Breaking Barriers - S.R.

25

As soon as I got the call from JJ, I left work in the middle of the day and immediately made my way to the FBI Headquarters. The BAU finally managed to get Spencer transferred back to the states. Much to my dismay, they still didn't have everything worked out so he would still be incarcerated, but at least he would be here now, instead of a jail in another country.

It felt strange to be out in public as I made my way through the parking lot towards the large double doors. I'd been keeping to myself lately, only leaving my apartment to go to work since I got that initial phone call from JJ letting me know that Spencer had been arrested. I hadn't spoken to anyone since I had that fight with Dean unless it was someone from the BAU calling to give me an update. It was lonely and I missed my friends, but I hadn't been getting the support I needed and I didn't have the energy to argue or defend why I was standing by Spencer right now. The only people that understood were Spencer's team.

I picked up my visitor's pass at the front desk and took the elevator to the floor I'd visited several times. As I walked through the glass doors, I was immediately greeted by JJ and Penelope, who seemed to be in deep conversation. Based on their expressions, I guessed that I looked as awful as I felt.

"How are you doing, sweetie?" Penelope's heels clicked over to me quickly and she wrapped her arms around me in a hug.

"I've been better." I admitted. "Is he here?"

"They should be here any minute. He can't stay long, they have to transport him immediately, but they are able to stop in so we can see him." JJ explained. "I'm sorry, I tried to allow you a little more time with him."

"I'll take what I can get. Thank you, JJ." I responded.

She nodded sympathetically. "Tara told me that he's been worried about you."

I let out a noise that resembled something between a scoff and a laugh. "He's worried about ME right now?"

"That's Reid for you." Penelope forced a small smile to try to lighten the intensity of the situation.

JJ's phone chimed and she immediately pulled it from her pocket to open a text message. "They're coming up."

Those of us that hadn't gone down to Mexico shuffled into the small area outside the elevators and waited for Spencer and the rest of the team. The familiar ding signaling the arrival of the elevator sounded and the doors opened slowly to reveal the people crammed inside, Spencer being right in the center of them. He was dressed in regular clothing with a jacket draped over his hands. JJ had told me he would be in handcuffs and I assumed they were trying to spare him from some embarrassment.

Everyone filed out of the elevator slowly and people began rushing up to hug him or say encouraging words while they had the chance. I stood a few feet away, frozen in place as I watched him. He looked tired, defeated. It almost brought me to tears again as I wondered what he had been through the last few days. I snapped out of my thoughts when his eyes finally locked with mine though, and I stepped forward, wrapping my arms around him tightly. It didn't feel the same since he couldn't hug me back, but it was something I had desperately needed and I would take it.

I managed to hold myself together until he started speaking lowly into my ear, quiet enough that no one else could make out what he was saying. I did catch everyone starting to avert their eyes as he spoke, trying to give us some sort of private moment if at all possible in this situation.

"I'm so sorry." He choked out, repeating the words over and over. "I'm going to fix this."

"I love you, Spencer." Was the only thing I managed to sputter out through my tears.