Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds.

Since I was asked to write a prequel to Spencer's Secret Wife by a few reviewers I decided to do it so here it is.

I'm going to cast Alexis Bledel as Clarissa Hotchner, and right now in this story it's November 28th of 2000 when Spencer is 19.

I have it that Spencer decided to go to Yale instead of Cal-tech.


Spencer was getting ready for his morning lectures when there was a knock on the door of his dorm. A few seconds later he opened his door and saw his academic adviser Dr. Steven Richards with a police officer who both had grim faces, "Did I do anything wrong officer?" asked Spencer.

"I'm Officer Benson from New Rochelle, New York. I have some bad news for you, so may I please come in?" asked Officer Benson.

Spencer quickly stiffened, "Is it about my aunt Ethel and uncle Gordon?" asked Spencer.

Officer Benson nodded, "It is, but I want you to be sitting down."

A few seconds later Spencer was sitting across from Officer Benson who gave him a sad look, "At three AM your aunt Ethel and uncle Gordon were killed by a drunk driver while they were driving back from New York City."

At that moment Spencer fell onto his pillows and started to sob.

Officer Benson looked at Spencer's academic adviser, "Is there anyone I can call for him?" asked Officer Benson.

Dr. Richard's heart broke as he looked at Spencer, "His biological parents are dead. His godparents living in Washington, D.C., he has a cousin living in Atlanta, Georgia while his aunt's sister resides in Bennington Sanitarium in Spencer's hometown Las Vegas."

"What about a girlfriend?" asked Officer Benson as his heart broke for the young man.

Dr. Richards shook his head, "No girlfriend, but I'm already planning on helping him plan the funerals and have him go to mandatory grief counseling while the police station that Lieutenant Gordon worked at will most likely take care of funeral arrangements for Spencer."

Officer Benson pulled out his card and passed it to Dr. Richards, "If he needs anything please call me since it's hard to lose a police officer that everyone liked."

"Thank you," said Dr. Richards as he looked at the young man who cried himself to sleep.

A minute later Office Benson let himself out, and Dr. Richards used the phone to call Spencer's professors and let them know that Spencer won't be attending classes for a while.


Two days later Spencer was sitting on a bench with tears streaming down his face while looking at a picture of him with his aunt and uncle after he earned his first Ph.D. when he heard a female voice.

"You alright?" asked a young woman.

Spencer looked up and saw a girl around his age who had armpit length nearly black hair and bright blue eyes.

Spencer removed his glasses and wiped the tears that were falling down his face, "My aunt and uncle who raised me since I was four years old after my parents' death, were killed in a car accident two days ago."

The woman sat down next to Spencer, "I lost my father when I was three and my mom at 17."

Spencer quickly remembered his manners, "I'm Spencer Reid."

"I'm Clarissa Hotchner, and you look like you could use a friend," said Clarissa as her cellphone rang and she answered it, "Hello?" asked Clarissa.

"Where are you, Clarissa? I have been waiting for you for the past 10 minutes," said Hotch.

"Right now I am talking to a boy around my age who just lost his aunt and uncle who practically raised him a few days ago, and I don't want to leave him alone since he is grieving," said Clarissa softly.

"Well bring him with you if you want to help cheer him up," said Hotch before hanging up.

Clarissa looked at Spencer who pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose, "Come join my older brother and me for lunch, Spencer, because I would rather not leave you alone right now," said Clarissa as she held out her hand for Spencer to take.

Spencer took Clarissa's hand as he got up before following her to her car.

A few minutes later Clarissa looked at the young man in her passenger seat, "How long have you been attending Yale?" asked Clarissa.

"Since I was 12. My aunt and uncle moved here with me when I decided to attend Yale," said Spencer.

"And you're like 18?" asked Clarissa.

"I just turned 19 less than two months ago," said Spencer.

"I'm turning 19 in two weeks. If you have been attending college since you were 12, you must be a genius," said Clarissa.

"Yes I am," said Spencer.

An impressed Clarissa whistled, "So how smart are you?" asked Clarissa.

Spencer looked at Clarissa and wondered why she didn't freak out yet, "I have an IQ of 187, an eidetic memory, and a reading speed of 20,000 words per minute."

"Cool," said Clarissa.

"You're not intimidated?" asked Spencer.

"I'm not because I graduated high school as valedictorian in my class, and I am studying to become a nurse," said Clarissa.

"As of right now I have a Ph.D. in Mathematics, and I am almost finished with my second PhD.," said Spencer.

"What is your second Ph.D. going to be in?" asked Clarissa.

"Engineering since I already have BAs in Engineering and Chemistry," said Spencer.

"So you're the math and science type of guy," said Clarissa.

"Pretty much," said Spencer.

"Learning about the human body in school is the reason why I wanted to become a nurse because my dad died from cancer," said Clarissa.

A few minutes later Clarissa hugged her brother, "I missed you so much, Aaron."

"You're the one who decided to leave Washington D.C. and go to Yale," said Hotch before looking at Spencer, "I'm Aaron Hotchner and sorry for your loss."

Spencer reluctantly shook Hotch's hand, "Thank you, and I'm Dr. Spencer Reid, but please call me Spencer."

As soon as they were sitting ina booth, Hotch took in Spencer's appearance, "You look way too young to be a doctor."

Spencer quietly explained his IQ, memory, and reading speed to his new friend's older brother.

When Spencer was finished, Hotch smiled at Spencer, "Impressive."

"Thank you." said Spencer before looking at the suit that Hotch was wearing, "You work for the government?"

At that moment Hotch looked a bit impressed, "I'm a profiler for the Behavioral Analysis Unit down in Quantico, Virginia."

Spencer's eyes went wide as he thought back to his uncle telling him about the times he had the B.A.U. help him with cases, "Do you work for Jason Gideon or have ever worked with David Rossi?" asked Spencer.

"I've worked with both men. How do you know their names?" asked Aaron.

"I read David Rossi's latest book, and I attended Agent Gideon's lecture two months ago," said Spencer.

"And you didn't think of approaching him?" asked Aaron.

"I was late for my next lecture, and I didn't know if I could join the FBI since I have no experience with law enforcement," said Spencer.

"How old are you?" asked Aaron.

"19 sir," said Spencer.

"The FBI is always looking for academics since they can use more brains than brawn, and maybe in a few years you could join since the FBI can always use someone with your intelligence," said Aaron.

"Let's just say that I have been approached by the CIA and NSA already due to my intelligence, and I don't want to do the CIA but the NSA is tempting," said Spencer.

"I can't blame them for wanting someone as smart as you, and as soon as the FBI Director finds out about you he will want to have you recruited," said Aaron as he made a mental note to send word to the Director about meeting Spencer.

Spencer smiled thoughtfully at Aaron's comment just as a waitress approached them.

"May I take your orders now?" asked a waitress.

Spencer, Clarissa, and Aaron gave their orders.

As soon as the waitress left, Hotch looked at Spencer, "How long ago did your aunt and uncle die?" asked Aaron.

"Two days ago, and my academic advisor is helping me with funeral preparations while having me talk to a counselor," said Spencer.

"Cause of death?" asked Aaron.

"They were hit by a drunk driver and the drunk driver didn't make it," said Spencer.

Clarissa looked at Spencer, "When is the funeral?" asked Clarissa.

"In two days," said Spencer.

At that moment Clarissa made her decision, "I'm going to come to the funeral so I can support my new friend."

Spencer was about to protest when Hotch looked at Spencer, "Better not argue with my baby sister since she doesn't back down on any decisions that she makes."

Spencer sighed in defeat, and a few minutes later their food arrived causing all three adults to eat.

15 minutes into eating their lunch, Hotch looked at his sister, "Just so you know Haley, Jason, Sean, and I will be here for your birthday in two weeks."

Clarissa grinned, "I can't wait." said Clarissa before looking at Spencer who looked like he was feeling out of place, "You're welcome to join us."

Spencer shook his head, "I don't want to intrude on your family gathering."

"If my sister-in-law, Sean, uncle Jason finds out that I finally made a friend on campus, they're gonna want to meet you," said Clarissa.

Aaron looked at Spencer, "And the Jason I mentioned is Jason Gideon, and he would be glad to meet you."

"I guess I will come." shrugged Spencer before dipping a French fry in ketchup and popped it into his mouth.

After eating for a few more minutes in silence, Aaron's phone rang and a minute later he looked at Spencer and Clarissa, "I have to get going since I'm heading back to Quantico." said Aaron as he pulled out a business card, "If you need someone to talk to or need anything, please give me a call."

Spencer took the card, "Thank you."

A few minutes later Spencer and Clarissa were sitting alone in their booth.

Clarissa looked at Spencer, "What's one of your favorite TV shows?" asked Clarissa.

"Star Trek," said Spencer.

Clarissa grinned, "Awesome."

Spencer's eyes went wide, "You're a fan?" asked Spencer.

"I am and I also love Star Wars," said Clarissa.

"Me too," said Spencer.

Spencer and Clarissa started talking about their hometowns and what led them to attend Yale.


When they were leaving the diner, Clarissa looked at Spencer, "I think we're going to be great friends Spencer," said Clarissa as she smiled at Spencer before reciting her cellphone number, causing Spencer to commit it to memory before giving her his number.