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Spencer’s been distant lately, more than usual. He seemed happier too and it couldn’t be from you because he barely spoke to you now. Your mind wandered to the most hurtful conclusion, he’s cheating.
Something about it felt wrong, it hurt you but if he was, you wanted to know. You turned to the one person you knew could help you, Penelope. You knocked on her door before she called out to come in. “Office of supreme knowledge, how can I be of service ?” she spun her chair around to see you with a pout on your face.
“Oh sugar plum, what’s wrong?” she pulled you into a hug, your head resting on her shoulder.
“I think Spencer’s cheating” you admit to her, she looked at you, she couldn’t help but let out a giggle.
“Boy wonder ? Cheating ? No, I don’t think so. He was about to combust when he asked you out, how could he manage having two relationships ?”
“Pen, I’m serious. Haven’t you noticed him lately ? Happier ? It’s not me that’s putting the smile on his face”
The smile dropped from Penelope’s face, she looked sad. Sad for you, sad for Spencer, sad for herself because she never thought Spencer was capable of those things.
“What can I do love?”
“Can you check for me? Find out if he is?”
“Are you sure you want to know ? There’s no going back after this.” Penelope said to you as she sat in her chair, turning to face her monitor.
Letting out a shaky breath, you nodded. “yeah, I want- need to know”
“I’ll find you later sugar, you should get back before they start to wonder” She gave you a smile as you left her office. You stepped back into the bullpen and made your way to your desk, Spencer stopped by your desk as he headed to Hotch’s office.
“Hey” he smiled at you, you could feel your heart hurting already.
“Hi Spence” you smiled back.
“Almost done ? I can take them up to Hotch” he glanced at the files on your desk, you shook your head.
“It’s alright, I’ve still got some more to do”
“Okay, where were you ?”
“You’re awfully nosy today Dr. Reid”
Spencer chuckled, “Sorry”
“It’s okay. I went to the bathroom and ran down to the IRT to see Kristy, she came to visit Matt”
Spencer nodded and kissed the top of your head as he left. You watched as he walked up to Hotch’s office. Something felt off, even if he wasn’t cheating then he was definitely up to something. The pen tapped against the desk, your eyes glued to Spencer and Hotch in his office.
They were two opposing personalities.
Spencer was shy and quiet, liked to spend his time buried in books and ramble his way through a conversation and you loved that about him, but Aaron, there was just something about him. Aaron was bold, he was born to be a leader. Someone who didn’t shy away from trouble, not that Spencer did but Aaron would let himself take the heat of the trouble over any of you. He made sure he was the one bearing the burden so none of you would have too and you admired that about him, you always have.
A chime coming from your computer pulled your focus from the two men.
From Penelope Garica: my office, 10 minutes babydoll.
Penelope’s messages always brought a smile to your face but not today. Today was much different. She said she would call you if she found something and she did. Your heart sank in your chest when it popped up on your screen. Spencer was coming back into the bullpen as you were getting up.
“Ready to head home ?”
“Oh no, you go ahead. I have to go over something with Penelope and i’ll be home in a little”
“You sure? I can wait if you like”
“It’s fine Spencer. I’ll see you at home”
You left him standing in the bullpen and headed to Penelope’s office. She spun her chair around when she heard the door shut. “Baby..” she started, her screens covered in emails between Spencer and a woman named Maeve.
“I want to see you”
“Hold your hand and walk together, no one would be able to stop us”
“The sun to my moon, Spencer Reid. That’s what you are”
“I love you.”
Your eyes clung to that last line.
“I love you.”
The same words he hadn’t said to you in weeks. The words that used to mean everything to you now meant nothing.
“Who is she?”
“Maeve Donovan. She’s a geneticist, in her late 20s. There isn’t much about her out there hun, I’m sorry.” Penelope gave your hand a squeeze.
“How long?”
“Beginning of last year. They exchanged numbers.”
“His work number ?”
“Personal”
You nodded and let out a sigh. There was a weird sense of relief, like a weight lifted off your chest because you knew, you didn’t have to wonder if he was cheating.
You knew he was.
“Thank you Penelope” you kissed her cheek, she smiled at you. “I’m here if you need anything else. Call me whenever sweetie”
Rushing back into the bullpen, you grabbed your car, Aaron was stepping out of his office as you hurried to the doors. “L/n! your reports?” “my desk Hotch!” you shouted back before running to catch the elevator.
There was a rush, unlike anything you’ve felt before. You knew you couldn’t stay with Spencer, especially when he was in love with Maeve, whoever she might be. It didn’t make it any less painful, but it was what was best for you and you were all that matter because clearly Spencer didn’t feel the same way.
Approaching the apartment, you could hear Spencer’s loud laugh from the other side of the door. When your key clicked in the lock, he whispered a goodbye to whoever he was speaking to. Spencer smiled at you when you walked in.
“Sorry, did I interrupt your conversation ?” you asked, he shook his head.
“No, it’s alright.”
“Who was it ?”
“Just a friend.”
Just a friend, my ass. you knew it had to be Maeve, who would make him laugh like that?
“oh your new friend Maeve?”
Spencer’s smile dropped, he looked as if he saw a ghost.
“Sorry should I have said your girlfriend Maeve ?”
“How did you-” “so you are cheating on me? Let’s just make that clear”
Spencer was at a loss for words and that’s something you don’t ever see. You headed to the bedroom to pack up your clothes. “Where are you going ?” Spencer followed you to the room, he watched you put the clothes in the bag. “I don’t know, I’m not going to stay here”
Spencer grabbed your hand, you pulled away from him. “Maeve and I.. we’re- we’re just friends”
“Tell me you don’t love her Spencer.” you stopped and looked at him. “Can you tell me that you don’t love her? That you love me instead?”
“I do love you, y/n”
“But you love Maeve more ?”
“Y/n, please. Let me explain what happened” Spencer begging you.
“Spencer stop, please. I don’t want to hear it. I know you love me but you can’t love us both. Maeve makes you happy, and you deserve to be happy, even if it’s not with me” your voice wavered for a moment, you closed the bag.
“It’s over Spencer”
“No it can’t be done, not like this”
“Then what Spencer ? You want me to cheat on you too ? For a whole year nonetheless and then lie to your face ? Would that be okay ? Because That’s fair, right? You broke my heart and I break yours. Life isn’t fair Spencer, you of all people know that.”
Spencer followed your steps to the door. “You can’t go” he sighed, “Watch me” you stepped out of the apartment and left as fast as you could.
You drove around aimlessly for an hour, stopping in a parking lot to figure out where to stay for the night. Dave had a date, Emily had a sin-to-win weekend, Derek was working on house renovations all weekend so you didn’t want to disturb any of them. You thought of calling Penelope but you knew she’d already bed in bed and she deserves her rest. JJ had a full house, you could stay with Matt but he already has two kids and two more on the way, you’re sure they wouldn’t mind but you couldn’t do that to them. By default, you ended back in the F.B.I parking lot.
You took the back stairs up to the BAU. The bullpen was empty and only the desk lights were on. Tossing your bag on the door by your desk, you spotted your reports still on your desk. Figuring you’d take them up to Hotch’s office and he’d have them for the morning, you picked them up.
Up the stairs and you pushed the door open, Aaron sat at his desk. A mug in one hand and a pen in the other. The two of you looking at each other like deer in headlights. “What are you doing here?” you both say at the same time, making you smile.
“Um I forgot something” you stood by the door. Aaron glanced at his watch, “y/n, it’s 2:20 in the morning, what did you forget that was so important ?”
“my chapstick” you lied, Aaron hummed.
He didn’t believe you.
“The truth, agent l/n ?” he asked, his eyes on his papers. You let out a sigh, do you come up with another lie or do you pour your heart out to your boss ? Aaron glanced up at you, waiting on an answer.
“Spencer cheated on me and I found out. I ended it with him and I didn’t know where to go so I’m here”
Second one it is then.
“Sit down” was all Aaron said to you. Making your way to the couch in his office, you quietly sat down and waited for Aaron to say something to you.
An hour had passed and you made yourself comfortable on the couch as you watched Aaron do his work. Your shoes were on the floor and you curled into the side of the couch. You had dozed off at one point, only to be awoken by Aaron putting a blanket over you after coming back with another cup of coffee. The clock chimed as it hit 4am, Aaron finally shut the file he was working on and looked over at you.
“Y/n”
“Sir”
“It’s just us, you can call me Aaron you know” he made his way over to you on the couch.
“Don’t you want to get home to Jack ? You could probably be there for when he wakes up” you looked over the man that was sitting beside you.
His hair was ruffled from his fingers running through it, his jacket and tie hung on the back of his chair and his sleeves were rolled up. His shoes seemed to be somewhere in his office, he shifted on the couch, bringing up a leg on the couch, his sock clad foot hanging off.
“Jack’s at a friend’s house tonight. What happened with Spencer ? If you don’t mind me asking of course” Aaron leaned into the side of the couch, you let out a sigh. “That bad huh ?” Aaron joked, making you smile.
“Well, he had been distant lately but he seemed happy and I knew it couldn’t be me making him happy. I had Penelope do some digging for me, you know, just in case he was” you said, Aaron gave you a look when you mentioned Penelope. You put your hands up defensively, “come on Aaron, it’s only fair. You know he probably would have done the same.” Aaron nodded, waiting for you to continue.
“Penny found a bunch of emails between him and some woman named Maeve from last year to now. I asked him if he was cheated and he didn’t deny it so I left. I wasn’t sure where to go and I ended up here”
Aaron just looked at you. He too, was at a loss of words.
“I can transfer him” Aaron said, you shook your head.
“Thank you but that won’t be necessary. Spencer made his choice. He can continue to work with me without issue, like he did when he was lying to me” you leaned against the backrest of the couch. Aaron smiled at you.
“You’re always been a tough one y/n. I admire you for that” his hand reached out for yours. You smiled at him, your hand in his, Aaron’s hand fit in yours like you were made for each other. Your side pressed into the couch, your eyes felt heavy.
“Hey, come here” Aaron stretches out his arms, you look at him, unsure if you should go. “It’s okay, I don’t bite” he chuckled. Shifting on the couch, your back rested against Aaron’s chest, his arm wrapped around you.
“Comfortable ?”
“mhm hm”
–
“Be quiet” Penelope whispered to Emily who was taking pictures. Spencer and Derek walked in to see them standing by Hotch’s office door. “What’s going on?” Derek asked, jogging up the stairs and Spencer followed him.
Derek and Spencer both halted when they saw what was in front of them. Hotch was laid on the couch and you were on top of him, your head on his chest and his arm resting on your back.
Derek looked over at Spencer, Spencer’s eyes glued to his boss and his ex cuddled up on the couch together. Derek grabbed Spencer’s arm and dragged him over to the other side of the door.
“Okay what the hell is that Reid ?”
“Uh I um-I don’t know”
“Stop bullshitting Spencer, you know everything. Now why is y/n cuddled up with Hotch right now?”
“Derek I-”
“God, just spit it out Spencer!”
“I cheated”
Derek looked at Spencer, his eyes wide and he was in shock. Did he mishear him ? Was this a dream ?
“You did what ?”
“I met this woman, Maeve and she’s amazing and she makes me so happy… happier than y/n did” Spencer whispered that last part. Derek didn’t say anything, he was still trying to process what Spencer had just said.
“How could you ?” Derek asked him, Spencer’s heart dropped. His best friend was disappointed in him. “They did nothing but love and support you and this is what you do ? you cheat on them ? I never expected this. I care about both of you but I can’t believe you right now.” Derek left Spencer standing in the hallway.
“Babygirl should someone wake them ? We have a case” Derek’s arm wrapped around Penelope’s shoulder, her arm around his waist. Before Penelope could answer, Hotch’s phone rang. The ringer woke the both of you, you sat up as did Hotch. You rubbed your eyes, you saw Derek, Penelope, Emily and Spencer at the door. Hotch went over to get his phone, he didn’t notice the company you had.
“Y/n, we’ve got a case” he turns to you, your eyes on the door. Hotch followed your eyes to the door, now seeing the group of agents at the door. “Good morning everyone, we have a case. Wheels up in 30, we’ll brief quickly and then get on the jet.” Aaron walked over to the door and shut it.
You watched everyone walk down into the bullpen from the window before turning to Aaron. “I think we should talk” you say quietly, “about ?” he begins unbuttoning his shirt.
“What are you doing ?” your eyes wide, confused as to why your boss was undressing in front of you. “Changing my shirt” he pulls on out of the drawer. “Hm anyways, I’m pretty sure they’re all wondering why I was asleep with you when I’m still with spenc- oh shit, I’m not with Spencer”
“Are you going to tell them ?” Aaron asks you while tucking his shirt into his pants. You nodded as you walked over to him, you pulled up the collar of his shirt, you tied his tie and rested your hands on his chest after fixing the collar.
“Yeah I am” you leaned up slightly and gave Aaron a kiss, he smiled against your lips and kissed you.
“Let’s go” you walked out of the office, Aaron followed you to the briefing room. “Goodmorning, are we ready to start ?” Aaron asked as the two of you settled in. “Okay I have to ask” Emily started, “What the hell was that ? You’re sleeping with Hotch ? wWhat about Spencer ?” Emily turned to you. You shook your head and looked over at Spencer, his head hung low.
“Spencer cheated on me, I didn’t know where to go, I ended up here and I hung out with Hotch last night. That’s all. Now can we get back to work ?”
The room went quiet, you could feel the tension building in the room, the eyes shifting in the room from you to Spencer to Aaron.
“The sunshine state requires your presence, my crime fighting darlings!” Penelope started, pulling the attention away from you guys.
–
The flight home from the case was quiet, everyone had gotten over the cheating fiasco, Spencer sat on the couch at one end of the jet and you sat at the other end across from Hotch. He was working on some paperwork and you were reading a book, everyone else was asleep.
“I’m going to get some tea, would you like some ?” you put the book down and stood up, “maybe some coffee?” he mumbled and you nodded, “I’ll be back” you walked down the jet to the coffee machine. You could feel Spencer’s eyes on you as you walked past. You walked back towards Spencer and sat beside him on the couch.
He closed the door that was in his hands and rested in on his lap. “Hi” he whispered, “hi” you whispered back.
“Can we talk?” you asked him, he nodded.
“Why’d you do it? I’m not upset, I just- I need to know”
“Would you believe me if I said I never meant to ? She was helping me with my headaches and we began talking. I didn’t realize how much I enjoyed her company until it was too late”
You just let out a hum, you didn’t even think his answer was worth a response.
“Y/n, I promise you,” he reached for your hands, you watched him but didn’t move, “I never meant to hurt you, I will always care about you and I’m sorry. I really am.” he said to you. Spencer seems genuine but you weren’t quite ready to forgive him.
“I don’t forgive you. I don’t know if I can but.. I appreciate it. Can I ask you something else ?”
“Anything”
“Did she know?” you look at him, his eyes on you.
“About ?”
“Us, did she know you were in a relationship?” Spencer paused for a moment, he nodded. “She did” he said and you chuckled, “some girl you got there Spencer” you stood up.
“I’ll be by on Saturday for my stuff, I’ll be there from around 9 or 10 until 5 so can you leave during that time ?”
“Uh sure, that’s fine”
You left Spencer on the couch and you went to make the coffee. You returned to Aaron a few minutes later with a mug. Sitting beside him this time, your head rested on his shoulder, “thank you” he smiled, you nodded, “of course”
“Who were you talking to just now ?”
“Spencer”
Aaron put down the pen and turned to you. “What ?” “I just needed to know Aaron” you sighed.
“What did he say ? Just remember I can still transfer him” Aaron smiled at you, his comment made you laugh. “He said he didn’t realize they were so into each other until it was too late” Aaron face twisted into a weird expression, “oh okay then”
“mhm hm”
“What are you going to do now ? You have to get the rest of your things, right ?” Aaron looked down at you. Shifting, your head now resting on his lap, his fingers running through your hair. “I do, I’m going over on Saturday” you mumbled, eyes fluttering shut.
“Do you have somewhere to stay ?” he asks you, his eyes on you. “I was thinking of staying with you if that’s okay ?” your eyes were still closed and you couldn’t see him but Aaron had a smile on his face.
“Yeah, I’d like that” he leaned down and kissed your forehead.