Breaking Barriers - S.R.

26

Spencer's POV

I've been in prison for exactly 37 days now. Liv has come to visit as often as she's been permitted to, but I started recently encouraging her to limit her time here. The first time she came to see me after I was attacked by other inmates, she cried at the bruises covering my face. I'm glad that was the only part of me she could see. This was hard for her, and I knew that, so I wanted her to continue living her life as normal as possible.

She had come only two days earlier, so I was surprised when one of the guards came to collect me for a visit. I'm always told beforehand if my attorney is coming, but maybe it was JJ or another of my teammates coming to visit. Either was, I followed him down the hallway into the visiting area and scanned the room. I was even more surprised by this visit when I realized who had showed up.

"Dean?" I asked, as I sat down across from him, the plexiglass barrier separating us.

"How are you doing, man?" He asked.

"I've...been better." I muttered. "What are you doing here? Is Olivia okay?"

"She's fine, but that's actually what I wanted to talk to you about." He replied.

I stared at him, furrowing my brow in confusion. "Okay."

"Honestly, Liv's been a wreck. She barely speaks to anyone anymore, unless someone is calling to give an update on you, and the only time I see her is when I run into her in our building." He explained.

I nodded, my eyes dropping to the small table space in front of me. "I know. It's been hard on her. They're really working to get me out soon."

"I get that, but...everything you're involved in and being accused of...it's so messed up." He said.

"I know, but it's not what you think it is. I didn't do this." I replied.

'It doesn't really matter at this point. You need to let her go, dude." He deadpanned.

My eyes narrowed at him as I processed his words. "Let her go?"

"This is ruining her life. Do you really want to take her down with you? Let's say you get convicted of this shit and get 25 to life. Do you expect her to just put her life on hold for you?" Dean questioned.

I didn't know what to say. I was stunned. I managed to force out the only phrase I could think of. "Our relationship is none of your business."

He sighed in irritation. "Maybe not, but Liv is my friend and I care about her. All I'm saying is that you should really think about it. Let her live her life. Don't keep her tied down to this." He said, gesturing around the room. "She deserves more than that. If you love her, you'll make sure she has the chance to have a better life than this."

One of the C.O.'s announced the end of visiting hours and people started saying their goodbyes. Dean stood up to leave, but looked down at me one last time.

"Who knows, maybe you'll be out soon and you two could try things again, if you're really innocent like you say. But don't keep her wrapped up in this."

And with that, he walked off, leaving me speechless as I stood up and made my way back through the inmate's door.

Liv's POV

It had been a while since the last time I paid a visit to Diana. I felt guilty for not seeing her more often, but I didn't think I would be able to keep my composure if she didn't recognize me or asked too many questions about Spencer. I never had a good poker face. JJ went with me the first time after Spencer's arrest and explained to Diana that Spencer wouldn't be here for a while due to work, but we would do our best to keep her company and give her updates on him until he was back. She didn't question it, probably due to how much he traveled anyway, so we went with it and moved on.

JJ, on the other hand, also graciously offered to visit Spencer's mother as frequently as she could, even bringing her boys to visit on a few occasions. Sometimes I would accompany them because it took some of the pressure off of me to be surrounded by more people. I was having a difficult enough time as it was, so I was extra grateful for her help. However, today I was alone.

I started wringing my hands nervously as I approached the entrance to Diana's facility. She had been doing really well with the medicine Spencer had been buying for her, but ever since he was arrested, she obviously didn't have the option to take it anymore once it ran out. I wondered when her memory would start to worsen again.

I smiled at the receptionist as I signed in, and she waved me back without a second thought, recognizing me from all the previous visits. Diana was sitting in one of the common areas, quietly reading a book. I swallowed harshly as an image of Spencer flashed in my head, him sitting in the same position as he would read, only turning the pages much faster than his mom.

Before I even realized I was staring, she must've sensed someone watching her. Diana looked up quickly and my heart skipped a beat as she studied me for a moment. Realization crossed her features a second later and she smiled. "Olivia."

"Hi, Diana." I replied, taking a couple of steps forward.

She motioned for me to sit on the couch across from her and I obliged, setting my bag down on the floor beside me.

"It's been a while." She said.

I nodded, forcing a smile on my face. "I know, I'm sorry. Work has been crazy lately." I fibbed.

She grinned sympathetically, although it felt like she could see through me anyway. "I understand. How are you?"

"I'm okay." I lied again.

"Are you?" She questioned softly before I could say anything else, setting her book on the coffee table between us.

"Just a little tired, I suppose. How are you doing?" I replied.

"I'm well." She nodded. "You seem a little glum today. Does it have anything to do with Spencer?"

My mouth dropped open as I tried to think of a response to her abrupt question. "Oh, um...He's just been gone so much lately and I really miss him."

"I miss him too. I know it must be hard on you. I can see how much you love him and worry about him." She said gently.

I forced a small smile. "Yeah, I know it's part of his job and lifestyle, but it can be difficult sometimes."

"I remember when he told me he was joining the FBI." She chuckled. "I was so worried about him. He had already been off to college and was practically a grown man in my baby boy's body, but I'll never forget the feeling of fear that came over me."

"How did you get past it?" I asked.

She thought for a moment. "I just got used to it, I suppose. I still worry about him, but I know he can take care of himself. He's been doing it since he was young."

I felt a pang in my chest at her words and the guilty expression on her face. "I know he'll want to come see you as soon as he gets back."

She smiled for a moment, a distant look on her face as she was clearly thinking about something specific. She eventually stood up and came to sit down beside me on the couch, taking my hand in both of hers and patting it softly. "I can see how much Spencer cares about you."

I stared at her for a moment, waiting for her to continue as she stared at our hands while she paused.

"I know something is going on with Spencer right now, but I don't know what. I just hope that he's safe and that both of you are okay." She said quietly.

I bit back tears and forced a smile. "He is safe, and we're okay. I'm sure he'll have a lot to tell you when he can come visit."

After talking for a while longer, Diana and I said our goodbyes and I left quickly, taking a deep breath when I stepped outside the building. Pretending everything was fine had become exhausting for me, and it seemed that Diana could see right through my act anyway. I didn't want to lie to her, but I could only imagine the effect it would have if she found out what exactly was going on. There was no reason to worry her or put even more stress on Spencer. Besides, he would be free soon. I was sure of it.