A/N: Set after the Reaper shot Hotch in season four. AU of what could have happened
Reid looked at Hotch telling his son goodbye and shook his head. Jack was a great kid who deserved to grow up with both of his parents and Reid couldn't let this happen. He wasn't supposed to be there, he'd been shot, but he'd requested to get to go to where Hotch was. Pulling out his phone he propped against the wall and made a phone call.
"Hey, it's me. I need a favor. I'll consider us even if you can do this and keep them safe." Reid stated and sighed in relief. As he looked back he saw Hailey and Jack being walked back towards Aaron's room. Turning he headed back to his room; at least now Hotch would be safe and happy.
Reid had just closed his eyes when he heard someone cough and he found himself looking at Hailey.
"I know you're trying to rest, but can I talk to you for a minute?" Hailey questioned and Reid nodded pulling himself up.
"Sam told me that Aaron's coming with us and that not even he is going to know where we're going." Hailey began and Reid nodded.
"That's good, Jack needs both of you with him." Reid smiled and Hailey chuckled softly as tears slipped down her cheeks.
"I just want to say that this team is made up of the best people that Aaron has ever had the pleasure of working with. I want you to remember that when the cases get hard. He may not always say it, but Aaron is very proud of all of you and he cares more than you could imagine." Hailey assured him and Reid nodded.
"I know. I want you to know that Hotch cares about you and Jack as well. He's taken being seperated from both you and Jack very hard. This job it takes a lot to do and I know you may not fully understand why he came back after he was suspended, but I know it was a hard decision for him to make. Not being there for some of the moments in Jack's life and other times forgetting have hurt him far more than any case we'll ever work will. I can see that you still care about him and what happens to him even though you're mad at him for the danger that comes with this job. What I'm about to say may, or actually almost certainly will, make you mad at me, but you need to hear it. When you chose to marry Hotch you knew the person that he would become even if you weren't sure of the job he would have. I have no doubt that his personality and drive was still very strong. You can't be mad at him for being who he is and who he was." Reid finished and Hailey simply stared at him and nodded.
"I hope you get better soon, Dr. Reid." Hailey concluded and stood to leave.
"Spencer." Reid called after her and she stopped.
"Spencer." Hailey agreed and then she walked back to where Jack and Aaron were.
Reid left the hospital that evening and listened to the team discuss what they were going to do now that Hotch had left.
"He's going to come back once we catch the Reaper, but until then Strauss has placed me in charge. I-I hope that you all understand this isn't what I wanted and that I'm not trying to replace Hotch." Morgan elaborated and the team all nodded. It would be different for a while, but at least Hotch was safe and the team was still a team. Now all they had to do was capture the Reaper to bring the rest of the family home.
Hotch smiled as Jack curled up beside him and drifted off to sleep. Hailey was downstairs talking to her sister while they washed dishes. Gently he pulled the blanket up around Jack's shoulders and kissed his head. While most people would call him crazy for being relaxed when the Reaper was out there he knew that there was no way they would be found. His family was safe until the Reaper was caught and this was the time he needed to bond with Jack. Placing his arm around Jack he closed his eyes and fell asleep as well.