Fear

The next morning Dave got up early and headed down to the lounge. He smiled a little when he saw that though there was still bedding on the couch it was currently vacant. He hoped it meant that the two of them had finally got there heads out of their butts and were now sharing the same bed.

He looked confused when he saw Mudge curled up outside the door of the room he'd allocated Aaron. He scratched his head as he saw him there looking up at his master a little forlornly.

"Been kicked out here, have you bud?" he asked stroking behind his ears causing him to bark.

He then heard a frightened murmur and put his head round the door. He saw Aaron in Spencer's arms and smiled. He smiled even more as he saw how close Spencer was holding him and how comfortable they looked in each other's arms as they smiled. About time he nodded.

Suddenly Mudge barked again and a look of fear crossed Aaron's face then it went as Spencer held him even closer. Poor guy he thought as he saw the answer to why Mudge was out here and not in there in his dog basket. He closed the door letting them sleep in peace while taking Mudge with him.

An hour later they woke up to hear noises in the lounge. Spencer looked over to the clock and saw it was 10am. He smiled as Aaron looked up at him rubbing the sleep out of his eyes.

"What time is it?" he smiled up at him.

"10am," Spencer smiled back kissing his hair.

"Wow! I've never slept this late..."

"You needed it."

"Jack?" he asked worried.

"I'm sure he's out there with your dad and Dave. I'm sure he's fine."

He nodded knowing he was right. If anyone had tried to take his son Dave would have stopped them. They wouldn't let anything happen to his boy and he was sure after all the years he'd spent in the FBI Dave had this mansion highly secure just like he had his own flat.

"Shall we get up and join them?" Spencer asked.

Aaron nodded so Spencer got out of bed and opened up the wheelchair. He got out a set of clothes for the both of them while Aaron used the strength in his arms to get out of bed and into the chair. Afterwards they went to the bathroom and he managed to give himself a flannel wash after Spencer had helped him onto the toilet.

When he'd finished washing and shaving he helped him back into his wheelchair and Aaron wheeled himself back into his temporary bedroom leaving the door open. That way Spencer could hear if he accidentally fell on the floor while getting his clothes on. He proceeded to put on the t-shirt and jeans Spencer had gotten out for him while his legs just flopped about.

He knew by the time he was out of the wheelchair he'd definitely have stronger arm muscles. He smiled as Spencer came back in from his shower. He admired the muscles his lean, gangly lover had as he got dressed for the day too.

"You ready to face them?" he asked. As Spencer begun to look nervous he added gently, "Spence, I think they'll just be relieved..." He added with a chuckle, "After all I'm pretty sure Dave put you in the room right beside me not only so you could be on hand if I fell."

"That old scheming matchmaker," Spencer smiled.

"Exactly," Aaron smiled back.

Spencer opened the door and they both went into the lounge. Valarie, Dave and Jack all smiled to see them up and awake while they smiled back.

Suddenly Mudge who was happily playing with Jack bounded over and started barking at them both. Aaron looked at him turning white and shaking like a leaf drawing his legs further and further back from him.

Dave noticing how Aaron was rigid with fear pulled his dog away from him looking at him concerned. Valarie had been a little nervous around Mudge but Aaron was damn right petrified. It pained him to see his best friend like this. He'd never seen him so scared of anything except losing Jack. He could see from the way he drew back his legs it was the memories of what had happened that was causing him to be frightened of his dog that Aaron had never been scared of before.

Spencer massaged Aaron's shoulders which visibly relaxed him. Aaron held onto Spencer's hand for support. Even though he was terrified of dogs having seen how happy Jack was with him he didn't want him to go. Also he knew he had to get over this new fear. He'd have to face dogs in his job because they never knew what they would face and some victim's families even suspects owned dogs.

"I could put him in a boarding kennel while you're here if that will help, Aaron," Dave said concerned.

"No," he shook his head seeing his son's face fall. "No, this is his home. He shouldn't have to leave it because of me. I just need to overcome this new fear. It won't help me in the workplace."

Jack ran over and hugged him saying, "Dad, we'll help you," while Dave smiled back at him. He never ceased to be amazed by his best mate and possibly one day stepson's strength.

"I know, buddy, I know," he answered hugging him back.