I Miss You

Spencer

Stepheni Eliza Foster.

I've been digging, and digging, for what? I don't know. I guess anything that I can find, I know there's something she's keeping from me. Im coming into work an hour before everyone else this morning to snoop through her desk. I know it's wrong, but I need to find something. Something that can tell me the truth. 

As I walk into the dimly lit bullpen I quickly shuffle to Stephies desk. It's pretty messy so, I doubt she'll even notice anything was moved.

Her drawers are just as disorganized as her desk, if not worse.

"Come on, Steph." I mumble to myself as i rummage around, once again, I don't know what i'm looking for but I am looking for something.

I reach the bottom of the last drawer, nothing. I then remember Stephie is smart, it's not going to be at the bottom of a drawer. I start to go through files, some of these should be in Hotch's office I have no clue how she has them.

The Samuel Vance case file is in here, along with a mob file from New York, actually all these files are from New York. I open them and as I'm going through them on the floor a photo falls out. It's a little girl standing next to a man who appears to be her father maybe? I take a closer look.

Is that Stephie? I flip the picture over to see if there's anything written on the back.

1986, Stepheni and Daddy

The face of the man looks all too familiar and I know exactly who it is but I don't want to believe it. I grab the Samuel Vance file and open it. The faces match.

Samuel Vance is Stephies dad. I put the files pack, I put them back exactly how I found them. Only I keep the picture. A million questions run through my head as I sit down at my own desk. I stare at the image. Where did Foster come from? Her last name is Vance, how did the bureau not discover this? Did she help him escape back in New York.

The Samuel Vance case was one of the first cases we worked, local PD called us in for serial murders but we discovered it was the mob behind it all, we almost caught them but they got away. Did she help them?

"Morning kid," Gideon beams as he walks into the room, coffee cup in hand. I slip the photo under my keyboard. I know subconsciously it's not the safest place but I panicked.

"You're here early," He adds walking up to his office, I nod my head.

"I set my alarm for the wrong time," I force a small laugh and Hideon shakes his head.

"We've all been there." He sighs walking into his office. I stare at Elle's desk.

I can't believe she actually quit, I mean I get why but, it's just not the same without her. One by one, I watch everyone come into work. Stephie is the last to arrive and my body tenses up when she walks in.

"What?" She looks at me, a hint of disgust lining her face. She always looked grossed out, or angry, it's cute.

"Uh, nothing?" I shuffle in the seat of my chair and mess with an old case file. Stephie shakes her head at me and sits down, opening the file cabinet in which I found the picture that's sitting under my keyboard. I watch closely as she shoves a new piece of paper into it, of course.

I stand up from my desk then with a yawn, pick up my coffee cup, I'm going to need some type of energy after being up so early.

"Where are you going? Coffee?" I turn around to see Stephie staring at me with wide eyes, cup in both hands.

"Yes.." I let my voice trail off and furrow my brows at her. Stephie just smiles, her stupid, perfect smile.

"Give me the cup," I give in, holding out my free hand for her give me the empty cup.

"I like-." Stephie goes to tell me how she wants her coffee but I already know how she likes her work coffee.

"I know what you like," I look back again and then there's an awkward moment of silence between us, I wasn't suppose to know that.

I quickly race to the coffee stand and fill up both cups, on my way there JJ races in through the doors, I try to tell her good morning but she brushes past me. I come back with two cups of coffee and Stephie flashes me a smile when i hand her, her cup.

"Thanks, Reid."

Shes still calling me Reid, she won't even call me Spencer. I wish she'd call me Spence.

"We have a case," JJ comes out of Hotch's office and nods towards the briefing room. I look to Stephie who staring at the empty desk that use to be occupied by Elle and her belongings.

We're all sat listening to a voice memo from the news network line, some guy calling and warning of a bomb threat. Most bomb threats are just bluffing but this guy, I don't know something feels off.

"In the last 20 minutes virtually identical threats have been made to most of the coast to coast news networks in the country. It's the same information just slightly different words." JJ explains to us the background information.

"So it's not a recorded message or script," Derek says and Stephie shuffles on her chair, she say next to me this morning.

"He could have easily just called one network, this guy obviously wants attention." She folds her arms together and Gideon walks away from the door, moving to stand behind Hotch, saying that's normal for a personal cause bomber. I was about to say that actually.

We continue to talk about the case, we come to the conclusion we can't do anything but wait. It's not what anyone wants but it's all we have, we don't have enough information to make a different decision.

"I hate this." Stephie sighs tapping her pen against the desk, I was about to tell her to stop until she started speaking.

It's hard to look at her knowing what I know. I have so many questions, how'd she'd get into the FBI? How did she get away? Why did she leave? What happened?

Don't ask Spencer. Don't say it.

"Agent Foster?" A woman walks into the office with a small package, Stephie turns towards the voice behind her and stands up.

"Right here," She takes a few steps closer to the woman and I tilt my head to the side trying to listen in.

"It was dropped off for you about an hour ago," She explains and Stephie takes the package, sitting back down and looking at me.

"Who's it from?" I ask and she shakes her head, I feel like maybe she shouldn't be opening this.

"Give me your scissors." She points to the scissors on my desk and I give her a puzzled look.

"Use your own, these are mine!" I defend and she rolls her eyes, reaching over me to grab them herself.

I miss her.

I watch closely and Stephie rips open the package, it's a thin black box inside. Not being able to see how I'd like, I stand up and move to stand behind her. She opens the box and there's a pink dress inside with a note on top. It looks expensive, sleek and elegant.

I want to talk Stepheni. You know where to find me, 8 o'clock. You also know I'm done waiting. Find me or I will find you. -Dad

I can see Stephie tense up, she doesn't even touch the note. She doesn't even look at me. I reach around to my desk and grab the picture that sits under my keyboard. I set it on her desk in front of her.

"You went through my stuff?" She grits through her teeth.

"Samuel Vance is your dad." I tell her like she doesn't know. "So, what's actually going on Stephie? Because clearly this is what you've been hiding, this is what you're scared of."

Stephie stands up and pushes my chest, causing me to stumble backwards. "It's none of your goddamn business, Reid."

I grab her hand before she can walk away, "Stephie, nobody can help you, I can't help you, unless you tell me what's happening." She stares at me, she cries. I've never seen her cry, not like this. I pull her close my chest and that's when Derek walks over asking what happened.

"I'll explain it later, we have a bigger case to deal with right now, get everyone in the briefing room." I say and he nods, I don't think Stephie ever realized how much everyone here cares for her, we'd all do anything for her.

"Spencer," She looks at up to me, backing up a few inches. "I can't.." She just takes a deep breath.

"Whatever you're worried about Steph, it's not gonna hurt you. The team is not gonna let that happen. You're safe here." I grab her face and as I bad as I want to kiss her it's not the time.

"Reid, what is it?" Hotch asks as Stephie and I walk into the room.

"I should probably let her tell you," I look at Stephie as she looks around at everyone.

"Spencer," She quickly reaches for my hand and it catches me off guard.

"I'm right here, you're okay."

"Foster, what's going on?" Gideon sets the box with the dress down on the table. Note beside it.

Stephie takes a deep breathe and squeezes my hand. "Um, my legal name is Stepheni Vance, Samuel Vance is my father. I'm sure most of you know him from the case we work a few years back. But uh, he's a very powerful mobster in New York. I'll spare the details." She's shaking, it kills me to know I can't take this pain away from her.

"My mother died when I was five. When I turned sixteen I found out my father was behind it, he had killed my mother. That was just the first domino to fall, I started discovering things about my father I wasn't suppose to know. I found out what he did, things he did right down the hall from my bedroom. I'll spare the details again, but when he found I knew, things changed. I wasn't daddy's little girl anymore. I was his alibi. He taught me how to lie, and how to do it right. One week before I graduated high school the FBI caught him, they questioned me but my father was let go, I lied for him. I knew what my fate would be if I told the truth. I left home and I spent a lot of money to disappear.  I've been able to avoid my father for years but he's found me, and he will kill me if he catches me." Stephie looks at me first, she only looked at the wall when she talked.

The room is silent.

"Why?" Gideon stares at her, "Why would he kill you? What did you do?" Stephie starts to breathe faster, You can see the fear on her face.

"I..I uh, I turned him before I left. The people he killed, the families he ruined, they deserved justice. So, I gave my statement and I left. Somehow, my father got out of that too though, it's amazing how much money can do." Stephie chuckles, sarcastically. I'm just in shock with everything coming out of her mouth.

"He wants my head on a platter, I know this because he told me so. He told me if I ever betrayed him I'd meet the same fate my mother did. Death." Everyone's in shock, I don't think anyone knows what to say about this.

"Alright, pull out the files we have on Vance." Hotch looks to JJ and Garcia, Stephie clears her throat and holds up her hand, telling us to pause. Hotch furrows his brows when she leaves the room.

"Reid, did you know?" I shake my head frantically.

"I found out this morning, she just got the box." I admit and Hotch shakes his head.

"And you didn't think to come straight to my office and tell me?" I understand he's upset but I had no choice. I mean I did, but I wasn't choosing the second option.

"Um," Stephie walks in with a bunch of files and sets them on the table. "I'm sorry sir, I, I stole the files from your office, like a year or so ago."  Hotch glares at her.

"We'll deal with that later, right now everyone needs to catch up on this. JJ pass the bomb attack case onto another unit. Foster," He looks at Stephie.

"Go home, pack a bag. Reid, go with her. Do not leave her side." Hotch orders and I nod, I wouldn't leave her side anyway.

"Hotch, no. I'm not running, you won't be able to get him. Trust me, you can't catch this one. Not without me." Stephie pleads with him and he looks down at the case files, he knows she right. He doesn't have to like it, I don't like it, but it's how it has to be.

"Okay," Hotch says, "Tell us how to catch him Foster."

My thoughts were a whirlwind as I sat next to Stephie, listening to her lay out the details of her past. I feel a rush of emotions—shock, anger, fear, and something else I can't quite place, maybe protectiveness. I keep my gaze fixed on her, trying to offer some sense of calm in the storm she was reliving.

"First thing," Stephie continued, her voice trembling slightly, "he has contacts everywhere. He'll know if anyone tries to tail him, or if we're getting too close. The moment he feels cornered, he'll disappear again, or worse, retaliate. We can't approach this the way we normally would."

Hotch nodded, processing the information. "So how do we do this without tipping him off?"

Stephie glanced around the room, the weight of everyone's stares heavy on her. "We need to make him believe that I'm still running, that I'm scared and alone. If he thinks I'm vulnerable, he'll come for me himself."

I feel a chill run down my spine. "You're suggesting we use you as bait."

Stephie's eyes meet mine, a flicker of something vulnerable showing through the tough exterior she has built. "Yes, and it's the only way."

"No," I say, shaking my head. "It's too dangerous, Steph. We can find another way."

She gives me a small, sad smile. "You know as well as I do that we don't have time for that. He's coming, Spencer. And if we don't stop him now, he'll keep coming, and more people will die."

Hotch looks between the two of us, assessing the situation. "If we go down this road, we do it with extreme caution. We'll have eyes on her at all times, and we'll be ready to move the moment he shows himself. No one goes in alone."

Gideon, who had been silently absorbing the plan, finally spoke. "It's risky, but it could work. We need to make sure every detail is perfect. Any mistake, and it could cost Stephie her life."

I hate the sound of that. The room was silent for a moment, the gravity of the situation sinking in. Then Hotch made the call. "All right, let's do this. We're going to make it look like Stephie's going off-grid, hiding out. Garcia, I want you to create a digital trail that shows her leaving D.C., booking flights, and making transactions in different cities. It has to look convincing."

Garcia nodded, already thinking through how she'd accomplish it. "I'm on it."

"Everyone else, you know what to do. Reid, you stay close to Stephie. We'll figure out the next steps once Garcia has the digital footprint set up."

I didn't need to be told twice. I moved closer to Stephie, my hand gently touching her arm. "Are you sure about this?"

Stephie looks up at me, her eyes filled with a mix of determination and fear. "I have to be. It's the only way to end this."

I want to say something, to tell her how much O care, how much I was afraid of losing her, but the words are caught in my throat. Instead, I just nod, letting her know without words that I was with her, every step of the way.

As the team began to disperse, Stephie stood up, ready to face what was coming. But before she could leave the room, I caught her hand, squeezing it just enough to let her know I was there.

"We'll get through this, Steph," I whisper, my voice barely audible.

Stephie gives me a small nod, the fear still lingering in her eyes. "I hope so, Spence. I really do."

Spence.

Garcia was already at her computer, fingers flying over the keys as she created a believable digital trail for Stephie. Hotch was on the phone with local PDs in key cities, setting up the next layer of their trap. Gideon and Morgan were discussing tactical plans, ways to protect Stephie when Samuel Vance made his move.

But all I could focus on was Stephie, who stood at the edge of the room, looking more vulnerable than I have ever seen her. Her usual confidence was gone, replaced by a haunted look in her eyes. It hit me hard, seeing her like this. I always admired her strength, her ability to keep it together no matter what. But now, seeing the cracks in her armor, I realized just how much she had been carrying on her own.

Stephie caught me staring and gave me a weak smile. She crosses the room to where I stand, her voice low so only I could hear. "I didn't want you to find out like this."

I shake his head, keeping my voice soft and filled with concern. "Why didn't you tell me? I could have helped."

She sighed, looking away. "Because I knew you'd want to help, and that would have put you in danger. I've spent my whole life running from this, trying to keep the people I care about safe. I didn't want to drag you into it."

"I'm already in it, Steph. Whether you wanted me to be or not," I said, gently lifting her chin so she would look at me. "And I'm not going anywhere."

For a moment, she looked like she might cry again, but she blinked it away, taking a deep breath. "I know. That's what scares me the most."

I want to say something to reassure her, to make her believe that everything would be okay, but the words felt hollow. Instead, I just held her gaze, trying to convey all the things I couldn't say out loud.

Hotch's voice broke the silence. "Stephie, we need to get you moving. The sooner we start the plan, the better."

She nodded, pulling herself together. "Right. What's the first step?"

"You're going to 'leave' D.C.," Hotch explained. "Garcia is setting up your trail, and we'll send out decoys to different locations to keep Vance off your scent. We need you to act like you're in a panic, that you're running scared."

Stephie gives a bitter laugh. "That won't be hard."

I feel a pang of guilt. This was the girl I had been falling for, and now she was about to throw herself into the lion's den. But I knew better than to try and talk her out of it. Stephie was nothing if not determined.

"We'll be with you every step of the way," Hotch continued. "The moment Vance makes a move, we'll be ready. We're going to take him down, Stephie."

She nodded, her expression hardening. "Let's do this."

The team quickly finalized the details of the plan. Stephie would be seen leaving the BAU building in a rush, with me following close behind to make it look like she was trying to evade me, just incase she was being watched. We will drive to a safe house just outside the city, a place where Stephie could lay low while the team monitored the situation.

As we head out, I fell into step beside Stephie. The others were already getting into position, but I  lingered, needing a moment alone with her before the plan set everything in motion.

"Steph," I began, my voice quieter than I intended it to be. "Whatever happens, I'm here. I need you to know that."

She stopped, turning to face me. The raw emotion in her eyes took me by surprise. "Spencer, if something happens—"

"Don't," I interrupt, my tone firm. "Nothing's going to happen to you. Not on my watch."

She gave me a small, sad smile. "You can't promise that."

"I can try."

For a long moment, we just stood there, the unspoken words hanging between us. Then, before I could think better of it, I closed the distance between us and pulled her into a hug. She tensed at first, then slowly relaxed against me, her arms slipping around his waist.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you," she whispered into my chest.

"I'm sorry you had to go through this alone," I replied, his voice thick with emotion.

We stayed like that for a few seconds longer than necessary, but I didn't care. I didn't want to let her go, not when I knew what was waiting for her. But eventually, she pulled back, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.

"We should go," she said softly.

I nodded, though every fiber of my being screamed to keep her close, to protect her from the danger she was walking into.

As we walk out of the building, I take one last look at the place that had always felt like home. I couldn't shake the feeling that everything was about to change, that nothing would ever be the same after this.

I just hoped that when it was all over, we would still have a future to look forward to.

—————————AN: Just cuz they're getting along in this scary moment doesn't mean they're getting back together guys 🙄

(i need them back together)(i control that factor LMAO)hopefully stephie lives lol

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