"Was everything alright?" Spencer asked Lauren when he walked back into her room after making sure Harry had left the hospital. Lauren nodded once and pushed some of the uneven hair behind her ears.

"Hotch wanted to know if you could make a statement now? He just arrived" Spencer explained

"That's fine" she said and Spencer nodded at her as he continued to look into her blue eyes which showed no emotion at that moment in time. Spencer didn't know what to say to her and so he took it upon himself to go and fetch Hotch

"How bad is she?" Aaron asked Spencer

"She's distant at the moment…shaken up…worried…but physically she will heal" Spencer said and Hotch sighed before going into the room to do the job he had to do. Spencer remained sat out in the waiting area with Ellen who was continuously sighing and checking her watch.

"It takes time Miss Ellis. He won't want to rush her" Spencer said, picking up on the woman's annoyance of how time seemed to drag.

"I know. I know" she said "what happens to her now Spencer?"

"If we don't catch them by the end of the week then she is sent into witness protection…" Spencer said

"And she gives up everyone from her past" her aunt added on and Spencer nodded. Hurt by what he had to maybe face in the not so distant future.

"And she can't come back…unless she gives up the protection of course but that would be dangerous if they aren't caught" Ellen continued, bringing in some of her own legal knowledge into the conversation.

"I told her it may have to happen earlier. She said no straight out" Spencer stated

"And what did you say to that?" Ellen asked, not completely sure of what the boys reaction would have been.

"I said she would do it if it would keep her safe" Spencer answered honestly

"And you would let her do it?" Ellen probed

"I would make her do it. And if it means sacrificing love for her life then I am willing to do it…not without grievances though" Spencer spoke and they watched Hotch come out.

"Is she okay?" Ellen asked as she stood up

"She's fine…she says to send you in Miss Ellis. Reid I need a word" Hotch demanded as Ellen hastily walked back into the room and Hotch and Reid stepped further towards the ER exit.

"What's going on?" Spencer asked

"Lauren told me something Molly had said…and I need to know if it is true because it could cause serious problems Reid" Hotch warned him and Spencer gulped as his eyes closed together.

"What is it?" he prepared himself

"She said Molly accused her of sleeping with you whilst she was under your protection. Is it true?" Hotch asked Spencer who shook his head and looked at the floor.

"No…not at all…she didn't…we kissed…but I mean that was all! Nothing serious Hotch" Spencer defended himself.

"I know you two have a history Reid but she's under FBI protection…she's a victim and you're supposed to be keeping her safe, anything more than that is nothing to do with the FBI as long as you keep it quiet" Hotch warned him and Spencer nodded

"I will…did Lauren say anything about it?" Spencer couldn't help but ask

"She said it was lies and that she never did anything with you…apart from kiss you…however she said you kissed twice" Hotch couldn't help but sound slightly amused as Spencer turned a shade of red and nodded before walking back into Lauren's room.

"I am not going into witness protection" were the first words he heard Lauren snap at him when he entered her room. She was sat up in bed with a frown on her face as Ellen looked solemn sat in the chair beside her.

"Lauren…" Spencer began but she shook her head;

"No. I am not doing it Spencer…I can't do it…I told you" she said

"And I told you it may be the only option" he replied

"Now I am telling you I am not going. End of." She said through gritted teeth

"You are not staying here and risking your life and I'm not arguing with you either" Spencer said

"I'm not arguing Spencer. I am telling you what is going to happen" Lauren retorted and Ellen sighed.

"I'll leave you to it" she said and excused herself from the room. Spencer and Lauren continued looking at each other until the door shut and Spencer placed his hands on his hips and shook his head.

"You're being unreasonable" he told her "You're confused and your brain doesn't want change"

"My brain knows what it wants and if I go into witness protection then I lose what I want" she said and Spencer pinched the bridge of his nose.

"Lauren…your job isn't the defining part of you" he said

"You think that's why I don't want to go?" she whispered in confusion and Spencer just looked at her.

"Don't even say it Lauren" he begged her "I'm not going to be the one to cost you your life"

"I love you Spencer…after all these years and now you want me to go again" she said

"I don't want you to go" Spencer counteracted "I want you to be safe…and right now you're not safe…you're not safe here being Lauren Turner"

"But I wouldn't see you again" Lauren pointed out

"And that hurts me too" Spencer admitted and Lauren looked at her duvet

"I'm scared Spence…" she said and he heard her begin to softly cry. He walked over to her and sat on the edge of her bed as she leaned forwards and rested her hands on his shoulders and slotted her head into the crook of his neck as he patted her back.

"I'm scared too" Spencer admitted.