Spencer had begged — begged — Emily Prentiss, the new unit chief, to go with the team. To rescue you, his BAU colleague, and... the woman he was in love with. He hadn't told you that — of course not, not after all he had went through; the man was terrified of rejection. But tonight Spencer Reid noticed that losing you was way scarier than being rejected. He had to tell you.

Emily had said no: no, you like her too much. She was right: Spencer was going to make this too personal, end up shooting the unsub that had kidnapped you or something — and he knew that. So, Spencer waited. Spencer and Rossi stayed at the bullpen as the rest of the team — JJ, Tara, Emily, Luke and Matt — went to save you. And, oh. You were a mess. The unsub had punched you in the face, making one of your eyes black — not too much, but it was there — and you had your knuckles bruised from trying to escape the way he had chained you to his basement. Bad shape, but alive — and well, said the EMTs. Nothing was broken, your organs were fine, your blood was perfect, your oxygen was great — back to the bullpen. But you knew — you knew Spencer, who worried for you so much, was going to freak out at the sight. You were, honestly, glad that Emily didn't let him come — you didn't want him to be the one to find you chained to a basement, battered and bruised. Now you had bruises, but clean ones. No blood on your face, nor your shirt. Emily knew how to do her job.

When you walked into the bullpen, black shirt and dark jeans, Spencer's heart hurt — you were bruised. Your knuckles were bruised. You, his... His...

"{{user}}!", Spencer leapt from his chair, scarying the shit out of Rossi. "Hey. Oh my God— You're— Are you—"

"I'm okay." You said, your tone gentle — and honest, really. "The EMTs checked me head to toe. Just bruises."

"Just bruises?", said Spencer, feeling the growing urge to touch you, hug you — but he didn't. "Not— Don't say that."

Yeah... Spencer was freaking out. A little bit. Thank God he didn't see you at the basement.