Chapter 50

Alex POV

Vacation – Day 4 (Monday)

A knock on my bedroom door wakes me with a jolt.

"Alex," Dave calls from the other side of the door.

I look at the clock by my bed and it reads seven twenty seven. "Whaaattt!" I whine tired and angry. I fell asleep fully dressed and had a very uncomfortable night even with Neal beside me. In fact, at one point I almost kicked him out of bed in an attempt to get comfortable.

"You two have twenty minutes to get down stairs or we're leaving without you."

I remember the trip to Manhattan and suddenly I'm not so eager to go if it means getting out of bed.

I reach over to feel for Neal beside me but he's not there. Then I hear the shower in the bathroom turn on and groan. How can they just wake up this early?

CM

After a quick breakfast of Captain Crunch and toast, Dave and Jason call Spencer and I to the library. I had a feeling I knew what they were going to say and I'm sure Spencer did too.

"Alex," Dave starts off. "I know you probably already know this, but just so there's no misunderstanding, I'm going to say it anyways. When we get to the city, I want you in eyesight at all time."

"But…I'm going to be with Neal."

"I know son, but it's a big city. I'll just feel better if I knew where you were."

"Can't I just call you like before?"

"Alex," He growls my name and I know he's done arguing about it.

Jason folds his arms over his chest and states calmly, "Spencer, you're staying with me. We can go where ever you like but we are doing it together. Okay?"

"Y-yes sir," Spencer quickly agrees.

Kiss up.

"I'm sure I don't have to remind you of the consequences if you disobey me today." Dave says to me.

I roll my eyes and reply, "I know, I know. Trust me, after what Derek did to me yesterday, you won't have to worry about me doing anything out in public any time soon."

Dave posture straightens and he looks confused. I'm not sure why until he asks, "What did Derek do to you?"

I look between Dave and Jason but both of them look lost. I'm not sure if I should go on. If neither Aaron or Derek told them about what happened, maybe I shouldn't either.

"Alex," Dave demands. "What did Derek do?"

"He…he, uh…he hit me – spanked me actually, in front of everyone when we were at the strip club."

"Spank– strip club?!" Dave barks and I wince. "Why didn't you tell me about this sooner?"

"I-I thought Aaron told you already."

"Aaron knew about this too?"

"I-I-I think so."

Jason turns to Dave and says, "I'll go find Derek and Aaron and send them your way. But make it quick, we'll wait for you."

Jason and Spencer leave the library and I stand uncertain of what's going to happen now.

"Can-can I go too?" I ask, afraid of being in the same room with Aaron and Derek after ratting them out.

"No," Dave says. "You're in just as deep as they are. Tell me what happened. Start from the beginning."

I start telling him the entire story from Derek and I leaving the mansion to us coming back home. As I'm finishing, Derek and Aaron are entering the room.

"What's up?" Derek asks apprehensively.

Dave turns his furrowed brows their way and I'm relieved that the pressure is off me.

"Do you want to tell me why you spanked my son in front of a bunch of strangers in a strip club?"

Derek swallows hard and looks away from Dave. "Um…I…I apologized for that. Alex was being stubborn and I wanted to go so I just…I swatted him a couple of times."

"Oh, you just swatted him a couple of times." Dave repeats sarcastically. "What were you doing in a strip club in the first place? You know how I feel about Alex being in any environment where there's drinking and salacious behavior that could entice him to drink."

"I know, I'm sorry. I was just mad at Hotch because I thought he was trying to govern my life so I just…I wanted to rebel anyway I could."

"So you pulled my son into your plot for revenge?"

"Dave," Aaron interjects, currently the calmest person in the room but with Dave's present rage, that might not last for long. "I've already discussed this with Derek and we've come to an understanding that he won't be taking Alex anywhere you do not approve of again."

"You had a discussion with him." Dave repeats dangerously composed. "Did you not think it was important for me to know of that little discussion? Especially considering Alex went into a crying fit after."

Aaron flushes. "I know, sir, and I'm sorry. You deserved to know what happened. If something like this happens again, I will tell you immediately."

Dave runs a hand through his hair and glares at us in silence for a moment. When he finally speaks, he says, "This is my one and only warning to you three. Do not keep secrets from me again. Understand."

"Dave, it wasn't like we were trying to keep it a secret." Derek protests. "We just didn't think it was important."

Dave takes a calming breath and growls, "Anything that happens to any of you is important to me." Then he turns to Aaron and says, "You of all people should know how I feel. You have a son."

Aaron nods soberly. "I know Dave," He says. "And I'm truly sorry. It won't happen again."

Dave rubs the hair on his chin, his brows still furrowed. He's really mad and I don't know if it's because we kept something from him or because of what we kept from him.

He cut his eyes between us and then repeats, "Last warning. No more secrets."

"'Kay," I answer immediately and Aaron and Derek say, "Yes sir," together.

"Good," Dave glances down at his watch. "Let's go before they begin to worry if I killed you three in here."

Dave leads the way out of the library. As I follow behind him, Derek comes over to me and whispers, "Hey kid, about yesterday-"

"You don't have to apologize." I interrupt. "I forgave you already. I'm sorry I told Dave about it. I thought he already knew."

"Yeah, guess we never got around to it." He replies then suddenly he wraps an arm around my shoulders and pulls me into a one armed hug. "So all it takes for you to forgive me is to sleep it off? Wish you would've said that sooner. I stressed all evening about that."

I shove him lightly. "That's what you get." For making me freak out.

"Touché, baby boy." He releases me as we go through the library doors. "You won't have to worry about it happening again though."

"Good," I say and then looking down the hallway, I see Neal is standing at the end waiting for me. He looks awkward and doesn't make eye contact with anyone. He's probably still embarrassed about being spanked in the same house as them. As far as I know, no one else knows about Neal and Harvey's little secret but me, but I guess I can still understand his nervousness.

CM

Once we get to the city we park the SUVs in an all-day parking garage and walk in a group until slowly we all end up going our separate ways. Dave, Neal, and I end up in old Jazz Club in Harlem with Spencer and Jason. Normally, I'm not taken to jazz music but it's Dave's form of entertainment, and Neal's secret passion, so I don't argue. There are people drinking but I suppose Dave isn't worried about me and alcohol since he's here to supervise.

A woman with a soulful voice belts out the poetic harmonies of Harlem as we find a seat at a table. Somehow, Dave and Jason leave me sitting between Spencer and Neal and while I'm not opposed to sitting beside Neal, I'd rather not be beside Spencer. He apparently can't read my hostility though because halfway through the song, he leans over to me and whispers, "Y'know, this song was actually written before the Harlem Renaissance by a Blues singer in New Orleans."

I roll my eyes, annoyed by his obsession with obscure facts and angry that he's talking to me. I whisper back in a low snarling tone, "Just because they're forcing us to be together doesn't mean I forgive you."

Spencer looks away from me and mumbles, "Well at least now you're talking to me. I say that's progress."

Neal must sense my anger because he takes my hand and whispers, "What's up? You two okay?"

Before I can answer him, Spencer whispers back harshly, "I don't see why you can't forgive me after all this time but you forgave Derek the same day."

"Derek didn't choose boning a stranger over staying with me."

Spencer doesn't say anything else.

I sit quietly through two and a half acts before I begin to complain. "How long are we going to stay here? There's still all of New York to explore."

Dave shakes his head and checks his watch. Then he looks to Jason and states, "What do you say? Ready to head out?"

Jason turns to me and I give him the biggest pleading eyes I could muster and he sighs with defeat. "Yes. Let's leave before the baby gets too agitated."

When we leave the club, we debate on where to go next.

"There's an art gallery that just opened a few blocks from here." Neal suggests. "I went with my brother Saturday so you can take my word that the art's decent."

I wrap an arm around Neal's arm and say, "I'm up for some art."

To be honest, I don't really care about art but an art gallery is a wide open space so I won't be forced to interact with Spencer again.

Jason opens his mouth to say something but then his phone rings. He holds up his hand to pause us as he takes the call a few steps away.

Dave chuckles and shakes his head. "An art gallery," He starts again. "I guess that's alright. We can meet the others at the restaurant for lunch after."

"Yes, please, I'm starving." I agree.

Just then Jason comes back over to us with a shy smile on his face. "I'm going to have to take a rain check on the gallery. A friend of mind in New York just called. She wants me to stop by so we can catch up." He looks up to Spencer before turning to Dave and saying, "Can you handle things by yourself or do you need me to stick around?"

Things. He means us but he doesn't want to be blatantly obvious about it with Neal here.

"No, I've got it." Dave gives a shrewd wink. "You go have fun. We'll see you later tonight."

Jason shakes his head no to whatever Dave's thinking. "You'll see me for lunch. I'm just going to touch bases."

"Ah yes, touching bases. I know that very well."

"Oh my god," I force my face into my palms in embarrassment. "Please, Jason, go before this gets any more awkward."

Jason smirks and then looks to Reid.

"You okay?" He asks softly.

Spencer blushes as he nods his head. "Of course. Go, uh, I'll be fine."

Jason's smirk disappears and he stares at Spencer for a while. Then he nods at Dave and the two of them walk off to the side to talk. I'm not sure what they're talking about but I can deduce it's about Spencer's response. Jason probably figures Spencer is anxious about being alone with us because Neal and I will be together, obviously, so he's going to be alone with Dave and there's not much they have in common. I don't think they've actually spent more than twenty minutes alone together.

When Dave and Jason come back, Jason says, "Two hours. Call me if you need me. Okay?"

Spencer nods again. I still sense his uncertainty.

Jason gets in one cab and we get in another. Neal tells the cabby the address to the Gallery before turning to Dave and giving an innocent smile.

"There's something I've been wanting to ask you." Neal starts. "And this is as good a time as any." He clears his throat awkwardly as if he's intimidated by Dave already and he hasn't even said anything. "Since we're here in New York, a beautiful city really, and quite safe if you go to the right places, which I always do. I spent my entire life here and I've never found any trouble, you can run my background and-"

I hit Neal gently on the side of his leg to get him to shut up before he tangents off into his life story.

"Um…anyways, I wanted to ask…if it'll be alright for Alex and I to go out sometime this week. Alone."

Dave doesn't bat an eye or falter before he stating plainly, "You drink quite a lot, Mr. Coleman."

"Only wine…mostly wine. But Alex doesn't drink anymore, do you?" I nod nervous that no matter what Neal says, Dave's still going to say no. "Most of the time he's begging me not to drink."

"That's not a good selling point." Dave states. "How do you expect me to trust you to watch out for Alex if you're drunk?"

Neal is quiet for a moment but eventually relents. "I won't drink, I promise."

Dave sighs and asks, "What are you plans?"

Neal smiles broadly knowing he's won Dave over. "I've been invited to an art showing tomorrow night. I made reservations at a restaurant not far from the studio so I thought we'd eat, go to the showing, and then retire to the flat Harvey rented out for me for the week."

"Sounds like you plan to do a lot of traveling." The low tone Dave says that in makes me fear he's changed his mind. But then he adds, "Make me an itinerary by tonight and I'll think about it."

"Already have one made." Neal states smoothly. "After that whole ordeal with Dalton's friend Jared, Harvey insisted that I send him an itinerary whenever I plan a long night out. I could have it emailed over to you as soon as we get home."

"Alright," Dave finally agrees. "You have my blessing. But call me after you leave every avenue and-"

"And before we enter the next." Neal finishes the order we've heard so many times before. "Business as usual then."

"Yes, and when you get to the flat, stay there." Dave's eyes focus on me now. "I mean it."

"Yes sir," I answer instantly. Can't really see a reason why we'd want to leave anyway.

When we get to the art gallery Neal shows me around to some of his favorite pieces. I don't really get art. Growing up Blaine and I used to beat up artsy kids but being with Neal, since he talks about it all the time, I've grown used to hearing artistic crap every day.

"Ah," Neal expresses as we stare at painting of what looked like someone spilled their coffee on a table cloth. "Magnificent, don't you think?"

"Neal, trust me, you don't want to know what I-" My thoughts are cut short when I see a person across the gallery that I immediately recognize. Anna. The girl that stole Spencer's loyalty from me. She's staring at a painting of an explosion that takes up a wall on it's on. When I see her, so does Spencer. He's too far away from us for me to hear what he's saying but he says something to Dave that makes Dave look at Anna. Then he nods and says something back to Spencer before Spencer crossed the gallery to be with her.

Neal finally catches on and sees Anna with the rest of us.

"Isn't that the girl from the party?"

"The party that Spencer ditched me at?" I ask irately. "Yeah, that's her."

Neal must sense the anger radiating from me because he turns my attention to a new painting that faces away from Spencer and his new 'girlfriend'.

Almost two hours later, we're outside a restaurant on Park Ave. waiting for the rest of the team. Penelope, Kevin, and Derek show up on time but Emily doesn't. She also doesn't answer anyone's call. We hoped she was with Aaron and JJ but when they show up a few minutes later, she's not with them either.

"I'll call her again," Aaron says while passing Jack over to Derek. "You guys go find a seat and I'll meet you inside."

We go inside together and Dave manages to talk the waiter into getting us a perfect table in front of the window. I love going out with him because it's like he knows exactly what to say to everyone to get what he wants.

"Where do you think Emily is?" Penelope asks Derek. The two of them, and Kevin, are sitting with Neal and I at one end of the table and everyone else is at the other end. Spencer's also technically sitting on our end but he's not in the mist of the group so I pretend to ignore him.

"She told me she was going to visit a friend. I thought she'd be back by now." Penelope answers.

"Well, she'd better have a good reason for not answering her phone or Hotch is gonna kill her."

"I don't know what's the big deal." Kevin mutters. "So what, she's on her on. She'll show back up sooner or later."

"Oh sweetie," Penelope coos. She picks up a roll from the basket across from us and holds it up to his mouth. "Have you tried a roll? I hear they're fantastic."

Kevin dejectedly bites into the roll but he doesn't say anything else.

Aaron comes to the table with a austere look on his face. We all get quiet in order to hear what they're saying on the other end of the table.

"She finally answered…after the third call," Aaron states irritated. "She said she went shopping with an old friend and lost track of time. She's going back to the mansion to wait for us."

Wouldn't want to be in her shoes right now.

"She must've just had her phone on silent. I'm sure it was unintentional." Dave defends. "Emily is the responsible one after all." He shoots a quick smirk Derek's way and Derek brushes a hand across his head in embarrassment.

"You're right," Aaron utters. "Her phone must've been on vibrate." His words say he agrees with Dave but his voice doesn't seem as sincere, neither do his eyes. I understand why.

Emily's phone is rarely on silent and she always answers. This is new behavior to me and I'm eager to know what it means.

"What about Jason," Aaron asks changing the subject. "You get an answer from him?"

Dave nods and says, "I sent him a text. He said he'll meet us at home but I told him to take his time. You never want to rush away from a woman. Not if you want a second date."

"God, can someone please change the conversation." I groan. They laugh but I'm quite serious.

Will brings up baseball and that takes over the conversation for a while and I'm satisfied. I'd rather talk about sports I've never played than hear my dad give advice on dating.


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