Two hours later, Spencer slowly felt himself waking up. As he turned his head slightly, he smiled when he saw Derek asleep next to him. Carefully, he moved himself so he was resting on Derek's chest, arms wrapped around him and head nuzzled into his neck.
He moaned slightly when he felt Derek chuckle and felt Derek's hand rubbing his back. "Hello to you too, baby boy."
Spencer grunted and lifted his head slightly so he could glare at Derek.
"How're you feeling?" Derek asked, leaning over to kiss Spencer on the forehead. "Any pain?"
"No," Spencer whispered, laying his head back down.
"Anything I can get-" Before Derek could finish, Spencer cut him off, and the feeling of Spencer's lips against his own felt like home.
Derek pulled away slightly and smiled at the small moan he received from Spencer. "Are you sure you should be doing this? You just got discharged from the hospital."
"And if you had read the paperwork that Doctor Barnes gave you, you'd remember that it said this is allowed as long as it doesn't get intense," Spencer growled as he wrapped a hand around Derek's neck and pulled him down for another kiss.
He felt Derek's hands grip his biceps as his hand moved towards Derek's thigh. Derek unfortunately pulled away a moment later.
"Derek!" Spencer whined, shooting a glare at his boyfriend.
Derek made eye contact and went to say something before he caught the amount of lust in Spencer's eyes: the hazel was barely visible around large pools of black.
"How do-" Derek's voice was rough and he took a second to clear his throat before continuing. "We can't let this get too intense, baby, I don't want to hurt you." He gently palmed Spencer's cheek and kissed his forehead.
"Then I won't let you," Spencer mumbled as he began nibbling at Derek's neck, enjoying every little sound that Derek let out.
"You always know the right parts, Spence," Derek murmured as his own hands wrapped around Spencer's waist, drawing the thinner man closer.
"Missed you," Spencer whispered into his ear before claiming Derek's mouth once more.
"Missed you more," Derek mumbled as they broke away for a quick second. The feeling of Spencer's lips against his own was a sensation that he never would want to forget, and he was enjoying every second of refreshing the memory. "Think you're leaving marks too."
The two continued, kisses of passion, love bites, the feeling of being together, and everything that overcame them. When Spencer pulled away and moved so his head was buried in the crook of Derek's neck, the two of them could only grin.
Derek left a trail of small kisses around Spencer's face as the other moaned in pleasure. "How you feeling, Pretty Boy?"
"Tired," he mumbled in reply.
Derek grinned and kissed him again. "Think it's time for you to get some sleep," he said, moving so he could help Spencer move back to his side of the bed. He was stopped when Spencer wrapped a hand around his wrist and looked up at him.
"Stay with me?" he asked.
Derek smiled and nodded, leaning back into his pillows. "Wouldn't dream of doing anything else."
The next few days of Spencer's at-home recovery went slowly. Most of the time Spencer slept. While he did have the pain time-to-time, he kept it at bay with extra strength Tylenol. A week after he had been discharged, Derek and Spencer went to Doctor Barnes' office to get the stitches removed. After a quick examination, Doctor Barnes couldn't find any complications with the healing spot: it was healing nicely.
Spencer now had permission to fix his hair, a request that Garcia had demanded Derek ask. Slightly disappointed, Spencer wasn't cleared for work until another four weeks, even after that it would be desk duty and working in Garcia's lair for another two weeks.
The day after their appointment, Derek and Spencer were sitting in the living room, waiting for Garcia and JJ to come over.
"Do we really need to do this now?" Spencer whined. He was sitting on one end of the couch, Clooney's head in his lap, rubbing the dog's head.
Derek grinned and looked over at him. "Better to get it out the way, you know how persistent Garcia can be. Plus, you even said yourself, this is easier than going to an actual hair salon."
"Yeah, yeah," Spencer mumbled. "Doesn't mean I need to be happy about it."
The doorbell rang and Derek laughed when he saw Spencer giving it a glare that could almost match Hotch's.
He kissed Spencer on the forehead. "Better now than later," he teased slightly and went to the door. After looking through the peephole, he quickly undid the locks and stepped aside as he opened the door.
"Good afternoon, ladies," Derek welcomed as Garcia and JJ stepped into the house then closed the door behind them.
"Hello my dove," Garcia said smiling as she quickly hugged Derek, JJ doing the same.
"Where's my junior g-man?" She asked.
Derek grinned and gestured towards the living room. "Just a warning, he's a little grumpy." The three of them laughed as they made their way there.
"Hey Spence," JJ said as she walked in and over to the man on the couch. He looked up and smiled as he saw her, quickly shooing Clooney away so he could stand.
"Hey Jayje," Spencer greeted as he stood and hugged her. As she stepped away, Spencer chuckled as Garcia quickly took her place. Garcia kissed Spencer's face slightly, causing him to laugh more.
"Now, let's see that head of yours," Garcia demanded, slowly pushing Spencer to the couch. As he sat, he moved his head towards the light so that she had a better view.
"Can hardly see it anymore," Derek told them as he moved to sit on the back of the couch.
"His hair did always seem to grow fast," JJ pointed out.
"This should be easy then," Garcia mumbled as she pushed the longer parts every which way to figure out what she was going to do. Smiling, she turned to Derek. "Hey sugar, could you go grab your hair razor, a few towels and, wait, is he cleared for washing the area or?"
"It can," Spencer answered. "Just have to be gentle, can't have it submerged for too long and pat it dry."
Garcia nodded and looked back to Derek. "Grab whatever he needs for that. Then meet me and boy wonder in the kitchen," she ordered as she grabbed Spencer by the arm and pulled him to the kitchen, JJ following after them. Garcia pulled a chair from the dining room table and brought it to the side of the kitchen before pushing Reid into it.
"This is a nice place you've got here, Spence," JJ commented as she looked around the kitchen and the dining room.
"Thanks," he said as he turned to her, giving her a sheepish smile. "Garcia found it for us actually."
JJ smiled. "How long have the two of you been living together?"
Spencer thought it over for a moment before answering. "Unofficially, since after I got shot. I still had my apartment at the time, but Derek insisted that I stay with him until I got off the crutches. Officially? After that local case a few years ago with the couple who were abducting children."
"The one with Sarah Hillridge?" JJ asked. Spencer nodded in confirmation. "Why after that?"
"No romantic significance. My lease was up, my knee was healed and I had trouble sleeping at night without Derek. I was already practically living with him, so we figured we'd make it official."
Derek walked into the room a few moments later, carrying everything that Garcia requested. She took the towels from him, placing two on the floor around the chair and then wrapping one around Spencer's shoulders, then plugging in the razor.
Everyone remained silent and watched as Garca played with Spencer's hair a little more. The hair on the right side of his head had grown fast and looked like it had been buzzed already, and the left was significantly longer. Smiling, she turned towards Derek and JJ. "Now, shoo!"
Derek raised an eyebrow in confusion. "Why?"
"It's going to be a surprise," Garcia informed him.
"But-" He was cut off as JJ grabbed him around the wrist. "I need to talk to you anyways," she told him as she pulled him into the living room.
Pulling at her phone, she dialed a number while gesturing for Derek to take a seat, ignoring the confused look he was sending her.
"You there?" She asked to the unknown person on the other line. "Yeah, I'm doing it now. Thought you'd like to listen in."
Not hanging up, she sat down on the coffee table across from the couch, setting her phone beside her.
"JJ, what-"
"Ah-ah, no talking right now!"
"But-"
"What did I just say?"
"Who's on the phone?"
"Morgan!"
Derek let out a defeated sigh and sagged back into the couch. "Fine."
"Thank you," she said, giving him a grin. "Now, I know this is definitely overdue, but considering I just found out about all of this a few days ago, it's allowed. I'm sure you've done this for your sisters a few times and you'll be able to see where I'm coming from."
Derek watched her curiously, completely confused to what was happening.
"As Spence's honorary sister, there is one thing you need to know. I have a gun and considering the people we work with, there will not even be a body a hide if you hurt him."
"JJ-"
"Derek, just listen. From what I've seen? You two are obviously made for each other, would definitely do anything for one another. I just need to make sure you know if you hurt him in any way, well, payback's a bitch. I want your promise that you'll never harm him in any way," she threatened.
Derek remained silent and looked at JJ. He cleared his throat and kept eye contact with her. "You didn't need to give me the shovel talk, JJ. I'd rather die than hurt him."
JJ instantly grinned and wrapped her arms around Derek's neck, pulling the man into a slightly awkward hug. "I knew that, just had to hear it from you," she told him as she pulled back.
Derek smiled and then nodded towards the phone. "Who's been listening in on us?"
JJ grabbed her phone. "Sorry, Morgan, but I wanted to be there when JJ did this," Emily's voice came through the phone's speaker.
Derek grinned and shook his head, "Should've known, Princess. Did I pass the test?"
"Definitely," she responded. "I've gotta run, I'll be over to visit you and Reid later!" and the call was then disconnected.
"It is now safe to return to the kitchen!" Penelope's voice called. JJ and Derek stood and made their way to the kitchen. Walking in, Spencer was standing next to Garcia, a towel wrapped on his head.
"Please be honest," Spencer requested, looking to both JJ and Derek.
"Don't you trust me, buttercup?" Penelope asked, pouting slightly.
"Of course I do!" Spencer instantly responded, his voice cracking. "I just need some more opinions."
JJ and Derek chuckled as the two bantered back and forth. "Let us see it, mama."
Garcia grinned and grabbed the towel, slowly pulling it from Spencer's head. The three of them could do nothing but smile. As the right side remained the same, Penelope has also shortened the left side near the top of his ears heading to the back of his head. The curls were cut and the top his head was short, random tufts throughout.
"So?" Spencer asked, biting his lip.
JJ grinned. "It looks amazing."
Derek stepped closer to Spencer, Garcia moving next to JJ, allowing the two men more room.
"Derek?" Spencer whispered as he watched his lover's eyes look at his hair before moving to make contact with him. Without warning, Derek wrapped a hand around Spencer's waist and pulled him close, kissing him. Spencer automatically responded and closed his eyes, wrapped his arms around Derek's neck. The whistling and cat calls from the two woman in the room caused them to pull apart after a few minutes. Derek grinned as Spencer blushed and buried his face in the crook of Derek's neck.
"It looks perfect," Derek whispered as he kissed Spencer's temple. Spencer smiled and moved his arms to wrap around Derek's back as Derek rested his head against the side of Spencer's.
JJ and Garcia shared a quick glance, making a silent agreement. Taking a few more looks at the couple standing in the kitchen, they quietly made their way out, leaving the two alone together.
As the days continued, Spencer was getting a lot better. He didn't need to take as many naps as he had been. The surgery scar was no longer itchy and he was already building up his strength, especially doing small exercises with Derek. His energy was coming back, and there was hardly any pain left. About a week after Spencer had the stitches removed, they had another visit with Doctor Barnes to see how Spencer's recovery was going. He was extremely pleased and praised Spencer on how much he's been able to do. The big question that they had was when Spencer could return to work. Their AL had been ended the week prior. Spencer had been on medical leave after he had had a phone conference with Hotch and Strauss, but Derek was using sick days. Surprising for them both, Spencer was cleared to work the following Monday. He would send a note to Hotch describing things to look for at work, and he would be on desk duty for two weeks. He'd then have another visit to see if he would be clear to fly. They were delaying the next part of Spencer's treatment to give his body the time to recuperate from the surgery and Spencer couldn't be more than thankful.
A few days later, Spencer and Derek were up and getting ready for work. Spencer was slightly nervous. This is the first time he'd be to work in almost a month. Everyone knew who two biggest secrets and logically he knew everything was fine, his nerves were getting in the way. Standing in the kitchen, he lost himself in his brain as he waited for the coffee maker to finish. When two hands wrapped around his waist, Spencer yelped before turning slightly to see Derek.
"Dammit, Derek, you know I hate it when you do that," Spencer mumbled as the coffee finished. He grabbed his mug and Derek's, filling them both.
Derek chuckled slightly as he took his mug from Spencer and went about preparing it. "I know. You're just so cute when you squeak."
"I do not squeak," Spencer mumbled, shooting a small glare towards Derek, who grinned in response. The two then fell into a comfortable silence as they both stood in the kitchen.
After finishing his coffee, Derek rinsed it and placed it in the sink before stepping up beside Spencer, their elbows touching. "Talk to me, Pretty Boy," Derek said, bumping Spencer's shoulder with his own.
"About what?" Spencer asked, pushing his glasses a little further up his nose.
"You're nervous," Derek said simply. When Spencer went to protest, Derek quickly stopped him by placing his hand over Spencer's mouth and shaking his head. "I can tell, baby boy. You've been like this all morning. What's up?"
Spencer licked Derek's hand, smiling slightly as the other man pulled it away and rubbed it against his pants. "Was that necessary?"
Spencer shrugged and smiled as he finished off his coffee.
"Talk to me, kid." Derek pleaded.
Sticking his empty mug in the sink, Spencer's crossed his arms over his chest, turning towards Derek and leaning back towards the counter.
"They're not, they're not exactly bad nerves," Spencer began, tripping over his words slightly. "It's the 'first day of school' kind of nerves. Logically I know it's stupid, but I can't help it."
Derek didn't say anything as he stepped up next to Spencer and wrapped an arm around his waist. He smiled as Spencer leaned into his side, head resting on his shoulder.
"It's not stupid, Spence. It's normal," he said, rubbing a hand up and down Spencer's arm. "There's nothing to worry about. Plus, now the others know, you're right there in the bullpen with Emily and JJ while Hotch, Rossi, Garcia, and myself are only a second away."
Spencer turned his head to look at Derek. "How did you know-"
Derek chuckled and kissed Spencer's forehead. "I know you." He pulled Spencer in for another quick kiss, then the two made their way to work.
Derek brought Spencer to his office after they arrived in Quantico where they met Garcia. As they walked in, she quickly made her way over to them and hugged them, holding onto Spencer a little longer than Derek.
"And how are my two favorite boys this morning?" she asked as she grabbed Spencer by the arm, bringing him to the couch to sit next to her while Derek closed the door.
"Happy to be back at work," Spence mumbled. "Feels a little weird though," he admitted.
"Oh honey, trust me, I know the feeling. My first day back after medical leave I felt it was the first day of kindergarten all over again." Both Derek and Spencer smiled at that explanation.
"Any cases yet, baby girl?" Derek asked, changing the subject as he took a seat in his chair.
"Nothing's come by my desk, it's still a little early anyways," she responded.
"That was something we wanted to talk to you about," Derek began. He took a quick glance at Spencer before continuing. "Spence still isn't cleared to fly, so I was hoping that in case there are any cases that come up where we need to travel-"
"Say no more!" Garcia said, cutting Derek off. "Baby genius is welcomed to share my lair with me for as long as needed," she leaned over and kissed Spencer on the cheek.
"Are you sure you want me in your lair?" Spencer asked as Penelope wiped away the lipstick mark she left on his cheek.
"Of course! I may have been a bit territorial when you were still on crutches but that was only because the last time I had to share my office during a case was with Gideon," she explained, frowning as she uttered the man's name.
Spencer smiled, choosing to ignore the last comment. "Thank you, Garcia."
"Anything for you," she said and then turned towards Derek. "Same goes for you, Tiger."
"I appreciate it, mama!"
When Spencer stepped into the bullpen 10 minutes later and was welcomed back by the rest of the team, the nerves had automatically disappeared.
Spencer's first week back had been uneventful. They had mostly paperwork, followed by more paperwork. There were also local consults, but Spencer wasn't complaining. It had felt like he hadn't been at work for a really long time, and he welcomed his regular routine with open arms. The paperwork also allowed Spencer time to catch up with both Emily and JJ. He loved listening to Emily's stories from Paris and JJ telling him what he had missed with Henry. Spencer was also relieved that the three of them, four with Hotch, had finally worked everything out.
Near the end of the second week of Spencer's return to work, there was a case and it had luckily been local. While still not medically cleared to work in the field, Spencer was more than happy to being able to help with the case. The BAU team had been called into investigate a mass murder at an internet security office where it was revealed that the CEO was the main target. After close examination, despite the methods, they knew they were working with one killer. The following day a couple, Mark and Mary Dolan, had been murdered. The team was able to make the connection between the two murders and it led them to the Dolan's son, Luke. The CEO, Adam Werner knew Luke Dolan from being a part of the same Navy Seal's unit. When Spencer profiled him with capgras syndrome, the initial break caused from a mission called Dorado Falls. Dolan had brought himself back to Quantico where he was then caught after being reunited with both his wife and child, that being his sole mission all along.
Spencer also began spending more time with JJ and Henry, once Derek started recertification training with Emily. Derek had been nervous at first, not wanting to leave Spencer on his own for so many nights, but Spencer assured him everything would be fine. Given that they were no longer hiding their relationship, people could come over to their home, which then led to JJ and Henry sticking around until Derek got home.
After that case, Spencer went to his next appointment with Doctor Barnes. Impressed with the progress Spencer continued to make; he cleared him for flying with limited time in the field, but not forcing him to stay back at the precinct. He then wanted to take another two weeks until he did another scan. The following Monday, they received a case and while he felt sort of guilty for it, Spencer was excited. It had been two months since he had last traveled with the team, and he was looking forward to not being stuck in Quantico.
The team had been called to St. Louis to investigate child abductions. The first mother they interviewed was clinically depressed, but they were easily able to rule her out as a suspect, even given her condition. The mother obviously loved her son too much to do such a thing. Another boy was abducted,and Derek and Spencer had been sent to talk to the distraught mother. During the questioning, Spencer deduced that she was was a drug addict. The team was able to make the connections and all the abducted children shared that they had troubled mothers. The second boy had been released by the unsub and through their profile, the team was able to arrest the unsub, George Kelling, who worked as a 911 dispatcher.
One the jet home, Spencer, Derek, and Rossi were sitting in the quad seats towards the back of the cabin. Derek was apologizing to Spencer that he needed to work with Emily tonight to finish off her recertifications. Spencer obviously insisted that it would be alright and said he had no problem sitting around Quantico until Derek was finished.
"I could take you home, Reid," Rossi offered, shocking the two men across from him.
"Are you sure, Rossi? Our place is a little out of the way I wouldn't want-"
"I'm offering. Hell, I'll even make you dinner."
"I couldn't-"
"Spence, calm down. I'd feel better knowing that you're home."
Spencer looked between the two of them and sighed. "Thank you, Rossi. I definitely appreciate it."
The drive home with Rossi was silent, both profilers obviously exhausted. Thankfully, Derek and he didn't live too far from work and they were soon pulling in the driveway.
"Thank you for this Rossi," Spencer smiled at him as he unlocked the door and walked inside. After closing the door, he grabbed the dog leashed and turned towards Rossi.
"Don't worry about it, kiddo. I was more than happy to help you out, plus it looks like you need to eat more," Rossi teased as he handed Spencer his jacket.
"The kitchen is down this hall on your left," Spencer explained gesturing down the hall. "I'm going to go grab Clooney from the Haywoods, walk him real quick, and be back."
"Take your time!" Rossi called out as he made his way to the kitchen and Spencer went to grab Clooney.
Walking in 10 minutes later, Spencer was surprised to see that dinner was already done. "That was quick," Spencer said as he stepped into the kitchen.
Rossi had made spaghetti and was spreading what seemed like his own cheese mix over the sauce. "You guys need to hit the store," Rossi said, smiling as he grabbed the two bowls and moved them to the dining room.
"Would you like anything to drink?" Spencer asked as he grabbed the silverware and napkins, placing them on the table.
"Water's fine," Rossi replied, taking a seat down at the table. Spencer quickly grabbed two cups and a pitcher as he then sat down across from Rossi.
Dinner passed in a comfortable silence. They had both finished their plates and were moving everything to the dishwasher.
"That was fantastic," Spencer told him as he turned the dishwasher on.
"Glad you enjoyed," Rossi said, giving him a smile. "Could we possibly move to the living room, there was something I wanted to talking about."
Spencer raised an eyebrow in confusion before nodding. He quickly led the way to the living room, Spencer taking a seat on the couch beside Clooney as Rossi took the adjacent armchair.
"What did you wanna talk about?" Spencer asked, trying to avoid the awkward silence that would've appeared.
Dave took a quick breath before leaning forward, resting his arms on his knees. "Before this case, I met Carolyn."
"Who's Carolyn?" Spencer asked, sending him an apologetic look after realizing he interrupted.
Rossi gave him a reassuring smile. "First wife." He cleared his throat slightly. "Reid, before I continue, there are few questions I want to ask, but I don't want to step over the line of what is okay and not okay to ask."
Spencer gave him a curious look before shrugging. "We could just agree that if I don't feel comfortable answering, I don't need to?"
Rossi nodded in agreement. "Like I said, the two of us had dinner the night before we left. We had met earlier that morning, but she was going to be late to work. After dinner, I went back to her apartment, and she told me she had ALS."
Spencer sat up straight and stared at the other man, the feeling of sympathy taking over. "I am so sorry, David," Spencer whispered, reaching forward taking one of Rossi's hands in his own, squeezing it.
Rossi immediately squeezed back and looked over at the younger agent with a teary smile. "I know this isn't the best topic to discuss with you, but-"
"I have personal experience," Spencer finished for him. Dave nodded. "I'm more than happy to answer questions," he told him softly.
Rossi took a deep breath and let it out. "How long did you keep your diagnosis from Morgan?"
Spencer blinked, obviously not even anticipating a question like that. "A few months."
"And what brought you to finally tell him?"
"I knew I wouldn't to do it on my own, I was scared."
Rossi nodded slightly and looked at his hands. "Carolyn told me that she doesn't have that long left. She's had it for a few months, but only started noticing the symptoms a few months ago."
Spencer bit his lip and blinked the tears out of his eyes. It wasn't common that Rossi opened to people like this, and Spencer has never seen the older agent this vulnerable.
"There was nothing the doctors could do?" Spencer asked after a few minutes, voice cracking slightly.
Rossi shook his head. "Nothing that would matter, really." Spencer squeezed Dave's hand once again as he saw the tears spill from his eyes.
A few minutes later, after they had calmed down, Rossi stood from his spot and moved to sit next to Spencer on the couch.
"Is it okay if I ask you a few more questions?" Spencer nodded.
"Has there, uh, has there been any time since your diagnosis that you wanted to just give up?" Rossi asked, stuttering slightly.
Spencer remained quiet as he took a few moments to think over the question. He let his tears fall as he turned his head towards Rossi and nodded. "There have been times when all I could do is think, and my mind automatically starts taking the statistics, transforming them into so many outcomes," Spencer choked out.
Rossi's heart broke as he watched the young man sob. Over the years of the two of them working in the BAU, the two had formed a friendship, and Rossi had always felt slightly overprotective of the genius, but so did the rest of the team. Surprising them both, Rossi moved Spencer and hugged him, letting the man cry into his shoulder as he rubbed a hand up and down his spine. They sat there for a few minutes as Spencer calmed down. A few minutes after that, Spencer pulled away, wiping the stray tears from his eyes.
"Sorry," Spencer choked out.
Rossi grabbed both of his wrists, pulling them away from Spencer's face. Spencer looked over at him with red and puffy eyes, confused.
"Kiddo, there's nothing to apologize for," he explained, giving him a small smile. "You're going through a lot right now, and you seem to be handling it well."
Blushing slightly, Spencer looked away and down at his lap.
"Reid," Rossi called, no reaction. "Spencer!" The sound of his first name made Spencer react quickly and look at the other agent.
"You're not alone in this. If you ever need anything talk to me. Call me, email me, if we're at work, come in my office. I don't want to hear of you hiding important things from the team, especially now. I take care of my own."
Spencer gave him a small smile, letting out a forced chuckle. "Yes Uncle Rossi," he teased.
Rossi made a satisfied face as he thought the name over and nodded. "Uncle Rossi, I like it." He ruffled Spencer's hair and got the younger man to laugh, and he grinned.
"Thank you, Dave, really."