Chapter 25

After lunch, Jason took Jack and I out to the lake in his boat and taught us how to fish. Well, me mostly. The kid already knew most of it. I have to admit, although I hate the taste of fish, fishing itself wasn't so bad. Jason said we were supposed to be quiet while fishing but Jack and I found something to talk about every five minutes.

I take the time to tell Jason about Neal's arrival tonight.

"He was, uh, wondering if I would go out with him tonight." I say staring at the shimmering blue water. The rain had stopped while I was talking to Neal on the phone and now the sun is out and shinning across the lake, making everything that much more pretty.

Jason reclines in the boat and puts his hat over his eyes with his fishing rod hanging out into the water. "Are you asking for my permission to go out on a date?"

"Uh…um, yeah. Kinda, sorta." I feel as though I'm losing him so in a rush I spill out, "Dave doesn't mind when we go out as long as we stay together and I call him every half hour. And I promise to call you every half hour and tell you if we change venues or if something of significance happens."

"I believe you." He drones aloofly. "But the truth of the matter still remains, you're grounded. So that's a no."

"But-but that's not fair." My voice rises. "He wants to take me out so we can say goodbye properly. Who knows the next time I'll see him again."

"Alex, I understand your problem but our decision has been made. You are grounded and you will remain so until David or I say different. And I won't be changing my mind any time soon."

"That's not fair." I bark. I throw my pole down in the boat and kick my feet. Accidently, one of my feet kicks Jason's pole and knocks it overboard. My eyes go from furrowed with anger to wide with surprise, then fear.

Jason sits up and eyes the old rod floating in the water. When he turns his attention back to me, I'm stuttering out a nervous apology.

"I'm-I'm sorry. I just-"

"You just threw a tantrum because you couldn't get your way. And you insist on being treated like a responsible adult." Jason reaches down and gets his fishing pole. Then he starts the boat's motor. "When we get back to the cabin, go straight to your room and wait for me." He orders as he steers us back to shore.

Once we're at the cabin I go to my room and lie across my bed. Soon after there is a knock on my door and I jump up expecting Jason to enter but the door doesn't open.

"Alex," I hear Jack say just above a whisper outside the door. I clamber out of bed and saunter cautiously over to the door. Opening it, I look down to see two big brown adorable eyes staring back up at me.

"What do you want kid?" I try to sound indifferent as I lean against the door frame but truth is I fear that at any moment Jason will come treading up those stairs with the paddle in his hands and ready to pound my tender backside.

"I wanna play." He says strolling into my room without an invitation.

"Now's not the time, kid. Didn't you hear Jason? He's probably on his way up here now so get lost."

"Why?" He sits on my bed and picks my IPod up from the nightstand.

"Because I said so, that's why?" I bark. "Now get out and stop touching my stuff."

The kid flinches at my tone and quickly puts the IPod back where he found it.

"You're being mean again, Alex." He mumbles.

"Kid, I really don't care. Right now keeping a smile on your face is the very least of my priorities."

"Why? Are you in trouble with Grampa Jason?" This kid's curiosity, my god. But at least it's a good distraction from what's to come.

"Yeah kid," I answer walking away from the still open door. "Something like that."

"Is he gonna ground you some more?"

"Uh, I don't think so."

"Then what's gonna happen?"

"Look kid, don't you have some Legos or something to play with?"

Jack nods his head but replies, "But I wanna play with you."

"Well you can't right now, so beat it." I try to make my tone as harsh as possible in hopes of scaring him off. Of course, it doesn't work though, but it was worth a shot.

"Alex, if you're an adult, how come you are always in trouble? You get in trouble more than me and I'm just a kid."

His blatant stating of the obvious made my blood boil.

"If you're such a good kid, why are you so disobedient? I asked you to leave twice already but you haven't even budged!" I begin to yell so loud, I'm certain Jason can hear me in whatever part of the cabin he's in. "It's like whatever I say to you goes in one ear and out there other! Can't you tell when you're not wanted? No wonder you're getting picked on in school. If you were twenty years older, brat, I would…"

The pained look in his eyes finally catches up to me. He looks to be seconds away from bursting into tears. My assumption is proven right seconds later when he falls into sobs. I move to take him and my arms and apologize to him but he darts out of the room before I can get anything out. I think about chasing after him but then I remember how I was at that age. If I was upset about something, I didn't want anyone bugging me and making it worse.

I'm sure the kid will get over it.

Exhausted, I flop face down on my bed and await the impending doom of what is sure to be Jason and his hell-raising paddle. I wonder if that's what he calls it. The Hell-Raiser. Because every time he uses it on me, my ass burns like all seven layers of Dante's Inferno.

"Alex," My eyes shoot up to the door at the sound of Gideon saying my name. I stare at him, once again empty handed, and wonder in confusion about his plans. "Sit up, I want to talk." He orders.

I sit up in my bed with my hands in my lap. Jason sits across from me on Dave's bed, examining me like a profiler would. I try to look as calm as possible but the truth is I'm very enthused and bemused waiting for some sort of reaction from him.

"Jack told me what you said to him." He finally speaks.

My cheeks burn with embarrassment. I mean, can you get any lower than making a six-year-old cry?

"Oh yeah," I grumble. "Where is he?"

"He is downstairs, in the library, video chatting with Hotch."

My pulse begins to beat uncontrollably. If Jason doesn't spank me for picking on the kid, Aaron will for sure.

"Did…did he tell Aaron what I did?" I dare to ask.

"I don't know but I would assume so. Nevertheless, you three can discuss that when the team returns. For now, you and I should discuss your behavior as of late. I thought I made it clear last night that your temper tantrums will not be tolerated."

I nod, fiddling with my thumbs and trying my best to come off as repentant. "I'm sorry I behaved like a spoiled brat but…you-you're being unreasonable." Jason's eyebrows furrow at my accusation but I decide to ride this pony out. "With all that's going on, who knows the next time I'll be able to see Neal in person again. It's just one date. I promise I'll come back home afterward and I won't ask to go out any more until Dave says my grounding is over."

"Alex, I believe you. But you will soon learn that I am a firm disciplinarian. And I believe that the best punishment for your behavior on the boat would be to make you stay home tonight. Your phone privileges will also be limited to one call a day and that phone call cannot exceed five minutes. When the team returns, we will reinstate the no-electronics policy. Furthermore, you will not be allowed to participate in any family activities until I've decided you're finally ready to act your age. I've spoken to Dave and he has agreed to stand behind me and my decisions."

All of my fear disappears and becomes replaced with abrupt anger. "Are you serious?!" I yell. "No phone call lasts five minutes and how do you expect me to live with just one call a day? Am I supposed to choose between Dave and Neal?"

"No. Phone calls from David and anyone else on the team don't count. I will keep your phone and I will monitor your calls for you until they get back. At which point your phone privileges will be completely disbarred."

"That's totally not fair!" I wail, hitting my back against the wall behind me. It hurts but I try not to show it because it would ruin the whole pissed off façade I'm going for. "All of this because I kicked a stupid fishing pole out the boat?"

"No," Jason answers. "All of this because your behavior is beginning to fall back into the pattern of a, how should I say…a brat."

I groan and slam my back against the wall again. This time I nearly knock the breath out of me.

"Alex, stop it before you hurt yourself. I'm trying my best to keep from bending you back over this bed but you're making it really hard for me."

"I'd rather be spanked then grounded." I grumble. Then I shoot up with a spark of hope in my eyes. "Can you do that? I mean, spank me instead of grounding me so I can still go out with Neal tonight? Or at least keep my phone."

"Nope," Jason stands and heads for the door. "David and I chose punishing you like this because we knew it would hurt you more than a spanking would. Now if I were you, I would try to figure out what I'm going to do with all of this excess time I've acquired since my options are limited." He holds out his hand to me. "Phone." He states calmly.

I groan as I pull my cellphone from my pocket and shove it in his open hand.

"You keep that attitude up and you will be paddled along with your grounding."

I lie face down on my bed thinking about how earlier I was hoping Gideon didn't come through the doorway ready to paddle me but now I find the idea of being spanked compared to total isolation from the outside world a welcomed amnesty.

I can't even call Neal and tell him I won't be able to see him tonight. He'll think I'm just trying to diss him.

I decide the best course of action would be to go back to Jason and offer another heartfelt apology. So I slink out of bed and trudge downstairs until I hear the sound of Jason and Jack laughing in the library. I ease the door open and walk in with my most contrite look.

"Jason," I mummer. The two of them are sitting on the floor playing Uno when I enter. Jason looks up to me for just a second after I call his name before returning his attention back to the game.

"Yes, Alexander." He says.

"Um…I-I…I just wanted to say that I'm sorry…again."

"Sorry?" Jason repeats casually. "About what exactly?"

I knew he was going to say that.

"Y'know, about throwing a tantrum on the boat…and my room."

Jason turns back to me and examines my sincerity. He stares at me for a while and then turns back to the game again. "Okay." He says simply.

"O-okay? That's all you have to say?" My voice rises. Jason glares at me and a shiver of fear spreads through my body.

"Alex, I'm proud of you for apologizing and admitting to your mistakes, but your punishment still stands."

"Ugh, fine. Can I at least have my one phone call, warden?"

Jason goes into his pocket and holds my cell phone. "You get five minutes, inmate." He mockingly retorts.

I move to snatch the phone from his hand but Jason yanks it out of my reach. "Calm down." He warns.

I fight not to roll my eyes as I reach for the phone a second time, this time with less hostility. Then I hurry as casually as possible out the door, dialing Neal's number as a throw myself on the living room couch.

"Hey babe," He answers hurriedly. "I was just about to call you. We're at the airport. Our flight boards in five minutes." I hear a male voice in the background bark something at Neal and he replies to him in an exasperated tone, "Give me a minute, God."

I smile. "Your brother?"

"Yeah. He's been being an ass since I asked him if I could go to Washington with him."

"He doesn't like spending quality time with his little brother?" I ask.

Neal chuckles and says, "Yeah, sure he does. Harvey's idea of quality time together is me putting his files in order while he sits at his desk and does boring lawyer crap. Besides, he knows my true intention for this trip is just to see you again."

My heartbreaks in two. I called Neal to tell him I wouldn't be able to see him this time but how can I when he's willing to take a trip from New York to DC with a brother he isn't too fond of just to spend an evening with me.

"Neal," I start. "There's something I have to tell you."

"Uh, hold on baby. Harvey trying to say something to me." He pulls the phone away from his mouth but I can still hear what they're saying.

"I said watch the luggage." Harvey growls. "That means keep both eyes on it at all times. I have suits in these cases that cost more than you can make in five years."

"I don't get paid to watch your damn bags." Neal snaps back.

"If you did, I'm sure it would be more than you make as an FBI agent."

Oooh, low blow.

"Harvey, just take your own stinking bags if you don't trust me to watch them."

"I told you to watch them. If you expect to come with me, then you will do what I say or I will send you back home right now."

"You wouldn't dare."

"Try me."

Neal grumbles something under his breath that I can't hear before bring the phone back to his mouth. "Alex, I have to go, I'm sorry. Where should I pick you up tonight?"

I shouldn't, I think to myself. I really shouldn't. But I will anyways.

"Do you know where Gideon's cabin is?"

"Um, I've been there once but I can't really remember how to get there."

I quickly give Neal the directions to Gideon's cabin. "My phone's dying," I lie. "So I won't be able to call you later. Just be outside around eleven. And don't blow. I wouldn't want you to wake anyone." Especially Jason.

"Alright cutie. I'll see you later then."

When I hang up from Neal, my pulse is racing. Somehow, I have to sneak out of the cabin tonight, go out with Neal and try to have a good time with my conscience working overtime, and then sneak back in before Jason wakes up at the break of dawn. Sounds easy enough.

"Alex," I flinch at the call of my name. I sit up on the couch to see Jason standing at the library entrance. There is a distinct frown on his face and I wonder if he'd heard me making my plans with Neal. "Your time is up." He says to my relief.

I get up and hand him the phone.

"I'm going to bed." I say walking up stairs with a heavy conscience.

"What about dinner? We're having steak. I'm actually a great cook if you give me a chance."

"I'm not hungry."

"Alex," His tone urges me to pause in my stride. "You can't sulk forever. The sooner you start obeying the rules we set for you and accept your punishment, the sooner it will be over. I won't force you to eat dinner with us but it will be waiting for you when you're ready."

"Yes sir," I say and continue to my room.

Once in my room, I sit on my bed and put my head in my hands thinking of all the things that could go wrong tonight. I don't know why I feel so guilty. I'm an adult with every right to go out on a Saturday night with whomever I want. It's preposterous that I have to even ask for permission to go out anyways. I don't hear anyone ever reporting to me when they go out.

I lie in bed, staring up at the roof, listening to the sounds of Jason and Jack preparing for bed. My bedroom door opens and I turn to see Jason staring down at me.

"Are you going to eat?" He asks.

I turn my back to him and mutter, "No."

"Then I suggest you prepare for bed properly."

I roll out of bed and stomp over to my bags. Getting a fresh pair of pajamas, I push past Jason towards the bathroom. I take a quick shower, shave so that I am looking my best for Neal later, brush my teeth, and return to my room where Jason still is. He's putting my empty bag underneath my bed.

"What are you doing?" I ask.

"I put your clothes away for you since it seems you've been too busy to do so yourself."

"I didn't ask you to." I say tossing my dirty clothes in the hamper by the door.

Jason smiles. "Consider it a peace offering. I know you're angry about not being able to go with Neal tonight but you're young. There will be other nights." Is this Jason's way of apologizing? He's doing a poor job of it. "Oh, and David called. You can come to the library and call him on the landline."

I pull the covers back on my bed and lie down. "Uh, no, that's okay. I'm really tired." With my poor lying skills, I would probably end up confessing my plans to Dave.

"Are you sure, kid?"

"Y-yeah. I'ma just hit the sack early tonight."

Jason's eyes hold something of suspicion. I gulp hard at the fear of being found out.

"Alright, kid." He turns out the light. "Goodnight."

"Night."

Jason leaves and I watch the digital clock. Nine fifteen. Then nine thirty. I rest my eyes for a second and it's ten forty. I jump out of bed and quickly, but quietly, go to Jason's room. I peep in and see him sleeping soundly. Then I tip-toe back to my room and change into a pair of bleach blue jeans, a grey belt, and a white polo. My heartbeat works double time as I make my way through the quiet cabin, downstairs, and to the front door. At exactly eleven o'clock, Neal's outside in a pink Volkswagen Beetle. I stifle a laugh as I slip into the front seat.

"Don't laugh," He groans. "This is my brother's idea of punishment."

"Punishment?"

"I kinda…lost one of his bags the airport."

I can't hold in my laughter then.

"If only Harvey had such a sense of humor." He says as he starts driving away from the cabin. "You know, this thing isn't made for all terrain."

"I'm worth it though, right?"

Neal reaches over and takes one of my hands into his. He brings it up to his mouth and kisses it. "Listen cutie, when a man comes to pick you up in a pink Beetle and you don't hightail it the other way, you're worth every minute of his time."

"Aw," I lean over and kiss him on the cheek. "Sweet talker. You're just trying to get lucky."

"Is it working?" He laughs.

"Maybe. Keep trying and I'll let you know when you've made it."

I almost made the mistake of posting this chapter Friday. Awkward :)