Chapter Text
Dave raised an eyebrow at the antics of his young friend.
"You managed to successfully plan scheduled gossip time for the two of us and yet you couldn't set up your older brother without my help. I don't know whether to be impressed or lament the state of today's youth."
"Oh shut up Dave, my planning skills are not in question here. What really matters is what you think of Spencer."
"It pains me to admit this but you were right. The kid may be awkward and talk too much but he's perfect for Aaron."
Emily smirked.
"I told you seeing him with Jack would make you change your mind."
"It certainly helped but it isn't the only reason I approve."
"Well I'm sure knowing he had Gideon's seal of approval didn't hurt either."
"Yet another contributing factor but that's not all."
"Aww has my little genius wormed his way into your heart already Dave? I should have known. You always did have a soft spot for your fans, even if it's only shown to those of the fairer sex."
Dave rolled his eyes.
"Very funny Emily. While I'll admit his enthusiasm is flattering it has nothing to do with this."
"All right then, please share your almighty profiling skills with this lowly mortal."
"You've been spending too much time with Garcia."
"One can never spend too much time with the world's sexiest hacker Dave, now get to profiling."
"Well you were right about how much he cares about Jack. After witching five minutes of conversation between those two it's obvious that the kid's crazy about him. Unfortunately loving someone else's child does not a relationship make. If that was all I saw I wouldn't be willing to help you."
"But?"
"But the kid also happens to be a fantastic cook, clearly has the patience of a saint, and has enough knowledge of what we do to allow him to help Aaron deal with the cases that get to him. Throw in the fact that he obviously craves stability and a family and you've got the perfect match for your brother."
"Exactly!" Emily said with a smile. "Although I'm not sure about the patience part, you should have seen him when we went to see The Force Awakens. He nearly knocked over three people in his rush to get into the theater."
Dave laughed.
"I'm sure that was hilarious, but if he can put up with you for three years and manage to answer all the questions that a hyperactive Jack can fling at him, the kid should be canonized."
"I resent that," Emily huffed, crossing her arms. "I am perfectly easy to get along with."
"Says the girl who got banned from the Paris opera house for tazing an usher."
"He tried to feel me up, he deserved it."
"I'm sure," Dave chuckled.
"Well you should talk mister three time divorcee."
"Emily you wound me."
"Luckily you're thick skinned. So does this mean I can call up Penelope for another planning session?"
"Yes. Why don't we meet for lunch tomorrow and we can talk things out then. I have some ideas already."
"And this is why I'm glad PG picked you as our backup. Derek may know a thing or two about romance but you are the master of meddling."
"Even though that shouldn't be a compliment I'll take it as one." Dave looked at his watch. "Well we've got about ten minutes until they get back, why don't you call Garcia and make plans for tomorrow so I know where we're meeting."
Emily held the phone well away from her ear as she called Penelope to tell her the good news. Dave looked confused until a loud and happy screech erupted from the other side of the line. After Penelope had had her outburst the three made plans to meet at a restaurant downtown to brainstorm. Almost as soon as Emily hung up the phone, Spencer walked in. He was juggling a large pastry box, four to-go cups and a small stack of books while a smiling Jack ran in next to him munching on a cookie.
"I thought you'd read all of Austin's books Spencer. What did she get more in the last three days?" Emily asked, taking the drinks and closing the door behind him.
Spenser blushed and looked at Dave sheepishly.
"Actually uh... well... They're her copies of agen...uh Dave's books. She told me if I asked him to sign them for her then she'd give us the food for free."
"I take it you tried to pay anyway and she wouldn't take no for an answer." Emily flashed him a knowing smile.
"Yeah. I'm sorry sir...I mean Dave, I hope it's not too much trouble."
"Not at all kid." Dave said, taking the books from Spencer. "I just hope the dessert is worth the extra money my signature can get her."
"Oh Austin would never sell them after this, she's a huge fan of yours. She probably won't even let the customers read them anymore."
"Besides Dave," Emily said handing him a plate adorned with tiramisu and pain au chocolat, "Austin's pastries are worth their weight in gold."
"You do realize you're mixing your countries right? I thought we were sticking with a French theme here. Why tiramisu?"
"Because it's delicious and I know it's your favorite. Shut up and eat Dave."
"Actually tiramisu might not actually be..."
Emily held up a hand to silence her friend.
"Spencer do not tell an Italian man that what is basically his national dessert isn't actually Italian. It will not end well for you."
"Right... I'll just stay quiet and eat my cream-puffs."
"Ooh what did she put in them today?"
"Well thankfully she's off the alcohol kick so today's are chocolate raspberry."
"Oh yeah Jack would have been disappointed if he hadn't gotten his special cream-puff."
"Yeah although how he can still want anything sweet after all the cookies he ate while we were there is beyond me," Spencer said smiling fondly at the boy devouring his cream-puff.
The rest of the evening went quickly. After taking one bite, Dave declared that Austin's pastries really were worth their weigh in gold and actually managed to listen to Spencer's analysis of the phrase without falling asleep. The two men then discussed the Scarsdale Skinner while leaving Emily to deal with Jack's sugar high. After the boy had calmed down enough to survive the short trip home without incident Dave decided to take his leave.
"Well Emily this has certainly been an interesting night." Dave said as he helped her gather up Jack's toys. "The kid was definitely not what I expected but I like him."
"That's good, because I have the feeling that if this works we're all going to be spending a lot of time together."
"Strangely enough I'm ok with that. Honestly I wish he'd managed to make it into the BAU. He'd actually be a fantastic profiler."
"Well, maybe once we're done meddling in his love life we can do something about his work situation. He loves teaching but he isn't as respected as he should be. The BAU may actually be the right place for him."
"One thing at a time ok? Although I may have a solution to that respect problem. Emily would you mind if I had a little fun with your roommate before I leave?"
Emily looked at him suspiciously.
"What kind of fun?"
"Twenty bucks says I can make him faint from excitement."
"Oh this I've gotta see. You're on."
The two grabbed the last of Jack's toys and headed over to the door where Spencer was allowing the boy to hug him.
"Bye Spencer. Thank you for the book. I'm going to ask Daddy to read it to me tonight. I still can't read the big words by myself.
"Don't worry Jack, as fast as you've been learning, you'll be able to read them in no time. Now I think Aunt Emily deserves a goodbye too huh?"
"Yeah!" Jack cried, running over and hugging his aunt.
As the two Hotchners said their goodbyes Dave walked up to Spencer and handed him a business card.
"Thank you for a wonderful dinner and some interesting conversation Spencer. I figured one good turn deserves another, so I want you to call me next time you do a unit on my books. As long as we're not on a case, I'd be happy to spend a day as a guest lecturer for your classes."
Spencer stared at the card in his hands in shock.
"Really? Thank you so much sir! My students will be so excited." Spencer looked up and beamed at the man in front of him.
"No problem kid. And please call me Dave."
"Right sorry. Goodnight Dave it was a pleasure meeting you."
"Likewise."
Dave smiled at the younger man before turning to his godson.
"All right Jack are you ready to go?"
"Yep."
"Ok then let's head down to the car. Goodnight Spencer, Goodnight Emily. I'll see you soon."
"Night Dave, drive safe."
Emily closed and locked the door behind her retreating guests and turned back to her roommate. Spencer was once again staring at the business card Dave had given him.
"So Spencer it turned out to be a pretty good night huh?"
"David Rossi is going to guest lecture in my classes."
"Yeah I caught that. Good for you Spencer."
"And he wants me to call him Dave."
"Yeah I got that too. You going to be ok Spencer? You're acting weirder than usual."
Spencer looked up and smiled at his roommate before promptly passing out.
"Dammit Spencer you just cost me twenty bucks!"