Harper and Gideon both helped Spencer over to the awaiting ambulance. Once they got him there, Harper stayed close by, never leaving Spencer's side. Gideon, however, walked over to Hotch and the rest of the team to take care of a few minor details with the local PD. Spencer was checked over by the paramedics, Harper making some remarks to the paramedics of different wounds that she'd noticed. The paramedics took her considerations into account and finished getting him rehydrated, his head wound cleaned up and a few other problems from the torture fixed up the best they could without going to the hospital.
Pulling Harper to the side one of the paramedics says, "He'll be fine physically within a few days of bed rest but I'd keep a close eye on him", Harper nods and looks back at Spencer as he lay on the stretcher while the other paramedic finishes up.
"Thank you" she says to the paramedic and walks back over to Spencer.
Brushing some hair from his face, "You ready to go home?" she asks him. Spencer nods to her as he starts to get up from the stretcher. Harper smiles at him, only imagining what's going through his brain right now. Probably how she felt when they had rescued her from Hank.
"I'll go let Hotch know you should be good to travel" Harper says.
"Thank you Harper" Spencer says.
"No worries, just stay here for a second" Harper says.
"Alright" Spencer says staying on the stretcher.
Harper walks over to Hotch and the rest of the team, "Harper, is the kid going to be alright?" Morgan asks right away.
"You want my honest opinion? He'll be ok to travel but he's going to need time to heal. His physical trauma aren't all that bad and will taken minimal time to heal but he'll have some emotional scars" Harper says to everyone.
"Once we get back to Quantico, I'll put in some time in for him to take a couple days off" Hotch says.
"Sure, that would be best" Harper says nodding.
"He's going to be ok" Gideon says placing a hand on Hotch's shoulder in reassurance.
"With a family like yours, he'll have nothing to worry about in the long run" Harper says smiling at the team.
"So how are you and the kid doing?" Morgan asks.
"Only time will tell, especially after we've actually had time to talk. Traumas like these can usually be hard on relationships, however, we now share a similar experience" Harper says not wanting to bring up Hank.
"I'm sure everything will be fine. Spence couldn't stop talking about you before all this" JJ says noticing the girl tense.
"Really?" Harper asks surprised.
"Yeah, I'm glad you to have each other" JJ says with a small smile.
"Same here" Emily says. Harper relaxes and looks over at Spencer.
"Well, lets get out of here" JJ says.
"I agree" Hotch says.
"Yeah, let's get home" Harper says walking over to where she just came from, to help Spencer to the SUVs.
"I hope they are both ok" Emily says sighing after her daughter.
"They will be, they were practically made for each other" Gideon says looking at the young couple talking to each other. The rest of the team nods in agreement. Spencer finishes completely with the paramedics just as Harper gets back over to where he is.
"Hotch says he'll clear some time off for you" she says standing next to him.
"Thank you" Spencer says grabbing her hand.
"I didn't do anything" Harper says blushing slightly.
"Not just this but for what you said into the camera, you got through to me when Gideon couldn't" he says looking down for a brief moment before looking back at her.
"Spencer what I said to you. I hope you know it was true, every word" She says pausing to see his reaction.
"I'm glad because I lo..." he says.
"Come on kids" Morgan yells from the SUV.
"I'm going to have to hurt him" Spencer says low enough for only Harper to hear.
"I'll help" Harper says laughing and waves over to Morgan. When she leans over and kisses Spencer real quick on the lips and pulls away when she hears the team making awing noises. Harper ignores them and starts walking towards the SUVs, helping Spencer, when she sees him stagger slightly.
"Careful" Harper says and grabbing Spencer to stop him from falling.
"I'll be ok promise" he says looking down at her.
"Good, I don't want you to hurt yourself more. Now let's get you to the SUV so you can get off your feet" Harper says.
"Yes doctor" Spencer says smiling at her as he says it sarcastically.
"Yep and don't you forget it" she says smiling back at him, knowing that the normalcy would help some.
Once everything was wrapped up at the crime scene and the sheriffs office, the BAU turned the rest of the case over to the locals. Grabbing their gear and bags, they packed up and headed to the airport, where their jet waited patiently for them on the tar mat. The team managed to get on the plane. Everything was quickly boarded on, and when the captain got the clear, they took off.
Leaving Georgia behind for the time being, the team all seemed to relax, especially Harper and Spencer now that they were together. After a half an hour, everyone was fast asleep. Emily, Morgan, Penelope, and JJ were sitting around the table, all asleep. While Hotch and Gideon sat across from each other at the other end of the plane, talking quietly.
Once the BAU jet had landed and most of the team had awoken except Harper and Spencer, when Emily and JJ noticed how cute they looked.
"PG snap a picture" Emily says.
Penelope looking at her confused until JJ pointed to Spencer and Harper. Harper was leaning against Spencer's shoulder with a hand resting on his chest while Spencer was leaning his head against hers. Penelope got what she was saying and moving quickly, snapped the photo. Once done Emily walked over to her daughter and managed to wake Spencer up first. He moved slightly before noticing Harper was still asleep, when the next thing Harper felt, was herself being nudged awake. Opening her eyes, Harper looking up seeing Spencer and her mom.
"Hey" she says sleepily, sitting up.
"Time to get off the plane" Emily says. Harper rubs her eyes and stands up, to quickly getting a little dizzy but not to bad.
"How do you feel?" Harper asks him.
"Not to bad, still having some pain but I managed to get some sleep" he says.
Harper grabs her bag, "No worries, I'll get you something for the pain and once I get you back to your apartment and get you settled in" she says.
He blushes, "Don't worry, I'm going to be your doctor for the next few days since you didn't go to the hospital" Harper says smiling sleepily at him. He nods understanding,
"Move aside little Prentiss" Morgan says when he notices the half asleep girl trying to help Spencer up. Morgan helps Reid while Emily grabs a few more of their things before getting off the plane. The rest of the team then help move Spencer to the SUV.
Penelope came walking over to Harper, who was still trying to wake up, "So Morgan and I are going to drop you both off at Spencer's apartment, is that alright?" Garcia asks.
"That'll be fine Penelope. I want to get him settled and make sure he's ok pain wise" Harper says. They nod.
"Harper when do you start..." Penelope asks but Harper snaps to attention and shakes her head at Penelope, giving an answer before Garcia can finish.
"Not until Monday" she says. Everyone looks at her confused.
"Sorry, I forgot you haven't told them all yet" Penelope says whispering to Harper.
"Its ok PG" Harper says. Everyone looking at her weirdly.
"Well now since the cat is out of the bag. I've got good news" Harper says announcing to the entire team.
"What's that?" Emily asks.
"So you know how I said I was getting to interview for a new job and might be moving?" Harper asks.
"Yes...what about it?" her mother asks looking at her.
"Well I got offered a job with the FBI as an assistant ME" Harper says.
"Where at?" Spencer asks.
"Here at Quantico" she says.
"So you aren't moving?" Emily asks.
"Well I am and kind of have but only to be closer to work" she says.
"That's great news" Spencer says excited.
"Yeah I wanted to surprise everyone, especially you and my mom by having everything set up in my new apartment by the time you guys got back but that didn't work out to well" Harper says sighing.
"I'm glad you get to stay in the area" Spencer says.
"Me too" She says and gives his cheek a quick kiss.
"We better get you home and we both better some rest" Harper says covering up a yawn. Harper and Spencer get into the SUV along with Morgan and Penelope. Once they get there, Harper gets Spencer into his bed room and makes sure he takes something for the pain.
"You going to be alright taking care of him by yourself?" Morgan asks out in the living room.
"I've got it. I'm going to get him settled and then head home tomorrow I think, he won't be any trouble" Harper says.
"Well if you need us I'm on speed dial" Penelope says.
"Thanks Penelope. You guys mind getting the rest of the bags?" Harper asks.
"Sure no problem mini Prentiss" Morgan says.
"Thank you guys" Harper says walking them to the door. Once all the bags were inside, Morgan and Penelope give Harper a hug.
"Harper take care of him" Morgan says turning before he leaves.
"I will" she says waving goodbye as they drive away.
Closing the door she double checks on Spencer, who has changed into his pajamas, "How are you feeling?" she asks sitting on the edge of the bed.
"Much better now" Spencer says.
"Good. You need to get some rest and so do I. I'm going to stay on the couch for the night since I'm to tired to go home and set up my bed" Harper says.
"You could stay in here with me" Spencer says.
Harper blushes, "I think I'll be ok on the couch I promise" Harper says.
"Ok if you are sure" he says.
"Yeah but I am going to borrow your shower" Harper adds.
"Go right ahead" Spencer says.
"Thanks" she says. A few minutes later, Harper hops in the into the shower and cleans up. Her mind wonders to a few places she wishes they wouldn't like Spencer in the video Tobias shared or Hank but she manages to cut them to a minimum. Once she's done, she gets into her pajamas and turning out all the lights and making sure the door is locked, heads to bed on the couch.
Hours later, Harper wakes up to Spencer's screams. Remembering where she is, she goes running into his room, throwing the light switch so the room lights turn on. She goes over to him, careful not to get hit by his arm, she grabs them. She can't get a good grip on his arms but she tries her hardest to wake him up.
"Spencer. Spencer! Wake up!" she says. Slowly he comes out of the dream, waking up.
"Its alright it was just a nightmare" she says as he looks frightened.
"Harper?" he asks as his eyes adjust to the light.
"Yeah I'm right here" she says moving his hair off his face.
"I'm home?" he asks.
"Yes. You are here with me in your apartment" she says. He nods and as he begins calming down, after a while Harper tries to find the best time to leave and let them both go back to sleep.
"Don't go" he says grabbing her arm gently. Harper looks at him and goes to say something but he beats her to it. "Please?" he asks.
She pauses and knows that he's worried about being alone to face another nightmare, a feeling she had herself most nights.
Harper nods and says, "I'll stay in here with you" Harper says moving to the other side of the bed.
"Thank you" he says following her movements.
"There isn't a need to thank me Spencer" she says climbing in bed next to him.
Waiting a moment, Spencer reaches out for her, "Come here" he says, she hesitates but realizes she has nothing to worry about with Spencer. He was to nice of a guy to try anything. He pulling her close, allowing her to rest her head on his chest and placing one hand over his heart.
"You look very cute in your pajamas" she says smiling.
"Why thank you. You don't look bad yourself" he says, pulling the covers over both of them, Spencer then wraps an arm around Harper letting it rest on her shoulder. They are both slowly lulled into a deep sleep, Harper helping with any other nightmares that Spencer suffered through the rest of the night.
Through the next few days, Harper starts taking note of some of the symptoms of PTSD that present themselves. Making sure Spencer doesn't isolate himself, was her biggest obstacle. She notices he has flashbacks more than anything, and helps the best she can by teaching him techniques to combat symptoms in the field. Sometimes she feels like she isn't really making that big of a difference but she's hoping that she is making some head way with not only Spencer but with herself.
The day after they had gotten back from Georgia, Harper and Spencer had been sitting on the couch. Harper had been leaning against Spencer's shoulder while dozing off when one of her nightmares about Hank occurred. Quickly opening her eyes, she lifted her head suddenly and looked around the apartment, making sure its was only a nightmare.
Looking down at her, "What's wrong?" Spencer asks looking from the book he appeared to be reading.
"Sorry, it was just a nightmare" she says wiping her tired eyes, trying to dust the sleep from them.
"What was it about?" Spencer asks.
"...Hank" Harper says pulling her knees to her chest.
"How long have you been having the nightmares?" Spencer asks concerned and closing the book. Harper paused wondering if she should tell him, when she thought it best to do so with everything that happened.
"Since I got out of the hospital after you all rescued me" Harper says.
"Why didn't you tell someone sooner?" he asks.
"I didn't want to worry any of you. At least until Penelope brought it up at lunch the other day and practically interrogated me" she says smiling at the thought of the tech analysis.
"Well it wouldn't hurt for you to talk about it" Spencer says.
Harper sighs, "You're right but it's hard sometimes. You all know the physical damages he did, heck I have everything from my medical chart memorized and keep telling myself he's dead but it doesn't always work" Harper says.
Spencer looks over at Harper and nods, "I understand but you know you can talk to me whenever and about anything" he says. Looking at Spencer, Harper nods and then looks him in the eye,
"Spencer, with everything that happened in Georgia, don't think you have to hide anything either. I know it won't be easy to talk about but if anyone has any clue what your going through, I do" Harper says.
Spencer looks down at his hands, and then back to Harper, "Thanks" Spencer says.
"Plus don't forget I'm always here for you" she says smiling at him.
He smiles back, "Thank you" he says.
"Like I said it will be hard but I'll make you a deal" she says.
"What's that?" he asks.
"If I talk to you about my nightmares, if you promise to talk to me about anything that happens with you" Harper says.
Spencer thinks it over for a few moment, "Alright" he says yawning.
"We should both get some decent sleep first" Harper says. Spencer nods, then Harper resumes resting her head on his shoulder, closing her eyes falling asleep once again on the couch, this time without a nightmare. Spencer gazed down at the woman who had kept him from being alone after his time with Tobias Hankel. With her news of her getting a job with the FBI, he was glad she was staying near Quantico, it meant that he didn't have to worry about being without her.
She had saved him from being addicted to a drug that could have changed his life and gave him hope that he need that he was going to be saved during his capture. Though she also provided him with the thoughts that one day he could have a normal life, with a wife and kids.
Someone who understood and whom he loved more than he ever thought possible. Then he himself fell asleep, resting his head on top of hers. Thought the week, Harper and Spencer managed to get used to hanging out while she was waiting for her job to start and him to go back to work, they in turn got closer in their relationship.
Monday
Though she had no clue how he'd be in the field once he went back, she was going to tell Hotch and Gideon to keep an eye on him to be safe. Now that Monday was here, Harper's alarm starts blaring at 5:45am.
Harper hits the off button on her alarm and lays back on her pillow when she hears Spencer stir, "You need to get up" he says with his eyes still closed.
"Easy for you to say, you never have to be up this early" she says and throws her covers off and sighs, "Go back to bed" she says. Getting up and heads straight to her closet and turns the light on shutting the door. Picking out her scrubs and a few other things she turns off the closet light and shuts her closet door when she notices Spencer sitting up.
"I thought I said go back to bed" she says.
"I don't sleep well while you're gone and plus I need to head back to my place" he says.
"You know you could stay here" Harper says placing her clothes on the bed. Spencer and her had been going back and forth between their apartments but now that Harper was going to have work every day, she knew it would be harder to see him unless he came to Quantico for work himself.
"I know but it feels weird without you here" he says.
"How? I think you just like the fact you have more literature books at your apartment where I have more medical textbooks" she says teasing him.
"Well that might be one reason" he says smiling at her.
"Well since you're up, do you mind putting on the coffee while I shower?" she asks.
Spencer gets up, "Sure" he says.
"Thanks" Harper says. Going into the bathroom, she gets everything ready she'll need to look ok for her first day of work. She turns the knob onto the shower, making sure the water isn't to warm.
After showering, once she dries off, she wraps her towel around her. Then starts brushing her teeth and places her hair in another towel onto of her head. Once done she walks out of the bathroom and shuts the bedroom door. Getting dressed quickly, she hangs up one towel and then goes out into the living room and follows the smell of coffee to the kitchen.
Spencer stands next to the counter and holds out a cup of coffee, "You look nice today" he says pointing to to the towel on her head.
"Why thank you kind sir. You don't look bad yourself, I've heard that pjs are all in style right now" Harper says.
"Very funny" he says sipping his own coffee.
Harper and Spencer have breakfast together and then Harper goes to fix her hair in a braid before heading into work. Kissing Spencer goodbye, she hopes that his day isn't to boring, knowing he goes back to work until tomorrow helped him, she thought. As the day goes on she gets more and more experience at her new job, learning the ins and outs of the morgue.
The week went by quickly, though the morgue really needed all the help they could get when it came to processing the bodies. She worked into all hours of the night and sometimes didn't even leave the building for some day. She would then end up sleep on the couch they had in their locker room before resuming her work.
Spencer had gone back to work the day after she started and the team flown off to New Orleans almost immediately. She was glad that Spencer was back to work but missed him and the team while they were gone. Though Penelope had been visiting her as long as no one was on the slab, which made Harper love Penelope more.
She knew the tech queen had seen so much dead and violence on her screens but still loved the world for what it was. Which reminded her, she had a lunch date with the Penelope today.
While thinking, one of the interns came over to her while she was cleaning a work station, "Dr. Prentiss, you have a visitor" the girl says.
"Thank you Rachel" Harper says cleaning the last of the station, she throws her gloves in the biohazard waste bin and heads to the lobby area of the morgue.
"Harper! You ready to go?" Penelope asks.
"Give me just a minute to grab my bag" Harper says, going back into the locker room, and walking straight to the locker that had her name on it, she put in her combination in and quickly grabbed her bag, before she locked it back up. Walking back out to the waiting area, Penelope was waiting by the elevator.
"I have a surprise for you" Penelope says.
"Why do I get scared when you say that?" Harper asks getting nervous.
"Your going to love it, promise" Penelope says with a wide smile.
Hours before
"How'd you find me" Spencer asks as Gideon takes the seat next to him. Piano music playing in the background.
"You're not all that hard to profile" Gideon states. Pausing before continuing, "Your friend is good".
Spencer looks towards Gideon seated in the chair beside him, "I missed that plane on purpose" he states.
Gideon glancing at the young man next to him, "I know" saying before turning back to the musician.
Spencer looks towards the piano, "I'm struggling" he says almost afraid to sound weak.
"Anybody who's been through what you've been through recently, would" the older man says turning to Reid.
"This is all that I was groomed for, I never even considered another option" Spencer says as if confessing his dark secrets.
As if knowing what to say, "Now you're questioning weather or not your strong enough to be here" Gideon states.
Reid nods, "Yeah".
Gideon motions with his hand, "I have been playing at this job. In one way or another for almost 30 years. I've felt lost. I've felt great. I have felt scared. Sick. Insane. I don't know. I guess the day this job stops nulling at your soul." Gideon says pausing for a moment, "Hands, hands stop feeling cold. Maybe that's the time to leave" Gideon says.
"Guess I just needed to figure out if I could step away from this job" Spencer says.
"And?" Gideon asks.
"I'll never miss another plane again" Spencer says listening back towards the piano and his friend Ethan.
"One other thing" Gideon says speaking up.
"What is it?" Spencer asks.
"Harper, she's good for you. Don't let her slip away" Gideon says.
Spencer thinks over what Gideon says, and nods, "Never" the young genius says smiling.
The girls got on the elevator and went up to main lobby floor.
"So...how are you and Spencer doing?" Garcia asks.
"I haven't gotten to see him since I've been working weird hours, that should stop within the next week or so though. The morgue was behind, which is why they had wanted to hire a new ME" Harper says.
"Good to know. Now for that surprise" Penelope says as the elevator doors open. Standing there is the entire team of the BAU minus Hotch, Gideon, and Spencer.
"What are you all doing here?" Harper asks confused.
"We're taking you out to lunch" Emily says walking over to her.
"You guys don't have to do that. But when did you just get back from your case?" Harper asks.
"Doesn't matter. Now no arguments" JJ says.
"Come on mini Prentiss" Morgan says. Harper laughs as the team takes her to their favorite restaurant. They are all seated when Harper has someone cover eyes.
"Guess who?" a voice she'd had just heard this morning spoke.
Moving his hands, Harper turns around and sees Spencer standing there, "Spencer" Harper says and hugs him. She'd missed seeing him especially after he'd left for a case.
"Long time no see" he says.
"Where were you?" Harper asks.
"Hotch needed to talk to me real quick, I did something I shouldn't have while in New Orleans but we talked about it and I told him that it wouldn't happen again" Spencer says. The team eats and hangs out. The group teases the young couple, though Harper ignores most of it but she notices that Spencer is blushing.
Months go by and the BAU team goes to San Francisco, Baltimore, Boise National Forest and Kansas City, Kansas for cases. Harper and Spencer finally work out a schedule to see each other as much as they possibly can outside of work. Harper gets a call one morning and it starts a chain of events that changes the dynamic of the BAU forever.
"What do you mean Gideon's missing?" Harper asks.
UPDATED!
I DO NOT OWN CRIMINAL MINDS. I only own my character Harper. I hope you all the enjoy this chapter and there are many more to come. I may skip events, so if you have any that you want to be mentioned, please PM me or comment in a review so I know what to not miss in the series.
