After Morgan was knocked the ground, the team heard sirens approaching, signaling the police and medics.

"Whoa, what happened to you?" one of the medics asked as he climbed out of the vehicle.

Morgan looked up at Hotch, "it was an accident," Morgan mumbled, getting back on his feet.

The medics quickly took care of the intended victim and tended to Morgan's swollen, bleeding lip.

"Hotch, what the hell?" JJ asked, pulling her boss aside.

"I don't know what came over me. But he shouldn't insult anyone like that," Hotch fumed.

"No, I get that, he was being a jerk. But, sleeping with a consultant for the FBI? Come on, Hotch!" JJ pushed Hotch's shoulder back gently.

"I'm not sorry for that. He is an incredible young man," Hotch started.

"Exactly; young. Hotch, you're twice his age. All he's known is that Sanitarium. The moment he gets freedom, you're just gonna snatch him up?" JJ looked concernedly up had Hotch.

"Don't I get a say in this?" Spencer stepped forward.

"Spencer, it's ok, I've got this," Hotch gently touched Spencer's shoulder.

"Let me talk," Spencer brushed off Hotch's hand and stepped closer, "Hotch helped me realize something yesterday. Even though I'm a screwed up mess, someone can still love me. I don't care if he's old enough to be my father; he is a great man, a better man than my father ever was."

JJ just looked from one man to the other, not sure how she should respond. Lost for words, she politely nodded at Spencer and walked off towards the vehicle she had arrived in.

"You're not a screwed up mess, Spencer," Hotch wrapped his arm around Spencer as they walked to the SUV.

"With a past like mine, I'm beyond messed up, Hotch," Spencer shyly retorted.

After climbing into the SUV, Hotch turned to looked at Spencer, "You helped solve a Federal Investigation. You found out you weren't ruined and you could still love. You just stood up to JJ and that unsub. I don't think you are messed up at all," Hotch patted Spencer's leg and started the SUV.

Spencer placed his hand over Hotch's and turned to stare out the window as they watched the deserts of Nevada roll past them.

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Spencer was sitting at a table in the station, waiting for the team to wrap up their meeting.

"Hey, kid," Morgan walked up to Spencer, removing an ice pack from his lip, "sorry for calling you a lunatic. You helped us solve the case, you can't be too crazy," Morgan chuckled and held out his hand.

Spencer hesitated before taking Morgan's hand, "Apology accepted."

"Spencer, you ready to head back to Bennington's?" Hotch asked as he walked into the room.

Spencer's face fell, "Oh, yeah." He didn't want to go back.

He followed Hotch outside to the SUV and got in.

On the ride back, Spencer stared out the window. He knew this was too good to be true. Hotch didn't really love him. He just used him to solve his precious little case then was going to throw him back in to his old life and continue on with his perfect FBI agent life. He didn't need a mentally unstable man-child in his life. Hadn't he mentioned he already had a son? Spencer would just be a burden to him.

"—my house," Spencer snapped his head up; he hadn't realized Hotch had been talking to him.

"What'd you say?" Spencer turned to Hotch with curious eyes.

"I said, 'if you don't want to rent and apartment out in Virginia, there is plenty of room at my house,'" Hotch glanced at Spencer, a smile on his face.

Spencer stared at him, wide-eyed, "w-w-what?"

"Of course, your doctors will have to clear you first before you can leave," Hotch quickly added.

Spencer was still confused, "are… are you inviting me to come live with you in Quantico?"

"If you don't want to live on your own, of course. Plus, living with me would give you more money for college," Hotch shrugged.

"College?" Spencer asked, his head swimming.

"Of course. You're smart Spencer, but you still need a proper education to become an FBI agent," Hotch smiled at Spencer.

Spencer just stared at Hotch. He was inviting him to come to the BAU with him. To love with him in Virginia. To attend college. To become an FBI agent.

"You don't think they'll actually clear me to go, do you?" Spencer asked. Of course he didn't, he wouldn't offer these things if he thought he'd actually have to follow through with them.

"Of course," Hotch said matter-of-factly.

Don't let him get your hopes up, Spencer. Spencer thought to himself.

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"It was an accident, he got poison ivy and scratched to vigorously," Hotch lied through his teeth to the doctor.

"Oh, Agent Hotchner, I know for a fact you are lying. Spencer's gotten so frustrated in though he has done this before, but of course not for several months and not this severely. All his other marks cleared up already. Don't think you have to protect him," the doctor tisked as he tended to Spencer's bandages.

"I gave his mother my word," Hotch replied smugly.

The doctor nodded at Hotch, "For Diana, we'll stick with the poison ivy story. Alright Spencer, you are all set. Meet me in the evaluation room in 10 minutes," the doctor smiled as left Spencer's room.

"You ready for this?" Hotch asked, sitting down next to Spencer, grabbing his hand.

"I don't know," Spencer's voice broke, "All my mother has is me. But the FBI… it's my dream, Hotch."

Hotch nodded and ran his hand through Spencer's messy hair, "We'll leave it to fate to decide. Whatever happens is what you are meant for, Spencer," Hotch placed a kissed on Spencer's forehead as the young man placed his head on his shoulder.