Chapter 20: We could be heroes, just for one day

The next day Max told her family and her sisters were so excited and her dad was crying happy tears because his second daughter will get married and with a good man.

Spencer also talked to his mother and told her, he proposed and Max said yes. Diana was excited and could not wait for the wedding.

After that the rest of their week was calm, she got an email from the Smithsonian saying she will have a class with Mentally Retarded Children and it will be the last test.

Spencer helped her with lots of tips about how to work with them.

"I have an idea, I did it with the first grade kids at school, I gave them a huge piece of paper and pour yellow, blue and red on each one. Then asked them to mix them and do a painting with their hands"

"That's sounds perfect, Mentally Retarded Children are very kinesthetic, they like to touch and feel things, some can't talk so thankfully their mothers will be there to help you. And I'm sure they never did such things like what are suggesting because teachers could be afraid of their mess but if you threat them with love and respect, they will do like preschool kids and clean when you ordered it"

"Ok, sounds awesome Spence" she kissed him and then texted the Smithsonian to let them know what she will need for the course.

"I will send my CV to some universities around Virginia and DC. If they offer me something good I will totally stop been a field agent but keep consulting"

"Is it what you want?"

"Yes, as I told you, I enjoyed teaching and giving lectures" he looked at her "when will be your course?"

She read on her phone "on Friday, why?"

"Aww... I can't go see you. My MRI will be that day" he pouts at her "I wanted to see that class"

"Its ok, I will ask someone to record it for you to see it. Also I always take pictures of the works"

"Great" then they continue to work on their laptops.

He sent his CV to Georgetown University,

George Washington University and some other universities around the town.

When she was done with her job and he sent all the emails, they went to the kitchen and got some icecream and watched a movie.

That week passed quickly and on Friday he went to the hospital after took her to the Smithsonian.

When he arrived the nurse took him to the MRI room, they did the exam and sent it to his doctor then the neurologist called him in.

"Doctor Reid? Hi I'm Doctor Hank Thompson, nice to meet you" a man in his mid-forties, dirty blonde hair, glasses and a kind smile said to him "I will be your neurologist, please follow me" Spencer followed him into his office "ok so the MRI just arrived to my email so we will compare the one Doctor K made you when you arrived and today's to see how is your brain going"

He opened his email and downloaded both exams and put them one next to the other "ok as you can see, this one..." he pointed the screen "...was the first one. There's the blood and your brain was convulsed and swollen. The other is from today"

"It looks better" said Spencer and the doctor nodded.

"Yes, it is much better than I thought. Because you had two seizures and maybe you were two hours without medical help so I'm surprised, even looking at you walking or analyzing a MRI" he smiled "we don't use this word so often but it's truly a miracle you don't have side effects"

"So you think I can go back with my normal life?"

"Not quite... I mean you are better than I thought but still it's dangerous because your brain is still swollen and I will recommend you to stay at home the last two weeks of your medical leave and after that you shouldn't do stressful things like chase criminals into woods or something like that"

"Ok Doctor" said Spencer nodding gently.

"Also you can do fine motor skill to wake your brain and help it do new connections also read and write. It will help your brain. Ok?" Spencer nodded.

"I still get tired reading to much. I love to read so that a problem"

"I understand and it's normal due to the hemorrhage but keep doing for short periods of time, rest an hour or two and continue. It's like exercising your brain" he nodded "well for now that's all. I hope the next time we see each other, your brain is at it's full capacity because for what I saw, it's truly remarkable" he stood up "who is staying with you? Cause Doctor K said you weren't alone"

"My fiancee"

"That's great and congratulations. I wish I could meet her"

"She wanted to come today but she had something important to do so..."

"It's ok and maybe the next to me she will be your wife because I want to set the next date in two months, which I think it's perfect because the brain will be totally fine by that time"

"Ok thank you doctor" Spencer stood up and held his hand "it was nice to meet you" the man nodded and then Spencer walked out to his car.

He drove back to the museum and noticed that Max hadn't finished so he got out the car and walked to where she told him she will be at.

When he arrived he saw her talking with a mother while her child hugged Max. He smiled at that. She kissed the boy's head and the mother walked away meanwhile a guy from the museum was helping her getting her stuffs in her bag.

Spencer walked to her "hey I'm looking for the most beautiful teacher around here" he said using his confused voice.

Max turned and smirked "oh and how does this teacher look like?" She asked playing his game.

"Well she has this beautiful wavy light brown hair and stunning brown eyes" he smiled at her as he walked towards her.

"Um... I'm not sure I saw her, mister, maybe look in the other auditorium" she also walked to him "but you know what, I gotta say, she is very lucky that this tall and handsome man is looking for her"

He blushed softly and looked at her as they were face to face "how was your day?" He held her hand.

"Amazing, those kids were fantastic, their enthusiasm for the activity was out of the scale"

"That's great, and when I arrived I saw you talking to a woman with her child"

"Yeah, she is Mrs. Rodriguez, she was thankful for this activity. Her son loves arts but the other teachers just let this group work with crayons, I'm the first one who use other things to let them paint" her eyes started to fill with tears "she and the other mothers were pleased with this and they hope I get the job"

Spencer hugged her as she placed her face on his chest "you made the difference today and I'm sure you will get this Max" he kissed her head.

"H...how was your MRI?" She looked up at him.

"It was great. The doctor said I need to do some fine motor skills and reading to help my brain getting better but it's not as swollen as the last one. He insisted on take the full time of my medical leave. He set my next appointment in two weeks"

"That's great and I will take good care of you" she smiled and rubbed his cheek "want to eat out today? I want pizza" she laughed softly.

"Sure, need help with anything?"

"No I got these" he nodded then both of them walked to his car talking about the course.

She told him everything and when they were waiting for their pizza she showed him pictures of the painting. They were messy but beautiful and she could not be more happy with the results.

After that the third week was more relaxed. They went to her dad's house to watch old horror movies. They were black and white and Spencer brought some more modern movies but still classics.

The last week of his medical leave he got an email from Georgetown University, they wanted him to be part of his staff. They payment was good and the schedule was perfect for him. So after that he asked Emily for a meeting.

She told him to go on Wednesday afternoon to talk. When the day arrived he explained Emily what he was thinking about the job, how dangerous it was and that he will build a family with Max and he did not want to be like his father, who left them when he was a kid.

He decided to be a consultant for the BAU and teach at Georgetown University. Emily understood his decision and wished him good luck. He will fly with them and see the evidence but he will not have to take risks.

And he will have always permission to miss a case when he had a class. Spencer thanked her and hugged her.

Then she informed him about the party Rossi organized for Penelope. She will be leaving the bureau to join a company that protects the environment. He was invited and Max too.

Meanwhile Max was at the bullpen talking with the team members about her recent job offer and their engagement.

All the girls were throwing ideas about it and were excited about it. When he walked out JJ walked towards him and smiled "well congratulations on your engagement Spence" she hugged him and he hugged her back.

"Thank you JJ. I was so nervous at that moment, I don't know how I performed that magic trick with shaking hands"

"You can do those tricks with your eyes closed so I'm not surprised at all" she laughed "I can't wait to see that because I truly believe you deserve your happy ending" she smiled at him.

"Thank you JJ" he smiled back and then walked to Max and the team talked some more then the couple left to the apartment.

When the day of the party arrived they got ready two hours before and then they left to Rossi's house.

Both of them walked in with Tara "Oh, not tonight you're not, my friend. This is gonna be the celebration to end all celebrations. Full commitment everyone" said Tara.

"You got it" said Rossi.

"Can't believe it. The band is breaking up" said Will with JJ by his side.

"How you feeling, kid?" Asked Dave to Reid.

"I'm feeling great, and I'm starting back next week. Can't let the team be down two members" he said smiling looking at them holding Max hand.

"Oh, come on, teaching and consulting?" Said Tara "you're making me look bad"

"Just doing what I love" he looked at Max then added "also Dave, you didn't know because you were recovering from your foot but... um... Max and I are going to get married"

"Oh! Congratulations kid" Rossi smiled at him and Max.

"I will drink to that" added Luke standing next to Max.

"Uh, you're not supposed to start the festivities until the Belle of ball has arrived" screamed Penelope walking out to the backyard.

"Don't worry, ok" said Luke handing her a cup of champagne. Spencer held up a glass of water since he cannot drink alcohol yet "cause this is gonna be the first of many"

"Penelope, congratulations" said Kristy "here I thought we were coming to celebrate Dave's retirement, but Matt said it was your farewell party. And you had like a hundred offers"

"Oh, that's only of you round up, but yes" they all laughed softly "anyways, it's nonprofit, it's close to here, and the dress code isn't all FBI conservative like I've been having to do" they all rolled their eyes because they all know she never really followed that code.

"I'm still in denial that you're leaving so..." commented JJ.

"It won't be the same without you" said Matt.

"Better not be"

"Dave decided he wasn't going to retire. He didn't want the team to go through too much of a transition all at once" explained Emily.

"That's cause Dave's never gonna actually do it" said Krystall as they all laughed.

"Hey, look, being with you all, doing what few others can, that's where I belong" the night was starting but some team members already had tears after that "but this night is not about me. To our beloved Penelope"

"Ohh!"

They all raised their cups and said at the same time "A salut" and clinked the cups.

They then when to the table as others people from the FBI and that were friends with her arrived.

"Ok guys I decided to invite two people that were part of the team and they couldn't miss this. Come in guys" then Derek with his family and Hotch with Jack walked in and Penelope had tears in her eyes as she walked to them hugging Jack, Savannah, little Hank, Hotch and lastly Derek.

"Baby girl how I missed you" he said hugging her tight "I'm happy you finally find what make you truly happy" he smiled at her.

"My chocolate thunder always surprising me" she laughed with tears "now stop with the tears and let's get this party started"

Then the DJ put some music and they dance and sing. They even danced and sang Heroes by David Bowie.

After the song was ending Luke and Penelope walked to drink some water and Max called JJ, Tara and Emily "hey I was wondering, is just me or those two like each other?" She pointed at them.

"It's not just you" said the three at the same time.

"What? About Garvez? Is it how you called Tara?" The woman nodded to Matt "we all made a bet, about when he will ask her to go on a date"

"Really?" Looking at Spencer.

"I bet it will take them three months in November"

"I bet in six months" comment JJ "but I think already lost, because look at them" they all turned. Emily could read his lips asking her out.

"Yeah I think Reid won this time" they all got out their money and handed it to him.

"What's up guys?" Asked David.

"Luke asked Penelope to go on a date"

"Garvez is endgame?" Asked Krystall and all nodded "who had the closed bet?" They all pointed to Spencer "not fair, the math boy always win" she said as she and Dave handed him money.

Then the other two walked over to them and looked their smirks "oh guys... you didn't, did you?" Asked Luke raised an eyebrow "who won?" Spencer raised his hand "you are evil" he laughed and looked at them.

"What...?" Penelope was blushing when she realized what was happening. She took the girls apart to tell them the details, including Krystall, Kristy and Max.

"I'm glad you decided to do it bro" said Matt.

"Yeah... I know the team and the FBI has a policy of not dating but some agents broke it but I don't know, I didn't want it to be awkward for her or even myself"

"I understand that. I would be awkward being in love with a coworker" commented Spencer "but now you can have dates without worrying about protocols and she will understand your job"

"Right, Lisa never fully understood this"

Later that night Emily took the stage "Penelope reminds all of us that change is good... painful, but good. And as much pain as Lynda Barnes caused all of us, she inspired me to change. So I'm cutting all my hair off. Get ready" they all laughed at that as she smiled.

Then it was JJ's turn to speak "So, um, I've grown up with Penelope, not as kids, but as adults" she laughed looking at her "and she has become my sister..." all of them looked at Penelope "there for me wherever I've found myself. Once she said that I was the glue that kept this team together. But we all know that that was really you" they both lifted their cups holding tears.

And last but not least Penelope took the stage "so we're at the beginning of the end. And this time next week, we're not gonna be together like we have been for as long as I can remember" she sighed and continued "I need you each to know that you hold a really special place in my heart. And... I wanna freeze right now. I wanna soak this in" she looked around looking at each one of them, her friends, her family "there, I did. Thank you for letting me be a part of this for so long" all of the presents had tears "and thank you for remembering me that there is an infinite amount of heroism and kindness in the world, no matter how bleak it seems. My favorite band says the love you take is equal to the love you make. So instead of a toast, I want to make a promise, can we please promise that no matter where we go after this that we keep this feeling in our hearts? Cheers"

"Salut!" Said all of them and drink their champagne and, in Spencer's case, water.

It was the perfect closure of the night. A night of celebration and a night of farewells.

OOooOOooOO

I hope you liked it and we will read sooner. Max and Spencer have a wedding to plan and later having a baby, because we all want to see Spencer been a father.

I will try to also add some double date with Maxcer and Garvez. I will need to think about it but I think it could be fun.