Just because I loved that episode so much :) And hey I'm updating some of my older fics too! I know I wrote a similar one shot in the past but decided to do a different take on it.
Hotch rode with Reid to the hospital in the ambulence, guilt consuming him. He flashed back to what had happened in that room.
He had antagonized Chester, by encourging the fight. He had seen how scared Reid was but he didn't want the monster to get away with something again.
Chester didn't lung at Hotch, though. He lunged for the kid.
"Get back!" He hissed as he wrapped his arms tightly around Reid's neck.
Hotch obeyed, forcing himself to remain calm. He saw the fear and panic in Reid's eyes.
"If you move any close I'll snap his neck!" Chester threatened.
Hotch tried to calculate how fast he could get to the man and getting Reid away.
He wasn't fast enough. He tried to lung at Chester but Chester hit his head sharply on the table, causing the room to spin. He was unable to get up as he was kicked in the head again. Barely awake he watched as Chester squeezed at Reid's neck, choking him to death.
Reid struggled violently, gasping for air. Hotch groaned as he tried to help.
Suddenly two gards came into the room, holding guns.
Chester used that moment to snatch the gun out of one of the officers surprised arm. He pointed it at the half passed out Reid.
"Come any closer and this kid's head gets blown off," he snarled. "Lower your weapon!" The other officer obeyed. It was then that Hotch reached for the gun laying on the grown and before anyone could do anything he fired at Chester's knee.
Chester yelled and lowered his grip on Reid and lowered the gun as well but accidently pulled the trigger causing Reid to get shot on the side of his chest.
Hotch yelled as he watched Reid collapse.
"It's my fault, Reid," he mumbled as he squeezed the young man's arm. Reid moaned and Hotch prayed that Reid would recover from this.
If he didn't Hotch would never be able to look at himself in the mirror again.
"I'm so sorry, Reid," he said and started to sob. "So sorry."
He held Reid's hand and let the tears fall down his face as they headed towards a hospital.