never grow up, criminal minds

008. his baby

Ellie rushes into the BAU, her palms sweating as she approaches Spencer's desk.

"Spencer?" She calls making him look up. Spencer immediately frowns at her presence, especially when he doesn't see his daughter with her.

"Ellie? Wha-- what are you doing here? Where's Clara?" He asks.

"I am so sorry." Ellie tells him. "I-- I swear I only looked away for a second and then she was just gone."

"Go-- what do you mean gone?" Spencer asks, shooting to his feet. Emily stands up, listening, and Derek rushes to Hotch's office.

"We-- we were at the park and she was playing on the swing sets. Her favorite. I had my eyes on her. But-- but then I heard somebody screaming from another direction and I tried to find them, but I couldn't and-- and then I looked back over and the swings were empty. I couldn't find her at the park or in the parking lot or-- or anywhere. She was just gone."

Spencer's heart drops as she recounts the events, the man gulping as he processes her words.

"What's going on?" Hotch asks, walking over with Derek. Rossi leaves his office, seeing them all gathered with the frantic woman.

"I'm so sorry. I-- I never would've-- I'm sorry." Ellie tells her boss.

"We're gonna need to get your statement. See if you can tell us anything you might've noticed." Derek says and Ellie nods, the man leading her off.

+++

Spencer sits in the round table room as the team discuss how JJ found cases of other girls, all around Clara's age, going missing over the past two years. One girl every three months.

"They go missing and then... some of their bodies are found four to five days later. And some of them..." JJ sighs, looking at her co-worker as he stares at the table. "Some of them are never found."

"Maybe he keeps the one he likes and disposes of the ones who give him trouble." Rossi suggests.

"Or he just hides some of them better." Derek adds.

"How could we not know this was going on? Did nobody make a connection?" Emily asks.

"Guess not. They all go missing from different places, different areas of the city. Abducted from parks, schools, subways, their own backyards." JJ says. "The bodies that are found are... they're found with signs of sexual assault. Bruises, split lips, two of them had broken ribs."

"He's got a type. Young, brunette girls, ages ranging from 3 to 6." Rossi says.

"We rule out any suspects who don't fit what information we have. Any suspects interested in girls older or in boys are out. Garcia, run a list."

"Got it." She nods, taking one last look at the adorable photo of Clara that's taking up half the screen. She sighs, squeezing Spencer's shoulder as she passes him, walking out.

"Morgan, JJ, go talk to the victims' families. Prentiss and I will go to the park, see if we can find anything." Hotch instructs, the other three nodding and leaving. "Reid." Hotch calls. It takes Spencer a moment to respond, looking up at his boss. "You know you can't work the case."

"Hotch, please..." Spencer's voice cracks.

"You're too close. It's too personal." Hotch says.

"I have to." Spencer states.

"Reid, I--"

"Please." He begs, tears welling up in his eyes. "She's my baby. I... I can't lose her. Of all people, not her."

Hotch stares at the young agent.

"Help Garcia." Hotch orders before walking out.

Spencer sighs, digging his hands in his hair, his fingers pressing into his scalp. He looks up at the photo of Clara that's from her school photos, his heart breaking at the bright smile and shining eyes. He tries not to think of how he could never see them again. And even if he does, they may never be that happy again.