Chapter 52

"ALEX!" I hear Dave bark my name on the other side of my bedroom door. Neal was sitting on by my bed beside me quietly but after hearing Dave's anger from the other side of the door he quickly stands.

"I should go," he says.

"No, stay. He will probably only yell if you stay with me."

"Or he'll call my brother and I'll have to deal with Harvey sooner than I anticipated."

Dave doesn't bang on my door, he just gives it a firm knock and that's how I know he's angry. If he bangs on it, it's because he's trying to get my attention, like when he wakes me up in the morning, but knocking means he has physically prepared and restrained himself for what he's about to do.

"Alex, open the door. Now." Dave orders but I don't move.

"Are you going to open it?" Neal asks.

I shake my head no and say, "I'm not ready. You open it. I'll go hide in the bathroom."

"He's your boss. You open the door and this time I'll hide in the bathroom." He hurries to the bathroom and closes the door before I can argue anymore.

"Alex," Dave barks. "I will not ask you again."

I slink out of bed and over to the door. I open it to Dave with a not-too-happy look on his face.

"What happened between you and Spencer?" He asks in a low tone.

"We-we got into an disagreement." I mumble.

"And you hit him."

"He hit me too."

Dave massages the bridge of his nose with two fingers and I realize how childish I must have sounded just then.

"Where is Neal?" He asks.

"He's…in the bathroom." I admit.

Dave eyeballs the partially cracked bathroom door before taking a step to the side and saying, "Let's finish this conversation in the library. The others are waiting."

I take a hard gulp before passing Dave and marching silently beside him on our way to face my harsh fate.

As we enter the library, I see Spencer sitting the chair in front of the desk and Jason, Penelope, and Emily hovering above him. Penelope has a towel and is cleaning the dry blood from Spencer's face as he holds another towel full of what I can only assume is ice against his black eye. His nose had stopped bleeding and he looked fine, if you ignored his eye.

Upon seeing me, they all pause what they're doing and glare. I begin to feel like a strange invader among people I normally consider my family.

"Now that we're all here," Jason starts. "Someone explain."

"I can't believe you ratted me out." I bark at Emily, Penelope, and Spencer, completely ignoring Jason's order.

"No one ratted you out," Dave clarifies. "Jason went out to the pool house to check on you all and imagine his surprised when he found Spencer like this. How long did you think Spencer would be able to hide a black eye from us?"

I shrug in embarrassment.

Returning to the subject at hand, Jason repeats. "Now someone tell us what started this."

I waste no breath in quickly explaining. "Spencer was planning to sneak out to see that girl again and Emily and Penelope were going to let him but I threatened to tell you and he got mad and then we got into a fight."

I was torn between feeling guilty for blabbing so easily and feeling triumphant because I knew they would have probably done the same to me but in their favor.

"You were going to do what?" Jason turns his anger to Spencer and the others.

"It wasn't exactly like that," Emily retracts in attempt to soothe Jason's anger. "Spencer wanted to see the girl he met at the party again so Penelope and I were going to try and make it happen. They were going to meet in the pool house, not away somewhere we couldn't keep an eye on them, so I thought it would be alright." She tells.

"But they were going to break curfew." I say in an attempt to get Jason back on my side.

"And you thought that was reason enough to hit him?" Dave questions as he laces me with a stern glare.

I look away from him down to the warm carpet beneath my bare feet. "No. That's not what started the fight."

"Then what did?"

I look up and stare at Spencer and he does the same to me. I think we're both waiting for the other to come clean about the distance that has grown between us.

Since neither of us speak up, Penelope comes forth and says, "Alex is still angry with Spencer for leaving him alone at the party and neither of them have tried to make any progress in bridging the gap that's continued to increase and practically tear this family apart."

"Exaggerate, Penelope?" Jason states.

Penelope shrugs and replies, "Well, it will tear us apart soon if they keep fighting. They're not even trying to make things right."

"I have tried to make things right!" Spencer yells and I become furious again.

"I don't care about you trying to make things right!" I yell back.

"See," Spencer motions angrily at me as if I'm an perpetual irritation. "This is the kind of pig-headedness I have to deal with. He won't even listen to me."

I was going to say something along the lines of 'fuck you and anything you have to say' when Dave butts in just in time. "Enough, both of you. This has gone on for too long. Emily, Penelope, thank you. We'll take it from here."

Penelope gives the side of Spencer's head a loving caress before she and Emily leave the room. I feel a pang of jealousy since neither of them came to my aide when both Spencer and I were involved in the fight. I may be stronger than Spencer but that doesn't mean his punches didn't hurt me too.

"Alex, sit." Dave orders as he motions to the chair beside Spencer. I hesitate initially but after seeing the heated frustration in Dave's eyes, I decide not to push him and just obey.

Once I'm beside Spencer, Jason and Dave sit side by side on the desk in front of us, their arms tucked tightly across their chest, flexing muscles I currently wished they lacked considering what is almost certainly going to follow this little palaver.

"No one's leaving this room until you two can settle on common ground." Dave states.

"Because this is will the last time we hear about either of you fighting," adds Jason. "Do I make myself clear?"

Spencer nods, still looking as displeased with this as I am, but I don't respond at all. I'd rather just take the spanking and get it over with if it means I don't have to 'talk out my feelings'.

"Spencer, you first." Jason orders.

"What can I say now that I haven't already?" Spencer growls and cuts his eyes at me. "I've already apologized but all he does in response is yell and cuss. It's like trying to have a conversation with a tired child."

"Alex," Dave pressures.

I fold my arms tightly against my chest and bite, "I don't have anything to say to him."

"Alexander." He murmurs in disappointment which only serves to upset me more.

"He left me, Dave." I defend. "I shouldn't have to forgive him."

"We're not asking you to forgive him right away, Alex. We just want to know what can we do to insure a fight won't break out between you two again if we're not around to stop it."

"Don't leave us around each other again." I grumble.

"I second that motion." Spencer adds.

By the way Dave rubs his chin and Jason massages the bridge of his nose, I can tell Spencer and I are beginning to work on their nerves. It is mostly me probably considering how I'm the obstinate one.

"Alright," Jason puts his hands down to his side and focuses back on us. "Let's try this. Alex, tell Spencer right now what you were feeling once you realized you were left alone at the party."

My first reaction is one of confusion but then it transpires into defensiveness.

"That sounds like something Penelope would recommend." I reply. "How is that going to help?"

"Just trust me. Tell him. Were you angry or confused?"

"I felt betrayed." I confess.

"That's what you felt after you found him in the room with the girl. I want you to tell him what you were feeling the second you realized you were alone in a unfamiliar place surrounded by intoxicated strangers."

"I was…afraid."

"Don't tell us," Dave says. "Tell Spencer."

I turn my body so that it is facing Spencer but I stare at the floor as I repeat, "I was afraid. I thought something had happened to you. At first I thought Jared but then I didn't know what to think, so much was happening at once…so I hid and called Neal. But he took too long to come. I-I was alone for half an hour," Anger rises in my body and I feel my face being to burn as I remember how easily Spencer left me. "I was just afraid, okay." I end quickly before I accidentally said something I might regret.

"Spencer,"

Jason doesn't even have to urge Spencer to reply. He just begins releasing words and tears all at once.

"Alex, I'm so sorry." He says without trying to fight the tears in his eyes. "I couldn't be any more apologetic, I promise you I couldn't. I never meant to hurt you, I just didn't think it through. I'm a genius but I'm still a human and I still make mistakes. Please, even if you decide you can never trust me again, please just stop hating me. I can't stand it anymore."

It's quiet as it seems like everyone in the room is waiting on my response but I don't know what to say. I'm conflicted. I don't want to forgive Spencer so quickly because he left me for a girl he only just met, but at the same time I begin to question whether or not I would've done the same thing. I've probably left Blaine drunk at a frat party half a dozen times in college if there was even a remote chance of me hooking up with a hot guy.

But still, it's different with Spencer and I. Blaine didn't have a legitimate fear of being at wild parties. I shouldn't have to forgive Spencer.

But he looks so sad, I think, trying hard to ignore the tears currently on Spencer's cheeks. Maybe he really is sorry. What would it hurt to at least say I forgive him just to make him feel better.

"Alright, alright," I rub my hand through my hair. "I forgive you. Just please stop crying." We're going to get enough of that in a minute.

"Are-are you serious?" Spencer asks surprised.

"Yes, I'm serious. But if it happens again, I swear on everything I love, there will not be a third chance."

"I promise it will never happen again, okay. I will never, ever leave you anywhere alone ever again." He smiles warmly as he promises this to me and I want to believe him but I just don't think I can.

"So, now that we're all made up," Jason states. "We all agree that there will be no more punches thrown between you two."

"Yes," I drone. "Yes sir," Spencer answers.

"Good." Jason looks to Dave and they speak silently to each other through subtle eyebrow gestures. After a few seconds, they nod and stand up.

"Alex, stand up." Dave orders me. Nervously, I obey. When I stand he takes my chair and moves it away from Spencer's chair a few feet. Then he sits down in it and motions for me to come to him. Jason does the same with Spencer and I realize they intend to spank us together again.

I try for my saddest, most sincere puppy dog eyes and whine, "Can't we just apologize to each other and let it go?"

"You will be apologizing to each other," Dave assures. "After we're done. Now, if you come over here without a struggle, you can keep your pants up."

It only takes a second for my feet to start moving towards him. Once I'm by his side, Dave yanks me over his lap and there is a pause before the first smack comes. During that pause I look up and see Spencer being guided tearfully over Jason's lap. I only get a moment to see him though before Dave brings his hand down full force stretching across my entire behind.

I force myself not to make a noise to see if I could be as tough as Neal was during his time with Harvey and I'm able to stay quiet for two smacks but on the third one, an inhumane groan escapes me. Two hard whacks later and I give into the pain and start crying.

"You will not get into a physical altercation with anyone in this family again." Dave starts to lecture. "One of you could have been seriously injured. What if the others weren't there to stop you? I fear the thought of you losing your temper alone if your answer to anger is to immediately resort to violence."

Listening to his and Jason's speeches of disappointment and the he sound of hands smacking butts and sobs filling the air become too much for me and I unconsciously begin to cry harder.

"Okay, okay, okay, okay," I cry. "I'm sorry. Please dad, I won't – I won't do it again, please stop!"

Dave ignores my howls and continues to lay down the law on my backside. I want to reach back by I fight the urge because I know that will result in a longer spanking and I want this to be over as soon as possible.

After twenty spanks, Dave stops. At first I think it's over but then he says, "Five more, son." It seems like forever since I've last heard him say that. Oddly enough, I feel a bit of nostalgia at hearing them. That feeling is quickly replaced with the feeling of a hard, calloused hand making contact with my upper thighs. Four more slow, steady spanks later I'm lying across Dave's lap with the hand that just seconds ago caused me pain rubbing my back and soothing me sobs.

"It's alright," Dave reassures quietly. I notice that Spencer's spanking has ended as well and the only sounds left in the room are the echoes of dads assuring their sons that everything was still alright.

CM

I wake up in my bed alone. The clock says a few hours has passed and I realize I must have fallen asleep on David's lap after the spanking. I expected that much, it's been a long day.

I climb out of bed and since I'm still fully dressed, with the exception of my shoes, I leave my room in search for the others.

I find most of the team in the den, everyone but Aaron and Derek, watching an old movie on the projector. I can almost laugh at the thought of Jason refusing to go a week watching current movies on a modern media player.

Quietly, I sneak into the room and slink in between Neal and Penelope on the floor.

"Look who's awake." Neal jokes softly.

"How did I get to my room?" I ask.

"Agent Rossi carried you. He must really care about you because you are heavier than you look."

I shove him playfully and say, "Either that or he was trying to intimidate you with a demonstration of his strength."

Neal looks suddenly stunned and worried as if that thought hadn't crossed his mind.

I smile at him but then turn to Penelope. "Are still mad at me?" I ask.

Penelope looks sincerely confused. Then she pulls me into a hug and says, "I was never mad at you, you sweet little doe. I just thought you two were going to kill each other."

Someone shushes us and it reverberates in the room but we don't readily adhere to it. Out of respect, Penelope lowers her voice a bit and says, "And then I was sure that the poppa bears were going to eat you alive and let's just say that you, little mister, are going to turn me grey before my time."

"Yeah, that happens. Where are Derek and Aaron?"

"Derek wanted to go for a run and Hotch went with him. They left a little while ago so they should be on their way back by now."

The movie ends a little bit later and that's when Derek and Aaron finally come in.

"Dave," I say. Dave's sitting across from me with Jack on the floor in front of him not paying much attention to what's going because of the toys occupying his attention. "Now that the movie's, do you think you could go start on dinner?"

Dave laughs and says, "It's already in the oven. Why don't you and Spencer come check on it with me." I know that it's an command and not a question, so when he stands to leave so do we.

In the kitchen, Dave stops and leans against a counter, staring at us. "Is there anything you boys would like to say?"

I sigh and turn to Spencer. "I'm sorry I started a fight with you."

"And I'm sorry I fought you."

"Next time we have a disagreement," I turn and smile cunningly at Dave. "We should talk it out instead of fighting it out."

Dave reaches over and tussles my hair and says, "You're kidding, but I'm serious. And the next time you two let a disagreement last between you two for this long without trying to work it out, I'm going to be the one to throw the first lick. Do I make myself clear?"

Jason walks in just as we groan out "Yes sir,".

"Have you boys apologized to each other yet?"

"Yes sir," Spencer answers.

"Good. Now go get the others and wash up for dinner."

We leave in silence but not in anger. I still don't trust Spencer but at least now I can talk to him without the desire to punch him in the face

CM

Prentiss POV

After dinner we all retire to the parlor. We sit around talking for a while before the room begins to wane down. JJ and Will take the kids up stairs to get ready for bed; Alex, Neal and Spencer decided to go for a late night swim before Spencer's 'bed time'; and Penelope went back to her room with Kevin.

Before Penelope leaves though, Jason stops her and says, "I know that you've been using Kevin's devices when I'm not around." Kevin is already out of the room so there is no threat of him over hearing Jason but I'm not far from them so the icy tone in Jason's voice sends shivers down my spine. "When I said unplug for the rest of the week, I meant it. Do not think that dealing with Spencer tires me out. I'm not that old yet. I can deal with both of you in one day if I have to."

Penelope flushes with embarrassment and says, "Y-yes sir. I mean, no sir. I mean…it won't happen again."

"It better not because if I even suspect it again, Kevin is going to get his own room and you and I are going to do a lot more than talk."

"Y-yes sir,"

Jason gives her a nod and Penelope leaves a little pinker than the dyed streaks in her hair.

When Jason turns back around, I try to pretend like I wasn't eavesdropping on their conversation by talking to Hotch sitting on the other end of the couch from me reading a magazine. I don't know if he overheard Jason's conversation with Penelope but if he did he's better at being discreet about hiding it than I am.

"So," I start. "How about a game of chess? It's been a while since we last played."

Hotch looks up from his magazine and says, "That's because you don't like chess."

"Yeah, but you do." I reply.

Aaron looks down at his watch and says, "I can't, it's getting late. I should be getting to bed." He stands and places the magazine back on the table. "Jack and I are going to meet Beth for breakfast. Maybe tomorrow afternoon."

"Hey Hotch," Derek interjects from across the room. "Don't forget we're playing basketball with the guys tomorrow."

"Oh, that's right. Maybe we could get together tomorrow evening." He suggests to me.

Thinking fast, I say, "Well, maybe I could play basketball with you guys."

"Uh, well…it's kind of a 'guys only' thing. We get kind of rough while we're playing and I wouldn't want anything to happen to you."

"Is Spencer playing?" I question a bit annoyed.

"No, and I wouldn't let him play even if he wanted to. You would survive longer on the court than he would. But don't worry. We'll do something together soon. I promise."

Yes, of course. After you finish spending all of your valuable time with Derek, you can waste your left over energy on me.

"Yeah, sure, that's fine." I answer with false acceptance. I don't like causing problems so I pretend like it doesn't bother me. Since I know that Hotch is very good at his job as a profiler, I get up before he has the chance to figure out my deception and say, "I should be heading off to bed too. Karen wants me to go with her to one of her dad's social gatherings tomorrow."

"Oh, okay. Just make sure to keep your phone on this time. You had me worried."

"Yeah, sorry about that."

Aaron and I leave the parlor together but we quickly go our separate ways to our rooms.

As soon as I enter my room, my phone rings. It's Karen so I answer it.

"Hey, Em, what are you doing?" She asks me far too happily.

"About to go to bed."

"This early? It's barely ten o'clock."

"Yeah, well, you wore me out today so I'm hitting the sack early tonight."

"Oh, no you're not. You're only in town for a week so I want to take you to my favorite spots."

"Who goes clubbing on a Monday night?" I question.

"It's not clubbing per se. Me and a couple of girlfriends are going to take you around the city and show you the best side of NYC."

I roll my eyes and ask, "How much is the cover charge for the best side of NYC?"

"Don't worry about it. I'm paying for everything."

"Karen, you know how I feel about you paying for me."

"C'mon Em, you know I love spending my dad's money. And you're my best friend but we never hang out any more. Let's go out, buy a lot of drinks, flirt with a lot of guys, dance with each other, and then go back to my place drunk and tired like we used to do in college."

I contemplate whether or not I'm up for a night of drinking and flirting. Not that anyone would care if I did as long as I checked in and let them know I'm not dead.

Before I can make a decision though, Karen says, "You better say yes because I'm already on my way to your place."

With a sigh I reply, "Fine. Just give me a few minutes to get dressed. But the next time you won't to have a girl's night out, I decide what we do."

"Sounds cool to me. Just hurry your ass up before you change your mind."

I hang up from Karen and start looking through my clothes until I find the black and white dress she bought me earlier. I shower, do my hair and makeup, put on a pair of the black heels Penelope left for me, and sneak quietly down stairs. I'm sure no one would try to stop me from going out tonight but I'd rather not be held up or hear a lecture before I leave.

Once I'm in the car with Karen and two more of her friends, she speeds off from the mansion going way over the speed limit.

"Karen, you do realize I'm a Federal Agent." I say after she comes to a sudden halt at the stop sign.

"Oh lighten up, Em." Karen nudges me with her elbow. "Tonight, all you are is a girl looking for a good time."

"I'm still a girl with a badge so slow down."

She pouts playfully and replies, "Fine, party pooper. But you'd better be more fun when we get to the guys."

When she takes off from the stop sign, I decide to text Hotch and let him know I'm gone since there's no chance of him telling me not to go now.

I pat the side of my dress and realize it doesn't have pockets. Then I remember where my phone is; on my bed where I left it after talking to Karen.

I could easily use Karen's phone to text him but I decide not to. He'll be too busy with other things tomorrow to realize I'm not around anyways. I'll be back before he misses me.


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