deep end, cm [ 1 ]

078. back home

Spencer is sitting by Jessica's hospital bed and holding her hand. After surgery, the doctors assured the team that she'd be able to make a full recovery. Spencer convinced them to let him stay overnight, the nurse who he talked to taking pity on his distraught state. So, she led him to the room, leaving the couple alone.

Spencer had used the bathroom in the hospital room to scrub all of Billy's and Jessica's blood off his hands and arms. He's thankful Penelope managed to grab his go bag from his desk so he could change into clean clothes, not wanting Jessica have to see any blood when she wakes up.

Spencer's tried to fall asleep, but each time he drifts off, he wakes up in a panic that he'll find his girlfriend gone or dead. The only thing his mind wants to picture is her bleeding out in his arms.

So, he's settled for holding her hand, lightly rubbing her arm, and watching the boring show on TV to try to distract his racing brain.

Spencer looks down when he feels Jessica lightly squeeze his hand. His eyes trail up her arm and to her face, watching her slowly wake up. When she opens her eyes, she looks around, quickly panicking.

"Jessi, Jessi, hey." Spencer quietly calls out. "Baby, hi. It's me. It's me. Just us." He assures, quickly calming the brunette down. "You're safe, honey. You are so completely safe now." He promises, stroking her hair.

"Wha-what happened?" Jessica mumbles. 

"What's the last thing you remember?" Spencer asks.

"Uh... um... he-he stabbed me. I was... was-- I don't remember much after that." Jessica says.

"Okay. Okay, um..." Spencer sits on the bed, squeezing her hand. "Well, we-- we got there and... and you were bleeding out. The paramedics got there, they rushed you here. You-- you were in surgery for a few hours, but the doctors say you're gonna be fine. You have to spend a few nights here, but you'll be okay. Your wounds will heal."

"My-- my dad. Where's my dad?" Jessica sits up, crying out and holding her stomach.

"Hey, hey, lay back." Spencer chides, gently pushing her back.

"No, where's my dad? I don't want him to--"

"He won't. He can't. He's gone." Spencer hurriedly tells her, hoping to cease her panic.

"What?" Jessica asks.

"I..." Spencer hesitates. "We had him, but when Emily was going to arrest him, he took a gun out. He was gonna shoot her, so..."

"So one of you shot him first." Jessica assumes.

"Yeah." Spencer nods.

"Who?" Jessica asks.

"Does it matter?" Spencer asks.

"Who?" Jessica asks again.

"It-- I shot him." Spencer says. "He was about to shoot Emily in the head, so I-I shot him in the chest. He died on the way to the hospital."

"Okay." Jessica nods. "Okay, okay." She whispers, trying to let herself process everything. Spencer stays silent, not wanting to overwhelm her even more. He has a small fear that she'll hate him. Even though she despises her father, Spencer knows she still appreciated the good moments from when she was little and misses the loving father she once had.

"Do you need anything?" Spencer quietly asks.

"Wa-water. I want water." Jessica mumbles.

"Of course." Spencer gets up, grabbing one of the bottles he got from the vending machine earlier. He opens it, handing her the bottle and she takes a few sips before giving it back to him. He puts it up and sits back down in the chair.