"...So I am having serious issues with remembering this story exists. Sorry folks'! R&R...? Bachelor/Bachelorette party! YAY!..BTW, never heard of the song 'Climb' but the lyrics seemed to fit..."

10 Moments Left-Chapter 8

Climb

Abby giggled as she rejoined the group of women sitting at a table in the middle of the club. She held two trays of beer and wine as she maneuvered her way around the place, trying her best not to spill any of the cold liquid inside the glasses. The girls hollered as she came into sight, cheering her on as she placed the glasses on the table.

"This round' on the house." Abby said, smiling as she sat down opposite of Garcia.

"That was nice of them." Prentiss said.

"Well, I think they can afford to give out a free round considering all the alcohol we've consumed tonight." Ziva commented as she reached for a glass.

"Psh, that's for sure." Garcia mumbled. "Not that's I'm complaining, though."

"True-that." JJ said, raising her up in the air. "A toast!" With that, the women at the table raised their glasses high. "To Abby and Spence!"

"To Abby and Spence." they repeated. Then, they clinked their glasses and took their shots.

"You know, he's never been happier than when he's been with you." Garcia said, practically shouting over the music.

"And I think the same goes for you as well." Ziva added.

"I really do love him." Abby sighed. "He's just so...perfect for me."

"Aw...puppy love." Garcia cooed. The rest of the girls laughed at that, all of them thinking about a comment Garcia had made about Reid's puppy-like qualities.

"The good thing about being with Reid is you'll be the one wearing the figurative pants in the relationship. Poor little Spencer's just a shy little boy- there's no way he's the dominant partner." Prentiss said.

"Well, he may be a shy little boy, but he does have some kick to him." Abby argued. "Although, I do have to agree with you. I don't think he'll be the 'dominant partner', as Prentiss said, in our relationship. He's a sweet guy, but he doesn't give commands well."

"Are you speaking from experience?" Ziva smirked.

"You could say that." Abby said, raising her eyebrows in a suggestive manner.

"This is definitely going to be a good night." Prentiss laughed.

"I have no doubt about that." JJ smiled...

Despite the long and well-thought out excuses as to why he shouldn't have a bachelor party, Spencer Reid found himself sitting down in a bar booth with an untouched beer glass in front of him, frowning as the men around him laughed loudly and drunkenly.

"Come on Reid, lighten up!" Morgan said, clasping a hand on his friend's back.

"I'll lighten up when you let me leave." Reid mumbled.

"Oh, don't be a part pooper! I mean, it's our party!" Tony commented.

"I beg to differ." Reid responded.

"Hey, leave him alone." Hotch warned. "This is what you get for waking all of us up at this godforsaken hour and dragging us to a bar."

"Well, someone's a bit cranky." Rossi smirked.

"I blame Morgan." Hotch said. "And I'm pretty sure Reid does too."

"If you're having such a bad time, why don't you take him and go home?" Morgan finally said.

"Good suggestion." Reid said, earning a nod from Hotch.

"Wanna go?" he asked.

"Of course."

Reid and Hotch stood up, both of them more than ready to leave the 'party'.

"Losers!" someone shouted, although neither Reid or Hotch could figure out who. They both ignored it and left the bar, both men looking tired and unamused...

"So, are you excited for tomorrow?" Hotch asked as he drove himself and Spencer home.

"Don't you mean later today?" he muttered.

"Right." Hotch sighed.

"And yes, I am excited...but I'm also terrified." Reid said, adding a humorless laugh at the end.

"I felt the same way. It only gets worse as you wait for her to walk up to the alter. But, as soon as you see her in her wedding dress, tears in her eyes, all that goes away. Things get better after that." Hotch reassured.

"Speaking from experience, I suppose?" Reid guessed.

"Yeah, you could say that." Hotch smiled. "You might fight with her, and there might be time where you think that marriage was a mistake, but fights end, and so do doubts. Rough patches end, and they'll only make you stronger."

"You know, Gideon said the same thing to me my first day at the BAU. Er, not about marriage, I mean."

"Yeah, I figured as much." Hotch smiled, something that used to be a rare occurrence but had increased throughout the years. Reid smiled back tiredly before staring out the window again, trying to calm his nerves but with little prevail.

"Do you want to stay at my place for the night? It may help distract you from thinking about tomorrow." Hotch offered. Reid turned back to smile at him, nodding his head all the while.

"Yeah, I think that may be best." Reid replied. Hotch nodded as he turned down his street, glad that Reid had taken him up on his offer. He remembered the day before his own wedding; he was a nervous wreck and was up all night trying to convince himself that he was making the right decision. He had wished someone would come and try to calm him down, and he didn't want Reid to be alone like he had.

"Thanks, Hotch." Reid said with a small smile.

"No problem, Reid. I'm just glad that I can help."

Hotch and Reid walked up the Hotchner household, an eager-looking Jack waiting with a smile at the doorstep. "Uncle Spencer!" he squealed, jumping up on the young man as he entered the house.

"Hey Jack." Reid smiled. "What are you doing up at 3am?"

"Waiting..."

"How did you know we were coming?" Hotch asked.

"Because I told him." Abby said as she left the kitchen. Reid smiled as he watched his fiancee pick Jack up and hand him to Hotch. "Hey Spencer." she greeted, giving him a quick kiss.

"I take it you've meant Abby, too?" Jack asked, if he was talking to Reid or Hotch, Abby would never know.

"They've both met me before." Abby smiled, quietly correcting the boy, even if he didn't notice.

"Come on, let's go to the living room." Hotch suggested. Everyone nodded and followed Hotch into the living room, laughing as Jack attached himself to Reid's leg...

'Yeah, everything was going to work out...'

"...Up next, the wedding! Hope you guys like it! Only two chaps left...R&R?..."