Façade//Spencer Reid

17. Old friends

10 hours. That's how long Spencer had stayed by Carter's side. From the moment Carter hung onto Spencer for safety, to now, Spencer stayed right by Carter's side. He didn't want to leave the poor kid alone, especially not when his mother had yet to be rescued.

———

Elle had yet to see Spencer. Since she returned to the BAU, she hadn't seen him. She wanted to, but she didn't really have an opportunity.

That was until JJ intended to go and get Spencer a change of clothes. Rossi, Emily, Hotch and Derek sat in the conference room, trying to figure out where exactly Y/N could be.

"Are you heading to Spencer's place?" Elle asked, watching as JJ grabbed Spencer's spare key from her desk.

"Yeah. Spencer's gonna be visiting the hospital for a while. He isn't leaving Carter any time soon." JJ nodded.

"Can I come with you? I feel weird being here." Elle asked, hopeful.

"Sure." JJ smiled.

With that, JJ and Elle got into her car, heading toward Spencer's place.

"So, who's Carter?" Elle asked, curious.

"Our latest case involves an America Mafia leader. We managed to get info from a woman named Y/N, who was being forced to kill people. If she refused to kill, Carter died." JJ shortened the story.

"Carter...is Y/N's son?" Elle asked.

"Yep. Spencer was just as determined to find him as Y/N was." JJ nodded.

Elle and JJ finally arrived at Spencer's apartment, JJ unlocking the door. Elle chuckled when she took one look into his apartment. In all of the years that she had known him, she'd never seen his apartment, which she assumed would represent the inside of his mind.

"I expected nothing less." Elle laughed, watching as JJ picked up Spencer's go bag, putting it onto his couch. She grabbed a few items of clothing before both her and Elle left Spencer's apartment.

"Hey, JJ? Maybe I could take it to Spencer? I'd like to say hello to him again." Elle suggested, watching as JJ nodded, a smirk on her face.

"Sounds like a nice idea." JJ exhaled as she started to drive.

JJ walked into the BAU office, while Elle got into her own car, a pile of Spencer's clothes in a bag on her passenger seat.

Each and every moment that Elle spent driving, her heart raced. Even after so many years away, her heart still had a spot for Spencer.

JJ had sent Elle the address of the hospital that Spencer was visiting. As she entered the hospital, she flashed her badge and watched as the nurse nodded, letting her pass. She found the room with little to no issue. She had a bag that held Spencer's clothing.

She took a moment to take in the sight in front of her. Sitting on a - probably uncomfortable - hospital chair, Spencer sat close to the bed, observing the small boy who was sleeping. As for Spencer himself, he looked very different. Instead of sporting short hair that was flat at the top and curled around his ears, Spencer sported even shorter hair that was slightly curlier. His hair no longer rested just under his ears, tickling his neck, instead, his hair - specifically the sides and the back - were almost buzzed, while a small side-fringe rested on the edge of his face. His jawline was more defined now that his hair was shorter.

"Hey, JJ. Carter's still not-" Spencer assumed that the woman behind him was JJ, but he stopped when he turned to see her.

"I know I'm not JJ, but I hope my presence is still appreciated?" Elle smiled.

"E- Elle." Spencer couldn't believe it. His heart raced at the sight of Elle. Nothing about her had changed, except her hair. Instead of sporting long brown hair, or a bob, Elle had her hair cut just above her shoulders, with slight blonde highlights strewn around her head. She looked pretty before she left the BAU, but now, she looked more mature and happier.

"I visited the BAU without seeing my favourite genius." Elle exhaled. One thing she didn't expect was to be greeted with a hug. Spencer had stood up and moved so his hands were around her torso, wrapping her in a lovely hug. She hugged back, taking in his scent; old books and coffee. Some things never change. She smiled.

"I- I've missed you, Elle. I'm sorry for not messaging, or calling, or even emailing you." Spencer tried to apologise, but Elle chuckled, pulling away.

"It's okay, Spencer. I know how much of a technophobe you are. You'd prefer handwritten letters to sending a simple email." Elle nodded.

"Besides, life at Interpol isn't exactly flexible when it comes to who I contact." Elle smiled.

"Wait, you've been at Interpol this whole time?" Spencer asked, confused.

"Yep. I joined Interpol a few months after resigning from the BAU. The hours are similar to the BAU, but instead of dealing with serial killers and kidnappers, I deal with Human Trafficking." Elle explained.

"A very noble job indeed." Spencer chuckled.

"To the reason why I'm here. I did want to see you, Spencer, but I also brought you some clothes. JJ stopped by your apartment and gave me some of your clothes to give to you. She figured that you probably wouldn't leave here." Elle handed Spencer the bag.

"Thanks. I appreciate that. Until Y/N is back, I don't feel comfortable leaving her son alone." Spencer explained.

"Sounds reasonable." Elle nodded.

"How about you get changed while I look after Carter?" Elle suggested.

"Yeah. Thanks." Spencer nodded, leaving the room.

10 minutes later, Spencer had changed and he looked even better than before. When he re-entered the hospital room, he still wore his black converse shoes with mismatched socks. He sported a pair of black slacks. He wore a plum coloured shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his forearms, just below his elbows. Over the top, he wore a gray formal vest that covered part of the dark purple - almost gray - tie around his neck.

"Better?" Elle asked.

"Yep." Spencer nodded, sitting back down.

"What...or who exactly has Elle Greenaway back in Quantico?" Spencer asked, curious.

"Y/N Y/L/N." Elle exhaled.

"What?" Spencer furrowed his eyebrows.

"Hotch sent me a file on Y/N. Her file and the information that he's gotten from her about the type of unsub that Marco is, Strauss and Hotch both have reason to believe that Marco is guilty of human trafficking. It helps that when we put Marco's name into our Interpol database, we instantly got a red flag. Turns out he's been on Interpol's radar for years now, but has somehow evaded capture." Elle explained, sitting down opposite Spencer.

"So Marco's business with Y/N is just the surface issue?" Spencer almost gasped.

"That seems to be the case, yeah. I'm here in Quantico to not only help you and the BAU find Y/N, but to also take Marco down for good." Elle nodded.

"I am really glad that you're back, Elle." Spencer smiled at his friend.

"I'm glad to be back, Spencer." Elle smiled back, exhaling.