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The UnSub had been found and caught, but not without a couple of cuts and bruises. Chasing after him was an annoyance, but over the years Spencer became quick and light on his feet, so he caught up with him, Aaron and Derek right behind him, and got him on the ground.
The UnSub, Taylor Jones, was able to get in a good punch and kick before Derek had him in cuffs, Aaron helping Spencer up. He winced, holding his hip/waist as he wobbled back to the rest of the group, Hotch supporting him.
“What happened?” Emily asked, taking Spencer's other arm to help him to the ambulance.
“He kicked me,” Spencer mumbled, “it hit my knee but the pain shot up to my hip.”
“He might’ve broken it,” Aaron said, his hand hovering over Spencer’s knee. “Extend your leg.”
Spencer winced as he was only able to raise his foot slightly before the pain became insufferable. “Mm-Mm, nope,” Spencer exhaled. “Damnit. Shot in one knee, broke the other, I had good knee’s once,” he mumbled, and the two chuckled.
“Yeah. So did I,” Aaron said, looking up at a paramedic as he stepped over after checking on the victim. “We think he broke his knee,” he explained.
“Alright, I’ll do a basic check and then we’ll get you into the hospital,” The medic said, and Spencer nodded.
“I’ve got this, Prentiss, go,” Aaron insisted, and she nodded, ruffling Spencer’s hair lovingly before stepping over to David and Derek.
“I’ll be fine, Hotch,” Spencer insisted, wincing as the medic did something to his knee.
“I know,” Aaron said, looking to the medic.
“Yeah, your kneecap is definitely out of place, but I can’t tell if it’s really broken, like shattered, which is a possibility given the severity of how your knee looks, this swelling and bruising right here, so we’re gonna have to x-ray you before we pop it back into place.”
“Okay,” Spencer nodded, accepting the help from both him and Aaron to be lifted onto the actual bus, and then sat down on the stretcher. Aaron insisted on riding along.
While Spencer got his x-rays done, Aaron sat in the waiting room with the rest of the team, save for JJ and David, they were packing up and dropping things off at their hotel before they came to the hospital. Aaron sat in his dress shirt, his FBI vest off and next to him, sleeves rolled up, chatting with the rest of the team about the case and the mistakes they needed to look into, as he waited for the doctor.
“Here for Dr. Reid,” A doctor said as he walked out, everyone glanced up, and Aaron stood. “You can all follow me, his x-rays are done. I’ll explain on the way,” He said, and the whole team followed him to Spencer’s room. “His knee is broken, his kneecap is fractured. It’s a displaced patella fracture, happened due to the force of the kick,” the doctor explained. “Luckily it’s not terrible and we’re hoping he won’t need surgery, but in order to ensure that he needs to rest for at least two weeks, then he’ll need to go into a surgeon's office and get another x-ray or just a check to determine if he’ll actually need it or not,” The doctor explained as they reached Spencer’s room.
The genius was in hospital-provided scrub-like clothing, instead of the gown, with the broken knee leg torn just above for access to the injury. Spencer looked up from a nurse who was doing her usual routine.
“We’ll cast it, send you a referral for your doctor back in Virginia, give you a perception, and he should be free to leave in a couple of hours. I just need to get the script ready, send the information to his doctor, and do a couple other things. You all are welcome to hang out here for a couple of minutes, but visiting hours have ended, so don’t linger too long.”
“Thank you,” Aaron said, and he nodded, leaving them alone as the rest of the team came in, JJ and Rossi running up as well.
They stayed for about 10 minutes before Spencer was pushing everyone to go back to the hotel, relax, and debrief. He insisted he was fine. Aaron, however, stayed.
“Aaron, I am fine,” Spencer repeated for the umpteenth time.
“So you’ve said,” Aaron said, and Spencer groaned. “I’m taking you back to the hotel when you’re released anyway, I’ve gotten permission to stay, relax, Spencer.”
“Maybe you should relax,” Spencer mumbled, wincing as his knee twitched.
“Haven’t they given you medication?” Aaron asked.
“Yeah, but sometimes the pain shoots through it,” Spencer sighed. “Next time you or Derek tackle the guy. I’m sick of getting knee injuries,” Spencer complained.
Aaron simply chuckled, “I’ll talk to Morgan,” he promised, sarcastically, and Spencer glared at him with a small smile. “You can’t work for two weeks, you’re gonna have a lotta fun sitting around.”
“I’ll just do my files and school work,” Spencer mumbled.
“Mm-Mm,” Aaron said, “School work? Fine, I can’t really stop you. I said no work.”
“Aaron,” Spencer complained.
“Doctor’s orders,” Aaron insisted.
“He said I couldn’t come into work, not that I can’t sit on the couch and write some things down on a file,” Spencer scoffed.
“Sorry, just following what the doctor told me,” Aaron said, he was being cheeky and Spencer didn’t appreciate it.
“You just want me to actually take a vacation for once,” Spencer complained. “I get so bored, Aaron.”
“Then just stay at my place,” Aaron insisted, and Spencer raised an eyebrow. “Jack’s there, he’ll keep you busy. He’s going on break, so you’ll have him all day. And Jess is there to help you get around, cause you can’t walk either, Spencer.”
Spencer groaned, “I hate you,” He whispered, and Aaron smiled.
“Is that a yes?” Aaron asked.
“Fine! Yes, I will hang out with Jack. But only because I miss him,” Spencer insisted. “Not because you’re telling me to. But only if I can finish this case’s paperwork.”
Aaron stared at him, and for a moment they had a little competition, but Aaron gave in. “Fine, but only this case, and only yours. No taking Derek’s or Emily’s.”
“Deal,” Spencer agreed.
-7-
“Spencer!” Jack shouted, excited as the genius walked through the door with his crutch, Aaron behind him with two bags (he insisted).
The boy stood, running over and carefully hugging him. “Hi Jackie!” Spencer chuckled, squeezing the boy the best he could with one arm.
“Daddy says you’re going to be staying with us! For my whole break!” Jack exclaimed, bouncing in excitement as he pulled away, careful not to hurt Spencer and running to pull a chair out for him to sit immediately in the dining room before trying to make it into the living room.
“Yeah! Your dad offered to help take care of me,” Spencer said, thanking him for the seat and putting his full attention on the boy while Jess and Aaron moved his two bags into whatever room. He didn’t have a lot, just clothes he could wear with the cast (shorts), hair and body wash, and a toothbrush; bone bare necessities.
“How long do you have to wear the cast?” Jess asked as she came back into the dining room.
“Two weeks, then I go get it checked to see if I need surgery, which I shouldn’t if I follow the rules,” Spencer said, and she nodded. “Then I might have to get it recasted to finish healing, or they’ll just put a brace or splint on it for another 6 weeks or so.”
“Well, two weeks isn’t terrible,” Jess said, and Spencer nodded. “Isn’t fun, but it definitely isn’t horrid.”
“It’s manable,” Spencer agreed, “and definitely going to be more fun with you, Jack.”
Jack giggled, allowing himself to be pulled into another hug by Spencer.
“Alright,” Jess chuckled as Spencer released the boy. “Go get ready for your bath, Jack, remember? But give me a hug, first, I’ve got to get going.”
“Okay, auntie!” Jack smiled, running to give her quick squeeze before running upstairs to the bathroom as Aaron came from the hallway underneath, laughing as he watched him run up.
“Thank you, Jess,” Aaron said, and she smiled lovingly.
“As always, it’s my pleasure,” She said, hugging Aaron sweetly before stepping over and giving Spencer a small squeeze. “Follow the doctor’s orders, young man.”
“Yes Ma’am,” Spencer said with a soft chuckle and smile, and she returned it before slipping her shoes on as Aaron opened the door for her.
She whispered something to him, and Aaron just shook his head and shooed her out as she laughed, yelling a final goodbye.
The sounds of the bath turning on caught both of their attention for a quick moment, then Aaron sighed and turned to look at Spencer. “So, what should we do for dinner?” He asked,
“Chinese?” Spencer offered.
Aaron smiled, “Chinese it is.”
-7-
“You have to be careful,” Aaron laughed as he watched Spencer try and get on the floor with Jack, attempting to be very careful with his leg and just barely succeeding as his face screwed in temporary pain. Jack needed help with a science project, the classic volcano, but it was too big for the table, so on the floor (with a tarp) it was.
“I’m fine, I’m fine,” Spencer promised, grabbing a handful of clay to help mold it. “You can get down here too, get your hands dirty. It’s not gonna kill you.”
“It might,” Aaron disagreed as he also got down onto the floor with the two, helping form the volcano.
It took them a couple hours, but finally they finished the actual volcano form. Now they had to wait for the clay to harden and dry completely before testing it. Aaron helped Spencer back onto his feet, and Spencer decided to show Jack, in the sink, how the warm water, vinegar, baking soda, and some dish soap creates the effect he wanted. Jack’s entire face was wow , and Spencer laughed, noticing Aaron watching from behind.
Jack had gone back to school three days ago, having that week off made the two very close. Spencer insisted on taking Jack places to teach him fun, yet somehow sillily knowledgeable, while Aaron was at work, Jess helped him with getting around. Jack was clearly having the best of times with Spencer around, completely mesmerized with the information that Spencer’s brain held in pretty much every subject. Of course, with the first week done, Spencer's second week at Aaron’s place was coming to a close, so the two were making the most of it.
“Okay, go get cleaned up for bed, then come get me and I’ll read you a bedtime story,” Spencer said after his demonstration.
“Be right back!” Jack said, hurriedly running up the stairs to get cleaned up, and probably changed since he had clay all over him, while Spencer slowly started to clean up the foam and mess of the experiment, Aaron stepping over to help.
“I got it- I got it!” Spencer laughed, trying to push the older man away as they both started giggling. “I made the mess, Aaron, c’mon!”
“You’re injured,” Aaron reminded, and Spencer rolled his eyes. “Don’t roll your eyes at me, young man. Let me help.” Finally, Spencer stopped fighting him and Aaron accidentally caged him in against the counter trying to put a bowl away. “You know, you’re really good here.”
“I’m glad you agree,” Spencer said softly. “Jack’s a joy, he’s such a smart boy. I think he gets that from his father.”
“And his mother,” Aaron whispered.
“And his mother,” Spencer mimicked in agreement. “But, from what I know about Haley, he got his curiosity from you.”
Aaron smiled, nodding slowly. “Yeah, she wasn’t the most curious type. I encouraged him to look for new things in the world. Learn everything he can.”
“And that, Aaron Hotchner, was the best idea you’ve ever had. I could talk for hours and he’d never get sick of it. Perfect person to infodump to, and he does it right back,” Spencer smiled, grabbing a towel and trying his hands, slowly turning to face Aaron as the mess was now pretty much clean, but Aaron stayed close to him, keeping him propped against the counter.
“I like hearing you ramble,” Aaron said, his head slightly tilting one side, almost like a lost puppy. “It depends on the time and place, usually, but most of the time I like it, sometimes it’s just not appropriate.”
“Most of the time, it’s not, you mean,” Spencer said.
“Well, if you rambled more here, you’d see just how appropriate it is,” Aaron said softly.
“Can I-” Spencer started, but he paused, almost as if his mouth moved faster than his brain (again).
“Can you what?” Aaron asked.
“Can I request… something?”
“A couple of weeks ago, before the injury, I was having a day and you let me sit in your office again. We had dinner, you drove me home, I gave you that- that very plant to give to Jack,” Spencer said, catching the plant out of the corner of his eye. Aaron turned to glance at it.
“Yeah, Jack put it there so he’d see it every morning before school, it’s next to a schedule of when to water it and how much each time. He did a lot of research into it,” Aaron said, “But, yes, I remember that day. Continue.”
“You- I, look I honestly couldn’t tell you who started it. But-”
“Spencer,” Aaron said, as if he already knew what Spencer was going to ask.
“Can you hug me?” Spencer whispered, shy as he looked to the ground.
Aaron wrapped his arms around Spencer's waist, allowing him to wrap his arms around Aaron’s shoulders. The feeling of safety washed over him again, it wasn’t weird, thankfully (as Spencer feared it would be if he asked), and it lasted longer than Spencer expected it to, but he enjoyed every single second of it, like he did the last one.
“Group hugs!” Jack shouted as he ran into the kitchen, and the two laughed as he crashed into them, Spencer groaning in slight pain as he moved on his knee incorrectly.
“Careful, buddy,” Aaron said, dropping an arm to wrap around his son, Spencer doing the same and then squeezed the boy tight. “Don’t wanna hurt our genius, here. Do you wanna help us pick out a story for bed?”
“Mhm!” Jack nodded, practically buzzing with excitement at the idea of spending time with the both of them.
“Okay, go get a book out of your shelves and sit on the couch, Spencer’s gotta read to you there because he can’t climb the stairs quite yet, remember?” Aaron said, and Jack nodded, running into the living room to his shelf. As he did that, Aaron turned to Spencer, “You don’t have to be shy to ask for a hug, okay? If you need one, just come and get me. Anytime.”
“I don’t know about any time,” Spencer whispered.
“I do,” Aaron insisted.
“This one?” Jack asked, after he ran back into the kitchen, where the adults were taking too long, and holding up a Harry Potter book.
“Sure, buddy. Does that sound good to Spencer?” Aaron asked, looking at the genius.
“Sure does,” Spencer chuckled. He grabbed his crutch with one arm and Aaron’s arm with the other and made it to the living room with no issue, sitting on the couch and allowing Jack to curl up under his arm after giving him the book, Aaron sitting next to his son and resting a hand on his back to help lull him to sleep once Spencer started reading.
They made it through three chapters before Jack was out like a light, snoring like his father, but more cute and significantly less deep. Spencer chuckled as he memorized the page number and set the book down, lifting his arm to allow Aaron to lift his son and carry him upstairs to his room, but not before Spencer snuck a kiss to the top of Jack’s head.
Spencer had put the book away and was sitting back down by the time Aaron got back downstairs and sat back down next to him. “When’s your appointment with the surgeon?” Aaron asked.
“Saturday,” Spencer said, looking at his knee. “Then we’ll see if I need surgery, which I doubt, another cast or split, or just a brace. Which means it’s back to my apartment.”
“If you need a brace,” Aaron said, and Spencer quirked an eyebrow. “You’re not going home if you need surgery or another cast. I don’t trust you to take care of yourself.” He was teasing, and they both knew it. Still, Spencer stared at him challengingly.
“I am a grown ass man,” Spencer argued.
“Who has no self preservation,” Aaron accused. “Nuh-uh, you’re not going no-where.”
“You just like having me around,” Spencer accused.
“That too,” Aaron smiled. “Wine?”
“Sure,” Spencer said, returning the smile as Aaron stood.
To be honest, Spencer liked being around as well.