My Partner Against Crime

Chapter 28

"He's visiting his Mom," is the sentence I've been using to explain Spencer's abrupt absence. Of course Hotch knows that isn't the truth, he and I figured that would be the sentence that would ask for few questions. Although as time passes I can tell it's getting harder for people to believe.

My alarm goes off waking me up, ready to start the new routine I've grown to follow in habit. I move to the edge of the bed from the middle, then walk into the bathroom.

It still feels weird having such an empty house, it's quiet and stale, something I don't think I can get used to.

I shower, get dressed, and put on my makeup. I have spare time, which allows me to relax on the couch drinking my first cup of coffee. My phone buzzes where I left it on the kitchen counter. I get up, put my now empty mug in the sink and check my phone. My first call of the day from Spencer. Sometimes he calls a lot in a day, others not at all.

I slide my thumb from the left to the right side of the screen and hit the speaker button.

"Hey." I grab my purse and keys.

"Hi, I'm sorry did I call too early? I'm sure you're getting ready for work?" I check the time on the stove, I still have plenty of time.

"No, I'm just about to head out." I slide on my jacket and walk to the garage door.

"Oh, why have you been going in so early?" I sit in my car and set my things down on the passenger side floor.

"The house is too quiet for me." I turn on my car and click open the garage door.

"I'm sorry. I know that doesn't fix things but-"

"I'll talk to you later, I have another call coming." I glance down at the screen on my car readying my finger to hang up, then start backing up at the driveway.

"Okay, I'm glad you answered, I really miss-" I hang up, not allowing him to finish his sentence.

It stopped bothering me if I don't make him a priority. Now more than ever I've been focusing on myself.

Being early has its perks, one being parking close to the building entrance. I grab my things, lock my car, and walk the short distance to the main doors. I skip the elevator and take the stairs, something I've come to do without thinking.

I get to my desk and enjoy the feeling. It's quiet, but I can feel people around me, making me feel not so alone. I look around at the oddly organized surface, and feel satisfied knowing the drawers are the same.

"Get a little more sleep last night?" I turn to the familiar voice. Hotch walks over with his right hand loosely holding onto his briefcase.

"The night just sort of slips away from me at this point... How'd you sleep?" I spin my chair to face him.

"Well, Jack and his friends watched some scary movie so he insisted on sleeping with me because he 'needed to protect me'." I smirk at the sweet story.

"You're too nice, whenever I watched a scary movie as a kid my parents would lock their room door so I couldn't get in." He laughs and looks toward the elevators, checking to see if we're still alone.

"So, his ninety days are almost up. Do you want to talk about that?" He sets down his briefcase and crosses his arms.

"I think I'm just lost at this point. I mean, where do we go from here?" I toy with my finger, where my engagement ring used to be.

"The DA approved him to come back, if that's what he wants. Of course they're going to watch him like a hawk, as am I. He's lucky he has that IQ, or else, you know..." I nod, knowing very well Spencer should have lost his career.