⠀⠀⠀ five

F I V E



SPENCER WAS ABNORMALLY quiet for the journey back.


The team has just finished another case and was flying back home. It was comfortably quiet, something he had always enjoyed.


Hotch sat alone writing about the mission in his files while Morgan sat at the next table over with his head buds listening to music. Rossi typed away at his laptop, probably revising his latest copy of his book while JJ napped in her chair and Blake worked on another crossword puzzle.


With the most recent case over, his mind itched at something to work on. He had already finished the 10 books he brought with him for leisure and stared out the window. His reflection was blurred but the dark circles under his eyes were evident.


They weren't far from home and he estimated that they would land in the next 30 minutes.


"I wonder..." He spoke in barely a whisper, more as if he mouthed the words with his breath. At the moment, his mind raced miles per second.


The reminder of returning home had stuck a chord.


'The girl.' He thought.


Spencer quickly dig out his laptop from satchel and opened it. The sound of the device turning on made him tap his fingers impatiently. He hated technology. It wasn't as quick as picking up a book and flipping to a page. It would have to turn on and load and reboot and waste perfectly good time that he could have used for research.


When the screen finally lit up, so did his face.


S-C-O-U-T space W-I-L-E-Y


The results weren't much since thankfully, it wasn't a common name. He wouldn't have to spend so much time trying to search through people he knew he wasn't looking for.


The first image that showed up was a picture of a book, To Kill A Mockingbird.


'Interesting, but not necessary.' He thought.


Spencer quickly got up without making much nose and poured himself another cup of coffee. He could feel his eyes starting to get heavily but as much as he wanted to sleep, he realized how much there was to do.


"Spence." He heard behind him.


JJ stood with both of her arm crossed, giving the tall man he signature look. He could also see that she was tired as well.


"Sorry. I'm blocking the bathroom." Reid said before picking his cup and trying to move past her.


She sighed, "Why are you drinking more? It's late and we're almost home."


"Are we?"


"Yeah, we are. Have you been getting enough sleep? I know things have been-"


He stopped her, "I'm fine, just busy. That's all. I'm looking into a new theory that Stephen Hawking just released the other day and I'm hoping I can find a loophole in the part where he discusses the real active-"


"Spence, just...try and get some sleep, okay?"


"Okay." He nodded and pursed his lips.


Reid quickly sat back down and drank his coffee. He clicked on the next image in his search and saw an actual picture of a mockingbird.


Next click.


A picture of Harper Lee.


Next click.


A still image from the movie, To Kill a Mockingbird.


Next click.


A younger version of Scout Wiley.


Perfect.


He clicked on the article that was attached to it and it sent him directly to the news page of Quantico. Now he was getting somewhere.


At the top of the page, it was listed in October 1, five years ago.


'In Memory of Lost Employees at the Federal Bureau of Investigations, Quantico'


His eyes scanned the page quickly. There were 23 names listed of people who had worked in the same building as him that had pasted. However, these weren't agents.


In fact, these names belonged to people who had died of old age. These were veterans of the office, people who once worked and were now retired. Spencer never noticed any of them in the years he had worked with the FBI, he only knew of agents' deaths.


He scrolled down further until he reached the name, Clark Wiley.


Next to it was a picture of man that smiled very proudly. He wore a cap that had the FBI embroidered in the front and his graying mustache took centerfold of his face. The beer guy was evident but not pictured, Spencer could see the effects it had in the cheeks of the man.


'In loving memory of Clark Wiley, employee of at Quantico. He worked for 12 years as a distributor of mailing and personal belongings before passing this summer due to cancer. His daughter, Scout Wiley, is to take his place in the Fall.'


On the bottom of the paragraph was a picture of Scout.


It looked like something out of a yearbook rather than anything else. She has a forced smile on her lips and her neck was pulled out in an awkward way. The cap that her father wore in the previous picture rested on her head.


"Reid."


"Hm?" He kept looking at the page, finger pressed against his lips.


"Are you okay?"


"Yeah, why?"


"Well the jet landed."


Spencer looked outside the window and in fact, saw the road beneath them. He glanced back and saw Morgan with his go-bag in hand and an eyebrow cocked up at him.


"Right, well uh. Sorry, I got distracted." He said.


Spencer quickly started to grab all of his things and placing them in his bag. He mentally cursed at himself for being so absentminded and not realizing everyone leaving as well.


Morgan raised his hands in defense, "No need to apologize, it's been a long night for everyone. Rossi and I were talking and he invited me over to his place for a late dinner, wanted to ask you if you were interested on tagging along?"


"Yeah, sure."


Wait.


"Actually, I can't. I've been busy researching something right now."


"Can't it wait?" Morgan asked.


"It can, but I really don't have the patience for it now. Some other time, okay?"


"Whatever you say, Doc. But need I remind you how amazing Rossi's food is? You're missing out."


Spencer grabbed his bag and followed Morgan out of the jet.


"Do my ears deceive me? Derek Morgan actually praising my food?" Rossi said with a chuckle behind them.


Morgan laughed, "Don't let it fill that big head of yours, you already get too many compliments as it is."


"Gah, non abbastanza! Not enough compliments if you ask me. My writing and my food are always begging for more. In fact, I got noticed by a fan the other day."


"Ha! Rossi, the only people that ever notice you are old ladies that carry your book around to to the nail salon and read it before bed. It's not that big of an accomplishment." Morgan laughed loudly.


The three of them trailed behind the team as they walked into the building, it was quiet from the dead of night.


"No no no, she was a pretty little thing. Works here actually."


"So that would explain it, she's an agent. All trainees have to study an expert in their field. Wait, was it Veronica? I knew she was always trying to weasel her way in by flirting."


"No, she had an odd name. Real short and she wasn't an agent. I can't remember if I'm being honest, really."


"Scout?" Reid butt in.


Rossi's face lit up, "Yes! That's it, she worked in the mailroom."


"You know her, Reid" Morgan asked.


"Not really, I bumped into her but that's it. I spilled my coffee all over her, too."


"You see, that's not the way to flirt with a girl. We've talked about this, keep the nerd talking to minimum and charm her with a smile. Turning her into a Dunkin' Doughnut with your coffee was not on the list."


The elevator opened and the three trailed inside. When it opened again in the floor of the BAU, Garcia stood there with a smile.


"Good evening, super crime fighters. The reports from the last case are on your desks, once you sign them then you are free to go."


"Thanks, Baby Girl." Morgan said, dropping the subject and walking directly to his desk with Rossi.


Spencer stayed behind and looked at her.


"Is everything okay?"


"Garcia, I need you to do me a favor."



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