A/N: set around the seadon 2 episode Distress - some dialogue taken from the episode. Dis: i do not own CM or the characters ;)

Distress

On the Jet the team are making their way to Denver. The atmosphere on board isn't as tense as their last case, but to Hotch something still feels off. There's a slight niggling in the back of his mind like an itch he can't scratch, only in this case it's the cause of the itch which is annoying him the most. The past few days haven't been so bad, since Westchester the team has rebuilt and regrouped; mostly thanks to the consistent badgering of Prentiss and her insistence that they needed to spend some quality non-work related time together. Morgan was first to join her band wagon and then it only took Garcia reminding the rest of them how their last night out had ended, having been rudely interrupted by the very case which caused the solemn atmosphere threatening to swallow them whole in the first place and that was that. Next thing he knew Hotch was in a bar, trying very hard not to laugh as Morgan attempted to convince Gideon to be his wingman, since Reid had already adamantly refused to move from his corner of their table.

Hotch's small smile from recalling those events fades to be replaced with his sadly much more common these days, frown. Reid had persevered the night as always, but having been watching him closely, a little closer than he normally would perhaps, it definitely seemed to Hotch like he was trying very hard to look like he was having fun. Everyone knows he's never been exactly comfortable socialising in large groups, but he's normally quite happy so long as they're around and he's never had to pretend otherwise with them. That night though he was pretending and he was hiding something too, but like his discomfort with the unease surrounding the jet, the reason why is what's completely eluding him.

"You okay?"

Hotch blinks out of his concentrated stare, eyes unintentionally flicking over to Reid before refocusing on Gideon in the seat nearest him. "Fine."

"You sure?"

Recognising the light tone as digging rather than honest enquiry Hotch nods, offering a small smile for appearances sake before moving them along, "We should start discussing the case."

"Of course."

He draws the attention of the group, ensuring everyone's up to speed all the while trying to ignore that stubborn itch which is still making itself known in the back of his mind. There's some talk surrounding methodology before, checking the time Hotch reins them in to issue individual tasks ready for when they land.

"I'll map out the area and see if I can find any places the victims would have visited in the neighbourhood." Reid tells them immediately after Gideon announces he's taking Morgan to the newest crime scene.

Prentiss nods. "Good maybe we can find a connection between them, I'll help you with that."

Hotch sees the sudden shift in Reid's expression before the irritated words make it out of his mouth.

"I can handle it."

The atmosphere immediately alters, the temperature inside the cabin plummeting from his tone alone and Morgan's head lifts, looking from Reid to Prentiss, quietly taking note of the situation just like Hotch himself is currently doing.

Emily pauses, holding Reid's gaze she appears to study him before carefully responding "wasn't suggesting that you couldn't."

"Isn't that what 'I'll help you with it' means?" Spencer snaps in instant retort, giving no such thought to his own words.

"Reid," everyone turns to him, instinctually recognising the tone, but Hotch waits for the one he called out by name to look his way, "Prentiss will help you with the geographical profile and victimology."

Their gazes lock for a second before Reid's drops away, brushing the clear reprimand off with an immaturely raised brow and angrily muttered 'fine'. Hotch holds his own glare in place however, his patience paying off when he catches the quick dart of Reid's eyes back to his, a predictable reaction of the insecure. Spencer quickly looks away again, a faint pink hue to his cheeks after realising Hotch expected that very move from him. Hotch isn't sure if it's a reaction to being snubbed once again by Gideon, or simply him being stubborn for some reason, but either way the bad attitude will not be tolerated and Hotch is determined to make certain he understands that. Satisfied for now that his warning message has been received he turns back to address the rest of the team.

"Remember this is a high crime area be vigilant, nobody goes anywhere alone," Stern glare still in place Hotch looks pointedly back to Reid whose gaze is still fixed to the notepad on his lap and silently communicates to everyone else whom he especially doesn't want being left alone on this case.

Nobody seems surprised, leading Hotch to believe they've also picked up on the odd behaviour of their youngest. If anything the confirmation sets Hotch's mind at rest that he's not overacting thanks to recent events. Profilers they may be, but that doesn't preclude them from irrational thoughts just like everyone else, especially where the wellbeing of someone close to them is concerned. Across from him Prentiss catches his eye, holding the same serious expression as she did flying back from Georgia three weeks ago. She's concerned too, he can tell, has been ever since Reid returned to the unit. Though she hasn't come to him yet he knows she's annoyed with the lack of mention they've been doing in regards to Reid's kidnapping. After the debriefing it's like the subject has become almost taboo within the team, not a conscious decision, but one they've all adopted as a coping mechanism. Hotch is aware Morgan's spoken to Reid a few times and he's tried to keep a close eye on him without being suffocating, the way it needs to be, because despite really wanting to hold Reid's hand throughout all of this Hotch knows he can't. His time with Hankel is something Spencer has to come to terms with on his own if he's to continue being an Agent and its knowing the truth of that which is hurting Hotch the most right now.

As for the bad attitude of late, what can he say? He doesn't like talking to Reid like a disobedient child, but having just mouthed off at Prentiss he's leaving him very little choice. Hotch is well aware it's not the first time he's had to toe the line between boss and parental figure where Spencer's concerned, unsurprising considering their age difference and similar backgrounds, but it is the first time Reid's not responded positively to a reprimand. He doesn't expect cartwheels, but usually Reid's smart enough to recognise why he's being chastised and does his best to rectify it. The insolent, bordering on juvenile snubbing going on recently is completely out of character for him. In fact this recent attitude change period is completely unexpected from everything Hotch knows of the genuinely sweet and considerate young man he's gotten to know over the past four years. Reid's performed a complete 180, going from the uncharacteristic, yet given recent events not wholly unexpected, meek and withdrawn child to the outlandish rude and snappish teenager and it has him greatly concerned. Hotch understands there's going to be ups and downs before he finds his feet again, but this sudden flip isn't normal. Since their last case he's been all over the place emotionally, late to meetings, constantly preoccupied and unfocused, the fact Reid has no idea he's was talking specifically about him just now suggests there's more going on in his head than usual. Hotch only wishes he'd open up and share what's bothering him. He fears it's the only way they'll be able to help and if there's one thing Hotch is sure of it's that Reid needs their help. Now more than ever.

Sensing his carefully constructed mask is about to slip with that heart-breaking thought Aaron quickly turns away from prying eyes. Focusing on a problem he can solve right now, which is the case.

…

Arriving at the station Hotch notices Reid's attitude decline further and with it his resolve. With Morgan and Gideon touring the crime scenes he sets Reid and Prentiss on task, sending JJ out to introduce them to the local PD while he stands in the corner of the meeting room they've been given and simply observes. For the time he's been in the room Reid has remained mostly silent, only whispering to himself, but his mannerisms - what in Reid's case any behavioural specialist worth their salt would refer to as stims - are emphasized tenfold. Spencer's hands are rarely ever still whether he's thinking, talking, walking they're in constant movement as is the rest of him. The running joke that he's powered purely by sugar has merit since he's often seen buzzing around the office like a four year on a candy high most of the time. Yet today his movements seem different. He can't stop touching his face, his hair and they're erratic too, like he's not even aware of doing it. The only distraction from this devolution comes when JJ enters with a tray of cookies, that's when Reid speaks out loud for the first time since beginning the geographical profile and surprise, surprise it's to have a mini tantrum over the noise.

"Well you better get used to it," JJ scoffs, while also scoffing a homemade cookie.

"Yeah we saw it on the way in." Emily picks up when Reid seems overly unimpressed.

Whether it's a dig in retaliation for the scene on the jet or simply banter Hotch isn't sure and he hates he's questioning everything his team is doing now. Before he can think too hard about it Gideon and Morgan walk in, announcing how they think the unsub maybe homeless. Hotch flicks his gaze over at Reid, checking his reaction for one and filing away the rest of the issues he's noticed to deal with later, putting his own focus back on the case where it needs to be right now.

Gideon approaches Reid's map while the others, including the local detective on the case bat around ideas for motive. He suggests getting a list of names of ex-residents before looking at Prentiss and, obviously not seeing what occurred on the jet as a big deal, pairs her off with Reid to visit the homeless shelters.

"Yeah we're on it," Prentiss stands and looks directly at Reid. "Unless… you okay with that Reid?"

Hotch waits to see Reid's reaction, more concerned than angry at this point.

The kid frowns, pretending he doesn't have a clue why she'd ask. "I'm fine with that."

Reid snatches his bag off the chair and follows Prentiss out in a huff. Hotch watches them go, only just resisting looking to the ceiling to pray for strength. Feeling a decade older he gives Morgan a task before turning back to the board and once again doing his best to focus on the case at hand, trusting Prentiss can look after herself and Reid until he can address things with him later.

…

"We need to talk."

Its hours later, they're no closer to finding their unsub and Aaron turns around in the small windowless office he's seconded himself in to think to discover Prentiss standing looking extremely agitated in the doorway.

"This about Reid?" He asks with resignation, leaning back against the desk, aware he's losing all sense of formality between them.

"Something's wrong with him, really, really wrong." She says tossing her coat over the nearest chair, shoulders tense, ready for a fight she already seems to know either isn't coming or can't win.

"Care to be more specific?"

Emily sighs, pursing her lips in a way that reminds him of Haley, "Earlier today he terrified a shelter volunteer by telling her our unsub may well be in the room with us and when I challenged him about it he really didn't seem to understand why what he said was wrong."

She continues with other examples of Reid's poor judgment, her rigid stance and simmering tone saying exactly how she feels about his recent flip in behaviour, to the point he believes if Reid really was a child, he'd have found himself over her knee long before now. Despite the humorous imagery that thought unintentionally conjures Hotch feels himself frown out of concern anyway. He expected to hear how Reid had yet again taken his frustrations out on her, his attitude around the precinct is telling enough, but that's all. He knows Prentiss can handle herself, it's the only reason he didn't challenge Gideon's decision to put Reid out in the field, but now he's taking his temper out on the public too? Hotch cannot let that go unaddressed.

"I'll deal with it," he assures, voice deep and stern.

She looks set to say more when a uniformed officer enters the room, telling them JJ has requested their assistance and just like that both of them put their professional masks back on. As usual shelving what's hurting them personally for the sake of the case.

...

It's time. They know the who and finally now, they know the why too. Gideon's preparing to go back out with Morgan to track down their non-longer unsub and hopefully bring him in without a fight, most definitely alive. This is one of those rare times where Hotch is really routing for that outcome.

"Reid should come too," Gideon pulls on his jacket, "he'll appeal to Woodridge's protective instincts better than us."

"You want to use him as bate?"

Morgan's sudden outrage to what is obviously a correct assumption of Gideon's plan is what brings Hotch into the conversation.

"Jason," Hotch nudges his head indicating he'd prefer to speak privately, "sending Reid into the field isn't in anyone's best interests right now." He says once Gideon joins him in the corner of the room.

"We know this man does not want to kill. Reid-"

"Is not our Reid at the moment" Hotch cuts him off, frustrated at Jason's complete ignorance of the situation.

"He's fine."

"That's not what I'm seeing and that's not how he's behaving." Silence meets this declaration and Hotch can see by the hard stare being reflected back at him there will be no discussion. "Gideon, I don't pull rank often, but I'm doing it now, Spencer is not to leave this building unless it's to board the jet home."

Hotch keeps his hard glare as Gideon simply shrugs noncommittally and leaves the room.

"Was he serious?" Morgan appears in front of him, obviously having been listening.

Hotch is trying to recompose himself, feeling the strain more so than usual thanks to the uniqueness of this case and the home based drama; a combined entity capable of bringing him to his knees. He shrugs in answer, opens his mouth but has nothing to say so settles on patting Morgan's arm in silent thanks for his support before leaving the room.

...

"Reid what are you working on?" Hotch walks into the briefing room with urgency.

Listening to Reid explain how their prime suspect probably found himself in his current state Hotch can't help but notice how he seems to identify with him and it softens his resolve. Up until now he'd only thought about the effect Reid's attitude was having on them as a unit, shamefully it hadn't crossed his mind exactly what it was doing to Reid himself. The kid's lost, just like their unsub and no one understands how to help him.

"He's reliving the worst moment of his life he must be terrified." Hotch says wistfully walking away without actually giving Reid the task he intended.

Once out of view of the map, Reid, hell the entire office Hotch sighs and leans against the corridor wall, the kid's look as he left lingering in his mind. This case is hurting them all, more than the last unbelievably and Hotch is beginning to question whether any of them are really ready to be out in the field what with Gideon still fully in denial, Prentiss taking to challenging rather than ignoring which seems to be JJ's tactic and then him, split focus between his team and case like always as is his job, only right now feeling totally incapable of retraining clarity over either one. Guilt is weighing on him too, guilt for pushing those buttons just now when he could see Reid was already deeply identifying with Roy Woodridge. His words as he left the office like a knife in the back, but the opportunity was right there and damn it he had to take it. It was the right thing to do.

So why is he feeling so crappy about it?

'Tough love you idiot!' Hotch answers his own question with ease.

Like Woodridge trapped inside his own PTSD hell, part of Reid is still in that cemetery. He'll never escape if he doesn't confront his fears and knowing Reid hell will freeze and pigs will most definately fly before he deals with his emotions on any serious level. He wants to teach him, only problem is Hotch doesn't know what his fears are, doesn't understand what's scaring the kid so badly he's chosen acting out over talking to them. Reid's closer to them, closer to him now than he's ever been thanks to all those tears, hugs and far too many nightmares. Yet he's never felt further away from him. Hotch can only imagine what he went through ovet those three days he was missing, much like Mrs Woodridge can only imagine what trauma took the husband she loved away and sadly it's the not knowing which is preventing them from truly helping.

JJ signals from the across the room and just like that his mask is back on. Hotch pushes away from the wall as if nothing is wrong and is back in full unit chief mode by the time he reaches her side, ready to join the recently assembled swat team in hopes he can do one good thing today and that's bringing in Roy Woodridge alive, so he can at least get a chance at receiving the help he needs.

And maybe once their home, he can do the same for Reid.