer really needed to learn that it was okay to put himself first every once in a while.
On Saturday morning, Jessica received a message from Jeffrey. "So, Dad and I were going to go on a college visit today and then drop by to wish you a surprise belated happy birthday, but Dad just got called in to work. So…happy belated birthday."
"Thanks. It's the thought that counts, anyway." Jessica finished cleaning the mixing bowl, checked on the muffins, then sent another message. "What college were you going to visit?"
"Mendel University."
"Really?" Jessica typed excitedly. "That's currently my first choice!"
"Now I DEFINITELY need to find another time to check it out," Jeffrey decided.
At that moment, Spencer entered the living room, not looking fully awake yet. "Good morning," he signed. He glanced at her phone, then back at her. "Making plans?"
"More like plans getting unmade," Jessica responded. "Apparently Jeffrey was going to do a college visit at Mendel University and then come by for a surprise visit, but his dad got called in to work."
Spencer looked thoughtful. "Maybe I could take the two of you to Mendel University and then take you out somewhere fun."
Jessica eyed him with concern. "Has your headache cleared up?"
"I'm fine," Spencer insisted. "I can make up for your birthday this way."
"You don't need to make up for anything," Jessica argued. "Getting a headache wasn't your fault."
"I know, but I still want to do something nice for your birthday."
"Okay, I'll ask Jeffrey," Jessica relented.
Jeffrey was able to get a hold of his father long enough to get permission, and Spencer drove the two teens to Mendel University. Jeffrey met with an academic advisor, then a tour guide took him, Jessica and Spencer on a tour around campus. They started off with the student center, then the language arts department, then the history department, and then the science building.
"So, I'm guessing this is the department that really stood out to you?" Jeffrey asked Jessica.
"Yes," Jessica replied. "Their labs seem pretty well-equipped and the teachers I met were all really nice."
"Is your little sister thinking about coming here too?" the guide asked.
Jessica and Jeffrey shared a look of surprise. "Uh, she's actually a friend, and she's a year older than me," Jeffrey said awkwardly.
Jessica laughed. "And here I was worried we'd get mistaken for a couple." She looked at the tour guide. "And yes, I'm definitely thinking about attending here in the fall," she added, Jeffrey interpreting.
"My apologies," the guide said, somewhat flustered. "We usually get families visiting."
"It's okay," Jessica signed. She looked over her shoulder at Spencer, who seemed unusually un-talkative today. To her concern, she noticed that he seemed to be squinting slightly—even though they were in a relatively dim hallway. "You still have a headache, don't you?" she demanded accusingly.
"I'm fine," Spencer insisted again.
Jessica clapped her hands, and he flinched. "No you're not." She looked around and spotted a bench nearby. "Go lie down. We'll come back here when we're ready to go."
Spencer looked ready to protest, then he relented and walked over to the bench. He laid down and draped his scarf over his eyes to block the light.
"Sorry about that," Jessica signed to the tour guide. "My cousin won't take care of himself unless I force him. Continue, please."
The tour guide looked a bit confused and concerned, but she continued the tour.
Spencer wasn't sure how long he'd been lying there when he heard a woman's voice somewhere very close by. "New term getting to you already?"
Spencer groaned and shifted his scarf to cover his ears as well.
"If you want a better place to crash, I've got a couch and a blanket in my office," the woman offered. Spencer removed the scarf and blearily looked up to see a very pretty woman with dark brown hair giving him a friendly smile.
"I wouldn't want to get in your way," Spencer objected.
"No, you're fine, I was heading back to my lab," the woman replied.
"Oh. Okay, then. Thanks." Spencer grabbed his bag and followed her down the hallway to an office. The name plaque read 'Dr. Maeve Donovan, Genetics'. Dr. Donovan took out a key, opened the door and ushered him inside.
"Here, let me close the blinds for you," she offered, going to the window. "I also keep a stash of granola bars in the top drawer of the desk, help yourself. If you need anything, I'll be right through here." She indicated a second door that clearly led into some sort of laboratory.
"Thanks," Spencer said again. Dr. Donovan smiled at him, then went into her lab. Spencer collapsed onto her couch and curled up under the blanket. This was much more comfortable than that bench in the hallway.
Half an hour later, the tour reached the criminal justice department. "I'm hoping to major in criminal justice," Jeffrey informed the tour guide.
Jessica frowned. "Wait, what? Since when?"
Jeffrey frowned back at her. "Since the day your cousin saved my dad. Have I seriously never told you that?"
"I'm pretty sure I would remember that," Jessica signed, scowling.
Jeffrey shrugged. "Well, I am."
"Are you planning to join the FBI too?" Jessica demanded.
"Yes," Jeffrey confirmed. He frowned again at Jessica's clear lack of enthusiasm. "You don't seem very happy about that."
"You do remember how we met, right?" Jessica responded, giving him a hard look. "I spend enough time worrying about Spencer and his team, I don't want to have to start worrying about you too!"
"And if it weren't for your cousin and his team, my dad would probably be dead!" Jeffrey retorted. "Yes, it's a risky job, but someone needs to do it!"
"Well why does that someone have to be you?!"
"I'm sure nearly every agent out there has someone asking that same question. If they all listened, where would we be?"
"Well, my stress levels would be lower," Jessica grumbled. She sighed. "Fine. It's your life. Do what you want."
"…thanks. I think." Jeffrey turned back to the somewhat confused tour guide. "Sooo…continue."
Maeve had just finished a lengthy write-up when someone knocked and cautiously entered the lab. She looked up and saw a pair of very worried-looking teenagers standing in the doorway. "Excuse me, have you seen a tall skinny guy with brown hair?" the boy asked. "We left him on that bench down the hallway, but now he's gone and he's not answering his phone."
"Oh! Yes, actually, I offered to let him crash in my office," Maeve replied. "It's just through here." She beckoned the pair to follow her into her office.
Once the girl passed through the doorway, she heaved an enormous sigh of relief and went to shake the young man awake. He groaned and sat up, rubbing his head.
"Are you feeling any better, Dr. Reid?" the boy asked. Maeve started, surprised to realize that the rather good-looking man was not a student, and probably older than he looked.
"Yes, actually," Dr. Reid replied, signing as well as speaking. He looked at the girl. "I mean it this time, I promise."
The girl said something in sign language, not looking entirely convinced.
Dr. Reid sighed, looking exasperated. "Well, whether you believe me or not, I'm better now." He turned to Maeve. "Thanks again. I really appreciate it."
"It was no problem, really," Maeve replied, smiling. Then, on impulse… "Buy me a coffee sometime, and we'll call it even."
"I…er…sure," Dr. Reid stammered, blushing faintly. "That sounds good."
Maeve went to her desk, grabbed one of her cards and handed it to him. "Here's my number. Call me."
"Yeah. I will. I'll definitely call you." There was an awkward pause. "Um…see you." He smiled hesitantly at her, then left. The two teens followed, looking very amused.
Maeve stayed where she was, trying to process what had just happened. She was never this forward. And yet…there was just something incredibly endearing about Dr. Reid. From what little she'd seen of him, he already seemed far more sweet and considerate than Bobby Putnam. Maeve decided right then and there that she would not say yes to a third date with Bobby.
Out in the hallway, Jeffrey finally burst into laughter. He looked at Jessica. "So, we're supposed to be celebrating your birthday, but we've been visiting a college for me and now your cousin just got a date. Seems like everyone but you is getting something out of today."
Jessica turned to Spencer. "You do know she was asking you out, right?"
"I do know some social cues!" Spencer signed indignantly.
"I counted four women who asked you out during my college visits and you never seemed to notice."
Spencer narrowed his eyes. "You're making that up."
"What did you think that woman at St. Mary's meant by 'are you free next weekend'?" Jessica demanded, raising an eyebrow.
"…I thought she was asking if we were available for an event for prospective students."
"She didn't say anything about any event," Jessica pointed out. "And she'd been very good about directing the academic questions to me instead of you. That time, she was definitely talking to you."
Spencer looked utterly bewildered. "You really think she was asking me out?"
"It sure sounds like it to me," Jeffrey concurred.
"I'll do you a favor and not mention that to your new date," Jessica offered.
"Or maybe you should mention it," Jeffrey countered. "Tell her that she's the only woman he noticed. Girls find that flattering, right?"
"Good point," Jessica agreed. She looked back at Spencer. "So you'd better not mess this up."
"I'll try very hard not to," Spencer signed, still somewhat bewildered. He paused. "And not one word to the team!"
"You're no fun," Jessica pouted. "Can we go to Tony's Pizzeria for lunch?"
"Sure," Spencer agreed. "This is supposed to be your birthday celebration."