After Maeve was shot, Reid broke down crying. Morgan went to check Maeve's pulse, even though all knew she was dead. Still, they had to be sure. Morgan's resigned look when he stood again was enough confirmation.

Rossi and Hotch exchanged a look. Hotch's clearly said I'll handle this and he gave a nod towards the door. Rossi, getting the message, gestured to Morgan and Blake that they should leave and gently led JJ to the door.

Hotch crouched down next to Reid, who had fallen to his knees. He didn't speak, knowing that there was nothing to say.

Just as Reid's sobs began to lose their hysterical edge, the room swarmed full of police and EMT's. Hotch used his body to shield Reid from their view and to shield Maeve, who was body-bagged and loaded onto a stretcher, from Reid. The team also re-entered the room.

Hotch brought his hand to Reid's arm and brought him into a standing position. He then led Reid from the room to an ambulance. His arm had been shot, after all. Reid was dazed and didn't seem to notice much, lost in his grief.

As the EMT's brought Reid to a hospital, Hotch made sure to stay with Reid, hovering at the edge of his vision. He didn't want Reid to be alone.

In the ER, Hotch refused narcotics on Reid's behalf, which he could do because Reid was nearly unresponsive and Hotch held Reid's power of attorney. Hotch continued to be in the same room as Reid, even when Reid was given a sedative and fell asleep. He didn't want to leave Reid alone right now.

Even in his sleep, tears continued to run down Reid's face.

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Reid was released in the early afternoon of the next day. He had refused to see any team members, although he did tolerate Hotch's presence. Hotch didn't know if it was because Reid knew Hotch had been largely through the same, or because he knew Hotch wouldn't leave.

Hotch drove Reid home. When they were two streets from Reid's apartment, Hotch spoke up. Reid hadn't spoken since Maeve's death.

"Take as long as you need. And if you need anything – anything at all – give me a call. Okay?"

Reid only gave a small nod, but Hotch hadn't expected anything more.

Hotch walked with Reid to the door of his apartment building. Just before Reid opened the door, he spoke a barely audible "Thanks" before fleeing inside.

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The next day, Hotch stopped by Reid's apartment. There was a gift basked outside – most likely from Garcia.

Hotch knocked on the door. "Reid? It's Hotch. I'm here. You don't have to let me in if you don't want to."

Hotch stayed for fifteen minutes. Now and again, he heard movement, but Reid didn't speak. Hotch hadn't expected him to, either.

Hotch knocked on the door again. "I'm going – I'll stop by again tomorrow."

This continued for four days. Every day, Hotch knocked on Reid's door and told him he was there. After fifteen minutes, he would knock again to tell Reid he was leaving and would be back tomorrow.

Nothing changed, except that there were now three gift baskets outside.

Hotch wasn't angry that Reid wouldn't let him in, nor was he impatient. He was just letting Reid know that he was there, and that he didn't have to do anything he didn't want to.

On the fifth day, the door opened when Hotch knocked. Hotch blinked at the sight before him. Reid looked as though he hadn't washed or changed clothes in days. Hotch realized that was likely to be the case.

Reid didn't invite Hotch inside, he just stepped half out. He looked in Hotch's general direction, though not at Hotch himself.

"I got an invitation to Maeve's f.." Reid's breath hitched. "Maeve's funeral." Tears ran down his face again.

Hotch gave a short nod. "When is it?"

Reid blinked, surprised by the question. "Day after tomorrow," he mumbled. "Ten o'clock. The funeral home is two streets from her parent's house."

"Do you need a ride?" Hotch thought that was the most plausible reason Reid was telling him this – because he didn't want to be alone.

Reid nodded hesitantly. "If you don't have anything to do."

Hotch thought it best not to say that Hotch would cancel any plans he might have had.

"I'll be here at eight o'clock to help you get ready."

Reid nodded and opened his mouth, then closed it. He opened it again. "They asked me to speak."

Hotch nodded. "Will you?"

Reid looked lost again. "I don't know." Immediately after that, he hurried through the door from his apartment and closed the door.

Hotch waited fifteen minutes before knocking on the door again and telling Reid he was going. Then he left.

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As it turned out, Reid did speak at Maeve's funeral. He spoke few words,