The Boss' Niece (Spencer Reid)

24. Divided

Cassidy smiled when she opened her eyes and looked over her shoulder to see Spencer laying next to her, his hair covering his face while his arm rested around her torso. She had once imagined waking up like this and she couldn't believe that she was waking up in Spencer's arms.

Clearly Aaron couldn't either, because Cassidy picked up her phone and rolled her eyes when she saw that he had left her multiple messages demanding to see her before work.

Seeing that it was 7:45 AM, she got up and got changed, leaving a note for Spencer, knowing he'd be wondering where she had gone. At 8:05 AM, she walked out of the apartment with her eyes and phone in hand, not at all excited about her upcoming conversation with Hotch.

As expected, when Spencer woke up, he was definitely confused, until he saw a beautifully written note on his bedside table.

Good morning Spencer.

As much as I would have LOVED to have breakfast with you this morning and just enjoy your company, Hotch had other plans.

Love, Cassidy xo

A smile appeared on his face as he thought about his girlfriend. Although, his smile disappeared when he thought about the specific conversation that Cassidy would be having with Hotch.

———

At 8:13 AM, Cassidy pulled into the FBI Academy in Quantico and entered the building, making her way to the 6th floor. She was so tempted to just turn around and go home, but she knew that her pending conversation with Hotch was going to happen sooner or later. She took a deep breath in and out, making her way up to Hotch's office, where she found him. She didn't bother knocking, considering they were the only two people in the building. On days that the team didn't have a case, most people came in between 9 AM and 9:30 AM.

"I'm going to ignore the fact that you just barged into my office without knocking and just get to the point. You and Reid. I'm not condoning your relationship with him, but I'm not saying that you need to break up with him." Hotch clasped his hands together.

"Okay? Is that all? Can I go to my desk and hesitantly get some reports done?" Cassidy asked, confused.

"We're not even close to being done with this conversation, Cassidy. A situation like yours is especially sensitive and needs to be handled responsibly." Hotch cleared his throat.

"A situation like mine? Can you elaborate for me, Aaron?" She used his first name and not his last name like normal.

"Not only are you in a romantic relationship with your fellow BAU team-member, but you also happen to be my niece." Hotch exhaled.

"Okay. So technically I've broken a few protocols by dating Spencer and it's not wise for members of the same family to be on the same team. So what?" Cassidy shrugged her shoulders.

"Cassidy, this is a sensitive situation, as I've mentioned. How we proceed from here is of the utmost importance." Hotch rolled his eyes.

"I promise to limit my PDA with Spencer when we're at work or on a case." Cassidy exhaled.

"It's not just about acting professional while at work, Cassidy. It's about the paperwork that needs to be filled out, the possibility of either one of you being transferred to a different unit, even the future of my career as the BAU Unit Chief." Hotch shook his head.

"Oh, so this isn't just about me anymore?" Cassidy laughed.

"The moment you joined the BAU, my career was in jeopardy if anyone were to have discovered that you are my niece. Adding to that the fact that you and Spencer are dating...it's a headache. I'm not going to beat around the bush. Our familial and work situation, as well as your relationship with Spencer, it's all one big headache that is slowly becoming a migraine." Hotch held his head in annoyance.

"Yeah. It seems to always be like this, don't you think? I always end up becoming a big headache, or even a migraine. Was I a headache when you and my dad were always fighting? Was I annoying to you, because you wanted to disown my dad, but didn't want me to be affected?" Cassidy questioned Hotch, who exhaled.

"Cassidy, that's not what I meant and you know it. All I meant was that our current situation and your situation with Spencer was a headache. This has nothing to do with us in the past. Right now, I'm only referring to the present." Hotch argued.

"Yeah? Well, here's a solution. Ignore me and Spencer. If we're doing something that you don't like, you can tell us and we'll try to act more appropriately. As for you and me, I will continue to be known as Cassidy Marlow, so there is no reason for you get a headache over the possibly of anyone finding out that I'm your niece." Cassidy scoffed at Hotch before leaving his office, intending to get started on all the paperwork that had accumulated on her desk.