A/N: The reason I post so fast is because I'm hoping I can have this story finished by January. I don't know what my schedule will be like then because I start school. We'll see. Thanks for the response! It's really helped me with this fandom. XD

With or Without You

See the stone set in your eyes

See the thorn twist in your side

I wait for you.- U2

As with everything good, there was always an end. JJ laid the next few weeks out for them all, flying back and forth from one place to another, fighting and solving case after case and still there was a mountain of files on her desk.

Having Jack and Aaron at his house was a very often occurrence when they weren't working. He'd even gone so far as to have them a key made so that they could seek shelter whenever they needed. It hadn't taken very long for him to get attached to Jack.

It seemed that Hotch had Jack every day that he didn't work. Spencer did his best to help as best as he could. He was quickly learning how tiring and yet fulfilling taking care of a baby was. To watch him grow.

It was an early afternoon and they were all resting from the massive workload they'd been given when Haley Hotchner stormed the BAU with a fury in her eyes, and now there was a very loud fight going on. Haley being the main source of the noise and poor Jack was along for the ride.

It hadn't been pretty, all of their co-workers ran for cover in either Garcia's office or JJ's. Even Gideon hid away in his office, but Spencer firmly remained, pretending to ignore the outburst while typing up his report on Walter Kern.

He wasn't trying to be rude or pry but he also wanted to be close enough to Hotch and offer him silent support. Spencer frowned, when he saw baby Jack. He was bundled up due to the weather outside being so cold. He was five months and growing quickly.

He wanted to get up and take Jack away from the scene but he didn't want to be rude or get yelled at by Haley. He shot Hotch a covert look and was surprised to see that he was staring at Spencer grimly.

Spencer debated on whether the idea was good or not to offer to take the baby for a few bit but hearing the distressed whimper to an outright cry from Jack made up Spencer's mind and was instantly up. The worst that could happen was getting hissed at by Hotch's wife.

To his surprise, Hotch understood his sudden movements and took Jack from Haley who was still demanding that he take his son and that she was tired, and she wanted some time alone.

"Thanks Reid."

"What are you doing?" Haley demanded of her husband. "Oh, I see, pawning him off on someone else now are we?"

Hotch shot her a disapproving look. "My co-workers are bad enough Haley, we don't need our son listening to this. Dr. Reid is very good with children. He can keep Jack occupied."

"I'll read to him," Spencer assured as he bounced the baby in his arms. "Hey there little Jack, how you doing, huh?"

The baby gurgled in recognition and his little fist whacked at Spencer's cheek.

Haley looked on in amazement. "Wow, he doesn't usually take to strangers."

Spencer gave her a little smile. "I'm usually referred to as Kid around here, that might have something to do with it."

She laughed softly and he noticed it was a real laugh. "Thank you."

"We'll just be over here," he assured turning away from the woman. He read all about these sorts of relationships where the couples were really very nice people but when they got around their significant others, nothing but bad blood boils.

Spencer talked softly with Jack, asking him how the little guy was from the last time he saw him, which was three days ago.

He sat comfortably in his chair and pulled a physics book from his bag. It might be complicated but there were pictures that he could look at it.

Spencer could feel Jack getting uncomfortable and he tugged the little beanie off his head and smiled. "Better?"

Jack only squealed and started hitting the book in front of him. He ignored his co-workers who slowly trickled out of their hiding spots and continued to read and talk with Jack who made squealing sounds of delight.

"Why do you have Hotch's kid?" Morgan asked dumbly.

"Either that or Jack listens to his mommy and daddy fighting," Spencer said quietly.

"That's so cute!" Elle said grinning. "I didn't know you were good with children."

"Me either."

"You're reading him a Physics book?" JJ asked incredulously.

Spencer shrugged. "Better than Goldilocks and the Three Bears."

"What's wrong with Goldilocks?" Elle asked affronted.

Spencer furrowed his eyebrow. "Do you want to teach your children to break into a stranger's house?"

"You're not serious!" Morgan barked in laughter.

"Very serious and I'm not talking about Grimm's Fairy Tales. The original Goldilocks and the Three Bears, she didn't run away." He placed his hands on Jack's ears. "She was eaten. Grimm's only make it worse."

"Remind me never to read my future children Goldilocks," Garcia squeaked.

Spencer bounced Jack lightly and continued to read and point to the pictures, Jack mimicked him with sounds of delight. He was also drooling, all that DNA running out of his mouth. But he didn't care and simply used his sleeve for the time being.

"Wow and I thought you were a clean freak," Elle said still staring at him like he had grown two heads.

What was so wrong with him holding a baby? Spencer wondered. "It's just a baby."

"Yeah, the same person who yelled at me for sneezing in the elevator the other day!" Morgan retorted.

Spencer rolled his eyes but didn't answer Morgan, because if he did, he might give away too much information that he knew his fellow Profilers would absorb like a sponge. No, it was best to keep just ignore them.

"So, reading him Physics are you trying to tell our boss something?" JJ asked sitting on his desk and smiling fondly at Spencer and Jack.

"Only that Jack rather likes the colors and shapes of Natural Science. Don't you?"

Jack squealed some more and Spencer instinctively held him closer.

There was a crash from Hotch's office causing everyone to whirl around as the door burst open and Haley stormed out furiously.

"Let Aaron have him for the day, Dr. Reid, I'm in no shape to take care of Jack." She nodded respectfully at Spencer and dropped a diaper bag onto his desk. "Thank you, I'm sorry," she said to the group of watchers.

When she was gone, Spencer cleared his throat, and stood with Jack in his arms. He was facing everyone with a gummy smile. He took the diaper bag in one hand and slung it over his shoulder and went up to Hotch's office to see the damage.

He didn't bother knocking and slipped through the room quietly to see Hotch with his head bowed and his hands hooked behind his head. The lamp that had been on the table was now in pieces and some of the blinds were ripped and strained. He closed the door as Jack squealed at the sight of his father and his legs began to kick.

Hotch looked up, his eyes glossy with emotion and distress, Spencer smiled gently and took a seat in front of Hotch's desk. He adjusted Jack and let the baby sit up against his chest and kept a steady head close to his face in case his head started bobbing too much.

"Thank you," Hotch whispered distantly.

"Stop," Spencer insisted with a shake of his head. "You know I love helping you with Jack. I knew it was a risk taking him but I couldn't let Jack see that."

"You really care for him," Hotch said smiling a little despite the situation.

"Of course I do. Your son has taught me a lot of things that I never understood." He looked down at Jack and grinned. "Didn't you Jack? You taught me things!"

Jack squealed in answer and kicked his feet out, his hands immediately going for the woolen socks in hopes of grasping his feet.

"Plus, he's a baby, so small and defenseless. He's pure innocence. I've already got your son started on Physics."

Hotch's features changed and they lit up, he chuckled lightly. "My son will be a Harvard student in no time."

Spencer scoffed. "Harvard? Just give me the signal and one call from me, Jack will be in Caltech."

Hotch rubbed his face tiredly. "Haley. Her sister couldn't baby-sit tonight, and she flew off the handle. Somehow I got blamed for it."

"I can help you, Aaron. If we have something that comes up, I can take off. You're needed more than I am."

"That's not true," Hotch rebuked.

"It is. Besides, I could always stick around here and Garcia can keep me updated. But I don't think we'll get anything more this late in the day."

Hotch clasped his hands together and stared at Jack. "Spencer, I'm filing for divorce. The only reason I didn't do it sooner was because I worried about Jack. I'm already gone a lot but if she took him completely, I don't know what would happen. I don't know how Haley will be able to take care of Jack and have the freedom that she's begging for. I don't want to be a callous man and make her leave. I want that to be her own doing." He grew more frustrated and he sat back with a heavy sigh.

"Do what you feel you need to do, Aaron," Spencer insisted. "I can't advise you because I'm way too emotionally involved. What I want to say, I shouldn't say, because of our relationship," he whispered when he said this.

Every word Spencer spoke made Hotch feel that much better. He got up from his seat and walked around the desk and didn't hesitate to kiss him sharply. He poured as much feeling as he could into the kiss, trying to convey his gratitude and emotions all in one.

"I'm not sure if I deserve you, Spence," Hotch murmured breathlessly.

Spencer adjusted Jack in his arms and lifted his hand to caress Hotch's cheek. "I don't think that's true. We both have a lot of baggage, Hotch. A lot of demons in our lives, mine have yet to surface."

"When they do, I won't leave you stranded," Hotch vowed.

Smiling, Spencer captured Hotch's lips in another slowly melting kiss, his fingers naturally carded through the back of the man's hair and opened up to him.

They only stopped when Jack whacked Hotch with his little hand making them laugh. Hotch peppered kisses to Jack's cheeks and forehead causing him to squeal uncontrollably.

"I think he's trying to tell you something."

"He's staking his claim. I believe you've become Jack's Spencer."

"Huh, I've never had anyone stake their claim… it's kind of nice."

Hotch chuckled and kissed Spencer's cheek. "Actually, you have, Doctor Reid, I've staked it."

"Good to know."

oOo

It'd been a while since Spencer had come into the coffee shop in the center of town. He'd been so busy lately and there never seemed to be enough time in the day. He stood in line with a book in his hand. He ignored the usual stares he received when he flicked the pages every couple of seconds. He was so engrossed in what he was reading that he hadn't heard the soft chuckle in front of him.

There was a tap on his shoulder causing him to look up swiftly.

"Sorry, I couldn't help but notice… are you really reading that?" He was a very good looking guy, no more than a year or so older than Spencer himself. He had ash blond hair and an earring in one ear. He was wearing a motorcycle jacket and had a helmet in the other.

He was the least type of person to actually ask him a question. "Ah, yes, yes I am," Spencer said with a slight smile. "The average person's conscious mind takes in sixteen bits a minute while the subconscious mind can take in twenty million."

The guy simply stared and Spencer blushed furiously. "Yes, I can read it this fast. In fact, I can read twenty-thousand words a minute." He ignored the muttering behind him.

"Damn! What are you? Some genius?"

"Mm… it's been said," Spencer replied.

"Oh, sorry, I'm being rude! The name's Sean." He held out his hand and Spencer smiled and took it.

"Spencer Reid. It's nice to meet you. You don't look like you're from around here."

"I am but I'm not. I used to live in DC but I moved away from the place the moment I smelled freedom. Actually, I'm here on business or rather family business." He cringed visibly.

"Sounds rough."

"Yeah, I have the misfortune of telling my brother that instead of going to Georgetown I've decided to bail and work in a low-class diner. It's going to be a thrill of fireworks," he said dryly.

Spencer absorbed what he said. "Why did you change direction?" he asked trying to understand it.

Sean laughed. "I've always wanted to be a chef. I guess I didn't want to disappoint my brother. But I'm tired of it, not like I ever talk to him anyway. He's always busy with work." He rolled his eyes good-naturedly. "Sorry, I didn't mean to start flapping my mouth. I'm a little nervous and irritated. Just ignore me."

"It's fine," Spencer said laughing a little. "Just think of it as a complimentary therapist session. I am a doctor after all."

Sean stared at him. "Jesus kid! You really are a genius! You can't be older than me!" he exclaimed.

"I'm twenty-four." Spencer blushed and bowed his head.

"That's what I thought. One year younger than me. Did you go to Harvard or something?"

"Caltech."

"Damn. Now I feel inadequate."

Spencer shook his head. "Just keep your direction. I'm sure your brother will understand. Don't let him know how nervous you are."

Sean laughed darkly. "That's impossible, the man reads people like a book. I'll never get anything past him."

Their conversation ceased when the lady at the counter asked for Sean's order.

"What are you drinking? I'll pay since you seemed to have counseled me in my pathetic life."

Spencer shook his head. "That's not necessary."

"I insist."

This was a weird experience, Spencer thought with a slight smile as he told Sean what he usually got. "Thanks." He took a handful of sugar packets and then another handful much to the amusement of his new-sort-of-friend. "Brain function," he quipped bashfully.

Sean laughed some more. "I like that."

"I'm a classic geek," Spencer admitted shrugging.

"There's nothing wrong with that. I look like-"

"Someone who would have stuffed me in a locker when I was in High School," Spencer finished for him.

Sean shook his head. "Nah, I don't bully."

"Yeah well, I was twelve in High School. Las Vegas was criminal if you were anything above average in intelligence."

"Ouch." Sean winced in sympathy and Spencer laughed.

"Well I have to go, I'm almost late for work. It was nice meeting you, Sean – er -?" Spencer held out his hand and Sean took it genially.

"Hotchner. Sean Hotchner."