Chapter Text
'You think sorry is enough?' Spencer's face was pure annoyance as he burst into the room, satchel strap gripped tightly, and headed straight for the coffee machine.
'I hope it is. I'm genuine, Spencer. I'm sorry. It was just a slip up. I wasn't thinking.' Derek's hand circled strongly on his chest over and over between frantic signs and apologetic expressions of love.
Spencer curled his top lip. 'Do you ever?'
'That's not fair.' Derek tutted as he brushed off Spencer's diss.
Spencer abandoned his coffee for a moment and swung to Derek, hands moving frantically, fingers slapping and whispered words escaping his lips. 'And ignoring me for two hours isn't? I didn't want to go out, it was your night. I went for you and you couldn't even sign for me.'
Derek tapped Spencer's shoulder when he turned back to fixing himself coffee and begged for his attention. 'I'm sorry! Spencer, how many times do I need to repeat it? I'm very sorry, I wasn't thinking - I loosened up too much and pushed you aside. I was wrong. I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I'm sorry.'
Only as Spencer stalked away, inadequate coffee in hand, did Morgan realise that Rossi and Hotch were stood with Emily at her desk, all three absorbed in the speechless but graphic and somewhat loud argument that danced through their bodies and facial expressions wildly.
"Lovers quarrel?" Emily smiled as Derek approached, sliiping his jacket off his shoulders as he walked.
"We went to that reunion thing with a few of my cop friends. Spence was up for it, but I neglected him a bit and got a bit merry and now he's pissed at me." Derek explained over a sigh. Emily smiled softly.
"Really bad mood?" Hotch asked carefully.
Derek smirked. "With me, at least." He nodded. "Why?"
"I need to discus something with him - I'm pretty sure he isn't going to like it but it's a pretty necessary change." Hotch rubbed his hand across his chin. Derek watched Rossi suddenly take interest in his own feet and gave a sigh of registered annoyance.
"You're getting him a terp." He said, bluntly.
Dave looked up. "It's a requirement."
"My ass!" Morgan snapped.
Hotch held out his hands to placate the brewing anger. "Morgan, it is. Spencer does well, and we've all got to certain levels with him and it's a good thing - but it isn't perfect and it holds us back, as well as holds him back. The interpreter is a way of full involvement from the off. All office hours will see Spencer's informative needs met by the interpreter; his name is Mac. He'll be here at lunchtime today to meet you and Reid, and he'll begin tomorrow."
Morgan shook his head. "Why now?" He raised his brows, certain he didn't need confirmation to his thoughts.
"Morgan, it isn't just David. Reid needs full inclusion on cases, and we need to work quickly. An interpreter will make sure this happens." Emily chimed in. "You listening and then relaying to Spencer means you miss whatever comes next, leaving you ill informed. An interpreter's job is to be bilingual and open to listen and speak almost at the same time. It is going to be so much better all round."
"No, it is going to leave Spencer feeling like he stepped off the short bus." Derek corrected and pulled a disgruntled face. "Break the news." He looked at Hotch. "Today, this is all he needs."
"It's not a personal attack, Derek!" Hotchner spoke out. "Mac Langdon is an expert, he is ex-Military with a Deaf wife and son. He is submerged in Deaf culture, he has a policing and military background and he's a really nice guy. Spencer's going to like him; he reminds me of Gideon a little."
"So hire Gideon to sign with Spence!" Derek raised his voice a little, not sure why he felt so passionate but aware that he did. "This guy doesn't know him, he's going to see him as some weird kid and that's not who Spencer is."
David shook his head. "I know Mac." He said calmly. "He's going to love Spencer."
Derek shrugged, admitting defeat. "Suppose we'll see."