deep end, cm [ 1 ]

025. the perfect storm

Jessica packs her go bag and grabs her purse.

"You don't have to go back to work today if you're not ready." Spencer says.

"Spence, relax, I'm okay." Jessica says. "If I can sleep in my apartment all alone, I can go to work."

"Are you positive?" Spencer asks.

"Reid." Jessica groans, turning to him. "Look, I-I appreciate and I love the concern, really, I do. Thank you. But I'm all right. I got cleared by the psychologist and-- and doctors and everything."

"I know." Spencer quietly says.

"If I start to lose it, I will come to you. Deal?" She asks.

"Deal." Spencer nods.

"Good. Now come on." She grabs his wrist, dragging him out of her home.

+++

The two get to the BAU, walking out of the elevators.

"You're back!" They look over at the excited voice. Jessica grins as Penelope rushes over. "You're back, you're here. Oh, it's been so long."

"Hi, Pen." Jessica laughs, returning the blonde's tight hug.

"Ugh, it's been so long." Penelope pouts.

"You saw me last week." Jessica laughs.

"I know, but it's been so long here. I finally get to see you more often. I get to work with my favorite photographic memory girl." Penelope gushes and Jessica softly laughs.

"It's good to be back." Jessica says, rubbing Penelope's arm.

"Hey." They turn to JJ as she makes her way to the bullpen. "Just in time. We have a case. Welcome back, Jess." She gives the brunette a warm smile, Jessica returning it with a wave.

"Okay, superheroes, duty calls. I will see you later." Penelope says.

"Bye." Jessica says, watching the woman go back to her office. "Think anybody else will be that excited?"

"Not outwardly." Spencer says.

"Yeah." Jessica nods.

The two go into the round table room, the rest of the team already there.

"Aww, Reid finally has his brainiac buddy back." Derek teases.

"Brainiac buddy?" Jessica questions.

"For now." Derek smirks.

"Taylor, good to have you back." Hotch says.

"It's good to be back." Jessica says with a small smile. "Hey." She smiles at Elle, sitting next to her.

"Hey." Elle gives her a small smile. "How are you doing?"

"I'm good. Yeah, I'm all right. How are you? Reid told me you came back to work early." Jessica says, keeping her voice quiet.

"Yeah. Yeah, I was just getting restless. I'm fine." Elle assures.

"Yeah." Jessica nods, unable to stop herself from profiling her friend for a moment.

"All right, let's get started." Hotch says.

~ ~ ~

"So the music's not added like a regular soundtrack. It's in the background, so if you turn it down, you also turn down the voices." Hotch says.

"Well, can't we get Garcia to separate the audio tracks?" Derek asks.

"She's working on it now." Hotch nods.