Chapter 2

Rain

Spencer and Aaron left work separately that evening. Spence waited by the car for Aaron. He was not happy about Aaron walking across the car park alone – but then, Spencer decided he was just being paranoid.

It was likely just an accident. He so wanted to believe that.

He saw Aaron walking towards him, and resisted the urge to go and meet him. Aaron unlocked the car for him, and Spencer got in and waited.

When they were driving out of the car park, Spencer spoke.

"Aaron, I need to talk to you about something."

Aaron glanced at him. He looked as worried as he sounded. "What is it, Spence?"

"That car this morning…." Spencer started, unsure how to approach this.

"You're not hurt, are you?" Aaron looked worried now.

"Oh no! No, that's not it. Aaron, are you sure it was an accident?"

Aaron sighed. "Spence, it was an accident. I hope you aren't going to worry yourself over it." He reached across and put his hand on Spencer's knee. "As long as you are not hurt, then there's nothing to worry about."

Spencer didn't say anything else. He pushed it to the back of his mind.

"I need to go home to pick up some stuff, if that's ok."

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Spence threw a few things in a bag, and sat on the edge of his bed.

"I'm so tired, Aaron. Can we stay here tonight? I just want to lie down."

Aaron stood in the doorway, leaning against the frame. He smiled as Spence threw himself back on the bed, arms outstretched.

"Sure, Babe, can't see why not. I've got some stuff here." He walked into the room and sat next to Spence. He took Spencer's hand.

"This is all right with you, isn't it?"

"You mean us? Of course it's all right."
"No. I mean us working together. The team is going to find out sooner or later. They are the top profilers in the country, probably in the world. They will work it out."

Spencer sat up. "We aren't doing anything wrong. There's nothing wrong with what we do; loving each other, caring for each other."

Aaron took him in his arms. "I so wanted you to say that, Spence."

"I've missed you today." Aaron lightly kissed the end of Spencer's nose, then touched it with his finger.

"I'll get some food in. You wait here."

"I'd rather come, if that's ok."

"You wait here; I'm going to cook tonight. It'll be a surprise!"

"Erm… is that a good idea." Spencer thought back to the last surprise Aaron had cooked. Loosely termed as lasagna, even Aaron had to admit it was pretty disgusting.

"I'll do better this time, I promise." He grinned. "I'll use a recipe!"

Spencer lay back on the bed smiling, promising himself he would eat it, regardless of the 'presentation'.

"I'll be back!" Aaron called, in his best Arnie voice. No sense of humor? Oh it was there. It just needed someone to release it.

Aaron bounced down the stairs, and walked towards the shop. It wasn't far, certainly not far enough to get the car out.

It was starting to get dark, and the few people who were about were hurrying home to whatever awaited them. The pavements were shiny with rain, and the streetlights reflected on the wet roads. In his head he was planning the evening.

As he passed a narrow back road, he sensed someone fall into step behind him. He suddenly felt nervous as his adrenalin kicked in. He instinctively felt for his gun but he had left it in Spencer's apartment. He still had the gun on his ankle, but he wouldn't be able to get to it fast enough. He quickened his pace, but whoever it was, was still just behind him. Touching distance.

He turned to face them. There were two guys, dressed in dark clothes, hoods pulled down.

One of then held a knife. "Your money, now."

Aaron took his wallet out of his pocket and handed it to the guy with the knife. He opened it, and removed the notes. Aaron was surprised that he didn't seem fazed by his FBI identification.

He threw the wallet down, and put the money in his pocket.

He stepped towards Aaron, as the other guy stood back, watching for people. Aaron got ready for a fight. Two against one – he had been at worse odds, but not when the assailant was armed.

"I don't have any more money." Aaron said, as he stepped away back against the wall behind him. He held his hands up.

The assailant readied the knife. Aaron noticed how the streetlights reflected on it, flashing on the cold steel, and he thought how strangely the mind works at times.

He made to grab the man's wrist, to twist the knife from his grasp. The other man had stopped his lookout duty, and was reaching round Aaron from behind, holding his wrists.

The knife slid smoothly under Aaron's ribs. He felt a sudden pain, but when the man withdrew the knife, Aaron doubled up and fell.

The two assailants were gone. Aaron lay on the wet pavement in the drizzle. He moaned in pain as his blood was diluted in the rain.

His mind was confused. Why had they attacked? He wasn't a threat, and they knew he was FBI.

He had to get back to Spence. He tried to stand, but his legs weren't cooperating. He pressed his hand on the wound, and started to crawl back the way he had come. He looked ahead. Spencer's building seemed far away, he wasn't sure he would reach it before he bled out.

People were walking past, pretending not to notice him.

"Please…help me…" he reached out a bloody hand to a man walking by, but he was ignored.

He wasn't going to make it.

Aaron fainted. The rain continued to fall. People continued to pass him, eager to get home.

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Spencer went through to the kitchen and switched on his espresso machine. He got out two mugs and put sugar in one.

Aaron was taking his time.

Spencer stood watching the machine.

When the ready light went on, Spence poured his out. He sat on his old leather chair and sipped the coffee.

How long did it take to nip down to the shop? Spencer put the coffee on the desk and slipped his shoes on. Aaron would probably tell him off for worrying like an old woman, but to Spencer, something just didn't feel right. Aaron was taking too long. He picked up his gun and keys, and locked the door behind him.

He took the stairs two at a time, and stepped out into the street. It was raining quite hard now, and Spencer wished he had put a coat on.

He turned to the right and started to make his way to the shop.

He saw someone lying on the path.

He noticed how the rain was washing blood into the drain.

Aaron!

Frantic, Spencer knelt by him, and felt for a pulse. Aaron was still alive.

"Aaron! It's Spence." he took out his phone and called 911. He rested Aaron's head on his lap as he sat on the ground in the rain. He brushed his hair to the side.

"Aaron, can you hear me?"

Aaron moved his hand to find Spencer's. Spencer took it and held it tight. Aaron's eyes opened and he looked up at Spencer.

He put his hand against Aaron's face.

"It's ok, Love. I'm here."

In the distance, Spencer could hear the siren of the ambulance.