1 out of 150//Spencer Reid

17. Consequences

Everyone gets the consequences they deserve. When you do something bad, you should expect the consequences, whether they come sooner or later. Clearly, when Agent Jackson had made some pretty serious threats, he wasn't thinking about the consequences of his actions. While his threats didn't insinuate that he was going to hurt or injure Y/N, he still threatened her career.

To Hotch, a threat - whether a threat of physical violence or a threat of someone's career - was a threat. When you threatened someone, you intended to cause damage. It didn't matter what type of damage was done.

When he heard that a cadet was being threatened by another, he was shocked. Everyone within the FBI, training or otherwise, was supposed to support each other. They would spend years having to trust each other with their lives. So, to hear that the career of one cadet was being threatened by another, Hotch was appalled. He would be just as appalled if any cadet was threatened for any reason, but because Y/N had worked with the BAU, and she had bonded with the team, he found that a threat toward her was a threat toward the team. He knew it was stupid to think that way, but everyone in the team considered Y/N to be part of the BAU family. She bonded and connected with everyone. He genuinely felt bad when he couldn't really help her because she wasn't part of the BAU, but now that she was, he was determined to help her any way he could.

He shouldn't have been siding with either Agent, but he wouldn't tolerate threats of any kind.

———

The BAU were flying back from their newest case. Both Y/N and Chris would've joined them on the case, but Hotch asked that both of them stay behind.

Y/N and Chris sat in Strauss' office. Hotch had been informed of Chris' behaviour and now Strauss had been too.

"Agent Jackson, Agent Y/L/N, do either of you know why you're here, in my office?" Strauss asked, leaning back in her chair.

"Yes, we do. And I can assure you, Agent Strauss, that this whole situation is just a misunderstanding." Chris smiled, trying to defuse the tension. Y/N almost rolled her eyes at Chris' insistence. She couldn't believe that after all the evidence that had been stacked against him, he was trying to weasel his way out.

"Agent Y/L/N, do you believe that this whole situation has been a misunderstanding?" Strauss looked at Y/N, who shook her head.

"No." She spoke.

"Right, Agent Y/L/N. Neither do I." Strauss exhaled, now focusing her attention to Chris.

"The FBI prides itself on teamwork. If we didn't work together, people would die. We'd let criminals escape and the entire country would be in more danger. When two Agents are against each other, it creates an unsafe and unwelcome environment, and we can't have that." Strauss shook her head.

"A team does not work effectively if one Agent is threatening another. The Bureau considers threats to be unacceptable, whether they are threats of physical violence or even threats against someone's career. I can guarantee that if the director or the Brass had known of your threats toward Agent Y/L/N while you were a cadet, you would've been removed from the program and not allowed to come back." Both Strauss and Y/N could see the concern on Chris' face.

"Agent Jackson, one threat toward Agent Y/L/N would have resulted in a warning or worse, a suspension. But, because you threatened her career on multiple occasions, your punishment will be a lot worse. As of 9 AM tomorrow, you will no longer be a member of the BAU. I will be talking to the Brass and the director about your behaviour, but let it be known that it is up to them whether you are transferred to a different division or you are fired from the FBI all together." Strauss explained. Y/N watched as Chris' face dropped. He was clearly not expecting a consequence this strong. It was clear that he expected a warning or a suspension, but not to be removed from the BAU and transferred or even fired.

Without warning, Agent Anderson walked into Strauss' office.

"Agent Anderson, please take these files to the director and the Brass." Strauss handed two files to Anderson, who nodded and walked out.

"You have the remainder of the day to clear your things." Strauss exhaled. Both Y/N and Strauss watched as Agent Jackson stood up and walked out of Strauss' office, clearly angry.

"As for you, Agent Y/L/N, please return to your work. I'm sure the team will be back soon." She smiled, letting Y/N leave the office.

Returning to her desk, Y/N exhaled, feeling relieved. She couldn't believe that Agent Jackson was finally getting the consequences he deserved. To relax herself, she focused on studying the profiling textbook, trying to get as much studying done as possible before the exam.

———

An hour later, Y/N was too focused on her studying to notice that the team had returned from their case. She was made aware of their presence when Prentiss scared her.

"You're back! How was the case?" Y/N asked, watching as Derek, Prentiss and Spencer all sat at their desks.

"Brutal. A man was murdering families with two parents and 1 child because when he was a child himself, his mother and father would take turns beating him." Derek exhaled.

"That doesn't explain killing the child though..." Y/N shook her head.

"He killed the families based on the fact that they all had visits from CPS. He viewed the children as broken and according to him, broken children can't be fixed, so he killed them." Prentiss continued.

"Yikes." Y/N's eyes widened, shocked.

"Welcome to the BAU." JJ chuckled.

"Wait, where's Agent Jackson?" Derek asked.

"Gone. Strauss basically fired him from the BAU." Y/N explained.

"Thank goodness. He gave me weird vibes." Penelope exhaled.

"Definitely." Y/N smiled, noticing the time. It was time to head home.

"Home time, guys." Y/N reminded the team. Everyone nodded and stood up, grabbing their bags.

"I can't wait to sleep." Prentiss smiled.

Y/N watched as everyone except Spencer stood up and walked out of the bullpen.

"Spencer, aren't you heading home too?" Y/N asked, confused.

"Nah, not yet. I've got paperwork that I'd rather get done now." Spencer smiled.

"Thank you, by the way." Y/N looked down at Spencer.

"For what?" He asked, confused.

"Because of you, both Hotch and Strauss were told about Agent Jackson's behaviour. I would have done it sooner, but you were a really good friend and you told Hotch." Y/N smiled, watching as Spencer stood up.

"So, thank you. You're truly the best, Spencer." Y/N wrapped her arms around his neck, giving him a hug. He was still for a moment, clearly taken aback by the sudden action, but after a moment, he wrapped his arms around her torso, returning the hug.

"Anytime, Y/N." He chuckled before pulling away. Y/N and Spencer were now inches away from each other. The hug had sparked some feelings from the both of them. They could both feel the energy between them. Before either of them could think, Y/N made herself slightly taller and placed a quick, yet sweet kiss on his lips. It ended just as fast it started and Spencer was sad when her lips left his.

Before either of them could say anything, Y/N smiled and turned around, grabbing her purse.

"Goodnight Spencer." She waved to him. She turned around and headed out of the bullpen, toward the elevator.