A few hours had passed since Spencer's meltdown. Hotch and Rossi arrived to discuss the situation and figure out a course of action. They had just finished eating pizza when Spencer wandered out of the bedroom looking worse for the wear. His hair was standing stiff and tangled in all sorts of directions. His eyes were blood shot with bags under his eyes. When he caught sight of Hotch and Rossi, he dropped his head in shame.

"Hey, Spence," Emily said walking toward him. "We just finished eating. The pizza should still be pretty warm if you want a slice."

He peered at her through his lashes and shrugged.

"You should probably eat something. It's been a while," Morgan piped in.

Spencer nodded as Emily grabbed him a plate. He gave her a half-hearted smile as thanks as he took the plate and sat down at the table.

"Do you want something to drink?" Emily asked.

"Water, please," he replied in a low voice.

There was an awkward silence that hung over the table as everyone tried to figure out what to say first. Finally, Hotch took a deep breath and did what he always did – took control.

"Reid, I'm sure you're aware the seriousness of what has transpired here over the past few days," he began.

Spencer nodded as he stared at his pizza, not touching it.

"Technically, we are all obligated to report what's going on to Strauss," he said sternly.

Spencer sniffled as a tear slid down his cheek. He blew it. First his home life and now his work life.

"That being said, I think you're going through enough right now that throwing another log on the fire could be detrimental to your health and non-beneficial to any parties involved. I also believe that you have been pushed into these choices and are a victim of circumstances."

Spencer slowly lifted his head, surprised by the words he was hearing.

"We've discussed many options, considering everyone involved, and have come to a decision," he said staring Spencer down with his unblinking eyes. "Until your son is born, you and Lacy will be staying at Rossi's."

Spencer opened his mouth to speak but Hotch stopped him by raising his hand in front of him.

"We already have a plan to get you out of your apartment without suspicion. Garcia has a team assembled to evacuate your apartment due to black mold."

Tears dripped down Spencer's cheeks as he listened.

"I can't overlook what's happened to you these past few days. I still have a team to run and protect and I'm concerned about your mental health being a distraction in the field. You will be put on office duty until your son is born. Present it to Lacy as a common practice for expecting parents to be kept home near the end of pregnancies. She doesn't need to know the truth," he explained. "Strauss believes you made the request to be close to home. She agreed you could do your job from the office."

With that Spencer dissolved into tears. The weight of Hotch's words wrapped around him like a beacon of hope he hadn't felt in so long. A mixture of gratitude and guilt fought inside his mind. He audibly sobbed as he looked from one team member to the next.

"I don't deserve you guys," he whimpered.

"We're family kid. It's what we do for each other. You wouldn't hesitate for one of us. Why is it hard to believe that we wouldn't hesitate for you?" Derek replied.

"But I've done –" he started.

"Done what? Were you there for me when Buford tried to frame me for murder? How about after when I couldn't stop reliving the memories? Who reached out when I was falling into a dark place? Who stayed up with me to ridiculous hours to distract me from my bad thoughts?"

"Yeah but …"

"Yeah, but what? I wish you would learn to trust us to have your back. It's almost a little insulting that you would think otherwise," Derek added with frustration.

"No, it's not that! It's … it's not that I don't trust you," Spencer stuttered. "It's just …"

"We get it kid, but now it's time to realize that we have your back no matter what. You are stuck with us whether you like it or not," Rossi added with a grin.

Spencer couldn't help but smile, but it faded as fast as it appeared.

"What do I do about Lacy?" he frowned. "I still have to deal with her."

"Right now, you play her game. It won't be easy, but we are working on it," Derek replied.

Spencer jumped slightly when he felt a hand touch his. He looked to Emily who was staring at him with pleading eyes.

"This is where we are asking you to trust us," she said.

Spencer stared into her eyes. Her beautiful, dark brown eyes that he loved so much. He nodded his head as he flipped his hand over and held hers.

"Ok. I can do that. I trust you," he said to her, though he meant everyone.

"Good," she said squeezing his hand and smiling at him.

He smiled back at her. Maybe things could get better. Maybe there was a way out of this mess after all.

(xxxxx)

"I'm going to sue those assholes," Lacy grumbled as she stared out the passenger window.

"There's no reason to sue. They said they caught it before it fully entered our apartment but in order to protect us they needed to get to it quickly," Spencer said for what felt like the fiftieth time.

"Whatever," she said rolling her eyes. "And those illegal Mexicans better not steal any of my things."

"Lacy, for the last time, they are in this country legally and they're Puerto Rican not Mexican," Spencer corrected her.

"Then why were they speaking Mexican?"

"That isn't a language. They were speaking Spanish," he sighed exasperated.

"Whatever," she replied again.

That was her go to phrase when she had nothing else to say. Spencer pulled into Rossi's driveway and Lacy's face lit up.

"Oh, the rich guy's house! I thought we were staying with that other old guy. What's his name? Eric?"

"Aaron and he isn't old. He's only 10 years older than I am," he replied.

"Whatever," she said climbing out of the car.

She started making her way to the front door, her heels clicking on the walkway. Spencer popped open the trunk of his car and began unloading their bags.

"No help, huh?" he called to her.

"Just got my nails done," she said wiggling her fingers at him as she waited at the front door.

Spencer lugged all the bags to the door and stared at her incredulously. She furrowed her brow at him.

"What?"

"You gonna ring the bell or hope Dave senses us?"

"Sorry, might break a nail," she said observing the newly done nails.

"Wouldn't want that," he said sarcastically as he dropped one of the bags and pushed the doorbell.

"Watch it smart ass," she said as she placed her hand on her stomach.

Spencer frowned but quieted instantly. He wasn't doing a very good job of pretending and he promised Emily he would.

"Sorry," he said dipping his head in fake sheepishness.

She furrowed her brows at him again. Suspicious of his sudden change in demeanor. Before she could think more on it, the door swung open and Rossi greeted them with a smile.

"Benvenuti amori miei," Rossi said.

"You speak Mexican too? I thought you were American?" Lacy said annoyed.

Spencer and Rossi's eyes met.

"Wow, rocket scientist on our hands," Rossi thought.

"Every day I deal with this," Spencer sighed internally.

"My apologies Bella. I forget myself sometimes. Come on in and welcome to your temporary home away from home," he said stepping aside.

"Lacy," she said stepping into the mansion, her eyes taking in the scenery around her.

"I'm sorry?" Rossi said looking to Spencer.

Spencer shook his head and held up a hand saying "Nope. Let it go."

"Yeah, so let me give you a little tour and show you where you will be staying," Rossi said as he grabbed a bag to help Spencer.

(xxxxx)

"A girl could get used to this," Lacy sighed as she flopped onto the king-sized bed later that evening.

"Well, don't. It's only temporary. We will have to move out once the renovations are completed," Spencer said as he put his clothes into the closet.

"What does Dave do to be able to afford this place?" she asked rolling on her side to look at him.

"He's a writer."

"You should write too. You're smart and have a lot of interesting things to share," she replied casually.

Spencer stopped what he was doing and looked at her. She gave him a "what" look.

"I think that's the nicest thing you've said to me since we started dating," he said truthfully.

"Yeah, well, I'm not always a bitch. Just when I don't get my way," she said.

This was the perfect opportunity for him to play nice. To play her game as Emily wanted.

"I haven't been the most accommodating either," he sighed as he walked over to the bed and sat down. "A lot of our arguments have been my fault. If I would have a better attitude, you wouldn't need to get, as you say, bitchy."

Lacy's eyes narrowed.

"What's going on with you today? What did you do?" she said suspiciously.

Spencer let out a playful laugh.

"Nothing, I promise. I guess, I just started realizing how I've been letting my problems cloud my judgement. My mother raised me to be a better man than what I've been and I'm …" he trailed off for dramatic effect. "I'm embarrassed and ashamed of my behavior."

Lacy still watched him wearily.

"I owe you an apology. I never imagined I would ever treat someone the way I treated you. I cheated on you and then blamed you for everything, when it's been my fault all along," he said shedding a tear.

If only the team could see him hamming it up! He never knew he had it in him. He turned to look at her, swallowing the pretend lump in his throat.

"Lacy, please forgive me. I'm truly sorry," he said wiping away the tear.

She seemed to be studying him for an awkward amount of time before she slowly nodded her head.

"It's ok. I forgive you," she said with a grin. "You know, it's kinda sexy when you grovel."

Well shit. He didn't think about the fact being nice might make her wanna have sex again. Could he fake it?

"The … um … what about the baby?" he tried, though he knew it didn't hurt the baby in anyway.

"Silly, the baby won't notice," she said as she sat up.

Though she was nearly at the end of her pregnancy, her belly wasn't much bigger than a child's soccer ball. This made her more agile than a lot of pregnant women.

"Besides this is a great opportunity for you to show me you're sorry and make it up to me," she said scooting closer to him.

He nodded as he met her in the middle and pressed his lips to hers. It felt wrong. There was no spark like there used to be. It was going to be really difficult for him to fake this as his friend was still limp as a noodle.

He didn't think he would be able to change that, so he had to come up with a different plan. He pulled from their kiss.

"Lay down," he ordered in his best seductive voice.

Lacy propped herself on some pillows, leaning back to allow him better access. Spencer slipped his hands under her dress, pulling her panties down, before disappearing. He closed his eyes as he peppered her thighs with kisses.

It's Emily. It's Emily. Imagine it's Emily.

(xxxxx)

Hope you guys are still enjoying the story. Please let me know what you think. xoxo