Friedrich Nietzsche said, "What else is love but understanding and rejoicing in the fact that another person lives, acts, and experiences otherwise than we do…?"

Chapter 10

It took thirty minutes for the emergency services to arrive.

The PD took the man in the shack away, to be checked over by a police doctor.

The man whose name was Arlan Gray had a record for petty crime, but this was the first time he had been involved with anything this serious. Until now.

They simply waited for the other man to return. When he saw the police, he tried to make a run for it, but didn't get far.

Tyrone Collins was wanted by the police for attempted murder, and now had kidnapping to add to his sheet.

Garcia spent the time holding Spence and talking to him, trying to get a response. Sometimes he would seem to look at her through tear filled eyes, but she could not be sure he was actually focusing on her.

She kept her coat around him, to protect him, to keep him safe, to give him comfort. She rocked him, not as a deliberate action, but an automatic response to his suffering. She smoothed his hair, and talked to him.

Morgan sat by her, holding her hand. His foot had no feeling in it. It didn't even hurt now. He was pretty sure he was going to lose it.

But then he'd see Spence, and wonder if losing a foot was so bad after all.

How would Reid get through this time? He suddenly realised that should Aaron not be able to stand by Reid and get him through, then he, Morgan, would have to step up to the plate.

He had always looked upon Reid as a little brother. Now he was going to have to play the role of big brother. He wasn't sure that he would be good enough.

He looked at the way Garcia was holding Spence in her arms.

There was where his strength was going to come from.

………………………………………………………………………………………………

Another ambulance ride, another emergency room, another rescus.

Except this time he was on the trolley as well.

They told Morgan he was lucky to still have his foot. If he hadn't got out of the trap when he did, the prognosis would have been much worse. But then walking half a mile after did not help.

Spencer was another matter.

He had severe septicaemia, caused by the grease that had been applied to his burns. The skin was infected and blackened in places. He was going to need extensive skin grafts on his chest and legs.

The grease was cleaned off, and the burns treated, and massive doses of antibiotics were given. He was wrapped in plastic non stick bandages.

The burns would likely scar, but the deeper scarring was inside.

When he came round after theatre, Garcia was there at his side. His eyes flickered open, and she took his hand.

"Welcome back, Spence." She smiled hugely at him. "We thought we'd lost you ….. again!"

Spencer turned away. "Don't stay with me, Garcia. I don't deserve it."

She stood up and took his face in her hands. She turned his face towards her. He was crying. He tried to pull away, but she held him firmly.

"I will not be leaving you, Sweet Cheeks. I'm here for the duration."

"I left Aaron." he sobbed. "He's by the cabin. I couldn't help him." Spencer bit down on his bottom lip, and cried. "Please go and get him." He turned his eyes away from hers. "I'm so sorry, Aaron….."

"Spencer! Aaron's ok!" Garcia felt tears of empathy well up and fall from her eyes. "We found him."

She leaned over him and stroked his pale skin. "Aaron's upstairs."

"No, I left him to die. I left him."

"Listen to me, Babes. Aaron is here in the hospital. He didn't die."

"He's ok?" Spencer couldn't believe it. "I thought….."

She smiled at him.

He looked so fragile and delicate lying there on the bed. His pale skin seemed to shimmer in the harsh hospital lights. She touched his soft hair.

She couldn't help it.

She kissed him.

And Spencer kissed her back.

She tasted salty tears on his lips. She held his face in her hands and kissed him deeply.

I am here for you, Sweet Cheeks…………

Spencer put his arms around her and held her close.

Safe

Always.

……………………………………………………………………………………………

END

A/N This is a rounding off chapter. Sorry it's a short one. There will be a sequel, haven't chosen a title yet though.