Hotchner heard the sound that his room's door was knocked on lightly.
He looked towards the door, holding the documents in hand, and he was surprised.
Because, Hotchner has thought, the young man already returned his home.
"Reid."
Hotchner call the young man's name.
Reid stand of dim room, he looks increasingly slender. He is the youngest member but he is the most intelligent member in Hotchner's team.
And Hotchner knows that Reid has other good points.
Even so, what would he do?
Hotchner gazes Reid's face.
After a while Reid shows hesitate expression and he starts talk slowly.
"I'd like to talk to you, OK?"
"Of course."
Hotchner said and he put the documents on his desk, then Reid is approaching with a relieved face.
"What's the matter?"
Hotchner ask Reid.
Reid says "I'd like to talk...about Elle."
"Elle?"
Hotchner repeated.
Reid nods, but that looked like child.
Hotchner unconsciously clasps Reid's finger.
Usually, in office, he doesn't do such a thing.
But he decide that he should do that now.
(My act is right...)
Hotchner said in his heart.
But Reid pulls his hand with stare in surprise.
"Stop."
Hotchner said.
"Stop Reid, keep 's for you. "
When Hotchner said so, Reid nods.
Presently, Reid opened his mouth slowly.
"I've continued to think of her...I regret that I didn't talk to you about her condition...If I 've told you, she'd might not resigned it..."
Maybe, Reid mourns about Elle resigned.
Hotchner furrowed his brow unconsciously.
He already talked about the matter.
He already explained all of his team member, "that is a problem of her own."
But, Reid seems to blames himself.
Hotchner sighed, and he shakes his head.
"Reid, It's wrong."Hotchner said.
But, Reid shakes his head too, and he looked down.
When Hotchner watches Reid, he holds two thoughts.
One is an anxious.
Our work is very heavy.
We have to investigate many gruesome case.
May he continue doing this work?
But Hotchner thought at the same time.
Reid is so delicate and I love him.
"...Reid"
After a while, Hotchner calls young man's name with tender and deeply voice, and put a power on the hand holding Reid's hand.
Reid looked up slowly.
Hotchner open the mouth while staring at the Reid's beautiful eyes.
"You're in no way to blame"
"If somebody had to take responsibility, it's responsibility is mine, in my team."
"But..."
"Don't say "But".I should have noticed earlier than ...I couldn't".
"Therefore you're not bad. You don't have to be troubled."
Hotchner said with kindly voice, and he holds Reid slowly.
Reid's body trembles as surprised.
But Hotchner continues holding, Reid breathes deeply as relief.
"...I understand."
Before long, Reid said.
"I understand."
Reid repeates and smiles wryly.
Hotchner also a bitter smile, he relaxes his arms.
Reid's body leaves, but Hotchner thinks that the relation of each other is more stronger.
Then "I have to become stronger." Reid said.
And he says "Thank you." for Hotchner, he'll leave the room.
Toward Reid's back, Hotchner murmurs with low voice "you're just good".
Hotchner returns to work.
The temperature of the Reid was left to his body.
END