Chapter Text
Spencer woke up to an overcast day and wet ground. He rolled out of bed to shower and dress. When done Spencer pulled out a container of cover-up and rubbed some into the crook of his neck. When that was finished the swirly sun with swirly rays was covered-hidden to and from the world. Now dressed and ready to head into work Dr. Spencer Reid left his apartment and headed to the BAU.
He had plans to finish the paperwork littering his, Morgan, Gideon, and Hotch’s desks. They had been on cases non-stop and with Elle gone the paperwork load has fallen on the others. When Spencer arrived he noticed that he wasn’t the only one coming in on a day off. JJ had a stack of about 10 case files in her arms.
“JJ! What are you doing here? We have off this weekend.” Spencer said. He gathered the files off Morgan’s desk and put them on his own then tried Hotch’s door.
“I could say the same thing. I’m trying to rediscover my desk. I decided to organize my office and make our lives easier. What about you?” She asked while handing over two keys.
“I’m doing everyone’s paperwork. I’m the fastest at it and with no social life, the most available so I try to come in every two or three weeks to help everyone out. Why should they come back from a weekend of fun to death and murder? Much better for everyone if it gets done before they come in. Spencer tried the first key and Hotch’s door opened. He darted in and grabbed the files and relocked the door.
“Spence, doesn’t that mean you read them? I get the keys so I can do my job right.” She explained at his funny look at the door.
“Oh. And yes, with my eidetic memory I will never forget what I read in these files.”
“Is that why you don’t sleep?” JJ asked.
“Maybe. Maybe. I’m going to get the files off of Gideon’s desk. And then I will be at my desk if you need me. Later JJ.” Spencer walked towards Gideon’s office.
JJ sighed and walked to her own office to begin working. She had a plan to sort these into open cases and need to be closed. The latter went into a box and the former stayed for further separation. The open would get broken down into the type of crime: rape, murder, rape and murder, arson, arson with death, abductions, abductions resulting in murder. Then they got broken down into age groups: children, teenagers, young adults, adults, middle age, elderly. Then they would be put into a priority listing of 1 being the least and 5 being the maximum. She knew she had her work cut out for her but it would help everyone involved. She started her classical music and settled in.
Spencer had gather 21 files from Hotch, Gideon and Morgan. He had 9 on his desk and he knew JJ had at least 5. He settled in: Computer on and several pens ready and a box for completed files. He got to work writing about how the profiled formed, the people interviewed, the raids that occurred, shots fired, UnSub pulled a weapon or not, if the UnSub died or was apprehended. When finished filling that out, they got put into the box for Hotch or Gideon’s signature.
He had gotten through 5 before deciding coffee was needed to get through this chore. Spencer stopped by her office and grabbed her travel mug and made her some too. When he brought it back he grabbed the files for closing and settled back into his desk.
“Thanks Spence” was heard in the bullpen. He smiled lightly and pumped through 7 more before his stomach decided to input its opinion.
“Hey Spencer. Are you hungry? I can get Chinese delivered.” JJ came out of her office.
“Please. Chicken and broccoli with white rice. Thank you.” JJ nodded and Spencer did three more files before lunch arrived.
“How do you do it? Rembember everything you’ve read, have three doctrates? I really respect you Spencer. Not everyone could do what you do.” J said. Spencer stopped chewing.
“No one has ever said that to me before. Thank you JJ. I just keep going. I don’t stop to think. I can’t, these words, these images would appear, flood my brain, drive me crazy, if I let them. So I don’t let them.” Spencer explained.
JJ patted his arm. They finished eating in silence. Spencer gave her a weal smile when they finished and went back to their chores.
When 5pm rolled around Spencer placed the 36th file in the box and JJ threw away her last dusty paper towel. They sighed.
“Spencer! I’m done.” JJ yelled.
“Me too. Let’s go home and spend at least one day away from here.” He joked.
“Hey, this box was full. Where did the files go? She pointed to her “closed” box.
“I took them. You were busy enough cleaning you office so I did them for you.” Spencer mumbled.
“Thanks I appreciate that. How do you do this every few weeks?” she asked in the elevator.
“Well, it’s good for everyone. They know that if there is a big load then I come in. Gives them more time with their families and friends or what-have-them. And it depends. Morgan usually slips me some on slow weeks so I don’t catch him up all the time.” Spencer explained. JJ laughed and they parted ways.
Spencer laid his bag in the table by the door along with his keys. He rubbed the cook of his neck thinking of JJ, the beautiful, sharp, wonderful JJ. ‘What if she misses her soul-mate because of this job? When she should run into him at the movie theater and she’s in Memphis, hunting down a rapist.’
Spencer grabbed a wipe and began cleaning his neck off, slowly revealing the black swirls to the world. He shook off his depressing thoughts and grabbed a few book to calm down. After unsuccessfully reading a few chapters he picked up his phone.
“JJ. How do you handle seeing your Mark every single day and then going to hunt the monsters of humanity? Your soul-mate could bump into you at a coffee shop or grocery store but you wouldn’t be there because you’re wherever.” Spencer asked.
“I just roll with it. I have three bright blue bars that tamper off to points on the inside of my right wrist. I like to think I’m like that. Solid, strong, bright, but with a sharpness to me. I have to think Spence that when I am to meet him or her then I will. No use stopping my life in hopes of meeting my soul-mate hell, I could meet them when I am chasing the scum of the earth. But no one knows Spencer, but we know we will meet them when we are supposed to.” JJ explained. “Spencer what is this really about?”
“Nothing JJ. I was just thinking. Hotch found his soul-mate. He stepped on her toe rushing out of a coffee shop, but she is very understanding about his job. Garcia is looking and Morgan is Morgan. I want everyone to be happy but I don’t understand. In this job why would anyone want someone waiting for them at home? Other people will want to ask questions, bring up memories we try to push down. So-I’m sorry JJ. I shouldn’t-I’m just-bye.”
“Spencer! I understand. But take some time to not question everything. Somethings just are. When you find yours this concerns you have will be taken care of, okay? And to answer your question. We deal with the worst people in the worst situations humanity can give us. People that have been abandoned, abused, broken. Shouldn’t we come home to love kindness, peace, safety? Good night Spencer. Sleep well.” JJ hung up.
“You too, JJ.” Spencer said to the static. Spencer sat and thought. He thought of safety. He thought of muscles and hard ground, arms tightened around him, dragging him downstairs. Spencer sat and thought of dark skin, black ink and crooked grins and deep laughs.
When he went to bed that night, Spencer could only hear JJ’s words rattling in his head. And his decision was reaffirmed.