Work Text:
JJ was sitting on Spencer's desk. She kept seeing them: children- why does it always have to be children? Mutilated and cut open. Th Unsub, cooking them like-No, stop it. She was so lost in thought that he didn't notice Spencer until he was standing behind her.
"It's nine." The blonde said without looking up. "Aren't you supposed to be asleep?"
"Can't. Insomnia hit, and working usually combats that. Besides, I can probably say the same for you." Spencer pointed out. "And you're on my desk."
"I need to." JJ whispered.
"What?" Spencer asked. JJ got to her feet, eyes down to prevent Spencer from seeing her tear-stained face.
"Jen," the doctor said softly, "look at me. Love, look at me. What's wrong?"
And that's when everything comes crashing down, JJ collapsed against Spencer, clawing at his shoulders, his back as she tried to hold on to something solid, something real, something familiar even as her body heaved with sobs. Spencer rested a hand on JJ's lower back while the other cradled the back of her head, whispering words of comfort.
"Why?" JJ said, her voice muffled against Spencer's shirt. "Why do things like these happen? Why do people like Waters exist?"
"I don't know, JJ." Spencer murmured. "I don't know. But if you ever get overwhelmed like this again, know this: I'm here for you. Always."
They didn't know how long they were like that, Spencer holding JJ as she let out all the pent-up emotions and trauma. After a few moments the blonde calmed down.
"You want to go home?" Spencer asked. JJ nodded. They did- to Spencer's, not hers. JJ knew that while she has her own house, it wasn't home, not exactly. For her, it was Spencer's apartment. His place was her home. No, Spencer was her home, she realized. Always has been. It doesn't matter where she is, as long as she's with Spencer, she was home.
When JJ woke up, she felt refreshed. And oddly at peace, something she haven't felt for a long while. She looked up, and realized why. Spencer, asleep, had his arm around her shoulder, chin resting on her head. She snuggled in closer, nuzzling the doctor's neck, who stirred.
"Morning." JJ whispered, smiling. A groan.
"What time is it?" Spencer mumbled. JJ looked over her shoulder.
"Uh, seven-thirty. It's a weekend; no rush."
They lay back down, and soon sleep took ahold of them once more.