By Kalnaman and co-writer Malinga
As/N: Thank you VirginSerpent for beta. And thank you to all who have given us reviews.
After tucking in Spencer he went to the kitchen to get a beer. While drinking the beer he was wondering about what all had happened and what was going to happen. His thoughts were interrupted by his phone ringing. He thought it was Morgan, but was surprised to find out that it was Gideon.
"You've tried to call me? Because of the many missed calls it seems that something important is up. What is it, Aaron?"
"You bet it's important. You'd better get back as soon as possible, Jason. Spencer needs you… he needs the both of us."
Gideon's response was immediate and filled with worry, apprehension and concern. "What happened? Is he hurt?"
"No, not exactly. But it's serious."
"Not exactly?" Gideon's alarm increased at the other end of the line, "what's that supposed to mean? Hotch, what's going on here?"
Hotch sighed, gravely. "Don't worry, Jason. He's fine at the moment, but he needs us. Both. That's all I can say at the moment. "
"I'm on my way," came Gideon's swift answer, then the line immediately went dead and Hotch knew it wouldn't be long before Jason came knocking at his door.
He remembered he needed to call his wife and ask her how things were going with her sister. And to tell her that what she could expect to come home to. He dialed the number. And he hoped that his son would still be awake so he could talk to him for a few minutes.
"Hayley! Nice to hear your voice. How is Jack? Is he still awake?" He asked hopefully.
"No sorry, Aaron. I've just tucked him in and he went out as a light."
Hotch was disappointed, but he thought it was funny that his wife had tucked their son in about the same time he'd done the same with Spencer.
"I had hoped I would have been able to talk to him. How is your sister doing? It must be hard on her to have to lie down for so long until the baby is born, and have a toddler at the same time. So when are you able to get back home?"
Hotch wasn't happy about the answer; that it would be about one to two months or longer. But when he thought closely about it, maybe it would be for the best. Hopefully at the time when they got back, Spencer would be in a better condition. He then told her about Spencer.
"I'm so sorry to hear that about Spencer; he is a nice kid. You'd better take good care of him."
"I promise. I won't fail him again. Give Jack a goodnight kiss from me. "
oOo
Hotch thought it would be a good idea to go to bed early, as he had a feeling tomorrow was going to be a long day. So before he got ready for bed, he checked up on Spencer.
He sighed with exhaustion. He was exhausted with concern and worry. He worried about Spencer, about his future, about his career, about both his psychological and physical wellbeing, because he knew what a toll this was going to take on him. They had a long, winding road ahead of them. If anything, it wasn't going to be neither easy nor quick. But that boy meant too much for them, for him, not to give this their hundred percent. He couldn't be sure how or when this awful nightmare would be over, but if there was something he was certain of, it was that they wouldn't give up on this kid, and that they would see to it that he didn't give up on himself as well. They would be by his side and fight alongside him all the way to the end, until they succeeded. Because they would succeed. There was no other alternative in his mind.
Hotch noticed Spencer lying restlessly in his sleep. He hurried to his side and he gently caressed Spencer's chin. Spencer calmed down a little. Hotch suddenly had an idea and hurried to his son's room. He found what he was looking for. "Perfect!" Hotch grabbed it and hurried back to Spencer. He gently placed the object in Spencer's left arm. Spencer snuggled close to the soft object and calmed down completely. Hotch turned on the baby monitor, let the light on as he knew about Spencer's fear of darkness and went to his bedroom. As soon as his head hit the pillow he fell asleep.
oOo
Hotch woke up early, as he was woken by his alarm clock. They had to get ready for Spencer's first session with his psychiatrist. The thought of Spencer got Hotch to hurry out of bed and to Spencer's room. He was surprised that Spencer had not woken at all last night. What he saw in Spencer's room surprised him even more. Spencer was sleeping soundly with Jack's teddy bear under his chin. He'd thought that Spencer would have woken up more than once through the night, but it seemed he hadn't or he would have heard him over the baby monitor. He'd thought that Spencer would have found out about the teddy later and thrown it off the bed. He was happy he hadn't, as it seemed Teddy helped Spencer to have a peaceful sleep. He hoped that Spencer wouldn't be too embarrassed by it and let Teddy continue to keep him company. Hotch was sure Jack wouldn't mind and probably would let him keep him, as he had many teddy bears and his favorites were with him at his aunt's.
He wished he could let him rest a little while longer. The way things had played out for Spencer lately, it was obvious the young man had had hardly any sleep at all and God knew that kid needed his rest more than anything. Unfortunately, he had to wake him up for his appointment now. He sighed; a meeting he had a feeling Spencer wouldn't be too happy about. But thinking about it, he could let him sleep for a few minutes longer. He needed to take a shower and then make some breakfast. And after breakfast, Spencer could take a shower or a bath.
oOo
When he was done he went to Spencer's room and sat on the side of his bed.
"Spencer. It's time to wake up now." When Spencer finally woke up he was surprised to find a teddy bear in his arms. He blushed and looked at Hotch. "You were having a nightmare last night and I thought Teddy could help you, and he did. You slept peacefully after I gave him to you."
"I'm sorry."
"For what?"
"For being a baby."
"You're not a baby. Don't worry. It will be a secret between you, me and Gideon. "
"Gideon?"
"Gideon will arrive shortly. He called me last night. He's on his way here. Hopefully he'll get here in time before your session."
"I don't want to see the shrink. Can't we just call and tell him that I don't need him after all?" Spencer asked hopefully.
"No, sorry. If Dr. Norman finds out about it, he will intervene and then you'll be committed before you're even able to say please."
Spencer pouted.
"Do you need to go to the bathroom before breakfast? I was thinking you could take a shower or a bath after breakfast."
Spencer shook his head.
oOo
Hotch never knew he would miss Spencer's ramblings, but he did now. Breakfast went very quietly. The only one who talked was him and that was only to reprimand Spencer for not starting eating. Spencer started when Hotch was about to force feed him, as Hotch didn't have time to wait till he started to come around to eating on his own, because the meeting was drawing very close and Spencer still needed to have his shower.
When Spencer was finally done Hotch said, "Now we'd better get to the bathroom. It's late so you'd better take a shower instead of a bath."
"I don't want either one of them."
"Sorry, Spencer. You ARE going to take a shower. Sorry to say it, but you stink."
Spencer shot him a murderous glare and made to protest, but then, taking a small whiff of the air around him, he realized Hotch probably had a point there. If that foul stench was indeed his persona, then he undoubtedly needed a shower, effective immediately. But admitting that now would be admitting Hotch was right and he couldn't do that now, could he?
"I'm not the one who stinks. You are!" Spencer wrapped his arms around himself in defiance.
Hotch hurried out of his chair. He then went to Spencer and pulled him firmly off his chair. He turned him around and delivered five hard swats. He then dragged the protesting Spencer to the bathroom. "You can't do this!" he screamed while he was being dragged along. As soon as they reached the bathroom and the older Agent let go of his arm, Spencer spun around and glared at Hotch, screaming in his face. "Outside the BAU, you are NOT the boss of me! Do you hear me?"
"No. Not now, I'm not. But I am your guardian. And as your guardian I say you need a shower; and badly at that!"
Spencer let out a loud sigh. "But can't you let me take a shower alone… please."
TBC