Natalie

Chapter 18

It wasn't even light out yet when Spencer left for work. It was still damp out from the storm that had unleashed the night before. These early mornings were definitely not the best part of his job. Spencer walked into work with the hopes that he would just be able to do some paperwork, and then go home. 

Arriving at his desk, there was a stack of case files that Spencer oddly chose to procrastinate on. Figuring they weren't going to fill themselves out, Spencer sat down and got right to work. He was normally the first one to arrive at work other than Hotch, who was sitting in his office already preparing for the new case.

Other than the few agents shuffling around, the office was pretty quiet. It wasn't unsettling, it just wasn't helping the fact that Spencer had so many things racing through his mind. Ever since that conversation about his Dilaudid use, Spencer couldn't help but feel guilty over how close he got to using it again just a year ago. 

As much as he wanted to finish the paper work, Spencer couldn't help but reach for the file he had on Natalie's parents. Shuffling through his bag, he pulled out the thin brown folder, opened it. He leaned back in his chair, and read over the details of the case file for what seemed like the millionth time this week.

The interest in investigating the case sparked about a week ago when he and the team were in Kansas. They were investigating a family disappearance that left the children without their dad. Luckily, they had just gotten there in time before the unsub hurt their mother. Maybe the case hit a little too close to home for Spencer, but he realized how important it was for Natalie to get some closure. 

Thinking for a moment, Spencer decided to pick up his phone and make a phone call. He read in the file that Ray Miller was the lead detective on the case. Hopefully, he could remember some things that weren't specified in the file. It could also give him some answers as to why no one else was called in on the case.Dialing the number, Spence let the phone ring for a moment. 

A man with a deeper sounding voice picked up the phone with a simple, "Miller,"

"This is Dr. Spencer Reid with the Behavior Analysis Unit of the FBI. I was wondering if I could ask  you a couple of questions regarding the Cindy case from about two years ago?" he asked.

"I know who you are. I'm not answering any questions about that case," Miller said, bluntly.

"It would be-"

"Look Dr. Reid, I know you took Natalie in, and that you think you're doing the right thing by looking into this, but you're not. You're just giving her more false hope that she doesn't need," 

"That's the only reason you won't look into this?" he asked, suspecting something else was off. Being a profiler was helpful in these moments, profiling was probably exactly what this case needed.

"Isn't that enough of a reason?" 

"It's just the way you said that. Makes me think there's more, I just want her to get some closure. Isn't that enough of a reason?" Spencer said.

On the other end, Ray Miller shuffled for a moment. It was obvious he was hesitant for a moment, but then sighed, "I heard you got some of the case faxed over to you, I'll send you my personal notes as well. I don't talk about unsolved cases over the phone, I don't trust these damn things,"

"Thank you, I really appreciate it,"

"Give Natalie my love." Miller hung up the phone.

It was clear there was more to Ray Miller's knowledge about the case, but Spencer didn't really have the chance to think about it more since JJ had just walked into the bullpen. Quickly, he closed up the file and stuffed it back in his bag. It wasn't something he was ready to talk about yet.

As she sat down at her desk, Jennifer watched Reid fiddle with his fingers. Quite obviously, he was trying to hide something, but she didn't want to question it. There was an odd moment of silence before she had to break the awkwardness, "Spence?"

His head snapped upwards, and smiled at JJ, "Didn't even notice you come in,"

Ignoring the lie that Spencer just let out, she picked up her own paperwork and threw it on her desk. There wasn't much of it because she tried to get it done before she went home, or she would bring it home and finish it there. When she looked over to Spencer, she noticed he was drowning in his own work. JJ knew Natalie wasn't a lot to handle so it was clear there was more going on in his mind than just the fifteen year old.

"I can feel you staring," he said, finishing up a file.

JJ laughed, "I can't help it, you just seem. Fidgety..."

"More than usual?" he asked, joking about how awkward he always tends to be in front of everyone.

Rolling her eyes, JJ stood up and walked over to Reid's desk. She moved her hand along the edge of the desk, paying close attention to anything that seemed out of place. Looking down, she could see his bag messily thrown on the ground. Maybe this was a bit nosy, but Spencer had a habit of keeping secrets once things got complicated. Then again, so did JJ.

"JJ," Spencer shot her a look, "I'm fine, and not like, fine... I'm genuinely the definition of fine,"

Before she could respond, Hotch walked down to the bullpen and interrupted them. He was holding a file which usually signaled they had a case. However, he had something else to discuss with Reid before they could get down to business, "Reid?"

Spencer turned around in his chair, and looked up at his boss standing in front of him. They had an interesting relationship to say the least. Sometimes, it seemed like Hotch was infinitely annoyed with Spencer, but other times, he showed a softer side towards him. "Yeah, Hotch?"

JJ nodded her head, and decided to shuffle back to her desk. Clearly, the conversation she wanted to have would have to wait. Though, it seemed like Hotch and Spencer's conversation wouldn't last long. A new case was definitely coming their way.

"Don't get too comfortable JJ," he said once she sat down. "Reid, you said Natalie's been looking for a job right?"

"Uh, yeah I told her she didn't need one, but I think she's just looking for something new to do," Spencer said.

Hotch allowed an eyebrow to raise, "If she's interested, it would be really helpful if she came in as an intern. I mean more of an assistant to alphabetize files, or do some running around to lighten the load a bit here at the office,"

"Yeah, that would be fantastic! When would you need her?" Spencer asked.

Pondering for a moment, Hotch finally came up with an answer, "Whenever she's free. The job won't be an hourly wage, she'll get paid in stipends. I figured that would be best considering she's here all the time anyways,"

"Well, thank you I'm sure she'll appreciate it," Spencer said.

"Giver her a call, and then head to the briefing room. We got a double homicide in Wyoming," Hotch held up the file he was holding to JJ, and headed towards the briefing room. 

Following Hotch, JJ gave Spencer a pat on the back and realized how happy Natalie made him. That was when it dawned on her that his earlier demeanor definitely had more to do with Natalie than she realized. It wasn't a bad thing though, JJ could finally see him be more human than he ever was before.