I don't own Criminal minds.

"Hey Spence don't bother putting your things down. You're being sent to give a speech to some college students with Rossi." JJ said walking down the stairs into the bull pen.

"Why, why do they keep sending me?" They know I always mess this up." Spencer groaned. Clutching his messenger bag to his side.

"Yes well something about your age." JJ laughed. Earning a scowl from Spencer.

"Hey Reid lets get going." Rossi said coming across the cat walk and down the stairs.

"Well at least it's not Hotch." Spencer said under his breath. JJ patted his arm.

"Hey kid have fun. Don't tell any lame jokes." Morgan called out. Spencer turned and scowled at his friend.

He hated doing these speeches. He may even hate it more that he was going with Rossi. Aaron's best friend who Spencer was sure would want to talk to him.

Getting into the car Spencer buckled his seatbelt and held onto his messenger bag like a life line as Rossi started the drive to the college. Silence reigned in the car.

"He's a good guy but you know that already." Rossi broke the silence.

Reid closed his eyes and wished he could forget what Rossi had said. "Yes I know he's a good guy, I know that. You don't have to tell me. None of you have to tell me." He snapped. Turning to the older man. Listen I'll put your mind at ease I don't hate Hotch, I don't hate Haley. I just don't know what to feel about them and I don't need you telling me he's a good guy until you've stood in my shoes and found out that your boss was your father or in your shoes I guess son." Reid bit his lip stilling the words on his tongue he knew about James Rossi and he knew it wasn't right to say what he'd thought of next. What if you found out he was still alive." He couldn't be that cruel to the man.

"Whoa I'm sorry consider the topic dropped." Rossi momentarily took his hands off the steering wheel holding them up in surrender.

"I just want to get this done with. I always mess these things up. They don't like me I don't relate to them and I keep getting sent here. Why? I swear it's some weird form of punishment." Spencer grumbled.

"Oh Reid." Rossi shook his head. As the car traveled closer to their destination, Spencer lets his thoughts over take him. How would he handle it all? Handle Hotch, Jack, Haley. It was then that he came to a decision. The easiest thing for him right now in this moment was to stay on a professional level with Hotch. To not mire the water with the murkiness that was their personal connection. Haley on the other hand. He would reach out to her, and through her Jack. It wasn't to hurt Hotch, it was to give him and by extension Hotch time to figure out how they'd still work together. It also didn't help that he didn't have good experiences with father figures. Mother's he could handle that. Father's he wasn't so sure.

What he thought would be a horrible day went from bad to worse after a serial killer literally walked up and confessed to his crimes sending the team on hunt to save women and children and figure out the missing victims. Almost getting killed themselves in the process.

It was the end of the long harrowing day. People were saved, children reunited with parents. A killer behind bars a bit of closer for some family's all and all a good day. Except now, Spencer had to ask the hard questions. Ask for Haley's information. Would she even want to see him though? Was he over stepping bounds to even ask? He wasn't sure if he should ask Hotch or Garcia. Garcia would be easy she'd just give him the information. Hotch, he felt he'd hurt the older man if he asked to talk to Haley without being ready to talk to him. Hotch would know if Haley wanted to talk to him or not though. He would be able to let Haley know he was going to make contact. Maybe Aaron hadn't even told Haley yet. Yes as hard as it was Spencer figured asking Hotch would be the best answer.

Walking up the stairs to Hotch's office Spencer steeled himself and knocked on the door. Aaron looked up from the paperwork he was finishing at the sound against the wood. "Come in?" He was a bit surprised to see Spencer come through the door. "Reid how can I help you?" He wanted to reach out to this young man. He tried not to flinch as he said the man's last name.

Spencer wrung his hands as he looked at his boss. "Hotch," He bit his lip. "I was wondering if you'd talked to Haley?"

Aaron watched him seeing the conflicting emotions flying across his face. He was surprised at the question it wasn't one he'd been expecting. It also stabbed a little that he called Haley by her first name but still called him Hotch. She's not his boss though. Aaron silently berated himself. "Yes I talked to her." He watched as Spencer fidgeted.

"Do you think she'd be willing to meet with me?"

Aaron was even more shocked at this question silently asking himself why Haley? "Yes she'd love to talk to you any time you want." Aaron said. He grabbed a piece of paper and wrote down her number. He held it out to Spencer. "This is her number don't hesitate to call her. she'd love to talk to you." He swallowed around the lump in his throat that he'd also love to talk to him but didn't give voice to that.

Spencer took the paper. "Thank you." He looked at the older man seeing the pain flash briefly in his eyes. "I'm sorry." He said softly. "I just, you, I can't right now." Hotch gave a stiff nod the two man looked at each other for a moment before Spencer turned and left the office. Aaron feel heavily in his chair burying his head in his hands.

Spencer turned and watched him. feeling horrible as he clutched that piece of paper the man had given him. Life was spinning to fast for him at the moment.

A/N Thanks to everyone who reviewed. Next up Spencer has to decide what to do with the number will he call Haley?