This is the sequal to Hold Me Tonight. So many people asked for it, so I've decided to give it to you.

Hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds.

Hotch waited, sitting at his desk. He had been trying to read the report before him for a previous case. He sighed, realizing his eyes had run over the same sentence ten times without registering it. He set the file down and tried to sort out the hum that leaked into his office from the bull pen. The blinds were closed, giving him no visual access to the activity below. In the past few weeks he had grown accustomed to relying on his ears to know when his office would become more than just a small rectangular room.

A case in Alaska a few months prior had taken some bizarre turns and left Dr. Spencer Reid in need of comfort and a good lawyer. Fortunately, Hotch was more than willing to give him the first. Unfortunately, Reid had to suffer the last one. The blinds had been kept shut for Reid's unexpected visits; when the young man would run in as soon as he arrived, looking ready to burst into tears from frustration, stress, and hurt.

Hotch sighed, leaning back in his chair. He was about to stand to peep through the blinds when he heard the deep, booming voice of Agent Morgan say, "Hey there, Pretty Boy Genius. How's it going this morning?"

Hotch could never hear Reid's quieter reply, but at least he knew now that Reid was safe in the BAU. Well, as safe as an FBI agent could be when there was the chance of a suspect being interrogated in the building or a possible radical statement that involved a bomb or biological warfare. Hotch sighed, shaking his head. At least Reid was safe, surrounded by all his friends.

A soft knock brought Hotch back to reality. He looked up at the door, having a strong feeling he knew who it was. "Come in." He called. Reid walked in, confirming Hotch's suspicions, and shut the door. He didn't look like he was about to cry, but he did look exhausted. "Good Morning." Hotch greeted.

"Good morning." Reid said with a small smile. "Um, I have to leave during the afternoon to meet with my lawyer. Is that okay or should I reschedule?" He looked more ready to handle anything except a prosecution lawyer. Hotch knew that Reid would never admit it, but the young man would prefer to hunt down a sexual sadist than face his own lawyer.

"There's nothing scheduled for this afternoon." Hotch said apologetically. He held himself back from adding a 'sorry' at the end when he saw the fleeting disappointment flash in Reid's brown eyes. "JJ hasn't presented any cases to me, but that might change."

Reid nodded, trying to hold back his disappointment the best he could. He glanced at the couch which, lately, had become like a second home to him. He glanced at Hotch and bit his lip. He didn't want to bother Hotch, but he really wanted to stay and work there. He opened his mouth, but the question was shoved away to allow an abrupt sob. He had been trying to hold his emotions back, but he no longer could. His frustration was stronger than his resolve. Hotch looked up at him and the concern Reid saw made him break down completely. "Jonathon might get off."

Garcia stormed into the bullpen, fuming. Steam nearly billowed from his ears. Other Agents watched as she kept her eyes on Reid's desk, glaring at it like she had been personally insulted by it. Morgan watched her from his own desk. She stopped and turned her fury on him with a terse, "Where is he!"

Morgan paused, unsure how to react. He decided, even though he was sure who the 'he' was, to stick with a confused, "Where's who, Baby Girl?"

"You know damn well who!" She nearly shouted, her fists clenching. Something was being crushed in her left fist and it looked strangely like a tabloid magazine. "Where's Reid?"

"Um, why?" Morgan asked hesitantly, worried about the younger man's safety before he disclosed his location.

Garcia growled and threw the magazine down on Morgan's desk. The Agent hesitated, glancing at Garcia, but finally reached over and lifted it. It was The Liberty, a magazine that focused, not on celebrities and the Hollywood crowds, but politicians and the DC scene. On the cover a small red square was covered up with the title: "Exclusive: FBI Scandal."

"Page 34." Garcia said, glaring around her. She looked like a waiting tiger, knowing her prey was somewhere near and drawing closer.

Morgan flipped through the pages and read the article as Reid left Hotch's office. He made his way to his desk to pick up his work for the day to bring back to his sanctuary to work on. He had made it within ten feet of his desk when Garcia burst out with a, "WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME!" at the same time as Morgan cried, "WHAT THE FUCK?"

Reid, hearing both Agents outcries, could not stop himself from jumping. His confusion was clear on his face as he looked at a horrified Morgan and an enraged Garcia. He saw the magazine in Morgan's hands, but did not see the connection. "What didn't I tell you?"

Garcia opened her mouth, but Morgan beat her to it. "You're sleeping with Hotch?" He asked, lowering his voice and flipping the article around to show the title, "Supervisory Special Agent Supervising More Than His Agent's Work."

Reid snatched the article and read it, his hand shaking. Prosecution lawyer claims he has seen SSA Aaron Hotchner and Special Agent Dr. Spencer Reid, both of the FBI's Behavioral Analysis Unit, together on more than just cases. It seems that both men have been pursuing a sexual relationship with one another. An anonymous source says he had seen them in bed together in a cabin on a recent trip. No comment has been given by either Hotchner or Reid, however…. The magazine fell to the ground as he covered his mouth in a silent gasp.

Morgan opened his mouth, but Reid shook his head furiously, interrupting him. He tried to hold back his tears. He took a shaken breath and looked at them both. "It's not true! It's not!" He said frantically, looking like a deer caught in the headlights. The article didn't seem credible, but if Garcia believed it, and was able to get Morgan to as well, Reid knew others would also.

Reid felt a sudden wave of guilt. This would ruin his career as well as Hotch's. He felt his eyes burn with frustration. He swallowed and opened his mouth to speak, looking at both Morgan and Garcia. No words could come out. He shook his head and hurried out and down the hallway. Garcia's mouth closed as she watched the younger man disappear. She looked up at Morgan confused. He returned the look. They both looked up at the door to Hotch's office.

A knock at the door brought Hotch back from his report reading. He looked up at the door and wondered who it was. He told Reid just to walk back in when he returned. "Come in."

Morgan opened the door and shut it. He walked to the desk, looking guilty. Well to a profiler it looked guilty, but to someone else they may not have noticed. "Hotch, something's happened to Reid." He said quietly, pulling out a magazine from his back pocket.

"What happened?" Hotch demanded, standing up. He was unable to hide his worry and panic. His heart pounded fiercely. His blood racing. What in the world could have happened in five minutes? "Where is he?"

"He ran into the men's room."

"Why?" Hotch demanded as he glared at Morgan. To anyone else, the older agent would simply look infuriated. To Morgan, Hotch looked concerned. The darker agent sighed and tossed the article onto Hotch's desk. The dark haired agent looked at it, hesitating. He reached for it and read through. He froze and looked up at Morgan, keeping his face neutral. "Where's Reid?"

Hotch reached the men's room and tried to pull it open. The door had been locked. He hesitated, his fist raised. He glanced around him and knocked. "Reid?" He called, his voice stern. When no answer was given, he pressed his ear to the wooden door. "Reid, open this door." He could hear the boy sobbing on the other side. He took a deep breath and bent down to the lock.

He dug through his pants' pockets and found a large paper clip. He bent it up and began to pick the lock. He tested the door and opened it, entering the bathroom. He locked it behind him and looked under the stalls, recognizing a pair of brown, worn shoes.

"Reid?" He called gently, knocking on the stall door. The sobbing stopped, but was followed by sniffles. Hotch waited patiently as the stall door opened up. Reid looked up at him, his face tear stained. He sniffled and wiped his eyes before looking back up at him.

"Hotch, I'm so sorry. I don't know how it happened! I'm so sorry." Reid sobbed. No matter how hard he tried, his emotions ran away from him. He had never felt so much at once; fear, apprehension, doubt, frustration, sadness. It was all just whirlwind building up inside him. "This is all my fault."

"Reid, it's okay." Hotch whispered, gripping the young man by his shoulders and directing him to the sinks. Reid sat on the counter, his shoulders slumped forward. He wiped his eyes as more tears leaked through. His body trembled as he held back his sobs. "Ssh, Spencer. I don't blame you. We both know it's not true."

Reid nodded, and looked up at Hotch through his lashes. "This is Jonathon's doing. I know it." He whispered, a small flash of anger breaking through his tortured expression.

Hotch had to agree. He swallowed, trying to push down the rage that was building up in his chest. He knew the trick. It was one all sleaze lawyers used when they knew they were going to lose their case. The publicity stunt was to bring as much pressure as possible off the defendant while showing the victim in a different light. Hotch bit the inside of his cheek. The article did not infuriate him so much as how it tore Reid apart; that's what made him want to rip someone's head off. Preferably Jonathon's.

"I'm sorry, Hotch." Reid whispered once again, looking up at him, his brown eyes shining bright with sadness and apprehension. He looked like he was in such agony. Hotch could not help himself from wrapping his arms tightly around Reid's shuddering body.

Reid clawed into Hotch's blazer, grasping onto the comfort the older man gave him. He swallowed, hiding his face in the man's shoulder. Never before had he thought about what someone would think if they were found like that. He never felt uncomfortable being held by Hotch. Reid swallowed and pulled away looking at him. "Thank you, Hotch. F-For everything you've done for me, but I-I think I need you to stop."

Hotch felt someone reach into his chest and strangle his heart. He looked into the conflicted face of his younger agent. He understood that Reid did not want to say it, but they both knew that he had to. Hotch swallowed, a lump forming in his throat. "I understand, Reid."

Reid nodded and stood up, wiping his eyes. He closed his eyes and tried to compose his face. He sniffled, his resolve weakening. "Reid, you can't let that monster win." Hotch said firmly. He knew if he softened even slightly, Reid would never be able to go through with it; his resolve, his court case. He had to be Supervisory Special Agent Aaron Hotchner. Not just for himself, but for Reid as well.

"Thanks, Hotch." Reid said smiling weakly. He turned to the sink and washed his face of the tears' residue. Hotch waited, watching him dry his face. His nose and eyes were still red, but he looked a little better. Reid smiled weakly and took a deep breath. "You better go first. Make it look more like you were just being my boss than my lover."

Hotch nodded and hesitated. He had the strongest urge to hug Reid one more time. Knowing this would be the last time he would get to be alone with him. He denied himself the desire, even though he saw the same want in the young man's eyes. He nodded one more time and turned to the door. He placed his hand on the wood, his fingers pressing on the cold, metal deadbolt. He glanced at Reid as the young man leaned over the counter, looking at himself in the mirror. He swallowed, hesitating briefly one last time. He unlocked the door and left.

Leaving Reid behind.

Chapter 1- End

tbc

Did you know Hold Me Tonight took the number one spot for most read of my fics? Seriously! I got over 4,000 hits! In nine days! Dude that beat out The Minor Fall, the Major Lift and that's not even in my number two spot anymore! Revolutions is. It's bloody weird!