Chapter 21

Julie stood up; a thought crossed her mind that scared her. She didn't want to say anything until she talked to Reid. She shot off a text to him so that he would meet her in her office. She told Anson, Paul and Austin to let her know if Shawna came out of her office. Julie walked up the steps and as she got to her door Reid came out of the stairwell stepping onto the loft. He looked at the third floor bullpen and three sets of eyes watched him. He followed Julie into her office and the first thing he did was hold her in his arms. He kissed her lightly and she looked into his eyes.

"Spencer, do you think this could be Stephen Gideon?"

Spencer released Julianne and turned towards the door. Julie looked at his back and she saw his shoulders slump. She put her hands on his shoulder blades and ran her hands up and then back down again, hugging him around his waist. She kissed his back and he put his hand on her hands as she crossed them over his stomach.

"I thought about that." Spencer sighed and it took him a couple of minutes to reply. He uncrossed Julie's hands. Turning to face her, he gathered her into his arms and she reached around his neck. She looked into Spencer's eyes, she could see the stress in them and he looked like he could cry.

"I'm not even sure how to reach Gideon. We can try to find his son and ex wife. But Julie I hope to God it isn't him."

The tears rolled down Spencer's face and she kissed them away. She knew that to him Gideon was a father figure; she also knew this could push both Gideon and Reid over the edge. Julie worried; she didn't know how she would help him if he had to be the one to tell Gideon his son was a killer.

***

Time was up and Hotch came out of his office. Reid wasn't in the bullpen and Hotch shot Morgan a questioning glance. Morgan averted his eyes and Hotch knew Reid was down stairs. It annoyed him because it seemed Reid was taking Shawna's side and making him look like the bad guy. Hotch set his jaw and took the steps to the third floor.

Reid and Julie took the elevator up to the sixth floor with Anson, Paul, and Austin. Hotch ran down the stairs quickly. When he walked out onto the loft, no one was in the bullpen and he was surprised by that, and he wasn't sure if Shawna was in her office. Hotch turned the door knob and walked in without knocking. Shawna was at her desk sitting in her chair starring at the ceiling. She didn't look at him, but he knew she was aware he was there. He didn't say anything and she refused to speak. He waited and she just stayed in the same position. It was frustrating to him and she knew it.

Hotch was getting annoyed, he struggled with wanting to grab her and kiss her or explode and scream at her. Either way, it wasn't going to take long for him to reply to her stubborn attitude. He could feel his temper flaring. Hotch took a step towards her and she didn't move. He decided he was going to push her buttons.

"Did you have a productive meeting?"

She didn't reply or look at him.

He decided to try a different approach, "I'm pulling you off this case. I can have Strauss get me another team." That worked.

Shawna jumped to her feet, "The hell you are! This is my case and was with my team first. If anyone goes, it is you!" Shawn jabbed her finger at him and Hotch seized the opportunity to move in for the kill. He took another step, in an icy cold voice he replied, "Was your case." He reached out and put his hands at her waist, ready to pull her against him but she stopped him from doing it briefly. She swung at him to smack his face. He grabbed her arm before she made contact and she swung with the other and he snatched that one too. He wasn't about to let her slap him, even though he deserved it. Instead he pulled her against him still holding her wrists, he kissed her hard on the mouth and she struggled.

"Let me go!" She said against his mouth. He refused and pulled her closer. She tried to wiggle free but he kept a tight grasp on her wrists and he held her against him. She groaned loudly, when that didn't work she said. "I'll scream."

"Go ahead" he replied right before he planted another kiss. He stopped long enough to say, "Everyone went upstairs already."

She mumbled against his mouth, "What, you sent them up there?"

"No, they went on their own."

Shawna almost couldn't understand him, he said it mid kiss. But she had, had enough of this. He was going to let her go if he liked it or not. She stomped her high heal onto the top of his foot and he let go of her wrist and pitched forward.

"Damn it woman you are the biggest pain in the ass I have ever met." But deep down Hotch liked her this way. She wasn't an easy push over and when she believed in something she was passionate about it.

He grabbed her again and lifted her off her feet. He spun her around and slammed her against the door. She looked at him startled by how rough he was. He pinned her against it with his body and he assaulted her mouth with his. She wanted to fight him but he kissed her repeatedly and she gave in to the desire she felt for him. She was still angry with him but she also loved him. Shawna felt tears of frustration well up in her eyes. He obviously wanted her but it seemed he only wanted her physically. It broke her heart but she knew if he continued to want her, in any capacity, she would never leave him. She would accept this arrangement until he was done with her. Hotch pulled away and he could see her eyes were glistening with tears. He pulled her to her chair in front of her desk; he took a seat and yanked her down onto his lap. Looking into her eyes and he kissed her softly on the lips.

"I'm sorry. I should not have blown up at you like that."

Shawna looked at him and her blue eyes seemed to turn a darker shade as her eyes became red from the unshed tears. He longed to tell her how much he cared for her. He couldn't do it now, because he wanted to have time to not only tell her, but show her, how much he wanted her.

"If you want another team brought in I will step down."

Shawna looked at him, she couldn't believe he changed his attitude, and so quickly.

"I don't want another team. Aaron I just want to catch this guy. And I want you. You know that don't you?"

Hotch nodded and he kissed her. "I want you too, more than you know."

Shawna couldn't believe what he told her. She didn't know if he loved her, or could ever love her but he wanted her. And for now she would take it.