never grow up, criminal minds

011. broken knee

Clara perks up when she hears the front door open.

"Daddy!" She races out of her room, excited to see her father. She comes to a stop when she spots her father on crutches. "Daddy, what happened?" She pouts.

"I'm okay, baby." Spencer assures.

"Yes. Yeah, your daddy is gonna be just fine." Penelope assures the young girl.

Derek helps Spencer get settled on the couch, propping his leg up.

"You got a boo-boo?" Clara frowns, walking over to her dad.

"Yeah. It's nothing to worry about, though. Crutches for a few weeks and then I'll be fine." Spencer tells her.

"You want me to stay?" Ellie asks.

"No. No, it's fine. You can go. I have a few days off." Spencer says and she nods.

"You two gonna be okay?" Penelope asks.

"Yeah. Yeah, really, I got it." Spencer promises, just wanting some time with his daughter.

"Call us if you need anything." Derek says.

"Thanks." Spencer says, the three adults leaving. "C'mere, baby." He goes to grab Clara.

"No!" She immediately whines, pulling away from him.

"What?" Spencer frowns. "What? What's wrong?"

"I don't wanna hurt your knee." She says, a scared look in her eyes.

"Oh, no. No, no, no, baby." Spencer coos. "You won't hurt it, I promise. I'm gonna put you on the uninjured leg."

Clara loosens up a bit at his words, moving closer. Spencer picks her up and puts her on his uninjured leg.

"See? Everything's fine." Spencer assures, kissing her on top of the head.

"When is your knee okay again?" She asks.

"Completely? Few months, probably." Spencer says.

"Months?" Her eyes widen.

"Yeah." Spencer grimaces. "It'll be okay, though."

Clara sighs as she looks at his propped up leg. She glares at it as if it's at fault for hurting her dad.

"Wanna read a book?" Spencer asks and Clara nods. "Go pick one out." He puts her down, the girl rushing over to their wall of bookshelves.

+++

Spencer gets to work and gets settled at his desk, opening the first file.

Derek gets back from Penelope's office, sitting at his own desk.

Emily is going through her paperwork, glancing up as Spencer is facing away from her. Her lips immediately quirk up at the sight, quietly clearing her throat to get Derek's attention.

Derek looks at her before looking at Spencer, the man quietly laugh.

"Hey, kid." Derek calls.

"Hmm?" Spencer turns to them.

"You, uh... trying out a new hairstyle?" He smirks.

"What?" Spencer frowns in confusion.

"It's working for you." Emily remarks, smiling.

"What are you--"

"Should braid your hair more often." Derek chuckles.

"Braid my--" Spencer touches the back of his head and feels the small braids. "Dang it." He mumbles, realizing he forgot to take the braids out after Clara went to bed last night. No wonder she was so giggly this morning.