wasted times- s.r

SIXTEEN

A/N; there is a switch between 2nd person POV and third person limited (spencer) you'll know when.

You wait until the case wraps and the unsub is apprehended successfully before arranging a meeting with Hotch to inform him of your transfer. You've been talking back and forth with Sanchez to confirm your return, and informed Nate of it, who even offered to let you stay with him until you find a place. You don't tell him the extent of the situation, just that you miss being home after your visit. After his reaction the last time you mentioned Spencer, you don't want to start a fight with him.

You raise your knuckles to the door of Hotch's office, the bullpen now empty so late at night. He was expecting you, as you'd informed him earlier you'd be stopping by. When you hear him telling you to come in, you feel a strange sense of deja vu back to your first day here, and now, not even five months later, you're leaving. 

"Hey, Hotch, I hope I'm not keeping you here too late," you say apologetically as you take the seat in front of your desk that he's motioning to. He shakes his head dismissively, "It's not a problem, I was just finishing up some papers. What can I do for you?"

"I've been in contact with my former unit chief recently," you start, Hotch's eyebrows furrowing together slightly. "And I've made a decision to request my transfer back to the team, I've already worked everything out, all you need to do is submit the paperwork."

His face sports his usual stoic expression, but you swear you can also see a glint of sadness about your sudden departure. "I'm quite surprised, I thought you were doing quite well here. What happened?"

"Nothing," you lie through your teeth with a small smile. "I just feel as though returning back is a better option for me as of right now. I'm extremely grateful to have been apart of this team and I'll miss everyone dearly, but this is something I think I need to do." You try to maintain professionalism in fear of this conversation turning into a much more personal one where Hotch tries to get you to talk about your feelings or personal reasons for leaving the team. "Most of my apartment is already packed up, and I'm planning to be gone on Thursday." He seems taken aback by the suddenness of it all, Thursday being two days away from now. 

Truth be told, three days on a case spent with Reid avoiding you like the plague has only made you realize that you want to leave as soon as you possibly can. Hotch sighs, folding his hands on his desk, "I suppose there's nothing I could do to get you to change your mind?" He seems to already know the answer, but you shake your head anyway and he nods. "I'll push the paperwork through," he relents. "As of Thursday evening, you'll no longer be apart of this team."

"Thank you," you wipe your hands on your thighs and give him a quick handshake before turning around and starting to walk out. "And I'd appreciate it if you don't tell the team about my transfer until I'm gone, please."

He hesitates before nodding his head, knowing he has to respect your request of keeping the transfer under wraps. "You know once I push them through that I can't take them back, right?"

You nod, "I'm aware, but I don't think I'll be changing my mind this time."

"Very well then. I'll see you tomorrow then?"

You nod again, "Bright and early." You give a small wave as you shut the door behind you, walking over to your desk and grabbing the rest of your files and neatly stacking them in the corner of your desk. You throw your bag over your shoulder and walk down to your car, hoping to pack a few boxes before heading to bed tonight.

As you push open your front door, you nearly trip over the box of kitchenware you had set on the floor last night, kicking it with your foot so you can get by. Your entire kitchen was packed up, as well as a majority of your bookcases, leaving only your toiletries and your bedroom to do before Thursday. You have to leave all your furniture behind since you'll be living with Nate until you can get an apartment, meaning you'll have to splurge on all-new stuff when you finally do find a place.