Shorter chapter than the last, but some sweet flashbacks.

Waiting. We all hate doing it, yet we do it all the time. We're always waiting for something. Whether it's waiting for the bell to ring at to go home at the end of the day. Waiting for the bus to drop you off at home or for your mom to pick you up. Other's wait to hear back after a job interview. People have to wait in waiting rooms of hospitals to hear about a loved one. People are always waiting on something.

12-year-old Spencer has been waiting all day for Toby to get back. Over Spring break, he and his family went on a little vacation for five days. He felt bad that Spencer couldn't come, but she couldn't come. Marion even tried asking Spencer's father if it would be okay if she tagged along, but her father wouldn't allow it. On Saturday afternoon, the Cavanaugh's pulled out of their driveway and set off for their vacation. Spencer waited all day and all night for them to return. She hasn't been able to escaped her house ever since Toby left. Peter started working from home more, so it was hard for Spencer to sneak out. Whenever he did leave the house, Spencer would run out the back door and hide in the woods until after dark. You wouldn't believe have many bruises Spencer's gotten over the last five days. Day by day, Spencer sat waiting for her friend to return. She really misses having her safe place to land around.

Then, on a warm, sunny afternoon, a light blue car came trudging down the street. Spencer was in her room reading 'Hamlet' when the glare from a car fluttered through her bedroom window. She set down her book then rolled off her bed to look outside the window. The blue car turned into the Cavanaugh's driveway and came to a stop right outside their garage. A huge grin spread across Spencer's face. She ran over to her closet, put on her sandals, and raced down the stairs.

Although he missed Spencer a lot of the last five days, Toby did have a great time with his family on vacation. They went to Floride and stayed in a beach house. During the day the whole family would go out on a little boat Mr. Cavanaugh rented. They would take it out and have picnics. Toby and his mother would spend afternoons walking along the beach, enjoying the chill of the waves crashing on their feet. At night, they would sit around a warm fire and his parents would tell him stories about when they were his age. Toby was kind of sad to be going home that last day, but he knew they had to get back. Plus, he had his best friend waiting for him who would be pretty upset if he didn't return.

The flight back home was smooth. Though, his father got a little ticked off when they lost one of his bags. 'You gotta love them airports,' Marion would say while rolling her baby blue eyes. They finally got all of their stuff together and ventured on home. The car ride from the airport to their house took about twenty minutes. As they were riding up their street, Toby was surprised to not find Spencer waiting for him on their front porch. Mr. Cavanaugh stopped the car in their driveway and gave his family a weak smile. He was just getting out of the car when he heard her little footsteps hitting the pavement. Toby turned around just in time to catch the tiny brunette coming at him at full force. Spencer nearly knocked him over when she hugged him.

"I missed you," she mumbled.

Her face was pressed into the short sleeve of his navy blue Florida shirt. He kept his arms around her and rested his chin on her shoulder.

"I missed you too."

They pulled back after a good two minutes. Toby could've sworn he saw a tear build up in her eye, but she wiped at it before he could completely notice.

"You can't leave for that long again," she rasped.

"It was only five days."

"No," she sighed. "It was more like a month."

"Spencer!" Marion beamed.

She smiled up at the middle-aged lady.

"Miss. Cavanaugh."

Marion leaned down to hug the little girl. After her real mother died, Marion acted like a second mother to Spencer. Like a mother, she would buy Spencer presents on her birthday and on Christmas. Sometimes when her father would be away on business, she would have Spencer spend the night with them. When Spencer got the flu, Marion made her chicken noodle soup and spent a lot of time over at the Hastings house helping her get better. Toby couldn't go near her during that time because Marion didn't want him catching the flu too.

"How are you doing, hun?"

"I'm okay, but I missed Toby. Next time you leave on a vacation, I'm afraid I'm going to have to keep him."

Marion chuckled and patted Spencer's head, "maybe next time your father won't be so stubborn and you can tag along. Would you like to come in?"

Spencer nodded, "yes, ma'am."

Marion walked over to the back of the car and got out some of the suitcases. She warned Toby to carry in his own suitcase because last time he forgot. Toby rolled his eyes and said he will remember. Marion walked up the front porch steps and disappeared behind the door. Toby took his suitcase out of the trunk then, gestured for Spencer to come along.

Inside the Cavanaughs kitchen, Marion was already getting dinner started. Toby finished unpacking his suitcase and now he and Spencer are walking into the kitchen. They both sat at the table with their arms folded across the table. Marion invited Spencer over for dinner and she accepted.

"Hey, hun, what's for dinner?" Mr. Cavanaugh said while entering the room.

"Tacos," Marion replied.

"Good."

He kissed Marion on the cheek before turning and noticing Spencer sitting in their kitchen. Just like when Marion first saw her, his face lit up.

"Hey, Spencer, how's it going?"

"Hi, Mr. Cavanaugh," she smiled back.

"Toby," Marion turned around. "Maybe you kids would like to get cleaned up? Dinner will be ready soon."

"Okay," Toby said.

Toby and Spencer walked out of the room to wash their hands. Chris leaned back against the kitchen counter smiling. Marion gave him a look.

"That includes you," she scolded.

He chuckled, "but you said just the kids."

"Well, to me you are a child," she said half jokingly half serious.

Having dinner with the Cavanaugh's is always nice. Their such a nice little warm family and they always welcome Spencer in as if she was their own. After dinner, Toby asked if Spencer could stay the night. Marion said she could if her father let her. Spencer lied and said her father was okay with it. Now, Toby and Spencer are up in his room looking at all the pictures Toby took in Florida.

"And here's one I took while we off swore on the boat," Toby pointed out.

"Wow," Spencer gasped. "Looks beautiful."

"Aw, Spence it was beautiful there," he smiled. "I wish you could've been there to see it."

Her smile faded and she began twiddling her thumbs. They continued to flip through the pictures. The more he went on and on about Floride, the sadder she became. It makes her sad knowing she will never be able to get away like he can. While Toby was off in paradise, she was stuck here in hell. Home is supposed to make you feel safe and secure. While her home makes her feel more like a prisoner.

"Hastings. Hastings Spencer. Hastings!"

Spencer snapped her head to look at the female guard standing at the door. This lady has dark brown eyes and looked to be about forty. He dark hair is rolled up in a bun. Her name tag says P. Fields.

"It's time for your evening meal."

"I can't," she turned her head.

"Getting up Isn't really an option for you."

Spencer tugged on her locks and tried to keep her tears at bay. She's not too sure why she's acting so emotional lately. It could have something to do with a certain officer who's been away all week. No, that can't be it. That part of her life is over. It's all in the past and she has to move forward. If she wants to things to turn out alright, she has to forget the past and live for now. Plus, it's not safe for anyone to be around her right now. Somebody could get seriously hurt. Unwillingly, Spencer swung her legs over the side of the bed and looked up at the women. Her coffee brown eyes feel heavy and have dark circles under them. She sat up and swallowed trying to clear her throat.

"Has officer Cavanaugh returned yet?"

The older woman's eyes narrowed, "is that any of your concern?"

"No," she replied after a beat of silence.

The woman softened, "no, tomorrow he'll be back on duty. I need to get you out there."

Spencer cleared her throat some more and stood up. Fields waited for her to reach the door before seeing her out to the cafeteria. Spencer gets her bowl of what looks like mushroom cream soup and takes a seat. The guard didn't come sit with her or even stand by her to make sure she behaves herself. Spencer smiled slightly thinking back to what Toby said about guards needing to sit with inmates so they don't try anything. "That lying son-of-a-bitch," she muttered to herself.

"Mind if I sit?'

She looked up to see a tall girl with hazel brown eyes, light skin, and short brown hair. At first, Spencer didn't know how to respond. Standing beside the brown-haired girl was a blonde. They both stared at her waiting for an answer. Nobody ever speaks to her here.

"I'm not really looking for company," Spencer replied dryly.

"Relax," the blonde said. "We're not over here to cause trouble. We just want a place to sit."

"Fine," she gave in.

The two girls sat down across from her. Spencer tried to not make eye contact with them. That's one thing she knows about being in these places. Don't make eye contact with anybody. These people aren't your friends. They'll take one look at you and think 'fresh meat'.

"I'm Paige and this is Samara," the one girl said.

"I tell you I'm not looking for company and you feel the need to make some sort of introduction like I care?" Spencer snapped.

Paige smiled anyway, "and you are?"

"Bite me," Spencer gets up to leave.

"We're not bad people," Samara spoke up.

Spencer groaned and sat back down, "I don't care. I'm not here to make a friend. I'm just here to serve my time."

"That's why we're all here," Paige said.

"We asked for a name, not to be pin pals."

Spencer bit her lip and stared at the two.

"Are you two together or something?"

"What would make you think that?' Samara asked.

Spencer shrugged, "just a vibe."

"We'll answer your question when you answer ours," Paige said.

She rolled her eyes and said, "it's Spencer."

"Spencer," Samara nodded and smiled. "Strong name."

"Yeah, well, it fits somebody who can snap a bone."

Paige looked at her in amusement, "you know how to snap a bone?"

Spencer cracked a little smile, "that is for me to know and for you to find out."

An alarm sound and all the inmates started getting up. That means dinner timer for this group of people is over. Some people will take showers and other's just go straight back to their cell. P. Fields came back over to escort to her cell. Paige and Samara got up to go too.

"Oh, and by the way," Paige shouted back at her. "We're not."

Fields lead Spencer away before she could respond. Paige and Samara seem like pretty alright people. Spencer may get along with them over time, but not too close. She can't afford to get close to anybody. The more people she gets close to, the more people who could get hurt.

A chilly late night breeze blew through Toby's bedroom window bending the curtain some. It's almost 2am and Spencer can't seem to sleep. She's sitting on Toby's little bench by the window. Her arms are folded and propped up on the window. The soft wind keeps blowing through her brown locks. It's a bit chilly, but she doesn't mind the cold too much. Toby who had been lying fast asleep in his bed woke up. He's not sure if it was the wind or a feeling he got. He sat up in bed when he finally noticed Spencer sitting by the window.

"Spencer," he whispered.

She kept her gaze on the night sky. She must not have heard him the first time.

"Spence," he whispered a little louder, but not too loud since his parents are right down the hall.

She perked up and looked back at him. His eyes squinted in the dark.

"What are you doing?"

She shrugged, "just thinking."

He looked at the clock, "Spencer it's 2:05 in the morning. Go to sleep."

"You can sleep," she said.

"You need to sleep too."

"I'm not tired."

Toby looked at her for a long time before groaning. He rolled out of bed and walked over to sit by her. Spencer returned her gaze outside the window.

"What are you thinking about?" He asked.

"Flying."

He had to lean in because he almost didn't hear her.

"Did you say flying?" She nodded. "Flying where?"

Like before, she shrugged, "to Florida. To London. Anywhere and everywhere. Far from here."

"Spencer you're not really upset at me for going to Floride? I thought you were joking."

"I'm not mad at you," she snapped. She quickly recoiled. "I just want to get away."

"You will some day."

"That day's not coming soon enough," she mumbled.

"Hey," he smiled and she looked at him. "One of these days we'll take a trip."

"To where?"

"Anywhere," he shrugged. "Where ever you want to go, we'll go. Even if you want to go all the way to Paris or Scottland."

Her lips folded up in a smile, "could we travel the world?"

"Anywhere you want and we'll go. Just, you and I."

Her smile widened, "I like the sound of that."

"Me too," she smiled.

"Spence," he trailed off her name.

"Yes?"

"What's going on with you?"

"What do you mean."

"I've been noticing that you've been acting upset a lot of the time. Actually, for as long as I can remember. Is there something that's bugging you?"

"No," she lied. "I just...I just haven't been the same since my mother died and with my father working all the time. And I don't know," she shrugged. "I just haven't been feeling a lot of love."

"Is that why you want to leave so badly?"

She looked at him, "part of it. I just…," she sighed. "I just feel like nobody loves me."

She tore her eyes away from him and looked back at the sky. A sudden sadness came over Toby himself. It actually sucks to know that Spencer thinks nobody loves her or cares.

"Your dad loves you," he said.

Spencer tried not to laugh, "unless my name is work, I don't think so."

He sighed and looked down for a second. She may be right about her father. Peter's never been the type to show affection towards his daughter. Not even to his wife when she was still alive.

"I love you," he said after a long beat of silence.

Spencer tipped her head up. At first, she was giving him a look like she doesn't believe him. She searched his face for any sign of joking. Like she was waiting for a punch line or something. When she didn't see any and saw that he was being completely serious, she crawled the little space between them and leaned her head on his shoulder. Toby made her move her head for a second so he could put his arm around her. Then, he allowed her to lean her head on him. They stayed like that for a good part of the night. Toby stayed up until she fell asleep. It took longer than it should have, but at 3:15, Toby noticed how light Spencer's breathing was. He tipped his head down slightly to see that she was in face sleeping on his shoulder. Very carefully, Toby used all of his strength to lift the girl up and carry her over to his bed. He set her down gently and pulled the covers over her so she'd be nice and warm. When she was all tucked in, Toby climbed in on the other side and laid on his back so he could keep an eye on her. In her sleep, Spencer rolled over and laid her head on his chest. Toby didn't mind much. In fact, he held his arm around her. After a few more minutes, he was out like a light.

Almost seems like somebody's missing a certain cop. Toby will be back next chapter and will try getting through to Spencer. Will it work? Review and tell me what you think.