Hey, everyone. Here is the next chapter for you all. I'm sorry that I'm not updating as often as I was but I've had a scattered mind and I'm trying to bring my life back into a normal pace which isn't always easy. Always be sure that you'll get an update though. I really hope you all enjoy this chapter. I wanted to have a nice bonding moment between Hotch and Reid. Enjoy and I look forward to hearing from you all.

Okay, a lot of people have asked if I will continue my one shot called Spencer's Pain. I'm not sure. I'm putting a poll on my profile page where you can vote for it to continue or stay as a one shot.

I also wanted to throw out a recommendation. IntoTheWilds has a great new collection of stories that are a crossover of Lost girl and Criminal Minds. If you like the two shows, they are a great read. They're all part of the It's a Fae, Fae World Saga. I love reading them.

Thank you so much for all the reviews. You're all so wonderful and supportive. Thanks!

Enjoy and please review

All mistakes are my own

Morgan, Blake and JJ greeted Hotch outside of Reid's hospital room. Hotch was now only in his shirt. Taking off his jacket and tie had helped him take a step back from being the leader of the team. Rossi was right, this case was affecting him on a deep level and he couldn't ignore the fact he was losing control. JJ gave him a sad smile.

"How's he doing?" Hotch asked.

"Not good," JJ answered. "He still can't see because his eyes are still swollen and what happened has deeply traumatised him. He refuses to talk about what happened and when I tried to tell him about Declan, he broke down and couldn't handle it. Emily is here too."

"Emily?" he said.

"She saw the news on a website and caught a flight here. She's helping Garcia to be there for Spence. How's the case going?"

"Carey Lock is refusing to give us the name of his other protégée. Rossi is taking over as leader of the team for a few hours. I need to see Reid and I need to spend some time here. I lost control back at the station with Carey and I can't do that again. Morgan, I need you to go and help Rossi at the station. Blake and JJ, I need you to take a look at Carey's victim's files before he was captured and check with Kevin to see if there any other cases that fit Carey's signature or closely match it. That son of a bitch wants his mark to stay in the world and I have feeling he used Declan and this other man at some point to replicate his signature. I think he might have done it to try to educate them on his technique."

"We'll get to work," Blake nodded. "Just spend some time with him and take some time to collect your thoughts. Call us if anything happens."

"I will."

They walked past him as he made his way to the door. He opened the door and stepped into the room. Emily rose up from her seat and gave him a hug. He hugged her back before looking at her. "I'm sorry I didn't call, Emily."

"I'm here now," she smiled sadly. "You don't look too great."

"I'm struggling to keep myself from losing control," he admitted. "Declan called me when he was torturing Reid and I listened as Reid screamed and pleaded for us to save him."

Hotch looked to the bed where Reid's fragile body laid. Tubes invaded his body and his skin was marked with bruises, burns, cuts, and bandages. "Look at him. He survived because he's strong. Even when Declan had beaten the hell out of him, he turned around and told him that he wasn't weak. I brought him into this team and it's because of me this happened. I don't take care of him enough."

Emily put her hand on his shoulder. "You do take care of him. This isn't your fault, Hotch."

"Not your fault," Reid spoke gently from the bed. Hotch walked over to the bed and held Reid's hand gently. Garcia gave Hotch a small smile before turning her attention back to Reid.

"How are you doing?" Hotch asked.

"Can't move too much or it hurts," Reid answered quietly. "This wasn't your fault."

"Garcia, I need to speak with Reid alone for a few minutes," Hotch said.

Emily spoke before Garcia had a chance. "Garcia, we can go and get something to eat. Reid's safe with Hotch and it gives us a chance to stretch our legs. We can even visit the gift shop."

Garcia knew she wouldn't win the argument to stay. Grabbing her purse, she rose up to her feet and leaned over to kiss Reid on the forehead. "I'll be back in a little while. You stay calm and take it easy."

"I will."

Emily put her arm around Garcia as they left the room. Hotch looked over Reid's body and his eyes lingered on his broken legs, both casted and caged to help them heal. Reid squeezed Hotch's hand. "What do you need to talk about?"

"You know what," Hotch said gently. "You need to talk about what happened to you."

"No, I don't."

"I saw the video he took of you in the motel bathroom and I heard him beating you. You need to talk about it. You were kidnapped and almost killed. You're traumatised and running away from what happened won't help."

Hotch grabbed a tissue from next to the bed as a tear leaked out of Reid's swollen eyes. Reid gripped the sheets with his uninjured hand and began to breathe heavily. "I'm sorry that you had to see that. I'm sorry for everything."

"You have nothing to be sorry for. Why are you apologizing?"

"I became a pawn again. I didn't fight back enough. He broke my legs after he caught me. Hotch, I was awake when he broke my legs, he used a damn sledge hammer. I thought I was going to die. After he killed that man, he climbed in the back seat and strangled me till I passed out and all I could see while he was doing it was his eyes. They were sadistic."

"He surprised you near an alley. I saw him hit you with the pole and drag you into the alley. He was quick, prepared, and it was clear that he had watched you for some time. I'm the one that should be sorry."

"Why?"

"It's my job to look after you, not just in work but outside of it too. I don't support you enough and I leave you by yourself too much. I walked out of the office on the day you got kidnapped. I should have said something to you. I should have invited you to dinner at my home or given you a lift home. I'm sorry. Throughout all of this, I promise that you'll stay safe and I'll be here to help you recover."

"I know you can't stay here all the time but promise me this. Always make sure someone is here with me," Reid cried gently. "I don't want to be left alone. I was all alone with that bastard when he was hurting me. I don't want to be alone again."

"You won't be left alone, I promise," Hotch soothed in a fatherly voice. "There'll be someone here with you at all times."

"Thank you," Reid said tiredly. "I wish I could see."

"You'll be able to soon. The swelling will come down."

Hotch leaned up and pressed for the nurse. A brunette nurse came into the room with a smile. "Is there a problem?"

"Can I get some ice packs to help bring down the swelling? The sooner he can see, the better."

"I'll be back in a few minutes," the nurse smiled.

Hotch wiped Reid's face as gently as he could but winced when Reid yelped. "I'm sorry."

"I-It's okay," he coughed.

Silence descended on the room as Hotch continued to make Reid comfortable in any way that he could. The nurse came into the room, passed Hotch the ice packs and left the room. Hotch carefully laid the soft but cold ice packs over Reid's eyes. The genius let out a small gasp as the cold began to soothe his swollen and bruised face.

"That should help the swelling come down a little faster," Hotch said before sitting by the hospital bed. "You're safe and we are going to be here every step of your recovery. Garcia hasn't left your side since you came here. She just wants to make you feel comfortable and cared for. You should have been there when I recruited her into the BAU. She was a very different person but deep down, I knew she just wanted a second chance. Caring for us makes her feel happy and we're her second chance. I'm happy she gave up the black outfit."

Reid tried to smile but could only give a little movement. "You should see a photo of Emily when she was in college."

"You're strong, Reid. Don't ever forget that. You're going to need to keep that strength you have inside alive."

Hotch watched as another tear made its way down Reid's cheek. "Hotch, thank you for thinking that I'm strong."

"I don't think you're strong. I know that you're strong."

Hotch reached out and gave Reid's hand a gentle reassuring squeeze. Rossi was right to send him to to the hospital, he needed this.

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