1 out of 150//Spencer Reid

48. Family matters

Day by day. Week by week. Y/N's final bunch of exams were closer than ever. They were slowly but surely creeping up on her. In between cases, Y/N would often get her paperwork done before pulling out her textbooks. Everyone admired her attention to her studies. The BAU, for many members of the team, took up lots of time. More often than not, birthdays, anniversaries and other important events were missed because the team had cases come up.

The month of Y/N's final exams, she focused a lot on her studies. When she wasn't trying to identify the stressor for an unsub, she was nose deep in one of her textbooks, trying to study. The closer it got to her exams, the harder she studies. Hotch had even allowed her to have a week off, so that she wouldn't be stressed. Y/N had 3 exams to do. She may have been studying to get her BA in Philosophy, but there were 3 classes for her to complete exams on. Her first exam was on a Tuesday. Her second exam was on the Wednesday. Her third - and final - exam was on a Friday. After the week of exams, she'd be free. She'd graduate with a BA in Philosophy and she'd never have to step foot into a lecture hall ever again.

Spencer was so proud of his girlfriend. She was working so hard and Spencer couldn't help but admire her commitment. He'd often walk into the BAU bullpen - after talking with Penelope - finding Y/N at her desk, highlighting and writing like crazy. He'd often catch his friends watching Y/N. He once watched as Emily stopped walking, her eyes on Y/N as she looked between two different books, furiously writing as if her life depended on it. Everyone was proud of her.

———

On Friday afternoon at 3 PM, the team walked into the BAU bullpen. Penelope obviously greeted them, hugging each and every member of the team.

"Anyone up for a drink?" Emily asked as she exhaled, still holding her go bag.

"Definitely." Rossi nodded.

"We're in." Penelope smirked as she wrapped her arm around Derek, a smile on his face.

"I can't. Taking Jack to the movies." Hotch shook his head.

"Sure. Why not?" JJ smiled.

"Spencer? Y/N? You two in?" Emily asked, turning to the couple.

"Nah. I'm gonna use this time to study as much as possible." Y/N shook her head.

"I'm sure one or two drinks wouldn't-" Before Spencer could continue, he pulled his phone out from his pocket. He pressed a button and put his phone to his ear.

"Hello?" He asked, confused.

"Oh. When? Sure. Yep. Okay. See you soon." Spencer's worried expression was concerning everyone, who just watched Spencer put his phone away after the call.

"What's wrong?" Hotch asked.

"My - Uh, my mom. She's in the middle of one of her...bad days. A nurse tried to give her the medication and my mom, she..." Y/N could see the pain on Spencer's face.

"Spencer, breathe." Y/N held his hand.

"...she attacked the nurse. She slapped the nurse and pushed her away. Two orderlies had to physically restrain my mother in order to protect the nurse. They got her to take her medicine, but after she slapped one of the orderlies." Spencer continued.

"Oh, my. Spencer...we're so sorry." Penelope gasped, shocked.

"They want me to come down and check up on her." Spencer exhaled.