You and Spencer were the only ones at the bullpen at the moment. The BAU team, your team, was out in a field mission to rescue a victim of a kidnapping, but the two of you decided to stay behind so you could wait for the victim's parents to arrive. You two knew the drill: receiving the parents inside the small and quiet room that was reserved for families, you and the other agent — being Spencer this morning — sitting with the couple, trying to soothe their worries and calm them down.

Usually, nothing much would happen — the parents would wait until things were sorted out, the good or the bad way. But you hated this part of the job. You were a brilliant profiler, had so much empathy — God, Spencer loved that about you — and really liked your work. But, sometimes — especially in times like these — you felt like wanting to quit and hide under the covers of your bed for a whole week. Because you and Spencer were the one with the parents, and when Emily Prentiss phoned you so you could prepare the territory, you felt like crying. The girl, the victim, hadn't made it. The unsub was alive and hurt, but the victim... Shit, you hated this part of this job so much.

Spencer saw your face through the blinds of the room as you were on the phone, outside, and he immediately knew — he knew you very well. He gave the couple, the parents, an excuse, and walked outside the cozy room reserved for them. Reid looked at you, hazel eyes gently scanning your face — your sad, frustrated face. He knew damn well the feeling of failure, of 'maybe we could have done more', but the two of you weren't even in the field today. Yet, you felt guilty.

"Hey." Said Spencer, one of his hands coming to rest on your shoulder. "Do you want me to talk to them by myself?"

"No." You said — no, that'd be utterly unfair to Spencer, to let him to do this horrible part of being BAU alone. "Of course not."

"Okay." Answered Spencer, giving your shoulder a gentle squeeze. "When you're ready."