Angels and Demons
"How's the case going?" Victoria asked.
Spencer sighed over the phone. "The prostitutes are terrified and don't really want to talk. The cops here are overly enthusiastic. There's no coroner, either. I'm having to look at the bodies myself and try to determine COD."
Victoria raised her eyebrows. "Wow. Well, you just earned yourself a good review in my report."
Spencer chuckled. "I thought as your boyfriend that I already earned an unlimited amount of good reviews?"
Victoria grinned. "Sorry, handsome. I can't be biased. In fact, I have to be a bit harsher on you than the others."
"Does your boss know?" Spencer asked.
"I'm not sure. I feel like he would've pulled me off the case if he knew. I'm too invested in the team. There's no way I can't be biased." Victoria replied.
"Well, it is your last year." said Spencer.
"Yeah," Victoria's heart sank. "My last case, too."
Spencer was quiet for a moment. "This is your last case?"
"Well, I might could do another before summer vacation… But I'm not sure. I have to pack my stuff up, meet with Cramer and Cruz one last time, and meet with my boss… There's just a lot of cleaning up I have to do." Victoria explained.
Spencer sighed. "I understand. I just can't believe you're leaving. I thought maybe we could get you to stay on…"
Victoria smiled sadly. "I know. But you guys are fine. You don't need me anymore."
"Don't say that," Spencer scolded. "You mean more to this team than you realize. You're part of the team, Victoria."
"I know," said Victoria. "I meant that the higher powers think you guys don't need me. You guys have proved yourselves. You don't need a babysitter anymore."
"I'll miss you." Spencer murmured.
"I'll miss you, too," said Victoria. "But you'll still see me. I can always come up to the bullpen for a visit."
"And we're together now," Spencer yawned.
Victoria laughed. "All right, I'll let you get to sleep."
"Okay," Spencer said. "I'll talk to you when I can."
"I love you," Victoria said.
"I love you too," Spencer said. He sounded like he was smiling. Victoria hung up. She didn't want to leave the team. But what other choice was there?
…
Spencer called Victoria as he exited the station. "We're about to make an arrest. Just wanted you to know." he said.
"Okay, be safe." said Victoria.
"I will," Spencer promised. He hung up and got into the back of the SUV. He dialed the preacher's number. No answer. He tried again. No answer. "Preacher's not answering." he announced.
"Keep trying. We need to tell him that we know he didn't do this." said Blake. Spencer tried again until they reached the Mexican restaurant where the preacher was holed up inside.
"He's been in there a good five minutes." said the sheriff.
"How many exits are there?" asked Blake.
"Two. Question is, is he alone?" said the sheriff.
"I've got movement! We should go in." said one of the cops, eyeing the restaurant.
"We're better off establishing a perimeter first." said Spencer.
"Right. Let's go-!" The sheriff was cut short by gunfire erupting from the restaurant. The sheriff fell back, blood spurting from his chest. Spencer ducked and took cover, thinking Blake was right behind him. He crouched behind the ajar door of a patrol car. The gunfire shattered the glass of the windows on the cars and restaurant. Spencer noticed Blake desperately trying to drag the cop back. Spencer glanced up. The preacher's rain of bullets were showering toward Blake.
"Blake!" Spencer yelled, running out from behind his cover. He grabbed Blake by the waist to get her moving.
Pain seared through his neck and knocked him off his feet. He collapsed to the ground. His vision blurred and the sound of gunfire sounded distant. Victoria… He hadn't been able to tell her he loved her… He was vaguely aware of being dragged back and put into a sitting position. He touched his neck and looked at the blood, his focus fading in and out on a figure walking past.
"We need a medic now! There's too much blood!" Blake's voice brought Spencer's attention back. "Hey, you're doing great."
Spencer attempted to smile. "Vi… Vi…" His vision faded.
"Eyes on me… No, no! Ethan, Ethan! Open your eyes." Blake yelled. Spencer tried to do as she said, but sleep was just too tempting…
…
"Your lodging will be taken care of, V." said Emily.
Victoria widened her eyes, her phone pressed to her ear. "This sounds too good to be true."
"Trust me, you'll be doing a lot of work. But I'm not trying to make your life miserable." said Emily.
Victoria smiled. "I'm excited to get started. Hey, I gotta go."
"Okay. Talk to you later." said Emily.
Victoria hung up. She headed for Garcia's office. Instead, she ran into Garcia in the hall. "Hey, what's up?" Victoria laughed. Her humor faded when she tear streaks on Garcia's face. "Penelope, what's wrong?" Victoria demanded.
"I-it's Reid. Something happened to him." Penelope sobbed.
"What?" Victoria asked, her face draining of color.
"He was shot," said Penelope. She sniffled. "I don't know any other details, other than he's on his way to the hospital."
Victoria's throat felt dry. She swallowed. "We have to get there. Now."
…
"It sounded like a tea kettle… Do you hear it?" Spencer muttered. He gazed up at the light above him.
"What?" Morgan replied.
Spencer kept his eyes open. "V… V…" Victoria would never forgive him if he died… He needed to stay alive… He had plans for the summer… Future…
…
"You know Spence wants kids? Can you imagine him as a dad?" JJ said.
"That'd be the luckiest kid in the world," said Blake. Victoria closed her eyes before walking into view of the other agents. Spencer wanted kids? They hadn't talked much about their future together… What if Spencer never got that chance? Could Victoria give him that one day? What if Spencer didn't pull through?
Victoria's stomach writhed. No. He would. He had to. She couldn't lose him. JJ stood and hugged Victoria. "He's in surgery." JJ murmured.
Victoria nodded, letting tears slip down her cheeks. JJ rubbed Victoria's back reassuringly. They pulled apart. JJ offered Victoria a small smile. "Excuse me, agents? Agent Morgan is awake." said a nurse.
"Thank you," said JJ.
"I'd like to stay here, if you don't mind." said Blake.
"Me too." Victoria croaked.
JJ and Garcia nodded. "Hey, I'll be right back." Garcia said. She and JJ shuffled off.
Victoria sank into JJ's empty chair. "W-where was he shot?"
"I think the bullet grazed his neck," said Blake. "But there was too much blood to really tell."
Victoria glanced at Blake's hands. There were specks of blood on them, in places where she had missed washing. Spencer's blood. Blake had been there for Spencer. Victoria put her face in her hands. "I should've been there."
"You're not allowed in the field," said Blake. "Even if you had been here, you wouldn't have been able to be with him when this happened."
Victoria looked up, tears fresh in her eyes. "What if he doesn't make it?"
Blake pursed her lips. She reached across and took Victoria's hands in hers. "I don't know."
"Excuse me," said a nurse. "Are you here for Agent Reid?"
Victoria jumped up. "Yes."
"He's in recovery. The bullet just barely missed the carotid artery on the right side. It's a miracle he's alive. But he'll be okay." said the nurse.
Victoria sighed with relief. She and Blake hurried to Spencer's room. Blake stopped to fetch Garcia. Victoria ventured onward to Spencer. He was asleep, but he was alive. That was all that mattered. Victoria pulled up a chair and sat next to him. She placed a hand on the arm that housed an IV. She ran her thumb over his skin. "You scared me." she whispered. Spencer continued to sleep. Victoria's eyes filled with tears. She jumped, feeling a hand on her back.
"It's just me," said Penelope. She reached into her bag and withdrew some Dr. Who figurines. She placed them on the tray in front of Spencer. "It'll be great when he wakes up and these are the first things he sees."
"The good doctor always makes him happy." said Blake.
Victoria didn't say anything. She just gripped Spencer's hand. Tears dropped down her cheeks. He was okay. He was going to be okay.
…...
Spencer's eyelids slid open. His right hand was gripped tightly by someone. He glanced to see Victoria. She had been crying. He smiled. "Hey." he croaked.
"Hey." Victoria murmured. He looked around. Dr. Who figurines. Blake.
"We'll go get you something to eat." said Penelope's voice. Spencer looked at her. Penelope grabbed Victoria by the arm and led her out. Spencer got the feeling that Victoria hadn't moved from that chair for a while.
Spencer looked at Blake. "It wasn't your fault." he said.
Blake pursed her lips. "I shouldn't have been so reckless."
"You were doing your job," Spencer argued. "You don't have to blame yourself for that. I'd do it again in a heartbeat."
Blake chuckled. "Don't let Parker hear you say that," she said. "She was pretty upset."
Spencer sighed. "How long was I out?"
"A few hours," said Blake.
"Has Victoria eaten or slept?" Spencer asked.
"No." Blake replied. "She loves you. This really upset her."
"I… I kept thinking of her," Spencer admitted. "I kept thinking that I needed to pull through, for her."
"Tell her that," said Blake. "She needs to hear it."
…
"He needs the calories," Penelope said into the phone. Victoria hurried back to Spencer's room. Blake and Spencer were talking about Halloween costumes. "Tell Blake that you're okay. The team needs her." said Penelope.
"Go help the team," said Spencer with a smile.
"I can see you're in good hands here. I'm outta here." said Blake. She patted Spencer's hand and squeezed Victoria's arm before heading out.
Victoria wiped her eyes and sat down. "We got you Jell-O."
"My favorite," Spencer said, pushing himself upright. Victoria set the container of red Jell-O on the tray in front of him.
"I will be right back," Penelope chirped. She left the room. Victoria looked at Spencer. His brow furrowed.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
Victoria breathed a laugh. "You just got shot in the neck, and you're asking me what's wrong? Spencer, I could've lost you. I was so scared…" She trailed off, tears threatening to spill over.
Spencer lifted his hand to take Victoria's. "You haven't lost me. I'm okay," he murmured. He took a deep breath. "After I got shot, and Blake was trying to stop the bleeding, all I could think of was you. I kept thinking that if I died, you'd never forgive me."
Victoria managed a small smile. "Which is right," she joked. She sighed. "I'm just glad you're okay."
"Thank you for being here," Spencer said. "It means a lot."
"Of course," said Victoria. How could he think she wouldn't be here? "I love you."
"I love you too." Spencer replied.
Garcia reentered the room, set up her laptop and began looking something up for the team. Victoria barely listened to Garcia's phone conversation. "Eat." Victoria barked, giving Spencer his Jell-O. Spencer smirked but obeyed.
"I tracked down Dinah's son. Might get her to talk to JJ." said Garcia. Victoria nodded. She didn't really care about the case. She cared about Spencer. After finishing his Jell-O, Spencer laid back for a nap. Penelope stepped out to get some coffee. Victoria watched Spencer sleep, feeling quite tired herself.
Penelope burst back into the room. She closed the door. "Okay, I did that," she said into the phone. Victoria frowned. What was going on? "Yes, there is. That is not going to be easy… Oh my God, what? No! …Okay." Penelope hung up. "The unsub, Owen McGregor, is here. We need to get Reid in the wheelchair." She rolled it over to the bedside.
Victoria leaned over Spencer. "Spence," she murmured. "Wake up. There's an emergency."
Spencer's eyelids fluttered open. His eyes were unfocused. "Hm?"
"We need to get you in the wheelchair," Victoria told him. She and Penelope helped Spencer out of bed and into the wheelchair. Victoria rolled him out of the room. Penelope pulled the fire alarm, sending the hospital into a frenzy. Victoria and Penelope managed to get Spencer outside, barely losing Owen in the crowd.
…
Spencer laid back in bed. He was so tired. The brief fiasco with Owen had kept Spencer from sleeping. Luckily, Owen had left the hospital. Spencer was back in his hospital bed, ready to catch some sleep. "You okay?" Penelope asked.
"Yeah, I'm just really tired." Spencer croaked. Victoria pulled the blankets up for him. He smiled slightly at her.
"Of course you are. Get some sleep," said Penelope. Spencer closed his eyes. "But, how can you sleep? You're in a hospital, where people are always poking you." Spencer forced his eyes open. A male nurse was filling a syringe with medicine. "He had his meds an hour ago." said Penelope.
"Post-op antibiotics." said the nurse.
"He had those, too." said Victoria. She sounded uncomfortable.
Spencer forced himself to focus his heavy eyes to read the label. "Carbenicillin? No, that's not right. I have a severe reaction to beta lactams." he said.
The male nurse looked at Spencer's paperwork. "That's not in your chart." He proceeded to start filling Spencer's IV with the medicine.
"What are you doing?" Spencer demanded. Victoria hurriedly tried to remove the IV from Spencer's arm. Spencer slapped the syringe out of the nurse's hands. As the nurse stooped to pick it up, Spencer noticed something poking out of the back of the nurse's pants. "Guys! He has a gun!" Spencer yelled.
There was a loud bang, and the nurse fell over, a pool of blood gathering around him. Morgan hurried into the room, his gun raised. Spencer glanced to see Garcia holding his gun. "I didn't expect this ringing… My ears don't pop for, like, a week after I fly… If this is like that, it'll drive me bonkers!" Penelope rambled. She was still holding Spencer's gun up. Victoria tugged the weapon from Penelope's hands gently and put it back in Spencer's patient bag.
"Garcia, you saved my life," Spencer murmured. Garcia widened her eyes and her mouth fell open. "Can you hear me?"
She nodded. "Yeah, I heard that. That makes it better. Thank you for saying it."
"Thank you for doing it." Spencer replied. He looked at Victoria. "Thank you for removing the IV."
Victoria nodded. "Uhuh." Her voice was higher pitched than usual.
"We're all okay," said Penelope, gently hugging Victoria and Spencer. "Thank God."
Spencer closed his eyes. Penelope pulled away, but Victoria clung to him for a few more seconds. "I love you." he whispered.
"I love you, too." Victoria replied.
…
Victoria drove to Spencer's apartment. He had two weeks off, not including the summer vacation coming up. Since Victoria had Interpol lined up, her boss had given her some time off. So, she was on her way to Spencer's to keep him company. The past few days had been a bit rough. Blake had announced her resignation. And Victoria was going to the BAU for later that day. It would be her last visit to the BAU as its employee. Her last day as one of the team, however unofficially. Victoria wasn't looking forward to it.
She trekked up the stairs to Spencer's apartment. She didn't need to knock. It was unlocked, waiting just for her. She entered the house. "Spence?" she called.
"Here," said Spencer, waving from the couch. Victoria walked into view. Spencer raised his eyebrows at her. "What movie did you bring?"
Victoria revealed Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. "I can't date someone who hasn't at least seen the movies."
Spencer smiled. "Okay," he allowed. Victoria grinned and walked over to the DVR. She put in the movie and padded over to the couch. She laid down beside Spencer. He wrapped his arms around her. They stayed like that for the majority of the movie, only moving when Victoria popped popcorn halfway through. Victoria enjoyed watching Spencer's reactions to the film. At some points, he raised his eyebrows. When Hogwarts was first revealed, he seemed in awe. When Quirrel removed his turban to reveal Voldemort, Spencer looked half bewildered, half disgusted. When the credits rolled, Victoria turned to Spencer.
"What'd you think?" she asked.
Spencer looked at her. "I see why you enjoy them so much. It was pretty cool."
Victoria grinned. "I know it's for children, and trust me, that's when I read the books. I'm not some creepy weirdo who read the books in my twenties. But I think they're proof that people can do magic."
"I can do magic," Spencer protested.
Victoria smirked. "Then you should've gone to Hogwarts." She stood.
Spencer frowned. "Are you leaving?"
Victoria looked at her hands. "I have to move my things today."
Spencer lowered his gaze. "Oh."
"I can still visit," Victoria insisted. "And you and I will get to see each other on Fridays, just like we used to."
Spencer nodded. "But you'll be in London soon."
"Not forever," Victoria argued. She sat down beside him. "I love you."
"I love you, too. Let me go with you." Spencer said.
"Okay, but it won't be very much fun." Victoria warned.
Spencer grunted as he got up. Victoria eyed him in concern. Spencer smiled. "I'm okay."
Victoria nodded. She led him out of the apartment and down the stairs. They walked to her car, holding hands. Victoria started her car once they were buckled in. As she turned out of the parking lot, her car let out a strange moan. Spencer glanced at Victoria. She smiled at him. "My car is such an old lady."
"Maybe you should get that checked out," Spencer suggested.
Victoria raised her eyebrows. She turned up her music a bit. She grinned cheekily at Spencer. "Problem solved!" Spencer laughed. Victoria sang along to the song playing, "In My Veins" by Andrew Belle. It was a sweet song. It was one of Victoria's favorites. She caught Spencer staring at her, so she turned the volume down. "What?" she demanded.
Spencer shrugged. "You're cute."
Victoria rolled her eyes. "Thanks." She parked her car. Spencer and Victoria walked up to the building and rode the elevator up to the BAU bullpen. Victoria exhaled. The closer she got to the bullpen, the more her heart sank into her stomach. This was it. She was leaving. It had felt as though she would never leave the team, which she was fine with. But now… It was really happening. She was leaving the team.
Spencer and Victoria entered the bullpen. They headed to Victoria's desk. She emptied it of pens, paper and personal items such as a notebook and her work laptop. She packed up the framed photographs of her family. She hadn't kept much at her desk. "Don't you dare leave without saying goodbye!" cried Penelope, hurrying over to Victoria.
Victoria smiled and hugged Penelope. "I wouldn't dream of it."
"Parker, come up to the conference room," said Hotch.
Victoria glanced at Spencer and Penelope. They shrugged. Victoria walked up to the conference room, Spencer and Penelope following. "Surprise!" cried Penelope.
There was a cake on the table, but Victoria was more interested in the team members gathered around. JJ, Rossi, Hotch, Penelope, Morgan and Spencer... Victoria was pulled into hug after hug. The family shared a laid back afternoon of cake and chitchat.
"When are we gonna tell her?" demanded Penelope.
Victoria's smile faded. "Tell me what?"
She looked at Spencer, who smirked smugly. "Well, your birthday is coming up, so I wanted to do something nice for you." he said.
"But he couldn't very well do it without all of us," said Penelope.
"What are you talking about?" Victoria asked, looking at her family. Hotch smirked.
"Happy birthday," Spencer said, handing Victoria an envelope. She took it, her eyebrows pinching together. Her birthday wasn't until next month. She opened the envelope and pulled out a brochure for Universal Studios. Victoria stared at it. Did this mean what she thought it meant? She looked up, her mouth hanging open. Spencer kept his focus on the brochure, as if he couldn't bring himself to look Victoria in the eye. His hands were stuffed deep into his pockets. "You said you've always dreamt of visiting the Harry Potter exhibit at Universal Studios. After doing some extensive research with Garcia, we discovered a deal." he said sheepishly.
"We're all going to Universal Studios on our break!" cried Penelope.
"It's adults only, so after a day of riding rides, we can go to the bars." said JJ.
"We'll be staying in the Hard Rock Hotel, which is on the park campus." added Rossi.
"We can literally walk to the theme park." said Morgan.
"We have three days there." said Hotch.
Victoria gaped at them. "I-I can't accept this."
"Don't be stupid, it's for all of us." scolded Penelope.
"Reid's the only one paying for you. We've got ourselves." said Morgan.
"It'll be fun!" JJ insisted.
Victoria looked at her team. "I don't know what to say."
"Thank you is always good," Rossi teased.
Victoria laughed. "Thank you," she said. "I… Thank you!" She looked at Spencer, wide-eyed. He smiled at her.
"You know, kiddo, when you first got here, all I wanted was for you to get the hell out and leave my team alone," said Rossi, patting Victoria on the back. He lowered his gaze. "Now that you're actually leaving…" He inhaled deeply. "Well, I'll miss you, kiddo."
Victoria pursed her lips. She hugged Rossi. She turned to Morgan. He poked his cheek with his tongue. "Parker… When you first started here, I thought you were Strauss's lapdog, here to make our lives miserable. But, uh… I never imagined I'd come to care for you like a sister. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask." He pulled Victoria into a hug. Her eyes stung.
"Parker," said Hotch. Victoria turned to him. "I'll admit I had similar assumptions about you when you first arrived. But you proved me wrong. You put your career on the line a number of times to protect this team by sassing Senator Cramer," Hotch paused to chuckle. Victoria smiled. Tears were pooling in her eyes now. Hotch's eyes seemed a bit misty. "Over the course of three years, you matured with this team. I'm proud to say that I have had the pleasure of working with you. I'm prouder to say that you are part of this team."
Victoria hugged Hotch. She closed her eyes. Tears leaked through her lashes. She moved on to JJ, who had tears in her eyes. "Just because you're going away doesn't mean you're not part of this family, Victoria. We all love you," JJ said. She pulled Victoria in for a hug. "And thank you for making Spence happy again." JJ whispered.
Victoria withdrew from JJ, tears dripping down her cheeks steadily. Victoria stood in front of Penelope, who was already crying. "When you got here, because of the circumstances, I thought you were trying to hurt my babies. And all I wanted was to protect them. I never imagined you'd join them. You're one of my best friends, V. D-don't let us only see each other on birthdays and holidays, please." Penelope whimpered.
Victoria nodded. "I won't," she promised. She hugged Penelope. She glanced at Spence, whose eyes were rounded like a puppy's. She gripped his hand. There was no need to say goodbye to Spencer. Not yet. Victoria looked at the team. "I never imagined any of this, either. I came here to do a job. I'm so grateful that it became so much more than that. It's been an honor working with all of you."
"See you June twenty-seventh." said Morgan.
"None of you better chicken out on the rides," Victoria threatened.
Morgan laughed. "Princess, I can assure you that I won't."
Victoria grinned. "Good."
After a final round of goodbyes, Victoria grabbed her box of belongings and headed back to her car with Spencer.
…
So… Victoria has officially left the BAU… But the story isn't over! Updates might slow down a bit, mainly because I have to watch Season 10 and decide which episodes I'm going to use to set up a proper timeline. Thank you so much for the reviews! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Please review!