"So you could have played professional baseball. Why didn't you?", Seth asked Spencer after he told them the story about how he had to choose between baseball and the Marines.
Spencer looked at Abel and that told them everything they needed to know.
"My son was in our lives and we needed the money. I didn't know if Baseball was going to give that to me right away or ever. I don't regret the decisions I made for my family", Spencer said.
"When you have kids, things go from thinking about yourself, to thinking about what's best for them", Roman said.
Spencer nodded.
"Exactly", he said, tipping his beer to Roman.
"Including hitting women", Dean mumbled.
Still everyone heard him, that was his intention. Isabelle reached over and squeezed his thigh. Spencer smiled.
"I guess you and I have to have that conversation, but I would like it to be in private. Away from my son's ears", Spencer said.
Abel smiled at his dad.
"Sure. Name the time and place", Dean said, leaning forward.
"How about this weekend?", Spencer asked.
"Can't. We have to leave for work tomorrow morning", Seth said.
"Oh, I thought this conversation was only between him and I", Spencer said, looking at everyone.
"You have to understand these guys, they move as one. You talk to him, you also have to talk to him and him", Bryan said, pointing at Roman and Seth.
Spencer nodded.
"That's no problem at all, I guess", Spencer said, still smiling at Dean.
"When it comes to the women in our lives, we get super protective of them", Roman said, crossing his arms over his chest.
He didn't like Spencer's tone when he said that.
"I get it", Spencer said.
"They come back home, in well a week now since they took today off", Nikki said.
Spencer nodded, taking the same pose as Roman.
"I can wait that long", he replied.
Nikki rubbed Roman's arm to calm him down. She had sensed his shift in attitude. Seth felt the tension too. He cleared his throat.
"I think we should be going now. We have an early call", Seth said standing.
"Good idea", Brie said, following his lead.
They collected their kids and walked out front as Isabelle and Dean said goodbye to them. Spencer was leaning against the door talking to Baron.
"They didn't like me very much", Spencer said.
"You came off a little strong there brother", Baron said.
"Its how I am. You know that. Especially after everything I wen through, its worse", Spencer said.
Baron nodded. He slapped his brother's shoulder.
"I'll see you tomorrow. I have to get Renee home", Baron said.
Spencer nodded. He watched the way Dean kept Izzy close to him. Sending him small glares that he laughed at. He wasn't going to let this man intimidate him. He was back and he wasn't going to let him keep his family. Spencer didn't fight to stay alive to lose them now. He's just glad his brother isn't the one he has to steal her away from now.
Abel joined him.
"This Dean guy doesn't like me very much", he said to his son.
Abel looked from his dad to Dean.
"Its how he is with everyone new that comes into our lives. We had a hard time at the beginning, but he kept us safe. He's being cautious", Abel said, knowing his step dad well.
"Well I'm not new. You know me, your mom knows me. If anyone should be cautious here, its me of him", Spencer said.
"I'll talk to him", Abel said.
"No. I don't want to involve you in this", Spencer said.
Abel nodded.
"I'm so glad you're home dad. We missed you", Abel said.
Spencer hugged his son.
"I missed you too buddy", he replied.
Roman leaned into Dean.
"Don't let him get to you. He's trying to push your buttons", Roman whispered to him.
Dean nodded. After everyone left. Dean and Izzy walked back into the house. Spencer was holding Austin.
"Sorry, he looked about ready to cry", Spencer said.
"Its ok", Izzy said.
No, it wasn't ok with Dean.
"Yeah, its fine", Dean said.
Izzy gathered up a sleeping Malia. Dean walked over to Spencer and held his arms out to him. Spencer raised a brow and handed Austin over. Abel was watching both men carefully. He did notice the tension, but not just from his step dad, but also his dad.
"Have a nice night. Abel, ten more minutes and then bed", Dean said.
"I know dad", Abel said.
Spencer snapped his head to his son. Not ok with him calling Dean dad.
"He's not your father", Spencer said to him.
That stopped Dean in his tracks. He turned to face Spencer.
"He can call me whatever he wants to call me.", Dean said.
Abel saw the way his dad clenched his fists. The look he was sending Dean.
"Goodnight dad, I'll see you in the morning ok", Abel said, getting between the stare down.
Spencer shook his head before looking at his son.
"Oh yeah buddy, I'll see you in the morning. Maybe we can go for breakfast before school", Spencer said.
"I would like that", Abel said.
He walked over to his step dad and nudged him.
"Dean", Abel said.
Dean looked at his son. Upset that he called him by his name.
"You should get Austin to bed", he said.
Dean swallowed down the hurt feelings and nodded. Once they reached the hall upstairs. Abel stopped his dad.
"I'm sorry. I just don't want to upset him", Abel said.
Dean understood. He just got his dad back and didn't want to push him away.
"I get it", Dean said.
"I love you too, dad", Abel said.
Dean smiled. He walked over to his son and kissed the top of his head.
"I love you too", Dean replied.
Abel walked into his room and Dean made his way to Austin's room. He set his son down and when he knew he wasn't going to wake, he walked out and went to his. His wife was under the covers, naked. She smiled.
"We get one more night", she said.
He closed his door and locked it. Removing his shirt before walking over to her.
Around almost one in the morning, Dean could hear someone walking around and not just downstairs. He stood carefully, not to wake Isabelle. He went out and poked his head out into the hall. He moved closer to the stairs, he could hear someone talking downstairs. He made his way down carefully.
He tried to listen to what was being said, but it was too low to hear. When he reached the kitchen, someone put their arm around his neck from behind and a knife to his throat.
"Don't move you fuck head", Spencer whispered in his ear.
"Spencer, what are you doing?", Dean asked, holding his hands up.
Spencer released him and Dean turned the light on. He noticed Spencer looked a bit confused. His hands were shaking. Spencer cleared his throat.
"Sorry, I um, heard something and I couldn't see you in the dark", Spencer said.
He was dripping in sweat and rubbing his eyes.
"Yeah, same here. I heard someone talking and I thought it was you. I guess not huh", Dean said, eyeing him carefully.
"I didn't hear anyone talking", Spencer said.
Dean nodded.
"I guess it was just me hearing things then", Dean said.
"Yeah, maybe", Spencer said, spacing out again.
Dean nodded.
"Get some sleep Spencer. It looks like you need it", Dean said.
Spencer made eye contact and it was like something went off in his head and he nodded.
"Yeah, sleep", Spencer said.
Dean watched him go till he closed the door to his room. Dean checked the doors and the windows before turning off the lights and going back to bed. Something was wrong with Spencer, Dean thought.
He pushed it out of his mind till morning. Izzy was getting ready for the day. He told her what happened last night.
"I'll keep an eye on him", she said.
"Please do. Especially around our kids", Dean said.
She nodded. She would recommend that ptsd doctor Brie told her about. They went downstairs and Spencer was getting ready to leave with Abel.
"Dad wants to take me to breakfast, mind if we borrow your car mom?", Abel asked.
"I don't see why not", Izzy said.
Spencer was acting like nothing happened last night and that scared Dean a bit.
"I'll be back in a few Isa", Spencer said.
Dean grabbed a cup of coffee.
"Do you think that was a good idea?", Dean asked.
"Dean, I said I would talk to him. I am not about to do that in front of Abel", she said.
Dean nodded.
"He told Abel not to call me dad", Dean said, before taking a sip of his coffee.
"What?", she asked.
Dean nodded.
"I'll talk to him about that as well. If Abel wants to call you dad, he can", Isabelle said.
"Maybe you and Baron should have that conversation with him now. Also mention what happened last night. I know you said he had changed before he left, but I don't trust him. I haven't seen that change", Dean said.
She smiled and nodded.
"I'll call B now", she said.
He nodded and walked over to her. Kissing her before kissing his son and daughter goodbye.
"See you in a week", she called.
He waved to her as he drove away. Deciding to clean up since Malia was watching cartoons and Austin was fast asleep in the playpen. Getting to Spencer's room, his bed was made, but she found a pillow and blankets on the floor.
He wasn't use to beds anymore, not the way he was living when he was captured.