Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds
A/N: Well, I'm at college now. They actually have free internet in the rooms, which is cool. Still have to find a job though, I'm dead broke, and I will be till I get my loan. But here's another chapter, hopefully you like it. Sorry it took so long, I was busy.
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As the alarm clock screeched to life, Hotch's eyes flicked open. Reid groaned loudly in protest to the alarm, and made a move to turn it off. However, it was on Hotch's side, so he only succeeded in draping his arm over Hotch's shoulder, yawning as he tried to reach around Hotch's body.
"I can't reach it…" Reid muttered. Hotch rolled over and silenced the alarm, and then turned to Reid, stroking his hair.
"You have to get up," Hotch asserted gently when Reid seemed to start going back to sleep. Reid let out a slow sigh and rolled away from Hotch, swinging his legs over the bed and standing up.
"Do you want some coffee? Reid asked while covering his hand with his mouth, trying to stifle a yawn.
"Yeah. Do you want to take the first shower?" Hotch asked, also getting out of bed, letting his hand rest on top of the warm spot where Reid had just lain for a second longer than necessary before getting out of the bed.
"No, you go ahead. I have to have coffee first," Reid muttered, heading out into the kitchen. Hotch walked out, and realizing he had left his bag in the hallway the previous night, he hurried out. Luckily, it was still there, so he picked it up and went back into the apartment, going straight into the bathroom. He paused on his way to the shower, studying the purpled bruise on his left cheek. He pursed his lips together and looked away, getting into the small shower cell. Once he finished, he got dressed, and walked into the kitchen. Reid was sitting at the table, holding a half-empty mug of coffee, and looking utterly exhausted. However, as Hotch approached, Reid looked up, and smiled brightly.
"I made you coffee…I wasn't sure how much creamer or sugar you like…" Reid's voice trailed off as Hotch picked up the mug and sat down, and the smile fell from his face. "I'm sorry he hit you…"
"It's not your fault, Spencer. But we can't talk about this right now, we have to go to work. We'll talk afterwards.
Reid nodded, biting his lip and then stood up abruptly, running a hand through his unruly hair. "Okay…I'm going to go take my shower now..."
Hotch watched as Reid scampered down the hall, and let out a sigh when he heard the door shut. He needed to talk to Reid about what happened, but he knew he couldn't bring it up until after work…he prayed they didn't get a case. He wasn't sure about Reid, but he knew he wouldn't be able to focus after what had happened last night.
As Reid came down the hallway, he smiled at Hotch, drying his hair with a towel. He looked a little less tired now, and Hotch forced himself to return the smile.
"You about ready?" Reid asked, tossing the towel towards the living room. Hotch nodded, and finished his coffee, standing up and setting is empty cup in the sink.
"Yeah," Hotch answered, getting his go bag and heading to the front door. Reid pulled on his shoes, and hurriedly grabbed his jacket, putting it on before slinging his bag over his shoulder. They walked out of the apartment, and Reid turned around, locking the door behind them, before pocketing his keys, and following Hotch down the hallway.
Reid cleared his throat, before asking, "any idea what the rest of the team has been doing?" He was going for a casual tone, trying to get back into 'work mode.' They took the stairs down, and then walked out into the lobby.
Hotch shrugged, and opened the door for Reid. "They haven't called me, so it must not have been too chaotic." Hotch unlocked the SUV, and they got in, heading straight for Quantico. The drive was quiet, and just a little tense, so it was a relief when they pulled into the parking garage and got out. Hotch went straight for his office, taking an Advil, while Reid headed to the break room, to get another cup of coffee. He didn't even notice that Garcia was already in there until he had taken a couple slow drinks.
"Hey Cutie-Pie! How was..." The bright smile on her face faltered, and a slight, worried frown tugged at her ruby-red lips. "Honey, what happened to your lip?"
"Hm?" Reid stared at her blankly for a moment, cup half way to his mouth before it clicked what she was asking. "Oh, that. I wasn't watching where I was going and ran into a tree branch." It was a lame excuse, but he knew it was slightly believable. Garcia had seen him do similar things. Still, the worried frown remained, and Reid shifted uncomfortably as she studied him.
"Alright…but from now on try to avoid tree branches…okay?"
Reid nodded, forcing a small smile. Garcia walked out, and Reid followed suit, heading towards his desk. With a heavy sigh, he sat down, eyeing the pile of paper work on his desk. There were at least five extra files, probably Morgan, or Prentiss, most likely both. The bullpen was fairly quiet, so he immediately began to work through the files, getting the first three done before Morgan and Prentiss got there. After that he slowed down, occasionally talking with Morgan or Prentiss as the day wore on. JJ had apparently caught the flue and was taking the day off. By the time he had finished with the files, it was late, and there wasn't a case, so he picked up his coat and bag, and went out.
From his office, Hotch watched Reid go, his arms folded across his chest. Behind him, Dave sighed, shaking his head.
"He shouldn't be alone," Dave stated, standing up and putting his hand on Hotch's shoulder.
"I told you I am going to talk to him." Once Reid was out of view, Hotch turned to Dave, who had quirked an eyebrow at that comment.
"And once you get the answers you want, will you leave?"
Hotch frowned, pressing his lips together. "No…if he's at home alone, and Shawn shows up…"
Dave shook his head, letting out a sigh. "I get it, okay? The guy gave me a bad feeling, and I knew something was wrong, but…Reid's been acting so…well, he seemed fine, before. You'd better go and talk to him now." Hotch nodded, and grabbed his jacket and go-bag before walking out of his office. He ignored the strange look he got from Garcia, and walked out of the bullpen.
Once he was at Reid's apartment door, go-bag in hand, he knocked lightly, waiting until Reid opened the door. Reid looked nervous, but unsurprised to see him, and walked over to the couch and sat down. Hotch followed and sat next to him, unsure of how to start this conversation. There didn't seem to be many ways to do it.
"Spencer…?" Reid didn't answer, but pressed his lips together, swallowing thickly while staring at his lap. "Spencer, I need you to be honest with me." Reid nodded, but still didn't answer, so Hotch continued. "I need you to tell me about Shawn."
"I-okay…I'm not sure what you want me to tell you." Reid's voice cracked as he spoke. He took in a shaky breath and then continued. "That was the first time he ever hit me…I swear, he had never hit me before."
"That kind of violence doesn't spring up overnight."
"I broke up with him, and he was angry, it might have been a response to-"
"Spencer, you said you would be honest."
Reid took in a shaky breath, and hung his head, his shoulders shaking slightly. "I know…I'm sorry, I just don't want to talk about it." Hotch put his arm around Reid's shoulders, and Reid looked up at him, a pleading expression on his face. "Please, Aaron, I don't want to talk about it." Hotch shook his head, and Reid looked down, pressing his cheek to Hotch's shoulder. "It was my fault, I never said no…"
"It's not your fault, Spencer," Hotch whispered, running his fingers through Reid's hair. Reid pulled away shaking his head, pushing hair out of his face.
"Are you saying it was his fault?" Reid asked, glaring slightly.
"Spencer…"
"What did he do wrong? I never told him no." His voice was firm, but Hotch shook his head, unwilling to simply agree.
"Spencer, what did he do?"
"Nothing I disagreed to."
"Spencer."
"What do you want me to say?! Do you want me to say that he raped me, Aaron? Because he didn't, I never said no."
"So you were completely comfortable with the relationship?" Hotch asked, incredulous. Reid shifted uncomfortable, moving away from Hotch.
"Well…no, but it wasn't his fault that I didn't say anything…I just let him do what he wanted."
"He was controlling?" Hotch asked, thought it was more of a statement than a question. Reid swallowed and nodded, moving to lay his head on Hotch's shoulder once more.
"It wasn't bad…just little things. He yelled sometimes."
"Did he ever hurt you?"
"I already told you, he had never hit me, before last night."
"I know that. I meant in other ways." Reid buried his face into Hotch's shoulder, taking in a deep breath before he answered.
"He didn't mean to…Aaron…I don't want to talk about this anymore…" Reid was shaking slightly, so Hotch pulled him close, hugging him to his chest.
"Just calm down, Spencer…." Hotch whispered, soothing. Reid relaxed, so Hotch helped him to his feet, gently guiding him into the bedroom, but then Reid stopped, forcing Hotch to stop with him. He shook his head, swallowing thickly.
"Could we stay in the living room?" Reid asked weakly. Hotch couldn't stop the frown from forming on his face. It was unhealthy, Hotch knew that. He rubbed Reid's shoulders soothingly, shaking his head.
"Nothing bad will happen to you while you're with me," Hotch whispered. Reid tensed slightly, but nodded.
"Okay…"
Hotch led Reid to the bedroom, and they sat down by the headboard. Reid curled up against him, letting out a sigh as he relaxed.
"Don't leave…" Reid muttered, curling his fingers into Hotch's shirt. Hotch nodded, and sat up a little more, taking off his jacket and tie before wrapping both arms around Reid.
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TBC….
A/N: yeah, kinda lame, kinda suffering from Writer's Block. Can't write, been very busy. Advice? Not really sure where to take this.
