Wildest Dreams

Chapter 19

Hotch and I enter the precinct and find that the other agents are already there. JJ and Emily have some files in their hands while Morgan and Rossi are lounging in the uncomfortable chairs, eating donuts for breakfast.

The thought to make myself a cup of coffee does not even cross my mind. There is far too much chatter in the back of my mind for my quieter ideas to be heard. All I can think of is Y/n and what will happen to her once we leave.

I can't leave her. I can't do that to her.

JJ, Emily, Hotch, and I pack up the files relatively quickly, with no help from Rossi and Morgan. Somehow I am tasked with moving the boxes into the SUVs. I strain as I carry the densely packed paper boxes down the stairs of the station and I pray to whoever is willing to listen that I don't trip.

When I return from putting the last box in the car, my eyes catch on the doorway to the holding cells. I hesitate for a moment, making sure no one is watching me before I walk briskly into the room.

"Y/n?", I whisper, not wanted to be loud in case she is sleeping.

"Spencer?", she replies at full volume.

I walk up to the bars and she meets me there. Her hair is messy from laying down and underneath her eyes are dark from a combination of lack of sleep and her smudged eye-makeup. Despite how worn down she looks, I would give anything to hold her in my arms.

"We're leaving soon", I tell her. Her eyes fall to the floor and she sighs defeatedly. "I'm sorry, Y/n."

"Don't be sorry", she says.

She leans against the concrete wall and slides down it until she hits the floor. I mirror her position and rest my chin in my hand.

"I'm going to try to get you out of here", I promise.

She reaches her hand through the bars and I immediately hold it in mine. The position is awkward and must be uncomfortable for her wrist, but I am overjoyed to finally be touching her like this in real life.

"I don't want to go", I whisper.

"I don't want you to go either. I want you to stay here with me", she says, matching my tone.

An idea pops into my head and I detangle my fingers from hers. I pull off my cardigan and ball it up before pushing it through the bars. She pulls her hand back to accept the sweater, but she looks confused.

"Why are you giving me this?", she asks.

"I can't forget you if you have my favorite sweater, right", I joke, trying to lighten the mood.

"You'll have to come back to get it because I don't plan on giving it up easily", she says with a smile, snuggling into the soft material.

"Reid!", I hear Morgan call.

I know it's time to go, but I'm not ready to leave her alone yet. I move my face against the cool metal to kiss her, but the bars are too close together. A giggle bubbles up from her throat and she squeezes my hand.

"Next time, you can kiss me for real", she laughs. I roll my eyes playfully and I press a kiss to the back of her hand.

"Reid, let's go!", Morgan calls again.

I reluctantly let go of her hand and stand up. I brush the dust from my dark pants and she goes the same from inside the cell.

"Goodbye, Spencer", she says sadly.

"I'll, um... see you later, probably", I chuckle nervously.

"Yeah, I hope we can finish what we started", she winks. My face flushes red and my mouth goes dry.

"Y-you were there, too?", I sputter.

"Don't worry, baby, you're secret's safe with me."

I stuff my hands into my pockets and bite my lip before turning to walk towards the exit. Just as I pass through the doorway, I turn around and give her one last shy wave before meeting the rest of the team in the parking lot.