96(Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds or its characters)
Like I promised, a sequel. I hope you guys like it, I've had so much fun planning this all.
So I'm really hoping to keep to this schedule, at the moment I will be posting Wednesdays and sometimes, when I'm very productive, there might be one on Saturdays. But there will always be a Wednesday chapter.
Enjoy.
Spencer Rossi.
He stared at the name tag for a long moment before Morgan finally picked it up from the table and threw it at him.
"Put it on, little man," he said and he winked. Spencer scowled up at him, fumbling with the name tag as he did.
"Don't call me that."
"You're younger than Hank. To me you'll always be a little man."
Spencer was ready to argue when Joyce, the principal, stepped into their backstage room.
"Are we ready, agents?"
Morgan stepped back from Spencer and nodded. "If you need that demonstration I would be ha-"
Joyce waved Morgan off. "No need, agent, just the talk will do fine."
"Alright," Morgan said with a sigh and he glanced back at Spencer who was still fidgeting with his pin. "Come on, pretty boy."
Spencer huffed and left the name tag where it pinned crooked on his sweater. He looked up at Morgan who had turned. The guy never stopped treating him like a child. Spencer stood up and glanced left to see Hotch looking his way. Spencer smiled and Aaron gave him a nod and a quick and discreet thumbs up.
Spencer jumped when JJ put a hand on his back. He turned to see her motioning forward and Spencer realised they were moving and he stumbled out of the room, still guided by JJ's motherly touch.
Joyce led them to the stage where Morgan took the lead in introducing them. Spencer could hear friendly applause from backstage and he paused, looking back at JJ anxiously. She just smiled and gave him a small nudge.
"You'll be great," she said and with another small nudge she had Spencer moving and without realising it he was on the stage, in front of a hall full of college students.
Morgan and Aaron had taken their places behind the podiums and Spencer hurried behind one of the two empty ones, thankful to hide behind it.
Hotch watched him for a moment, making sure he was okay before he looked ahead at the college students.
Joyce was applauding with the students until it died down enough for her to introduce them properly.
The BAU.
Spencer couldn't help smiling when he heard that.
The others started talking which Spencer was beyond thankful for. He didn't do well in situations like this. He had even hated collecting his diploma after graduating, especially since his dad, the whole team and his cousins were there and had yelled the loudest.
JJ looked over at him and Spencer realised he hadn't been listening. They each gave a small speech before questions, and although Spencer's was shortest, he still had one.
"Uh... the FBI academy is open to all skill levels, depending, of course, on your academic scores. The lessons the academy teach are beneficial for both athleticism and knowledge. Uh..." Spencer looked up at the students. He had managed to avoid eye contact but at the last second he'd looked up and felt suddenly small behind his podium. He cleared his throat. "Any questions?" he asked, cutting some of his speech off despite having known it all by heart.
There was a beat of silence before the students started to murmur and hands went up.
Spencer let out a deep breath and he glanced across at the other podiums. JJ smiled before turning to look at Joyce who was addressing some of the questions. Morgan glanced his way and shot him a thumbs up from behind his podium.
Spencer looked ahead, glancing at the students, some of which were looking his way. He tried not to think of it.
Somebody asked what each of their roles were and Morgan, clearly in a chatty mood answered quickly. "I'm the one that kicks down doors, he's the boss," he stuck his thumb in Aaron's direction as many students laughed. "She makes a great coffee and he-"
Spencer glanced quickly at Morgan. Morgan grinned.
"He's our own resident genius."
Spencer felt a blush creep up his cheeks. Normally Spencer was always defined by his father and who he was and had been rather than his own accomplishments. Spencer never minded since he too was in awe at having such an incredible man as a father, but he appreciated being noticed for his own talents.
"He's mostly joking," JJ said, smirking across at Morgan. "I do more than make coffee and, with his knees, he can't kick doors down."
Morgan laughed too then and shook his head at the students. "In all seriousness, we are all highly trained both in the field and in the office. As profilers we know a lot about psychology. But there's a lot more to the job than that."
Spencer listened with a smile as Aaron took over to explain some of their most notable qualities. He even answered a few questions of his own. He was relieved when the kids gave a final applause and they could leave.
Spencer was in a pleasant mood when they got back to the BAU. He was forced into a hug by Garcia who went on about how well he did despite her not even being present and him not saying much at all. Spenecr sat down in his chair, his sandwich in his hand which he started to eat as the rest of the laughed and chatted.
Luke sat next to Spencer and they exchanged a smile with each other. Spencer had been on the team for four years. Really he'd been with them his whole life, but technically he hadn't been working that whole time although his dad tried to argue that he had. Luke had started a year before and had quickly become a loved member of the team. Garcia was the last person to accept him and she still have him a hard time every once in a while.
Spencer liked Luke. The rest of the team were his aunts and uncles and they were much older than him so he never escaped the feeling of being the baby. Luke was only eight years older than him and it was a relief to have someone he could relate to on any level other than family.
Tara had started six months before Luke, replacing Emily who was at Interpol. Spencer still hoped Emily would come back, but he enjoyed Tara's company and again, she wasn't his aunt so she didn't mother him like JJ or Garcia.
He was still the youngest but Spencer decided he didn't care anymore, as long as he got to spend his time with great people doing the job he'd grown up admiring, and a place on a team his father had carved out for him, that was all that mattered.
Spencer glanced over at JJ who was fiddling with her wrap, adjusting the tortilla before finally taking a bite.
"I don't know about you guys but I'm going home and watching the game. Savannah recorded it and I'm sure she left a beer in the fridge." Morgan sighed before burrowing his hand into his chips and stuffing three into his mouth at once, smiling with satisfaction.
"I can't remember the last time I had a half-day," JJ said. She sank back into her chair and smiled. "Maybe a nice hot bath."
Garcia nodded suddenly, trying to swallow her hot coffee to answer. "Yes!" she said breathlessly. "That sounds amazing! I'm doing that!"
"Luke?" JJ looked at the young agent and Spencer glanced his way too.
Luke shrugged. "Gym maybe. Haven't been there so much lately."
"Urgh," Garcia said, lowering her face to her mug. "You make me sick," she said playfully.
"I might join you."
"Not you too, Tara! Have a break," Garcia cried, looking desperately between the agents. They both laughed.
"I'll have a bath when I get home," Tara added to appease Garcia who grinned behind her mug. "What about you, Spencer?"
Tara looked across at Spencer who shied away a little before forcing himself to sit up.
"Um... I told my dad I'd go over and uh... help with his book."
"Another book?"
Spencer nodded eagerly at Tara and was about to open his mouth to divulge all the amazing things him and his dad had researched when Morgan patted him on the shoulder.
"Don't spoil the surprise," he said. "I'm sure we'll all get a copy for Christmas."
Most of the table laughed and Spencer blushed and smirked.
"He making you dinner?"
Spencer nodded and Morgan groaned, falling into his chair with a sigh.
"Man... I'd pay to come over and eat that man's food."
"I'll let him know," Spencer said with a laugh. He looked across at Aaron then who had been the quietest. He was looking down at his food but not eating it.
"Hotch?" Spencer said. The name was unnatural to him. He was used to addressing him as uncle Aaron, but mostly Aaron when he got older. Hotch looked up and smiled fondly at Spencer. "What are you doing?"
"Nothing exciting," Aaron said and he paused, looking at his food and then pushing his chair back a little and looking around at everyone. "There's something I need to tell you all in regards to... 'time off.'"
Spencer chewed his sandwich a little slower and he frowned at Hotch who was trying not to smile.
"You're giving us a week off?" Morgan asked. He was grinning smugly and he winked at JJ and then Spencer who had put his sandwich down.
Aaron shook his head. "No. You need to be back tomorrow. This is about me anyway."
"Oh... wait is Jack and his girlfriend-"
"No, Garcia!" Aaron said suddenly, holding his hands up when he saw the excited look that crossed Garcia's face. "I'm not a grandfather yet!"
Garcia sat back, pouting her lips out in disappointment as she lifted her mug up to them.
Aaron cleared his throat and said "you all know I'm at retirement age, if not past it."
Spencer felt his heart sink. His eyes fell to his lap as Aaron went on.
"I have been thinking for a long time about this and... I'm ready. The next case we take will be my final one as your unit chief."
The room fell into silent shock for a few beats after Aaron had stopped talking. Luke clapped a few times, nodding approvingly at Aaron before the others joined in.
Tara got up and hugged Aaron, exclaiming how wonderful of a decision of was. Spencer rubbed his thumbs together and bit his lip as he stared hard at his lap. JJ congratulated him too.
"That's great, Hotch," Morgan said and he stood up and took Aaron's hand, shaking it vigorously. "I know I'll be doing the same in a year or two. Whatcha got planned?"
Spencer dropped his sandwich back on the table. He felt sick.
"I'll need to take up a few hobbies. I'll have to ask your dad for advice, Spencer," Aaron said and he laughed. Spencer looked up and saw Aaron watching him. He was smiling but his head was turned a little to the side so Spencer smiled quickly. He didn't want Aaron to round on him about his feelings.
"I'm not sure how exciting his hobbies are," Spencer said and he rubbed at the back of his neck, forcing a small chuckle and hoping Aaron would take over.
"Gardening, maybe," Aaron said with a smile.
"Gardening? You?" JJ asked. She laughed and shook her head, patting Aaron's arm fondly.
"What would you suggest?"
"When I retire, Will and I are getting an RV."
Morgan laughed then and JJ scowled at him.
"What?"
"No I'm just... I'm just imagining it. Maybe we shouldn't retire."
Spencer listened as the team chatted about retirement and with each minute Spencer felt worse and worse. When Aaron finally suggested they went home Spencer was the first to stand up and sling his bag over his shoulder.
Aaron stopped him. He put his hand on the young-man's shoulder and let the others file out. Spencer scowled down at the floor, wishing Aaron would let him leave too.
"Spencer?"
Spencer looked up. He found Aaron's eyes and saw the concern in the older man's expression.
"Congratulations," Spencer muttered. He kept his hands to himself, he'd never been one for handshakes. He held the strap of his bag, waiting for Aaron to dismiss him. Instead, Aaron looked over him, frowning as he did, making Spencer uncomfortable enough to stand up straight.
"Are you taking the subway home?" he asked finally and Spencer was caught off guard by the question so he started to stammer an answer.
"Uh...y-yea... yes."
Aaron nodded slowly and again, placed his hand on Spencer's shoulder. "I'm taking you home," he said.
"Thats okay, I-I'm going to see my dad, I-I'll be-"
"I know. I'll give you a lift there," Aaron said and he started to guide Spencer through the door. Spencer tried to argue but Aaron ignored him and led him away.
The car ride was quiet. Aaron glanced across at Spencer who was looking out of the passenger window with her arms crossed.
"Spencer, are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
Aaron glanced at the road and then back at Spencer. He sighed and said "you remember I'm a profiler. You've been off since I mentioned retireing."
When Aaron turned back to the road he saw Spencer look at him out of the corner of his eye.
"I'm really fine, Aaron. A-and I could have taken the subway."
"You can't fool me," Aaron said with a laugh. Spencer was frowning at him then. "Spencer, I helped raise you. And on top of that, like I said, I'm a profiler. You're not fine. Shall I tell you what I think or will you?"
Spencer turned back to his window. He breathed against it and clouded it up before he wiped his sleeve over it.
"Spencer?"
"Alright," Spencer mumbled, wiping the window again and turning away from it. He glanced across at Aaron as he started to nervously work his hands together in his lap. "I'm being selfish," he muttered finally.
Aaron glanced at him, his eyebrows tilted in sympathy. "Why would you think that?"
"Because I don't want you to go, Aaron." Spencer dropped his head, looking down at his fingers with a hard stare. "Dad left a few years ago and now you and then it'll be Derek and JJ and-and even Auntie Pen. I like it as we are now."
Aaron was nodding along to the explanation. He knew already why Spencer had reacted the way he did. He needed to hear it first. "I'm not disappearing."
"I know. I just feel weird about it... like everything's going to be different when you're gone and I'll be the only one left."
"What about Luke? And Tara?"
Spencer shrugged. "I like them but they're not family."
"Not yet, you just need to let them in like you did with us."
Spencer sighed. He didn't want to talk anymore. He hated that Aaron was pushing him to divulge all his feelings, he just wanted to feel sad alone. Spenecr looked out of the window and saw they were pulling into his dad's driveway. Fat chance of being alone now, he thought as Aaron parked. The light in the front room was on and Spencer smiled when he saw his dad's face peeking through the curtains.
Spencer unbuckled and was about to turn to thank Aaron when he saw him getting out of his side. He smiled back at Spencer.
"Hope you don't mind me coming inside for a bit."
Aaron didn't wait for Spencer to answer. He shut his door and started walking to the front door where Rossi met him.
"Great," Spencer muttered, forcing himself out of the car.
Ah, okay, why was that so much fun! I've missed this story. I really hope you guys like this chapter. Things will get more exciting, I promise. There will be a point to this story.
Let me know your thoughts in the reviews. This is the first sequel I've done for many years despite you guys having suggested I do so many times.
If you like this please feel free to check out the other stories on my profile, they're free to read and especially free to review.
See you soon, I'm hoping to write another story so the schedule might be a little late sometimes.