i'll keep you safe, criminal minds

009. neglect

Spencer makes sure the bathroom is empty before he calls Mackenzie, the girl answering almost immediately.

"Hey. You know, I was thinking maybe we could actually start Doctor Who tonight. You know, so you can get off my back about it." She chuckles.

"Um... yeah, I-- sorry, honey. Um..." Mackenzie frowns in confusion at the term of endearment. "It, uh... there's a lot of paperwork and-- and I'm not gonna make it home until late at night, if at all."

"Oh." Mackenzie mumbles. "Okay. Yeah. I'll, uh... I'll order some pizza... again."

"I'm sorry, Kenzie." Spencer tells her.

"No, no, don't worry. It... it's cool." She says, though Spencer can hear her upset tone. His chest aches, feeling even more terrible when he's lying to her. "I'll see you tomorrow. Bye."

"Kenz--" He sighs when she hangs up.

+++

"Reid." Rossi calls, walking over to the genius' desk, the man being the only one in the bullpen. "What, are you working late?"

"Just, uh, waiting for rush hour to subside. A lot of close personal contact on the subway right now." Spencer says. Rossi checks his watch.

"It's 10:00. The trains have been empty for a while." Rossi comments. "Go home. Spend some time with the kid. The chess will keep till tomorrow."

"Yeah. Probably just gonna pack it up right now." Spencer says.

"Goodnight, Spencer." Rossi tells him.

"Night." Spencer replies, Rossi walking off. Spencer gets up and puts his coat on, staring down at the chess board. He looks up, the bullpen completely empty. He glances at his phone, his mind drifting to Mackenzie. She's probably asleep by now.

Spencer slips his jacket off and goes to make a pot of coffee.

+++

Mackenzie calls Spencer in the morning after she doesn't find him.

"Hey." He answers.

"Hey. Are you still at work? Did you leave early?" She asks.

"Oh. No. Sorry, I wasn't able to make it back home last night. Too much work to get done." Spencer lies. "Did, um... did you sleep okay? Any night terrors?"

"No." Mackenzie answers making Spencer let out a sigh of relief. 

"Okay. I'll see you later. Uh... we got a case so-- so I won't be home for a bit."

"So nothing's new. Got it." Mackenzie remarks. "I gotta get ready for school. Bye." She hangs up.

+++

"Again?" Rossi asks, seeing Spencer playing chess by himself while going over the case files.

"Uh... it helps me focus." Spencer says.

"You know, in light of recent events, I think it's okay to give yourself a break." Rossi comments. "An entire night, though."

"What do you mean?" Spencer asks.

"You're wearing the same shirt from yesterday, and you're covering it with a cardigan from your go bag."

"Guess I, uh, must have gotten a little carried away last night."

"Well, it happens." Rossi remarks. "Don't get carried away every night. You're not just taking care of yourself anymore."

+++

Spencer gets home after the case, putting his stuff up.

"Kenzie?" He calls, not getting an answer. He checks her room, frowning when he doesn't find her anywhere. Pulling his phone out to call her, he turns to the front door when it opens.

"Hey." He greets.

"Ah. Prodigal foster father returns home." Mackenzie gives a sarcastic smile.

"Where were you?" Spencer asks.

"Went to a movie."

"Oh. Wi-with friends?" Spencer asks, hoping she's been able to make a few.

"Nope. Alone." Mackenzie says. "All of my... acquaintances... hate horror movies."

"I'm sorry." Spencer tells her. "I... I should've come home more often. I... losing Gideon has really taken a toll and-- and I know I'm responsible for you, but... but I am still getting used to the whole caring for another person lifestyle. I'm still pretty new at it. I know I have some things down, but I'm still struggling with other parts, along with other events in my life. I'll try harder from now on. I just... I'm sorry for neglecting you recently."

"I'll forgive you if we have a horror movie marathon and we order pizza." Mackenzie says. "And you help me with homework tomorrow night."

"Deal." Spencer says. Mackenzie takes her phone out to call her favorite place. "Oh, and, uh... I... I'm sorry about-- about calling you "honey" the other night."

"It, um... it's cool. I don't-- don't totally mind it." Mackenzie says. "Call me what you want."