The Unfortunate Ride

Chapter 11

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30/07/2017. St Andrew's Hospital, Virginia. 13:46 hours.

Spencer twisted and unfurled the thin blanket repeatedly between his long fingers. His eyes were fixed on his toes poking out from the bottom of said blanket. Penelope busied herself packing some of his gifts and belongings into a duffle bag. Spencer watched absent-mindedly as he wiggled his toes. His headache still thrummed steadily within the confines of his skull. He released the blanket from his grip and massaged his temple with his fingertips though the sheer pressure on his skin alone felt like a drill trying to bore its way into his brain. Penelope was humming a tune happily to herself as she stuffed the bag of clothing Spencer had been wearing on the train in the duffel bag, hoping to avoid the genius from seeing the contents. Penelope glanced up, her blonde curls bouncing against her shoulders to see the man in the bed tenderly rubbing his temples. She abandoned the bag and sat on the edge of the bed, curling her arm around Spencer's shoulders.

"You still got that headache, sweetie?" asked Penelope softly as she gently caressed Spencer's curls. She felt Spencer's head bob slightly beneath her palm, "You want me to get the nurse?"

"No," came Spencer's small, pained voice.

"Are you sure? JJ will be here soon with the boys. You won't want that headache when they get here." Spencer squinted to prevent the dim light from searing his retinas any further and turned his head to face Penelope.

"JJ is bringing the boys? But what if-?" Spencer chewed his bottom lip in thought.

"If what, Spence?" Spencer let out a sigh.

"What if I freak out again?"

"JJ knows what caused your reaction yesterday so she was able to make sure it doesn't happen today." Spencer raised his eyebrows incredulously.

"She does?"

"Yeah. Michael and Henry really want to see you. It'll be good for you to spend some time with them." Spencer swallowed hard as he turned his head back to his blankets. A new wave of pain swept through his head. He groaned and grasped his forehead, hair entwined around his fingers.

"You want me to get the nurse?" asked Penelope again.

"Please," pressed out Spencer through gritted teeth. Penelope kissed him gently on the top of the head and slid herself from the bed, heels clattering against the floor. Spencer moaned in pain and curled in on himself- it was as if every sound was driving a rail road spike through his skull.

Penelope returned a short time later with a male nurse in tow. The nurse handed Spencer a small white paper pot, similar to those used for dipping sauces in fast food restaurants. Nausea rippled throughout his stomach at the sight of the two large white tablets in the pot. His skin visibly blanched as the sickness crept up his gullet. A cold sweat beaded his forehead. Penelope perched on the bed beside Spencer and massaged the back of his neck. It felt strange to Spencer, as though a boa constrictor was about to curl itself around his throat, yet he did not flinch away. Penelope's touch was soft and gentle and felt very soothing.

"You okay, Spence?" asked Penelope. The nurse retrieved a cardboard kidney dish from a cupboard and handed it to Penelope. The technical analyst held the dish under Spencer's chin.

"Going to be... Sick..." panted Spencer. He heaved, emptying his stomach into the dish. Penelope wrinkled her nose in disgust. With a shaky hand, Spencer wiped the saliva and acid from his chin.

"Spencer? When did you last eat?" asked Penelope as she handed the dish to the nurse as if it were a poisonous creature.

"Um. I'm not sure. A couple of days maybe?" Penelope folded her arms across her chest and tapped her foot in annoyance. Each rattle of her shoe on the floor vibrated through Spencer's skull. He grasped his head in his hand, the pot of tablets nestled on the blanket, "Dear God, Penelope! Stop that infernal noise!" Penelope stilled, her mouth gaping. Spencer slowly turned his head to look past his thin wrist at her, "I'm sorry, Penelope. Every little noise is like being drilled through the skull. The medicines make me feel sick so I haven't been eating. That, and I just don't feel like it." Penelope softened and gave Spencer a small smile as she poured him a glass of water. Spencer threw the tablets into his mouth and gulped the refreshingly cool water to wash them away. Penelope took the glass from him and set it on the bedside table. Gently, she pushed the young doctor down into his pillows.

"Try and have a nap before JJ and the boys get here." Spencer had not realised just how tired he actually was until his head hit the pillow. Immediately, his eyes drifted shut and he fell into a peaceful slumber.

30/07/2017. St Andrew's Hospital, Virginia. 15:04 hours.

Spencer's headache had somewhat subsided to a dull throb when he awoke. He turned to look out of the window facing out into the unit. Penelope was outside of his door talking to JJ in hushed tones, undoubtedly updating her on the sickness and Spencer's significant lack of appetite. She hurried past the window bent down low. A knock sounded at the door. Spencer closed his eyes and tried to will away the anxiety creeping into the forefront of his mind.

"Come in," uttered Spencer. The door slowly creaked open and JJ peered around it. Her blonde hair was pulled back into a ponytail. She gave him a wide smile, melting away Spencer's nervousness. She slid into the room and gently closed the door behind her. She was dressed in tracksuit trousers and a crop top. Spencer raised his eyebrows at her attire.

"Hi, Spence. How're you feeling? Garcia says you had a really bad headache."

"Yeah, I did. It's not so bad now. Uh, JJ? Why are you dressed like that?" JJ glanced down at her clothing and laughed.

"Oh, this? I had to bath Michael before we could leave the house. Plus it's like 104 degrees outside!" She considered the man in the bed, "Do you feel up to seeing the boys?"

"They aren't scared to see me, are they?"

"No! They haven't shut up about coming to see their Uncle Spencer! I think they have some things for you." Spencer's eyes widened and his heart fluttered. This was not anxiety, however. It was love.

The door was thrown open and a small shape darted towards the bed. Michael reached up his small hands towards Spencer. JJ gripped him under the arms and hoisted him up onto the bed. Michael clambered into Spencer's lap and threw his arms around Spencer's neck. Spencer tenderly wrapped his arm around the small boy's waist, pulling him in close, his chin resting gently on the blonde boy's head. Spencer closed his eyes and took in the cacophony of smells around him. Michael smelled of bubble gum. Penelope wore a fruit fragrance. And there was another scent, one that he had not smelled in some time. Spencer opened his eyes to see Penelope holding a tray of take out cups. Henry placed a homemade get well card on top of the blankets along with a keychain with the boys' faces on and a photograph of all three of them together. Spencer smiled broadly.

"Thank you so much, guys! This is perfect!" gasped Spencer. Henry climbed up onto the bed alongside Spencer and snuggled into his injured arm. Pain flashed through Spencer's shoulder but he did not react. He just wanted to absorb the moment. Penelope took out her cell phone and snapped a picture of Spencer, Henry and Michael sharing a close embrace. Spencer caught sight of her and his mouth gaped.

"Penelope! I saw that!" He sniffed the air, "Oh, I hope one of those are for me." Penelope giggled and handed a cup to Spencer. He lifted his arm over Henry's head, taking care not to spill the hot contents. Henry shifted his position so that he laid his head on Spencer's lap. Spencer took in a long sniff of the coffee and sighed happily.

"Your favourite. Hazelnut double shot soy latte."

"Oh, my gosh. You guys are the best."