"...Well, I think this has to be one of the most controversial stories on FanFic. Seems like half of you like it now, and half of you hate it. Gosh, I LOVE this! (no sarcasm intended) hehehe...R&R if you are still hanging in there!..."

Pain-Chapter 12

Aftermath

Reid looked fearfully from Morgan to Hotch before standing up to answer it. When he did, a smile braced his face. Morgan and Hotch couldn't tell if it was a sincere one of a faked one, but either way they were glad to see him doing something other than crying.

"Oh, hi Mrs. Fran..."

"Hell Spencer." Fran smiled back, but her smiled turned upside down when she realized that he had a large, red mark across his face. She quickly grabbed Reid's hands and led him back to the other man. She laid a hand gently on his cheek, fussing over him. "My, what happened here?" she demanded.

"Oh, it was nothing." Reid reassured. "I kind of ran into my cabinets this morning." Reid even managed to blush, trying to feign embarrassment.

"You really should be more careful, Spencer. That's a horrible looking mark!"

"I know." Reid laughed nervously, his fake smile securely in place.

"Oh, Agent Hotchner! What brings you here?" Fran asked finally taking notice of her son's boss.

"I just came by to tell Morgan and Reid that the case that we were going to work tomorrow has been delayed, if not canceled. Apparently, the cops in Vermont think that they've figured out who the UnSub is." Hotch smoothly lied, not missing a beat.

"That's good." Fran smiled. "Maybe we could catch up-you know, just my two favorite men and Desiree. We could go hang out in the town."

"Actually, I was thinking about flying out to Las Vegas to see my mother." Reid said.

"Well that's a nice idea; I'm sure your mother misses you a lot right now." she smiled. Then, turning to Hotch, she continued. "You have a son, right?" Hotch nodded. "Why don't you stop on by and pick him up? We could all hang out for some breakfast and besides, I'd love to see how handsome your son is. I mean, someone as good-looking as yourself must produce some pretty offspring."

"I'd love to, but I had an early lunch planned with Haley's sister. She's been helping out a lot ever since Haley's passing, and I wanted to do something nice for her." Hotch replied, this time giving thee truth. He had in fact had a lunch planned, and he also wanted to see his son since they didn't have a case.

"This is nice- everyone's going home to see their family! With your jobs, I know how difficult that can be. Well, I guess Derek and I will meet up with you guys later. Have fun with your mom, Spencer." With a final wave good-bye, Derek and his mother left.

There was an awkward silence after the Morgans left. Hotch put a supportive hand on Reid's shoulder, knowing how hard the whole situation was on Reid. He had just found out that his boyfriend- perhaps even ex-boyfriend- was raped by some junkie, and that combined with his anger issues caused him to snap when they were in bed. He didn't even have time to talk about it with Morgan, and chances were that if they didn't, they would break up.

Suddenly, a new thought came to Hotch. 'The scratches.'

"Reid, what about your scratches?"

"I think that was a one-time thing this time. I'm taking a pill now for depression, and my therapist-" Reid suddenly stopped, remembering that he had his weekly appointment in an hour.

"What is it?"

"I have an appointment in an hour." Reid admitted. "I-I guess I'll just cancel. I normally have Morgan there to help me, and I don't think I could do it alone."

"I'll go with you."

"What? No Hotch, I'm not going to make you do that. You've done so much for me already, and you have that lunch date today-"

"My lunch date is at 12. I told them it was earlier because I didn't want to go with them; it would've been too awkward." Hotch confessed. "You're appointment is at 10?" Reid nodded. "And they are about an hours long?" Another nod. "I think we could make it. Come on; get ready and we'll head on out." Reid started to protest, but he was halted. "You need to go, Reid."

"I know." Reid whispered back. With a small nod toward the bedroom from Hotch, Reid wandered back to his room, preparing for his therapy date.

And dreading it all the while...

"Who is this?" Dr. Isaac asked.

"I'm Aaron Hotchner- Reid's boss." Hotch introduced.

"Nice to meet you." the doctor smiled. "May I ask where Derek is?"

Reid kept his gaze down. He didn't want to talk about Derek anymore; he just wanted to be left alone for a few hours.

Seeing that Reid wasn't going to answer, he decided to answer. "They had a bit of an argument."

"Did he hit Spencer?"

"Yes, but he can't control it. He-he has anger management issues, and he doesn't want to take his pills anymore. He promised me that he would go back on them immediately." Hotch sighed.

"Are you two still together?" Dr. Isaac asked.

"I-I honestly don't know." Reid admitted, never looking up. Deciding that Reid wasn't going to talk unless he was he was personally asked a question, he continued.

"Do you want to be together still?"

"Yes. No...Maybe?"

"Do you think you can forgive him?"

"I-I want to."

"Do you love me?"

"What?" both Hotch and Reid said, both of the looking up.

"Sorry, I just wanted to see your face. Despite what many people here think, I am both a mental and 'real doctor.' I wanted to see how bad it was." Dr. Isaac mumbled as he assessed the large red mark. "Looks like he slapped you hard, which I'm sure you've already gathered. Did you hurt you any other way?" Reid just nodded in response. "Where?"

"His stomach." Hotch answered.

"Could I see it?" Without another thought, Reid lifted up his shirt before he lost the nerve to do so. The apparently 'real doctor' glanced over the kick marks on his patient's small, pale stomach. The marks looked, at first, hard and dangerous, but fresher ones seemed more reluctant and soft, as if he felt remorse and regret. "I agree with you about the anger issues. I can tell that he later regretted the situation he had created. I understand that doesn't make his actions any better, but I honestly do believe that it was an accident."

"I know." Reid whispered. "I know. I just...need some time to figure it out for my own. I want to think about...all of this...without someone else asking me how I feel."

"I understand, Spencer." Dr. Isaac nodded. "And I think it would be a good idea for you not to come to our next session. First off, I won't be here, and it would have been optional anyways, and also because I think you should take some time off and think things through."

"Actually, I was going to go to Vegas to visit my mother." Reid admitted.

"Well, it's settled then! A little road trip for yourself, but if you think that you would like some company, perhaps you could bring along someone who could help you get our mind off things."

"Like Garcia." Hotch smiled. Reid couldn't help but smile back; a road trip to Vegas with Garcia? Now, THAT would be fun, he thought.

"Who's Garcia?" Dr. Isaac asked.

"She's a very quirky, happy person who knows how to make anyone feel better." Reid replied.

"Well, she seems like a good candidate. Just keep in mind that you don't have to bring anyone, but it might be a good idea."

"I don't know. I'll have to think about it."

"Alright; well, I think this would be a good place to end for today. See you next week, Spencer. Good to meet you, Hotch."

"It was a pleasure meeting you as well. Goodbye, I wish you all the best." With that, Reid and Hotch dismissed themselves...

"...Will Spencey go on the trip with Garcia? Will he forgive Morgan? Will Morgan forgive himself? Will Spencey decide to die ALL of his clothes (excluding pants, because that's just creepy) purple? I vote yes for the last one. :) hehehe...R&R?..."