After everyone was cleared from the hospital the team boarded the jet for the flight home. Spencer settled in at the back of the plane to read, while everyone else found a place to curl up and sleep. The stress, fear, and exhaustion had caught up with them all.
Spencer was engrossed in his story, when he saw Emily stepping out from the kitchenette. She gave him a small smile before she sat down across from him. He tried to avoid looking at her because seeing her wounds was a stab to his heart.
"Hey," she said.
"Hey," he said in return, still not looking at her.
Emily caught him off guard when she reached across the table and took the book out of his hand. Spencer looked at her quizzically as she placed the book down on the table.
"What Cyrus did to me, was not your fault … and I would do it again," she said.
Spencer looked down at his hands. Emily slid her own hand across the table and grabbed ahold of his. "Do you hear me?" she asked.
Spencer chewed on his bottom lip, thinking about what she was saying. He held her hand tightly, enjoying the feeling of her soft hand in his. He rubbed his thumb over her hand as a smile crossed his lips. Emily smiled back at him. She let out a yawn as her pain medicine started to kick in.
"You should go lay down," Spencer said, forgetting they were still holding hands.
"I want to, but I don't know if I can," she said frowning.
He knew that she was still reliving the past three days over and over in her mind. He knew this, because he was suffering from the same thing. It's why he wasn't asleep like everyone else.
"It's also hard to get comfortable with broken ribs," Emily frowned as she tried to find a comfortable position.
"I know the feeling," he said as he placed his free hand on his broken rib.
Emily nodded and pulled her hand from his, when she realized they were still holding hands. Spencer saw Emily blush and he found himself wanting to hold her. He wasn't sure what was going on, but ever since he realized Emily's love for him, he couldn't stop thinking about her.
"Why … why don't you … umm, come sit with me? I can read to you," he suggested shyly.
A small smile crossed Emily's lips as she stood up and moved to sit next to him. She sat down and leaned against his shoulder as he picked up his book and began reading softly to her. Within five minutes of him reading, he felt her grow heavier and her head dropped onto his shoulder.
He glanced at her and saw that she had fallen asleep. Spencer placed the book back down and adjusted himself so he could hold her in his arms, without hurting his ribs or her wounds. As he held her, he felt his heart skip a beat. Could he be falling for her too?
(xxxxx)
Spencer and Emily jolted awake when the plane hit the tarmac. They looked around nervously, but everyone seemed to be waking up from their own slumber and unaware of their closeness. Emily walked off without a word to grab her bag, while Spencer opened his bag to shove his book inside. By the time he had gathered his things and stood up, he and Emily were the last two getting off the plane.
Outside it was dark, but the gentle glow of the tarmac lights lit the way. Emily was climbing down the stairs as Garcia ran to give Derek a hug and Luke a playful slap on the arm. She smiled at the budding romance between the two of them. She was glad Penelope finally seemed to find a man she deserved.
"Are you going to be alright?" Spencer asked Emily, breaking her thoughts.
She turned to face him. He was staring intently at her and it made her heart flutter. She opened her mouth to respond, but was interrupted by that horrible shrill voice.
"Spencer, baby! Oh my gosh, I was so worried about you!"
Spencer and Emily turned to see Lacy running towards them. Emily felt her smile drop as Lacy plowed past her and into Spencer's arms. Though, she saw him hesitate at hugging her back and winced as she pressed against his chest.
"Ouch, be careful," he said a bit sharply.
"Oh, I'm sorry," she apologized before gently wrapping her arms around his neck again.
Spencer looked at Emily, who was watching him with sad eyes. She mouthed goodnight and walked off toward her waiting car. She couldn't wait to get out of there and get home. Spencer wanted to push Lacy aside and run after Emily, but he didn't. He just walked off in silence toward Lacy's car with his head down as she rambled about how worried she was.
(xxxxx)
Spencer unlocked the door to his apartment and stepped inside. He walked off grumpily toward his bedroom as Lacy continued to follow him and talk. She hadn't shut up the entire way home. He wasn't even sure half of what she said. All he knew was she was suddenly very annoying to him.
He tossed his go bag on the floor and sat down on the bed to take off his shoes. Lacy climbed on the bed from behind him and began rubbing his shoulders. He felt her lips on his neck.
"Not tonight," he said as he tried to shrug her off.
"But I missed you," she purred behind him.
"Lacy, I have a broken rib, my knee is acting up, and I'm exhausted. I don't want to have sex tonight," he said standing up and walking off toward the bathroom.
He began to tug off his tie when she appeared behind him. She had a pouty face plastered on and he didn't find it sweet or attractive. It was actually pathetic and irritating.
"Don't you like me anymore?" she said in a pretend hurt voice.
"Lacy, don't try to manipulate me. Not after what I've been through," he sighed.
"What you've been through? How about me, Spencer? I'm left at home for three days wondering if my boyfriend is dead or alive. How do you think I feel? You are so self-centered!" she said angrily as she stormed back into the bedroom.
"I'm self-centered? Are you …" he stopped to laugh incredulously. "Are you fucking kidding me? I have been stuck in a hostage situation for three days. I had a gun pointed at my face and was threatened to be killed. Thank God Emily risked her life or I would be dead," he began.
"Oh, so this is about Emily? She risked her life for you, so now you want to fuck her? You're just going to leave me for her?" Lacy snapped.
"Do you even hear yourself when you speak? This isn't about Emily and this most certainly isn't about you. It's about me! It's about the traumatic event I have suffered and how I just want to come home and try to forget how I was almost killed, but have to deal with my self-absorbed girlfriend throwing a hissy fit cause she can't get what she wants!" he shouted.
Lacy stepped back in surprise. She had never seen Spencer get this angry or stand up for himself. She, suddenly, grinned and moved toward him.
"God, it's so sexy when you get riled up," she said running her hand up his chest.
"Wow, I … oh wow … ok, I need to go. I need some fresh air," he said stunned by her reaction.
He grabbed his wallet and shoved his feet back into his converse shoes.
"What? Don't go!" Lacy pleaded as he walked towards the front door.
"You can stay if you'd like, especially since it's so late, but I won't be back tonight. I'm going to go stay with Derek. Please see yourself out before I come home tomorrow. I need some time to think about this relationship," Spencer said as he opened the door and tried to walk away.
Lacy chased after him, now sobbing.
"Spencer, please I'm sorry. Just come back inside baby. I'll let you sleep. I'll leave you alone," she cried.
"It's too late. I need to cool off," he said as he went down the stairs.
Lacy stopped at the top of the stairs crying hysterically as he continued down toward the lobby.
(xxxxx)
Emily just finished getting ready for bed and sat down on the couch with Sergio.
"Alright, Serge, what should we watch tonight? A sitcom rerun? A talk show? Documentary?" she asked the cat purring on her lap.
Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on her door. It was too late for a visitor. She slowly got up and walked down the narrow hallway. She peered through the peephole and was stunned to see Spencer pacing in front of her door. She unlocked it quickly and swung the door open.
"Spence, are you …" she started but couldn't finish her sentence.
"I'm sorry, I just … I was going to go to Morgan's, but my mind is all over the place and I know it's late, but I just really needed to see you," he started rambling.
"Spencer, calm down. It's ok. I was just about to watch TV. Come in," she assured him.
Stepping aside, she held her arm out so he would come all the way in. He hesitated a moment, but finally crossed into her apartment, allowing her to shut the door. He nervously shoved his hands into his pockets as he followed her into the living room. She turned to face him.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
"Yes … no … I don't know," he said running a hand through his short messy hair.
"Do you want to talk about it?" Emily offered.
"Do you like me?" he asked suddenly, causing her jaw to drop a little. "Like more than co-workers or friends." He clarified, though she already knew that's what he meant.
She stared at him wide-eyed and hesitated. She wasn't sure how to express her feelings for him. Especially since he was with Lacy. She didn't know what to say and couldn't seem to find the words, so she reluctantly nodded her head.
"Why now? Why after all this time?" he asked, as if almost upset with her.
"I … I don't know. I can't answer that," she said softly.
"You risked your life for me," he said scrunching his face up in confusion.
"He would have killed you if I hadn't," she replied instantly.
"He could have killed you too!" Spencer said back.
"Yes, but he didn't," she said shrugging her shoulders.
"Why would you do that for me?" he asked.
"Spencer …"
"Why, Emily? I need to know why you gave up your safety to protect me?" he said staring at her intensely.
It was like his eyes were burning through to her soul. She wanted to make up something. Something that sounded like it was just her job, but she couldn't. She couldn't lie to him about something so important.
"Because I'd rather die than live without you," she said barely above a whisper. "Because even if you don't reciprocate, I love you and knowing you are safe and happy is enough for me."
Spencer looked down at his feet trying to control his emotions. Emily stepped forward and tried to reach for him.
"Spence, it's ok. I know you don't feel the same way and there is no pressure to," she said making his head snap up to look at her.
Without another word, Spencer pulled Emily into his body and kissed her. It was full of desperation and hunger. His lips moved against hers as if it were keeping him alive. Forgetting about her injuries, he got a little too rough, making her gasp in pain. He immediately stopped.
"I'm sorry, I forgot, I'm sorry," he apologized.
"It's ok, I know you didn't mean to and God knows I don't want to stop, but I think we need to," she said frowning. "We've been through something very traumatic and I don't want to do anything on impulse."
He leaned forward and gently kissed her. She was so different than Lacy. So considerate and so selfless.
"You're right," he said, though his tight pants disagreed.
He stepped back as if he was ready to leave.
"You could stay tonight … if you wanted," she said.
He saw the fear of rejection in her eyes. He lifted his hand and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
"There's nothing I want more," he said giving her another quick kiss.
Emily took his hand and led him to the bedroom, where they spent the night holding each other.
