#spencer woodbridge

[shadowworldwanderers]

Between You And I (The World Fades Away) – Spencer Woodbridge/Elizabeth Walker/Edward Woods

A/N: Fic 5 for @jmathesonandsiblings Spooky Season in the Barrens. Set sometime after Spencer left Elizabeth thinking he died. Spencer belongs to @jmathesonandsiblings, Edward and Elizabeth are mine.

“Spencer?” Elizabeth’s voice shudders with unshed tears even as Edward’s hand grips her hip his other hand clenches around his knife, her softness making him pause even as he takes his rival in. Spencer. Her other lover. “Who is…” “The one who dried her tears.” Edward’s voice is low, husky with rage and worry. Spencer steps closer and he adjusts his grip on the knife. He can’t let her go, not now… but perhaps… “A Rival…” “Or A lover…” Elizabeth’s voice is soft, hopeful, her eyes flickering between them both and Edward considers the man again, her hope is so gentle and bright he almost smiles, then shrugs, letting the knife drop, sizing the man up one more time before letting his lips press to Spencer’s. Spencer hesitates, noting the hope in Elizabeth’s eyes, the way that Edward’s lips feel against his own is new, pleasing in the warmth, the gentleness of it, his lips open a little, accepting the kiss before beckoning Elizabeth closer, the two kissing her before Spencer smiles at Edward. “She still a little whiner?” “Mmm, she’s learning to let go louder… maybe we can teach her to scream for us?”

[fortheloveofwonderland]

Somewhere to Belong | 3/3 | S.R

Part three of my Family Challenge fic.

Part 1 | Part 2

A/N - I am almost positive this is not how the adoption system works but hey, it’s fanfiction, I make my own rules.

Summary - You reveal your master plan to Spencer and the two of you begin on your journey together. Will you be able to help Spencer bring Wren home where she belongs? And when the time comes, will you have what it takes to walk away?

Pairing - Spencer Reid x BAU Fem! Reader

Warnings - confessed feelings, tears, mostly just domestic fluff, making out, allusions to sex but still SFW, crying child, swearing, happy ending.

WC - 9.4k

Part 3

The wheels of your plan had been slow turning, painfully so. You’d started to think you may never reach the end of this goddamn road. 

But finally after months, all the pieces had fallen into place. 

When you received the phone call you were already halfway out of the door before the person on the other end had even finished their sentence. It was the phone call you’d been waiting for, holding your breath every time the device rang. 

And now it had happened, it was time to go and see him. 

You drove out into the suburbs, a manilla folder full of paperwork in the passenger's seat. You parked next to the curb by the house with the canary yellow fence and green front door. 

Before you could exit the car you saw the door open and Spencer let someone out the house. The women had a briefcase and wore a smart pants suit. Definitely a social worker. 

You watched the woman head to her own car and once she was inside the vehicle and starting the engine you stepped out onto the street, bringing your folder with you.

As you headed for the yellow gate your phone buzzed in your pocket. Slowing your strides you retrieved it and read the text message on the screen. 

📱 Spencer Reid: I think it’s over. There’s another couple who have shown interest in adopting Wren and I don’t think I can compete with that. I’m ok, I’m not craving or anything. I just wanted you to know. 

You stuffed the device back in your pocket and looked up at the house, a single light coming from the downstairs window. 

Since you’d accompanied him to Beltway, the two of you had been in touch more regularly. Spencer texted you nearly every day and you spoke on the phone fairly often. 

You’d seen him a handful of times for coffee but you’d never been out to his home in Woodbridge. It was a really nice house, a family home just like the team had described to you. It was a complete one eighty from his old DC apartment. 

You unhooked the gate and slid past it, hugging the folder to your chest as you made your way along the front path and up the steps. 

Before you could talk yourself out of this, you knocked on the green front door. 

Soon you heard it being unlocked and then it tentatively opened. Spencer’s eyebrows knitted together in confusion when he saw you. 

“Y/N hi,” he opened the door slightly wider. “I just texted you.”

“I know, I was…in the neighbourhood?” You shrugged. “Can I come in?” 

“Yeah, of course.” He nodded, stepping aside to allow you entrance to his home. 

You walked inside while he shut the door behind you and you glanced around the living room. 

You recognised his leather couch and armchair from his old apartment as well as his record player and chess set. The coffee table was the same but other than that this was not the home you pictured Spencer Reid living in. 

He waited for you to take it in and only spoke again once you looked back at him. 

“Can I get you a drink or anything?”

“No, I’m good.” You nodded, feeling oddly nervous. 

He motioned for the couch and the two of you crossed the room together and sat side by side. You laid the manilla folder in your lap and ran your fingers over it. 

“Whatcha you got there?” He asked, nodding at the file. 

“Uh, well you see…” you trailed off, unable to find the words to communicate what you wanted to say. “How about you have a look.” 

You handed him the file. For a moment he just stared at it with a frown before he cautiously took it from your hand. 

He opened it and started one by one going through the pieces of paper inside. 

The first was an application with a large red stamp proclaiming APPROVED in the bottom right corner. There were several sheaths that documented personal information about you, health checks, financial records, questions and answers relating to your childhood. 

There was a rental agreement renewal for the address in which you lived which had gone unsigned as though you were hesitant in continuing your lease. 

Multiple pages he’d seen before, floor plans of his own home, summaries of home visits at this address. 

One sheet was a letter signed off by BAU Unit Chief Emily Prentiss agreeing to a cut in field hours. Two more sighed letters followed, both dictating what an upstanding human being you were, one signed by SSA Luke Alvez and the other Doctor Tara Lewis. 

He read through them quickly as you knew he would but it still somehow felt like a lifetime before he was neatly tucking the pages away and closing the file. He looked up at you, eyebrows furrowed heavily. 

“I don’t…” he swallowed, his hands starting to shake. “I don’t understand.” 

“Yes, you do.” You nodded. “You’re a genius aren’t you?”

“I…is this a joke?” His eyes flooded with unshed tears as he rolled his bottom lip between his teeth.

“It would be a pretty cruel thing to joke about.” You shrugged.

Spencer rubbed his eyes, trying to push away his tears before they could fall. 

“Just to confirm,” he swallowed thickly, his eyebrows still knitted together in his confusion. “Because I don’t want to misunderstand what’s happening here…”

“Spencer,” you placed your hand on his knee and he noticed you were shaking too. “I would do anything for you. Anything. If this can help you bring that little girl home, then I’ll do it.” 

“You…you’ve gotten approval from the adoption agency.” He croaked. 

“Yes.”

“You’ve done the interviews, cut down your hours at the BAU, not renewed your lease and had Alvez and Lewis write you character references.” 

“Yes.” You nodded. “I still don’t think I’m ready for a family, Spencer. But I can sign on as Wren’s adoptive mother on paper, just so you can get her home. Once she’s home and the paperwork is finalised they can’t take her away from you. We can figure out all the rest once you’ve got her home, I can terminate my rights or whatever. But by then it won’t matter.” 

“W-why would you…” he trailed off again, swallowing. “Why would you do that for me? That’s…crazy. Why would you want to go through all this trouble just so I can have a better chance of adopting Wren?” 

You inhaled really deeply, your chest heaving as you did so. Spencer blinked rapidly in an attempt to clear the new batch of tears from his eyes. 

“I should have said it back.” You mumbled with a shake of your head. “Months ago, you told me you loved me and I should have said it back. But instead I walked away and let you believe I didn’t feel that way about you. But I do. Just because we aren’t together doesn’t make that any less true. And if I can help you bring Wren home I will. Because I love you.” 

The room fell silent while Spencer worked to comprehend everything that was happening. His head spun as though he was drunk, making it harder for him to understand all of this.

This couldn’t have been some idea you’d just come up with, weeks if not months of work had gone into this. You were willing, on paper at least, to be Wren’s adoptive mother when you weren’t ready to have kids. 

You’d told Emily, Luke and Tara at the minimum of your plans. You were willing to give up your apartment, cut back your hours at a job you adored to help him. Because you loved him. You loved him so much you were willing to put his happiness before your own. 

“It’s too much.” He shook his head. “I can’t ask you to do all of this.” 

“Good job you never once asked then.” You smiled at him. “It’s all temporary. Once Wren is home I can pick back up my regular case load, I spoke to my landlord about subletting my apartment for a few months so I can move back in once everything is settled.”

“You plan to live here?” He suddenly made the connection. 

“Well I’ve got to live somewhere. And you know, us living in the same house gives the impression of a happy couple who want to adopt a child, don’t you think? It won’t be forever.” 

“What am I supposed to say to my social worker? I forgot to tell her that I had a partner?” Of course he’d try and pick holes in this, it was what Spencer Reid did best. 

“We say we were together but I didn’t think I was ready for a family. But now I am. We tell them I met Wren and fell in love with her and now we want to adopt her together. It’s pretty much what I wrote in my application.” You’d considered every outcome, every bump in the road.

“But you haven’t met Wren.” He shook his head. 

“So I will.” You chuckled. “Spence, stop trying to put blockers in the way when there aren’t any. Let me do this for you, please? Let me help you bring your little girl home.” 

Spencer stared at you silently, blinking frantically as he tried to understand what was happening. He didn’t want to get his hopes up only to have them dashed again but you seemed sincere. 

He still didn’t understand how you would be willing to go to such lengths for him but he supposed it didn’t matter. What mattered was you were willing to and he could use all the help he could get. 

Suddenly he threw himself forward, arms flying up to wrap around you. He pulled you close, holding you tightly as he started to loudly sob.

“T-thank you.” He cried into your shoulder as you returned his hug.

“You’re welcome, Spence. You’re so very welcome.” 

You continued to hold him while he sobbed, stroking his back in an attempt to calm him. It was over a half hour later when he finally shed all of his tears, sniffed heavily and sat back to look at you. 

“You really are my most favourite person.” He smiled shakily at you. 

If you didn’t love him so much there was no way you would have even considered helping him adopt a child even if it was only on paper. 

But love makes us do crazy things. And this might just be the craziest.

***

Two days later you anxiously sat in the passenger's seat of Spencer’s Volvo while he drove the two of you to Wren’s halfway home. 

You played with your hands in your lap, barely speaking as you tried to comprehend meeting this little girl who had become Spencer’s whole world. 

You’d agreed to tell Wren you were Spencer’s friend it was the truth and much less complicated than explaining everything to her. You would test the waters with her first, see how she felt about it before broaching it with the social worker. 

Your legs wobbled a little as you got out of the car and Spencer was regarding you curiously. 

“Are you sure about this?” He asked softly, his fingers brushing across your knuckles. 

“Yeah.” You forced a smile. “She means so much to you, I’m just worried she won’t like me.” 

“She’s going to love you. Trust me.” 

The look he was giving you made your stomach coil into knots. Your knees buckled and your heart yearned for him. 

It was such a cruel world that you could be so in love with someone yet not be destined to each other. 

As you started towards the building he slipped his hand in yours and it was so easy to pretend this wasn’t all for show. 

He led you inside, saying his hellos to some of the people working in the halfway home, clearly he’d been here a lot. He carried on through to a larger room filled with kids of all ages, your heart bled for them all. 

As your eyes cast around the room, you were quickly snapped back around when you heard someone calling Spencer’s name. 

“Spencer! Spencer!” 

You looked back just in time to see a head of dark curls you remembered from when you’d seen her sleeping on Spencer’s lap at the BAU running right towards the two of you. 

He let go of your hand so he could outstretch his arms for the girl who happily fell into them. 

“Missed you.” She tucked herself in his arms. 

“I missed you too, pumpkin.” He sighed in content as he hugged her. 

You watched the way he seemed to light up the moment Wren was nearby, how all the weight he carried on his shoulders slipped away. As he cuddled the five year old, he seemed at peace. 

And you knew you were doing the right thing. 

Wren stepped back from his embrace and looked up at you, head tilted to the side in a curious fashion and little dark eyebrows furrowed. 

“Who are you?” She asked, pouting a little. 

“This is my friend, Y/N.” Spencer spoke for you. “Y/N, this is Wren.” 

“Why is she here?” Wren looked back at Spencer in concern. 

“I thought you’d like to meet her.” Spencer’s tone completely changed when he spoke to her, you’d never heard him like it before. 

It was soft and sweet, obviously it relaxed the young girl. Usually. But it was clear by the concerned expression in her face it wasn’t working today. 

“But I like spending time with you.” Her lip jutted out. 

“I’m still here aren’t I?” Spencer chuckled, tucking a rogue strand of her hair back off of her rosy face. 

“Hey Wren,” you crouched down so you were the same height as her, garnering her attention. “I heard you love Halloween?” 

She looked between Spencer who was still standing at his full height and back to you before looking back at him again. 

“It’s ok,” he encouraged her with a smile. 

She looked back at you once more, a hint of scepticism in her bright eyes. 

“Yes.” She nodded feverishly. 

“And you love books too, right?” 

“Yes.” She nodded again. 

“Well that’s perfect because I just so happen to have a book all about Halloween!” You grinned at her whilst reaching into your purse.

Spencer frowned a little, you hadn’t mentioned this on the drive over. He watched as you pulled a book out of your bag, a brightly coloured hardback depicting cartoon pictures of ghosts, witches and monsters getting ready for a spooky party. 

The title read The Night Before Halloween. 

Neither of you could tell what Wren was thinking, for a five year old she was amazing at masking her expression even though she probably didn’t realise she was doing it. 

She looked from the book to your eyes then to Spencer and around in the same loop a few times before settling on Spencer. 

“Do you want me to read it to you?” He asked her, trying to prompt her to speak. 

“No.” Wren shook her head and turned back to you.

You tried to hide your disappointment. This was your only play, your only way in with her and you’d blown it. 

But then the little girl smiled at you. 

“I want Y/N to read it to me.” She reached out her little hand for you and you pushed yourself back up to your full height and took it. 

She led you over to the couch with Spencer following close behind. You glanced at him over your shoulder and he was smiling at you as he mouthed the words, good job.

***

Two more visits with Wren and she had warmed up to you the same way he had with Spencer. By the third visit she even hugged you. 

And you saw exactly why Spencer loved her. 

By the time September rolled around you’d moved into Spencer’s suburban home - in the spare room - and had multiple visits with Jenny who struggled to grasp what was happening at first. 

Understandably she was sceptical about your sudden involvement but after more rigorous interviews she started to warm up the same way Wren had. 

As you weren’t travelling with the team so much anymore and mostly working cases out of Quantico, you and Spencer spent a lot of time together. 

He was always home before you, his classes at Marlborough never running past four pm. And as much as you hated to admit it, having someone to come home to everyday was delightful in its domesticity.

When you did travel with the team, usually around every one in four cases, Spencer would call you everyday and send you photographs of him and Wren when he visited her. 

Spencer was learning to cook for Wren so the poor girl didn’t have to live off of cereal, coffee and ice cream, or as you always referred to it: The Doctor Reid Diet. 

He tried out his new recipes on you and at least eighty percent of them were edible. 

You’d been allowed to take Wren out on more day trips, with Jenny in tow of course. The two of you took her to museums and book stores and ice cream parlours; to the park, once to a carnival and anywhere else her little imagination could think to go.

It was midway into October when you arrived back from a case in Florida in which you’d been gone for six days. You knew Spencer had waited up for you as he’d called you to tell you he would. 

When you let yourself in the green front door of the house that was feeling more like a home by the day, it wasn’t the messy haired genius who met you. 

What did meet you certainly had messy hair, but its dopey expression told you it was no genius. 

The creature trotted over to you, tongue hanging out of its slightly lopsided mouth and offered you a single bark whilst nuzzling against your shin. 

You stared at the scruffy dog using your leg as a scratching post with wide eyes. Somewhere in the house you heard footsteps and you glanced up to see Spencer appearing from the kitchen. 

“Hey, how was your day?” He smiled at you, completely ignoring the confusion on your face. 

“Uh, it was perfectly normal until I came home and was greeted by this.” You pointed down at the mutt who was staring expectantly at you. 

“He. Not this.” Spencer padded over and quickly scooped up the small, messy animal in his arms. “This is Rover.” 

Rover licked Spencer’s cheek and much to your confusion, the germaphobe didn’t even bat an eyelid. 

“Last I checked Rover was a stuffed animal. This creature seems to be very much alive.” 

“Wren decided she wanted a dog. I said we could go to the pound and look, just look. But, uh, she kinda fell in love with this little guy and I can’t say no to her.” He shrugged, scratching Rover behind his ear. 

“So you now have a dog.” You hung your bag up by the door.

“We have a dog.” 

“Oh no.” You shook your head, walking past him towards the kitchen. “I’m outta here once Wren’s home. The dog is your problem.” 

Spencer placed the creature, which you thought more resembled a gremlin than a dog, on the floor and followed you. 

“He’ll grow on you.” 

“He most certainly won’t. I’m a cat person. And last I checked you weren’t all that keen on dogs either.” 

“But Wren is. So I guess I’m a dog person now.” He leant against the counter in the kitchen while you grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge. 

You turned back to look at him as you uncapped it. You had a curious smile on your lips.

“What? What’s that look for?” He frowned a little.

“It’s just funny,” you took a sip. “Six months ago I would never have imagined either of us to be here.” 

“Me either.” He agreed with a smile. 

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this happy before.” 

“I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy before.” He started towards you. “You’re a big part of that, you know? I know this is all for show and we’re just doing this until Wren is home, but, uh…I like having you here.” 

“It’s not all for show.” You placed the bottle on the counter behind you as you felt a little dizzy with the way Spencer was looking at you. 

“No?” He reached you, stopping a few feet in front of you. 

“I like being here too.” You confessed, your legs shaking a little due to the look he was currently giving you. 

“I’m glad.” He swallowed and your eyes were drawn to his Adam’s apple and the way it bobbed deliciously beneath his flesh. “I’m, uh, I’m on the verge of doing something very dumb.”

“How do you know it’s dumb until you do it?” You had a pretty good idea of what he was talking about. 

“Because I’m a genius and my brain is screaming how dumb it would be.” He chuckled, stepping even closer to you. 

“Maybe for once, don’t listen to your brain, Spence.” 

To encourage him, you reached for him, placing your hand on his shoulder. He swallowed again as he stepped nearer to you still. 

Cautiously he raised his own hands and placed them on the sides of your face, eyes darting back and forth between your eyes and your lips. 

“Don’t listen to my brain?” He whispered, wanting confirmation.

“Just this one time.” You offered him a smile and it was all he needed to close the space between you. 

When his lips gently brushed against your own, your hand quickly moved from his shoulder to the back of his neck to keep him close.

You parted your lips and he replied in kind by deepening the kiss. 

He pushed his body flush against you, pressing you into the counter. He held your face delicately but soon the kiss was growing frantic. 

It wasn’t at all long before he was manoeuvring you away from the counter and towards the kitchen door, never tearing his lips from yours. Not at least until his back collided with the door.

He broke the kiss and started to laugh, you did the same. He reached behind him and opened the door, taking your hand pulling you along with him.

The two of you were giggling like a couple of teenagers as you ascended the stairs, neither of you paying much mind to the dog asleep in his bed. 

He led you to his room and once inside he pushed you back against the wall and kissed you ardently again.  

He rolled his hips against yours so you could feel the bulge in his slacks and you moaned into his mouth. 

And then he was leading you to his bed as he helped you out of your clothes. 

It was only then as you lay beneath you realised how much you’d missed him. And you knew when or if the time came for Wren to come home and this little domestic bubble popped, it was going to be hard to drag yourself away. 

***

You fell asleep wrapped in Spencer’s arm after several hours and multiple orgasms. When you woke in the morning he was already awake, staring at you with a smile on his face. 

“Hey,” he stroked your messy hair behind your ear.

“Hey yourself.” You smiled back, inching closer and placing a gentle kiss on his lips.

“Last night was…” he trailed off searching for the right word but finding none that did it justice. 

“Amazing?” You laughed lightly.

“That’s certainly one word for it.” He agreed, hand cupping your cheek. “So I don’t wanna be the kind of person that asks this but, uh…did that mean something? Was it just sex or did it mean something? Because I would…uh…I’d really like it to have meant something.” 

His nerves were tangled in his words and you could see in his eyes that he hated asking you this. You smiled and ran your fingertips lightly over his bicep. 

“Well I guess that…” you were stopped by the sound of Spencer’s phone ringing and he pulled a face of frustration. 

“Shoot,” he let go of your face. “To be continued?” 

You nodded and watched him roll over, grabbing his cell phone off the nightstand and putting it to his ear while sitting up on the edge of the mattress. 

“Doctor Reid,” he spoke and then was silent for a moment or two and his back straightened. “Seriously? You…I…seriously? Uh, yeah of course. Today? Gosh…yes. Ok. Ok. Thank you. Goodbye.” 

His hand holding the phone fell to his lap limply but other than that he didn’t move. You rolled closer to him with a frown, wrapping an arm around his waist when you were close enough.

He slowly turned his head to look at you and you couldn’t read his expression.

“Spence?” You croaked. “Is everything ok?” 

He exhaled through parted lips, his eyes widening a little before he slowly started to nod. 

“Y-yeah,” his voice cracked. “Yeah everything’s great. That was Jenny. Apparently we’ve been approved for placement under supervision for Wren. It might not be permanent and Jenny will visit every week. But they wouldn’t let us bring her home if there wasn’t a strong possibility of us being able to adopt her. She’s coming home, Y/N. Our little girl is coming home.”

His tears overflowed when he reached the end of his speech and the smile that adorned his lips was brighter than the sun and all the stars in the sky combined. 

You jumped up and threw yourself into his lap, wrapping your arms tightly around him. 

“Oh gosh Spence, that’s great!” You felt your own tears well in your eyes as he held you. 

And for some reason when he called her our little girl, it didn’t freak you out in the slightest, 

***

Wren was an excitable blur of hand gestures and bounces in her seat as Spencer drove the three of you home later that afternoon. 

She’d only ever seen photographs of the room Spencer had put together for her and she was buzzing to see it with her own eyes. 

It was only once he got close to home driving through the neighbourhood she had lived with her parents whom she watched die, that she clammed up.

You sat in the back of the car with her and watched the way her eyes turned down at the corners as she looked out the window at the familiar houses. 

You reached out to her, held her hand.

“It’s ok if you miss them, Wren.” You whispered and her head whipped around to face you.

She was gnawing on her bottom lip, perhaps trying to stop from pouting. 

“But I don’t want to make you and Spencer sad.” She spoke in equally hushed tones. 

“Hey now silly girl,” Spencer’s right hand appeared between the front seats, blindly reaching for her knee. “You could never make us sad. You have no idea how happy you make us, pumpkin.” 

“But you will miss your mommy and daddy and we want you to be able to tell us when you do, ok?” You added, squeezing her hand. 

“O-ok.” She nodded, turning back out of the window. 

Soon enough Spencer pulled the car to a stop outside of the house with the canary yellow fence and green front door. 

He exited the car and rushed around to open Wren’s door while you unbuckled her seatbelt. He lifted her in his arms, spun her around twice, and planted her on her feet on the sidewalk. 

She instantly reached for you both, gripping Spencer’s hand in her left and yours in her right. 

You and Spencer shared a smile over her head as you led her up to the front door. 

The second the door was open a messy haired small mutt ran at full pelt towards the three of you, practically crashing straight into Wren. 

She giggled and threw her arms around the dog. 

“Rover!” She screeched, burying her face into his matted fur. 

Spencer took her bag from her and unzipped it, pulling out the toy Rover and holding him out towards the girl and her dog. 

“Rover meet Rover.” He spoke and Wren beamed brightly as she took the toy from him. 

She held it in front of the real dog's face and he licked the toy feverishly, making Wren giggle again. 

“I think they’re going to be friends!” She cheered happily. 

“That’s a relief.” Spencer chuckled, hand naturally slipping in yours. 

“Would the Rover’s like to see your new room, honey?” You asked Wren, entwining your fingers with Spencer’s.

“I think so!” She jumped up and down. “Come on big Rover, come on little Rover.”

You and Spencer shared another smile as you led the way, hand in hand, up the stairs and towards the room at the end of the hall. 

One of the Rover’s was held by Wren around his neck while the other followed of his own accord. You both stepped aside and motioned for Wren to open the door. 

She looked positively giddy with excitement as she reached for the handle. She pushed open the door and Spencer reached inside to flick the lights on. 

Her eyes widened as a dozen strings of pumpkin fairy lights cast their glow across the warm autumnal walls, thick cream carpet and everything in between. 

She took a few steps inside the room and the two of you watched her eyes flicker between the My Little Pony bed sheets, her name placard above the bed, the bookshelf stuffed full of books, another shelf packed with stuffed animals. 

They moved between the dog bed meant for little Rover which big Rover was now already making his way to, to the dresser under the window with a little mirror and her very own chess set. 

They made their way to the wardrobe which Spencer had stencilled with falling leaves and little brown birds of her namesake. 

Her eyes danced from here to there, there to here and back again. When they finally came to a stop on you and Spencer, they were full of tears. 

“This is…for me?” Her bottom lip pouted. 

“I don’t know any other little girls called Wren.” Spencer smiled at her. 

She suddenly dove at the two of you, one arm wrapping around each of you and nuzzling between you. You felt her small frame racking with sobs and it made your heart melt. 

“T-thank you.” She cried, squeezing you both as tightly as she could. “I love you.” 

You looked at Spencer, you both had tears welling in your own eyes. 

And god dammit if you didn’t love her too. 

***

The three of you ate ice cream for dinner on the floor of her bedroom at Wren’s insistence. 

You and Spencer played with her and her new collection of stuffed toys, as well as the real life Rover before you took turns reading to her until she finally fell asleep. 

Rover was already curled up in the dog bed at the foot of Wren’s bed so you left him there and the two of you quietly crept from the room. 

With the day's events you hadn’t had a chance to talk about what happened last night and now you were in the corridor, you weren’t sure what room to go to. 

Clearly Spencer didn’t either. 

He awkwardly scuffed the toe of his candy corn print sock on the carpet whilst rolling his lip between his teeth. 

“Should we, uh…talk?” He shrugged. 

“Most likely, yes.” You nodded and silently he led the two of you back downstairs to the living room. 

You were both quiet, not meeting the others' gaze as you sat in the armchair and him on the couch. The air was thick with tension, and you didn’t even know where to begin with this conversation.

“I know you don’t want to be Wren’s mom.” He suddenly blurted out. “And I’d never ask you to. But I love you and last night was…it was perfect. I don’t want to choose between having you and Wren in my life. I know it wouldn’t be easy because if everything goes to plan I will have a child at the end of it. You think there’s any chance you’d want to date a single dad?” 

He was talking so fast all of his words merged into one and it took you a few moments to ascertain what he was saying. But before you could really catch up, he was talking again.

“We get Wren home permanently, you can give up your rights just like you planned. You move out and you go back to your normal case load but maybe…maybe we can work things out? I know it won’t be easy but I don’t care. 

You clearly mean a lot to Wren and I know she would love it if you were still a part of her life after all this, even if it’s not as her adoptive mother. And I hope that you can still be part of my life. As my partner, my one true love. 

Wren will be my reasonability, I won’t expect anything from you in regards to her. But I don’t want to be without you, even if it means our life is separate from my life with Wren. I don’t think it’s entirely beyond the realms of possibility to think we could make it work. I just think-”

“Spencer,” you had to cut him off or he would spend the next hour rambling. “I don’t think it’s entirely beyond the realms of possibility either.” 

“You…you don’t?” He inhaled sharply.

“It’s not going to be easy,” you pushed yourself up and moved slowly closer to him. When you reached him you lowered yourself so you were sitting in his lap. “It’s going to be hard in fact, really hard. But dating a single dad doesn’t sound like the worst idea in the world. Especially when that single dad is you.” 

His hands glided across your back, settling on your shoulder blades and holding you firmly in place, 

“We’ll make it work.” He smiled at you, inching closer.

“We’ll make it work.” You repeated just as his lips pressed against yours. 

***

The day after Wren was placed with you and Spencer, he and the little girl started excitedly decorating the house for Halloween which was two weeks away. 

The house was a menagerie of fake cobwebs which you kept walking into, strings of little ghosts hanging in every doorway. A newly carved pumpkin appeared on the porch every single day you returned home from work. 

By the time Halloween rolled around the three of you had fallen into somewhat of a routine. 

You had tried to distance yourself from parental activities, as soon as the paperwork was finalised you would be moving out and you didn’t want Wren to get too used to you being around. 

The last thing you wanted to do was confuse a child who had already lost her biological parents. 

Spencer dropped her at school on the way to Marlborough everyday and picked her up on his way home. 

He cooked dinner which the two of them ate together and he saved leftovers for when you arrived home. 

Nine times out of ten Wren was already in bed by the time you got home from Quantico which helped. It also gave you alone time with Spencer. 

Usually you wouldn’t even be in the door more than ten minutes before he was leading you to the bedroom. You’d been sleeping in his room since Wren had come home, although there was usually little sleeping happening. 

You’d both quickly learnt how to be quiet, not wanting to further traumatise the girl by having her hear the two of you having sex. 

The routine seemed to work for the three of you, it allowed Spencer and Wren to grow closer whilst allowing you and Spencer to grow closer. 

On Halloween night you got out of work slightly earlier but still expected Spencer and Wren to be out trick or treating. 

He’d promised the little girl months ago to take her and she’d been so excited for tonight, talking about it non stop since she’d come home with you. 

He wanted to make her a costume and you tried to teach Spencer how to sew but when that didn’t work you showed him how YouTube worked so he could learn that way. 

He’d slaved over creating her a pumpkin costume which was a little lopsided and probably could have been neater but he was so proud of his creation. 

Wren had insisted he dress up too so you arrived home to find Dracula in your living room. 

“What happened to trick or treating?” You asked as you stepped in the door and hung your jacket up.

“Oh hey,” he smiled brightly as soon as he saw you, moving closer to you. He went to kiss you but then remembered the fake blood on his mouth and refrained. “We’re about to leave, Wren is just getting dressed.” 

“Did she love her costume?” 

“You have no idea. I’ve never heard a five year old scream before and I’m not sure it’s something I want to relive in a hurry.” He chuckled, straightening up his cape. “Now you’re home you can join us.”

“I don’t think so.” You shook your head. 

“Oh come on, she’d love it if you came.” Spencer gave you his puppy dog eyes which you tried to ignore. 

“You’re the parent.” You reminded him. “And besides, someone should stay home with Rover.”

“Rover is ten years old and sleeps all day.” Spencer rolled his eyes. “He’ll be fine.”

“I don’t know. I just-” 

You were cut off by the sound of Wren running down the stairs. When she appeared in her pumpkin costume, complete with orange painted face, she was smiling from ear to ear.

“Y/N!” She jumped up and down excitedly. “I’m a pumpkin!” 

“Oh wow, you look great!” You cheered. 

She beamed, happily showing off her costume like a proud parent. 

“Are you coming trick or treating with us?” She asked with expectant green eyes. 

“I don’t think so, sweetheart.” 

“Please! You have to come!” She jiggled, rocking back and forth on the balls of her feet. 

“Yeah Y/N,” Spencer smirked at you. “You have to.” 

“I don’t have a costume.” You shrugged. 

“Leave that to me.” Spencer stepped closer to you and took hold of your hand. “Wren give us five minutes and we’ll head out, ok?” 

“Ok!” She nodded, moving aside so Spencer could lead you upstairs. 

You let him lead you to the bedroom, which he’d done countless times before but you knew this wasn’t for the reasons you would like. 

“I took the liberty of picking something up for you at the costume store when I was getting mine.” He let go of your hand so he could open the closet. 

“Of course you did.” You sighed. 

He pulled out an outfit in a costume bag and turned it to face you. Inside was sheathed all the makings of a witches costume. 

A long, flowy purple crushed velvet dress with long, billowy sleeves. A black wig. A pointy hat. 

You rolled your eyes as you took it from him, trying to ignore the stupid look on his face. 

“Fine, I will wear it. But you are not painting my face.” 

“Deal.” He grinned, in a smug way knowing he’d won.

***

Ten minutes later the three of you were out the door. Dracula, the witch and the pumpkin. 

Wren was full of excitement as she skipped on just ahead of you, swinging her little bucket she hoped to fill with candy. 

“She’s your problem when she won’t sleep tonight because she’s hopped up on sugar.” You spoke as Spencer slipped his hand in yours. 

“Fair enough.” He chuckled, eyes never leaving the back of the curly haired pumpkin. “Thank you for coming.”

“Did I have a choice?” You joked. 

Spencer briefly glanced at the side of your face before focusing back on Wren who was now making her way up a front porch of one of your neighbours houses. The two of you hung back by the gate. 

“You don’t like spending time with her.” He looked back at you while Wren was busy getting her candy. 

“That’s not true. I love spending time with her, she’s an amazing kid. But I don’t want her to get used to me being around all the time. She lost her mom and dad, I don’t want her to see me as a parental figure only to lose me too.” 

Spencer’s hand slipped from yours and he quickly pocketed both of his hands. You frowned at him as he turned away from you. 

“Right. Of course.” He watched Wren smile and thank Mrs Taylor for the candy. 

“What? What’s that supposed to mean?” You glared at him.

“Nothing. I just forget sometimes what a hardship this is for you.” 

“Spencer, I never said-”

“What did you get, pumpkin?” He cut you off as Wren came running back over, his tone lightening as he regarded her. 

Wren showed off her haul and soon you were continuing on. Spencer walked with Wren now, holding her free hand while you hung back. 

It shouldn’t come as a surprise that this would get complicated. But why did it? 

***

The night ended worse than it started. When your rounds of the neighbourhood took you past the old Briar house, the home where Wren watched her parents die, it came to an abrupt end with tears. 

Spencer carried her home while she sobbed in his arms. He put her to bed and spent a long time coddling her while she cried for her parents. 

He found you in the living room, your wig and hat on the coffee table. You stood from the couch when he entered the room. 

“I don’t really feel like company tonight so maybe you should just stay in the guest room.” His jaw was clenched tightly as he spoke. 

“Right, sure.” You nodded. 

He turned away from you, started towards the stairs before quickly turned back around.

“You know what actually, maybe you should look into moving back into your apartment. This place is kinda crowded. You only need to be here when Jenny visits anyway, there’s no point in you being here all the time. And that way Wren won’t get attached to you and it’ll make it easier all round.” He turned again but before he could get too far you grabbed him by the wrist. 

“Spencer, please don’t say that. We talked about this, we had a plan, we-”

“Stop it, please.” He cut you off. “I can’t do this right now, ok? I have a little girl upstairs who I had to rock to sleep because she couldn’t stop crying about her dead parents. I don’t have the mental capacity to deal with all this right now.” 

“Fine.” You clenched your jaw to stop the tears falling. “But let me just say it isn’t fair for you to act this way when we had an agreement. You knew what my involvement was going to be in all of this and the plan was never for me to be her mother!” 

“The plan?” He suddenly spat. “The goddamn plan? You make it sound so clinical!”

“I thought it was.” You rolled your eyes. “Did you expect that I was going to wake up one day and change my mind? Was that what you hoped for here? That I’d play happy families and realise this is what I wanted?”

“Yes,” he shrugged. “Yes, that's exactly what I hoped would happen. Excuse me for believing that two people who are as in love as I thought we were could raise a child together.” 

“Maybe I should move out.” 

“Good.”

“Great.” 

“I’ll help you pack.” With that he turned again and this time you let him go. 

You watched as he ascended the staircase, clearly wanting to make more noise about it but not wanting to wake Wren. 

Once you heard his bedroom door shut you fell back to the couch and your tears unleashed. 

What had possessed you into thinking this would be a good idea? You’d wanted to help Spencer and never once stopped to think of the ramifications. 

Like it or not you and Wren had grown close, despite your best efforts. Your leaving would be hard on her. And it would be hard on you too.

You’d come to care for that little girl even though you’d tried so hard not to. You weren’t ready to be a mom, or so you thought, but Wren had wormed her way into your heart. 

And now you were going to lose her and Spencer through your own stubbornness. 

Well done, Y/N, you thought to yourself as you cried. You’ve really gone and fucked this up. 

***

The following day Spencer dropped Wren off at school, thankfully in a much brighter mood than she had been the previous night. 

You both had the day off work for Jenny’s weekly visit and if she noticed the awkwardness between the two of you she didn’t mention it. 

Spencer was amazing at keeping his emotions in check when he needed to and even you believed he was happy. 

You sat amicably and drank tea while Spencer filled the social worker in on your Halloween night, glossing over all the bad parts. 

It struck you that Jenny wasn’t taking notes like usual, didn’t even have her notebook out. You weren’t sure if Spencer noticed or not or if he was too busy pretending he had the perfect family to notice. 

When the tea dried up along with the conversation, Jenny pulled a manilla envelope out of her briefcase and proffered it forward. 

Spencer took it with a frown, in the corner in black ink it read simply: Re: Wren Briar - Reid Y/L/N.

“Uh,” he ran his fingers over the envelope and looked up at Jenny with a frown. “What is this?” 

Jenny smiled softly, a smile that reached all the way to her eyes. 

“Congratulations,” she spoke sincerely. “That is your official adoption papers. Wren is now formally in the care of the two of you.” 

You felt a flurry of emotions all at once and you didn’t know which one to focus on. But you were distracted from that when Spencer, out of nowhere, started sobbing. 

“S-seriously?” He stuttered, tears streaming from his eyes. 

“Seriously, Doctor Reid.” Jenny smiled. “I know it’s been a long and difficult process, but it’s over now.”

“Oh my god.” He grabbed your hand and squeezed it tightly. “Oh my god.” 

Seeing the happiness on Spencer’s face made your own tears fall and you gripped him tightly. 

“We did it, Spence. We did it.” You cried. 

Jenny saw herself out as the two of you continued to cry. At some point Spencer wrapped you in his arms and sobbed into your shoulder while you did the same into his chest. 

Eventually both your tears started letting up and he sat back and wiped the stains on your cheek. He was smiling shakily at you and you returned the gesture. 

“Don’t leave.” He whispered, voice cracking with emotion. “Please don’t leave. I don’t want to do this without you. I know this wasn’t part of the plan but-”

“Screw the plan.” You cut him off. “Plans change. I can’t ignore the feeling of elation and relief I felt when Jenny told us. Goddamnit I love Wren, I love her so much. And I want to be her mother, Spencer, I really want that.” 

“You…” he choked. “You do?”

“Yes. This wasn’t the life I envisioned for myself but life isn’t straightforward. Things happen, plans change. I found my family. And it’s you and Wren.” You smiled as your tears started up again.

Spencer was quick to tug you back into his arms and hold you tighter than you’d ever been held before. He nuzzled against your neck and placed soft kisses on your flesh. 

“I love you so much.” He cried. “And I love our little found family.” 

You stayed like this for some time, until you needed to pick Wren up from school. For the first time you and Spencer went together. 

When you told her the news she jumped up and down and squeezed you both as tightly as her little arms would allow and it filled your heart to the brim. 

There was no doubt in your mind that this was where you were supposed to be. 

As she planted big sloppy kisses on yours and Spencer’s cheeks, you heard him whisper, welcome to the family little pumpkin. 

***

Four Months Later

The noise from the backyard filtered in through the open door, little voices chattering, the occasional screech of excitement, giggle from tiny lungs and small feet pitter pattering in the grass. 

You poured yourself a glass of water and sipped from it while you observed the chaos. 

It was Wren’s sixth birthday and damn near every child in her school had descended on your home. The BAU team members and their kids were all in attendance and you wondered if your garden would ever be the same again. 

There was a bounce house in one corner, a magician in the other - for which Spencer had begrudged paying for when he could have done it himself. 

You’d insisted he wanted to be more present for the event, really enjoy the memories made today on her first birthday as your daughter. 

Rover had long ago distanced himself from children pulling his matted fur and retired to his bed in Wren’s room. You couldn’t blame him, you’d half contemplated joining him. 

You were exhausted from all the planning, from the demands of motherhood and still trying to hold down your job at the BAU, albeit only part time now. 

You hadn’t even stopped to consider how tiring the party would actually be. 

You felt a presence behind you and spun on your heels to find Spencer smiling at you as he sidled up to you. He moved in close and placed a chaste kiss on your lips.

“Are you as tired as I am?” He chuckled. 

“I don’t think anyone is as tired as you, you’re the life and soul of this party.” You teased him. “I saw Wren dragging you on to the bounce house.” 

“It’s been a long time since my old knee injury hurt this bad.” He grumbled a little. “But it’s worth it to see her happy.” 

“I can’t believe she’s six already. The months are flying by.” You sighed wistfully. 

“She’ll be eighteen and going off to college any day now.” He laughed.

“Bringing boys home.”

“Don’t you dare!” He gasped. “Do not put that idea in my head.”

“Sorry,” you smiled sweetly. “It’s a long way off.” 

“It better be.” He shook his head. 

“So, uh…I got you something.” You reached behind you and grabbed the small, neatly wrapped gift off of the kitchen counter. 

Spencer frowned at it as he took it somewhat cautiously. 

“You got me a gift? For our daughter's birthday?” He ran his fingertips over the wrapping paper curiously. 

“Just open it and be grateful.” You rolled your eyes playfully. 

Still with a frown on his face, Spencer tore the gift wrap, the same kind as you used to wrap the obscene amount of gifts you’d brought Wren. 

You held your breath and waited, your nerves getting the better of you and you leaned back against the counter top as your legs shook a little. 

Spencer’s deft fingers made quick work of the paper, tossing it aside like the excited six year old had with her own gifts. 

Once opened he stared at the item in his hand. Approximately five inches long. Thin. Hard plastic. 

You watched him stare at it as if it was a completely foreign object, patiently waiting for him to look up, to say something. 

His hands started to tremble and when he finally did look up at you, tears swam in his eyes. 

“Is this…for real?” His voice cracked with emotion as he spoke. 

“It’s like the fifth one I took so I’m fairly certain.” You nodded, feeling your own eyes fill with tears. “Wren’s going to be a big sister.” 

Pregnancy test still in hand, he suddenly threw his arms around you and squeezed you so tightly you felt the air leave your lungs. 

“We’re having another child?” He whispered against your neck.

“This family just keeps growing.” You laughed as you wrapped him in your arms. 

You wiped away your tears, not wanting to be seen crying at Wren’s birthday party. But soon your moment was over, and you were being forced away from each other. 

“Mommy, daddy, is it time for cake?” Wren’s voice carried in from the garden.

You sprung apart and stared at each other, a new batch of tears in both of your eyes for completely different reasons. 

“Did she just…” you breathed, voice slightly horse.

“I think so.” Spencer sniffed, a delighted smile on his face. 

Thus far Wren had always called you both by your names which was entirely understandable. Spencer had always told her she could call you mom and dad if and when she felt it was right. 

“As if this day wasn’t perfect enough.” He wiped his eyes, pocketing the pregnancy test after giving it one last look. 

“We better go, daddy.” You winked at him and went to pass him but he grabbed you by the waist. 

“Oh jeez, why is that so hot when you say it?” He growled, bowing his head and placing kisses on your neck, making you giggle. 

“Really?” You smirked. 

“Really.” He hissed, stepping back and nodding to his crotch where you can instantly see the bulge forming in his slacks. 

“Hmm, I’ll bear that in mind daddy.” You chuckled and he let out a soft low moan.

But before he could reply, you were summoned again. 

“Mommy, daddy!” Wren hollered from the yard. 

“Ok, not so sexy anymore.” He shook his head, stepping further back. “I’ll get the cake.”

“I’ll get my phone so I can film you and your horrible singing.” You gently kissed his cheek before he walked away. 

Spencer lit the six candles on the pumpkin shaped birthday cake and cautiously carried it through to the yard while he began singing happy birthday. 

All the kids and adults joined in as Wren beamed from ear to ear as all eyes were on her. You held your cellphone steady, hovering by the back door where you filmed the chorus.

When the song was over everybody cheered and Wren sucked in a huge breath before blowing out the candles. 

You watched on as Spencer placed a kiss in her messy dark hair and she smiled brightly at her dad in return. 

You couldn’t take your eyes off the two of them, Wren bouncing excitedly in her chair while Spencer went about cutting the cake into slices for all the children. 

Spencer handed her the first slice and she gorged on it, stuffing the cake in her mouth and leaving icing smudged around her lips.

It was crazy how much things had changed in such a short space of time. Six months ago you never would have pictured yourself here, a mother to a six year old and growing another child inside of you. 

Life has a funny way of giving us exactly what we want at exactly the wrong time. But for you and Spencer and Wren, the world had worked its magic and done you all the biggest favour. 

It had given the three of you the kind of love you all so sorely needed, it had offered a home to three people who were out in the cold. It had created a family, who in eight months time would have a new addition to it. 

Ultimately all we really strive for in life is to find somewhere to belong, and although it may have been unexpected, it was safe to say that you, Spencer and Wren had found that somewhere with each other. 

@ultragirrl @wittlewowa @bxtchopolis @coldheartedmar

[survivorofhellskitchen]

⛓️

@dctrreids

No one was listening to her. Spencer had told her about a killer he believed was terrorizing Woodbridge, VA. Police didn't believe there was a connection between the killings, but Spencer was convinced their was, and in her own digging, Karen was too.

They told him to drop it, but Spencer being Spencer couldn't, and the truth was if Karen was in his shoes she wouldn't either. So he kept digging...and he got too close.

It had been nine days since Karen arrived in Virginia. Fifteen since anyone had last heard from Spencer. Since then, Karen kept digging, remembering an abandoned barn the fifth victim was found less than a mile away from- wearing the same markings as the previous victims.

Cerulean hues stare at the barn, fingers clutching the steering wheel as she tried to gather up enough courage to go inside. ".....You're going to be fine," Karen whispers softly to herself before grabbing her handgun and got out of her car.

Feet crunch on the dry fall grass as she makes her way to the barn, her gun drawn as she eyes every inch of her surroundings. A deep breath is taken as she opens the door, her heart thundering rapidly in her chest as she steps inside.

She takes in the area, her stomach dropping as she sees chains across the barn. A hand quickly comes to her mouth, to cover any sounds that wanted to leave her. Harsh breaths are taken through her nose before she turns her head to look at the stares that led to the loft above.

Eyes squeeze shut to try and gather her courage as she slowly begins to make her way up the creaking stairs. Each step is weak, her legs feeling as if they were going to give out from underneath her, her body trembling in fear.

When the blonde steps up on the loft, a loud choked out sob is given when she sees the familiar face, bloodied and beaten- chained to the wall. "Spencer!" Karen cried out as she rushes over to him. "Spencer! H-Hey.. Hey....it's okay... It's okay." She drops to her knees next to him, her hand coming to his cheek as she eyes him up and down- trying to determine the severity of his injuries.

"J-Jesus Christ. W-Who did this? Who did this?" Her head shakes, her hand reaching back to grab her phone. "I'm going to call for help, okay?" Quickly she dials 911, giving them as much information as she could before she sets the phone down, her hand going back to his face.

"I-Is there a key? Is there....w-we have to get out of here....I-....Spencer is there a key?"

[goalhofer]

2023 World Baseball Classic Israel Roster

Pitchers

#0 Charles Rossman (free agent/La Habra, California)

#10 Brandon Gold (free agent/Atlanta, Georgia)

#14 Joey Wagman (free agent/Danville, California)

#17 Dean Kremer (Baltimore Orioles/Stockton, California)

#22 Rob Kaminsky (free agent/Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey)

#25 Shlomo Lipetz (free agent/Tel Aviv)

#26 Colton Gordon (Asheville Tourists/Bradenton, Florida)

#30 Josh Wolf (Lynchburg Hillcats/Houston, Texas)

#31 Jake Fishman (Las Vegas Aviators/Sharon, Massachusetts)

#32 Evan Kravetz (Chattanooga Lookouts/Miami, Florida)

#35 Richard Bleier (Boston Red Sox/Plantation, Florida)

#37 Jake Kalish (Los Angeles Angels/Red Bank, New Jersey)

#41 Kyle Molnar (free agent/Aliso Viejo, California)

#45 Jacob Steinmetz (ACL Diamondbacks/Hempstead, New York)

#47 Alex Katz (Long Island FerryHawks/North Hempstead, New York)

#53 Jake Miednik (free agent/Plattsburgh, New York)

#56 Adam Kolarek (Oklahoma City Dodgers/Baltimore County, Maryland)

#57 Zach Weiss (Los Angeles Angels/Irvine, California)

#66 Andrew Gross (Tampa Bay Rays/Phoenix, Arizona)

#89 Robert Stock (Nashville Sounds/Bellevue, Washington)

#99 Daniel Federman (Aberdeen IronBirds/Pembroke Pines, Florida)

Catchers

#8 Jakob Goldfarb (Tri-City Valley Cats/Baltimore, Maryland)

#21 Garrett Stubbs (Philadelphia Phillies/Del Mar, California)

#36 Ryan Lavarnway (free agent/Los Angeles, California)

Infielders

#4 Spencer Horwitz (Buffalo Bisons/Baltimore County, Maryland)

#6 Noah Mendlinger (Peoria Chiefs/Atlanta, Georgia)

#18 Zach Gelof (Oakland Athletics/Rehoboth Beach, Delaware)

#19 Danny Valencia (free agent/Boca Raton, Florida)

#27 Matt Mervis (Chicago Cubs/Montgomery County, Maryland)

#55 Ty Kelly (free agent/Stockton, California)

Outfielders

#23 Joc Pederson (San Francisco Giants/Palo Alto, California)

#38 Michael Wielansky (Southern Maryland Blue Crabs/St. Louis, Missouri)

#40 Alex Dickerson (free agent/Poway, California)

Coaches

Manager Ian Kinsler (Texas Rangers/Tucson, Arizona)

Bench coach Brad Ausmus (Israel Baseball/Cheshire, Connecticut)

Hitting coach Kevin Youkilis (Israel Baseball/Cincinnati, Ohio)

Pitching coach Josh Zeid (Frisco RoughRiders/Woodbridge, Connecticut)

Bullpen coach Nate Fish (Israel Baseball/Hanover, New Hampshire)

1B coach Tyger Pederson (Israel Baseball/Palo Alto, California)

3B coach Blake Gailen (ACL Dodgers/Los Angeles County, California)

Assistant coach Jerry Narron (Chicago White Sox/Goldsboro, North Carolina)

[samuel-de-champagne-problems]

Unconditional Love

Summary: Spencer is anxious to get home to help his secret fiancée grieve the loss of her beloved cat, Chuck. (Requested)

Pairing: Spencer Reid x Female Reader

CW: Loss of pet

Word Count: 2.5K

Unconditional Love

Spencer clicks his pen rapidly, his eyes constantly watching the clock. He’s waiting for 6:00, for the moment he can go home to her. Spencer never had someone to go home to until he met Y/N. It’s strange to be needed by someone and need that person in return. Spencer hated that he had to go to work and leave Y/N trapped in their little apartment where everything reminded her of Chuck. He kept his eye on the clock, just waiting till he could go back home and comfort his grieving girlfriend. He can tell that Derek and Elle notice his distraction, so he tries to keep his anxiety to himself.

“Reid,” Derek says, from across the desk, “you got a hot date or what?” he asks, not shying away from making Spencer blush.

“I-I, um. No I don't, I just have an appointment at 6:40. A dentist appointment. For uh, my teeth,” Spencer stammers, attempting, but failing to pacify Derek’s questioning.

“Is that right?” Derek asks, not believing him for even a second, “you should tell me where this late hours dentist is. I might need to see if I can switch over to them,”

“I don’t think she’s accepting new patients, Morgan,” Spencer says, nodding curtly and hoping that the conversation would be over.

Spencer slings his bag on his shoulder, nearly toppling over at the weight from his bag. Derek’s curious gaze doesn’t leave Spencer’s jittery one. He honestly thinks that Derek must be a real life Superman; his stare can look through steel. Under the scrutiny of Derek’s stare, Spencer’s brain racks for ways to get out of his predicament. His only option is to either dig himself further into his terrible lie or to deal with the humiliation of the truth.

“I don’t have a dentist appointment,” Spencer says, slumping back down in his chair across from Derek, “I went to the dentist 75 days ago, so I’ll have 106 more days before my next appointment-”

Derek holds a hand up, stopping Spencer’s ramble. He hates when they do that, it’s like they really only think he has anything interesting to say when it has to do with serial killer statistics. He knows that Derek wants to help, but that doesn’t lessen the sting of being silenced.

“Spence, man. I don’t care when you go to the dentist. I just want to know what’s making you all anxious and wanting to leave,” Derek asks, his concern for his co-worker apparent in his eyes.

Spencer takes a deep breath, never imagining that he’d tell his co-workers about his girlfriend quite like this. He knows the teasing and the jabs that will come, but right now he can deal with all that. Derek’s the genius when it comes to women, while Spencer is the bumbling fool. If anyone can help him help Y/N grieve, it’s Derek. Spencer knows that Derek is more sensitive and kind than he’d give himself credit for.

“It’s my girlfriend, her cat, well kind of our cat because we’ve been living together for like 5 months- uh, passed away. Chuck died,” Spencer says, explaining to Derek all about his girlfriend who he shares a home with and a cat.

“You have a girlfriend?” Derek asks, the shock not hidden in his question, “You have a girlfriend,” he says, again the tone of his voice stinging more than the silencing hand.

“Uh, fiancée, actually,” Spencer explains, pulling out and showing Derek the necklace with his engagement ring, “She wanted me to have an engagement ring too. I mean after all, she’s not the only one getting married,” Spencer explains, fully knowing that his cheeks were tinged red as he talked about Y/N.

“You’re getting married?” Derek asks, still not believing it, “You’re like a kid? Is that even legal?”

“Morgan,” Spencer groans, “I’m 23, I’ll be 24 in a couple weeks. Y/N is an English teacher in Woodbridge and uh, she’s the love of my life,” he explains, feeling a need to defend himself.

“Huh, who would have thought you’d be the first to get married,” Morgan says, a playful smirk on his face, “so backtrack for a second here, Reid. You’re girlfriend-”

“Fiancée” Spencer interjects, correcting Derek as he slides his glasses up the bridge of his nose.

“So your fiancée’s cat passed away and you’re trying to get home to be with her? That’s very sweet Reid, but look man. You don’t have to be nervous. She already loves you, she’s said yes to marry you,”

“I know,” Spencer says, fiddling with his necklace, “I just. I’m not like you, Derek. You’re good with your words. I’m an idiot when it comes to these emotional things. I never know what to say,” Spencer professes. He runs his fingers over the crystal on his necklace, a black tourmaline. Y/N said that those crystals protect and heal. When she gave it to him she thought he’d need some protection and healing when she couldn’t be there with him. He might not believe that the crystal can do that, but he certainly believes in Y/N and that’s all that matters.

“Spence,” Derek says quietly, “She loves you and she wants you, Reid. Not anyone else on this planet,” he glances towards the clock and then to Hotch’s office, “get out of here, man. I’ll cover for you,”

“Thanks Derek,” Spencer says, scooping up his belongings and heading towards the elevator. He turns when he hears Morgan calling his name.

“Hey, Spence,” he says, “Whatever you say to her will be want she wants to hear, because it’s coming from you,”

Spencer smiles awkwardly, but appreciates his friend’s words of wisdom nonetheless. He turns back and walks into the elevator, nervous and anticipating what Y/N will be feeling when he gets home.

***

Before coming home, Spencer stopped at the small convenience store a couple blocks away from their apartment. He carries the bags of things for Y/N, resting them on the ground as he unlocks the door, not wanting to knock in case she’s sleeping. Spencer opens the door to the apartment, the darkness is unsettling. It’s usually so bright and cheery, but now it’s dim and gray. Spencer would give anything, do anything to turn around Y/N’s overwhelming sadness. He never knew true heartache until watching someone he loves have their heart shattered.

It’s quiet in the apartment, so quiet that Spencer thinks that she must be asleep. He creeps around into the kitchen, putting the ice cream away and Y/N’s gift on their kitchen table. He looks into the refrigerator, wondering what he could make for dinner that would make Y/N feel better. He thinks back to what Morgan told him, anything he does will make Y/N feel a little less alone, because it’s coming from him. Spencer, remembering the conversation he had once with Y/N’s grandfather, puts on a pot of chicken soup.

Spencer works quietly and he almost doesn’t hear when Y/N comes out of their shared bedroom. She sneaks up behind him, her arms wrapped around his waist and her head buried into his back. She breathes him in, taking in the way his cardigan feels against her cheek or maybe the way he smells with a mix of her shampoo and his cologne. He can feel how fragile she feels against his back, all he wants to do is hold her in his arms and tell her she’s going to be okay one day.

“You’re home,” she whispers into his back, “I’m so glad you’re home, Spence,” Y/N breathes in deeply, a sign to Spencer that she’s trying to hold back a new wave of tears. Chuck, her cat, had been with her since she was 10 years old. Now, 13 years later they’ve been through hardships and celebrations, losing him is one of the hardest things Y/N has ever gone through. All Spencer wants to do is shield her from all that pain.

“I’m glad to be home too,” he says, slipping his arms around her shoulder and bringing her in tight, “I’m glad to see you, Y/N. I missed you like crazy today,” he tells her, kissing her temple.

“Spence,” Y/N says, moving to sit down on the chairs in the kitchen, “it was a hard day, he’s the first thing that I think about when I wake up. And the last thing. My chest just hurts so much thinking about him. I-I just don’t-“

Spencer crouches down next to Y/N, rubbing his hand against her back. The small, comforting movements are rhythmic and steady, letting her know he’s here for as long as she needs. Y/N’s cries grow quieter and quieter, until they are nothing but a whimper.

“Shhh, it’s okay to cry, honey,” Spencer says, standing up and quickly turning the stove off to pay attention to Y/N, “come on, baby. Let’s sit on the couch-“

“Can you just hold me, Spence, please?” she asks, her face peeking out from her hands, looking shiny with tears and sad with grief.

“Of course, honey,” Spencer says, leading her over to their very old, very soft couch. Spencer sits down first, laying on his back and motions for Y/N to lay on top of him. She does, her head rests perfectly in the crook of Spencer’s neck and his arms come up to hug her tightly. He presses kisses and whispers words of adoration as Y/N cries. Each sob is like a knife to his chest. He hates seeing her like this, but he knows she has to get through this hump and to the other side.

“Y/N, baby. I know it hurts, love. I know it does. And I know that you don’t want to hear this yet, but one day it will get better. One day, we will be able to tell stories about Chuck,” he says, drawing shapes on her back. He can feel her breathe even out against his neck and his heart stops aching for a little bit.

“I just miss him so much, Spence. He was with me for everything. I mean everything. Every shitty date or terrible interview. When my great grandpa died. He’s the one that got me through this. He was three when I met you,” she says, recounting the years and years of good, bad and in the middle memories shared with her cat.

“I know, my sweet girl,” Spencer says, kissing her forehead and wiping the new tears that flow, “I know how much you love Chuck. He loved you so much, you know that right? You gave him such an amazing life, my love. He had a wonderful life. And very happy to have met him, even if it’s for only a short amount of time,” he says, hoping that Morgan is right.

“Thank you, Spence,” Y/N says, her voice still shaky and unsure, telling Spence that she’s not okay yet. But that’s okay, they’re in this together. Spencer promised her, as she promised him that they are in this together for life. Y/N offers him a weak smile, as she sits up on the couch. She tucks her knees to her chin, looking off in the distance. It’s still so potent, the pain that she’s in.

Spencer kisses her forehead and whispers that he loves her and will be right back. He goes to his work bag and pulls out the long velvet box that he’s been carrying around for the past couple of days. Walking back to Y/N, Spencer sits back down on the couch and takes her hands in his.

“I know a lot of things, Y/N” Spencer says, rubbing his thumb against the back of her hand gently, “That’s what people tell me all the time. I’m smart and I know things. I think that’s why people like me,” he says, the words flooding out as his conversation with Morgan comes rushing back. He gets nervous, his words stumbling as he tries to articulate exactly what Y/N means to him.

She doesn’t interject or hold her hand up to tell him to hurry up or stop rambling. She just listens. Spencer doesn’t let himself get too caught up in the sentiment of it all, because he knows that if he looks too deeply into Y/N’s eyes he’ll never be able to say what he needs to.

“But, you. Y/N, you don’t love me because I’m smart or because I can memorize anything. You taught me love. Unconditionally, pure love. You’ll always love Chuck and he knew that. He knew he was loved. And-and I know I’m loved,” Spencer says, wiping his tears with the back of his palm and then returning his hands to be intertwined with Y/N’s again.

“I love you, Spence. You always know what to say,” Y/N says, kissing his hand as she brings her lips. Spencer feels a strange sense of pride as Y/N kisses his hand, a mix of her tears and laughter covering his skin.

“I have something for you, Y/N. I got it after Chuck died. I think that it will bring you some peace,” Spencer tells her, handing her the small velvet box.

“Spence, you didn’t have to-” Y/N starts, but Spencer kisses her cheek in an attempt to stop her, “Okay, maybe if you always shut me up like that, I’ll let it slide,” she says, a sliver of the old Y/N bubbling to the surface.

“Just open it,” he says, urging her on. He watches as she unhinges the velvet box, revealing a Celestite necklace. The light blue crystal is intertwined in gold wire. It’s beautiful and shimmers in the dim light of the living room. Y/N’s fingers touch the cool crystal, smiling to herself.

“I remember you telling me that these don’t have any scientific evidence that they work,” Y/N says, now sounding and looking like her old self again, “You were pretty adamant about that on our first date,” Y/N says, nudging him teasingly.

“I know things,” Spencer says, taking the necklace out of his shirt, “But I don’t know everything. You’re the one that gave me this. You’re the one that’s taught me how to love deeply. It’s scary sometimes being out there chasing down terrible men, but with this-with this, I feel safe. I feel you with me,” he says, tugging on the necklace.

“I love you, Spence. I don’t know how I’d get over this without you, baby,” Y/N says, leaning into Spencer’s chest, “and I love my necklace and I love you. I might have said that already?” she says, kissing his cheek.

“We’re going to get through this together, Y/N. Just take your time. I’ll be here forever,” Spencer says, settling into the couch and pulling the blankets around them.

“Oh and Derek knows we’re getting married,” Spencer says, dropping a bomb so nonchalantly that she can’t help but laugh for the first time in a week.

---

TAGLIST

@shemarmooresfedora @april-14-blog @willowrose99 @calm-and-doctor @spideygenius @measure-in-pain @nomajdetective @spencerreid9 @saspencereid @laurakirsten0502 @winifrede @muffin-cup @spencers-dria

[cutiepisenpai]

Dear Stranger Series Ch. 9: House Hunters(Spencer Reid x Female OC)

Masterlist

Warnings: mone just fluff

“Ok, so what do you think about this one.” Spencer says, showing her the webpage  for a house in Woodbridge. From the look on her face he can already tell she does not like this house. “What’s wrong with this one?” He asks. “Did you actually look at the photos? Or just the specs of the house?” Melinda starts by saying, “There is so much wrong with that house and you don't want to renovate. Like look at that kitchen it is atrocious and none of the woods match.” This had been going on for three months, having completely different ideals for the perfect home was making the search that much harder. Spencer wanted a historical house which Melinda was ok with but she wanted the interior to be updated, stating no one wants to live in a haunted house. “Yes I looked at the photos and it looks fine, it’s a part of the history. There are too many ways home renovations can go wrong.” Spencer says. This has been the ongoing argument, having already made their compromises it was just finding a house that had what they were looking for. “Okay, how about this one.” He says showing her a new construction with a historic look but being completely upgraded on the outside. He looks over to see her blank stare followed by an eye roll. “What is wrong with this one?!” He says in a huff. “Really? I know you do not like this house, like at all. I don’t want to just compromise and pick a house. I want us both to like it. It’s not just a house it's a home.” She says cuddling closer. They decide to take a break for now opting to just cuddle and talk,

Several days later on the plane ride home from a case the team is relaxed and just making random conversation. Spencer who had been fixated on the book in his hand turns to Melinda, “Are we going to your place or mine?” Before Melinda can answer Emily interjects, “Wait, you two don’t live together?” “No.” They say in unison. Neither of their apartments had the space to consolidate all their stuff so they continued to go to each other’s apartment. With how much stuff had moved between their homes aside from the furniture you wouldn’t know they didn’t live together. “But aren’t you like always together? Outside of work I just assumed you were attached at the ya know.” Emily says gesturing. “Well we are always together. Sometimes we stay at Mel’s some days we stay at my place.” Spencer says. “Are you waiting until after the wedding to move in?” JJ joins the conversation. “No, we’ve been looking for a house but haven’t found anything that will work yet.” Melinda says, looking to Spencer, “Maybe we should look into getting a realtor to help.” “ We have a combined IQ of 370 we can figure this out on our own.” Spencer responds, he didn’t want to have anyone else get involved they can do this on their own. “I think if IQ alone was enough, we would have found something by now.” “Fine we can try a realtor but when this doesn’t work we go back to just us and we finally make a decision.” 

A week and a half later Melinda and Spencer are getting ready to go with the realtor they chose and look at some of the options she had found for them. The first house they see in Woodbridge VA is a nice upgraded everything Melinda could ask for. Spencer did not like it at all; it had no charm to it. “It has carpet, you said no to carpet it traps dust mites,pet dander, particle pollution, lead, mold spores, pesticides, dirt and dust. Some chemicals they use in padding and adhesives also have potential health harm.” Spencer says trying to talk Melinda out of liking the house. “Yes I know carpet is horrible disgusting. Stop worrying I am not in love with this house.” Melinda says with a smile. “Do you not love it because of the carpet or is there something else?” “Well the carpet is a definite problem and you don’t like it. And that is not safe.” She says pointing out of the window. Outside the window past the desk there is a small yard  but no fence there were stairs leading through a wooded area and to a creek. Spencer missed that, how did he miss that. The next house they see is in Springfield, pulling into the driveway both of them already disliked the house.  Walking inside and everything about this house screams no. “The cabinets have scalloped bottoms.” Melinda whispers to Spencer. “There is nowhere for an office or to put any of our books.” Spencer whispers back. Deciding to end this misery early they let the realtor know this would not work at all. The last house she takes them to see is a 1890’s Historic Farm House in Falls Church. It was a beautiful historic home renovated and restored. It was the perfect home for them. Spencer was impressed but Melinda is quiet and he doesn’t know what she is thinking. Walking behind her wrapping his arms around her waist placing his chin in the crook in her neck. “What are you thinking?” she hums before answering,” It’s nice.. Amazing actually.” “ So should we put in the offer?” “If you let me change the back splash in the kitchen I’d say it was perfect.” Kissing her cheek, “Ok you can change the back splash. So we’re making an offer.” She nods in agreement. After telling the realtor of the decision as they are walking to their car Spencer turns and says, “You know that house actually has 2 more bedrooms then we originally asked for so maybe I can talk you into potentially two more kids than we planned for in our future.” 

[howardhawkshollywoodannex]

Clark Gable, Jeanette MacDonald and Spencer Tracy in San Francisco (1936), directed by WS Van Dyke, presumably in the director’s chair in the bottom photo.  Woodbridge Strong van Dyke was born in San Diego and had  91 director credits, from 1917 to 1942.  His entry among my best 1,001 movies, also on the New York Times list of the 1,000 best films, is The Thin Man (1934).  His second entry among my best 1,001 is Tarzan the Ape Man.  WS also made the first three sequels to The Thin Man. 

[shadowworldwanderers]

Edward Woods

Name: Edward Woods Nickname: Ed, Eddie, Mandragora Love Interest: Spencer Woodbridge, Elizabeth Walker Appearance: Edward Woods dresses like a normal man, most times, jeans and t-shirts. Although, on the day he meets Elizabeth he is wearing his other outfit, simple white shirt, jodhpurs, riding boots. He isn't riding, but he cannot ignore the need he felt that morning to dress up. Height: 6'3 History: Edward Woods is a normal man for much of his life, at least he thinks so. He remembers nothing of his childhood or teenage years. The first day he really remembers is meeting Elizabeth Walker. She had been crying, sobbing, openly. His heart had filled with tenderness for her in seconds, his pull later explained when he realizes something has changed. Where normally he would sleep with only men, had only ever had luck with men despite being bisexual all his life, he wants, desperately, to lick the tears from her face and make her his. Later he meets Spenser and something in him shifts. He wants the man too, the sudden yank of want leaving him breathless even as he feels Elizabeth trembling by his side. Her lost love is home but now she is torn... until she doesn't have to be.

[fortheloveofwonderland]

Somewhere to Belong | 1/3 | S.R

Gif does not depict the child’s appearance

A/N - this will be a three parter, written for @imagining-in-the-margins Family Challenge.

Part 2 | Part 3

Summary - You and Spencer have only been dating a few months when he drops the bombshell that he wants to start a family and it throws you into turmoil. And that’s only made worse he meets five year old orphan Wren Briar and is determined to do whatever it takes to adopt her. Even if that means destroying your relationship.

Pairing - Spencer Reid x BAU Fem! Reader

Warnings - found family, very brief mention of past addiction and Maeve storyline, post prison arc, age gap between consenting adults (Spencer is late 30s and reader is mid 20s), typical CM case related stuff, child losing her parents, crying child, arguing, swearing.

WC - 8.3k

Part 1

If Spencer Reid were perfectly honest, he’d never wanted for much his entire life. He’d grown used to just accepting what came his way, never letting his expectations or hubris desire more than he was given. 

Wanting for things only led to great disappointment. For example, wanting a mother who wasn’t sick and a father that didn’t walk out on them. Wanting to not have a drug addiction, or the weight of potentially developing schizophrenia. 

He wanted to not have witnessed his first love being shot to death in front of him before he’d ever had a chance to hold her. 

Maeve allowed Spencer for the first time in his life to want for something tangible. A relationship. A wife. A family. But that was snuffed out along with her life at the hands of Diane Turner’s bullet. 

He’d always liked the idea of having a family, the idea of it almost like a guilty pleasure to the young genius. It seemed so far out of reach, out of the realms of the possible for someone like him to accomplish. 

All he’d ever really wanted was somewhere to belong, something more than his mother could offer him; something deeper than the BAU could provide. Somewhere where he fit like a missing puzzle piece. 

He’d always been an overachiever, never having much trouble reaching the goals he set for himself, but that seemed to be one ideal he would never make a reality. 

He allowed himself the fleeting dream of having a family with Maeve but yet again it had been squandered, the flame of possibility extinguished before it really had a chance to burn. 

He’d spent years watching Hotch with Jack and JJ with Henry and later Michael. He’d witnessed Kate and her niece and then the birth of her own baby. Even Morgan with Hank. And later came Matt with his array of children so large it didn’t seem fair. 

As time drew on Spencer found himself growing more and more resentful towards his friends simply because they had achieved something he was sure he never would. 

And time was ticking on for him, he was much closer to forty now, his thirties slipping away in the rear view mirror, soon to vanish entirely from his vision. 

Perhaps it was his incarceration that put everything into perspective for him; maybe in some twisted way Cat had done him a favour by having him arrested. It was entirely plausible that if he hadn’t gone through that ordeal prior to the case that took place in Woodbridge, Virginia, just fifteen miles outside of Quantico, it may not have ended in the way that it had.   

It was his first day back after thirty days off and admittedly he was grateful to be returning to the BAU. He loved teaching, loved imparting knowledge but it didn’t compare to the rush of fulfilment he got when he worked with his FBI family.

Because that’s what they were, right? Family, at least the closest thing to one Spencer really had. Of course he had his mom, his biological family, but what he had with the team was different. 

In a strange way Emily and Rossi were like the parents, while Matt and Tara were like auntie and uncle and JJ, Garcia and Luke were his twisted siblings. 

Which left you. You who’d joined the team around the same time as Matt not long after his release from prison. You who had slotted into the BAU family as if you’d been there all along. 

You who he couldn’t look at like a sister the way he did JJ and Penelope without it being incredibly bizarre given how attracted to you he was. 

You’d shined a light on Spencer’s dark existence, giving him hope for the first time since Maeve. 

And maybe years ago he never would have even considered crossing that line with a coworker, maybe wouldn’t have even had the confidence to pursue you in the first place. 

But a funny thing happened to Spencer while he was incarcerated. In having his walls completely and utterly torn down, leaving him as little more than a foundation, he was able to rebuild, recraft and manufacture a whole new facade. 

This new appearance was more self assured, the walls he’d erected had locked his old insecurities out in the cold. 

Less was the innocence he’d once possessed but instead replaced by assertiveness. He wouldn’t wait around for what he wanted and hope it would fall in his lap. He would go after it and grab it with both hands.

And that’s exactly what he did with you. 

He’d told you in no uncertain terms that he thought you were beautiful and effervescent and that he wanted to take you for dinner. It wasn’t a question, he didn’t ask if you wanted to go to dinner, he told you that’s what was happening. 

You’d found his confidence to be dizzying and electrifying, and also arousing. You hadn’t even stopped to consider the ramifications of going on a date with your colleague. 

It had been the furthest thing from your mind after dinner, when Spencer kissed you outside of your apartment. You hadn’t given it a second thought when you invited him upstairs where you became privy to the true extent of Spencer’s dominance. 

It had been several months of this and as far as you were aware the rest of the team was none the wiser. 

Spencer lavished you with both expensive dates and also afterwards in the bedroom. He was a gentleman in the streets and a wild animal in the sheets. 

But he wanted more from you than you were able to give, that much became apparent two days ago when you were lying in a post coital bliss and Spencer had mumbled absent mindedly, “I want to have a family.” 

He was on the cusp of forty, it was understandable that he would be thinking of those things. But you were still young, close to fifteen years his junior and a family was the last thing you were thinking about. 

What had ensued had been a painfully awkward conversation which you would have rather had with more clothes on. A resolution hadn’t been reached, the discussion simply ended when Spencer told you he needed time to think and proceeded to leave your apartment. 

And you hadn’t spoken in two days.

With all of it whirring around in your brain you had completely forgotten Spencer was due back today and so when he strolled into the round table room, ten minutes later than everyone else and not apologising for that fact, you tried to hide your surprise by staring at the tablet in front of you.

He took the last remaining seat between you and Luke and flipped open the case file leisurely. 

“Nice of you to join us, Reid.” Emily rolled her eyes as she spoke. 

“Hmm.” He didn’t look up. “What did I miss?” 

“Uh, well, as I was saying,” Garcia shook off his slightly abrupt tone and continued her presentation. “Mister and Mrs Briar are the second couple to be killed in their home Woodbridge, both shot in the head, point blank. A week ago, Mister and Mrs Logan also met the same grizzly fate.” 

“And the police think they are connected? Doesn’t seem like a very specific MO.” Rossi frowned, sitting back in his chair.

“There is one piece of information that ties the two families.” Garcia clicked a button on her remote, casting away the crime scene photos in lieu of two pictures of two little girls. “Both the Logan’s and the Briar’s had a daughter who witnessed the whole sorry thing but were gratefully left alive.” 

Spencer skim read the file in front of him before looking up at the screen and the images of the two kids who had gone through something no child should have to. 

His eyes gravitated to the photograph on the left of a little girl with rosy cheeks and a bright smile. She had curly dark hair and expressive green eyes and Spencer felt as though she was looking right at him, maybe even through him. 

“This is six year old Freya Logan,” Garcia pointed at the blonde girl on the right. “And five year old Wren Briar.” 

Wren, cute, he thought. 

“Woodbridge is nearby, so we’ll work the case from here.” Emily pushed herself to her feet. “Y/N, Tara and I will go to the county police department and speak to the sheriff. Luke, Matt go to the latest crime scene. Garcia I need you to find the kids and get them brought in, they may have seen something that could be of help. The rest of you start digging.” 

Everyone nodded in agreement and started off on their separate ways. Emily mouthed to you and Tara to give her a minute before she left the room. 

Spencer left soon after and without meaning to you found yourself on your feet and following him. 

You trailed him to the kitchen when he grabbed his mug and started up the coffee machine. He had his back to you when you entered behind him but somehow he knew you were there. 

“Why were you late? You’re never late.” Your voice was so unsure, like you weren’t even certain you were allowed to speak to him. 

He turned slowly, leaning his back against the counter as he regarded you with his gaze. 

“I overslept.” He shrugged. 

“You never oversleep.” 

“Yeah because I usually get a decent night's rest. But for two nights I’ve been tossing and turning and when I do actually sleep, it’s fretful at best.” His tone was something akin to frustration, frustration that was clearly directed at you. 

“You can’t just drop a bombshell like that and walk off. I haven’t been sleeping either, Spencer.” You lowered your tone to a whisper in case any prying ears were around. 

“I didn’t realise wanting a family with my girlfriend would be such a bombshell.” He folded his arms across his chest, not being quiet with his words the way you were. At least the coffee percolating helped to mask his voice.

“I didn’t even know I was your girlfriend! We’ve never once talked about what we were, let alone having a family. We’ve been dating for a few months, I’m not sure I understand when this got so serious.” You mirrored him and folded your arms too. 

“Relationships are only ever going to end one of two ways, Y/N. They either eventually run their course or you spend the rest of your life together. I was just letting you know my intentions.” 

“Spencer, I’m still young. Marriage and kids is not something I’m thinking about right now.” 

“Well that's all I think about. And if you don’t want that then there really is no point in us being together. I’m not wasting my time with someone who doesn’t want the same things as me.” 

The coffee machine clicked, its sounds starting to fade out. Spencer turned his back on you and shoved his mug under the machine and hit a button. 

“That’s what this is to you? A waste of time?” You let your arms fall to your sides, feeling the weight of his words crash down on you like a tidal wave.

“You tell me.” He shrugged, not looking back at you. “I’ve made my intentions clear, Y/N. It’s up to you what you want out of this. And if it isn’t a family, then I guess yeah, it was a waste of time.” 

You opened your mouth to speak but closed it again quickly. You repeated this several times as Spencer turned with his mug of coffee in hand. He strolled past you without so much as a glance and you dumbly watched him go. 

You couldn’t even go after him if you tried as soon Emily found you and motioned for you to follow her and Tara towards the elevators. 

***

“She won’t talk to me,” JJ sighed exhaustedly, running a hand through her hair as she looked between Spencer and Rossi. “She keeps asking for her daddy. I think she’d be more open with a male.” 

The three of them stood in the corridor outside of the small disused office where Wren Briar and a woman from social services were situated. Her eyes stopped their back and forth and landed on Rossi. 

“Don’t look at me.” Rossi scoffed. “I’m old enough to be her grandpa.” 

JJ pulled a face that told him she agreed before turning to Spencer. 

“You are around her dad’s age.” JJ gave him a shrug. “And you’re great with Henry and Michael.” 

“And Jack. And Hank.” Rossi added. 

“Boys,” Spencer shook his head. “They are all boys. I have no idea what to say to a little girl. A little girl whose parents have just been murdered no less.” 

“Spence, you’re great with kids. I think she would really open up to you.” JJ was pleading with him with both her voice and her eyes. Spencer always did have a hard time saying no to her. 

He glanced passed JJ through the window and on the side of the five year old’s face. Since he’d seen her photograph this morning he had felt a strange emotion bubbling in his chest which he couldn’t quite place.

Maybe protectiveness? Did he feel the need to safeguard this little girl from harm? And if so, why?

He’d had dealings with hundreds if not thousands of kids in his years at the BAU and never felt like this before. He wanted to cushion her, wrap her in bubble wrap and take away all of her pain. 

But he didn’t understand why. 

He looked back at JJ and sighed louder than necessary to convey he wasn’t pleased about this. 

“Fine, but you owe me.” He rolled his eyes, stepping further forward and taking a deep breath before entering the room.

Her astute green eyes snapped up as the door opened, little eyebrows knitted together as she took in the man walking towards her. She seemed wiser than her years, the way she seemed to be curiously regarding him, sizing him up and assessing his threat level. 

Spencer offered the social worker a smile before focusing back on Wren. He crouched down when he reached where she was sitting on the couch so he was her height. 

She clutched a stuffed toy to her chest which appeared to be some sort of dog, maybe a cow, maybe even a panda. It was a dirty off white with splodges of black and long tatty ears. It was slightly ragged and threadbare and clearly a favourite with this little girl. 

“Hi,” he spoke softly, calmingly. “My name is Spencer, can you tell me your name?” 

Of course he already knew it but he needed an excuse to get her talking.

“Wren,” she sucked in a breath. “Like the bird.” 

“Wow, that’s such a pretty name.” His smile grew of its own accord. “You wanna know something cool?” 

She rolled her thin bottom lip between her teeth thoughtfully before nodding her head, her nearly black curls bouncing around her face. 

“Y-yes.” She whispered.

“Wren’s eat spiders and insects that they find while hopping along the ground.” He wiggled his long, slender fingers towards her and to his surprise and delight Wren started to giggle.

“Eww!” she shook her head frantically. “I don’t want to eat spiders!” 

“I’m afraid with a name like that, you might have to.” Spencer laughed, her innocent giggle sending shockwaves through his whole body. 

It melted him from the inside out, as if he were made of chocolate and her laugh was a hot flame. He wanted a child more than anything in the entire world and it was killing him not to have one.

“Noooo!” She shook her head so frantically it was a wonder she didn’t make herself dizzy.

“I’ll make you a deal,” Spencer lowered his voice, leaning in a little closer to Wren. “If you can help me find out what happened to your mommy and daddy, I promise no one will ever make you eat a spider.” 

She pouted dramatically, her lip jutting out so severely it looked almost painful. She loosened her grip on the stuffed dog-cow-panda, patting its scruffy head before gripping its ears in her little fingers. 

“This is Rover,” she turned him so Spencer could see his face and confirmed it was in fact a dog. 

“Hi Rover, I’m Spencer. Do you eat spiders?�� He cautiously took hold of one of the dogs paws and shook it. 

“Eww!” Wren giggled again, wrapping her arms tightly around the dog again and wrinkling her tiny nose. “Dog’s don’t eat spiders.” 

He wasn’t going to argue with the little girl that given half the chance most dogs probably would eat spiders. Instead he nodded in agreement.

“You’re right, I'm sorry Rover.” He half-smiled at the stuffed dog. “Did Rover see what happened to your mommy and daddy?” 

Wren once again held the dog tighter, nodding sadly as her eyes downturned. 

“The man made us go into the closet. I closed my eyes but Rover saw everything.” A tear trickled from her large green eye and Spencer couldn’t stop himself from reaching out and gently brushing it away.

She didn’t shy away from him, didn’t even flinch. And when he moved his hand away she grabbed one of his fingers in her own petite little hand. 

Her fingers wrapped so tightly around the digit, her fear evident in the small gesture. Her eyes were filled with tears making her already bright irises even more vivid. She looked Spencer in the eyes, keeping a firm grip on his finger. 

“He shot them. He killed them. My mommy and daddy are dead.” And with that a damn broke and her tears cascaded down her rosy cheeks. 

She let go of Spencer’s finger and fell into his arms where he knelt on the ground, nuzzling her little face against his chest, her tears soaking into his shirt. Tentatively he wrapped the girl in his arms, stroking back her raven head of curls and cooing to her that it would be ok. 

His eyes glanced up towards the window in the door where JJ and Rossi were staring right at him. Wren blew her nose on his tie and he shrugged lightly at his coworkers. 

“Damn, he’s good.” Rossi spoke on the other side of the door. 

“You expected anything less?” JJ smiled wistfully. 

***

When you returned to the BAU later that afternoon with Emily and Tara you were surprised to find the rest of the team, Garcia included, swarmed around Derek Morgan’s old office. 

The three of you approached curiously as the other members gathered around the lone window, clearly staring at something inside. 

“Uh, do we not have a case to be working?” Emily’s voice garnered the attention of the five other agents who spun to face her guiltily. 

You and Tara looked between their faces while they clearly decided who was going to be the one to answer. 

“You need to see this.” Luke spoke with amusement ripe in his voice. 

They parted like the Red Sea to allow the three of you to get to the window. You, Tara and Emily slowly stepped closer until the room beyond was in view. 

On the couch sat Spencer, head forward to his chest and eyes closed tightly. In his lap was a head of dark curls equally as unruly as his own, and a small body curled up next to him, clutching a stuffed toy. Both appeared to be sleeping, Spencer’s limp hand resting on the girl's shoulder. 

“That’s the Briar’s daughter.” JJ filled you all in. “Spence is the only one she would open up to.”

“The social worker got called away and he said he’d stay with her. How long they’ve been like this is anybody's guess.” Rossi added. 

“Isn’t it the most precious thing you’ve ever seen?” Penelope gasped happily. 

She wasn’t wrong. It was utterly adorable. And it warmed your heart and froze it in equal measure. Spencer looked so at home with the little girl, it was only then it occurred to you what an amazing dad he would be. But it wasn’t what you wanted. You weren’t ready for a family, for a child, not like he was. 

You took a few steps back from the window, feeling your heart ripping apart in your chest. You were crazy about Spencer, you weren’t ready for your relationship to come to an end. But if this was how he saw his future, you weren’t sure you could be a part of that.

No one seemed to notice you slip away, too busy watching the man and child sleep peacefully. 

***

Wren took a shine to Spencer in the way no one ever had before. Sure he was good with kids, but with her he didn’t even seem to need to try. 

Over the next few days he learnt that she was incredibly smart, smarter than any five year old he’d ever met before. He wondered if her parents ever had her IQ checked because he would be willing to bet she was gifted. 

She was inquisitive, curious about the world around her. At her instance he’d told her more facts about her namesake, moving onto other facts about other animals and then just facts in general. 

She hung off of his every word, asking questions if she didn’t understand and probing for more knowledge. 

She was gentle and kind and even despite the trauma Spencer could tell she was a happy kid. He was sure if anyone could bounce back from an ordeal of this magnitude it was her. Wren was resilient. 

And the more time Spencer spent with her, the more time he wanted to spend with her. 

She liked it when he read to her so he went out and brought a ton of her favourite books and would sit in Morgan’s old office and he would read. 

He brought his chess set in, thinking her curious mind would enjoy the challenge. She did. A lot. Even if she struggled to grasp the game, she was only five after all. 

But his heart swelled every single time she cautiously lifted a piece, looked up at him with her electric eyes and whispered, “can I move this thing over here?” 

He adored the little names she gave the pieces and stopped correcting her after a while. He preferred her names for them anyway. The prawn. The horsy. The pointy head. The pretty Queen and the brave King. 

She also loved cartoons so after a quick lesson from Garcia on how to operate a tablet and download Netflix, he would sit with Wren and let her watch her favourites on the device while she rested her head on his shoulder. 

He held her when she got sad and missed her mom and dad. He let her shed her tears against his shirt and blow her nose on as many of his ties as she needed. 

He had learnt long ago not to want for anything in life but he couldn’t help himself. This small child had in the space of a few days completely wormed her way into his heart and he never wanted to see a day where she wasn’t a part of his life. 

One more couple met the same fate as the Logan’s and Briar’s before they caught the guy responsible three days later. 

Wren clung to him as the social worker tried to get her to leave, small arms wrapped around his waist while she sobbed into his side and begged Spencer not to let her take her away. 

“Spencer, don't make me go!” She sobbed and screamed at the top of her little lungs. “I don’t want to leave you!” 

“Hey now,” he whispered, crouching down to her height and wiping her tears with the pads of his thumbs. “It won’t be forever ok? I just need to talk to Miss Carol real quick ok?” 

“I heard her talking on the phone, they want to take me away from you.” Her little lip quivered and it shattered his heart. 

“Wren, I promise you I will not let that happen ok? You just have to be brave for me and go with JJ for a moment. Can you do that?” He tucked her messy hair behind her ears.

Wren looked up with watery eyes at JJ who was smiling at her from behind Spencer. 

“You like books right, Wren?” JJ held out her hand. “I can read to you. Time will fly by.” 

Wren sniffled and looked back at Spencer who was trying to smile encouragingly at her. She suddenly flung her arms around Spencer’s neck and held him tightly as if he were her stuffed dog. He held her too, praying to gods he didn’t believe in that it wouldn’t be the last time. 

When she let go she reluctantly took hold of JJ’s hand so Spencer could be left alone with Carol, Wren’s social worker. 

Once JJ left the room with Wren, Spencer stuffed his hands in his pockets as he looked at Carol. 

“What’s going to happen to her?” He scuffed his toe on the worn carpet. 

“She doesn’t have any living relatives.” Carol shrugged. 

“So she goes into the system?” Spencer felt his heart plummet.

“I’m afraid so.” 

“She’s been through enough.” Spencer swallowed, his eyebrows furrowed deeply.

“Unfortunately that’s kind of a prerequisite for foster kids.” Carol sighed. 

“What, uh…what if I could take her?” His words surprised even himself despite the fact it wasn’t the first time he’d considered it. He’d been thinking about it pretty much non stop since he met Wren, but this was his first time saying it out loud. “I know I can’t just take her now, I did the research.”

“You did?” Carol frowned curiously at him. 

“Last night.” He nodded. “I mean I’m an FBI agent so presumably the background checks and stuff would be easy and I know I would need to buy a bigger place with a second bedroom but I started looking at places near Woodbridge, so Wren could still be near her friends and go to school.

I know there are applications and home studies that would need to be done and I know it’s arduous and expensive but I don’t care. I know it takes time but I can wait. I can wait if it means at the end of it all she’ll get to come home with me. I’d even quit the BAU so I could be home more often. I teach in my spare time at the university, much more stable hours, no travel. I am willing to do whatever it takes.” He was rambling and he knew it but he couldn’t stop. 

Carol listened intently, taking in his every word and looking at him curiously. 

“Doctor Reid,” she sighed a little. “I’m not sure all of that would be necessary simply to foster.”

Spencer suddenly frowned at her, not angry necessarily but frustrated that she misunderstood his intentions. 

He cleared his throat, stepped forward and removed his hands from his pockets. He straightened his back and looked Carol dead in the eyes. He needed her to know how serious he was about what he was about to say. 

“I’m not talking about fostering.” He shook his head. “I want to adopt her. I want to be her father.” 

***

As it turned out, adopting a child was even more hard work than Spencer ever anticipated. 

That night after his talk with Carol and after promising Wren several hundred times he would see her again really soon, he went home and delved deeper into the ins and outs of this particular venture. 

The easy part was the fact she’d been orphaned and there were no relatives to have to give over parental rights. That was where the simplicity started and ended.

Adopting a child could take anywhere from six to eighteen months. Not to mention the fact it could cost him anywhere up to forty thousand dollars. 

He’d need a bigger home, that much he already knew and a job with more stable hours which was easy enough to achieve. 

He would have to fill out applications, go through home studies and up to thirty hours worth of parental training. He’d need health exams, proof of income, references from several people close to him. 

All relatively achievable. 

But he would also have to undergo a criminal background check. Although he had been cleared of all charges, his time in prison hadn’t been expunged despite Emily’s attempts. He would have to explain that he spent three months in a federal facility for a murder he didn’t commit. 

Also there was the very real possibility that being a single male would hinder his chances of adoption. From what he’d read it shouldn’t be used to discriminate against him, but it certainly wouldn’t be in his favour. 

If the state thought they could place Wren with a family with two parents instead of one, they were more likely to do that than allow a single man in his late thirties to adopt her. 

If there was ever a time for him not to want for something desperately, with his entire heart, it was now. But for the life of him he couldn’t stop himself. 

But the most important thing he needed to do was talk to Wren. 

She might have enjoyed spending time with him, it might have helped take her mind off of watching her parents die, but that wasn’t to say she wanted to live with him. He needed to stop getting ahead of himself. 

He took a personal day from work and drove out to the halfway house she’d been placed in for the time being. If everything went to plan she wouldn’t have to be here too long. 

The second she saw him her entire face lit up, not just her dazzling green eyes. A huge smile plastered on her tiny face and she ran at full pelt towards him. 

Her wild mane of dark curls was tied back into a ponytail and flew behind her with her speed. When she reached him, Wren threw her arms around Spencer’s waist and squeezed him as tightly as her little body would allow.

“Spencer!” She snuggled against him while he in turn enveloped her in a tight embrace. “I missed you.” 

“I missed you too, pumpkin.” It was true, he had and it had only been one night. 

She let go of him before taking him by the hand and marching them both over to a nearby couch. She plopped down on it, he now noticed she had Rover dangling from one hand. 

Spencer sat next to her and she shuffled close to him, as though being near him offered her some kind of protection. 

“I don’t like it here.” She whined a little, choking the stuffed neck of her dog in tiny hands. 

“It'll only be for the short term.” He tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “But you do understand that you can’t go home, don’t you Wren?” 

Her bottom lip pouted in that over dramatic way he’d grown used to. Tears sprung to her eyes as she nodded her head. 

“I miss my mommy and daddy.” She sniffled. 

“I know you do, sweetheart.” He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and she rested her head on his rib cage. 

“I don’t want to live here forever.” She whimpered. 

“And you won’t.” He squeezed her gently. “I wanted to talk to you about that.” 

She raised her head so she could look at him, those large, emerald eyes seeing right through to his soul. 

“How would you…do you think you might…” he trailed off, words failing him. “I was thinking, if you’d like to, maybe you could come and live with me.” 

She blinked several times at him, watching, reading him. It was sometimes hard to believe she was only five years old. 

“I can do that?” One of her little eyebrows raised curiously. 

“If you’d like to. Only if you’d like to. But I would love to have you live with me, Wren. Have you heard of adoption?” He tucked another stray strand behind her ear. 

“No.” She shook her head. 

“That’s ok, I can explain it to you.” He smiled softly. “So when a child like you, loses their parents, they need somewhere to go. At the moment you’re in foster care which is temporary. There are foster families you can stay with but it won’t be like your real home. You might get moved around between different families from time to time. 

Adoption is permanent and that’s what I would like. If I were to adopt you I would become your legal guardian…your dad I suppose. You’d live with me at least until you turn eighteen, maybe longer if that’s what you wanted. You’d have a home for as long as you needed one, a family with me. It isn’t an easy process but one I would very much like to go through if that’s what you want.” 

Again the girl blinked him, probably only really understanding half of what he was saying. 

“I had a dad. He died.” She frowned. 

“I know, and I’m not…you don’t have to call me dad. I’m not trying to replace your dad. But I would be responsible for you.” 

“Would I have a new mom too?” Her frown deepened. 

“Uh, no. No mom, just me.” He shrugged. “Look Wren, I think you are a wonderful little girl and I would be absolutely honoured to be your adoptive dad. But I want what’s best for you and if you don’t want that then-”

“Can we play chess if I live with you?” She cut him off. 

“As often as you’d like.” He smiled.

“And will you read me bedtime stories?” 

“Every single night.” His smile grew. 

“Can I have a My Little Pony bedspread?” She started smiling too. 

“I don’t see why not.”

“What about Rover?” She suddenly gasped, clutching the small dog tightly. 

“What about him?” Spencer frowned. 

“Where will he live? I can’t go without him!” She was suddenly beside herself with panic and Spencer couldn’t help but chuckle. 

“It’s a good job I’ve got room for him too then, isn’t it?” 

Her eyes lit up again and sparkled in that innocent way that fed Spencer’s soul. Her lip twitched at the corner. 

“Really?” She bounced a little in the chair.

“Really.” He felt tears gathering behind his eyes. 

“Ok!” Wren nodded. “I think we would like that.” 

Spencer wanted to collapse into tears at those words. If Wren wanted to live with him he would do everything in his power to make that happen.

He knew as he looked at her sparkling eyes and tiny pure smile, he would go to the ends of the earth for this little girl. 

He already loved her with his entire being. And no matter what the adoption process threw at him, he would make it through. He would do it for her. 

***

When he handed his letter of resignation to Emily a week later and explained his reasons for leaving, she’d quite rightly been shocked. 

But she’d also been incredibly encouraging of his newfound love of an orphaned little girl. 

He glowed when he spoke about her, happier than she’d seen him in such a long time. And although she hated to lose him from the team, she knew it was for the greater good. 

The next step was a new home, a family home, one big enough for him and Wren. Between looking at houses and starting to pack up his own apartment, he hired an attorney to aid him in his adoption battle. 

Although it was the more expensive route, Spencer decided to go down the path of independent adoption. It would mean he would have to do the work an agency would normally do but he always had been a control freak. And he was far more invested in the outcome and would therefore work harder to get Wren home. 

He visited her every day. He took books and his chess set and they spent hours together in the halfway home. He showed her pictures of the houses he’d seen and asked her what she thought. 

One in particular was a cute three bedroom suburban home with a canary yellow picket fence and a green front door. Her little eyes had sparkled when she looked at it and she jabbed her finger at the printout. 

“I want to live here.” She got a little shy as she vocalised it. 

He wondered if it was because she knew. 

The house in question was less than a block from the home she’d witnessed the death of her parents in. She probably walked it past it frequently. 

He wasn’t sure that living so close to a place that held so many bad memories for her would be a good idea, but he also thought it might allow her to feel close to the family she’d lost. 

“Really?” He asked tentatively. “Do you know where it is?”

He nodded defiantly. 

“Near mommy and daddy’s house.” 

“And you want to live near their house? Won’t it make you sad?” 

“I'm always sad.” She confessed, pouting her lip drastically. “Except when you’re here.” 

His heart doubled in size, practically leaped right out of his chest. God he didn’t think it was possible to love her anymore than he already did but she kept proving him wrong. 

“You mean that?” He smiled, tears brimming in his eyes. 

“Yes.” She nodded again. “You make the bad go away.” 

His emotions betrayed him and a few tears fell from his eyes causing Wren to gasp. 

“Oh no! Why are you sad, Spencer?” She grabbed one of his fingers in her hand and squeezed it. 

“I'm not sad.” He smiled. “These are happy tears. I’m just…I’m just so happy I met you. I wish I could make everything better for you, I wish I could bring your mommy and daddy back, I do. But I promise you, as long as I’m alive, you have a family ok?” 

With her free hand she reached for Spencer’s cheek and brushed his tears the same way he did to her. Her little fingers were soft and a little damp. 

“I miss my mommy and daddy all the time.” She whispered as though it was a secret. “But I think they would be happy that you want to be my new family.” 

God she was so smart. Way smarter than her years. He really would need to have her IQ tested. 

“I hope so, pumpkin.”

“Why do you call me pumpkin?” She sat back, looking at him curiously. 

“Because I love Halloween.” And I love you. 

“I love Halloween!” She clapped her hands together. “Can we go trick or treating?” 

Spencer chuckled, yet again tucking her rogue hair behind her ears and off of her little rosy face.

“We can on Halloween. But right now it’s March, we have a few months before October.” 

“But can we go trick or treating on Halloween?” 

“Of course, pumpkin.”

Seven months. He had seven months until Halloween. Seven months to bring her home. 

He hoped he wasn’t making promises he couldn’t keep. The last thing this little girl needed was more disappointment. The last thing he needed was more disappointment. 

After that he spent the next hour watching Wren draw pumpkins and witches and ghosts in crayon while he told her facts about Halloween. 

He left with a picture she’d drawn for him. 

It was of the house with a canary yellow fence and green front door. In front of the house was Wren and Rover who was drawn wildly out of proportion. 

And then there was a tall, slim man with crazy curls holding Wren’s hand. 

In the bottom corner she’d scrawled in her childlike handwriting: my new family. 

***

That same day Spencer called his realtor and made an offer on the house in Virginia whilst putting his own apartment up for sale. 

He knew buying a house took time but it was time he didn’t have. He’d sent off his adoption applications and the background checks were in full swing but without the house he couldn’t start his home studies which at minimum took three months. 

At least once the background checks were out of the way he would be able to take Wren out of the halfway home for a few hours at a time, supervised by a social worker of course but it was better than nothing. 

He was prepared for the questions about his incarceration and had already discussed as such with his attorney. He had transcripts from his therapist who had cleared him for duty, citing him mentally sound. 

He had Emily write a letter explaining the whole situation, how he was framed and all the gory details surrounding the case and the proof of his innocence. 

He also had letters regarding his character from people who knew him well and could vouch for the fact he would be a great dad. One being from BAU co-founder David Rossi, a name that garnered respect everywhere he went. 

And in the capacity as a mother, Jennifer Jareau who talked at great lengths about how Spencer was the worlds greatest godfather to her boys and how amazing he was with them. 

Emily, Rossi and JJ were three great people to have on his side. 

He’d done everything he could for the time being and for the most part it was now just a painful waiting game. 

His house sale and purchase seemed to be moving smoothly so in his free time when he wasn’t teaching and he wasn’t with Wren, he continued packing up his apartment so he would be ready to get into his new house the second the sale was finalised. 

His apartment was mostly boxes these days, sad, taunting boxes filled with his possessions while he waited for the phone to ring. 

On his last visit to see Wren she’d told him exactly how she would like her new bedroom so some boxes contained flat pack furniture and paint cans. 

She wanted her walls to be orange and when he’d frowned and asked her why she simply replied, “because pumpkins.” 

He couldn’t very well argue with that. 

He managed to talk her down from a bright and garish orange to more of a burnt autumnal colour. She picked out her bed along with a My Little Pony bedspread, and wardrobes from magazines Spencer had shown her and he’d purchased strings of pumpkin shaped fairy lights. 

At her insistence, he’d also brought a dog bed for Rover. 

He may be jumping the gun, wasting his money on such things when he still had a long road ahead of him before he’d be able to take her home. 

And there was also the very real possibility he may never be able to take her home. 

Honestly, Spencer couldn’t let himself think of that. If he let himself consider that outcome he would crumble. 

In such a short space of time Wren had become his entire world and he couldn’t lose her. He wouldn’t lose her. 

He was packing up the last of his books when there was a knock at his apartment door. 

He spun to look at it, boxes piled so high it was like a labyrinth just to get to it. He frowned, mentally trying to ascertain a path but coming up empty. 

“Uh, who is it?” He called, trying to clamber closer.

A stretch of silence met his ears and in the meantime he stumbled over a box and narrowly avoided landing head first in another. 

“It’s Y/N.” You spoke eventually, sounding exhausted. 

He closed his eyes, pinched the bridge of his nose. In all the stress surrounding him, he hadn’t given you a second thought. 

Fuck, I messed up. 

“Uh the door should be unlocked.” He called back and a moment or two later it opened.

You took a step inside, eyes quickly scanning the disarray in the room before finding Spencer’s face, poking out from between two piles of boxes. 

“Marco,” he joked but you didn’t laugh. 

“Were you ever going to tell me you quit the BAU?” You folded your arms over your chest, staying put by the front door. “And moving by the looks of things. Was I going to be the last person to find that out too?” 

“I’m so sorry.” He shrugged meekly, knowing he owed you more than a simple apology. “Everything is happening so fast. I needed to move quickly, the faster I get things sorted the faster she can come home with me.” 

Your frown deepened and he could see the confusion rolling off of you in waves. 

“What are you talking about? Who’s coming home with you?” 

He inhaled sharply, exhaled heavily. Of course Emily, Rossi and JJ knew of his adoption plans but he had asked them not to tell the rest of the team. If it didn’t work out he didn’t want them to be privy to his failure. 

But truthfully he expected them to spill the beans. He knew you’d all have a lot of questions regarding his sudden departure from the team and thought at least one of you would get it out of them. It appeared not. 

“Well, uh, I’m in the process of trying to adopt a little girl.” He shrugged and braced himself for your reaction. 

Your arms fell to your sides and your eyes doubled in size as you glared at him as though he’d told you he was going on a killing spree and not that he was adopting a kid. 

He supposed both would be equally concerning. 

“I’m sure I didn’t hear you right.”

“No, you did.” He tried to step closer to you but he seemed to have boxed himself into a corner quite literally. “You remember the couples that were killed in Virginia? I kinda bonded with one of the kids. Wren. Wren Briar. She’s in a foster facility at the moment but I’m working on adopting her.” 

Somehow the more he explained the less you understood. 

“Are you serious?” You scoffed. 

“Very.” 

“Jesus Christ, Spencer.” You shook your head in disbelief. “You bonded with a kid on a case and now you want to bring her home? Play happy families with a child who lost her parents?” 

“Yes, that’s exactly what I want to do.” He tried to shuffle between the piles of boxes but was once again thwarted. 

“Do you realise how insane that sounds?” Your tone was incredulous. 

“Why does that sound insane? She needs a family and I’ve always wanted one.” He frowned at you. 

Of course he understood why you may be concerned but he hadn’t expected this reaction. 

“So you meet someone, you get married. And when the time is right you start a family.” 

“I have tried that! I’ve tried it the “normal” way and that’s never worked out for me. I am thirty nine years old, I don’t know how much longer I can wait.” He was growing angry. 

“So you’re just skipping to the end? Spencer this is not how you dreamed of having a kid!”

“No, you’re right, it’s not!” He suddenly raised his voice, shoving over a pile of boxes in his way so he could get closer to you. “I dreamed of having kids with Maeve and then she was killed in front of me. Then I dared to dream of having a family with you but you shot that idea right down. It’s not ideal, I am aware of that. But goddammit I love that little girl and I will give her a home. I will be her family and she will be mine.” 

“Spencer,” you softened, his eyes wild and scaring you a little. “She’s what, five? She’s already on her way to becoming a fully realised human being. Her personality is already formed, she’s had five years of life where you weren’t a part of it and you just expect her to fall seamlessly into the role of your daughter? Have you ever even considered how hard it’s going to be for her? She lost her parents, they are dead. You really think you can just swoop in and pretend to be her father when she watched her real dad die?” 

“Get out.” He spat harshly. “Get the fuck out of my home.” 

“Spencer I-”

“No, don’t. If you’re not going to be helpful then you can leave.” 

You shook your head in sadness at him, sighing deeply. 

“I might not be ready for a family right at this second but I didn’t once say I wouldn’t want one someday. But you’re so determined to rush this, to skip to the happy ending. We could have had that one day.” 

“That’s not good enough for me.” He finally lowered his voice. “I’m in love with you Y/N, I know I’ve never said that before but I am. And I don’t want to wait to start a family because I love you. But if we don’t want the same things then we have no future. I’m adopting Wren, no matter what it takes and if you can’t be happy for me then walk away.” 

And without another word, that’s exactly what you did. You walked away. 

In another scenario, maybe even in another life you would have told him that you loved him too. 

Instead you simply walked away. 

[ace-lifestyle-blog1]

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[xtruss]

New Yorkers In High Stop-and-Frisk Areas Subject To More Facial Recognition Tech

Amnesty International says technology championed by mayor reinforces discriminatory policing against minority communities

— Gloria Oladipo | Tuesday 15 February 2022

A New York City police department surveillance camera in Times Square, New York. Volunteers have mapped 25,500 CCTV cameras throughout the city.

New Yorkers who live in areas where controversial stop-and-frisk searches happen most frequently are also more likely to be surveilled by facial recognition technology, according to research by Amnesty International and other researchers.

Research also showed that in the Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens boroughs of the city there was a direct correlation between the proportion of non-white residents and the concentration of controversial facial recognition technology.

“Our analysis shows that the NYPD’s use of facial recognition technology helps to reinforce discriminatory policing against minority communities in New York City,” said Matt Mahmoudi, artificial intelligence and human rights researcher at Amnesty International.

While the NYPD has been using facial recognition technology for more than a decade, its use has not been without controversy.

According to Politico, the NYPD has faced at least six lawsuits over its facial recognition technology use. Additionally, in June 2020, the New York city council mandated that the NYPD publicly disclose information on its surveillance efforts.

Despite local and national pushback to facial recognition technology, its use has been fully supported by New York’s mayor, Eric Adams, as a tool to investigate crimes.

“If you’re on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter – no matter what, they can see and identify who you are without violating the rights of people,” said Adams in January while discussing a new plan to solve gun violence in New York City. “It’s going to be used for investigatory purposes.”

Previously, the use of facial recognition technology has led to false arrests, all of Black men.

In 2019, Michael Oliver, a 25-year-old Black man from Detroit, was wrongly identified by facial recognition technology and arrested for grabbing a teacher’s cellphone and damaging it as the teacher was recording a fight among students.

Oliver was also wrongly identified by the teacher in a photo lineup.

In 2020, Robert Julian-Borchak Williams was falsely arrested by Detroit police after facial recognition technology incorrectly identified him as a shoplifting suspect.

In the same year, Nijeer Parks, 33, spent 10 days in jail and $5,000 to defend himself after being falsely accused of stealing candy and trying to hit a police officer with a car in Woodbridge, New Jersey.

Parks, who was wrongly identified by facial recognition technology, was 30 miles away when the incident took place. He is now suing the police department, the city of Woodbridge and the prosecutor on his case, according to the New York Times.

New York: Adams Eyes Expansion of Highly Controversial Police Surveillance Technology

The Democratic mayor’s bullishness and the resources at his fingertips stand to put New York at the forefront of an evolving national debate over safety, privacy and the racial and gender biases tied to the controversial software.

— By Sally Goldenberg and Joe Anuta | 02/08/2022 | Source: POLITICO

Eric Adams, a centrist Democrat, is so convinced modern technology can accurately and ethically help identify perpetrators of crimes he has incorporated it into his plan for fighting violent crime in New York. | Spencer Platt/Getty Images

NEW YORK — Civil rights groups sued over its constitutionality. State legislatures are studying its efficacy. San Francisco declared it antithetical to democracy.

But the mayor of the nation’s most populous city is fully embracing the use of facial recognition technology by the police and is now exploring a dramatic expansion in how it is used.

Eric Adams, a centrist Democrat, is so convinced modern technology can accurately and ethically help identify perpetrators of crimes he has incorporated it into his plan for fighting an outbreak of violence in New York.

“If you’re on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter — no matter what, they can see and identify who you are without violating the rights of people,” Adams said late last month as he pushed a new plan to end gun violence. “It’s going to be used for investigatory purposes.”

Facial recognition software has long been employed by governments across the world to assist in criminal probes and to screen people entering sensitive sites, from sports stadiums to customs checkpoints. An image captured from a surveillance video is compared to a photo database of known individuals, which increasingly includes billions of pictures scraped from social media. The software throws up a flag when, with some degree of probability, it spots a match.

But as other American cities have retreated from the technology or banned it altogether, Adams’ bullishness and the resources at his fingertips — the city is set to spend around $11 billion on the NYPD this budget cycle — stand to put New York at the forefront of an evolving national debate over safety, privacy and the racial and gender biases tied to the controversial software.

The NYPD has been using facial recognition technology for more than a decade, prompting at least six lawsuits and inspiring a New York statute mandating reams of public reporting. The same software used by the city, DataWorks Plus, led to the wrongful arrest of two men in Detroit.

Police officials have credited the tool with helping to solve murders, rapes and missing person cases, and they stress it is used fairly and only in a narrow capacity.

Now the mayor wants to go further.

“We will also move forward on using the latest in technology to identify problems, follow up on leads and collect evidence — from facial recognition technology to new tools that can spot those carrying weapons, we will use every available method to keep our people safe,” Adams, a retired police captain, said at a Jan. 24 press briefing.

A week later, he alluded to replacing metal detectors at public schools with new technology to scan students for weapons. A City Hall aide separately said the administration is exploring the use of infrared or thermal imaging cameras in the buildings.

The mayor’s zeal for high-tech policing tools was on display in his 15-page “Blueprint to End Gun Violence,” released last month on the heels of the shooting death of two NYPD officers responding to a 911 call of a domestic dispute. The document notes that new technologies used to identify suspects “will not be the sole means to make arrests, but as another tool as part of larger case-building effort.”

Those who have long warned about the department’s use of facial recognition technology were alarmed by the mayor’s plans.

“It just felt like the floor was dropping out from beneath me. To hear him this enamored with this sort of technology was incredibly disappointing,” Albert Fox Cahn, head of the nonprofit organization Surveillance Technology Oversight Project, said in an interview. “I was hopeful that he was someone uniquely positioned to push back against this sort of pseudo-science masquerading as public safety.”

The NYPD says it uses facial recognition to match surveillance or other crime-scene photos solely to its database of mugshots. But where law enforcement officers see an opportunity to close cases, watchdogs say the technology is largely unregulated, invades personal privacy and disproportionately targets people of color. The debate, which has played out in fits and starts in recent years, culminated in local legislation two years ago to mandate the NYPD regularly disclose details about its use of surveillance technology.

Adams is putting his faith in the software as he grapples with a scourge of gun violence — a matter he regards as the most profound problem facing the city, and one he discussed with President Joe Biden when the two met in New York last week.

“The city is at a critical turning point where we need to have more effective tools — plain and simple,” mayoral spokesperson Fabien Levy said. “The mayor is saying: Let’s study emerging technology and, if it’s effective, use it in a legal manner to make the streets safer while reasonably protecting the privacy of New Yorkers.”

Levy said the city would not use any software that results in biases against certain races or genders, though that is precisely what several facial recognition programs have been found to do. A 2019 study, for example, found that facial recognition programs across the country tended to be less accurate when analyzing Black or Asian individuals.

The NYPD’s use of facial recognition technology in particular was the subject of an unflattering report titled “Garbage In, Garbage Out,” penned in 2019 by privacy lawyer Clare Garvie.

“There are no rules when it comes to what images police can submit to face recognition algorithms to generate investigative leads,” Garvie wrote. “As a consequence, agencies across the country can — and do — submit all manner of ‘probe photos,’ photos of unknown individuals submitted for search against a police or driver license database.”

Garvie argued the pictures are sometimes poor quality or doctored through popular social media filters, rendering them unreliable evidence.

There have been at least three known cases of facial recognition resulting in a false arrest. In 2019, Detroit police used DataWorks Plus to identify 25-year-old Michael Oliver as a suspect in a theft case. An eyewitness later picked him in a lineup; he was arrested and falsely charged with a felony. Robert Julian-Borchak Williams was handcuffed on his front lawn in a Detroit suburb the following year, after the algorithm incorrectly identified him as a suspect in a theft case. That same year, New Jersey resident Nijeer Parks was jailed for 10 days after being falsely accused of stealing candy and attempting to hit a police officer with a car. He is now suing the township of Woodbridge.

NYPD has reported five misidentifications through its facial recognition technology between 2011 and 2017. But Supervising Attorney Jerome Greco of Legal Aid — which has represented clients in facial recognition cases and helped force the NYPD to disclose 58 private contracts with surveillance companies — said the criteria for what counts as a mismatch remains unclear.

And prior to a recent statewide change in the discovery process for criminal cases, the NYPD did not routinely disclose whether facial recognition was used at all. Thus, the true extent to which suspects have been falsely arrested or taken plea deals they otherwise might not have, based on faulty matches, will never be known.

“We’ve seen this already with stop and frisk,” he said, referring to the NYPD’s previous practice of conducting searches of mostly nonwhite New Yorkers with little pretext, which was found unconstitutional by a federal judge. “So you didn’t end up arresting someone, but you harassed the hell out of them. Why am I supposed to believe this is any different?”

Concerns like these led San Francisco, Seattle, Oakland and several other cities in America to ban the software altogether in recent years. Elsewhere, however, police forces have moved far beyond what Adams plans for New York City. Even the IRS has walked back a plan to use the software to confirm taxpayers’ identities following backlash from legislators and privacy groups.

London is rolling out a program that will scan the faces of pedestrians in real-time and run them through facial recognition software in an attempt to match them with a database of wanted individuals. The process is similar in scope to China’s surveillance of its citizenry. London leaders have defended it as a necessary tool to get dangerous people off the streets, especially in the wake of terror attacks that have rocked the city.

Police officials in New York say their more tailored use of facial recognition has been an invaluable tool for combating crime. Most major offenses with the exception of murder were up in January compared to the same time last year, according to NYPD statistics.

“It’s been very helpful in a lot of cases in identifying violent suspects in crimes — quite a few sexual-related assaults and shootings where they were able to identify or get a lead to enhance the investigation through the facial recognition,” Paul DiGiacomo, president of law enforcement union the Detectives’ Endowment Association, said in an interview. “These anti-police groups keep trying to take away the tools that detectives use to investigate crimes and bring closure to some of these families that lost loved ones.”

Facial recognition is also more accurate than eyewitness identification, and like DNA evidence, can assist in solving cold cases and exonerating innocent people when applied with proper human oversight, according to former NYPD Commissioner William Bratton. He penned an op-ed defending the practice in 2020.

Bratton is now with global consulting firm Teneo and sits on the board of Shotspotter, a technology used by the NYPD and other American police departments to triangulate the sound of gunshots. He slammed what he considers a trend of left-leaning legislatures reflexively opposing arming police with new investigatory capabilities. He cited as an example concerns raised over the NYPD’s testing of a canine robot named Digidog — equipped with a camera and microphone, and designed to trot into situations hazardous to humans — that ended up forcing the agency to cancel the tryout last year.

“So many policies advanced by the progressive left are actually harming the people they are trying to protect,” Bratton, who served under former mayors Rudy Giuliani and Bill de Blasio, said in an interview. “And AOC’s comments on that robot are the case in point.”

Last February, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez argued that the $75,000 device epitomized excess police funding and a willingness to infringe on the civil rights of New Yorkers with low incomes.

Her comments followed the New York City Council’s passage of the Public Oversight of Surveillance Technology Act, which monitors the police department’s use of technology. It was hastened by clashes between NYPD officers and protesters following the murder of George Floyd.

The bill requires public reporting. So far it has yielded 36 disclosures around the department’s monitoring of both cryptocurrency and social media, as well as a system that can locate phones or computers using a WiFi signal. It also mandates the city Department of Investigation annually produce an oversight report, which a spokesperson said is due in April.

Among the sponsors of the measure were Adrienne Adams, who now leads the 51-member Council, and Brad Lander, the recently-elected city comptroller with oversight of NYPD spending. Both are Democrats.

“When it comes to increasing the use of surveillance tools like facial recognition, we first have to ask – what safeguards are we using to protect civil rights?” Lander asked in a statement. “Facial recognition is notoriously inaccurate when it comes to identifying people of color generally and women of color in particular. We shouldn’t rush into expanding the use of technology that may increase the risk of racial profiling and false arrests.”

Lander’s predecessor, Democrat Scott Stringer, notified former Police Commissioner Dermot Shea in 2020 that he would begin compiling the NYPD’s contracts with surveillance companies, after being kept in the dark about the agency spending for years due to an earlier agreement allowing the department to bypass standard procurement rules for surveillance materials.

Shea’s subsequent disclosures made no mention of the NYPD’s murky relationship with Clearview AI — a company that scrapes billions of public photographs from social media sites without permission and distributes the information to police officers across the country.

Former NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly sits on the company’s advisory board. The police department has no formal agreement with the firm, but Legal Aid obtained emails documenting the relationship. Fox Cahn believes officers continue to utilize the software through individual trial accounts — something the NYPD strongly denied.

The department said it is constantly updating its guidelines as new technologies emerge, and changed its facial recognition rules to ban the use of Clearview AI in 2020.

The NYPD’s software is regularly reviewed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology to assess its accuracy and compare demographic data. Matches cannot be used as the sole basis for an arrest, and its policies are now clearly posted for the public to comment on, department spokesperson Jessica McRorie, a police sergeant, said in an email.

“In response to studies around bias, we recognize that there are concerns,” McRorie said. “This is why facial recognition is used in combination with human analysis, as NYPD human investigators are integrated into all the phases of the process and facial recognition findings are reviewed by these investigators.”

New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, who is running for governor in the June Democratic primary, voiced support for some of the NYPD’s high-tech tools, like ShotSpotter. But he firmly opposes the use of facial recognition, citing concerns over flawed algorithms and what he views as undue privacy violations. He is part of Amnesty International’s Ban the Scan coalition, which seeks to outlaw the use of the technology in New York City.

“There is always a willingness to give up civil liberties when it is to protect yourself from ‘the other,’” he said. “But we have to strike a balance. And especially with the inherent flaws and concerns about data, I think [facial recognition] tips that balance.”

[stunudo]

BAU Prep School AU

A Criminal Minds Fan-fiction

What Happens On Break...

Welcome to the Frederick Buchanan Institute located in scenic Quantico, Virginia, a senior high academy that shapes the best and brightest minds. Its motto is “Behavior, Analysis, Unity,” the mascot the Submariners, colloquially “the Unsubs”. The small school supports the most accomplished faculty from across the country.

Dec 22, 2016 7:14am Newark, NJ to Pittsburgh, PA

There was an eerie hush in the early morning hours of airports, traveling had been out of JJ’s routine for so long that she had somehow forgotten the holidays were always an exception to the rule. She was sipping on a nonfat chai, earbuds in with her head into a magazine as she waited for the last hour of her layover to end. The seat beside her occupied only by her winter coat and carry on bag. Her absence was an atmosphere, filling JJ’s lungs with apprehension and recycled air.

She understood that Emily’s family had difficulty scheduling things in the States. She even understood that Emily would bend over backward to accommodate those unforgiving schedules. What she hadn’t quite wrapped her mind around was how Emily hadn’t even thought to extend her an invitation to the holiday gala at the Prentiss estate next week. They worked together; their vacations were perfectly aligned. Somehow, their families and their relationship were not.

It wasn’t that Emily had forgotten to invite her, it was that Emily hadn’t felt it necessary to even mention JJ to her parents. She hadn’t outright confronted Emily about it, but you couldn’t pull one over on a coach. Teenagers lied, girlfriends weren’t supposed to. The hollowness inside her chest resurfaced as a couple and their young son settled across from her. JJ had thought she had finally found her forever. But what did it matter if Emily couldn’t offer her the same kind of commitment?

Dec 23, 2016 8pm Woodbridge, VA

“Uncle Gordon called.” Diana said offhandedly as Spencer settled in for the night. He had spent the day at the school, ensuring his classrooms were in order after Grant and his grounds’ crew had their bi-annual gutting of the school. After three years, his cabinets’ meticulous organization were respected.

“Oh?” Spencer kissed his mother’s head in greeting. “How’s everything in Vegas?” He sat on the couch adjacent to her recliner.

“Same old, same old.” Diana nodded. “Didn’t think you were going to make it in time.”

Spencer smirked, giving his mother the side-eye. “Wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“Good,” Diana smiled turning on the old television set in the corner. The black and white movie beginning with the boisterous old movie house introduction. Soon a dashing Jimmy Stewart appeared, the Reid family tradition of watching a It’s a Wonderful Life had commenced. Their reactions were over done, prompting teasing on both sides of the modest living room. This could have been one of twenty previous Christmases, or at least the past four that had been spent in Virginia. Diana fell asleep in her chair before the triumphant ending with George Bailey cheering with his daughter in his arms.

Spencer didn’t bother waking her, but headed to his room to read before bed. Perhaps tomorrow he would suggest an outing, hoping to wrangle her aid into helping convince her. It had been nearly a year since she had left their apartment. Spencer knew it was up to him to get her the help she needed, but could he listen to reason over her wishes? Or worse, would she?

Dec 24, 2016 8pm Chicago, IL

Sarah and Desiree were taking forever to get ready, leaving Derek alone with his mother in the kitchen. They were chatting easily in the apartment she had moved into once her children were out on their own. Derek gave his mother his infectious grin once she offered him a cookie from her old tin stashed above the refrigerator.  Being the favorite had its perks.

“So, how you doing after the playoffs, Derek?” His mother’s auburn curls still vibrant as she sat easily at her small table.

“Ah, Mom, you know I need a rebuilding year every once in a while,” Derek teased, reassuring her all the same.

“And what about your extra-curriculars?” Fran Morgan raised her eyebrows, knowing her son better than anyone.

“There have been some of those, yeah” Derek grinned, a sheepish yet enthusiastic smirk.

“Some? Or?” Fran leaned in patting her boy’s leg.

“Well, I hope it’s just one, Mom,” Derek admitted. “But, uh, we work together, so we’re both a little stretched for time.”

“Okay, so tell me about this one, then.” She smiled, resting her chin on her palm.

Twenty minutes later and his sisters were finally church-ready. The Morgan family bundled in their Sunday best, scarves and gloves helping to shield them from the biting winter air. The walk to the evening service was as much a tradition as the vigil itself. Derek proudly escorted his mother down the dingy Chicago street. Once they had arrived at the old oak doors, Derek stepped back to make a quick phone call.

Penelope answered on the third ring, “Hey there, handsome.”

“Merry Christmas, Baby Girl.” He cooed back.

“I thought you were with your mom?” Penelope asked, trying to hide her conversation from the very noisy and very crowded living room of her adoptive family.

“I am, we’re just walking into church,” Derek explained. “Listen, Penelope, I know we haven’t had much time for real dates, but I just can’t stop thinking about you. You know?”

Penelope pinched her lips, flustered, she squealed below her breath, “Uh, yeah, I mean, we are like an unstoppable power couple.”

“So you see that too?” Derek laughed, trying not to be too loud as all the old ladies filing into the building behind were sure to be listening.

“You know I do, hot stuff.”

“So, it’s official, then?” Derek asked, suddenly somber. “We’re a couple?”

“Like the diva herself sang it, “All I Want for Christmas is You, Derek Morgan.”

With that Derek jumped in excitement, the weightlessness of new love spreading within his chest.

“Alright, Baby Girl, I gotta go say a special set of thank yous inside, but you have a good night.”

Penelope pecked into the phone, “Merry Christmas, my love.”

Dec 25, 2016 6:37am Hartwood, VA

If years of being married to a musician hadn’t trained Monica Walker to be ready for anything, years of parenting had. She had been up tending to vomit buckets and the clammy forehead of little Eli since the wee hours. She started the coffee pot once the sun began to bleed heavenward. She was exhausted to the point of numbness, stunned into meditating on that first Christmas morning. A young mother, pained and panicked, slouched besides cattle in the night.

“Mary, I feel you girl,” Monica muttered, “We do the dirtiest jobs, yet all they remember is their accolades.”

It was then that she heard Stephen’s soothing bass beckoning the family to arise and celebrate. “Oh, come let us adore him-“ An age old tune drawn out with his infectious rhythms. The rippling melody cut off with Stephen’s realization, “Uh-huh, where are the kids?”

“Sleeping,” Monica sighed, regaling her husband with her night of double duty, Santa and Nurse. They sipped their coffees in quiet comfort, just two people, still madly in love, waiting.

Eli muscled through opening his presents as only a child would, no sane adult would stay upright that long after the night he had endured. Maya was getting too old to appear to be excited for presents, but her mother pulled out the squeals when Maya opened her very own make up kit. The kids were so engrossed in their gifts that they didn’t notice that their parents didn’t exchange gifts this year. Sometimes, time together made up for the tightening budgets.

Dec 25, 2016 10:17am Sundance, UT

The thick crunch of snow punctuated the steady breaths of the pair on the hillside. The slopes were filling up, despite the holiday. For Dave and Alex, there was no place to be and no race to the bottom. They carefully secured their skis and grinned at each other in the other-worldly ensembles.

“See you at the bottom?” Dave asked slyly.

“I’ll be waiting,” Alex teased, snapping her shaded goggles into place.

The day was spent enjoying the endless mountain views and varying degrees of conversation paired nicely with varying degrees of inebriation. The resort was first class, a level of luxury Alex Blake had left behind with her political career.

“Thanks again for inviting me, Dave,” Alex smiled, a bone deep tired taking hold, the kind only fresh air and excursion could produce.

“Anytime, Allie.” Dave nodded his head and ducked into his room. Alex headed to her own suite, falling swiftly into a dreamless sleep.

Dec 25, 2016 4pm Manassas, VA

Haley kept pointing to the chairs framing their large dining room table. She was working out the seating arrangements in her head, making sure that chairs weren’t too spaced since the Walker clan would not be joining them. Which left Meg without anyone in her age range to socialize with, reseating her with the adults. Kit and Jack were too small for a table to themselves, anyhow.

Aaron walked on stocking feet, into the room adjusting his tie. “When did you say everyone would be here?”

“I told Kate dinner would be at five,” Haley explained, shuffling a place setting two inches to the right.

“So they’ll be here any minute,” Aaron nodded, “I wonder if Jason is coming, or if Stephen has finally forgiven him and is having him over for Hanukkah.”

“Well, I put out a menorah, too, just in case.” Haley shrugged.

“Of course you did,” Aaron murmured, sneaking behind his wife to grab her in an instinctual embrace. He framed her petite body, letting her relax into the gentle swaying. As soon as the tension had released her shoulders a tiny, yet unyielding cry burst from the hall.

“I’ll get him,” Aaron whispered, kissing her temple. Haley cursed gently under her breath when the shrill cries refused to fade, despite her husband’s best efforts. She tucked the hair behind her ear and marched towards the nursery, Aaron could play host, for a bit at least.

The first knock was more of a stomping of feet in the mudroom; Kate just let herself in, as always. Haley sighed, knowing that she would soon be pulled away from the warm bubble of nursing. Motherhood was exhausting, wanting to be everything for her son, yet needing to be a coherent functioning member of society as well.

The bustle of taking coats and dispersing drinks were handled gallantly by the Headmaster, with some assistance from his future student, thirteen year old Meg. The rolls were in the oven and the wrap was secure around Haley’s torso when the phone rang. For emergencies and peace of mind, the Hotchners still kept a landline; forcing Aaron to pick up in the kitchen.

“Merry Christmas!” The young father answered in a rush.

“Hey there, Hotch.” Jason Gideon beckoned back. “Look, I’m not going to make it tonight.”

“That’s too bad,” Aaron admitted, “But I hope that means you’re spending it with family.”

“You could say that,” Jason placated, “Anyway, thank Haley for the invitation, I’ll see you soon enough.”

“Will do. Take care, Jason.”

“You, too, Aaron.” Mr. Gideon hung up his phone, dropping it on the television tray beside his microwave dinner. He wasn’t spending the night with family, unless you counted his half blind cat, Monte. He just didn’t have the heart to spend a night projecting cheer. He thought of his son, knowing that Hotch’s hopes were grander than his own.

Dec 25, 2016 8:47pm Brooklyn, NY

Elle had forgotten how unmanageable streets were back home. There wasn’t any fresh snow, thankfully, but the street parking was beyond packed due to the holiday. After hours in traffic, two emotional meltdowns and four cups of coffee, she had arrived. The Brownstone was more run down than in her memories, but the warmth and the wreath on the door were the same.

She tucked her hair behind her ears and straightened her posture. With a deep inhale, she knocked. The graying head bobbed to answer the door. Frozen before her, her mother’s stern face melted into a blissful exultation.

“Mija!” Elle’s mother shrieked, grabbing Elle tightly to her. Elle let the tension leave her body, the hours of anxiety and white knuckles slunk away. When her mother’s arms held her; the tears fell freely.

“Hi, Mami.”

“Oy, mija. My Elle is home now.” Her mother crooned. They stood in the doorway, with the noisy city behind them. Basking in their homemade Christmas reunion.

Very Special Thanks to Cassie @mentallydatingspencerreid,

Meg @imagicana , and Loki @jodiewhittakers!!!

@ddreammcatcher @ultrarebelheart @lightbluelester @criminal-anatomy   @captainreid  @thebadyears @amarislestrange @shaelyn102 @badasprentiss @fl0werb0nes18 @inestava @sam-carter-in-training @wonderboygenius @fortheloveofpearlet @valentina-pendragon-blog @imarockstar45 @chocok22 @cynbx @fairymega @madamredwrites @doctorspencerreidrp @mindsunleashed @dontshootmespence @bookofreid @marvelfanlife @welp-there-it-is @ilikeitwhenyousleepforyouareso   @remember-me-forever-silent-angel @original-criminal-fanfics @derpyprentiss @olicia-leeshy @lookwhatyoumademequeue @veroinnumera @sarahkay-19 @sammles27 @lesbian-asajj @teatimewithtiya @braziliangirlonasharkcity @alienlynz @janam03 @nobravery @clockworkballerina  @whymesswperfection  @hagridsmumhasgotitgoingon @brooke0297 @XXMADDHATTER39XX  @gurliest @handpaintedgalaxy

[samuel-de-champagne-problems]

It's Delicate: PART I

CHAPTER MASTERLIST

Summary: Spencer Reid finds himself at a gas station at 2:00 am, thinking he’s only leaving with a cup of crappy coffee. But something taped to the door catches his eye. Spencer leaves the gas station with more than he intended: the chance at a friend, and maybe something more along the way.

Word Count: 2.8 K

Content Warnings: Mention of NA meeting, some case talk, mild language

Author's Note: This is my first chapter fic! I've only written one shots before, so bear with me. I truly do appreciate all reblogs, likes, and comments. Thank you!!

It's Delicate

Spencer doesn’t really care for gas station coffee, but at 2:00 am it’s the only thing that’s open. He pulls into the parking spot and turns off his Volvo. The check engine light is on, he needs to get into a mechanic, but between his NA meetings and work, it’s difficult to even catch his breath.

So that’s what Spencer does. In the middle of the gas station parking lot at 2:00 am, Spencer sits in his blue Volvo and breathes. He takes deep breaths, the ones that he uses when he has to calm down victims when they’re rescued. It’s grounding, breathing like this he thinks. It’s the kind of breath that Spencer takes when his head is fuzzy from sleeplessness and the only thing that can keep his eyes from drooping is a steady stream of coffee.

He unbuckles his seat belt and gets out of his car. Shutting the door, Spencer surveys the rest of the parking lot. He sees a couple other cars in the lot, he supposes it’s the gas station attendants, but he feels his shoulders tense at the thought of trouble. The bell attached to the door rings as Spencer opens the door. It's a small convenience store, one that Spencer has been frequently at odd hours after the BAU’s jet lands. He’s grown to know the owner, Jeff, who for the past 4 years hasn’t been around all too often.

“I’ll take a regular coffee,” Spencer asks the young man behind the counter. He doesn’t say anything in return, but nods his head in understanding as Spencer hands him a $5 bill and tells him to keep the change.

“Night,” Spencer tells the man, who he’s never seen before, when he hands him his coffee. Again, the young man doesn’t answer. Spencer tries to salvage the awkward encounter by chalking up the man’s coldness by it being so late.

As Spencer pushes against the door with the sleeve covered part of his arm, a poster that’s eye level catches his eye. It’s one of those posters where you can rip off the phone number and contact the person. But instead of a 20-something looking for a roommate, it’s a book club advertisement.

Spencer, quickly for a normal person, but slowly for himself, reads over the sign. The book club is hosted at the local bookstore, Hooked on Books, that Spencer has always meant to check out. From what he can gather, the list of numbers are from people looking for what the poster refers to as “book buddies”. Spencer’s eyes scan the list. There aren't any names attached to the numbers, Spencer supposes that the idea behind that is so bias won’t come into play.

It almost seems like the perfect trap: rip off one of these little pieces of paper with a phone number and call that person with the intention of being their book buddy. It’s something that Spencer knows deep in his bones he’s meant to avoid. But it’s like there’s an invisible string pulling at him to rip the third piece of paper from the group and stuff it carefully into the safety of his wallet.

--

It’s been five days since Spencer visited the cold man at the gas station and took the number from the poster. In those five days, Spencer slept for two and was back on plane to the middle of Montana for the next three.

After a long day in the sun, Spencer relishes in the cold water from the hotel shower. Even though he had to crouch slightly, Spencer still appreciated the way the chilly water seems to wash him anew. He never sleeps well when the team is on a case, it’s like his mind can’t rest. Well, his mind can never really rest, since it’s technically always growing and changing, especially during sleep.

Spencer’s thoughts travel from his messed up circadian rhythm to the piece of paper that burns a hole in his wallet. He steps out of the shower and dresses in his pajamas. It’s cold in the hotel run, as JJ likes to sleep in the coldest temperature humanly possible. Spencer knows that she finds the weight of blankets comforting. He makes a mental note to put some of his pillows on JJ’s bed, so she can pretend it’s her boys and Will in the bed with her. Spencer can’t help but wonder what’s like to have a child or a partner that misses you. It must be so bittersweet: the promise of coming home, but the threat of having to leave them all behind at moments notice.

Letting his hair air dry, Spencer unlocks the door and enters his and JJ’s hotel room. Out of the whole team, Spencer likes sharing with JJ the best. She’s the most organized and usually, they’ll spend the night on FaceTime with the boys and Will watching a movie, depending on the time.

“You’re all good, JJ. Thanks for letting me get in first,” Spencer says, flopping down on his bed. He shuts off his light, essentially telling JJ that he doesn’t want to talk about the case, or Henry, or anything really.

“Good night, Spence,” JJ says, before shutting off the rest of the lights and heading into the bathroom.

For a couple of minutes, Spencer lays in the all consuming dark. He tries the breathing exercise that’s scientifically proven to make you fall asleep. He counts, one, two, three, four breaths in and holds for one, two, three, four, five, six, seven and let's go for one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight.

He tries it for a couple of rounds, but suspects thinking about numbers makes him think about the phone number. Spencer can’t exactly pinpoint why he’s nervous to reach out to the number. Maybe it’s his constant fear of judgement or fear of not being enough, he can’t tell.

Knowing that sleep is probably not coming anytime soon, Spencer rolls on his side so he faces the window overlooking the hotel parking lot. He can’t stop thinking about the case. The way the victim’s mother and father walk around the precinct with a lifeless look in their eyes, staying villgiant no matter how many times JJ tells them to go home and rest.

Spencer doesn’t want to think about the case, so his mind flits to another subject: Hooked on Books Book Buddies. He can’t really pinpoint why he didn’t reach out to his book buddy. But laying there in the bed, Spencer feels strongly compelled to do anything to get his mind off the case, so he climbs out of bed to reach for his phone.

It’s tucked away neatly in his go bag, unlike JJ, Spencer doesn’t have anyone that’s waiting for him at home. Sure he has his mother, but if she needed him, the home would wait until 8 am to call Spencer. He unlocks it and the blue light illuminates the room. Somehow, Garcia had convinced him to get an updated phone. Spencer hardly uses it, but does appreciate being able to get pictures of JJ’s boys and his mother.

He memorized the number in the ten seconds or so it took him to rip the little slip of paper from the poster and put it away in his wallet. Spencer punches the numbers into a new contact, but hesitates when he’s prompted to give a name. He doesn’t know the first thing about this person. Seriously, this is like FBI 101 on the do not listen, he thinks.

Spencer pushes the thoughts of serial killers, for what feels like the first time in ten years, from his mind when he hits the button to message his mysterious book buddy. He types out a message a couple of times, but ends up deleting them because he sounds so incredibly stupid.

Spencer: Hello. I do apologize for my late message. I work odd hours, but I came across your number at the gas station on the corner of Richmond Street and Connor Avenue in Woodbridge. If you are interested, perhaps we can have a conversation about Hooked on Books’ Book Club?

Spencer, realizing that the message he wrote is going to be as good as it gets, hits the little arrow for “send”. He watches as his message turns blue and the little gray delivered pops up. He doesn’t expect the person to send a message back yet. He’s all the way in Montana and they’re in Woodbridge, Virginia, presumably. If it’s 2:30 am in Montana, it’s 4:30 back at home. That’s a little too late for someone with a normal 9 to 5 to be up for work and a little too late for a person that’s joining a book club to haven’t gone to sleep yet.

Don’t profile them, Spencer.

“What’s got you glued to the phone, Reid?” JJ says, with a smirk as she walks out from the bathroom and climbs into her bed. She came in so quietly, or rather, Spencer was staring so intensely at his phone that he didn’t realize.

“Something with my mother, JJ,” he lies, and he doesn’t even know what he can’t tell her the truth.

“Okay, Spence. I just want to make sure you’re all good,” JJ says quietly, her back must be facing Spencer because her voice is muffled a little bit.

“Thanks, JJ, uh good night, now,” Spencer says, effectively ending the conversation.

JJ doesn’t say anything after that, perhaps she just understands that Spencer doesn’t want to talk. Spencer rests flat on his back and tries a couple more rounds of the breathing exercise, but nothing seems to make his brain shut off. Despite the way his eyelids droop and the way it’s almost painful to continue to think, Spencer can’t seem to fall asleep.

He thinks about his Book Buddy, whoever they might be. Spencer hopes that they are around his age. He can’t remember a time that he had a friend his age that wasn’t through work. He has people. JJ is the closest thing to a sister that he’ll ever get and he knows that Derek loves him like a brother, despite his teasing. Emily and Penelope are Spencer’s rock. And then there’s Tara, Matt, and Luke, though Spencer has really gotten a chance to know them all too well, he knows that they’re a team.

But Spencer has always dreamt of having a friend. As a little kid, he used to make up imaginary friends that would listen to his science facts and perform chemistry experiments from him. When he got to high school, his dreams were occupied by someone who’d reach for his hand after he’d been beaten down or strung to a football post. Sure he had Ethan, but that was something charged and electric that left Spencer longing for someone again.

Spencer hadn’t had dreams about a friend in a long time, but tonight he dreamt of coffee and books in a small café and a faceless stranger that would listen to him and laugh with him.

--

Even though he fell asleep relatively shortly after thinking about his Book Buddy, Spencer did not feel well rested. He turns around in his bed and notices that JJ’s bed is already neatly made. The bathroom is empty, so Spencer reckons that JJ and Emily must already be at the police station.

He wants to savor the last couple of minutes in bed, maybe chase a dream or two of strangers swapping books and making memories over expensive coffee and scones. But reality calls him back home. Spencer checks his phones for work updates (and maybe a message or two from his Book Buddy), but the only notifications on his phone is a Forbes article and a couple emails from Georgetown.

Spencer, heading to the bathroom, gets interrupted by a loud and persistent knock on his hotel room door. He opens the door, revealing an equally tired looking Luke. He waves Spencer good morning before slumping down in the desk chair in the corner of the hotel room.

“I’ve been sent by JJ to get you, she thinks you’re acting weird,” Luke says, expecting Spencer to explain himself.

Awkwardly, Spencer makes something in between a grimace and a frown. He rolls his eyes, but plays along with what he thinks Luke’s little game.

“Well I’m always weird, it would be weird if I wasn’t being weird,” Spencer says, heading into the bathroom with a pile of work clothes. He shuts the door, both literally on Luke and metaphorically on their conversation.

In the bathroom, Spencer dresses out of his pajamas and into a pair of well worn pants and a light purple button up. He forgot his contacts at his apartment, but luckily had a back up pair of glasses in his go bag. Spencer, looking in the mirror, never particularly carried for the reflection that looks back at him. It always seems like his hair is too messy, or his collar is all twisted, or his eyebags are too prominent.

At least the glasses can kind of cover up his eye bags, Spencer thinks as he shuts off the light and closes the bathroom door behind him. Luke, who still is slouched in the chair, looks at his phone.

“Waiting for Penelope to send you a picture of Sergio or something?” Spencer asks, the snark in his voice isn’t missed by Luke.

“You’re one to talk, JJ was telling me how you’re being kind of secretive for the last couple of weeks,” Luke counters.

“Yeah, that’s my work mandated therapist, Luke. You know from the time I was in jail,” Spencer shoots back a little harder than he intended. The look that Luke gives him is something akin to a hurt puppy and Spencer can’t help but feel a little bad for snapping at Luke’s teasing.

“Sorry, man,” Luke says, putting a hand on Spencer’s shoulder, “I get it, and you know I’m here for you, Reid. We might not be as close as you and Penny or you and JJ, but I’m here to listen to you,” Luke says, his hand on Spencer, who’s usually so hesitant to touch, is something Spencer never thought he would find comforting.

“Thank you,” is all Spencer can manage and somehow, Luke just gets it. They walk quietly to the parking lot where the SUVs are. The silence continues as they drive to the police station.

It’s still early, only 7:13 am. Spencer can only hope that they catch the unsub in the next couple of hours, so they can file the paperwork and be on their way to Quantico by 8:00 pm. Luke’s steady driving threatens to lull Spencer to sleep. His quiet presence, however, is interrupted with a buzz. Luke’s eyes dart to his phone that navigates them to the police station. He refuses to take direction from Spencer, who has a habit of being a terrible co-pilot.

“Check that for me,” Luke says, “it’s probably Penelope,”

Spencer raises his eyebrows and attempts to suppress a smirk at Luke’s blatant transparency.

“You know with updates about the case and whatnot,” Luke says, brushing Spencer’s teasing off and putting his attention back to the road.

“It’s not Garcia and for what it’s worth, Luke, I don’t see how she’d say no,” Spencer offers, genuinely wanting to see his two friends, who are so perfect for each other it’s almost ridiculous, get together.

Luke shuffles in his seat uncomfortably and pulls into the station. He shoots Spencer a lot, as if to say drop it. The last thing Luke wants is Tara and Matt to get wind of his excitement at Penelope texting him.

Spencer, who’s phone lights up alerting him that he has an unread message, feels a sudden surge in his heart. He’s so used to only getting messages from JJ about the cases or pictures of her boys, that a text not related to his work or his family leaves a smile to his face.

Spencer tries to not profile the message, but to just read it like a normal friend would.

Book Buddy (Y/N): Hey there😊! I can’t believe someone actually grabbed my number...I’m glad you’re interested in this. I’m Y/N and I don’t think you mentioned your name, I don’t make it a habit to meet up with strangers before not knowing their name.

Reading the message twice to make sure he can recite without any hesitation, Spencer’s face falls as he realizes that he forgot to tell them his own name. How could you be so clueless, Spencer, he thinks.

Quickly, because he knows that the rest of the team is waiting inside the police station, that is like a portal to the past, Spencer types out another message.

Spencer: My name is Spencer.

Spencer: I tend to be away for work quite often, so I do apologize for the late message. And for hiding my identity-- not that that was on purpose. Is it okay if we plan something when I get back to Virginia?

Spencer doesn’t expect a message right away, but he can tell that there’s going to be something Pavlovian about the way that little swoosh sound makes his fingers reach for his phone.

--

Thank You!! I love and appreciate all and every comments, likes, and reblogs. I love knowing what you think!!

--Taglist--

@shemarmooresfedora

@april-14-blog

@willowrose99

@calm-and-doctor

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@nomajdetective

[spencerreidsmiles]

Memory Pt. 1

Written by: spencerreidsmiles

Requested by @marthabelin​. A fic where the Reader calls Reid because she thinks that her dangerous ex-boyfriend is stalking her. 

Fun Fact: I actually had a fic like this started so I combined the both of them and now this is going to be a four part series! 

Trigger Warnings: stalking

Word Count: 1094

PART TWO PART THREE EPILOGUE ALTERNATE ENDING

MASTERLIST

Your first relationship is supposed to be memorable. Most people had sweet little memories of their first partner, lovely stories about awkward first dates and first kisses. You had the plot of a real life horror story.

Your boyfriend told you he loved you even before you two were dating. You'd foolishly thought that you were in love with him as well. But soon, Ryder started displaying signs of completely obsession. Infatuated with you and everything you did.

So you did what anyone else would do; you left him. He was heartbroken. He called and texted you for days, weeks, months. Almost close to a year.

But then...it just stopped. No cryptic calls, no creepy emails, no heart wrenching letters in the mail. You thought that you were finally free from him. That he was finally in the past. But lord, were you wrong.

You were finally moving on after five years of dwelling on the past. No more thinking about him or what he might do. You had even let yourself fall in love again. This time, your boyfriend was the greatest person you had ever met, Spencer Reid. He was a young brilliant FBI agent who actually cared about what you thought. You weren’t in love with the idea of a boyfriend, like you were with Ryder, but rather, you were in love with the little things that made Spencer Reid your perfect boyfriend.

“Hey, babe,” you cheered happily. Spencer kissed you lovingly and lifted you off the ground. He had just arrived from last case in Illinois a day early and had surprised

“Hi,” he replied, his lips still close to yours. “What’s happening today, darling?”

Spencer took a seat on the couch and hung his head off the side of the armrest to see you.

“Well, I was going to hang out with Claire at the mall today and get a dress for the FBI dinner next week. But I can just reschedule so we can hang out today,” you answered, fetching him a cup of hot coffee.

He sipped the drink as he waved your comment off. “No, no! Love, I’ll be home for a few days at least, since it’s right before Christmas break. We can talk when you get back, right?”

“Of course, Spence. I love you, pumpkin,” you sang happily. You dashed off to your closet to get dressed.

“Bye, darling!” he called from the other room.

“Bye, babe!” you shouted back as you dashed out the door to get to your shopping date with Claire.

Claire was uncharacteristically late. You’d waited for about twenty five minutes before you decided to walk around the food court by yourself. Fortunately, Claire came running up to you, apologizing profusely.

“Hey, Y/N! Sorry I’m so late. Traffic is incredible for such a small town like Woodbridge,” Claire blabbered excitedly. She wrapped you in a tight hug.

“No problem, Claire. Besides, you just saved me from indulging on way too many fast food fries,” you half-kidded.

“I could always go for some fries later,” Claire added. “So, where do you want to go? I’ve got to head to Macy’s to get something for my sister’s baby shower.”

“Let’s go there then!” you suggested.

Claire and you walked off to the other side of the mall, chatting and laughing. As you were walking, you felt like somebody was watching you. It was probably just paranoia, though. You were walking in a packed mall, so it was natural to feel like somebody was watching you.

At Macy’s, Claire and you were slightly crazy shopping. By the end of the hour, your hands were completely full of dresses, shirts, and pants. Claire decided to continue shopping a little more, even though she definitely had more stuff than you. You stumbled into the completely dressing room, much to the dismay of the attendant. Alone in the dressing room, you heard light tapping and footsteps.

“Claire? Is that you? Check out this incredible dress I found!”

Claire didn’t answer, so you asked if anyone else was there. When nobody responded, you began to get concerned. You began hearing a low whisper just saying your name over and over. It began to give you chills down your spine. The same chills that you had when you were with Ryder. Your hands flew to your phone to call Spencer.

“Spence?” you said in a shaky whisper.

“Hey, love. What’s up?” Spencer answered happily.

“I...I think that my ex is stalking me. And I can’t find Claire. I don’t know what to do. I-Help. Please come, Spencer, I’m so scared.”

“What? That bastard. I’m coming, Y/N. Don’t worry. Stay safe, sweetheart.”

You still clutched the phone after Spencer ended the call. It was your safety blanket. He was coming, which meant that you would be safe in the nineteen minutes it took to get there.

But, the voice started getting more clear and the footsteps more apparent. The only thing running through your head was “Oh God, I don’t want to die here. Please.” Tears began forming in your eyes at the thought of dying and never seeing your Spencer again.

“Y/N? Look what I got!” Claire announced as she bounced into the room. She heard you crying anxiously. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

You cracked open the door to look at Claire. “Did you see someone out there? A guy? Tall, muscular, black spiky hair? I thought…”

“Hey, hey. Nobody’s here. It’s just us here. Did you think it was Ryder-” Claire began.

“I don’t know. Maybe. I-I called Spencer. I’m so scared. What if-what if it really is him? I don’t know if I can handle him coming back again.”

Claire walked into your dressing room and sat with you until Spencer came. When he did, he ran into the dressing room and wrapped you up into a massive hug. That’s when the tears began to fall. Being in Ryder’s arms had never felt like this; safe, warm, and at home.

“I’m here, Y/N. Nobody can hurt you,” Spencer comforted.

Spencer thanked Claire for you and told the security to send footage of the dressing rooms to the FBI for Garcia to analyze. After he took you home, Spencer tucked you in and made you a warm cup of tea. He took of the next few days to stay with you, even though you urged him not to. After such a disaster of a first boyfriend, you were so lucky to have someone who really loved you and wanted to protect you.

@reiding-and-writing​

[badass-unit-chief]

"Ma'am I've actually been living in Virginia for a couple of months now. After Mom got me taken away from her a family in Woodbridge Virginia I've been having a bit of trouble with them and I just ran here to agent Prentiss' apartment." Davey whispered softly

"David I promise you we are going to help you and make sure you're safe. You'll get to see Aaron and Penelope again soon."Spencer whispered softly as he continued to drive they've been trying to keep in much contact with Davey as they possibly could but they didn't have any idea that he was being abused.

@beautifulgreymatter187

It was three o'clock Christmas Eve morning Emily was bundled up in her coat underneath a few blankets and she couldn't sleep.

Her furnace gave out on her about a week ago and tonight was an extremely cold night. On top of that she hated Christmas because of her childhood she didn't have many fond memories only a few.

However she did make sure she got everyone a Christmas gift at the BAU she thought of them as kind of her family. She passed out the gifts the day before.

Ashley and Spencer were spending their first day in their new mansion that David and the team got them for a Christmas and engagement gift. Spencer was all curled up with Ashley and their California king size bed in one of the fifteen bedrooms asleep.

Ashley's phone starts to ring it's Emily's number. Emily Hayden calling this time of day especially since it was Christmas Eve and all. She knew that a lot of people considered Christmas Eve morning a holiday too.

“Hey, Emmy, what’s up? Are you alright?”

[goalhofer]

2020 IIHF World Juniors U.S.A. Roster

Wingers

#13 Cole Caufield (University of Wisconsin, Madison Badgers/Mosinee, WI)

#16 Nick Robertson (Peterborough Petes/Arcadia, California)

#18 Oliver Wahlstrom (Bridgeport Sound Tigers/Cumberland, Maine)

#23 Bobby Brink (University Of Denver Pioneers/Minnetonka, Minnesota)

#28 Arthur Kaliyev (Hamilton Bulldogs/New York, New York)

Centers

#9 Trevor Zegras (Boston University Terriers/Bedford, New York)

#10 Curtis Hall (Yale University Bulldogs/Chagrin Falls, Ohio)

#12 Jack Drury (Harvard University Crimson/Winnetka, Illinois)

#15 Alex Turcotte (University Of Wisconsin, Madison Badgers/Island Lake, Ill)

#17 John Beecher (University Of Michigan Wolverines/Elmira, New York)

#20 Parker Ford (Providence College Friars/Wakefield, Rhode Island)

#22 Shane Pinto (U. Of North Dakota Fighting Saints/Franklin Square, NY)

#25 Jake Pivonka (University Of Notre Dame Fighting Irish/Woodbridge, Illinois)

Defensemen

#2 Jordan Harris (Northeastern University Huskies/Haverhill, Massachusetts)

#4 Cam York (University Of Michigan Wolverines/Anaheim, California)

#19 K’Andre Miller (University of Wisconsin, Madison Badgers/St. Paul, MN)

#24 Mattias Samuelsson (Western Michigan University Broncos/Vorhees, NJ)

#26 Alec Regula (London Knights/West Bloomfield Township, Michigan)

Goalies

#30 Spencer Knight (Boston College Eagles/Stamford, Connecticut)

#31 Isaiah Saville (University Of Nebraska, Omaha Mavericks/Anchorage, AK)

#32 Dustin Wolf (Everett Silvertips/Tustin, California)