Will and Diana were estimated to arrive before the morning. The others had gone home, promising to be back in the morning. Reid demanded he accompany Lila to the hotel to make sure everything in the FBI's power was being done to protect her. The two drove in Reid's car, following the agents into the capital.

"I've never been to DC." She muttered on the outskirts of the city. Most of the ride had been silent. It was getting late. His tired eyes noticed it was close to eleven. "I always thought I'd see it when I went to the Kennedy Center Honors or something… not running from a stalker."

"Well… life doesn't always turn out the way we hope." Reid said, trying to lighten the mood. "Most often, in my experience."

"Yeah… kind of like how I… I hoped you would… call me." She flashed him a smile. Reid did not like where this is going.

But he still felt he should explain. "I thought about it." He said with a shrug, wishing there was someone else in the car to steer the conversation towards. "I liked you, Lila. I really did."

"I liked you, too." His attention was out the windshield, but Reid was fairly certain she was looking at him. His face was starting to feel warm regardless. "I have to admit, I was little disappointed when I showed up… and found you have a girlfriend."

He was a bit startled, "You didn't actually think… anything was going to happen between us this time?" He asked.

"I wasn't planning on it." He glanced over, her curled lashes fluttered at him. "But I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hoping for it."

"Lila," Reid said sternly. He turned away and kept his eyes to the road, switching on the turn signal to get on the exit. "I think you're a great person… and I will always think on with… great fondness. But that's where it ends."

There was a silence; one that continued for the rest of the car ride. Reid was afraid to look at her, even if he had wanted to.

They reached the hotel in the city. Reid wasn't sure a place so far away from Quantico was wise, but she would be more comfortable here. She checked herself in. Reid wouldn't leave until she was safe in her room.

The eighth floor, room 804. Reid carried her bags while she unlocked the door. A few agents were stationed downstairs. Another was situated at the end of the hall near the elevators. "New agents will replace them in the morning. They'll announce themselves when they're leaving and introduce you to the new ones. That way you'll always know who's here."

Lila nodded, finally getting the door open. She stepped in; Reid followed. The lights went on, revealing a modest room with two full beds. Reid set her bags down on one bed. "I know it will be hard, but you need to stay in this hotel. If you're hungry, order room service. The FBI's footing the bill, so you may as well enjoy it."

"I can afford it." She poked her head in the bathroom, flipping on the light.

"I know, but… you may as well take advantage of your tax dollars at work." He said.

Lila gave a small giggle. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

"If anyone from the BAU is coming here, we'll call ahead. No one will show up without announcing themselves an hour before." She moved from the bathroom over to him. Reid gave her a comforting smile. "You're perfectly safe here. Trust me… you're going to be fine."

Lila nodded. Her eyes focused on Reid for a long, silent moment. Taking him by surprise, she moved forward, pulling him into a kiss.

Reid was so shocked, he didn't know how to respond at first. He remembered her kiss, though it was much dryer this time. Her hand rested on his cheek as her lips pulled away.

Her eyes remained closed for a long moment, brushing his cheek with her hand. "I hope that girl knows just how lucky she is." She finally whispered, opening her eyes.

Reid smiled and nodded. "She does… I know she does."

He kissed her cheek in a friendly manner. Reid headed to the exit. "I'll see you tomorrow," He said.

Lila smiled as the door closed, unaware that she would never see Spencer Reid again.

…

The BAU was as silent as a tomb. Hotch and Riley remained, just in case the Reids were to arrive early. Reid made it back just after midnight. The lights in the bull pen were off, but the break room was still bright. A fresh pot of coffee was brewing. Reid went in to grab himself a cup. He would need all the help he could get, knowing sleep would probably elude him for the rest of the night. The striation of light through the blinds from Hotch's office indicated that's where the current activity was.

He gave a quiet knock. "Come in," he heard Hotch's call. Reid pushed it open and entered. Taking a look around, he found him alone.

"She's sleeping on the couch in the conference room." Hotch explained; Reid's thoughts were obvious. "I told her to go home, but she refused."

"Well… she's always been pretty stubborn." Reid said, taking a seat. "You can go home now, I can stay."

Hotch shook his head. "No, I have some paperwork to do anyway, I'm fine. If I get tired, I'll sleep on my couch."

Reid thought for a moment, deciding to bring up what he'd been thinking since that evening. "What are you avoiding, Hotch?"

"Excuse me?" He asked, taking a quick glance at him. It was evident he did not want to discuss this.

"There can't possibly be any paperwork so important, it has to be done at midnight on a Saturday. You're avoiding something.

He said quickly. "I'm not avoiding anything."

"Well you're here for a reason, that's for sure." Reid was not about to give up on this. It wasn't intruding, it was concern.

"I spend too much time with you people." Hotch said, signing his name and moving to the next piece.

Reid believed his question would go unanswered, but Hotch finally spoke up. "Haley's… seeing someone."

"She's dating?" Reid asked.

"She's been dating for awhile… and I'm not pleased with it. But that's divorce. It's not supposed to be fun." He paused. His eyes were directed to the paper, but his hand was immobile. "But for the last month… she's gotten serious with one man."

That had to be rough. Reid didn't know what to say, and waited for him to continue.

"I'm not pretending he's a bad guy. I haven't met him, but from how Haley describes, he seems decent. He's a… high school science teacher. Stable. The kind of man Hayley needs… and Jack loves him." He took a deep breath. "So much so that… today, during what was supposed to be my weekend with my son… Hayley called and asked if we could reschedule… because Max… wants to take her and my son on the trip to the beach."

"I assume you let them go?" Reid asked.

He finally looked up. "What else could I do?" He grumbled. "I can't object to my son spending time with him. This job is enough for Hayley to take Jack away from me. And then the next thing you know, all I have is a phone call on his birthday and Christmas." After a heavy sigh, he turned back to his paperwork. "About an hour later, I got the call about the protective order. It seemed like the perfect distraction."

"Hotch…" Reid didn't want this to seem offensive, "Are you ever sorry? I mean… we all know the job is the reason you and Hayley divorced. Do you ever wish you could change your decision?"

The very question that had been haunting Hotch for years. His hand stopped moving again. "I think it's important for me to be here right now. But I wish things could have been different… I wish I didn't have to make the decision at all… but sometimes I think I should have chosen my family first."

Reid had been afraid of that. It was the only aspect of getting married that really scared him. What if one day it came down to choosing his family over his job? Could he really turn his back on his work? Would he resent Riley for giving up his dream? He did love her more than life itself, but Reid was still only human, as Riley had pointed out.

"But Hayley isn't entirely free of blame." Hotch continued, as if he could read the boy's thoughts. "I know she couldn't understand how important this job is. Not just to me, but the people who rely on us. But she didn't make leaving an easy choice for me. And if she really loved me… if we really loved each other… she would have been more understanding and supportive. This place isn't just something we can walk away from. She couldn't understand that… she wouldn't even try to accept that." He glanced up, giving Reid what looked like a smile. "I do know that Riley understands that."

A little confused. "Why do you say that?"

"Reid, I'm a profiler." Hotch unnecessarily stated, "I can tell when a man is trying to propose."

He must have been outside the door earlier. "How long where you listening?" Reid asked.

"From the first 'Snow White' reference." He explained. "I wouldn't let Morgan know about that. He'd never let you live it down."

Reid blushed a little, but reached in his pocket and pulled out the ring. "What do you think?"

Hotch took it and opened it. The expression on his face told Reid he was impressed. "I think she'll love it. It's very tasteful. Elegant without being obvious… just like Riley."

"I thought that, too, when I chose it." He said with a smile. "I never thought one day I'd be buying an engagement ring… for anyone, honestly." He paused, observing Hotch as he looked it over. "I was initially planning to talk to you about it first."

"What for?" Hotch asked, looking up. "I'm not her father."

"But you care about her like you are. And I want you to know… I will love her and I will protect her… and I will never hurt her."

Hotch's face seemed to have a pleased shadow over it. He leaned back, surveying the young boy. "Can I give you piece of advice, though, Reid?" He asked.

"Sure," Reid said with apprehension.

"When you propose to a woman, it's not really romantic – or even polite – to remind her of the worst moments of her life. When you're asking her to get married, you want her to think about you. Not Sam Andrews or Jimmy Engles."

"Right," Reid said with a guilty smile. "That was stupid."

"A woman can make a man do stupid things. Even a genius." He closed the box and finally handed it back to the young man.

"It's just… I don't really know what to say to her." Reid explained. He popped the ring back into his pocket.

"Well… what did you just promise me?" Hotch asked.

Repeating the words exactly, "I will love her and I will protect her and I will never hurt her."

The smile this time was evident. "Try that. Or something like it. The most important thing is to let her know what she means to you."

Hotch was right. He was too concerned with making this into a big ordeal. Riley was simple, and would respond better to simple.

"Thanks, Hotch," he said, standing up. "I'm going to go work on the case for awhile."

He concurred, nodding as the boy stood. "Reid," he called just before he opened the door.

"Yeah?" he asked.

Hotch looked to him, an expression Reid had never seen before; it was sadness. "Riley would never make you choose. But someday, if you find you do have to make the decision… and it does come down to her or your job… choose her."

Reid nodded. "I will."

They parted and Reid headed to the conference room. He opened the door carefully, not wanting to make a noise. He flipped on one set of lights, trying to keep it as dark as possible. Riley lay on the couch, her one arm positioned under her head for a pillow. She was sound asleep. Reid walked over to her, pushing a few pieces of hair off her face, brushing her soft skin with his thumb.

"I love you," he tenderly said.

Riley didn't move or wake. The only sound came from her composed breathing. Leaning down, Reid kissed her cheek, releasing a soft sigh from her. He went to the table and gathered up the case. With his coffee in one hand and the files in the other, Reid sat on the floor beside her, searching for more clues and information.