𝓭𝓮𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓷𝓮𝓭 ➵ 𝓼. 𝓻𝓮𝓲𝓭

Chapter 26: Two Weeks Ago

two weeks ago
s p e n c e r

I helped her all the way up the stairs to her apartment, considering how there is no elevator in her building.

I place her down on the sofa as gently as I can, I don't want to worsen any injures that she already has.

"Annie said you should rest." I advise, taking in the bags under her eyes that still don't taint her beauty.

"You're on a first name basis with her now?" Y/n answers with the hint of a smirk, "Interesting."

I pause; I only know Annie because of Y/n, she hardly ever talked about the one friend she had outside of the BAU, but her name was one thing she mentioned.

"You need to stop changing the subject." I finally say.

"And you need to stop babying me."

She has always been stubborn, and it can pay off sometimes, but not right now. She always refuses to ask for help, no matter how much she needs it.

I scoff and raise from my place on the sofa, searching for my phone when it begins to ring. I look down at the contact: Hotch.

I glance at Y/n sympathetically as I bring the phone to my ear, "Dr Reid."

"Spencer."

The sound of my first name coming from Hotch can only mean bad news, and his tone isn't very reassuring either.

"It's Y/n's father, he...he got away, Spencer."

I turn my head to the ground and pinch the bridge of my nose, doing anything I can to avoid looking in Y/n's eyes.

"Alright," I say, knowing I can't say anything that will alert Y/n that something is wrong, Annie said to avoid stress and I plan on following that order. Hotch knows I can't speak freely, so he takes advantage of the time he has.

"Spencer...you can't tell her."

My grip on the phone tighten as I listen to his words, "What do you mean?"

If I was in my own apartment, I would've left the room for privacy. But this isn't my home, and exploring the rest of Y/n's home would feel impersonal. She notices my awkward stance and raises from the sofa, heading in the direction of what I can only assume to be her bedroom as she offers me a small smile.

I return it as best as I can before returning my attention to the call.

"It will stress her out, Reid. I can't let you tell her. At least not yet."

I scoff as I can't believe he's asking me to lie to her, "And what do you suppose I tell her if she brings it up?"

He pauses, "That he's dead."

Even though he can't see me, I shake my head and sit down on the sofa, rubbing my fingers over my temples.

"I can't lie to her Hotch."