Misperceptions
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Chapter Four:
They land shortly after mid-morning, and as soon as they disembark from the plane, Aaron is roasting. Not for the first time, he wonders about Reid's ability to tolerate the dry, arid heat of Nevada, but there's a police officer waiting for them, and the thought is fleeting. Instead, he and his team approach the man, and they're quickly introduced to Deputy Paul Yates, LVPD, who is sombre and weary, and whom probably hasn't slept in days.
"The Reids are waiting for you at the station," Yates says, "If you'll follow my cruiser, I'll take the quickest route there."
The team splits up quickly, Aaron, Jason, and JJ in one SUV, Derek and Elle in the other. The drive is silent, but they reach the station without incident, and the air conditioning inside is a godsend.
"Where is he?" Morgan asks. There's no immediate sight of Spencer, but after staring at a photograph of his mirror image for hours, Aaron isn't surprised that he's not the only one who wants to see their team member, safe and unharmed.
"They're in the break room," Yates answers, and points out the closed door, "There's a room set up for you, if you'll follow me…"
The team does so quietly, and inside a small conference room, none of them are particularly surprised to find it already set up to their specifications. Reid's never been one to wait idly, and it's likely that he's in need of something to keep himself busy.
"Alright," Aaron begins, "Let's get set up here, and get to work. JJ, find out about the current media coverage, Giddeon, start working on the geographic profile. Elle, Morgan, I want you both to go check out the most recent crime scene. I'll go interview the Reids."
He approaches the break room with a weary sigh, and as he does, the door opens to exit Spencer. He's got a pint sized person in tow, a cherubic little girl with blonde curls and Reid's hazel eyes, and Aaron presumes she's Spencer's niece, Charlotte.
Curiously enough, his coworker is dressed in jeans and a ti-shirt, form-fitting as his work clothes are not. The difference is startling, and idly, Aaron contemplates the phrase: looks can be deceiving.
"Hotch," Reid greets, startled. He blinks owlishly for a moment, and gestures through the door he's just exited. "My father's inside right now. I just have to take Charlie to the restroom."
"Of course," Hotch acknowledges, "Join us when you can."
Aaron doesn't watch Reid go, and instead, he enters the break room to speak with William Reid. He's a middle-aged man with greying hair and a weary demeanour, and Hotch concludes that the man hasn't slept at all. Spencer hasn't either, unsurprisingly, and sometimes, Aaron really hates his job.
"Mr Reid?" The man glances up, stands, and approaches Aaron with a hand outstretched. Aaron shakes it firmly. "My name's Aaron Hotchner, I'm with the BAU."
The elder Reid nods, unsurprised. "Spencer's mentioned you. You're here to help find Lawson and Trish."
"Yes," Aaron confirms. Internally, he adds, 'hopefully alive and in one piece.' "I'd like to ask you about your son," Hotch continues, "To help us with our victimology."
"Of course," William acquiesces, "Anything to help find them."
Aaron proceeds with the enquiries regarding Lawson's daily habits and such things, and it's as he's asking about enemies when Spencer walks in. He's got the girl, Charlie, on his shoulders, her fingers twined in his hair, his hands gripped firmly to the girl's knees.
Perhaps predictably, given her genes, but the little blonde is babbling happily, and curiously, Reid seems entirely enraptured.
"He's struggling," Mr Reid tells Aaron, "He doesn't show it, but he's always been Lawson's protector. It kills him, knowing Lawson's out there, somewhere, and he can't do anything about it."
"Protector?" Aaron queries. The concept is so far removed from the Reid Aaron knows, that it seems unfathomable. In the last few hours, he's learned a lot more about Spencer Reid than any of the BAU had known, so perhaps he shouldn't be so surprised.
William nods, a fond, reminiscent smile on his face. "Yes. He's six minutes older then Lawson, and Spencer never let him forget it. They used to get in such blow up fights, but I'd never known brothers closer. He hasn't let Charlotte out of his sight in three hours."
Transference, Hotch concludes, protecting his niece the way he can't protect his brother. Perhaps a sense of obligation, too, but Aaron can't say he's ever been in the same situation as Reid, so he can't be certain. He's an older brother, too, however, and Aaron knows those protective feelings don't ever really go away.
Spencer approaches then, carefully lifts Charlotte off his shoulders, and as he settles himself in the chair beside his father, Reid settles the girl in his lap. At the same time, the break room door opens once again, and Aaron catches the familiar scent of McDonald's.
"Alright, I got a double cheeseburger meal for Will, a sweet chilli wrap for Spen, and for the little miss, a Happy Meal, complete with an Ice Age toy… oh. Hello."
Spencer clears his throat, coughs, and rubs at the nape of his neck.
Uncomfortable.
Sheepish, perhaps.
Aaron glances at the woman, with her blonde hair and blue eyes. She looks as though she, too, hasn't slept, and Aaron ponders the possibilities.
"Hotch, meet my… partner, Vega Clementine. Vega, my boss, Aaron Hotchner."
Vega settles the food on the table, and offers a hand in greeting. Aaron shakes it mechanically, and fleetingly, he thinks, 'will wonders never cease?'
"Hi," she greets, "I'm sorry we couldn't have met under better circumstances. Spencer speaks highly of you."
"The circumstances could be better," Aaron agrees, gives his subordinate a deadpan stare, and considers his tape recorder. He's got a few more questions that need asking, but he has no real desire to do that with little ears around, and it probably goes against protocol, anyway.
"I'll leave you to your meal," he determines, "Myself or one of my colleagues will return later to ask you some more questions."
Aaron gets to his feet, nods in farewell, and retreats from the room. As he does, he palms at his face, and sighs wearily. It's not even midday yet, and he's already exhausted. It's going to be a long case.