A/N There is a link in my Bio which will take you to a picture of the house they have bought. I'd like to live there too! (Preferably while they're still living there!)

Chapter 2

The Book

Aaron had to be in work early the next day, but Spence didn't have to go in. Aaron brought him his morning coffee, and sat on the bed.

"So what are your plans for the day, Spencey?"

"I thought I'd sort out my books. They are all muddled up, and I need to arrange them in some kind of order." He sipped his thick sweet coffee. "It'll take most of the day, I think."

The whole of Spencer's life was a muddle. It amused Aaron that the library was so different. He brushed Spencer's hair from his face and said:

"I don't want to go into work. It's all paperwork. So boring!"

"It's a shame you couldn't bring it home. I could do some."

"There is something you could do for me today, Sweets."

"Yeah! What?"

"Would you hang my suits up." Aaron held his suit-of-the-day up so Spencer could see it.

Spencer frowned "Looks ok. What's wrong with it?"

"It's all creased!" Aaron pulled a face. "It looks like an old rag!"

It had been on the floor all night.

"You could always borrow some of my stuff." said Spencer. "They don't need ironing."

"Spence, you're impossible!" Aaron mussed Spencer's hair and took the suit into the bathroom with him, to hang it on the door. The steam would get rid of most of the creases he hoped.

He got in the shower, and started to sing. He jumped as he felt a hand on him.

"You trying to give me a heart attack?"

Spencer stepped in the shower, still in his PJ's.

"Let me wash your hair."

"Get out you idiot." yelled Aaron. "Everything takes twice as long with you here!"

Spencer splashed him playfully. Aaron picked him up round the waist and put him outside the door.

"I'm going to be late!" he laughed. "I was never late before, now I am almost every day!"

"I'll make toast then." said Spencer, grinning. "Can't have the boss being late."

He giggled and ran happily down the stairs. Spencer found it very difficult to be serious when he was so happy. The two of them were so opposite. Spencer made a mental note to try and calm down a bit. He suddenly thought how empty his life would be if Aaron couldn't cope with him, and they split up.

Yes, he would definitely have to try harder.

Aaron came down ten minutes later, all neat and groomed. Spencer desperately wanted to ruffle his hair and hug him, but as he was still wearing wet PJ's he thought maybe not. Aaron sat down in the vast kitchen, and ate toast and drank coffee. He checked the time.

"Got to go, Sweets. I'll call."

Aaron bent forward and gave Spence a little kiss. Spence held onto him and gave him a kiss back.

"Take care, Love."

"You too, Spencey. Enjoy your day in the library!"

Aaron picked up his keys and case, and hurried out.

Spencer's right he thought. I shouldn't make a habit of being late.

He needed to keep the team disciplined, and the only way to do that was by leading from the front. He brushed down his suit, hoping no one else would notice how scruffy it was and he drove away from the house

He hated paperwork days, but then, if that meant there weren't any bad cases they were needed on, he should be grateful.

He switched on the radio for the morning news.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Spencer looked at the plates on the table. Should he tidy up, or go to the library?

No contest.

He quickly changed into sweat pants and ran upstairs.

He spent a happy morning sorting books and just enjoying the solitude.

It wasn't until came back up after going down to get coffee later in the morning, that he noticed it.

It was on the shelf that he had already sorted, and he couldn't remember seeing it before.

Odd

He took the book from the shelf.

'Monique'

Spencer thought hard. He had never seen this book before, certainly never read it.

He opened the book. The paged were thick and rough, the edges of the pages yellow and fragile.

Published in eighteen fifty five.

He took it to his desk and switched on the light.

The inside cover had been inscribed.

'To my Darling. May this book bring you pleasure. Your loving husband'

Spencer was hooked. This was real history. He couldn't understand why he hadn't noticed it before.

He heard the phone ringing downstairs. Aaron said he would call. Spencer didn't move.

He devoured the book. And then he did again. He studied the illustrations. They were wonderful, old, drawn by hand.

Spencer lost count of the number of times he read and re-read the book. He lost all track of time.

He heard the phone ring several more times, but the book mesmerized him. He ignored the phone.

Suddenly, the door opened and Aaron ran into the room.

"Where the hell have you been?" Aaron shouted. "I have been calling you. Didn't you hear? Why didn't you answer?"

Spencer looked up irritably from the book.

"I'm reading. Do you mind?"

Aaron stared at him as if he had smacked his face. He crossed the room to him, and put his hand on the book.

"Spence. I was worried about you."

Spencer pulled the book from under Aaron's hand.

"For heaven's sake, Aaron." Spencer answered angrily. "If I wanted a mother I would have moved back to Nevada!"

Aaron stepped back in shock.

"Spence. What's happened?"

Spencer looked at the book in his hand. Then he looked at Aaron.

"Can I see?"

"Don't you touch it. Don't ever touch it!" Spencer moved the book out of his reach.

Aaron stood, confused and upset.

"I'm sorry I shouted at you, Spence." His voice shaking. "I was worried when you didn't answer the phone."

Spence looked into Aaron's frightened eyes, and he started to cry.

"Uuuh…..Aaron. I'm sorry." He threw the book on the desk as if it had burnt him. "I don't feel too good, Aaron."

Aaron went to pick up the book and decided not to. He would look later.

Spencer stood up and stepped away from the desk, where the book beckoned to him.

"Aaron. I think I'm……" Spencer took a step towards him, and held out his hand. Aaron pulled him towards him and embraced him.

As he lay against Aaron in his arms, he felt tears rolling down his cheeks. He looked up into Aaron's eyes.

"I'm sorry, Aaron. Please help me. I don't feel well."

Spencer's eyes glazed over and he went limp in Aaron's arms.