Chapter Text
“I completely understand if this is impossible, but I was wondering if we could work on getting me some…” He looks down at his shoes. He cannot believe he’s seriously asking for this. “Accommodations.”
“Sit down, Spence,” Emily says kindly, gesturing towards the chair across from her desk. “Of course we can do that.”
Spencer looks up, then.
“Wait, really?” he says. “That’s it?”
“I mean, technically I need proof of your diagnosis,” Emily concedes. “But I’m assuming that’s what you’re holding in your hand.”
Spencer blushes and hands over the paper.
“Can I ask you something?” Emily says, and Spencer nods. “Why now? You’ve been with the BAU for over a decade.”
“It’s just, uh,” Spencer says hesitantly, tapping his fingers against his collarbone. “Ever since prison, it’s just gotten…harder. To handle things. Everything, actually. I think the common term is ‘burnout.’ But I don’t want to take more time off, and I don’t think I need to, if I can just…”
“If we can accommodate your current needs,” Emily supplies, and Spencer nods gratefully.
“Exactly,” he says. “I’ve written down some things that would help, but I wanted to go through it with you. You know, make sure that the things I’m requesting are reasonable.”
“That’s perfect,” Emily says. “There is one thing I want to discuss first, though.”
“Okay.”
“If it does get worse, and you do need time off, I need you to tell me. Don’t try to hide it or push through. It’s not weakness. It’s taking care of yourself. Do you understand?”
“Yes.”
“Do you promise?”
“I promise.”
“Good,” Emily says, smiling. “Then let’s take a look at that list.”