Hotchner had not failed to notice the friendship blooming between Allie and Reid and knew it was good for the team. Because of the pair's camaraderie Allie began to settle in more as a member of the team, and Reid's spirits became lifted, especially considering the incident years earlier and his recovery from the narcotics addiction. Hotchner had never seen Reid so much in sync with another member of the team, and the personality brought out in their newest agent was pleasant as well. Allie became more and more confident, she began to laugh more, talk more. It was easy for Hotch to pair the two up when on cases because of how well they worked together. But at the same time he was becoming increasingly cautious. He worried that something more might spark between the two of them that could be the destruction of the careful balance that had been created within the team.
She was beautiful, there was no denying that. She had a lovely face and smile, steel gray eyes and light brown hair that was typically tied back, and yet still was sexy. She was beautiful in a unique way that would be perfect for Reid. She wasn't absorbed in superficial things, she liked a good conversation, and someone she could joke with and tell the truth to. What man wouldn't like a girl like that?
Knowing Reid, nothing would ever happen in this century if it were up to him. But he noticed the way he talked to her, and especially the way he looked at her; like she was the center of his world. They spent their off days together, spent their nights together. It was only a matter of time before more developed. He didn't want the team to get torn apart. Also, he just didn't want to see Allie date Reid. He couldn't explain why, but the idea to him just frustrated him and seemed like the least ideal situation. It was to be avoided at all costs.
Keeping that in mind, Agent Hotchner made sure Allie was kept especially close to him on this next case. He could use her tact and intelligence in dealing with the only lead they had, which was an address to what could possibly be an unsub's apartment. The two of them had to result to taking down the entrance by force. Only seconds after entering the apartment Hotch realized they had been set up for an ambush. Overpowered by four large men, Hotch was immediately taken down.
In a brief moment he saw Allie being dragged away and bound before he was hit on the head and lost consciousness. When he finally opened his eyes he was alone, on the apartment floor, blood flowing from his head. The four men were gone, and so was Allie. There were blood trails to be found all around the apartment, and a mess of materials to be found, but nothing pointing toward where they could have taken her. After a hazy moment of taking in his surroundings, the team suddenly stormed in to find Hotch lying there, and Allie gone. From the tone of Morgan's voice Hotch knew he was pissed. He knew Prentiss and JJ were afraid for Allie. But Reid, Reid was a mess.
Panic filled Reid's blood stream. Allie was gone. Hotch, of all people, had been taken down, and Allie was gone. His mind raced with possibilities and statistics. The likelihood that she would be found, the likelihood she would be found alive, and the likelihood that she was being sexually assaulted at this very moment. The unsub and his MO had flown out of Reid's mind and in its place was every single case Reid had ever seen before. All of the gruesome, twisted things people could think of could be happening to Allie. In a daze, Reid turned to JJ. She immediately saw the panic and worries in his eyes. "Reid…" she approached him.
"We've got to find her," Reid choked out. "We need to find her," he repeated, his voice raising.
JJ grabbed his arm and looked him straight in the eyes. "We will," she promised. "We're all on it. You just need to get your genius mind to focus. We're going to get her back, Reid, and she's going to be okay."
Reid nodded numbly. As JJ walked away he whispered quietly to himself, "She's my best friend. And I need her."