Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds. The occasional scenes from episodes of Criminal Minds in this story belong to the writers of Criminal Minds and CBS. No copyright infringement is intended.
A/N: Shout out to Daisyangel, Fashionista7, fishtrek, criminalmindsrocks, and Astrahan for reviewing chapter six.
After everything I've been through while surviving COVID in July, I'm lucky to be alive so I can celebrate my 27th birthday today!
This chapter starts seven hours after the last chapter and I hope everyone likes my version of Spencer's talk with the Senate Committee.
Spencer woke up at 5:30 A.M. to his wife holding his IV-free hand causing him to squeeze his wife's hand, "Livy," croaked Spencer.
Olivia opened her eyes and looked at the clock before she smiled at her husband as she grabbed her husband's glasses and slipped them onto the bridge of his nose, "Aside from you being in and out of consciousness for the past nine hours, your appendectomy has been successful."
"I already knew that because of talking to a nurse in the recovery room," croaked Spencer.
Olivia grabbed for a cup of water and helped her husband take a few sips, "This should help you."
After taking five slow sips of water, Spencer gave his wife a tired smile, "Thank you, Livy."
At that moment the nurse who was still working the night shift who was in her mid-50s entered the room and smiled at Spencer, "It's finally nice to see the brown eyes that your wife told me about over six hours ago, Dr. Reid. I'm Nurse Wanda Ryan and I'll be your nurse until 8 A.M."
"Please call me Spencer," said Spencer.
After checking Spencer's blood pressure and temperature Nurse Wanda looked at Spencer, "Well good news is, your fever is finally down to a perfect temperature of 98.6."
"Even though I'm sore, I'm feeling much better too," said Spencer.
"Now on a scale of 1 to 10, what's your pain level?" asked Nurse Wanda.
"Four," said Spencer.
"Now let's have you take some Tylenol before you walk a lap in the hallway before Dr. Woodson stops by to check on you when he makes his rounds at 8 A.M.," said Nurse Wanda.
"Yes, ma'am," said Spencer softly.
Nurse Wanda looked at Olivia, "You have a really well-mannered husband."
Olivia smiled, "When Spencer and I were attending CalTech together, there were times that he was like 'yes ma'am', 'yes sir', 'no ma'am', 'no sir' since my mother-in-law raised him to be polite to his elders."
"I'm an F.B.I. agent, so I'm used to calling some of my superiors ma'am or sir," said Spencer.
"My 25-year-old son is currently a cadet in the academy, so you must be the famous Dr. Spencer Reid my son has been telling me about," said Nurse Wanda.
"That would be me," said Spencer before looking at the bag that held his belongings, "Before I go for a walk, can I please change into my pajama pants so I won't be showing my butt to everyone despite being offered hospital provided robe?" asked Spencer.
"Yes," said Nurse Wanda.
Two minutes later Spencer had taken some Tylenol and was following the nurse's instructions on how to get out of his hospital bed by rolling onto his side before getting into a sitting position so Olivia could help him put on his pajama pants that he first came to the hospital in before he slowly stood up so he could walk around the hallway.
20 minutes later Spencer exited the bathroom to find Olivia and nurse Wanda waiting for him, "I urinated."
Nurse Wanda smiled, "You now have a chance of going home this morning instead of this afternoon."
"Can I get back in bed?" asked Spencer.
Nurse Wanda shook her head as she pointed to the recliner that was in the hospital room, "You're sitting in this recliner until you're discharged."
Spencer sighed as he slowly walked to the recliner and slowly sat down before his wife covered him up with a blanket, "Thanks, Livy."
"Your welcome," said Olivia.
A minute later Nurse Wanda left the room to get Spencer the promised Jell-O causing Spencer to look at his wife as he thought about how tensed Olivia looked earlier, "Are you OK?" asked Spencer.
Olivia nodded, "When you were in surgery, Jennifer called about needing you to ignore your therapist's orders and come into work a half-hour after you were taken into the operating room."
"Why?" asked Spencer.
"Doyle was arrested but his son Declan Doyle is missing," said Olivia as she started to explain what she knew.
When Olivia was done telling her husband about the phone call, Spencer looked at his wife in shock, "Jennifer really thought of calling the police on you?" asked Spencer.
Olivia nodded, "She thought I was abusing you when I told her that you were indisposed."
"Except you were being a good wife by taking me to the hospital when you realized that the stomach flu that you thought I caught from Abigail and Brayden was more serious," said Spencer.
Olivia nodded, "I know," said Olivia before looking into her husband's eyes, "I hope that you're not upset about me for asking that all visitors be approved by us before they visit you while Jennifer is banned from visiting you here because I wanted your hospital stay to be as relaxing as possible."
"I'm not mad at you because I want my teammates to focus on rescuing Declan before they visit me," said Spencer before realizing that Morgan and Garcia had spent their free time searching for Declan and Doyle, "I can't believe that Morgan and Garcia never told me what they were doing or asked me for help."
"Maybe they didn't ask you for help before and after you left for your sabbatical since they knew that you were going to be too busy to help when they found out about me while they were ordered not to ask for your help when we found out that Emily is alive," said Olivia.
Spencer nodded in understanding before he thought about the reason why he's in the hospital, "If I didn't end up sick with appendicitis, I would have ignored my therapist's orders and be helping my teammates save Declan."
"I know, Doc," said Olivia before giving her husband a stern look, "but as soon as you get discharged, we're going to our church so I can go to confession before we go straight home where you'll be spending the next two weeks taking it easy."
Spencer sighed, "Yes, ma'am."
Later on that morning at 8 A.M., Spencer was still sitting in the recliner as he finished eating his fifth cup of jello when Dr. Woodson came into his room, "Dr. Woodson."
"I see that you're looking much better," said Dr. Woodson.
Spencer nodded, "Even though I'm sore from surgery; I'm grateful to no longer have a fever, have shooting pains in my abdomen, or having to vomit."
"That's good," said Dr. Woodson before he had Spencer stand up and lift up his hospital gown that was over his pajama pants before he gently removed the pieces of tape and squares of gauze that were over the one-inch incision on the bottom of his belly button and the three tiny incisions looked at the handiwork he did, "No signs of infection, you're no longer bleeding, and the results from each blood draw that was done overnight are back in a normal range."
"When can I go home? Our nephew who was born two weeks ago at 34-weeks is finally being discharged from the hospital today," said Spencer.
"Since you're doing great, already urinated, and walked around in the hallway I don't think that there would be a problem with letting you leave within the next hour so you can be home in time for lunch," said Dr. Woodson as he started to explain the diet that Spencer should follow for a few days, telling him to take some stool softener and laxative powder to mix in his water or juice to help him regain his bowel movements, wait with showering until 24 to 48 hours after surgery, and the weight limit he can carry for the next two weeks.
At that moment Olivia's phone vibrated causing her to see a text message from her brother.
I JUST PICKED UP SPENCER'S FATHER. DO YOU WANT ME TO BRING HIM TO THE HOSPITAL WHEN DANIELLE AND I COME TO THE HOSPITAL TO PICK UP BABY SPENCER IN AN HOUR? ~ EH
Olivia looked at her husband, "Your father has arrived. I'm going to let Edmund know that your father should just stay at our house since you'll be discharged in an hour."
"OK," said Spencer.
A minute later Olivia was texting her brother.
SPENCER IS BEING DISCHARGED, SO WE'LL BE HOME IN AN HOUR. SO WILLIAM SHOULD JUST HANG OUT AT SPENCE'S AND MY HOUSE. ~ OR
An hour later Olivia had just tied her husband's Converse sneakers just as an escort brought a wheelchair into the room causing her to smile at her husband who now had the CalTech t-shirt he was wearing when he came to the hospital back on, "Your ride is here, Doc," said Olivia.
Spencer glared at the wheelchair, "Do I have to?" asked Spencer.
"Hospital rules, Doc," said Olivia.
Spencer sighed as he slowly stood up and walked over to the wheelchair and gingerly sat down and grabbed his wife's hand before he was pushed out of the room.
Ten minutes later Spencer was slowly getting into the front seat of Olivia's car as he allowed Olivia who was already in the driver's seat to buckle him in so he wouldn't have to twist himself before she drove them to Our Lady of Victory Parish so she could go to confession for her choice of language the evening before.
Over an hour later, Spencer was allowing his father to gently hug him before he was directed to the recliner in the living room so he could take a nap while Olivia took a shower.
Later on that evening, Spencer was sitting in his recliner with a pillow protecting his incisions as he held his namesake while Abigail and Brayden who are both turning 11 in a week stood on either side of him as they showed him the get well soon cards they made for him, "Thank you so much for the cards," said Spencer.
"Your welcome, uncle Spencer," said Abigail and Brayden in unison.
Abigail looked at her uncle, "Was it scary being cut open?" asked Abigail.
Spencer shook his head, "Not at all because I was put to sleep with general anesthesia for surgery so I wouldn't have to witness myself being cut open."
"That's good, uncle Spencer," said Brayden.
Spencer looked at his oldest niece and nephew, "Are you two excited about getting to help your parents take care of your new little brother?" asked Spencer.
"I don't like helping my mom and dad deal with poopy diapers while he once peed on me today," said Brayden.
Spencer looked at his oldest nephew, "You urinated on me few times when you were a baby."
"I did?" asked Brayden.
Spencer nodded, "Even though I love you, baby Spencer, and my godsons; I rather hope that your aunt and I end up having a daughter when we finally give you and your siblings a cousin."
"I'm hoping that you and Aunt Olivia have a baby girl too, uncle Spencer," said Abigail just as Olivia came into the living room.
"Dinner is done," said Olivia before looking at her husband, "Now please hand me our nephew so you can start making your way to the table, Doc."
"Yes, ma'am," said Spencer he allowed his wife to gently collect their nephew while his father and Edmund helped him walk to the dining room.
Two days later Spencer who was propped up underneath three pillows woke up to a phone call causing him to groggily answer his phone, "Hello?" asked Spencer.
"How are you feeling, Reid?" asked Hotch.
"Much better than I felt on Wednesday while I'm in less pain than I was from surgery on Thursday," said Spencer.
"That's good," said Hotch before taking a breath, "I know that you heard that Doyle has been arrested and Prentiss and I are both home, but because of the rest of the team and I going rouge to save Declan we've been suspended because of two agents who were guarding Declan are dead while four international terrorists were killed in a shootout that saved Declan's life. We'll be required to face a Senate committee in two weeks to determine our future as a team since we didn't go through the proper channels. You're the only one who hasn't been suspended because of an emergency appendectomy keeping from ending your sabbatical to help save Declan's life."
"If I end up returning to the B.A.U. when I end my sabbatical, I might be working with a new team?" asked Spencer.
"Yes. Even though you didn't go rogue; the Senate committee wants to talk to you too because of how long you've worked with Prentiss while seeing her during your honeymoon caused the rest of the team to be read in," said Hotch.
"I'll make sure that my doctor clears me for the interrogation by the Senate Committee," said Spencer.
"Even though it's understandable that you're not ready to face JJ yet since she tried to break you and Olivia up and you're still dealing with being betrayed by JJ and me, do you think that you can let Prentiss come over? She's currently homeless while she wants to see how you're doing since she and I didn't learn that you were in the hospital for appendicitis until we turned on our phones after our flights," said Hotch.
"I'm not ready to face Prentiss yet either," said Spencer before seeing that Lafayette who was sleeping by his feet was now awake and letting out some groans, "Lafayette just woke up and I need to run him outside while I do a bit of walking for my post-operation instructions," said Spencer before hanging up.
A few seconds later Spencer was slowly getting out of bed and quickly used the bathroom only to find Olivia putting on a denim skirt and a short-sleeved blouse before she slipped on her prosthetic leg and her western boots, "You could have slept longer, Livy."
"I know, but I felt like taking Lafayette on a walk around the block while he does his business instead of just letting him out in the backyard," said Olivia before smiling at her husband, "Since you need to go on a walk to help prevent blood clots, you're coming with and we'll go out for breakfast when we're done walking Lafayette."
"Yes, ma'am," said Spencer.
A few minutes later Spencer had a pair of khaki pants that went below his still-healing scars, a polo shirt, and Converse sneakers on before he and Olivia took Lafayette on a walk through their neighborhood.
13 days later, a recovered Spencer was sitting on the bench waiting for his turn to talk to the Senate Committee when Chief Strauss exited the bathroom and sat down next to him, and held out a tin of mints to him.
Spencer shook his head, "No thank you."
A few seconds later Spencer and Chief Strauss saw Emily enter the lobby and started talking to a guard.
Chief Strauss to look at Spencer who had some anger showing in his usually warm brown/hazel eyes as she thought about hating Emily's faked death had hurt the young man next to her, "At least you've got her back," said Strauss.
Spencer turned his head and looked at his former section chief as he smelled a bit of alcohol in the older woman's minty breath causing him to think back to witnessing Chief Strauss pouring something from a flask into her drinks before every adult over 21 was allowed to drink alcoholic beverages during his and Olivia's wedding reception, "Did we?" asked Spencer.
Spencer's phone vibrated causing him to see a text message from Olivia.
I HOPE THAT YOU'RE FEELING WELL. HOPEFULLY, YOU'RE ABLE TO COME HOME SOON SINCE I CHANGED OUR FLIGHT TO 10 P.M. TONIGHT. I LOVE YOU. ~ OR
Spencer smiled a bit.
I'M FEELING GOOD. I'LL BE CALLED IN NEXT. I LOVE YOU TOO. ~ SR
"Olivia?" asked Chief Strauss.
Spencer nodded, "She was just checking in on me while letting me know that she changed our flights from 7 A.M. tomorrow morning to 10 P.M. tonight."
"Where are you and Olivia going?" asked Chief Strauss.
"Even though Olivia and I were supposed to fly to Las Vegas tomorrow morning, my mom's doctor wants to put my mom on some new medication. So we're catching an earlier flight so we can meet with my mom's doctor first thing tomorrow morning instead," said Spencer.
"Hopefully your visit with your family in Las Vegas goes well tomorrow," said Chief Strauss.
"I hope so too because my mom has been doing much better ever since I told her that Olivia came back into my life and kept my promise of not letting Olivia leave me again," said Spencer.
20 minutes later, Senator Cramer looked at Spencer, "Aside from all of us wanting to congratulate you on your nuptials, we're hoping that you've been doing well ever since you ran into Agent Prentiss during your honeymoon."
"As someone who is a son of a paranoid schizophrenic, I'm doing as well as I can since it took me a bit to realize that Agent Prentiss wasn't a hallucination while I'm having a hard time trusting everyone right now too," said Spencer.
Agent Senator nodded, "You should have been read in because the F.B.I. almost lost an asset like you to the deception that Agents Hotchner and Jareau pulled."
"I agree," said Spencer.
"When you were told that Agent Prentiss was dead, did you help Agent Morgan and Technical Analyst Garcia search for Doyle before your wedding?" asked Senator Cramer.
Spencer shook his head, "I did not. I was too busy working, writing, reading, babysitting, focusing on my health, attending Pre-Cana counseling sessions, and spending time with family."
"Even though you're the only member of your team who was unable to go rogue two weeks ago, I see that you're the only one who didn't request to be reinstated," said Senator Cramer before smiling a bit, "Is your crippled wife the reason why you're not requesting to be reinstated?" asked Senator Cramer.
Spencer quickly stood up and glared at Senator Cramer, "Please don't call my wife a cripple," snapped Spencer before he felt a bit of pain from the sudden movement causing him to clutch his abdomen.
"Calm down, Agent," ordered Senator Cramer.
"This is calm and it's doctor," said Spencer firmly.
A few hours later Spencer was standing in the conference room at the B.A.U. for the first time since working with Andi Swann when Chief Strauss looked at everyone, "The committee made it clear they will not support a rogue team. Agent Prentiss convinced them you were not that. They will be watching you closely. So I suggest you play by their rules." said Strauss.
A nervous Garcia looked at Strauss, "So we're OK?" asked Garcia nervously.
"Suspension is lifted for everyone," said Strauss.
JJ sighed in relief as she looked at Strauss, "Thank you, ma'am."
Strauss looked at Emily, "There may be more paperwork, considering your... situation, but the team is lucky to have you if you're interested."
"May I think about it?" asked Emily.
"Of course," said Strauss.
A few seconds later Emily looked at Strauss, "I'm in," said Emily before she smiled causing everyone else but Spencer to smile.
Strauss looked at Hotch, "I have a stack of cases on my desk. I'm happy to pass them along."
Hotch looked at Strauss, "I'll pick them up in the morning."
A second later, Morgan looked at Emily, "Emily, what did you say in there?" asked Morgan
Emily told them what she said and after she was finished Chief Strauss looked at Spencer, "Can I please speak to you in my office?" asked Chief Strauss.
Spencer nodded, "Yes, ma'am."
"What's going on?" asked Garcia.
"After what happened during my honeymoon, I'm still on sabbatical and Strauss said that she didn't need my decision on whether I'm coming back to the B.A.U. or not until today," said Spencer before leaving the conference room.
A few minutes later Spencer was sitting across from Chief Strauss in Chief Strauss's office.
"The Director and I are going to refuse your resignation from both the Behavioral Analysis Unit and the F.B.I.," said Chief Strauss.
"What if I wanted to transfer to a local White Collar Crimes task-force so I could work a nine to five job that didn't require traveling?" asked Spencer.
"I know that this past month has been difficult for you since you found out that Agent Prentiss is alive in one of the worst possible ways, but all the Director and I want you to is to continue working for the B.A.U. for at least four months before I agree to sign your transfer papers," said Chief Strauss before sliding some papers towards Spencer, "Some changes have been made on your contract to help make the next four months bearable for you while you will still get to keep what you're offered if you stay as an apology from the Bureau."
Spencer quickly read the updated contract that stated that he'll be getting his own office so he has a quiet place to work in because of his stress-related migraines while he'll also get his distance he needs from JJ, the Bureau will pay for a nurse to come over to his house to help Olivia in the mornings and evenings when he's on a case, while as damage control for the way he found out about Emily being alive they'll pay what isn't covered by insurance for his mother's medical care for the next ten years so he, his father, and uncle Gordon won't have to split the difference anymore while knowing that he and Olivia now have over eight-million dollars in their joint savings account thanks to combining their savings account after the wedding, "Aside from loving the idea of getting my own office since I won't have to be in the same room as Jennifer during paperwork days; paying for both a nurse to help Olivia out and my mother's care is way too much. Olivia has everything she needs to be fully independent while what isn't covered by both my dad's and my health insurance is split in three ways by my father, uncle Gordon, and me."
"I'm aware of how much money you and Olivia have in the bank, but it was anonymously decided that the Bureau would pay for your mother's care instead of giving you a raise while I thought that a nurse would be helpful when you and Olivia are expecting your first child," said Chief Strauss before becoming serious, "Do you approve what's being offered to you?" asked Chief Strauss.
"Yes," said Spencer as he quickly signed his updated contract.
"Since it's been two weeks since your appendectomy, has your primary physician clear you to return to work on Monday yet?" asked Chief Strauss.
Spencer nodded, "I'm allowed to travel and visit crime scenes, but I was told not to participate in any raids until October 19th."
"Then you're cleared to return to work on Monday," said Chief Strauss before looking into Spencer's eyes, "Now enjoy your last free weekend with your wife and parents before you step foot in this building again on Monday while I'll have Anderson move your belongings from your desk to your new office."
"Yes, ma'am," said Spencer.
Ten minutes later, Spencer was entering the conference room where his teammates were still standing and talking, "I'll be back in the B.A.U. on Monday since Chief Strauss and the Director are refusing to let me leave this unit yet, but in four months I'll get to decide if I still want to transfer to White Collar Crimes like I originally planned on doing," said Spencer before looking at Hotch, "I'll fax you the papers that mention that I'm cleared to fly when I get home."
"What did your doctor say about fieldwork?" asked Hotch.
"I can't put on my Kevlar vest and participate in any take-downs until October 19th," said Spencer before looking at the clock, "Since Olivia told me that dinner won't be done for another two hours, I want to spend the next hour helping Anderson move some of my belongings in the office that Chief Strauss and the Director set up as my new workspace for me."
"Why are you going to work in an office and not in the bullpen with Emily and me?" asked JJ.
"After everything you did to me the past seven months, it was decided that I can have my space from you when we're not on cases," said Spencer before leaving the room so he could help Anderson box up his books and files before they headed to an office that was four doors down from Morgan's office.
Six hours later Spencer and Olivia were sitting next to each other as the earlier flight that Olivia booked for them took off.