Author's Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Chapter 23:
Spencer's POV:
I silently rubbed small circles all over Avery's soft hand, making sure to keep away from the IV drip that was bandaged to the back of her suddenly frail looking hand. She sat, stoically listening as the team gave her all the details of the case that we had so far, all that we'd kept from her. I could have told her all the details myself- I'd memorized every aspect of what'd happened and what we'd analyzed- but I chose instead to spend the conversation watching her face closely for her reactions. As she'd slept in her bed her beside me last night, I discovered (not for the first time) that I found her face wildly fascinating. Her features were soft, gentle; her face radiated her caring persona so closely that I couldn't help but find myself staring at her as the conversation developed. I'm sure that her stony exterior was doing a decent job of fooling the rest of the team, but as I carefully watched her I saw each emotion flitter across her delicate features as the team explained each and every aspect of what we'd found. As I absentmindedly stroked each of her long fingers with my thumb, I wondered how the team and I had gotten enough good fortunes from life to have stumbling upon such a strong, wonderful girl. I wondered how on Earth I had found a girl as wholly flawless as Avery was, and also how I'd found a perfect woman who seemed able to see past my failings and feel affectionately towards me. She was, by far, the most forgiving, caring, sweetest, beautiful, intelligent woman I'd ever had the fortune to meet, and I couldn't fathom how she could possibly feel the same attraction to me as I did her. But, somehow, she miraculously seemed to want me in her presence, and as long as she'd have me I'd be there for her. In any way she needed me, I'd be there.
She turned and gave me a weak smile, which I returned, and squeezed my hand before turning her attention back to the conversation. My heart swelling with a feeling I couldn't place, I vowed—right then and there— that I'd never let anything happen to her, or to her kids. This unsub had definitely better watch his step, because he'd messed with my girl, our girl, and my team was gunning for him. One way or another, he was going to leave Avery alone.
Avery's POV:
"Start from the beginning guys", I said as I shifted uncomfortably in the bed. Arrow looked at the team, and they all seemed to agree that he'd begin speaking.
"Well, as you know you found a letter on our front door from the man that we have determined to have murdered three women already in the area, one of which you had known from the shelter. Samantha. She was the reason we came to the shelter in the first place, to ask questions about her murder, remember?" I nodded, and waited for him to continue.
"After your party a few weeks ago, we found another letter addressed to you on the front steps seemingly from the same unsub as before. We decided it was best not to tell you, because we hadn't made much progress with the first letter's evidence and we didn't want you to worry unnecessarily. You'd been through a lot already, and we… and I wanted you to have a fresh start at your new life without having to constantly look over your shoulder", he said quietly. I knew that last admission was just from him to me. He was trying to let me know why he asked everyone to lie. My eyes felt hot, but I didn't let the tears form just yet. I'd speak to him later about why he did what he did, and I'd let him personally let me know what his motives were.
"When we started to investigate the second letter, I had a video surveillance system set up around our house. That way, if he had the nerve to come around again I'd be able to catch him and find him; but he never came around again. So we went off of what we knew", he said, clenching his fists.
"We've decided that our guy is older than you, probably somewhere in his mid-thirties", Morgan interrupted. "He's fit, average build and most likely trying to replace someone he feels he's lost. Each woman fits a physical type. Fair skinned, light features, average height and weight. Each woman also had a job or position that proved them to be caring types. The first victim was a nurse, the second a stay at home mom, and his last victim, Sam, as you know was a mother of 2. We think he's trying to replace a wife or mother of some kind, and none of the ladies have quite fit the bill". JJ turned to me.
"We're sure he's become even more obsessed with you since finding that you're more difficult to get to than his previous victims" she said quietly. I took in a sharp breath that my ribs didn't appreciate much, and I felt Spencer's grip on my hand tighten. I paused to give him a small smile of reassurance that I was alright, one that he seemed to halfheartedly return. Turning back towards the team, I looked at Arrow for more detail.
"All the victims died due to different causes, but the trigger seems the same. At some point, the façade must slip away and when it does, it appears that this unsub kills them in a fit of violent rage. This unsub loses all control in those moments, and immediately regrets them once he sees what he's done. He doesn't just dump his victims, he lays them carefully somewhere and arranges them like they're being laid to rest", Arrow said carefully, deliberately trying not to scare me I'd imagine. A tactic that wasn't working; I was scared shitless. I think I did an alright job of not showing just how terrified I was on my face, but I felt my arms and legs trembling slightly, which I'm sure Spencer could feel. He seemed to sit closer to me, and I gladly melted further into his side as I watched JJ speak up once more.
"The last letter he sent to you came a week after that, but he was smart enough not to come to your home again. The last letter came directly to the BAU, mailed with a return address that turned out to be some abandoned warehouse downtown. Both letters that we found said the exact same thing as the one you initially found" she said softly. "And that's about all we know right now unfortunately".
"So what now?" I questioned as I looked at all the saddened faces sitting somberly around my bed. "I know you all didn't want me to 'live in fear' but that sort of seems like the better option when the other is getting brutally stabbed or strangled to death".
They all flinched at my words, and Penelope even looked as if she was going to be ill. Morgan shook his head, and came to sit at the foot of my bed.
"Mama we aren't going to let anything happen to you", he said gently. Penelope nodded vigorously from where she sat, tearing up.
"Avery, you're our girl", she said empathetically, and I smiled at how sincere she sounded.
"We promise, no more secrets", piped up Arrow. "From now on, you'll be as involved in the investigation as you want to be. We'll let you be in on all the plans to keep you safe". I nodded, sticky tears beginning to form in my suddenly dry eyes.
The nurse knocked quietly on the door, and said that she needed me for some tests and the like. I frowned, not wanting to leave the team just yet. I'd just began to let them reassure me, and I didn't want to part from their protection. Sensing my fears, Niki kindly explained,
"You can take someone along with if you'd like. Just a quick MRI and blood draw, and then you'll be back here to sleep in no time" she soothed. I turned to Arrow, and shot him a look of fear. I'd never been in a hospital other than when my dad had been, and none of his tests had ever turned out well. He seemed equally as uneasy, and my heart reached out for him. I'd never stopped to consider what his experience with a hospital was like, but if his body language was any indication, he seemed to fear them as much as I did. I nodded, determined.
"Arrow will come with me" I said to Niki, gesturing to him. He nodded once, and Niki pulled him aside to talk privately about the tests I was going to go through. Each of the other team members quickly said their goodbyes, which ended with Garcia laying gently on my chest and crying until Morgan pulled her away. I reassured all of them that I would be fine, and eventually they all left, reassuring me that they'd be back later. Arrow and Niki went off to sign some paperwork, and the only ones left in the room were Spencer and myself. I leaned into his shoulder, eyes closed, breathing in his familiar scent while I could. He sighed, seemingly as content as I was. I looked up at his handsome face, and smiled at him once more. He smiled back, seemingly sadly, before looking away. I frowned.
"What's wrong Spencer?" I questioned softly, and he simply shook his head. "I'll be alright you know, I'm pretty tough" I said, jokingly shoving his shoulder with my free hand. He chuckled dryly.
"Oh believe me, I know", he said humorlessly. "It's just…"
"What?" I asked. His eyes seemed to water, and he stood up suddenly. He kept his face near mine, but he leaned on the side of the bed, rather than occupy it with me.
"It's just not fair", he said sadly. When I furrowed my brow further, he continued on. "You don't deserve any of this. Not one bit. And I just wish that I could—I will solve this for you Avery I swear. I swear on my mother's life, that I will find this sick maniac and I will keep you safe. You have to believe that Avery, you have to believe that I will keep you safe", he turned to me, eyes a bit wild, and I could think of nothing else to do other than to put both hands on either side of his face and stroke his temples with my thumbs. He seemed to ease a little, and even leaned into my hands a bit.
"Spencer", I selected my words carefully, trying to make him feel what I was saying. "I absolutely know that you will keep me safe. If I believe in nothing else in this world, I believe in you and that big wonderful brain of yours". He closed his eyes and seemed to relax a little. I leaned in, ignoring the protest from my ribs at the movement, and placed a delicate kiss to his forhead before pulling back and smiling. "Besides, I'm not down for the count yet; I mean you and I haven't even had a proper date yet", I said sweetly as his eyes opened and his face broke out in a smile.
"I haven't gotten to teach Amelia more than crawling, or Henry how to read a comic. You've never gotten to play hide and seek with them, and I've never gotten to celebrate a holiday with a real family", my resolve strengthened with every word, and Spencer's seemed to as well. "And if this guy made one mistake in life, above the countless others I'm sure he's made—because well duh—he made the mistake of messing with the most stubborn, ridiculous girl I know: me" I said, giggling. "And believe me, I am not going down without the biggest tantrum you've ever seen". Spencer smiled and chuckled a little.
"Avery, are you ready?" I heard Niki say from the doorway. I took one long look at Spencer before turning to her and nodding. I turned back to Spencer, and grabbed his hand one last time. He squeezed my hand, and brought my knuckles up to his mouth for a sweet kiss.
"I'll be right here when you get back", he said standing up and letting my hand go.
"Promise?" I said, somewhat frantically as the orderlies began to wheel me out the door and down the hall.
"I'm not going anywhere" I heard him vow from back in the room, and I sighed as Niki led me to the testing rooms.
Author's Note:
So since it'd been so atrociously long since I'd updated, I figured you all deserved another chapter right away J I know that everything has seemed really dramatic for a bit, but never fear! The next few chapters will be much fluffier and less serious than these last few. I'm excited to hear what you guys think of these new developments, so leave me a review and let me know! I love your reviews, they're part of what keeps this story alive!
Till the next Chapter!