true blue, spencer reid

𝐬𝐢𝐱. four years

❝ memories are something even smoking weed does not replace ❞ - noah kahan, stick season

knock, knock, knock.

"Come in, sweet pea!" Penelope's voice called from the other side of the thick wood door.

Isabelle pushed it open, Penelope's facial expression changed when she realized it was Isabelle.

"Oh! I thought you were Emily, sorry." She smiled, even though Isabelle wasn't the person Penelope was expecting she still seemed happy to see her.

"Can we talk for a sec?" She asked and shut the door softly behind her.

"Of course."

Isabelle shifted uncomfortably, "Can you look someone up for me?"

"Mhm! is this an old case you worked?" Penelope swung her chair around, the lights from the computer illuminated her face.

"Uh, no." She replied, Penelope expecting the brunette to go into further detail- but she didn't.

"Her name is Juliana Cruz."

"Ok, let's see here." Penelope said enthusiastically and the sounds of typing filled the room.

"Found her! Juliana Cruz, all activity on her phone and bank account went radio silent four years ago, but she's never been reported missing." Penelope relayed with confusion filling her voice.

"Is she your sister?"

Isabelle stayed silent for a moment, "You can't tell anyone about her or her disappearance, especially not Spencer." She ordered.

Isabelle didn't want to do this to Garcia- but she was desperate, after years of being at the nypd and searching up her sister she found nothing, this was an opportunity to find out what happened to Juliana.

୨୧

Isabelle sat at her desk, filling out paperwork from the case and eating an apple, she glanced to the elevator and saw Penelope hand Spencer a file.

She immediately knew what was in the file, and her eyes widened.

Luckily it was now four fifty, if Isabelle could avoid Spencer for ten more minutes she wouldn't have to deal with discussing it until Monday.

Maybe it was a force of habit, maybe it was a trait she inherited from her father- put anything off until the last possible moment.

What's the best way to avoid talking to someone? leave

Isabelle packed up quickly and left the building she texted Aaron that she was having a family emergency and silenced her phone.

୨୧

Spencer knocked on Isabelle's door three times in a row and heard nothing, no shifting from inside the apartment, no talking.

Normally he would just leave but he had called her multiple times and she didn't answer.

He looked down to her door mat 'No she's not stupid enough to hid her key under the door mat' He thought, then he looked up to the light fixture above her door.

He reached his hand on top of it and felt around for a key, he felt a bump and picked at the tape over it.

He grabbed the key and unlocked her door, "Isabelle are you okay?" He asked, searching the apartment for her, he searched the bedroom and saw nothing, and the same in the bathroom.

Her apartment was open concept so she couldn't hide anywhere, he felt a cold breeze against his back and turned around.

The window in the kitchen that lead to the fire escape was open, he carefully climbed out of it and up the fire escape.

He sighed in relief when he saw Isabelle sitting on the roof.

"What are you doing here?" She asked urgently, the only thing running through her mind being 'shit shit shit.'

"Sorry I just came to check on you and got worried when I didn't hear you." He responded.

"You came here to check on me?" She asked, Spencer just nodded.

She brought a joint to her lips and inhaled, "Are you smoking?" Spencer asked and walked closer, she nodded her head, "Weed." "Are FBI agents even allowed to smoke?" "Yea, it's legal."

He sat down next to her on the cold concrete roof, the smell of weed causing him to scrunch his nose.

"Do you like the smell?" Isabelle asked even though she already knew the answer "No."

"Are you okay?" Spencer asked, staring into her brown eyes, "Why do you ask?" She questioned, but didn't move her gaze.

"Last night, you didn't seem okay, you were practically begging me to hate you and-" Spencer cut himself off, deciding not to bring up her sister so early.

"I'm fine."

"What about the marijuana? I remember you telling me you would never smoke again after high school." "I don't know, people change."

He scoffed, "I know that."

"Then why'd you bring up what I said?" "I don't know, I just wanna make sure you're okay." "More than 106,000 people die per year due to drug related overdoses."

"It's weed, it's not gonna kill me."

"I know but marijuana can lead to stronger drugs." Spencer said softly.

"I know people use it to- you know numb pain or escape reality."

Isabelle stared at Spencer, he quickly reached to his forearm and itched it, which Isabelle would have noticed if her mind weren't preoccupied- or if she weren't high.

The two sat in silence, the only sound that could be heard was the wind and the distant police sirens.

The gentle breeze blowing through Isabelle hair remained Spencer of how much he adored it, her hair was between wavy and curly, and complimented her face perfectly.

Isabelle glanced to Spencer hand, out of habit she wanted to reach over and grab it but held back, if she let herself she would've melted into his arms.

"What did Penelope tell you?"

"That there's been no trace of Juliana since four years ago which coincidentally was a week before you broke up with me."

Isabelle scoffed, "You're seriously bringing that up bright now?"

Spencer looked down, "Sorry, you're right I shouldn't have brought that up."

"Is there anything I can do? We can tell the team and we can look for her-"

"No."

"What, why?" Spencer scooted closer to Isabelle and rubbed her back.

"She called me a year after she disappeared, from a phone and said she didn't want to be found and that I should just move on."

Isabelle fought back tears, she hated showing emotion, she absolutely despised the idea of anyone thinking she was weak or delicate.

authors note!
thank you so much for reading!