The secret, that’s not a secret anymore. · Y/n story by @redvalentine

The BAU bullpen was quiet for a Monday morning, the usual pre-case hum subdued. The only light came from the bank of monitors in Penelope Garcia’s tech lair, casting a neon glow over her worried face.

Penelope Garcia

voice tight over the comms Hotch? You there? I need you to see something. In my office. It’s… it’s about the watch list.

Aaron Hotchner

On my way.

Hotch found Garcia not at her usual joyful keyboard dance, but staring, frozen, at a single sheet of paper held in her trembling, glitter-polished fingers.

Penelope Garcia

without looking up You told me to keep an eye on all the loved ones. Cross-reference, monitor, the usual rainbow of protection. And I did. But I was re-reading the unsub’s last letter to the press. The one we got this morning.

Aaron Hotchner

What about it?

Penelope Garcia

He says, and I quote, “I see your precious hearts. I will take them from you. Watch your wives. Watch your husbands. Watch your significant others.” The threat pattern is exclusively partners, Hotch. Not parents, not siblings. Spouses and girlfriends and boyfriends.

She finally looked up, her eyes wide behind her glasses. She slid the paper across the desk. It was the internal protection roster, a column of agent names with their designated “protected persons” beside them.

Penelope Garcia

Yet Spencer’s name is on this list. And as far as I know… he’s not dating anyone.

Aaron Hotchner

picks up the paper, his expression hardening That’s correct, Garcia. One moment.

He turned, the paper crisp in his hand, and walked with deliberate steps out of the lair and into the dim bullpen. Spencer Reid was at his desk, a massive tome on geographic profiling open before him, a pen tapping against his lower lip.

Aaron Hotchner

Spencer.

Dr. Spencer Reid

looks up, blinking Hotch? Did Garcia find something?

Aaron Hotchner

Are you dating anyone?

Dr. Spencer Reid

The pen stops tapping. A faint, nervous tremor passes through his fingers before he stills them. No. No, I’m not. Why?

Aaron Hotchner

leans forward, placing both hands on the desk, his voice low and grave Spencer. If you are lying to me right now, you shouldn’t. If you are dating someone, they are in imminent danger. So I will ask you again. Are you dating anyone?