A/N: Guess who's back (back), back again? Yep, it's me with another chapter!
Please review!
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Chapter 29: Progress
It was a rare Sunday that he wasn't out with his friends, or with Derek alone, that Spencer found himself sitting across from his father, the man he'd barely spoken to in the past 3 weeks.
He'd actually talked to his friends about the fight between he and his father, and they made sure he knew that he wasn't alone. Which was incredible..he'd never truly had anyone caring for him, he'd always been the caregiver.
He chewed on his pop tarts and thought about how far he'd seemed to come since moving here, and he really believed that this was the best thing that could have happened to him...even under the circumstances that they unfolded in.
He was happy.
His mom was doing well, and he was going to visit her during the summer before going off to college.
His friends were glad to have him around, and he was glad they were there as well.
Derek (along with the rest of the gang) protected him, and helped him to see a side of life that he'd never dreamt he'd experience.
His bruises were gone, and his rib was slowly getting better- only the memory would last, but that was to be expected.
The bullying hadn't necessarily stopped, he was still picked on, but it was no where near as bad as before. He found that people seemed to respect him more since he and Derek started dating (that, or they feared Morgan would beat them).
Stella remained a confidant, a friend in the lonely house that he now called home. He wanted to tell her just how much he appreciated her...I should make dinner for her, for once..I bet she'd love that!
He smiled at the thought of serving her, making her sit down while he got her seconds..ushering her away and swatting her helpful hands.
He thought about the many conversations he'd had with her, about Derek, his father, mother, friends..her life, her kids...just everything.
She helped him when he was having bad nights- nights where he considered suicide yet again- telling him old stories, saying that things would get better, that they were already getting better (which was very true).
He loved her, a strange thing for him to admit to himself, for he loved very few people in his life, and as long as she would want to- he would talk to her...but he knew deep down that he still needed to get a therapist.
"Spencer?" William questioned, wondering if his son was beginning to ignore him again.
Reid looked up, realizing he'd zoned out. "Yes?"
"I've thought a lot about what I said to you a couple weeks ago, as I'm sure you have too.." He started.
Spencer nodded slightly, curious to what his father was going to say.
"What I said..was uncalled for, and I truly do mean it when I say I'm sorry." He looked at him forcefully, "I never even tried to help you get better, hell, I don't even know if you're taking your medications...so I'm going to start now.."
Spencer stared at him in surprise, "What do you mean?"
"I want you to see a therapist. I'm not the right person to speak to, and I never will be, I know you understand that-you're a genius." He continued sincerely.
Reid understood what his father was saying, I don't love you, but I want to help you. He thought that that was good enough, he didn't love his father either..but the fact that he was willing to help him? That made him feel better than he ever had in his father's presence.
He nodded slowly, "Thank you.." Pausing, "That's what I was going to ask you about the night we fought."
He saw a slight look of guilt on William's face before he smiled briefly at his son, "I have a doctor set up, you can choose the schedule."
.
.
.
Three days later Spencer and Derek sat in the elder's truck in the parking lot of Reid's new therapist.
Spencer was going to walk to the building, it wasn't far and he was feeling pretty good, but Derek had insisted that he be the one to take him to his first appointment.
He had smiled at his boyfriend in an annoyed fashion that night in Morgan's house, saying that It really will be okay, it's not your job to take me everywhere and Derek replying that he knew that, and that he didn't care.
Fran had found out quickly about the couple, before they'd come out to her, saying she knew they'd be together before the couple themselves knew... The woman tended to agree with Spencer on a lot of the teens' 'fights', but she sided with her son on that particular argument.
He looked at his boyfriend now, who was fiddling with the radio. "You ready, Pretty Boy?" The teen asked, staring back.
He smiled and nodded, "You don't have to wait around, the session ends in an hour."
Morgan nodded, "Alright. I'll pick you up at 5:30 on the dot." He grinned before kissing Reid on the cheek and picking his messenger bag off the floor for him.
Spencer took it gratefully, opening the door before kissing him once more. "See you in a little while..go eat something."
Morgan agreed to eat, "Okay, good luck baby."
.
.
"Spencer Reid? Dr. Branson is ready to see you now." The receptionist informed him from her station, throwing him a kind smile.
He wiped off his glasses and rearranged his bag before thanking and following her.
She gestured her arm to the office, leaving him to open the door. He looked after her for a second, taking a deep breath and knocking on the solid wood barrier.
"Come in." The scratchy male voice flowed through the door, Spencer did as told.
Spencer guessed the doctor was in his sixties, he had graying hair and laugh lines characterizing his smile. "Hello, I'm Doctor Branson." He stood up to shake the teenager's hand.
Reid stared at the hand for a second, smiling awkwardly at the man. "I'm Spencer Reid...I'm sorry, I don't shake hands."
The laugh lines creased in as he smiled again, "Not a problem, go ahead and take a seat."
He nodded and sat down in his designated chair, the doctor doing the same.
"So, I didn't get much information from your father about the situation..though I received your medical records and a brief recap, but I'd like to hear from you why you're here."
Reid fiddled with his hands. Time to tell another person..
"I..I tried to kill myself because I was..am..sometimes..depressed." He was unsure of what the man would think of his explanation, looking up nervously.
The doctor stared back at him, slowly nodding and seemingly interested in the response.
"You didn't stay long in the hospital after your attempt, I assume you were supposed to have a check up with a doctor here, but you haven't..why?"
"I didn't want to stay in the hospital, I don't like them.." He admitted, "I never went to a check up because I wanted to just put the attempt in the past..pretend it never happened, but I couldn't do that if I tried harder..too much changed after it."
"You can't just act as though it never happened. It did and you have to make it your responsibility to never want to end up in that situation again."
He nodded, looking away somewhat ashamed.
"Tell me what was going through your mind that day.."
.
.
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"Hola mijo, how did your appointment go?" Stella questioned him as he and Derek returned to the house, Morgan picking up an apple to eat.
"It was good. I think it will help, in time..especially since I've already been getting better." He told her with a smile as Derek half-hugged him, leaving his arm around the lean boy.
Mrs. Gualardi smiled softly at the couple before her eyes flicked to Spencer's. "That's fantastic, Honey! You have a great support system." She nodded to Morgan.
"We all care about him, even if he didn't believe it in the beginning." Derek informed her happily after swallowing.
Reid smiled inwardly, "Thank you for being a part of that system, Stella."
She patted his arm before wiping down the counters. Spencer remembered that he wanted to cook for her.
"Hey, Stella...what's your favorite meal?" He asked, trying to remain inconspicuous but failing miserably.
She eyed him, "Chicken Fried Rice, why?"
He shook his head, "Just wondering. Derek and I are going to go do homework up stairs."
She nodded, before yelling after them teasingly, "That better be all you're doing!"
Derek laughed loudly as he climbed the stares, glancing towards a burning red Spencer.
"Come on, baby boy..let's go relax."
