They took a thirty-minute break after that during which Morgan and JJ eventually managed to persuade Spencer to eat a few bites of a turkey sandwich, and while it admittedly tasted more like sawdust in his mouth than anything else, the genius had to admit it did help some with his pounding head and dizziness.
He felt much better knowing the next witness would be Gideon, since he was sure he wouldn't have to listen to any uncomfortable stories or hear unwelcome revelations this way.
Elle turned to Doctor Bull who was munching on a sandwich of his own.
"What do you think so far?"
The psychiatrist smiled.
"We have most of the jurors on our side already. We'll be fine." – He said confidently. – "Mr. Gideon will help us some more and then, we'll just have an expert to deal with before we're done."
Bull and his team had explained about earpieces and shadow jury and everything they were doing but most of it was lost on Spencer, since he'd been too worried about the whole trial to pay much attention. Even now he didn't really care about the jury. He knew with his logical side that this was the only thing he should be interested in, since they would be making the decision that would affect his whole future, but honestly: seeing his father and beloved professor conspiring against him like that was too painful to leave much place for anything else in his mind or heart.
What had he done to deserve this!?
"You okay, Sweet Cheeks?"
"I'm fine, Garcia." – But the answer wasn't honest; it was monotone and well-rehearsed. Everyone knew he was nearing a complete breakdown; they only hoped he'd wait with it until they were home. The technical analyst patted his back in reassurance and remained silent. There was really not much to say anyway.
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"Mr. Gideon, tell us a bit about how you met Doctor Reid and how he came to work with you." – Colón asked. They had rehearsed this, Spencer knew very well what the senior profiler would say and still: he listened intently as if hearing his own story for the very first time.
"It was about two years ago. I give lectures about the work we do at different colleges; sometimes even high schools; and that time, it was Caltech. At first it appeared to me it would be like any other lecture: I go in, say what I prepared to say and then I'm out. It's in no way a recruitment strategy, before you ask, so no: I'm not paying too much attention to the students. This time though, it turned out to be quite different."
"Different how?"
"Well, there was this young kid." – Gideon smiled, reliving the memory. – "He looked to be entirely too young to even attend a college and he seemed much more interested than the rest of the audience put together. He answered all my questions correctly and asked some of his own… In the end, he ended up solving the case I brought as an example. An ongoing investigation that had reached a dead end and we'd already nearly given up on it."
"How did he solve it?"
"I had a photo projected on the wall and he noticed something in it I hadn't seen; nor had any other investigator. He drew a conclusion – a brilliant one at that. I was impressed and asked him to stay after class."
"You talked?"
"Yes, I asked about him: name, age, courses he took. General things. It was evident he was a genius. I inquired if he'd be interested in visiting Quantico to meet the rest of my team. Initially, it was meant for this one case. He came, and I have to say: this was the first time he left the west coast. He was as excited as a little boy in a candy store. So, we took him sightseeing a bit; then we solved the case. Well, more like he solved the case. After that, he went back to Caltech."
"Did you want him to join the team back then?"
"It would be a lie to say I didn't want him to stay. But, then, he was only barely 19 years old. Of course, I told him that if he ever thought about a career as a special agent, I'd do everything in my power to help him. But I didn't offer him a place at the team back then. It would have been impossible."
"So, did you two keep in touch?"
"At the start, no. But then about three month later a case brought us to California and I, on a sudden impulse, visited him in Pasadena. I hadn't even announced it, I just looked for him on campus and found him in the library. He was genuinely happy to see me and we talked a lot. In the end, again without having planned to do so, I ended up consulting him on the ongoing investigation. He, like always, had genial ideas that really helped."
"And then?"
"Then, I offered for him to join us again as a consultant."
"He agreed?"
"Readily. Since he'd already met all the team before, he knew the people he was about to work with. The team loved 'The Kid' and it all went smoothly. Letting him go afterwards was more difficult. At that time, I did offer him a spot on the team if he ever wished to join."
"What did he say to that?"
"That he needed to finish his current courses but then he'd like to give the Academy a shot. He also expressed concerns about the physical part of the training and I assured him it wouldn't be a problem. That I'd help and also, since he was too young he needed waivers anyway but someone as brilliant as him would get them without problems. Especially since profilers aren't even required to carry a gun."
"Did he get waivers?"
"Yes. Still, he exceeded all expectations and he was a full-fledged member of our team just after celebrating his 20st birthday. He's been an asset ever since."
"Impressive."
"Indeed, he is."
"Could he have said no? Could he have said 'thank you very much but I'd rather be a mathematician?"
"Of course he could have! He still could, actually. Nobody is keeping him against his will; he's free to do whatever he wants to do. As a matter of fact, he still studies and I support that, too. If he chose to entirely leave the FBI, I would still love him like a son. It wouldn't change anything. Not for me, not for the others."
He looked Spencer in the eyes as he said that, willing him to understand this was really true. The genius felt tears gather in his eyes; he'd never been loved this unconditionally by anyone before.
"Agent Gideon, do you feel like he needs extra support compared to others his age? That he can't fend for himself and requires constant supervision?"
"Absolutely not. It's true that he can get lost in his thoughts and yes, it has been known to happen that he forgets himself while working on something and we have to remind him to eat or sleep. Actually, we've all been guilty of that numerous times. Of course, a genius would be a bit eccentric. Does he have difficulties sometimes? Yes, he does. Who doesn't, really? Can he deal with them? Yes, he can, no question there. Does he receive help from us? Of course, that's why we're a team. A family. And he is way younger than the rest of us, so that calls for a bit of extra attention, I won't deny it. We also generally help each other; not just him, but every other member on our team as well. We're all working on battling our demons and fighting our fears. We deal with problems when they arise and cross the bridge when we get there. We're all fine. He is fine."
"Thank you, Agent Gideon. Your witness, Ms. Blight."
The other attorney regarded Gideon like a predator would its intended prey. She took a moment to prepare herself before beginning.
"Agent Gideon, tell me a bit more about the young man's behavior. Does he have strange habits? Quirks?"
Gideon's eyes sparkled; he was clearly planning on winning this case for his young charge.
"Oh, yes. He does." – The triumphant smile was quickly wiped off Blight's face when he continued. – "Just like everyone else I know."
Blight looked as if she had bitten into a particularly sour lemon as she asked:
"Could you tell us some of these?"
"Sure! When he's excited, he speaks very fast; we can't keep up with him. It's not surprising, seeing that he can't keep up with his own mind either. He spins around with his chair when he thinks – like, our technical analyst for example, chews the top of her pencil or pen, while, as an other example, our media liaison taps her feet. Spencer also hates shaking other people's hand. So, what's the big deal about it? I, myself, find it awkward when I have to walk in the same direction as someone I'd already said goodbye to. I think it might be a bit stranger… He also avoids eye contact a lot, true. One of our other teammates usually curses at inanimate objects he rans into. We have a member who only likes even numbers and another one who needs to have his desk in a particular way. Spencer, on the other hand, likes the controlled chaos and enjoys that no one can find anything among his things but him. The point is, Ms. Blight: we're all different and we all have our own personality traits that make us unique. And it's good so. Spencer is as sane as I am or anyone else in this courtroom."
Spencer had, of course, recognized all his friends just from hearing these habits: Garcia always chew on her pens, JJ was most probably tapping her feet even now, Elle hated uneven numbers and asymmetry so much she deliberately hit her other elbow too after a small accident just so that the pain would be balanced. Morgan was known to quarrel with doors and windows that unintentionally caused him pain and Hotch's desk always had to be tidy, carefully regulated. If anyone even touched anything, they'd die the most painful death. He'd known all these but, somehow, hearing them listed like this made him feel better about himself. Maybe, just maybe, he wasn't such an alien after all…
"So, you'd say it's not true he has autistic tendencies?"
"Objection! The witness is not an expert on autism."
"Your Honor, the witness is a famous criminal profiler whose job allows him to gain insight into the most various disorders and behavioral patterns. In this sense, the witness actually is an expert in my opinion. And nobody knows Doctor Reid better than him."
Colón shook his head.
"Your Honor, we will have an autism expert as witness here tomorrow, Ms. Blight will be able to ask these questions then… Jason Gideon is here because he's the defendant's boss and mentor. He's not here as a psychologist."
The judge hmm-ed and thought for a while before making his decision.
"It's one thing why you wanted to have him here, Mr. Colón. But fact is: he's here now and he is a psychologist. I'll allow the question."
"Your Honor, the rules of cross-examination state the questions shall be limited to the subjects covered in the direct examination of the witness and-"
"And you did ask about Doctor Reid's need for special help or support, Mr. Colón, thus it was you who started this line of questioning."
"I don't think this rule extends-"
"Overruled. I, for one, want to hear the answer."
Spencer noticed many things even when people thought he wasn't paying attention. Apparently, he was so good at covering his alertness that he'd fooled even Professor Hughes. But he did notice. For example, he felt more than saw Doctor Bull's nervous fidgeting behind him. He could easily determine that Benny Colón was agitated. But far more importantly: he saw how Gideon briefly closed his eyes, before looking at him apologetically. He couldn't lie. He couldn't refuse to answer.
So, in the end, he took a deep breath and said:
"I wouldn't say that. He does have autistic tendencies. But-"
"Thank you. No more questions."
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"It's not so bad. Being autistic doesn't necessarily mean you need to be placed under guardianship." – Bull explained, looking haggard and tired; something he usually tried to hide but this time, he sighed loudly and grunted as he fell heavily onto his comfortable leather couch. – "This trial is not about determining whether you have autistic tendencies but to see if you have special needs for everyday things that would require you to have a guardian make decisions for you. It's much more serious than not shaking hands or avoiding eye contact."
"I don't have special needs, I've solved problems alone since I was a child! I most certainly won't be my father's ward!" – Spencer folded his arms, more angry and determined than ever, pointedly ignoring Gideon's every attempt at talking to him and even feeling a strange kind of satisfaction when the man visibly cringed at his next words. – "I'd rather die!"
Colón sat next to Bull, shaking his head.
"Maybe we should consider other options, like proving that even if a guardian is needed, William Reid isn't the right person for that. Or maybe try to negotiate a power of attorney or-"
"So, you're saying we won't win this trial!? That I'll need to make compromises and willingly sign off my rights!?" – The genius was becoming hysterical, walking up and down in the small room and wringing his hands in panic. – "I absolutely won't do that! I'll run away. I'll hide. I'll-"
"Spencer! Sit down and listen: I won't let that happen to you."
"Oh, yeah?" – Sarcasm was rolling off the boy in giant waves as he glared daggers at his mentor. – "Just like you didn't say things that could hurt my case? Thank you, Gideon, but maybe you shouldn't try to help me anymore! And no, Mr. Colón: we're not changing strategy, even if this is the last decision I'll ever make."
With that, the youngest profiler stormed out, leaving the others stunned and sad. Hotch put a hand on his colleague's shoulder.
"He didn't mean it that way. He's just scared…"
"I don't know… He's right to be angry."
"No, he's not." – Rossi argued. – "But Aaron's right: this is the fear talking. The boy loves you dearly, Jason, this testimony won't change that."
"I hope you're right, Dave. God, how I hope you are…"
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"Why the hell are you doing this?" – Spencer demanded as soon as he entered his father's hotel room. He had bullied Professor Hughes to reveal it to him, having threatened to expose the man's numerous little financial tricks to the College Board at Caltech regarding his research funding. Oh, yes. It paid to be considered a clueless child and have insight into things nobody would think you understood; at the very least, it gave you leverage when you needed it the most. – "What is your goal?"
"Spencer…" – William was clearly honestly surprised if not outright frightened to see his pissed off son standing in front of him, breathing fire and appearing more dangerous than a riled dragon. – "How did you come up here…?"
"The receptionist told me where you were."
"What about confidentiality!?"
The genius rolled his eyes in exasperation.
"I have a fancy badge; it opens doors you wouldn't think. Answer my question!"
"Son, I-"
"Don't call me that!"
"Spencer. I'm sorry, I'm doing this for your own good!"
"Bullshit!"
"Listen, so—I mean: Spencer. I know you don't see it that way right now but you're being manipulated by that man. Jason Gideon. He wants to use your brains for as long as he sees fit and then he'll throw you away and will leave you high and dry. He will abandon you eventually! These people always do that."
"Oh, sure!" – Spencer snorted. – "Luckily you know them and me so well that you can look out for my best interests. Also, it's good to know you care so much about me, father." – Out of the genius' mouth, the word sounded more like a curse than anything else. – "For you could have fooled me when you left without a backwards glance. You really think you can talk to me about abandonment to me?"
"I'm sorry. Look, I don't know what to say. I'm honestly very sorry I left you and your mother like that but I can't take that back now. What I can do is look out for you in the future; make sure it doesn't happen to you again. Believe me, this man is bad news. I want to protect you! That's why I'm doing this."
"And you think you have the right!?" – The genius couldn't even find the words for the man's arrogance and outright stupidity. Suddenly, he felt immensely grateful he'd inherited his mother's intelligence. Risk of schizophrenia or no, it was still better than having to live this dumb. – "You don't even know me! You have no idea what you're talking about!"
"My decision is final. I'm going to continue this trial, Spencer, and when I get the guardianship, I'll make sure you're rescued from that environment because it's clearly clouding your judgement."
"We'll see about that."
After a promise like that, there was nothing more to say or do, so the genius presented his father with one last condemning glare before leaving the hotel room, making sure to kick the door closed behind him with as much force and noise as possible. Maybe, the hotel staff would kick the man out for bad behavior!