Chapter 3

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The doctor told Spencer that Aaron was lucky to be alive. No vital organs had been compromised, and apart from blood loss, Aaron was fine. Just a few more inches, and the knife would have nicked the aorta, and Aaron would have bled out before Spencer found him.

Spencer watched him sleep through the window, Black hair, pale skin against the white pillow. He slept a gentle relaxed sleep. He was being given plasma expanders and antibiotics, but the doc thought he would probably be fit for work in two days, as long as he stayed behind a desk.

Spencer ran his fingers through his hair.

Aaron wasn't fine. Nothing was fine.

People get mugged every day. People get run over every day.

But not the same person on the same day.

Spence called Strauss and took some leave.

"But you've only just come back!" she said, annoyed. Spencer assured her it would only be for a couple of days. He would likely be back on Thursday, probably with Hotchner.

Spence was going to remain as close to Aaron as he could until he had worked this thing out. He didn't tell Strauss that though.

Spencer slept for some of that night in the chair next to Aaron's bed. He had a nightmare, the first one for a long time.

He dreamed that he could see Aaron, but he couldn't get to him. He was moving in slow motion, Aaron was dying, reaching out for him, and he couldn't move.

He woke up suddenly with a cry, and it took a moment for him to remember where he was.

Aaron was still sleeping. Spence went and sat on the bed and held his hand.

"I'm going to have to stay here holding your hand, Aaron." He smiled down at his friend, stroking his face. He leaned down and kissed his forehead. "You don't mind, do you?"

He kicked off his shoes and lay on the bed with his face in Aaron's hair. He slept soundly for the rest of the night.

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The next morning, the doctor said Aaron could go home, only if he was careful and didn't do anything strenuous.

Spencer drove. Aaron fidgeted in the passenger's seat

"I can't believe it. We've only been back at work one day!"

"Aaron, I'm really concerned about this. Do you still think this is a coincidence?"

"Come on, Spence, what else could it be? It was a simple mugging. It could have happened to anyone, at any time."
"No, Aaron. It happened to you, the same day as you almost got run down. The same day, Aaron!"

"Spence, don't read into everything."

Spencer didn't say anything more. He thought Aaron was getting annoyed, probably because he was tired and hurting. But it was on his mind, he couldn't stop thinking about it.

"I'll take you back to yours now. You will be more comfortable."

Later that evening they sat in Aaron's living room with two half eaten pizzas in front of them.

Spencer was sitting in the corner of the sofa, Aaron lying down with his head on Spencer's lap. Both had changed into jogging pants and tee shirt, nice and relaxing after a not very nice day.

They had been watching 'From Hell', and so had not talked much. They were both really tired, Spence's head leaning back on the chair, Aaron's eyes flickering from open to closed

"I think I'll have a shower and go to bed." said Spencer. Aaron swung round so that Spence could get up. "You coming?"

Aaron put his hand out, and Spencer pulled him to his feet. He was still quite wobbly, but he could stand ok with a little help.

With Aaron's arm linked in his, they went upstairs to the bathroom. Spencer reached in and turned the water on.

"Ok, you first."

Aaron wasn't supposed to get the dressing wet, so he stood and allowed the hot water to pummel his back. He closed his eyes as the hard spray massaged aching muscles. He sighed loudly.

Spencer had taken his shirt off, but still had his jogging pants on He stood behind Aaron in the shower and washed his hair. He watched the bubbles wash down Aaron's back, following them with his fingers. He smiled as Aaron pulled away as it ticked.

"Hmm I feel so much better now, Spence." Aaron stretched his arms up pulling the knots out of his shoulders. He reached out and got a towel. Spencer stepped under the pounding water.

It was nice to wash the day off his skin. Spencer leaned forward and let the water flow through his hair. Aaron stood in front of him and ran his hands through Spencer's hair. Aaron loved the way Spencer's hair curled into his neck, and how soft it felt when ha had just washed it. He looked forward to caressing Spencer's hair later as he slept.

Aaron wrapped the towel around himself and sat and watched him.

How had this happened? This wonderful feeling that he had when he was around. He had thought he loved Haley, but it was nothing like this. When things had been good with Haley, it had been a comfortable feeling, nice (such an inadequate word) but with Spence, the feeling was all consuming, intense. Aaron hadn't really got used to it yet, why this young man, so brilliant, with the world at his feet, should choose to stay with him, boring and staid Aaron Hotchner.

He looked down to check the dressing. It was still dry. Good.

"See you in a minute, Spence. I'm going to get a drink. Do you want one?"

"Hmmm," mused Spencer. "Something nice cold and sweet."

Aaron went down to the drinks cupboard to get them a drink each. Spencer removed his wet jogging bottoms and got out of the shower. He felt a little silly, showering with his clothes on, but he was a bit embarrassed about his skinny white body.

Goodness only knows what Aaron sees in me. He's good looking, interesting, and deep. Why does he want to hang around with a weird geek like me? But whatever the reason, it's the best feeling I've ever had. I never want it to end.

Spencer put on some crisp cotton PJ bottoms, and went to the bedroom. He sat on the bed contentedly, and waited for Aaron to come up with the drinks.

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"The mugging didn't work. He's out of hospital already."

"Can't we just take him out? It would be easy. A drive by."

"Look, I told you what I want. Hotchner's death has to look like an accident, or a random killing. Not deliberate murder. Surely you are not so stupid as to not understand those simple instructions."

"But I could take him out with a sniper bullet. There wouldn't be any way it could be traced back to us or you."

"It seems I have not made myself clear. Your incompetence with the car, and now the 'mugging'. I can't believe it."

"What about the freak-boy he knocks about with. We might have to take him out as well."

"If you can get rid of him at the same time, that would be perfect. There's a bonus in it for you if you can get rid of both. But it must look like an accident."

"Why do you want them wasted anyway?"

"You just do the work you've been hired to do. Don't ask questions. Just get it done if you want to be paid."

The phone line went dead.