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It had been four days before they finally decided to discharge him. His bones were well on their way to mending but still needed some healing. He felt so stiff but over the last two days they'd tried to loosen up some of his muscles so he could sit in the wheelchair somewhat comfortably.

Spencer came back in with the doctor and the wheelchair. Aaron rolled his eyes seeing the wheelchair again but knew this was the only way he'd be able to go home. With these breaks there was no way he could walk out of here. He didn't even have any idea of when he'd even walk again but he was determined to.

They helped Aaron into it gently while his whole body ached. At the moment the only position that didn't give him much pain was lying down but he knew that would only worsen his condition to always be lying down. He just hoped when the casts were off his boyfriend would massage them for him.

He smiled at the thought. He turned to the doctor and asked, "When do you think the casts can come off?"

"If things go the way they currently are I believe next week,"the doctor replied. "You will have to attend physical therapy for a couple of months though. We could even throw in occupational therapy to help you become the agent you once were."

"Thank you. I'd really appreciate that," he answered nervously.

There was no doubt he wanted his old life back but so much had changed it made him a little nervous. Jack was now a seventeen year old studying pre-law at Georgetown with a boyfriend he'd been in a relationship with for two years. He was so proud of him but it hurt he'd missed out on his formative years and been there for him when he came out so he could support him and tell him there was nothing wrong with being gay. He was just glad Jessica and his team had done it in his stead.

Verity was now six years old and her mother had died three years ago. That was the change that hurt the most. He'd never even been able to help Alice raise Verity in her first years or see his daughter develop into the young girl she was. He hadn't even been able to have a chance to give any input on her name though he loved the one that had been chosen. He was just so thankful Spencer had been there for her right from the moment she'd been born.

Sure he'd been in love with Spencer these last seven years and it had been his name he'd cried as he would finally fall asleep every night no matter how he tried to keep awake Alice had been his best friend since he'd been studying pre-law himself. It hurt he'd lost another loved one to cancer and had been robbed the chance of making sure her last days were comfortable and of getting the chance to say goodbye.

He looked up to his boyfriend and smiled sadly. Even he had changed. He was no longer in the BAU. He'd left shortly after he'd been kidnapped and now worked in academia. He was also now a father and had been since his own daughter had been born. He was more of a father to Verity than he was. Would she even like him?

Spencer could see the nerves and worry in his lover's eyes and assured, "Don't worry, babe, everything will be fine. I know it will take some adapting but everything will be alright. I'll never leave your side."

"I know," he smiled up at him placing his hands over his. "You'll never know how much I love you."

"I love you too, Aaron, more than you'll ever know," he replied kissing his hair.

They headed off to the taxi with Alfie and Jack following them. They were all just so glad to finally be getting out of the hospital at long last. It had only been two weeks but it felt like long enough.

When they finally got a taxi Spencer gently helped his boyfriend into the car while Jack got in the other side and Alfie dealt with the wheelchair after they'd got Aaron inside. The taxi driver took the wheelchair as Spencer climbed in beside his lover and Alfie sat the other side of them. He put the wheelchair in the boot then got in the driver's seat.

After Spencer gave them the address he slowly drove there not wanting to worsen his passenger's injuries. Over the years he'd driven many patients away from the hospital so had seen many injuries and heard many stories. He'd even had a few labours happen in his taxi. He could see though that these people didn't particularly want to chat and he even recognised the patient as that agent that had been missing for seven years.

On the way home Spencer noticed how Aaron sunk further into him and shook slightly while the taxi was driving towards home. It worried him but he held him gently and tried to soothe him while brushing the hair off his forehead. He worried about him as it must be bringing memories of him constantly being on the road in that lorry.

"Honey, it's alright," he whispered. "You're safe now. We're just on our way home from the hospital. No-one will hurt you. We'll make sure of that."

He nodded snuggling gently into him but he couldn't stop the shakes. He couldn't help them. He tried to shake off the flashbacks but they kept coming in full force. Being on the road reminded him of all those years in the back of the lorry chained and being beaten.

When they got home they helped him back out and into the wheelchair. Once he was in the chair they paid the fare and Spencer wheeled him into the house. He opened the front door then got him inside while Aaron looked around trying to take in the place he was to now call home.

He smiled as he saw the books all over the place but also a TV in the corner. He also smiled even more as he saw the family photos on the wall mostly of Spencer and Verity smiling into the camera though some were of Verity on her own and some even included Alice. He was pleased to see that even though he hadn't been able to be there they'd been able to give Verity a happy childhood so far.

"Welcome home, sweetheart," Spencer smiled helping him onto the couch.

"Thanks honey," he smiled back.

They spent the rest of the afternoon talking and chatting about things that had happened in both Spencer and Jack's lives. Jack and Alfie even told his dad how they'd come to meet and know each other and finally fall in love and become a couple. Aaron smiled at their tale and also asked questions about Alfie who was more than willing to answer them.

Suddenly they heard the door go and Verity ran in in her teeball uniform and bat followed by Jessica who smiled to see Aaron sat on the couch at last. Aaron smiled back at her but eyed his daughter's bat warily.

Jessica seeing Aaron's wary and slightly scared expression put her hands on Verity's shoulders. "Sweetie, why don't we put down the bat?" she said gently.

"But I want to show dad how good I am at my teeball. I hit two home runs today, Auntie Jessica," Verity exclaimed.

She crouched down in front of her and took her hands. "Verity, we're very proud of you and I know you want to show him how good you are but remember the bad man..." she whispered. Verity nodded so she added, "He broke dad's bones with a baseball bat."

"But this is a teeball bat," she answered confused.

"Teeball is a simpler version of baseball preparing you all for baseball."

"Oh," she answered putting her bat down and Jessica hid it in the closet while Verity ran up to her fathers.

"Dad, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," she answered hugging him as carefully as she could trying not to hurt his bones further.

"I know you didn't, princess, I know you didn't. I'm sorry you can't show me how good you are but I promise one day I will come to your teeball games," he replied.

"Really?" she asked excited.

"Sure as soon as I'm recovered," he smiled back.

"I'll help you get better, daddy."

"Thanks sweetheart. I'm proud of your two home runs."

"Thanks dad."

Jessica drove Jack and Alfie to their student accomodation after dinner and Jack promising he'd visit his dad and Spencer soon hopefully at the weekend. It hurt to see him go but he understood his son was now grown up and studying pre-law. He'd just missed out on so much of his son's life and that he'd never get back. He was glad though that he'd promised to visit him soon and looked forward to it.

Spencer put Verity to bed that night just like any other night after she hugged, kissed Aaron's cheek and wished him sweet dreams. He did the same smiling sadly at his daughter wishing some time soon he'd be able to put her to bed with Spencer.

Once he'd put their daughter to bed Spencer got the sofa bed out for the both of them and helped his boyfriend in. He didn't want to be too far away from him but neither did he want to hurt him. Aaron ended up putting his head on Spencer's chest while Spencer held him close to him stroking his hair both looking forward to when all of Aaron's casts came off and they didn't have to be afraid of worsening the breaks.