"Checkmate." – Spencer said proudly, having just won against Gideon for the first time in forever at chess.
"Not bad, Kiddo. Not bad." – The older man praised him, feeling just as proud. The boy was definitely learning to think outside the box and the senior profiler was as happy about it as any father would be. Spencer was his protégé; his son in everything but blood.
They had finished a long and difficult case in San Francisco and were flying back to DC right now. They couldn't wait to get home and sleep in their own beds, hopefully undisturbed for at least 10 hours.
"I'm so tired, I could pass out right now!" – JJ said, yawning.
"I hear you." – Morgan agreed. – "I don't want to get up until at least noon tomorrow."
"Let's hope we won't get a new case right away." – Elle said, voicing everyone's fear. It wouldn't be the first time they had to handle cases back to back.
"We won't." – Hotch assured. – "I requested a week off for all of us, including Garcia. After this last case, we deserve it, and luckily, the director agreed."
Everyone visibly brightened and cheered at the news. Well, everyone but the youngest member.
"Spencer? What's wrong?" – Gideon asked although he already had a fairly good idea what could be the problem. He knew the young man didn't have a family to turn to and didn't really know anyone in DC either, since he didn't make friends easily and had only moved there for the job not so long ago. He probably hadn't even figured out yet where to buy groceries. A week without his team meant seven days being lonely and miserable.
Their youngest profiler just shrugged.
"Nothing."
"Spencer…"
"It's fine, really. I have a couple of new books I've been meaning to read anyway…"
Gideon sighed.
"Two books take about an hour for you."
"I'll read slowly."
"Then an hour and a half."
"I'll read really slowly…"
"Well, I was thinking about inviting you to visit my old friend and colleague, David Rossi. He's an incredible cook and he has an enormous library that would entertain even you for weeks at least. And lots of stories to tell about the time the BAU was called BSU and it only consisted of the two of us. But, of course, if you're too busy, I wouldn't want to disturb your plans…"
A beat and then…
"NO! I'm not too busy!" – Spencer protested. – "Actually, I can read the two books in half an hour if I really want to. Otherwise, I don't have anything planned, so... I'd like to meet Rossi! He's a legend!" – The others snickered while the young man went on, his arms flailing as he was explaining excitedly. – "He's a former U.S. Marine and Vietnam War veteran, and retired with the rank of Sgt. Major! He was at a Recon Division and he even earned a Purple Heart! He's written five books and lectures and he even interviewed Charles Manson and Ted Bundy! Can you believe that?"
The senior profiler chuckled.
"Yes, Kiddo. I can: he's one of my best friends. I know him."
"Oh… yeah… I forgot."
Elle and JJ exchanged amused glances while Morgan gasped in mock-surprise.
"The genius is capable of forgetting? Who would have thought."
"Derek, Rossi is a real star!" – Reid insisted, not getting the sarcasm. – "He's done so much and he's so successful and he's not even that old yet!"
"Spencer: Dave and I are the same age." – Gideon reminded the boy. – "I'd appreciate it if you didn't imply I'm old in any sense."
"Oh, no. I don't think you are." – The boy shook his head. – "Not for all the things you two have already done."
"Make it 'not for anything', Kiddo."
Reid just shrugged. Meanwhile, even Hotch had a hard time keeping his famously straight face from cracking a smile. The kid was just too adorable; so naïve and clueless. Of course, everyone would seem old for him with his barely 21 years.
"So, when can we go and see him?" – The genius positively bounced in his seat.
"Let me talk to him first."
"What, he doesn't even know we're going? What if he's too busy? What if he's not home? What if-"
"Kiddo: calm down. Take a few deep breaths. I told you we'll go and visit him. If I promise you'll meet him then you will, all right?"
"Okay. If you're sure… I'd really like to see his library and hear his stories and-"
"You will."
"Fine. I believe you."
"Thank you."
Soon, they arrived back to HQ, closed the casefile as soon as possible and said their goodbyes to each other.
"See you in a week, guys!" – JJ waved, before disappearing in the elevator, closely followed by Garcia and Elle talking about what they were planning for their unexpected 'vacation'. Morgan was already on the phone with one of his sisters, telling her about how he'd arrive home soon for a few days to surprise their mother.
That left Hotch, Gideon and Spencer in the bullpen.
"That was great of you, Aaron. We really need some time off." – Gideon said truthfully. – "We've had so many gruesome cases lately, we're all exhausted."
"I really don't want the team to burn out. We all need a break sometimes." – Hotch agreed. – "So, when you'll be visiting Dave, tell him hi from me."
"You could come with us. Dave's always liked you very much, I'm sure he'd be happy to meet you."
"I'd like to meet him, too, but I have plans." – Hotch said proudly. – "I'm taking Haley to Hawaii for a second honeymoon."
"Great! Then the two of you have a good time." – The unit chief said goodbye and left as well.
Gideon turned to look for his surrogate son and found him staring at the computer screen in awe.
"Hey, Spencer. What are you doing?" – He asked, already having a good idea.
"I'm looking up everything there is on David Rossi." – Came the instant confirmation. – "Did you know he only wears shoes his own shoemaker makes for him? And that he has a mansion!? Six acres? And-"
"And did you know he's had three wives? All ex-wives now, of course. And his favorite dish is carbonara, I'm guessing that's what he'll prepare for us. And he plays chess, likes cigars and has family in Italy. I know him, Spencer. He's my best friend. Soon, you'll know him, too. Stop looking up trivia and leave something for the personal meeting."
The boy blushed and apologized.
"Sorry… I'm just so excited."
"I know, Kiddo. It's fine. Come on, let's go home. He's expecting us tomorrow for dinner."
"Already tomorrow!"
"Yep."
BAU * BAU * BAU * BAU * BAU * BAU * BAU * BAU * BAU
"It really is a manor!" – Spencer gasped as soon as he spotted David Rossi's house. – "It's huge! And beautiful!"
Gideon who was driving and had, of course, seen his best friend's house at least a thousand times before, just smiled to himself.
Usually, the boy was awkward and shy when meeting new people; it was one of his quirks of many that he just wasn't good with people. But now he was as excited as a little child would be before their first visit to Disneyworld and bouncing in the car so much that the senior profiler was glad he had thought to warn the boy to fasten his seatbelt. Otherwise, he'd have fallen out the window by now or something.
"Spencer, promise me you'll let the man breathe before bombarding him with questions. Please." – He had told Dave about the boy and his friend knew exactly what to prepare for but still… He never gave up hope to teach something new to the young doctor. Like patience, right now.
"Sure…" – As they walked towards the spacious porch, Reid took everything in with an expression of awe. – "Wow, he has a swing bed! And an outdoor BBQ grill!"
"I'm sure he'll let you try both."
"No way! Really? Great!"
Not for the first time, Gideon's heart squeezed painfully at the thought of what a twisted, dull life the boy must have led as a child to be this excited about a simple swing bed. It was as if Reid hadn't started to actually live his life until he joined the FBI about a year ago. It was just depressing.
The young man was still looking around when Gideon knocked on the front door, and he was intently staring at the nearby fishpond when their host opened it and greeted them.
"Jason! Long time no see, my friend! Oh, and this must be the famous Doctor Reid!"
Gideon sighed in relief when, after only a millisecond of hesitation, Spencer took the proffered hand and shook it. Good, they were at least making some headway in the department of social skills. One step at a time.
"How are you, Dave?" – He asked as they were led into the elegant patio. – "It's true we haven't met for ages… I'm sorry, it's my fault. We're so busy…"
"It's okay, Jason, I know what it's like. This is why I retired after all. Are you thinking about giving up your badge and gun in the near future?"
Reid's head whipped toward his mentor so suddenly that Gideon feared the boy's neck would hurt for days to come. He quickly answered in denial before he's get a panic attack right then and there.
"Nah. I still have lot's to do." – Meaning he still had a kid to raise. Luckily, Rossi, like the great profiler he was, seemed to realize his mistake and changed the subject with an apologetic smile.
"So, young man. Tell me about what you think of the FBI and the BAU." – He addressed the boy, trying to distract him from the previous question.
Naturally, it worked.
"Oh, I'm thrilled to be part of it! I can't believe Gideon thought I could do it when I myself wasn't sure. I'm still not sure. But I love it! And everyone is so nice and friendly, it hasn't ever happened to me before, and…" – And he went on and on, giving the ex-profiler the opportunity to observe him. For Rossi, the way the kid talked about his team and the work they were doing told a thousand times more than the words he was actually saying. His eyes sparkled, his hands were flailing around wildly, he smiled and chuckled and was generally just a bubble of untamed energy giving off the impression of a newborn foal hopping around its mother without a care in the world. There was no doubt about it: the kid was happy. – "… and Morgan always wants me to be more normal and tells me all the time how to look less 'geeky' and Hotch is real nice too because he-"
"Spencer. Your food will get cold." – Gideon interrupted him gently, reminding the boy that they had, while he was telling his story, migrated to the dining room to begin dinner. And Gideon had been right: Rossi had indeed prepared his favorite carbonara for them. It looked delicious. – "It's Dave's famous Italian recipe."
"It's also a secret." – The other man winked. – "But I can tell you this: it's the way you cook the spaghetti that does the miracle."
"It's wonderful." – Confirmed Spencer after finally trying it. – "I can't cook to save my life." – He added thoughtfully. – "I don't think anyone would let me near a stove to tell you the truth. I'm a bit clumsy." – He explained and as if to demonstrate his point, the fork slipped out of his hand causing some sauce to splash into his face. – "Oops…"
"No kidding…" – Rossi said, glancing at Gideon who just shrugged, clearly not bothered by the tiny slice of bacon now stuck in the boy's fringes. This sight was nothing new to him.
After dinner, the host gave them a tour around the house, mostly for the youngest profiler's benefit.
"This house is amazing!" – The boy gasped when he saw the biggest of three guest bedrooms. – "It's like a castle."
"Well, it might be amazing, but mostly it's too empty for my taste. So, you're welcome to use this room whenever you want to."
"Really!? I mean: REALLY!?" – Spencer all but shrieked. – "You mean it? You would want me here? Why? I'm too skinny, too weird and-"
"Spencer, just say thank you and let Dave show you the library."
"Thank you! Can we go to the library now? Please?"
Rossi chuckled.
"Sure thing, Kid."
Soon, they stepped into the room that was decorated with red velvet and had shelves from floor to ceiling everywhere. Spencer stood transfixed in the door, staring at the never ending row of books with open mouth.
"This is the Paradise." – He whispered as if afraid to disturb the peace of this sacred place.
The two older men watched the boy's reaction in fascination.
"Would you like to step in, Spencer?" – Rossi nudged the young man gently. – "You can read something, you know."
"You mean… I can touch them!?"
"Of course you can touch them. These are books, not relics."
At that, Spencer disappeared among the shelves faster than they could blink. It was almost as if the kid had teleported.
"I think we've lost him for a while."
"Jesus." – Was all Dave could say, before shaking his head to clear it. – "How about coffee?"
"Great idea."
"Kid, would you like some coffee?" – The ex-profiler shouted into the general direction he'd last seen the boy run but there was no answer. – "Kid?"
"Don't worry about it; we'll try to find him in a few hours."
Together, the two best friends walked out, leaving the youngster to read.
"I can see that you have your hands full, Jason…"
"I'm certainly never bored."