It was a long day. Three flights, two state switches, eight bodies, and no unsub in custody. Though the team was really close to finding him. You were in the car on the way back to the area precinct after talking with one of the victim's parents and you were sitting next to Reid. Being the newest member of six months you knew him well enough. But you weren't sure if you were close enough to ask him what had his face all scrunched up in worry.

He was looking out the window, his chin resting on his fist as his arm propped up on the inner edge of the window. His posture seemed guarded yet tired like he was holding something back that was clearly bothering him. You noticed him get like this ever since the current case the BAU took on was explained.

You tried not to let it bother you but you just hated seeing him practically sulk around. You had grown a bit attached to him, the both of you being seen as the youngsters of the group. So you made it your personal mission to make sure he was alright, despite you not knowing what it was that was bothering him. But to be honest you had no idea how to do that.

You knew not to ask him loads of questions. The rest of the crew was already doing that, thankfully attesting to your notion that he wasn't feeling himself, but he wasn't too happy with all the nagging. So you decided to wait until you were alone with him.

After a few hours at the precinct and going over more facts, you found yourself sitting next to him, his ankle balancing on his other knee, his face pinched in concentration as he chewed on the end of a pen. He had no stopped looking over the unsub profile since the mmomoent they made it and the guy has an eidetic memory.

You scooted closer in your chair, setting aside the file on the third victim. "Hey, Reid?"

He didn't look up, his teeth molding the pen lid.

You tried again. "Reid."

He hummed a response but didn't look up from the paper. You rolled your eyes and gently reached for it, pulling it away and drawing his eyes up to you. You smiled.

"There you are. You seem to be a bit out of it, you doing alright?"

He blinked a few times then nodded, clearing his throat as he sat up in his chair. "Yeah, yeah, no I'm fine. How are you?"

You shook your head kindly. "I'm alright. Tired like the rest of us all are, but ready to get this guy."

Reid's eyes clouded and he nodded absentmindedly as you literally watched him receded back into himself. You reached over, placing a hand on his.

"Spencer?"

His eyes refocused at your touch and his name but before he could answer there was a huge commotion going on. Luke and Emily were dragging a man surrounded by other officers, their clothes all muddied up. Rossi came over, nodding to the new arrival.

"We got him."

Like lightning Spencer stood up and all but ran to the interrogation room, his hand now holding yours. You stumbled along as you held on for dear life.

"Spencer, what's going on?"

He pulled you into the joint observation room on the other side of the two-way mirror. You reached down with your free hand and covered his hand that already held yours. You stayed quiet as you felt his breath quicken and his hand tighten around yours.

The unsub sat unmoving as Luke stalked around him, asking him a bunch of questions to which he didn't answer. He was balding, large, and looked like he hadn't bathed in days. He had a tick in his arm causing it to twitch every couple seconds.

Without taking his eyes off the slumped body, Spencer directed his question to Rossi who came in to stand next to him. "It is really him?"

Rossi nodded grimly, his hands on his hips. "Yup. Caught him in the middle of disposing the ninth victim."

You looked up and your heart ached at waht you saw. Unshed tears, a clenched jaw, and hard eyes turned the smart and able Spencer Reid into a scared young man. You stepped closer to him as the unsub started to mumble stuff. But Reid spoke quietly, causing you to lean in closer.

"It's not every day you run into someone who has an alarmingly similar back story to your own." You felt his body shiver against you. "He got addicted to drugs forcefully. Had a rough time with his parents. Never connected well with anyone. Was always seen as the odd one out." He chuckled sadly. "He has schizophrenia and he's not too much older than I am."

He finally tore his eyes away from the unsuccessful interrogation to look down at you with what you could have sworn was utter fear and vulnerability.

"No wonder I was able to profile him so easily."

In that moment you knew exactly what you had to do to help him. You leaned over Reid's body to look at Rossi who was acting like he hadn't heard a thing.

"Rossi, Spencer and I are going back to the hotel."

Rossi nodded, giving you a thankful look. "We got things from here."

In no time you had Spencer back in his room, a cup of camomile tea in his hands as he stared at nothing in particular on the wall over your shoulder. You sat across from him, your head tilted as you tried to read him. You had tried to talk to him in the car and on the walk there but he refused to comply.

Finally, after several moments of silence, you stood and walked around to him, reaching over to take the untouched cup.

"Spencer," you whispered.

He turned to you, his eyes a bit glazed. "I don't need your pity."

You scoffed, smiling sadly. "Pity for what? I just want to get you out of those confining work clothes and get you into pajamas."

"Oh," he breathed, unfeeling.

You reached out and helped him up by his arm. He tried to shove you off but you squeezed his arm.

"Hey, I'm just helping."

"Yeah, I know and I don't need it. I'm not ten."

"You're sure acting like it." You smirked.

Spencer let out a disgruntled groan before heading into the bathroom to change. AS he was busy you made up a comfy bedding on the couch, pillows, and blankets everywhere. You heard the bathroom door open and you turned around. Not only had he changed clothes but his eyes were puffy and red. You walked over to him, reaching for his hands.

"What is it, Spencer?"

He shook his head, pulling his hands from yours. "You don't need to be here. I appreciate the help but I don't need it," he scratched the back of his neck, "Besides, it's embarrassing."

You shook your head, reaching up to stroke his cheek, your lips pulling up in a small smile.

"Let me," you whispered, "let me help you, Dr. Spencer Reid."

Spencer looked down at you, his eyes welling up and his chin slightly shaking. "Okay," he whispered back.

You smiled wide, nodding. "Okay."

You took him to the couch and the two of you sat down. Then he opened up. He told you almost everything and you sat there patiently. At first, he was stiff and formal but soon, after a few hours, he relaxed. YOu now held him to you as he sobbed into your neck.

"what if I turn out to be like him? What if that's all I'm destined for? What if..."

You pulled him away and held his head in your hands, your thumbs wiping away his tears. "What do you want Spencer? Do you want that?"

He shook his head. "No. I want to keep saving lives. I want to marry. I want to be a father."

You gave him a sweet smile, brushing back some hair that had fallen into his eyes. "Then that is your destiny. Life is what we make it. And if there is anything I have learned about you Spencer is that there isn't anything that will force you to do something you don't want to do. Not again."

At that Spencer nodded. Then he inched forward, placing a light kiss on your cheek. He pulled back again and leaned into your hand as he looked into your eyes.

"Thank you," he whispered.

You nodded, biting your lip as your own tears threatened to breathe through, happy as they were.

"Of course, Spencer."

It didn't take long for the two of you to fall asleep in each other's arms, Spencer's mind finally at ease about the future he had feared for years. A future he now hoped you'd soon be a part of.