The Unfortunate Ride

Chapter 24

31/10/2017. BAU Offices, Quantico, Virginia. 09:02 hours.

Halloween had always been Spencer's favourite holiday. He seated himself in his swivel chair at his desk and smiled fondly at the pumpkin ornaments in front of his computer monitor. Spencer believed that Halloween should be celebrated at all times of the year. He turned his head slightly to see JJ staring intently at her monitor. He furrowed his brow at the intense concentration written into his best friend's features.

"Y-you okay, JJ?" asked Spencer. JJ jumped slightly in her seat, unaware that anyone was paying any attention to her.

"Oh, yeah. Henry changed his mind about his Halloween costume last night and he's being too stubborn to see that I can't do much about it." JJ let out a deflated sigh. Spencer cocked his head in thought.

"I have l-lots of masks and things at my apartment. W-why don't you bring him by later and see if h-he can make use of anything?" JJ's eyes widened, her pools of blue sparkling with gratitude.

"You would do that?"

"Of c-course. You're my b-best fr-fr-friend." Spencer's face fell, "S-sorry. I'm struggling t-today with my speech." JJ reached over the glass toward him. Spencer gently took her fingers into his hand.

"You don't need to be sorry. Is something stressing you out?" Spencer glanced down at his pumpkin ornament and nodded softly.

"Y-Yes. I d-don't know what it is. I-I j-just can't sh-shake this uneasy feeling." JJ smiled at him.

"It'll be okay, Spence. Why don't I bring Henry and Michael around after work and we can see what we can find?"

"S-sounds like a plan." Emily's form appeared at the rail above them in the bullpen. Her stoic face was hardened.

"Sorry, guys. The director has called us in on a hostage situation at Washington Union Station." Emily noted the horror that flickered across Spencer's face, "Reid? No one would think differently if you need to sit this one out." JJ's fingers tightened around Spencer's hand. He clenched his jaw and straightened in his chair.

"N-no. I n-need to do this."

"Spence? Are you sure?" asked JJ, her voice tinged with uncertainty. Spencer turned to look at her. His eyes had hardened with determination.

"I-I have t-t-to."

"Wheels up," responded Emily. Spencer pushed against his desk to ease himself up to his feet. JJ watched him as he shouldered his blazer over his dark grey button down shirt and gathered his satchel.

"Spencer? Do you really think you can do this?" Spencer glared at her as he stuffed his credentials into his blazer pocket.

"J-Jennifer. I can't s-sit here when I c-can be helping out there." A dull throb echoed through Spencer's skull. He pressed his palm to his forehead.

"Spence. You're not well enough." Spencer snatched his hand away. He pointed his index finger menacingly towards JJ.

"D-don't... T-tell... M-me..." Realising that he was about to explode, Spencer forced his hands around the strap of his satchel, "U-unless you're going to h-handcuff me again." JJ's mouth bobbed, tears threatening her lashes. She was unsure how to respond to Spencer's biting tone. She watched as the young doctor stalked away from her towards the elevator, his head bowed.

31/10/2017. Washington Union Station, Washington DC. 10:05 hours.

The chill in the air was almost as frosty as Spencer's demeanour. He stood at the rear of the government issue SUV with the trunk open. He shivered involuntarily at the icy breeze that whipped around him as he strapped on his Kevlar vest. The hairs on his bare forearms stood on end with the cold. Luke stood directly opposite, sliding his glock into his holster. Luke's dark eyes bore into the top of Spencer's head.