AN: Hey! So to answer some questions, Spencer will meet Jenna's friends soon, once they get into the swing of rehearsal. So here's chapter 28! Enjoy!
Chapter 28
I involuntarily signed up for a ballet partnering class, which inconveniently took place every other Saturday morning. I wasn't keen on having yet another thing to do, especially on the weekends, but it was better than lazing around all day. The class was going well, until I was dropped directly onto my right hip during a presage lift overhead.
"SHIT!" I shouted as my hip collided with hard wood floor. The studio had a strict no cursing rule, but when it came to injuries they swept it under the rug.
"Jenna are you alright?" My instructor Leah dashed over when she heard my descent to the ground. My partner stood behind me, not exactly sure what to say or do. He was only about 13, so he was at his peak of social awkwardness. He just turned red and tried not to get in the way.
"Uh, y-yeah I-I'm fine" I pushed through my clenched teeth while gripping my throbbing hip.
"No you're not. Josh- take her to bench and get some ice" Leah ordered. Josh was 16, and insanely built. He had been dancing at the studio since he was 3, and it showed.
"No- it's fine I can walk" I protested, carefully standing up. I took two steps, or shall I say limps, and a wave of pain radiated through my entire leg. I slammed my hand down on the barre to keep me from crashing to the ground.
"No, you can't. Let Josh carry you to the bench and he'll get you some ice" I didn't complain and let Josh scoop me up and take me to the bench just outside the room. He placed me down cautiously and disappeared, returning with ice soon after.
"Thanks for your help, you can go back in now" I insisted, and Josh complied. I sat out for the remainder of class, ice pressed to my side. I was ultimately pissed that I even got partnered with the smallest kid in the class, and that it resulted in this set back.
Class let out, and I was Spencer walk through the front door with a puzzled look on his face as I was talking to Leah.
"I don't want to see you here for at least another week. I'll inform your other instructors so they don't get angry. Ice it when you get home too, and try to limit your movement. I hope you feel better Jenna" Leah rubbed my shoulder and retreated into the back room. I stiffly stood up, all weight on my leg side. I was hobbling over to my bag when Spencer paced over to me.
"W-what happened why are you limping?" He shot out in his worried tone.
"I got dropped on my hip" I repeated while trying to pick up my bag, wincing at the pain it conveyed. Spencer swooped in and through it over his shoulder for me.
"A-are you okay to walk to the car? Do you need me to carry you?" Spencer said frantically. I guessed he wasn't used to things like this.
"Spenc, no offense but you have the upper body strength of a ten year old girl" I laughed, trying to calm the mood. "The ice had numbed it for the time being, I'm fine" I began tottering out of the studio in front of Spencer, just wanting to get home. When I stepped out on the concrete side walk I realized I forgot to take my pointe shoes off. I needed a new pair anyway, so I didn't sweat it.
I limped with Spencer by my side through the lobby, into the elevator, and into the apartment. Too lazy to change out of my tights, black leotard and light blue warm-up shrug, I headed straight to the couch. Spencer placed my bag down next to me, and I pulled out the half full bottle of water I brought with me.
"Where's the pain?" He asked, returning with a heating pad.
"It mostly my right hip, but it spreads down my leg when I put pressure on it or make any form of movement" I rested my neck on the arm of the couch, my long pony tail draping over it.
"Do you think we should get it X-rayed?" Spencer asked, taking precaution a bit far. A hospital was the last thing I needed.
"Spenc, I took a fall and bashed my hip, I didn't get shot" I giggled, trying to reassure him I would be fine.
"I'll have a nasty bruise and I'll be sore for a while, but I should be up and running in a couple of days. No worries" I bolstered again.
"Alright, if you say so. Do you need me to you anything?" Spencer asked, probably already knowing what I would say next.
"Coffee?" I grinned, Spencer chuckling at how predictable I was.
Immobile, I resorted to reading anything I could get my hands on. Spencer came and went, either to hand me more reading material or state some random fact on the healing of hip injuries. I wouldn't even call it an injury, just an irritating set back.
"I called the team and they all hope you feel better" Spencer mentioned while handing me and cup of jello.
"Oh-you didn't have to call them, it's not that bad" I replied. Before Spencer could respond there was a knock at the door. Spencer marched over with a confused expression, both of us wondering who it could possibly be. He swung the door opened and sure enough, on the other side was the entire team.
"Why is it you never let me know when you're coming over?" I heard Spencer greeted them.
"Cause nothings better than that look on your face every time we show up" Derek joked, patting Spencer on the back. I would have gotten up to hug them as they entered, but due to the circumstances I couldn't.
"Hey Mini-Reid what's shakin?" Derek moved on, approaching the couch and giving me a half-hug as I remained laying down.
"Hey Jenna! Ah, I remember the days of athletic injuries. I don't miss them in the slightest" A somewhatswollen JJ declared. JJ used to be captain of her high school soccer team, so she could relate. Even though soccer and dance are more different than a like, the same rules applied.
"Jenna, long time no see. I hope you're feeling better" A stern faced Hotch said from beside a smiling Rossi. I was beginning to think I would never see him crack a smile. I didn't think his facial expression was necessarily related to his existing emotions, more of a habit at that point.
"What are we going to do with you?" Rossi chuckled and leaned over to kiss me on the top of the head.
"Hey Jenna, how are you feeling?" Emily came towards me next, sitting down on the coffee table across from the couch.
"Worn out and sore" I laughed. I was happy to see everyone, despite my current state.
"Out of my way out of my way! I need to get to my munchkin!" The unmistakable voice of Garcia boomed through the small crowd.
"Ah! Munchkin how do you manage to get hurt enough to demobilize yourself and still look cute as a peach?!"Garcia was carrying what looked to be a collection of snacks, movies, reusable ice packs, and a pair of fuzzy socks. I understood the entertainment and such, but the socks threw me off.
I looked down at myself after Garcia's comment and realized I was still in my dace apparel. I hadn't even gotten the chance to take my pointe shoes off. I all of a sudden became especially self-conscious. It was one thing being in such skin tight material in the studio, since everyone else was in the same thing, but among a group of profiling adults it wasn't exactly ideal.
"Uhm- I should go get dressed" I said, beginning to push myself up. Due to the lack of movement my entire body was stiff.
"Nuh-uh, lay back down Mini-Reid you're not going anywhere" Derek objected, only making me want to get up even more.
"No- really I can move, it's numb for the most part. I-I should get dressed" I proceeded to try and hoist my body up, being met with the two hands assisting me. Those hands belonging to Emily.
"Thanks, I'll be right back" I started limping my way to my bedroom when out of the blue the teams chatter came to a stop and before I knew it I had six sets of eyes on me. Spencer was just confused and his eyes were darting around the room.
"W-what?" I turned to them and gave a nervous laugh.
"Nothing! Nothing go get changed" Emily signaled for everyone to divert their stares. I nodded and continued to my bedroom.
I changed into a pair of black leggings and a loose burgundy sweater for comfort. I also slipped on a pair of plain white ankle socks to cover up damaged feet.
I cracked opened my door slightly, and heard the teams faint whispers. It was difficult to make out everything they were saying, but I could decipher a few lines.
"Is she sick? She's gotten way too skinny, Spencer"
"She's almost skeletal, is she eating?"
My heart sank at their remarks. Why was it that they could see what they saw, but I saw the exact opposite? It was unfair.
I noisily made my way into the hallway so they would stop whispering and not suspect I heard them.
"That's better" I sighed and plopped back down into my spot on the sofa. I acted as though I had no knowledge of their conversation.
They all exchanged concerned looks when they thought I wasn't in view. For profilers, they were not very good at hiding things.
"So Jenna, or shall I say Fantine, tell us all about how you snagged such a memorable role in only two weeks at your new school" Emily quickly changed the subject.
I salvaged the amount of time the lightened mood lasted, knowing at some point I would be forced into another confrontation by Spencer. Maybe he would spare me the conversation and wait until I was repaired from the last one, or maybe he wouldn't say anything at all. It was all up in the air, which I did not find comforting. All I could do was wait, and prepare. Something I hated more than uncertainty.