"Have you ever felt really close to someone? So close that you can't understand why you and the other person have two separate bodies, two separate skins?"

– Nancy Garden

Emily had insisted on being in the room during Cummings' questioning. They had said they would be okay. The Unit Chief sat in her office, hoping Cummings wouldn't give Monica a hard time about killing Beatrice. She had only defended herself and her boyfriend. It always made Emily a bit uncomfortable when ordinary civilians like Monica had to take drastic actions in self-defence. Poor thing must be traumatised.
There was something about Monica Knight that seemed familiar to Emily, something they shared. She couldn't quite put her finger on it. It wasn't anything dangerous but, it was there.
Emily ignored the gut feeling. Spencer loved Monica. She had managed to protect him when Beatrice had come at her to get to him. That was enough for Emily. Her friend was with someone who deserved him.

Spencer didn't leave Monica's side, despite of Cummings' suggestion that he do so. She was doing better. But she was still confined to her hospital bed. He witnessed the exchange between her and Cummings, who was standing a few feet away from them.
"I checked your record, agent"
Monica corrected him.
"It's Dr. Knight, thank you"
Cummings' face was unreadable. He said,
"You were good, never conspicuous. Not one failed mission. You played by the rules"
"I know"
"Then how the hell could you kill someone as important as Beatrice?", Cummings snapped, "You knew we would need her alive. By killing her, you have cost us information of the utmost importance. There is no way for us to know now who had employed her"
"She hurt my boyfriend. She attacked us in my house"
"From what I know, you taunted her. You made her come to your house"
"Are you admitting to keeping tabs on an American citizen's calls?"
The man glowered at her.
"If I have my way when I am back in London, that's all you're going to be. Your acts were motivated by self-interest. You did not consider the impact of your actions on the safety and security of..."
Spencer watched her crack a smile as she interrupted Cummings.
"Spare me the national security bullshit, Mr. Cummings. We both know that's a hype-term to get new recruits motivated. I stand by my actions. I am not a violent person, but if I had to kill Beatrice again, I would do it. I would shoot her in the face as many times as she deserved"
Lying in the hospital bed, her eyes held such courage. To Spencer, that courage looked out of place on her weakened form.
The reason she had taken on Beatrice was to protect him. Everything she had done in the last few days had confirmed one of his biggest fears - Monica would never hesitate to put herself between him and danger.
"What did Lawrence tell you?", Cummings asked.
"That he could use my help tracking her"
"Nothing else?"
"No"
Spencer watched them both. A wordless conversation took place right before his eyes. Monica didn't even blink as Cummings kept observing her face.
"The gun you shot her with, it was a Glock 19. It's a standard issue sidearm for the Security Service. Now, records say you handed in yours when you retired, and the ballistics don't match with your service weapon, but..."
"It was Beatrice's"
Cummings asked,
"She brought two different handguns?"
"Dr. Reid uses a revolver. Whatever other weapons were on the scene, they had to be hers"
"You expect me to believe that?"
"I expect nothing from you"
Before things could take a turn for the worse, Spencer said,
"Will that be all, Mr. Cummings?"
Cummings kept looking at Monica, as he said,
"Yes"
He stepped forward and shook Spencer's hand. His words were aimed at Monica.
"A speedy recovery to you, Dr. Knight"
"Thanks. Have a safe flight", she said.
The man walked out of the door without looking back.

When they were alone again, Spencer turned to Monica. She knew what was coming.
"You called her?", he asked.
"She called me"
"And you invited her to attack you?"
"She would have done it anyway..."
"Not like that she would have", Spencer exclaimed, "What you did was reckless and... stupid!"
"Sue me then"
She hadn't meant to sound so caustic. Spencer frowned.
"You were alone. She could have killed you. She almost did!"
"I am alive, aren't I?"
"What is wrong with you? You think..."
"I'm not having this argument with you. I made a choice and I do not regret it. That's all"
Why did she feel so angry? Time for damage control.
When his frown wouldn't turn upside down, she poked his cheek.
"Don't", he said, mouth pursed in a tight line.
He was adorable when sulking like that. So Monica poked his cheek again.
"Stop it"
"Or what?", she grinned.
"I'm not joking, Monica. What you did wasn't okay. You put your life at stake", he said.
"I had to do it. I know it didn't go well and you got hurt, which is the one thing I was..."
"This isn't about me getting hurt. This is about you putting yourself in danger. Do you have any idea what the last few days have been like?", he said, "I spent over two hundred thousand seconds sitting on that chair outside, and thinking for each one of them that you were going to die. My mind kept bombarding me with every single time that I hurt you or turned you away or took you for granted"
"Dr. Reid..."
"When Maeve died...", he began.
That was enough to make her stop talking and listen.
"When Maeve died", Spencer paused, "I felt completely alone. Like there was no one left in the whole world who would understand me. Like I would never be able to love someone again. And when Dr. Lopez told us you were going to die, I was lost. I couldn't think straight. I couldn't even move. I knew - if you were to die, I would never be myself anymore. That a part of me would die with you"
His eyes pleaded with hers.
"I know you don't always like the things I do. I know you can talk with me for hours about Euclidean geometry and-and astrophysics, but you don't enjoy it the way I do. And I know this is going to sound ridiculous but Monica, you complete me", he said, "When I'm with you, I'm not me - I'm better. I'm smarter, I'm braver, I'm funnier. I'm more confident. When we are together, we become one perfect person, you and I. And every time you put yourself in danger, you put part of me in danger. So the next time you want to invite a psycho to kill you, you better calculate your losses"
That was as close to a romantic proclamation as she had ever gotten from him. Monica stared at him, dumbfounded. His words felt nothing short of poetry, but grand speeches about love weren't his strong suit. She was almost synaesthetic to his discomfort.
Monica managed to say,
"That logic is flawed and you know it"
"All I'm saying is, I can take care of myself. You don't have to..."
"So can I. But would that stop you from wanting to protect me?"
"I..."
He frowned. Monica raised a brow. Spencer spluttered,
"That's not fair"
"All is fair in love and war"
He sighed. When he looked up again, she knew he was willing to drop the subject. The pathetic facial expression she adopted helped too. Spencer watched her for a moment and leaned back in his chair. He looked casually around the room once, before saying,
"The original quote is - the rules of fair play do not apply to love and war. It's from John Lyly's 1579 novel..."
"Eupheus: the Anatomy of Wit", she finished his sentence.
The way he stared at her made her crack a reluctant smile.
"I love you", he said with reverence.
She took his hand.
"I love you too"
His fingers grazed the back of her hand. He looked down at their hands. She watched his thumb glide leisurely along the back of her hand. To her, his hands were beautiful. Long, artistic fingers, the softness of fluffy cotton, and still the masculine firmness. Spencer intertwined his fingers with hers so, that her hand was bent backwards from the wrist, pressed against the mattress on her bed. Monica was all attention at the way he was holding her hand down.
Just like he did in bed.
She looked up into his eyes and her heart skipped a beat. The way his pupils dilated, and his eyes suddenly seemed darker. The way he licked his lips, trying not to let his feelings show on his face. It was flattering too, that he would want her when she was in a neck brace and a hospital gown. Monica lowered her gaze and blushed, as Spencer leaned forth to place the tenderest of kisses on her cheek. The familiar smell of soap on his skin only worsened her longing. Too bad she couldn't move her neck. She would have showed him just how bad a woman could want a man. It seemed that Spencer could sense her frustration though, because he smiled and kissed her on the lips.

Just before she could give in to the sweet surrender, there was a knock on her door. Spencer quickly moved away, making her groan.
"Why did you stop?", she whined.
"Sshh"
Monica cursed and looked towards the door. She watched her parents step in. Her mother carried a bag over her shoulder and her father was holding a potted plant.
"Anthurium?", she couldn't help but grin, "Don't tell me you smuggled that in, Dad"
"Didn't have to", he winked, "Just turned on the ol' charm"
"And what have you got there, Mom?"
Her mother produced a good number of books from her bag. Monica couldn't stop smiling.
"You guys... thank you"
She dreaded having to tell them what they should have noticed, but her Mom didn't give her the chance.
"I see someone has already got you covered"
Dr. Fleming was referring to the pile of books on her daughter's bedside table, and the bonsai sacred fig.
"Yeah. Dr. Reid brought me some of my books and this"
Monica touched the pot. She exchanged a look with Spencer before glancing at her parents. They didn't seem offended in the least. Her Dad was actually smiling.
"I'm glad he did", he said to Spencer, "That was nice of you, son"
"It was no trouble. Sacred fig tree, or ficus religiosa, purifies the air by almost 80%. Some cultures believe the tree grants you peace because the Buddha is supposed to have gained enlightenment while sitting under one"
Mr. Knight looked down at the plant in his hands. He said,
"I just bought this 'cause it had pretty flowers"
Monica said,
"Yeah, and the leaves contain poisonous sap. But don't worry. It's only poisonous if ingested"
Spencer reached his hands forward towards Mr. Knight.
"Let me help you with that"
Her boyfriend helped make room for the new plant and the books. Monica was watching him, with love in her eyes. Her attention turned to her mother, who mouthed to her -
"Marry him"
Monica just grinned.

He was sitting next to her on the bed, while Mr. Knight and Dr. Fleming occupied two chairs. Somewhere between the conversation, Monica had fallen asleep. Spencer had been the first to notice. He tucked the hair away from her face, made sure she didn't feel cold.
"How's your wound?", Mr. Knight asked him.
"It's better. They should take the bandage off tomorrow"
Dr. Fleming said,
"When are you due at work?"
"It's up to me, actually. Even after my medical leave ends, I have plenty of vacation days saved up"
"Mon says you're married to your work", Mr. Knight teased.
Spencer smiled and looked down lovingly at her face.
"That's one of her favourite jokes"
"I understand it though. I used to be passionate about my job too. It happens when you feel like you're making a difference, doesn't it?"
"Yeah"
"But if you need to be at work, we can handle things here", Dr. Fleming said, "The two of us can be here throughout the day. George is willing to stay nights. The other three have their own families, but it won't stop them from visiting as often as they can"
Spencer was grateful for the offer, but he explained,
"I am still consulting cases for my team on phone if they need me. Besides, the Bureau won't clear me for field duty anyway until my stitches have dissolved. Then there's the psych eval. And the..."
Dr. Fleming smiled her benevolent smile.
"I understand you wanting to be close to her in her condition, Dr. Reid. But she has the entire hospital staff and us to look after her. She will need you more when they let her go home. Recovering from surgery and head trauma, it's never easy. There will be changes in her body, in her behaviour. Monica rarely ever gets angry or irritated, but with what she has been through, you never know. She won't admit it, but she is going to need you to be there for her - physically and emotionally"
He gave a dutiful nod.
"I know"
"I'm not trying to tell you what to do, but a better use of your vacation days would be for when you can be at home with her"
Mr. Knight reminisced,
"During my pole sliding days..."
"Stop calling it that, Dad. You were a firefighter"
All eyes turned towards the woman with the sleepy voice. Monica grabbed the side of her bed and tried to rise.
"I got you"
Spencer was there to help her up. He didn't let go of her till she was sitting comfortably in bed.
"Why didn't anyone wake me up?", she complained.
"You need as much rest as you can get, dear", her mother said.
"I hate naps", Monica grumbled.
Before she could try to reach for her glasses on the bed stand, Spencer put them on her. He handed her the book she had been reading before falling asleep.
"Thanks"
He didn't notice how fondly her parents were gazing at them.
"We were just discussing with Spencer about your visitors' schedule", Mr. Knight told his daughter, "You're going to be here for a while, sweetie. We think we should take turns, staying with you"
"I have the whole hospital staff to take care of me. I don't want any of you waiting on me here like this is some big deal", she touched Spencer's arm, "And take him with you too"
The three shared a look as Monica busied herself with reading the book. Spencer said,
"Actually, I was thinking I should go back to work. They will put me on desk duty until I'm cleared for the field"
"That's a great idea"
"This way, I can use my vacation days to be with you when you're at home"
"You don't have to do that. I could get a nurse. Your work is more important"
"No, it's not. And I would rather it be me than a nurse we don't even know"
Monica looked at him from above her glasses.
"A trained nurse versus you?"
"I delivered a baby once. I'm pretty sure I can take care of you"
She threw him that "Oh really?" look. Mr. Knight wasn't as amused.
"You delivered a baby?"
"Yeah. It, uh, it was for a... during a case. The UnSub was holding the lady hostage and she went into labour. I had to... help deliver the child"
Mr. Knight said,
"I have five children. I was a firefighter for forty-two years. But I never could stand childbirth"
Dr. Fleming squeezed her husband's hand as she told Spencer,
"He fainted every single time in the delivery room. Monica's birth was the only exception"
"That's because you were screaming and crying. The other four times you had been so calm. When you were birthing Monica, you were in so much pain, I had to be there for you"
Fondly recalling the memory, Dr. Fleming said,
"Ah. Monica weighed almost eleven pounds when she was born"
"I remember", Mr. Knight said, "That hospital bed looked like a crime scene..."
"Story-time's over", Monica said loudly, "I don't want to relive my birth, please? Thank you"
Spencer found the whole discussion funny, right until Mr. Knight said to him,
"Well, it's a good thing you know about childbirth. It will be easier for when you two have your own"
"Ted!"
"Dad!"
He went on,
"I have always wanted grand-twins..."
"Mom!", Monica exclaimed.
Dr. Fleming scolded her husband.
"Ted, stop it. You know that is inappropriate"
She turned to Spencer.
"I'm sorry. We didn't mean to make you two uncomfortable"
"It's okay", he said.
It was some thought, him and Monica having twins. Of course, they couldn't be his, biologically. He had made up his mind on that a year ago. But, it didn't hurt to... fantasize.
Especially the conceiving part.
And the part where, Monica being Monica, she would come up with some intelligent way to tell him she was pregnant. Ah, to hear her say "You're going to be a Dad!"
And then the pregnancy. She would grow even more beautiful. He would design the perfect diet and exercise schedule for her. The weight gain would suit her. God, he had never known how badly he wanted to see her pregnant with his child. And that typical pregnant lady waddle. Monica would look so cute doing that.
That daydream blew away when he was back to reality. Monica had raised the book upwards so it hid her face from view. But he could still see the neck brace, the casts. Spencer chastised himself.
'What is wrong with you? She is heavily injured and you're thinking about impregnating her'
That's when the nurse came in.
"I am going to need you folks to leave the room for a while. It's time for her sponge bath"
Monica put away her book and glasses. Her parents got out of their seats.
"We are right outside, dear", Dr. Fleming told her.
They were well out of earshot when Spencer got up to leave too. Monica asked the nurse,
"Can he stay?"
The nurse grinned at them both.
"After I leave, please"
He tried his best not to seem enthralled by the idea. Looking down at her mischievous smile, Spencer kissed the top of her head. He smiled back at her and said oh-so-sweetly,
"I'll put a baby in you soon"
"What?"
"I... I-I-I mean I'll see you soon", he cleared his throat and backed out, "I'm... uh... bye"