They had just gotten back from their case in Billings Montana. They'd left the Monday Reid had came back and had just gotten home the Wednesday of the week two weeks later. A nice older lady named Isabel had offered to care for Christi when Reid had to go out of town for cases. Garcia had checked her out and she'd came back completely clean.

"Good work, everyone. Go home and get some rest. I'll see you tomorrow," Hotch told them.

"Okay, see you guys tomorrow," JJ said.

"Yeah, bye," Emily and Garcia said in unison.

"See you, Hotch, Reid," Rossi said.

"Hey, Reid, can I talk to you for a moment?" Hotch requested.

"Sure," Reid answered. He was curious to see what the unit chief needed.

"I'm getting pressure from the higher-ups to hire a new agent. Unfortunately they're making me have him start tomorrow. I just didn't want you to be blind-sighted when you walked in tomorrow," Hotch said.

"Thanks for the heads up, Hotch," Reid said softly.

"You're welcome; I really wish I didn't have to do this. No one can ever replace Morgan. He was a one of a kind agent and a one of a kind person," Hotch said getting slightly choked up.

"That he was, Hotch, that he was. Well, I guess I'd better be going, see you tomorrow."

"Bye, Reid," Hotch answered.

"Hey Hotch?"

"Yes?"

"I don't blame you for replacing Derek; I know you don't have a choice."

"That means a lot to me," Hotch said as he watched the younger man leave. Heaving a sad sigh he glanced at the picture of Morgan sitting on Reid's desk. No one will ever be able to replace you, Morgan, he thought sadly. Taking one last look around he knew he didn't have any other choice. He glanced at the picture one more time, then headed home to his wife and child. XXXX

The BAU was buzzing with curiosity when Reid got their the next morning. Entering the bullpen he saw why. There was a tall brown-haired man sitting at Derek's desk. Everyone was staring at him. None of them had very friendly expressions on their faces. They all knew this was Morgan's replacement and they didn't like it. He looked to be slightly uncomfortable. Knowing how that felt, Reid decided to try and be welcoming even though part of him resented this guy because he was replacing Derek.

"Hi, I'm Spencer Reid, but everyone just calls me Reid," he introduced holding out his hand.

"Hi, my name is Riggo, it's nice to meet you," he said shaking Reid's hand. Following Reid's example the others introduced themselves as well. Looking at everyone, Reid could tell they were having just as hard of a time with this as he was. Especially Garcia, she was being polite, but not her normal cheerful self. Just then Reid's cell rang.

"Reid," he answered.

"Hi, Dr. Reid, this is Sam at the daycare. Christi's pulling on her ears and crying. Do you have any medicine for her?"

"Yeah, I forgot to give it to you. The doctor said she had an ear infection, according to Isabel. I can't believe I forgot to give it to you. I'll be down to give it to you in just a minute."

"Okay, see you then," Sam said hanging up.

"Our Christi has an ear infection?" Garcia asked frowning.

"Yeah, thankfully they caught it early so hopefully it clears up fast. I should get the medicine down to the daycare. Tell Hotch if he comes looking for me, will you?"

"You got it, Spence," JJ answered. Just as he was leaving he heard Riggo ask if Christi was Reid and Garcia's.

"No, Christi's father died recently and made Reid her legal guardian," Emily answered. She decided that this new guy didn't need to know the entire story. She wasn't sure quite why, but she didn't trust him. It wasn't just because he was replacing Derek, it was something more. She hoped she was wrong, but she had a funny feeling she wasn't. XXXX

Three days later. An exhausted Reid came shuffling into the FBI. His eyes were bloodshot and his appearance just looked off.

"Morning, Dr. Reid, are you doing okay? You don't look so well," Sam commented in concern as she took a babbling Christi into her arms.

"Oh, yes, I'm okay. I just didn't sleep well," he admitted sheepishly.

"Okay, if you say so. Well, we'll see you after work, say bye, Christi." The baby smiled at Spencer before Samantha headed into the daycare and placed her on a blanket to play with some toys.

"See you then," he said sluggishly as he trudge down the hall. XXXX

His arrival in the BAU went unnoticed at first and for that he was thankful. He sank into his seat and placed his head into his hands. He was unaware that someone was standing next to him until Emily spoke.

"Are you okay, Reid?"

"Huh?" he asked raising his head. The brunette gasped when she caught sight of his bloodshot eyes and unkempt appearance.

"What happened to you honey?" she asked worriedly. "Did you sleep at all last night?"

"No, I didn't," he answered reluctantly. At Emily's question and Reid's answer JJ and Garcia turned to look at the pair. Identical expressions of worry crossed their face

"Christi keep you up?" JJ wondered.

"No, it wasn't that. She slept fine," Reid replied.

"Nightmares?" Emily guessed. Reid shook his head. He could feel the tears building behind his eyes again and he didn't want to cry right then. Reflexively he looked down at his desk and his gaze zeroed in on the calendar, specifically that days date. Emily followed Spencer's gaze and her body froze when she realized what he was looking at.

"Oh my, oh no. I can't believe it's today," she cried bursting into tears.

"I know, Em," he said shakily.

"It's too soon to deal with this," she said as she cried. To hell with it, Spencer thought as he stood up and pulled his friend into a hug and buried his face in her hair as he allowed his own tears to fall.

"Um, hey guys?" Garcia called. Neither agent seemed to hear her.

"What's wrong Em, Spence?" JJ asked.

"D-d-d-Derek's birthday," Emily sobbed. The media liaison and the computer tech were confused for a moment until they glanced at the calendar on the wall and saw that it was in fact Morgan's birthday. Moving across the bullpen they joined the hug as their own tears began to fall. Riggo who had arrived during all this just settled at his desk. He didn't feel comfortable asking what was wrong. It was no secret that the rest of the team didn't like him, and he could understand why. He was replacing someone important to them. The only one he had a problem with was Reid. There just seemed to be something off about him, but he couldn't put his finger on it. Rossi and Hotch sped up their pace when they heard the crying. Hotch had just dropped Jack off at the daycare. Haley had strep throat and he didn't want Jack to get it so he volunteered to take him to the Quantico Daycare that week. The sight of the three women and Reid in a tight group hug all four of them crying didn't settle well with either agent. They both shared a brief confused look.

"Any idea what that's all about?" Rossi whispered. Hotch shook his head thoughtfully as he glanced around the room. His eyes swept over the calendar without looking at then his gaze moved back to it. That was when he realized why everyone was so upset.

"Morgan's birthday," he mouthed to Dave. Nodding in understanding the two senior agents made their way over and quickly joined the group hug. Normally they wouldn't do such a thing, but this wasn't an ordinary circumstance. After another couple minutes everyone seemed to calm down and collect themselves.

"Is everyone able to work today despite the fact that it's Morgan's birthday?" Hotch asked.

"Yeah, that's what Derek would want us to do," Garcia said sniffling.

"Pen's right," Reid whispered.

"Okay, if at any point you feel you need to take a break, do so. If you need to go home, I'll allow it. Strauss be damned. If she has a problem with it, she can deal with me," he growled. The others smiled at Hotch's words. XXXX

The rest of the day went by without incident. A little after lunch time, Riggo walked over to Reid.

"Can I ask you a couple questions about Morgan?" he asked hesitantly.

"Sure, I guess?" Reid answered puzzled.

"Well, actually, it's about you and he. Were you together? Because from the pictures on your desk and some of the comments the others have made it seems like you were, but I don't want to assume. You know what they say about assuming," Riggo chuckled. Spencer gave a dry chuckle.

"Yes I do, and yes, Derek and I were together. We'd only been dating for two months when he was killed," Reid said.

"Oh, I see," Riggo replied turning and heading back to his desk leaving a confused Reid in his wake. XXXX

"If it's okay with you, I was thinking about taking Christi for the night? It would give you sometime to deal with things if you want?" Garcia offered.

"Sure, I'd like that, thanks. You know you don't have to do that, though, don't you, Pen?"

"Of course I know that, but I want to. For one thing she's my goddaughter. For another Derek asked me to take care of you and Christi," she said.

"What do you mean?" Reid questioned.

"When I was going through his personal belongings in his desk I found a letter addressed to me. It was written just after Christi was in the hospital and you two had started dating even though none of us knew it then. In the letter he asked me to take care of you and Christi for him, so that's what I'm doing," Garcia finished.

"Well, then, by all means, you have to honor Derek's wishes," Reid said with his first real smile of the day.

"I'll get her from daycare and head on out if that's okay?" Garcia checked.

"Yeah, give her a kiss for me. I've got to stay and finish this report," Reid said turning back to his computer.

"Will do, baby cakes," she said hugging him then leaving him to his work. XXXX

Spencer thought he was the last one to leave when he finally headed out of the bullpen around 6:30. As soon as he reached the parking garage, he found out differently. He was brought to his knees by a hard blow to the back of his head. Hitting the ground hard he curled into a tight ball and placed his arms over his head. Looking through his arms he saw Riggo standing in front of him.

"People like you make me sick. Fagot, you're filth," he snarled as he began beating Spencer. Spencer knew calling out wouldn't do him any good. No one would hear him. He wasn't sure if the security cameras in the garage actually worked or if they were just a ploy to make people think they were being watched. He hoped they were actually working. He'd have to ask Garcia if he lived through this. "I can't believe they let a fagot adopt a child." The beating went on for what felt like hours, but was really only a couple of minutes. Hearing a sound from far off, Riggo jumped up and took off running. Ever-so-slowly, Reid climbed to his feet and made his way shakily to his car. Somehow he managed to get home safely. Arriving home he headed straight for a hot shower and some Ibuprofen. He could see the bruises forming, and he had one hell of a headache. XXXX

The next day went off without a problem. At least until Rossi tried to get his attention. He was so deep in his work that he didn't hear Dave calling for him.

"Hey, Reid?" Dave called tapping the younger man on the shoulder. Instantly the genius flinched and jerked away from Rossi's touch.

"Uh, yeah?"

"I was just asking if you had the consult on the Virginia Beach case done," Dave explained.

"Oh, yeah, here it is," Reid said handing him the report.

"Is everything okay? You seem a little jumpy."

"Everything's fine, I was just involved in my work," Reid dismissed the question easily. Rossi nodded but he couldn't help but think the kid was lying. XXXX

"Now that you mention it, he's seemed really jumpy today," JJ said as she, Emily, Rossi, Garcia, and Hotch sat around in Hotch's office. Riggo was still out for lunch and Reid had gone down to the daycare to spend sometime with Christi before his lunch hour ended.

"He seemed to be moving rather gingerly like he was in pain," Emily put in.

"Yeah, and I saw him wince in pain when he shifted in his seat," Hotch noted.

"I get the feeling someone hurt him, but he's too afraid to tell us," Garcia said sadly.

"So do I, Garcia," Dave agreed.

"Well, unfortunately, we can't do anything until either he comes to us, or we catch someone hurting him or threatening to hurt him," Hotch said. "Now, let's get back to work before he gets back. Otherwise, he'll be suspicious." They all went their separate ways, all with one thing on their mind, Spencer Reid and who had hurt him. XXXX

Spencer was surprised when he reached the garage carrying Christi to find Riggo standing next to his car waiting for him. He debated if he should run back in the building and get the team, but the other agent didn't give him that option. Moving forward, he began punching and hitting Reid. Reid did his best to hold on tightly to the dozing Christi. A solid kick to his stomach sent him to the ground and nearly caused him to lose his grip on the five-month-old. His blood began to boil when Riggo yanked Christi from his arms and slapped her hard across the face. She started to cry so he did it again. As he was hitting Christi he was continuously kicking Reid.

"Don't hurt her!" Reid growled trying to climb to his feet.

"She's a fagot child, she deserves to be punished," Riggo yelled slapping Christi once more and delivering the hardest kick yet to Reid's stomach. Unknown to both men, Hotch had just got Jack from the daycare and was walking into the garage. Seeing Christi being slapped and Reid being brutally kicked by the agent who was replacing Morgan made Hotch's blood boil. Carefully he sat Jack on the bench that was right next to the door where people could sit to take off winter snow boots and put on the shoes they would wear to work.

"Daddy needs you to stay here, can you do that for me, Jack?" he asked addressing his son. Jack nodded and continued to "read" his 10 Little Monkeys book. Crossing the garage in three long strides, he forcefully but gently took Christi from Riggo's arms and with the baby tucked securely in one arm he tackled him and cuffed him. Glancing over at Reid he saw that he was breathing, but that he was in a lot of pain.

"Reid, can you hear me? It's Hotch, talk to me, Reid."

"I… hear… you…" Reid choked out between labored breaths.

"Do you think you can hold Christi? I have to call the team and keep tabs on this guy," Hotch snarled kicking Riggo in the ribs.

"Yeah, hand her to me," Reid gasped out.

"Okay, here you go," Hotch said placing the screaming baby into her adoptive father's arms. Instantly the baby calmed down. Grabbing for his cell he called Dave. He'd get the team to the garage ASAP.

"Rossi," came the other man's voice.

"Get the team and get to the garage now! We have a situation here," Hotch growled.

"Does it involve Reid?" Rossi asked a pit forming in his stomach.

"Yes it does," Hotch answered in a clipped tone.

"We'll be there in two minutes," Rossi responded.

"Okay, and Dave?"

"Yes?"

"Call 911," Hotch said before hanging up. After ensuring that he'd subdued Riggo he hurried over to Spencer and Christi.

"Reid, are you still with me?" he asked. Reid didn't give any indication he'd even heard the unit chief.

"Spencer, talk to me. Are you still with me?" Hotch tried. Hearing his boss use his first name pulled Reid from the darkness he'd been hovering in front of.

"Y-y-yes, sleppy," Reid whispered. His voice was laced with pain and Hotch grew even more angry at the cuffed man on the ground.

"No, you need to stay awake for me, can you do that?" Hotch checked. Slowly Reid nodded then winced in pain.

"Did he beat you up yesterday as well?" Hotch demanded. He needed answers, and he needed them now. Spencer was about to lie, but Hotch stopped him. "You need to know that if it happened in this garage, the cameras do work, they're not just for show. I'll have Garcia look at them if you don't tell me the truth. She'll have to look at them anyway to help establish a case against him," Hotch admitted.

"Yesterday after work. He said I was a fag and filth. He said he couldn't believe he let a fag adopt a child. Today he slapped Christi just because she's a child of a gay man," Reid explained. Just then he started to cough and Hotch panicked when he saw a stream of blood leave the geniuses mouth. Riggo had done more damage than he'd originally thought. He was never so glad to hear running footsteps and the sirens at the same time. That meant that medics and his team were both there now. XXXX

Hanging up, Rossi tore out of his office and rushed down the stairs.

"Parking garage now, Reid's in trouble!" he yelled as he ran through the bullpen. The rest of the team jumped and ran after him.

"What's going on?" asked JJ as she came from the bathroom where she'd been changing Henry.

"Spencer's in trouble! Now hurry!" Dave yelled as he dialed 911 on his cell phone.

"Yes, this is Agent David Rossi of the FBI. We need paramedics at the FBI building parking garage and we need them now. Okay, thank you," Rossi said snapping his phone shut.

"Rossi, talk to us," Garcia demanded.

"Hotch called and told me to get everyone to the parking garage that we have a situation. I asked if it dealt with Reid and he said yes. Then he told me to call the paramedics and get our asses down their." The three women picked up their pace at Rossi's words. They reached the door to the garage just as the medics rushed in. The four agents took everything in at a glance.

"Son of a bitch!" Dave swore.

"What the hell happened, Hotch?" Emily cried.

"Riggo beat the shit out of Reid and also hit Christi multiple times because he's gay and because he's raising her," Hotch replied. Everyone stared at the unit chief in shocked silence until the silence was broken when one of the paramedics tried to remove Christi from Reid's arms and she began screaming.

TBC?

A/n, read and review!