At school the next day, Jessica told her friends about Jeffrey. Claire could hardly believe her eyes. "Let me get this straight. You got the number of a cute guy who did something awesomely heroic, and you're not going to go out with him?"
"I never said he was cute," Jessica objected.
"Fine. Was he ugly?"
"No." Jessica sighed in annoyance. "I suppose he was kinda cute, but you know I don't care about that."
"Well I do," Claire continued. "Can I have his number, then?"
Jessica raised an eyebrow. "How would you like it if someone started giving your number out to random strangers?"
"I wouldn't mind if they were cute."
Beth rolled her eyes. "Does this mean you're done obsessing over Simon?"
"I shall never stop obsessing over Simon," Claire insisted, a dreamy look in her eyes.
"No cute heroic hearing guys for you until you stop obsessing over Simon," Beth signed sternly.
"Fine, then you have to stop obsessing over Douglass," Claire retorted.
"I do not 'obsess'! And I don't have to stop, because I'm not asking for the number of a guy I've never met."
Jessica raised her eyebrows. "Does this mean you'll stop fawning over Spencer? I believe he also falls under the category of 'cute heroic hearing guy'."
"…doesn't count," Beth argued. "I've met him."
"No, you said 'no cute heroic hearing guys', period," Jessica pointed out, smirking.
"Fine. I amend my earlier statement." Beth turned back to Claire. "No cute heroic hearing guys that you've never met until you stop obsessing over Simon."
"Fine," Claire grumbled.
That afternoon, Jessica received a message from Jeffrey. "Someone found out I'm the reason the whole school was evacuated by a SWAT team yesterday, and now there are all sorts of wild rumors flying around."
"Do they think you're some sort of armed robber or something?" Jessica replied.
"That was one theory. Another is that I'm secretly a foreign prince and some of my enemies wanted to blow up the entire school just to kill me. I kinda liked that one."
Jessica laughed. "So, did you bother telling people the truth?"
"I tried at first, but people don't really seem to care."
"Yeah, people think wild stories are all fun and games when they're not the ones living the stories. I once missed a day of final exams because a serial killer was playing some bizarre game with Spencer's team and he had a package hand-delivered to me. Spencer made me stay at his office until they caught the guy. The next day, everyone at school was saying how lucky I was."
"Did the guy actually threaten you?" Jeffrey asked.
"Not that guy. But a different serial killer actually kidnapped me a year later. He locked me in a closet and left me there for about twelve hours. I still have nightmares about it sometimes."
"Yikes. Suddenly, my day yesterday doesn't seem so bad."
"Maybe not, but I'm sure it was still scary," Jessica offered sympathetically. "Movies always make it seem like the story ends once the bad guy is defeated and everybody's safe. They don't show how hard it is to live with the memories."
"Yeah, I think it may be a while before I can stop looking over my shoulder," Jeffrey admitted. "So, how's your cousin today?"
"Don't know. I was actually about to drive to the hospital when I got your message."
"Wait, you can drive? How old are you?"
"Sixteen. I'm a junior. You?"
"Fifteen and sophomore. I can get my permit next month."
"Good luck."
"Thanks. I'll let you drive to the hospital now."
Jessica had indeed been planning to go to the hospital, but her first stop was not the one Jeffrey was thinking of. She headed to St. Sebastian Hospital, asked for directions at the front desk (finally, hospital staff that treated her like a human being!) and made her way to Hotch's room. "Hello," she signed. "I was sorry to learn what happened. If there's anything I can do…"
Hotch frowned at her, finally realizing that while five members of his team had repeatedly visited him over the past twenty-four hours, the sixth hadn't been here at all. "Where's Reid?" he asked, then immediately grimaced as the motion pulled at his injuries.
"He was shot in the knee yesterday. No one told you?"
"What?!" Hotch exclaimed out loud. He shifted an arm, then gave up on signing. "No, no one mentioned that. Dave told me the team worked a case, but he said it was a 'happy ending'; he didn't say anything about Reid being shot."
Jessica also frowned. "Maybe he thought you had enough on your plate? I don't know."
"I may be hospitalized, but I am still unit chief and I expect to be informed when something happens to one of my agents," Hotch said sternly.
Jessica took a step backwards before replying. "Take that up with your agents, then. I assumed one of them would have told you by now."
"Sorry," Hotch murmured, slightly abashed. He grimaced. "I appreciate the offer, but no, there's nothing you can do…at least not right now."
"Let me know if that changes." Jessica hesitated, not sure what else to say but not wanting to simply leave.
"Is Reid still hospitalized?" Hotch guessed.
Jessica nodded. "Last time I talked to him, he said they might let him out tomorrow."
"Go see him. I'll be fine."
"Get well soon." Jessica smiled at him before leaving.
Meanwhile, Reid was also dealing with repeated visitors. JJ and Garcia were mothering him to death, Prentiss and Morgan were making jokes about his penchant for trouble, and Rossi was…well…being Rossi. Reid appreciated Prentiss and Morgan's responses the most; they had found a way to acknowledge what happened without treating him like he was made of glass. He wondered if the same approach would work for Hotch. He had a feeling it wouldn't be that easy.
Spencer was released on Saturday morning. The hospital staff helpfully took him to the car in a wheelchair, but once Jessica parked in the garage under their apartment building, Spencer had to use his crutches for the first time. Standing up was not a fun task. Neither was sitting down, once they made it into the apartment. He carefully lowered himself onto the couch and propped up his leg.
"Thank god we have an elevator," Jessica remarked.
"I'm starting to wish I'd gone for a wheelchair instead of crutches," Spencer signed ruefully.
"Why didn't you?" Jessica asked curiously.
Spencer had to think about it for a moment. "Crutches feel more independent, I guess."
At that moment, Bianca hopped up on the couch and started sniffing Spencer's knee brace. Jessica quickly grabbed the cat and moved her to where Spencer could more easily pet her. Bianca, however, was having none of it. She put her paws on Spencer's leg to continue sniffing the brace. Jessica moved to pick her up again, but Spencer shook his head. "Leave her be. She'll keep doing that until she satisfies her curiosity. She's barely putting any weight on it, so it doesn't hurt too much."
"Doesn't hurt 'too much'?" Jessica repeated skeptically.
"It always hurts," Spencer admitted, grimacing.
"Would it help if I got you a pillow or something?"
"I've got pills in my bag," Spencer replied. Seeing Jessica's expression, he hastily clarified. "Just ibuprofen, don't worry."
Jessica narrowed her eyes, then looked through his bag. Sure enough, the only pill bottle in there was definitely ibuprofen. She handed it to him, feeling somewhat guilty and ashamed now. "Sorry I doubted you."
Spencer sighed. "I'd doubt me too, if I were in your shoes. We both know it wouldn't have been the first time I came home from a hospital with a drug I shouldn't have. The statistics for relapse—"
"Stop, I don't want to know," Jessica signed hurriedly. "Are you trying to make me not trust you?"
"Actually, yes," Spencer signed bluntly. "Right now, it would be very easy for me to talk a doctor into prescribing me something stronger, and honestly it's quite tempting. So please, keep searching. Hold me accountable."
"…you won't be offended?" Jessica asked uncertainly.
"If I get offended, take that as a sign that I've fallen off the wagon and search even harder."
Jessica swallowed. "Okay."
Spencer opened the bottle and took a couple pills, then sighed heavily and leaned back against the arm of the couch. "Where's the remote?"
"I think you might be sitting on it."
Spencer grimaced, very much opposed to the idea of moving. "Never mind."
Jessica walked over and pressed the power button on the TV. "Any channel preference?"
"History Channel."
Jessica pressed the channel change buttons on the side, cycling through nearly thirty channels until at last she landed on the History Channel. A documentary about Ancient Egypt was playing. "Does this look good?"
"It's fine," Spencer replied. "Thanks."
Jessica walked back over and sat on the floor next to the couch, settling in to watch the documentary with him. Deep down, a small, guilty part of her was happy about Spencer's injury; it meant he would stay safe at home for a long time, and she would gladly play the role of human TV remote if that was the price of keeping him there.
"No, no, no, get away, you," Garcia scolded, slapping Reid's hand away from the cookie tin. "These are for Hotch."
"I get shot in the leg and I don't get any cookies?" Reid exclaimed indignantly.
"You live with the world's biggest mother hen, and you're telling me she hasn't given you any cookies?" Garcia said skeptically.
"No, actually, she hasn't," Reid insisted.
Garcia raised her eyebrows. "Did you ask her for any?"
"…no."
"Then ask her," Garcia said firmly. "If she's been fussing over you half as much as she fussed over me when I got shot, you'll have your cookies in no time."
"I think she's made it her life's mission to figure out how many things she can do for me so that I don't have to get up," Reid admitted. "This is the first time I've been out of the apartment for anything other than physical therapy."
"Let me guess, you haven't set foot in your kitchen either?" Garcia suggested, setting a bowl of lollipops in Reid's reach.
"Nope." Reid grabbed a lollipop and unwrapped it. "She even grabs Bianca any time she sees me moving around, because she's afraid I'll trip over her."
Garcia shook her head. "Remind me which of you is the legal guardian?"
"That would still be me," Reid replied, completely seriously.
Garcia laughed. "Joking, Doctor House."
"Doctor House?" Reid said blankly.
"…you just spent a month as a couch potato, and you still don't know any TV apart from sci-fi and educational documentaries?" Garcia said in disbelief.
"Actually, I've mostly been reading."
Garcia gave up. "Do you think Hotch is okay?"
Before Reid could answer, JJ walked into the room. "Spence, there you are. Grab your go-bag."
Reid picked up his crutches. "What's going on?"
"Turn on the news."
Jessica was decidedly displeased when she learned that Spencer had accompanied the team to Kentucky. She distinctly remembered him arguing with his doctor at his last appointment, and while she hadn't caught every word that was said, she'd been fairly certain that Spencer wanted clearance to travel and the doctor had refused to give it. Jessica had accepted that it was in Spencer's nature to risk his life to help people…but she drew the line at defying doctor's orders.
As soon as Spencer got home, Jessica searched his bag and his room. Spencer didn't bat an eye, assuming she was doing her usual drug check. However, she was actually looking for his paperwork from his doctor—and sure enough, she found it, complete with instructions not to fly yet. She secretly folded it up and put it in her pocket.
The next morning, Jessica left early and stopped by Garcia's apartment, where she asked the analyst to give the paper to Hotch. Mission accomplished, Jessica headed off to school.
"This is all your fault," Spencer grumbled that night, sinking onto the couch.
Jessica brought over the plate of fried chicken and mashed potatoes that she'd been keeping warm for him. "What's all my fault?" she asked innocently.
"Someone took my after-appointment sheet and gave it to Hotch," Spencer replied. "You had the most opportunity and you were the only one who could have known the doctor forbade me from flying."
"What makes you so sure Hotch hasn't been in touch with your doctor himself?"
Spencer glared at her. "If he had, then he wouldn't have needed to steal my copy of the paperwork."
"Fine, so it was me," Jessica confirmed, unashamed. "I may not be a medical expert, but your doctor is, and I'm betting he had a good reason for telling you not to travel. What good are you going to do anyone if your knee takes a turn for the worse?"
"I'm not doing anyone any good in Garcia's office!" Spencer complained. "We're spending more time arguing than actually getting anything done!"
"Do I need to go over there and make you two behave?" Jessica signed in disbelief. "I'm starting to feel more like the parent than the kid here!"
Spencer winced at that. "Okay, okay. No more trying to go on cases until my doctor gives me the go-ahead. I can't make any promises about Garcia behaving, though."
After school the next day, Jessica turned up at Quantico. She settled herself in Garcia's office and gave both Garcia and Reid a very stern look. "You two are supposed to be FBI elite. You'll play nice with each other, or I'll know the reason why."
Garcia and Reid shared a look of mingled exasperation and annoyance. Then Garcia turned back to Jessica, rolling her eyes. "Yes, Mother."
Several hours later, Jessica spotted what appeared to be an argument brewing. She put down her pencil and tapped Reid's shoulder. "Are you still being nice to each other?"
Garcia and Reid both spun their chairs to face Jessica. It was Reid who responded. "What's a ten-letter word for 'crater creator'?"
"A-R-C-T-A-N-G-E-N-T," Jessica replied immediately, giving them an odd look.
The two adults stared. "Damn, you got it even faster than I did," Garcia commented.
"Why are we discussing my trigonometry homework?" Jessica asked blankly.
"We weren't," Garcia clarified. "Your cousin the 'smart kid' was a little slow to solve a crossword clue."
"Okay…why are you doing a crossword puzzle?" Jessica continued, still confused.
"We're not. Rossi's contact is," Reid replied.
"…I do not understand your jobs at all," Jessica decided. She picked up her pencil and returned to the worksheet of arcsines, arccosines and arctangents that she'd been working on.
Monday morning, Jessica gave Spencer three cards along with his breakfast. He opened the first one and saw that it was a birthday card from his mother. The second card was handmade by Jessica and had been signed by the entire team. The third card was from Gideon, and contained not only a standard 'happy birthday', but also wishes for a speedy recovery.
"Gideon knows I got shot?" Spencer signed, not sure what to make of this.
Jessica took a look at the card herself. "Apparently?"
"You didn't tell him?"
Jessica shook her head. "I have no more idea how to contact him than you do."
"So, either someone on the team is in contact with him, or…he's watching us?" Spencer frowned.
"Ask the team. Honestly, I have no idea."
The team had no idea either. They all asserted that Reid was the only one who had heard anything from Gideon after the man's abrupt retirement.
Friday afternoon, Jessica got a text from Jeffrey. "So…where exactly in DC do you live?"
"Tenleytown," Jessica replied. "Northwest DC. Nowhere near the recent murders, if you're wondering."
"Actually, I was asking because I heard there was a riot in Dupont Circle last night."
"Oh. That. Two of my classmates were expelled for participating in that. I never liked them much anyway."
"But you're okay?"
"Didn't really affect us here," Jessica assured. "But thanks for asking."
"So…murders?" Jeffrey asked, curious. "Is your cousin working the case?"
"Yes. I don't know anything more than that, though."
"Tell him good luck from me."
"I will."
When Spencer got home that night, he looked utterly exhausted. "We got the unsubs," he announced from the couch.
"You don't look very happy about it," Jessica noted.
Spencer shook his head. "With most unsubs, we can tell what made them the way they are, however inadequate a justification it may be. These guys…there was no rhyme or reason to it. They just liked killing."
Jessica wordlessly grabbed a Doctor Who DVD and popped it into the DVD player for him. She had a feeling he was craving again, and she was determined to distract him before his thoughts could go too far down that road.
Spencer shot her a grateful look and picked up the remote, recognizing exactly what she was up to.