Chapter Text
Spencer swallowed hard against the lump in his throat, took a deep breath and knocked on the door of Hotch’s office. He heard the distracted “Come in.” and opened the door.
“Sir, do you have a few moments to talk?” Spencer asked. Something in his tone caused Hotch to look up and put aside his paperwork.
“Of course, Reid. Come on in and shut the door.” He said. Spencer shut the door and took a seat across from Hotch. “What’s going on?” He asked.
Reid’s hands twisted around the manilla envelope he was holding in his hands. He tried to calm himself down but it was pretty much pointless. Hotch was an amazing profiler, plus he knew Spencer well. He knew that something was wrong but waited for the younger man to explain himself. “I’ve been to talk to Strauss already. I need to take medical leave.” He said, refusing to look up at the other man. “I would like to keep my place in the BAU and if I apply solely for medical leave, then my spot is forfeit. So I’m here to ask you if I can be placed on a temporary leave of duty.” He said.
Hotch frowned. “Reid, what’s going on?” He asked, looking the other man up and down. He could tell just from looking at him that Reid had lost weight. There were dark circles under his eyes and he looked terrible. “Is it...are you having a problem with Dilaudid again?” He asked.
Reid swallowed hard. “No. I…” He took another deep breath. “I went to the doctor two weeks ago. I haven’t been feeling well, really run down and just miserable. He did some blood work and found out that I have Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia.” He paused, then finally looked up at Hotch. “Cancer. I have cancer.”
Hotch didn’t even realize he was moving, but he found himself around the desk faster than he could have realized. “Reid…” He said.
“They said they caught it pretty early but it's aggressive.” He explained. “The treatment is going to wipe me out. Chemotherapy and radiation don’t know how to target only cancer cells so they kill all the cells. There is no way I can continue to work, but I don’t want to leave the BAU.” He was almost pleading.
“Of course you don’t have to leave. Reid, you are an asset to this team. You can have whatever kind of leave you need and you will always have a place on this team.” Hotch promised. “Have you told…” His voice trailed off as he looked to the bullpen.
“No. I don’t want them worrying about me.” He said.
“Reid.” Hotch said, sharply, then lowered his tone to softer. “Spencer. We are a family. Dysfunctional, maybe, but the BAU is a family. And we would all never forgive ourselves if we allowed you to go through something like this on your own.”
Finally, a tear rolled down Spencer’s cheek. “I’m scared.” He admitted.
“How about this? You stay here and let me tell the team. Let us help you and take care of you.” He encouraged. Spencer finally nodded. Aaron took the folder from his hands. “Is this all the paperwork?” He asked and Reid nodded again. “I’ll take care of it.” He promised. He crossed the room to the mini fridge he had in his office, took out a bottle of water and gave it to Spencer. “I’ll be back.” He promised.
Hotch took a minute to steel himself and calm down. Then he stepped out of his office and called across the bullpen. “BAU team, meeting room, now.” He said, heading towards the room. They assembled quickly and Hotch called Garcia to come up and join them. It didn’t take long and everyone was there, watching him intently.
“Where’s pretty boy?” Morgan asked.
“I didn’t see anything about a new case.” JJ said, confused.
“This isn’t about a case, this is about Reid.” Hotch said. He knew this was going to be one of the worst conversations he’d ever had. “Reid came to me today and starting today, he will be on a temporary leave of duty.” He held up his hands to stem the questions. “He was diagnosed with…” He paused, trying to remember what Reid had told him. “Leukemia. Reid has cancer.” He said.
The reactions were much the same as his own. Shock and hurt and frustration. “He will be on temporary leave, as opposed to medical leave, so he will keep his place on this team.” He paused, looking over the faces of his friends, his family. “We all know that Spencer is a quiet and private person. He has no family to speak of, other than us. Which means that we need to be there for him. I want someone with him at all of his appointments. He told me he’ll be starting chemotherapy and radiation, and that the cancer he has is aggressive, meaning the treatment will be as well. I do not want him to go to any of those alone.” He finally looked around the room again. Garcia and JJ were both crying and Emily looked like she was holding on by a thread. Morgan looked shocked and Rossi was doing something with his phone.
“Sir…” Garcia said, her voice shaking with tears. “We will do anything to help him.”
“What kind of leukemia?” Dave asked, still scrolling furiously through his phone.
“Acute...lym…” He tried to remember but he was dealing with the shock, too.
“Lymphocytic?” Dave asked and he nodded. “Okay, I’ve found the best oncologist in the US who treats it. He’s in Annapolis. I’ve already sent off an email and I’ll make sure he takes Reid on. I’ll cover the cost of it.” He said.
“You don’t have to do that.” Came Spencer’s voice and they all whirled. Looking at him, they realized how terrible he really looked. Immediately Emily was up and all but pushing Spencer into her chair.
“I want to.” Dave said, with a note of finality. “He’s going to consult with your doctor and you don’t have to go anywhere.”
“Spence…” JJ said, her voice anguised. “What can we do right now?” She asked.
“Unfortunately, there’s nothing.” He said, sounding bone tired. “I’m supposed to go tomorrow for a lumbar puncture, then a bone marrow aspiration.” He explained. “That will give the doctors a better idea of how to treat it.”
“I’ll take you.” Hotch said, immediately.
“You guys don’t-” Spencer started.
“Yes we do.” Morgan said. “You would do the same for any of us. Let us help you, Reid. We want to be here for you.”
“Would…” He paused. He’d never had someone he could ask for things before. He’d relied on himself for so many years that asking for assistance was foreign. “Would someone take me home?” He asked.
“Reid?” Dave asked. “You’ve been to my house, it’s huge. If you want, you can have your own wing.” He offered.
“That’s...very kind.” He said. “Right now, I just want to go home.” He said.
“I’ll take you.” Morgan said.
“What time is your appointment tomorrow?” Hotch asked.
“I have to be there at 10.” He said.
“I’ll pick you up at 9.” He promised. Reid wasn’t sure how he felt about that, but he knew what he was in store for. Both procedures were invasive and painful. If he had someone with him, the chances of him being allowed to go home were higher, so he agreed.