Tidings Of Comfort And Joy

Disclaimer: Criminal Minds is not mine.

He sat in the hotel room and stared at the walls. He wanted to block out the sounds coming from the next room, but it was too loud. Spencer knew this was a bad idea. He should have spent Christmas alone. People didn't seem to realise he was actually happy being alone with his voices. They had to feel sorry for him and try to help him fit in and so this is why he was here.

Reid didn't really like Christmas all that much. They had never celebrated it at home really. Not something his mother had really been into, and his dad was not going to argue with her over something like that. He remembered the cold Christmas mornings when he was a child. He remembered feeling alone and sad as he heard the children playing outside in the sunshine and he was here stuck with his mum and dad arguing over something so unimportant it would be forgotten in ten minutes.

All repeating – another family arguing because he was here. The Hotchners deserved a nice time. They didn't need some hanger on spoiling their fun. He picked up his wallet and put his shoes on. He thought about knocking on their door and telling them he was going down to the bar, but thought better of it. Spencer let out a sigh and walked down the corridor to the elevator at the end.

A small group of people stood there and looked over at the tall skinny guy with grey cords a white shirt and glasses. He kept his eyes looking away but was aware of being stared at. He turned and walked quickly back to his room. He slipped to the small bathroom and checked his face in the mirror. He was half expecting there to be toothpaste on his chin or something, but all he saw looking back at him was his own face. He sighed and took off the glasses and picked up this contact lenses case, and quickly popped one in each eye and then tucked his hair behind his ears.

Acutely aware of the raised voices he left his room again and walked head down back to the elevator. No one here this time. Which in some ways was good but in so many other ways terrifying. He didn't like the thought of getting in that box alone, so turning quickly he made for the stairs.

…………

The bar was busy so he stood and waited to be served. Ten minutes past when the barkeep walked up to him and smacked a whiskey down in front of him.

"Compliments of the gentleman." And he gestured down the bar to the minor god of everything standing at the end smiling. He picked up the drink and gestured a thank you and smiled back.

Reid stood feeling conspicuous at the bar alone whilst people around got merry and talked too loud and broke out into silly Christmas songs for no reason.

"You on your own?" A voice at his shoulder.

Reid turned to see the guy who had bought him the drink. "Oh yes." Nervous smile.

"I need to smoke, care to join me outside for a chat?"

Another nervous smile. Was he hitting on him? Reid's eyebrow twitched and his smile broadened. "I would love to." And he followed the tall long haired man out of the bar.

…………….

Haley was getting Jack ready for bed.

"Go on then, run to you little friend." She had stopped shouting now, but the venom in her voice couldn't be disguised.

Hotch sat back down on the bed. "He has no one to spend Christmas with."

"Correct. He has no one. It's for a reason. He is creepy."

"I don't find him creepy."

"Well that's obvious Aaron! Go on – go and get him. He will be sitting in his room fiddling his thumbs waiting for you."

Hotch picked up his cell and speed dialled Reid. He looked a bit puzzled that it went unanswered and then to answer-phone.

"Oh for goodness sake Aaron. He is a grown man. Stop treating him like a child."

He turned to watch his wife tucking Jack into the hotel cot. "I'm not treating him like a child."

"That is what I was afraid of." And she walked quickly to the bathroom calling back to him. "Go and find him then!"

Wonderful – throw the guilt. Hotch went to the mini bar and picked up a small bottle and returned to sitting on the bed.

……………..

Spencer pulled his phone out of his pocket when he heard it ring. He was following this Japanese god towards a small wooded area. "I don't like to force my habits on to other people" He had explained, and so they were walking slowly away from the hotel towards somewhere more private.

When his phone started to ring Reid's new 'friend' turned to him. "Don't answer it."

Spencer pulled the cell from his pocket and was about to open it when it was knocked from his hand. He looked up with a frown in time to meet the iron bar cracking him across the side of the head.

He fell silently into the leaves on the ground as someone else reached down and picked up the cell.

Spencer didn't feel them pick him up and carry him to a big silver SUV with the back open. He didn't feel the gag or blindfold being put on, and he didn't feel his hands being tied tightly behind his back or his feet being tied together with plasticuffs. Reid didn't feel the blankets being thrown over him nor did he hear the doors slamming and the sound of the engine being fired up.

………..

Spencer was dreaming.

He was with someone from his dreams. Tall dark brooding. Gentle and loving. The dream was suddenly broken by hard hands shaking him awake.

"Wake up.

He thought he might have opened his eyes but he couldn't really tell. He felt sick, headachy and disorientated and now realised he was bound, gagged and laying on a hard floor. He pulled against the plasticuffs holding his hands behind his back and wriggled his feet to attempt to break them, but he was held firmly.

Spencer felt hands lift him and sit him on a chair. A strap tied tightly around his chest to hold him in place, his hand and arms getting crushed behind him. Finally the blindfold was removed.

Reid looked up at the face of his former god who bent forwards and kissed him gently on the forehead.

"I expect you are wondering why you are here." He stepped back a bit and smiled at the big scared eyes. "I was asked to deliver a message."

A shake of the head and then another set of hands removing the gag. He licked his lips and opened his mouth to say something.

"Don't talk. You are not here to talk. You are here to listen." And he moved forwards again.

"You have an infatuation with someone and it needs to stop."

Reid looked puzzled. "What – what do you mean?" A slap across the mouth.

"Told you not to talk."

"But I" this time a closed fist in the mouth.

"You need to listen Dr Reid."

He nodded tasting blood.

"I have been asked to keep you here until it seems you really do understand what I mean."

"I –"

This time the person behind him delivered a punch to the back of his head. "Shut up you little tart."

………………

"For goodness sake Aaron don't sit there all night. Go have a drink."

"I am having a drink."

"I am tired. Leave me and Jack alone for a while. The sitter will be here soon."

"I can wait."

"I don't want you to. Leave me alone Aaron. I am fed up with looking at your face."

Hotch got up from the bed and walked towards the door, throwing the little bottle away in the bin as he past. "I will be alone in the bar." And he left the room.

Haley Hotchner waited until Aaron was gone and picked up her cell phone and made a call.

"Is it done?" a pause. "I don't want him to forget this Christmas message. Make sure he will never forget." Another pause. "That's fine with me. Just keep him there then." Listening. "Yes – yes I really don't care; if that's your thing and I know it's his." And she slid her phone shut.

………………..

A/N: I am a bit annoyed because right at the last minute after lots of careful planning Floyd decided to go on vacation in Canada!! I hope he behaves.