Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds.
A/N: Shout out to fishtrek, jenny crum, Daisyangel, and criminalmindsrocks.
This chapter starts on March 11th of 2007 (even though Fear & Loathing aired during the week of Valentine's Day, Spencer still needed a few weeks off to recover from the Hankel case). Spencer has gotten the all clear to return to work even though he's wearing a walking cast for this chapter and the next one. The case that happens in this chapter is the one in Fear & Loathing, but I decided that this story will focus on Spencer interacting with Emily and his teammates and include the episodes.
Spencer and Emily just finished eating dinner at a romantic restaurant when Emily looked at Spencer's left foot that still contained a walking boot before looking up at Spencer who was wearing a nice suit.
"Are you up to go for a short walk?" asked Emily.
"I think so," said Spencer as he flagged the waiter down and passed him the bill and credit card.
After the waiter walked away, Emily looked at Spencer.
"We could have split the bill," said Emily.
"I know, but my mom told me that a gentleman should be chivalrous by paying for the meal when he takes a lady on their first date," said Spencer.
Emily laughed as she thought about how Spencer opened up doors for her while he also pulled out her chair before she could pull out her chair.
"Your mother raised you well because you've been treating me much better than the jerks I dated in the past," said Emily just as the waiter came back with Spencer's credit card.
A half-hour later Spencer and Emily were walking hand in hand along the Reflecting Pool that led them to the Lincoln Memorial when Spencer looked at Emily.
"Since you lived all over the world, which country would you like to travel to again?" asked Spencer.
Emily smiled.
"Paris, France," said Emily.
Spencer smiled a little bit.
"Even though my mom is a bad fan of flying, she wants to go there someday," said Spencer.
"Have you ever traveled outside of the United States?" asked Emily.
"I did go to Mexico for a case once," said Spencer.
"I meant traveling out of the country for leisure purposes," said Emily.
"I never been outside of the country for leisure purposes," said Spencer.
"Maybe the next time we get vacation time, we go on an overseas vacation together," said Emily.
Spencer smiled a bit.
"That would be great because I would love to see the places where you lived," said Spencer before they walked towards the Lincoln Memorial, "Did you know that architect Henry Bacon and sculptor Daniel Chester French were the ones to design the Lincoln Memorial while it took four years for the Piccirilli Brothers to carve the statue of Lincoln under the supervision of Daniel Chester French?" asked Spencer.
"No I did not," said Emily before smiling a bit, "Know any other facts about The Lincoln Memorial?" asked Emily.
Spencer nodded.
"The 36 columns that hold up the roof of the memorial represent the states of the Union at the time of Lincoln's death while the 48 stone festoons above the columns represent the 48 of this country when this memorial was finished in 1922," said Spencer.
"By 48 states, I doubt that Alaska and Hawaii are the two states that weren't represented because they didn't become states until 1959," said Emily.
Spencer nodded.
"Exactly, and Warren G. Harding was president when this memorial was finished," said Spencer.
Emily nodded before turning around to look at the Washington Monument.
"Have you ever been to the top of the Washington Monument yet?" asked Emily.
Spencer nodded.
"I have," said Spencer.
"If we don't have a case next weekend, we should go to the top," said Emily.
Spencer nodded.
"We should because the view from the top is amazing even though you can feel the monument sway a bit," said Spencer.
"I know the feeling about the monument swaying, but I agree that the view is amazing," said Emily as Spencer yawned a bit, "As much as I want our first date to last longer, we should get going since we go back to work tomorrow," said Emily.
Spencer lightly smirked.
"Should we continue our talk about Kurt Vonnegut on our way home?" asked Spencer.
"Even though you prefer Sherlock Holmes and medieval literature?" asked Emily.
"I don't care because my mom made me love reading," said Spencer as they continued their discussion about Kurt Vonnegut.
The next morning, Spencer headed up to Hotch's office and knocked on the closed door.
"Come in," said Hotch.
Spencer entered Hotch's office and shut the door causing Hotch to close the reports he received from Dr. Merrill.
"I was just about to call you up here," said Hotch.
"I figured that you were because of what happened with Elle, you would make some changes for my first day back," said Spencer.
Hotch nodded as he gestured to the walking cast on Spencer's left foot.
"Even though you've been cleared to fly, you'll be station bound while not being allowed to participate in any raids until that cast is gone," said Hotch.
Spencer nodded as he thought about his doctor telling him not to participate in any raids until his foot is healed.
"If you have any symptoms of PTSD showing up, please don't be afraid to talk to me," said Hotch.
Spencer nodded.
"Emily said the same thing," said Spencer.
"Good," said Hotch before looking into Spencer's eyes, "Have you moved out of Prentiss's apartment yet?" asked Hotch.
Spencer shook his head.
"Emily wants me to stay with her for a few more weeks," said Spencer.
Hotch nodded.
"If you ever want to give Prentiss a break for a night, Haley's and my guest bedroom is always open," said Hotch.
"Would Haley mind?" asked Spencer.
Hotch shook his head.
"She's been worried for you since your abduction," said Hotch.
Spencer quickly thought about coffee.
"I need to get some coffee before Emily tries to limit my coffee intake here too," said Spencer.
"Prentiss has been limiting your coffee intake?" asked Hotch.
"I told Emily that my mom commented about me being so skinny because of all the coffee I drinks, so she decided to limit my coffee intake and limit the amount of sugar I consume so I can gain some weight before we're both ready for her to meet my mom," said Spencer.
Hotch shook his head as his lips twitched upwards.
"Prentiss is definitely going to be a good influence on you," said Hotch.
A few minutes later Spencer was fixing himself some coffee as he inwardly smirked as he listened to Emily tell Morgan about the conversation they had about "Kilgore Trout" during their first date without revealing his name since they weren't ready to reveal that they just started dating.
A few hours later Spencer was fixing himself some coffee at the police station in Westchester County when Emily approached him.
"How are you doing?" asked Emily quietly.
"I had a bunch of flashbacks that dealt with my abduction and torture since briefing," said Spencer softly.
Emily rested a gentle hand on Spencer's shoulder.
"We were both warned that you will deal with flashbacks for a while," said Emily just as Hotch approached them.
"Is everything OK?" asked Hotch.
Spencer sighed.
"I've been having some flashbacks," said Spencer.
"Did you tell Dr. Merrill during your mandatory phone call earlier?" asked Hotch.
Spencer nodded.
"I did and she told me that having flashbacks after a traumatic event is normal," said Spencer.
Hotch nodded before looking at Spencer.
"When we go to the hotel in a few, you'll room with me," said Hotch.
Spencer nodded as he thought about the nightmares he had dealt with even though he rarely had nightmares when Emily slept with him.
Spencer woke up to Hotch shaking him while calling out his name and as soon as he had his glasses on he looked at his boss.
"I had a nightmare?" asked Spencer.
Hotch nodded.
"You did," said Hotch.
Spencer sighed before looking at his unit chief.
"Do you think I'll be strong enough to get through the PTSD?" asked Spencer.
Hotch nodded.
"You're one of the strongest people I know since you were able to save yourself from Hankel by killing him before the rest of the team and I could rescue you. You also proved that you're strong enough to accept the help you were offered to help you recover while you chose to return to work," said Hotch before looking into Spencer's eyes, "Even though you might be worried that the flashbacks are affecting you from doing your job right now, just remember that everything will be better within the next few weeks," said Hotch.
"I hope so," said Spencer before yawning.
"Do you think that you can get some more sleep now?" asked Hotch.
Spencer nodded.
"I think so," said Spencer.
A few minutes later Spencer fell asleep in his hotel bed while Hotch sent Emily a text message.
REID HAD A NIGHTMARE AND I TALKED TO HIM ABOUT IT. HE'S ASLEEP AGAIN, AND I'LL LET YOU KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY MORE PROBLEMS. ~ AH
A few seconds later Hotch's phone vibrated.
THANK YOU FOR LETTING ME KNOW AND PLEASE KEEP AN EYE ON HIM. I WOULD SHARE A HOTEL ROOM IF I COULD, BUT I KNOW THAT ITS AGAINST REGULATIONS RIGHT NOW. ~ EP
After watching Spencer sleep for a few more minutes, Hotch was allowing himself to get some sleep.
A few days later, Spencer and Emily were riding back to the B.A.U. together when Spencer looked at Emily.
"Am I going to need to be worried about you and Morgan?" asked Spencer.
"When it came to our conversations about Kurt Vonnegut before briefing and during the flight home?" asked Emily.
Spencer nodded.
"Yes," said Spencer.
"I'm not going to leave you for Morgan since you're more my type than him, and what did you and Morgan talk about during the flight home?" asked Emily.
"I told him about my flashbacks," said Spencer as he repeated his conversation.
When Spencer was done, Emily looked at him.
"He's right that you should use this experience to become a better profiler," said Emily.
Spencer nodded.
"I know," said Spencer before looking at the entrance, "Should we go inside and get our paperwork done so I can make us tacos for dinner tonight?" asked Spencer.
Emily nodded.
"Let's go," said Emily.
Two hours later Spencer was packing up his messenger bag when his cell phone beeped causing him to see a text message from Emily.
JUST HAVE TO USE THE RESTROOM AND THEN I'LL BE READY FOR US TO GO HOME. ~ ER
Spencer slipped his phone into his pocket as he watched Emily head to the restroom as he pulled on his military-style navy blue pea coat and headed to the elevators just as JJ approached him.
"Can I please talk to you Spence?" asked JJ.
Spencer noted the tone of JJ's voice.
"Is everything OK?" asked Spencer.
JJ twirled some of her hair with her fingers as she looked at Spencer.
"The Hankel case made me realize that I'm in love with you and I regret bringing Garcia along on that date that Gideon set us up on," said JJ as Spencer opened up his mouth as she decided to continue talking, "I chose to give you your space so you can recover, but since you're back at work would you like to go on a date with me this evening?" asked JJ.
Spencer looked into JJ's eyes.
"I let my crush go away after you hurt me by bringing Garcia along to the Redskins game, so I'm sorry that I have to say no," said Spencer before walking away.
A/N: I'm ending this chapter here and Spencer will tell Emily about JJ's confession in the next chapter. When it comes to Spencer mentioning about feeling the Washington Monument sway, feeling the monument sway does happen because I went to the top of the monument on April 9th of 2009 and I felt the monument sway a bit.