Enjoying Your Company //

chapter twenty three

Vanessa's POV:

It took a while for me to get back in the game.. By week two I was working in the lab. Still having anxiety, still looking over my shoulder at every turn. Stuck the obsessive cycle of thinking. But, on my feet and properly medicated. All thanks to Spencer. He really stepped up, like an internal switch somewhere flipped from off to on. We went on walks, he cooked my favorite food, brought me his favorite things to read. He sat and watched my favorite movie, David Bowie's 1986's Labyrinth, eight times. He made sure I was safe, and knew it. He took care of me. I felt complete with him by my side, getting through something alongside someone who understands your function and love langue, changes everything.

The lab at Quantico was pristine. A full floor dedicated to forensics, ballistics, toxicology, chemical and hazardous materials. And labs filled with highest grade machinery. I'd never seen anything more beautiful. Seven year old me would be absolutely ecstatic right now. Beyond a handprint scanning door, was an all glass section, dedicated to autopsy, and coolers. I stood in one of the labs, my mind in a funk, reading over the results of a toxicity report when a knock came from behind me. I spun, on edge, my nerves calming as I saw JJ.

"Sorry I didn't mean to-"

"No, no it's okay," I exhaled with a small smile, she entered the room.

"How are you?" She asked gently.

"I'm okay." I let out a slow breath, seeing her watch my trembling hand. "Still dealing with some symptoms." I say in a lighter tone, setting my hand in my lab coat. "I have the toxicology report for Emma Dade." I handed it to her off my clipboard.

"Ah, thanks," She smiled, skimming through it. "I know that feeling." Her words caught my attention. "Always on high alert, jumpy, paranoid. It's okay to embrace it, you go though it to get through it. It's all part of a healthy healing process." I felt my chest shake as she spoke, I knew she was right. "But it does go away, you work to accept it and in no time. You're bigger than it ever was." I released another breath, this one lifted the weight off me.

"Having Spencer with me has been life changing. He's the first person who's made me feel like I could do anything. Who looks at me with kindness, and love. With patience."

"He's always been the patient one." She giggled, crossing her arms. "He loves you, you know."

"I know." I felt that warm feeling in my stomach I got when I thought about him, spinning the locket necklace. "Thank you." I smiled, feeling like I just made a new friend.

"You're welcome." She said turning to leave when she hesitated. "Valerian root tea, twice a day, it'll help you relax."

"Thanks, JJ." I whisper, she walked over, giving me a hug. I was stunned at first but quickly reciprocated. We broke, and she walked through the doors, throwing back a small wave. I looked down at my clipboard, back to my file when I noticed something that I missed the first time.

"Oh shit." I whispered, making my way to the sixth floor.

I got through the door of the briefing room.

"Guys, I found something. Check the toxicology report I just sent out. The first victim Chelsea Gatten, had OxyContin in her system, victim two Jessica Riley had hydrocodone, but Emma Dade had Oxymorphone. That stuff is ten times more potent than morphine. And each screening shows that the doses went up drastically every time."

"He's escalating."

"I think he's focused on the cause of death being opioid related." I added.

"He likely had some kind of past trauma linking to opioids." Rossi raised an eyebrow.

"This level of Oxymorphone isn't prescribed, so you're looking for someone with a license." I felt confident in my findings, feeling the read of the room. "I think the unsub is a doctor or physician."

"That would stay true to the profile. Educated, egotistical, low risk, upper class, knowledge of narcotics." Spencer spoke, his chin rested elegantly against his hand.

"Excellent work, Quinn." Hotch honored. I couldn't hide my smile. "Let's deliver the profile," he said dispersing the team. I lock eyes with Spencer, beaming at me proudly when I caught of glimpse of JJ in the background, giving me a sly look. I knew what she was was hinting at. I look back to Spencer, who stood walking to me.

"You may have just saved us a days worth of work in just 15.8 seconds." He huffed through his nose. I loved that. "You feeling okay?" He asked looming over me, his eyes met mine as I stepping into him.

"I am, thanks to you." I pressed myself into his jacket, straightening his tie. He turned over himself but I felt him shift, looking down at me.

"I didn't do anything."

"You're you, that's all I need." I reminded, landing a quick kiss on his cheek. I watch his face blush looking around to see if anyone saw.

"I'm proud of you, Nessa. You worked really hard to get control of this, you never gave up, and you always keep going." He said glancing down, my heart skipped a beat. I turned, walking with him, arm in arm.

"I couldn't have done it without you."

"You would have. You're strong." I stopped, turning to him again.

"I'm serious," I got closer. "Other than Allison, you're the only person who's ever looked at me like I was worth something. You gave me the chance to be this better person." His puppy dog eyes welled. "I couldn't have done this without you." I repeated, moving my arm back into his, walking down the railings steps. "You gave me the strength to get up and conquer every day." He looked at the floor. "And once again, you've single handedly saved my life." I nudged him with my shoulder, earning an embarrassed grin. "I'm so thankful for you." I was lost in him. "In fact, I wanna show you how thankful I am." He looked down, looking at me skeptically. "Come by later tonight, around nine."

"I'll be there." I smile, my chest fluttering. The elevator dinged, and the rest of the team got into it. I looked to Spencer taking in a breath but before I could make a sound, he spoke first.

"I love you too." He said, kissing me on the cheek, before hurrying into the elevator, smiling to himself as the doors closed.