Sweeter Than Honey

Chapter 3: Under My Skin

Cassia's P.O.V:

Once we landed, I continued to talk with Emily and JJ as we got our stuff and headed to our separate cars. It was so hot I was afraid my makeup would start to melt. "God, I hate it down south!" JJ groaned, fanning herself dramatically, causing both Emily and I to giggle at her silly antics. Once we had all our things, I went over to Spencer, bidding the girls farewell. I smiled, blushing lightly at the thought of being with Spencer all day. He's been nothing but amazing and such a gentleman since I met him this morning.

I walked up behind him, waiting for him to finish his conversation with Derek. Once Derek spotted me behind the genius, he smirked, winking at me before patting Spencer on the back, almost as if he were his brother. "Hey Spence, ready?" I asked, holding my hand out for him to take; he looked into my deep green eyes, smiling as he grabbed my petite hand in his large, callous, veiny one. "Only if you are", he smiled, rubbing soothing circles on my knuckles.

We quickly arrived at the precinct, taking in the bustling noise and business of the police station. Hundreds of different men swarmed multitudes of different tables; men stormed in carrying and throwing different criminals and thugs. The smell of testosterone was quite prominent within the building. Everyone could tell that these men were dominant within both their work and home environments. I looked around, taking in all that was going on around me, but I was quickly drawn out of my thoughts when I felt someone soft, warm breath against my neck. I smiled, relishing in the feeling of Spencer being so close.

I Turned on my heel, coming face to face with the brown-eyed babe. His eyes held so much emotion, his face held so much pain but also so much wisdom. My heart ached for the man in front of me. I just hoped he would let me in. "You ready, Cas?" he asked, smirking as my face flushed red, enjoying the nickname he had given me. I nodded, afraid that if I tried to talk, my voice would fail me.

Both of us made our way over to the parents who had been conveniently waiting for us in a conference room. The moment my eyes landed on the distraught couple, I felt bile rising in my throat, but I choked it down. This is one of the things that I hated about my job; telling the families. I turned to Spencer, my eyes wide and dilated, tears glazing my green globes. He looked back at me. A look of pain, concern and worry washed over him. He quickly guided us away from the crowded corridors.

"Are you ok? What's running through your mind right now?" he asked me, stroking my arm soothingly. I gathered my thoughts, slowing down my breath. I looked up at him, my lip quivering slightly, but the mere thought of him, and it felt as though there was nothing to worry about in the world. "When I looked at those parents... I just... I know what it's like losing someone you love and being completely helpless about the situation, and I- It kills me that they had to go through all that pain, guilt and misery. They lost their child Spencer, their little girl. I can't possibly imagine how broken they must feel, but if it's anywhere close to how I felt, then this will be the hardest day of their life, and they are most likely going to hate us. I wish this were easier... " I whimpered, biting my lip so hard I could taste the blood. Spencer frowned, placing a soft hand on my shoulder as he spoke.

"You want to know something?" he asked, a small smile working its way on his face. I nodded, refusing to lift my head from its spot. "You feeling all this guilt and pain, being able to empathise and feel these emotions is exactly why you're such an amazing profiler. These exact emotions should fuel us to stop people like the man who murdered their little girl. I am so sorry for your loss, I can't imagine how hard that must have been for you, and you had to deal with it all on your own. But remember, those events are what helped shape your life. Without them, your life would not be what it is today. Use those experiences to your advantage, no matter how rough or horrible. And please remember, If you ever feel scared or alone or overwhelmed, I will always be there for you, no matter what, ok?" He spoke softly, placing a small kiss on my head. I smiled as I shook my head. "You really are an amazing person Spencer Reid, thank you", I replied, smiling in return and walking away towards the parents, getting ready for the hardest things I would have to do.

"Mr and Mrs Becker?" I asked, peeking my head through the crack of the door, watching as the frightened couple got up, heading towards Spencer and me. "Yes, that's us," a small, petite older woman answered, her red cheeks stained with tears as her husband rubbed soothing circles on her back, refusing to let her go. "Please, sit down," Spencer spoke softly, his solemn gaze causing more tears to fall down the parents' faces.

I slowly made my way over to the set of parents, my heart aching as they held onto each other, tears glazing their sullen eyes. "Ma'am, sir, I am so sorry to have to tell you this but-" before I could even finish my sentence, a shrill sob tore through the room. Mrs Becker collapsed into her husband, her body shaking violently as she sobbed. Her husband, whose eyes were as bloodshot as his wife, was stifling his own cries, trying his best to console his wife. "I am so very sorry for your loss," I whispered, wringing my hands nervously. Spencer looked over to me, his soft and warm gaze immediately helping to soothe my aching heart.

"How do you even know it's our daughter? How do you know it's not some random child?" Mr Becker spoke up, his gaze hardening. Spencer was quick to speak up, sensing the hostility in his voice. "Sir, we cross-referenced her dental records as well as her DNA sample, and the body we found was your daughter. I am so sorry for your loss," he finished, scooting his chair closer to the couple.

"D-do you know who did this? Do you know who killed our baby girl?" Mrs Becker rasped, unwrapping herself from her husband's embrace. "Not at the moment Ma'am, that's actually why-" "Wait a god-damn minute here. You mean to tell us our daughter has been murdered and you are doing bumfuck about it? Just sitting on your fucking ass? My daughter is dead for Christ's sake! Isn't it your job to find out who the hell did this!?" The father screamed, standing up from the couch abruptly as he spoke. "Sir, please if you would just let me finish I-" "Let you finish!? You fucking bitch! You have no right to take that tone with me! So help me god-" "Sir, sit down now!" Reid and voice boomed over the emotional father.

My eyes had glazed over slightly, my heart racing as the man moved away from my face and back towards the couch. "As my colleague here was trying to tell you, we are currently investigating your daughter's death. Now, right now we need to know, did your daughter ever mention anyone following her? Maybe someone who was a little too friendly? Did you ever see someone who seemed to have taken a keen interest in your child?" Spencer asked, signalling for me to take out my pen and pad to take notes. Both parents shook their heads. I cleared my throat before continuing the questioning.

"Did either of you ever see someone who was spending an unusual amount of time with your daughter? Maybe at the park or at a soccer game? Possibly even after school or at the mall?" "No, our daughter is never out without one of us, and we always make sure to watch her. We love our baby; we're good parents," Mrs Becker whispered, her eyes watering once more. Without quite thinking, I reached out for her hand, grasping it softly between my palms.

"I do not doubt that for a second, Mrs Becker. I am so sorry your daughter is dead, and I swear it to you, we are going to everything in our power to find out who did this to your little girl; you have my word. I know you both are in a world of pain and anguish right now, and I wouldn't wish that upon anyone. Please, if you remember anything, or need to speak, give me a call," I smiled, placing my card in her soft hands. Looking up at me, Mrs Becker nodded, a sad smile gracing her lips. "You find out who took our little Susie, please," the father begged, nodding to both of us as we left the room.

Once outside, I immediately felt my throat loosen, allowing me to finally breathe properly. "Hey, you ok? It got pretty tense back there," Spencer's soft, velvety voice pulled me out of my trance. Looking up at the wondrous man in front of me, I smiled, my heart so full and warm the minute I looked into his eyes. "Yeah, I'm alright. I understand why the dad was so angry with me. I mean, I just told him his child was murdered and we don't even know by whom. I-I just wish it got easier..." I sighed, smiling softly as Spencer grabbed my hand, rubbing soothing circles on it as we went to the car, making our way to the other 2 victims' parents, hoping that at least one of them would be able to point us in the right direction.