Erin had waited as long as her patients could allow. Appearing to anyone that didn't know her that she was passively listening to what Jason had to say. In reality she was seething. She hid her balled fists under her desk opening and closing them at each of Jason's words.

The request was simple enough. His team had an opening and he believed he had found the perfect fit. So now he sat across from her pitching with all his might. That was all well and good in theory. On paper Erin could see the appeal: the candidate was smart, incredibly so, an IQ off the scale from their usual recruits and a reading speed that had to be seen to be believed.

Strauss internally scoffed, this candidate was so much more than just his gifts. He was kind, he was generous, he was sweet and most of all he was a good person who she absolutely refused to let the job corrupt.

So she stepped in, stopping Gideon's rambling with a well timed clearing of her throat. She smiled intimidatingly.

"That will be all Jason, If you wouldn't mind stepping out a minute so that I might have a word with Dr Reid alone"

When Jason opened his mouth no doubt to object she cut him off once again.

"Thank you agent" She stressed her point with a raised eyebrow.

After a heated stare down Jason finally budged, muttering something about going to grab a drink and being back in ten.

No sooner was the office door shut behind Gideon than Erin was on her feet pulling down the blind to stop any prying eyes. Seeing the action caused Spencer to gulp in anticipation of what was to come next.

"Aunty Erin please let me explain" He pleaded hopelessly.

"Do not Aunty Erin me, young man" She scolded before sighing and dropping back into her seat.

"This" She waved her hands around in exasperation "is not happening"

Spencer knew his Aunt well enough not to interrupt her when she was in full flow. He had expected such an outburst sooner or later from his understandably, overprotective Aunt but he had at least hoped to make it to the car before it started.

The pair had been thrown together quite unexpectedly after his mother had been committed. Child services had contacted every relative they could find from either sides of his family with everyone either uncaring or unable to take the young, teen in. Erin was the last family member on their admittedly small list. His mother's older sister, who left home when she was eighteen to pursue a career in law enforcement.

As children the sisters were close however over time a divide was formed and when Erin accepted a job in the undercover task force all communication between her and her family stopped. Years passed and the sisters busied themselves with their own lives. As such Spencer had never met his Aunt and Erin had no idea that she even had a nephew until she took a phone call asking if she would take him.

Upon hearing what had happened to her little sister and newly discovered nephew Erin had stepped up giving Spencer a home and a role model all in one. She came to every parents evening, every basketball game he coached and every science fair. Whenever possible they both visited his mother, equally enjoying reconnecting with her. Under Erin's guidance Spencer grew into a fine young man heading off to college and only now did Erin realise he walked straight into the path of Jason Gideon.

"Do you have any idea how dangerous this job is? What it will do to you? You could do anything be anything so why on earth choose this" She pinched the bridge of her nose trying to relieve some of the tension.

"I want to help" Spencer whispered. He gulped when Erin's eyes darted open to regard him.

"I want to help you" He added.

"That's my job Spencer not yours" She spoke much softer than before, her hand coming away from her nose.

"This is not the life me or your mother want for you, So if you are doing this out of some sort of belief that you are indebted to me then you can think again" She tried to dissuade him.

"I'll admit that seeing you do this job may have opened my eyes to the good that can be done through it but I came to that decision by myself, you or Gideon did not lead me into making it"

"You may think you have your heart set on this now but you still have three years before you are even eligible to join the academy let alone become an active field agent. Use the time to explore your options. There is so much out there for you"

And here it was, did he dare to add the next piece of information that would undoubtedly hurt his Aunt. He rubbed the back of his neck guiltily. Which caused Erin to sit up in her chair, easily reading his body language.

"Um… well… me and Gideon kind of just had a meeting with the director" He took a wobbly breath before going on.

"He agreed to lower the age restriction for me and allow me to carry out my training at the academy alongside field work as part of a team at the BAU"

Spencer's eyes darted up to look upon his Aunt. The hurt at realising that today's meeting was less about asking for permission and more a chance at informing her of his already made decision was clear to see. But the most prominent emotion that took over her features was rage.

"I'm going to kill them both" She stated with the utmost sincerity.

"Aunty E" He blustered.

"This is what I want" He started to explain. Sitting up to his full height he continued.

"I approached Gideon, and I made the appointment with the dire

ctor. I went behind your back and for that I'm truly sorry but this isn't a rash decision. I've known ever since I was thirteen years old that I would one day join the BAU. It's what I want to do, it's what I've always wanted to do. I know it is hard for you to see it but I'm not the scared, little boy you took in all those years ago. I'm a grown man now. A man that can make his own mind up. Objectively I'm a great candidate. I can read twenty thousand words per minute, I have multiple degrees and speak several languages. I would be an asset to the BAU. I've made an informed decision knowing full well what it entails. And the only objection you could possibly have is our personal connection"

Silence filled the room. It seemed to stretch on until Spencer could hardly bare it.

"I understand if you want me to move out" He whispered not taking his eyes off of his shoes. He had said his piece and now seemed to deflate into his seat. He loved his Aunt dearly and knew that he had unintentionally hurt her.

Another beat of silence as Erin processed his words.

"Don't be ridiculous, your home is with me, I'm not going to kick you out just because we have a disagreement. I may not like your decision" she hesitated smiling sadly at the man sat in front of her "but I will accept it"

"Really!" Spencer jumped from his seat and made it round the desk before his mind had a chance to register his actions he was hugging his Aunt tightly.

"With some conditions" Erin sighed.

"If this is something that has to be done then we will do it properly. First condition, you call your mother and explain what you have chosen as your career."

Diana was extremely wary of any government agent, believing them to be out to get her. On her worst days she would even lash out at Erin, unable to see her sister past the badge. It would not be an easy conversation but one that had to take place for the growth of both mother and son.

A little part of Erin secretly hoped that this might dissuade Spencer but he took it well and nodded in acceptance.

"Condition two, you communicate with your mother daily. I don't care how you do it but she needs to know you're safe and still you, not some replacement government robot or the like" She prayed that would be enough to help her sister from falling down the rabbit hole of delusion upon hearing her son's news.

"Condition three, no one can know about us." This was a purely selfish condition put in place so Erin would be able to keep Spencer close. All familial connections had to be disclosed when applying for the FBI. However that was a rule put in place for two field agents on the same team which strictly speaking Erin was no longer a field agent or on any team. So she resonated that this particular rule did not apply in their case.

Spencer silently nodded.

"And lastly, you keep yourself safe, you hear me no unnecessary risks" Her voice broke with barely concealed emotion. As her eyes became watery and she lost control of her fight to keep her composure.

Spencer was wrapping his arms around his Aunt before she had even realised he had got up.

"I promise, no unnecessary risks" He whispered into the hug.

Erin made a noise expressing her belief to the contrary. She knew him too well to believe that trouble was not attracted to him.

"We'll see" She muttered.

Once they had released each other Erin scrubbed her eyes to keep her composure. She took a deep breath before taking her seat again, Spencer followed suit.

"I know I don't say this enough but I truely am proud of you Spencer" She smiled warmly at him, watching him slightly redden under her gaze.

Spencer was rescued from his embarrassment by a loud knock at the door signalling Gideon's return.

"Is everything okay" Jason asked noticing the closed blinds and Spencer's rossie cheeks.

"Everything's fine thank you Jason" Erin responded courtly knowing full well that the question was aimed at her nephew.

She turned her gaze back to Spencer.

"Don't let me keep you any longer Dr Reid, I'm sure your team will want to meet their newest member"

Aunt and nephew shared a secrete smile before Gideon led Spencer out the room.

Left in her empty office Erin's smile dropped and her face took on a mask of worry. Like any other parent she questioned herself.

Was she doing the right thing?

There was no way to know.

Should she have put her foot down?

She could see the chain of events that would have happened for that course of events a little more clearly.

He would have either listened to her and not taken the job, and undoubtedly hold resentment towards her or would of ignore her completely. Either way their relationship would take irrevocably damage. Forcing her into making her current decision. She only wished she knew that she wouldn't regret this later.

From outside her office she could hear the rumblings caused by Spencer's arrival. The laughter, the chatter of group introductions and casual conversations. Every so often her usually shy nephew's voice could be heard within the mix stronger and steadier than she was used to hearing him when talking to strangers. Just maybe this position could have a positive effect on Spencer after all. Only time would tell.


I hope you enjoyed this one shot, a cute little insight into the what if Erin and Diana were sisters and how that could effect Spencer.