without further interlude, here you go.. thank you for the reviews..I'm glad you guys are not at me for the late updates (wink)

He really do not understand what is going on around him, and even his own actions surprised him. Maybe it was due to the close proximity of people he doesn't want to find out about his Anemia. For Goodness sake, Dave and Strauss. Though his first fear was that Strauss would have his ass kicked from the bureau has faded now that he saw how she has been with handling him through the drowsiness, headaches and fits of vomits, the current and pressing fear now is that he wanted to continue being independent. He was used to being alone, having no one to take care of him, well having a schizophrenic for a mother and an absent father figure he has to learn to take care of himself, actually, if this is a time for claiming anything, he'd gladly claim that he is more than somewhat successful in that field. Being alone.

But, his walls are crumbling down too swiftly for his liking, but how could he fight it? How? When right at the moment 4:30 in the morning even with his eyes half closed, he can hear the low whispers of Erin Strauss, her hands working its magic on his throbbing temple and telling him that it'll be fine in no time. He hates the feeling in his heart, it was warmth and belongingness, he would not like it when she'd finally decided to return to her old self and he already leaned on her too far. Rejection is one thing, but rejection from someone you already trusted is too much of another thing.

Honestly, he still thinks that David and Erin are over acting and giving too much fuss over a simple Anemia that only needs a week of rest and a few ferrous sulfate pills.

And then he drifted back to sleep.

Spencer stirred and tried to turn to his side.

"What is wrong Spencer? Do you need something?"

Erin whispered from the side of the bed where she had been sitting since last night, the stiff back and numb legs are actually taking its toll but who cares? She has had too many nights like this many moons ago, when any of her children are sick.

He mumbled incoherent words and pressed himself against her waist and snuggled there, Spencer was snoring lightly and drifting deeper into sleep feeling a warm body beside him.

Erin adjusted the pillow on her back, she looked over to the chair on the right side of Spencer's bed, David is having an uneasy dream judging by the way he is thrashing and turning trying to find a comfortable position which failed miserably in a small space like the chair.

Good luck with our backs Dave.

That was her last thoughts before she wrapped her arms around Spencer and drifted to sleep herself.

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Morning comes and David woke up to the smell of coffee brewing from downstairs. He slowly opened his eyes to see Reid curled in a ball facing him with a piece of cloth clutched in his arms hanging on it as it is his life line, pressed close to his nose. He rubbed his eyes and saw better of the cloth in question, it was Erin's cashmere cardigan. Despite the urge to not move at all he smiled. Like a little child who can't sleep without mommy's smell. Speaking of mommy, where is Erin? He thought.

He silently moved downstairs and made his way towards the kitchen, and in the light of daylight in the west side of his kitchen Erin stood with her back on him, staring outside the window, in her pj's, hair tousled.

"Anymore coffee?"

Without turning her back, she just continued drinking her coffee.

"In the coffee maker..want any breakfast?"

"No, just coffee. But I didn't know you are domesticated babe."

"Not now Dave, too early."

"Well I was just speaking my mind."

"Which is not necessary."

She moved towards the table and sat there while David poured himself a cup of coffee and then he sat across her. She looked tired and worried.

"Hey, look at me. Dr. Barnes will be here after lunch. Stop worrying, please."

"I just want to know that Spencer will be fine Dave"

"He will be, you are taking good care of him, my only doubt is your health. Look, weve only been here less that 24 hours and you already look like shit."

"Thanks for making such a sweet compliment."

"No that wasn't what I meant."

"Enlighten me David.."

"Oh Erin, I just mean don't overdo yourself. Before we know it, you will be sick too.. just take it slow."

"God, this is making me worried sick."

"Me too, but please Erin take it slow."

He reached towards her free hand and gave it a warm reassuring press. His hand didn't move and she just let it lay there.

Holding hands in the morning with coffee on the other and worry etched on their foreheads.

"You know this is a classic scene for worrying parents…"

David said with a weak smile, to his surprise, she smiled back.

"I suppose so.."

The hands still not drawing away from each other.

Silence…

"Good morning guys.."

They both looked at Spencer leaning on the door jam, his eyes surprisingly lively as it laid on the holding hands on the table. To both Erin and Dave's surprise, neither is mortified, no awkwardness. Erin casually pulled her hand as she rose to touch Spencer's face.

"Are you up to some breakfast?"

"Uhm, yeah I think so."

"Should be, I don't think anything is left on your stomach, even the organs. Sit down you two; I'll whisk us up a light breakfast."

Erin sat Spencer beside her as they watched David make breakfast.

"Uhhm, I want to..i want to thank you two for looking out for me..no matter how bizarre, thank you''

Spencer silently, almost whispered the words.

"Why would you say bizarre?"

Erin looked at the pale faced man, no-boy.
pale faced boy who is sitting beside her.

"Well because, you know..All this fuss for…for—well just for me."

David remained quiet on the background, eager to know, how Erin would handle situations like this.

"Spencer, listen, you are not JUST. Okay? You are special. To me, to Dave and to the rest of your friends. So don't, not even for a second think that you are JUST."

"I-I just, im not used to people taking care of me."

"I understand, but you deserve it.. Look at you now, you can't possibly think that you'll be fine by yourself like this?"

"Honestly?"

She nodded.

"honestly, no. I'll be in such a mess. So thank you."

"Well, now that we cleared that up..Lets eat and the oncologist will be on his way after lunch."

David placed the mouthwatering breakfast on the table, his eyes on Erin, with pride and adoration.

She really is a woman of great value.

Spencer looked aghast.

"An oncologist? What for?"

TBC