The Darkest Nights

(Spencer James Rossi 2)

Summary: Dr Spencer Rossi, 19, has just completed his psychology doctorate, his third in total, and his father couldn't be happier. But Spencer – with help from Gideon – is determined to join the BAU. Dave knows he can't stop his son, but that doesn't mean he has to like it. What follows are some of the darkest nights Spencer will ever face.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

AN: This is an 11 years/ 9 series compilation, ending with Demons. I haven't seen the finale yet, but I do know that Reid gets shot, so that's why I will end it there. Demons and the aftermath will be the sequel. If you want to know how Rossi came to adopt Spencer, I'm working on SJR 1 alongside this fic. It is entitled The Longest Winter.

Chapter One:

David Rossi couldn't be prouder. His son, at only 19 years of age, had just completed his third doctorate.

Once again, Dr Spencer James Rossi, a provable genius with an IQ of 187, had proven everyone wrong and come out on top. Just as he'd done since he was a baby.

When Rossi had first adopted Spencer, people had denied his child's intellect. Then, even when Spencer's genius had been proven, they'd denied his ability.

Some didn't believe that an adopted child with an occasionally absentee father could make anything of himself, regardless of intellect. Others simply couldn't be bothered to keep up with Spencer, and simply placed him with others far below his boy's intelligence.

Still, Spencer had proved them all wrong when he'd graduated high school at the age of twelve, gaining his first doctorate in Engineering at 15.

Not that the boy cared. He never had done. All Spencer wanted to do was his best, and the only person's opinion he cared about was his father's.

Dave was never anything but proud.

Still, David Rossi was also angry, though not at Spencer.

Dave's old colleague, Jason Gideon, was trying to recruit Spencer into the BAU and Dave didn't like it one bit.

He knew he didn't really have a choice. Spencer was an adult and free to make his own decisions, whatever they may be. Dave knew that Spencer, with a doctorate in psychology now, wanted to be a profiler.

Hell, the kid had been obsessed with Dave's (former) job since he was six.

Dave simply didn't want his baby boy getting hurt.

Spencer had had his fare share of injuries when he was younger, and Dave was certainly used to treating the bumps and 'owies'. He'd never forget rushing a seven year old Spencer into the ER with a spiking fever, finding out his baby had somehow contracted meningitis. The weeks that followed were some of the worst Dave had ever experienced, even in his time at the BAU. Sitting at Spencer's bedside, barely moving, night after night, had taken its toll on the aging profiler. Even more so with the fact that Spencer hadn't even twitched for the first two weeks. When Dave was finally able to take his son home, he hadn't let go of him for a week. Spencer had quickly learnt the true meaning of the word 'smothering' (The dictionary version he knew at 2).

Then there had been broken bones, the flu, bad sunburn…

You name it, Spencer had it. The kid was a walking trouble magnet.

Hence why Dave was so worried.

It wasn't just the physical torture one could endure at the hands of an Unsub, but the mental torture too. Dave knew Spencer was intellectually gifted, but socially the boy was stunted.

Dave had tried everything to get Spencer to join in sports teams or other societies when he was younger, and had succeded only with debate club. That had lasted all of two weeks.

So while Dave knew that Spencer could handle the job itself, he wasn't so sure Spencer could handle the pressures that came with it.

Which is why he was now in Jason's office, trying desperately to stop his face turning beetroot red.

"I know it's Spencer's choice Jason, but you've been pushing him towards it since he was fourteen."

Gideon gave a soft sigh, pushing aside the paperwork he'd been working on. "Dave… Spencer is a grown man. I can't make him do something."

"You're still whispering in his ear Jason!" Dave groaned. His face was lined with stress as well as age, and Gideon frowned.

"I know why you're worried Dave, but you know deep down this isn't about me. You know Spencer has always made his own choices. That's one of the things that makes him so special."

Dave's eyes were on the floor, fingertips gently rubbing his temples. "I know. I just… I don't want to watch him go to work and then find out he isn't coming home…"

"That isn't going to happen." A young voice proclaimed.

Both profilers turned to the door, shocked to see one Dr Spencer Rossi leaning against the frame.

The young man had a small smile on his face however, which Dave was thankful of. It told him Spencer wasn't angry that he'd met with Jason.

"I might not be the most athletic person in the world Dad, but I can take care of myself. I know Gideon and Hotch will watch out for me too, right?"

Jason nodded immediately, smiling at Dave. "I'm not going to let anything happen to him Dave. I promise you that."

"You better." Dave replied, a smile gracing his features now. The lines beneath his eyes had eased now, and his complexion had paled. "I know where you live."

Jason had to laugh, as did Spencer. David Rossi may make threats, but they both knew he was just a sweet teddy bear.

After all, who else would raise a child not their own?

Though all three knew that, in every way that mattered, Spencer was Dave's son.

"You need to co-sign as I'm under 21."

It was later that night, and the two Rossi's were back home, the younger sat at the dining room table with a stack of papers in his hands.

The smell of lasagne hung in the air, and both men were stuffed after eating their fill of the dish, made with Spencer's home-made spaghetti. At 19, he could cook just as well as his old man, if not better.

The papers were his application to the FBI Academy, and they were the reason he'd been at the BAU that afternoon. He'd needed a recommendation, and had gone straight to Gideon.

The eldest Rossi seemed hesitant to sign, even though he'd made peace with Spencer's decision earlier.

He felt almost as if he was signing away his son's life, even though he knew that was completely irrational.

Spencer seemed to sense this, and gave his father a light smile. "I'll be fine Dad. I promise."

Dave returned the smile with a light sigh. "I am allowed to worry about you."

To his surprise, Spencer just laughed. "I'd be worried if you didn't worry. But at the same time, I'm not a child anymore Dad."

"I know that." Rossi replied, putting the pen back down. If he gripped it any tighter it would break. "I just… Do you remember when you got meningitis?"

"Eidetic memory." Spencer replied, though it was without his usual sarcastic grin. He seemed thoughtful, sad. "Yeah. I remember being so scared, and then waking up with you gripping my hand so tight. I remember the first thing you said to me was 'Hey Cap' because I'd been reading all of those Captain America comics, and it was like when he woke up from the ice."

Dave could hear the emotions in his son's voice, and that only proved his point. "Clearly you're not keen on reliving that again, and neither am I. So you can understand my worry."

"Of course I do." Spencer let out a soft sigh and hugged his dad tightly. "Of course I do. But you know as well as I do that no job is truly safe from the horrors of this world. No matter what I do, I could always be put in danger. At least this way, I'm preventing some of it too."

"I know." Dave forced a smile as he hugged his son back just as tight. "Which is why I've made peace with your choice. I don't like it, but I'll accept it." Pulling away slightly, he scribbled on the dotted line.

Spencer grinned, hugging Dave tightly again once more. "Thanks Dad."

"Anytime kiddo."

Right at that second, Spencer Rossi didn't think he could be any happier.

Little did he know that 11 years from now, he'd be looking back at this day as the last one where he felt any semblance of peace.