The rollercoaster ride begins!
Hotch had only been discussion arrangements for him and Reid with Horatio when he felt Nia tense. He glanced down at her and watched her for a second. Nia had her head cocked like she was listening for a something. Before Hotch could even come up with a reason of why, Nia bolted from his lap and flew out the door. Emily's black dragon Leo took off after her.
"Nia!" Hotch exclaimed getting up and going after her. Emily and Horatio looked at each other before following. Nia ran down the hallway before putting on the brakes near an exit door. She glared at it before slamming into the door's push handle. Leo slide past the door but managed to catch his footing and go after her.
Hotch ran to the door with Horatio and Emily on his heels. Horatio said something under his breath near his chest but Hotch didn't catch it. The door led to a parking lot. It took Hotch a second for him to find Nia again. She was racing to a van at the edge of the lot.
Leo was slowing as they neared the van but Nia didn't pause as she reached the van and jumped at the back doors. She ripped the handle open and forced the door open. Hotch watched as Nia slipped in the back of the van. There was a scream.
Hotch ran faster and when he got around to the back of the van he froze. The man from earlier had Reid laid out in the back of the van with his hands cuffed above his head. Reid's shirt was in the corner and he had a gag in his mouth. There was blood on his face and Hotch could see some in Reid's hair. Nia was standing over him protectively growling at the man she had pinned in the corner of the van.
The man had a split eyebrow and a deep gash along his arm and what looked like claw marks along one side of his shirt. The man was cursing Nia but stayed where he was. Nia made herself look bigger and snapped at the man. Leo came around with Emily and Horatio. Emily gasped.
"Jesse? What the hell?" Emily exclaimed looking stunned. Horatio just frowned at the scene. Jesse just gave them a glare and lunged toward Reid. Hotch moved to stop him but Nia was faster. She lashed out and knocked his arm away and something went clattering to the other side of the van. Nia then proceeded to jump at Jesse and pushed him out of the van to Hotch's feet. Leo joined in the action and jumped on Jesse helping pin him down.
There was loud bark sound and a large deep dark blue dragon appeared. It came over and efficiently subdued Jesse. Nia gave Jesse a threatening growl before jumping back in the van and began pulling on the cuffs. Hotch jumped in the van and pulled out his cuff keys and got the cuffs off Reid. Reid threw himself in Hotch's arms. Hotch drew Reid to his chest and could feel Reid shaking in his hold.
Nia whined and nuzzled Reid. Reid reached out for her with a shaky hand. Nia immediately put her head to his hand and moved closer so his hand stayed on her. Reid's hand moved to her shoulder as he continued to shake. Hotch murmured reassuring words to Reid and gently rocked him.
Emily cuffed Jesse and drug him to his feet. The bald man from earlier that Hotch deduced was Frank came rushing out.
"What the hell?" Frank said when he arrived.
"Take him to lock up Frank." Horatio said without emotion. Frank took one look at the scene in the back of the van added Horatio's expression and took Jesse away without question.
Emily gave Hotch and Reid a pained expression. Leo stood close to her as he watched them in the van. The large blue dragon moved and stood tall next to Horatio.
"Nia, his shirt." Hotch whispered to her so he didn't startle Reid. Nia slowly moved and retrieved the shirt. She gave it to Hotch before returning to Reid's side. Hotch carefully maneuvered Reid as he put Reid's shirt back on. By the time he had the shirt on and buttoned, Reid had stopped shaking. Hotch helped Reid out of the van and stand.
When they were out, Reid stuck close to Hotch. Nia was on edge and was tense the whole walk back to the building. Horatio and Emily had moved back to the door they had come out of and were standing there with their dragons. Horatio turned to Hotch when they approached.
"You can stay at either my place or my daughters. Our places are set up for dragons and we both have guest rooms you can use. If you would really like we can get you a room in one of our agencies hotel partners that are equipped to handle having a dragon at their residence." Horatio informed Hotch.
Hotch dipped his head in thanks.
"I think anywhere other than here right now will do." Hotch said as Reid stepped closer to Hotch. He was still slightly unresponsive but could function. Emily gave them a small smile.
"You can come to my place then. It is a little farther out of town and is peaceful." Emily said grabbing the door handle. "Let me just grab a few files and then we can go. Leo can show you to my vehicle." Emily gestured to the parking lot on the other side of the van before turning and going back in the building. Horatio gave Reid a once over before turning also and walking in.
The blue dragon followed leaving Leo to direct them. He led them over to a another hummer that was parked in the lot. Leo used his nose to open the back seat door.
"Thank you." Hotch said before getting Reid in the hummer. Nia helped him immensely and they had him secure when Emily came walking up. She was talking on her cell but gave them a smile as she got in the driver seat. Hotch slipped in next to Reid and closed the door when Nia jumped in with them. She sat on Reid's other side. Leo jumped in the front passenger and they were off.
Reid was beginning to fade as his adrenaline wore off. Hotch let him lean against him for the drive. Hotch lost track of time and before he knew it, they were pulling up to a decent sized house near a section of trees and water on the other side. Emily got out with Leo right behind her. They went to open up the house as Hotch got out of the hummer. He turned back and got Reid out as well. Nia watched the whole preceding warily.
She whined when Reid hissed a little in pain as he got out. Hotch noticed Leo spin around at Nia's whine but Emily must have called for him as he turned back again. Hotch gave Reid a look as he closed the hummer door. Reid flinched.
"My wrists burn still is all." Reid said looking away. Hotch knew Reid wasn't telling him everything but left him alone for now. Nia nudged one of Reid's hands that had fallen to his side. He gave her a small smile, petting her. Nia gave a quiet purr. Hotch placed a hand on Reid's lower back and led him to the front door. Emily had left it open for them. Hotch closed the door behind them.
The house was spacious and felt very homely. Emily came walking to them when she heard the door close.
"The spare room is this way." She said leading them down the hallway. She stopped at the only room on the right side of that hallway. Emily opened the door and watched as they walked in. There was a large queen size bed with a dresser and closet and a door that Hotch figured led to a bathroom.
"You can make yourselves comfortable. Just give me a holler and I will be here." Emily said giving them a smile before leaving them alone.
Hotch found both their go-bags on the dresser. He pulled cloths from Reid's that he remembered Reid wearing the night before to bed in. Turning he found Reid rubbing his eyes with one hand and petting Nia with the other. Hotch chuckled as he approached.
"Here Reid, go change." Hotch said placing the cloths in Reid's arms. Reid looked at the cloths for a second like he didn't recognize the cloths. Nia gently pushed Reid and he snapped out of his daze and went to the bathroom to change.
Once Hotch was sure that Reid was going to be fine he turned and went through his bag to see what had been packed. He had two suits and a couple of his more casual clothes in there also. His toiletries had been packed to his relief.
The bathroom door opened to Reid returning. Reid tossed the clothes he had been wearing in the trash. Hotch raised an eyebrow not understanding until Nia walked over to give the clothes a sniff. She growled at the clothes. That was when Hotch remembered exactly what had just about happened to Reid and why he would throw those cloths away.
Reid yawned catching Hotch's attention again. Hotch stood up and helped Reid to the bed. Reid let Hotch tuck him in but didn't let him go when Hotch went to leave.
"Please stay…" Reid said tiredly but Hotch could detect the fear hidden in his voice. Hotch dipped his head and sat with Reid. Nia jumped up on the bed and laid next to Reid on the other side. Before long, Reid fell asleep. It was still time in the day and Hotch needed some answers. He carefully extracted himself from Reid's grip without waking him.
Nia gave Hotch a look. She gave Reid a loving rub on his arm with her head before following Hotch out of the room and back down the hall where he had seen a living room. Emily was on the phone quietly arguing with someone.
"No. He is to stay there until I say so. I don't care." Emily sighed in frustration and rubbed the side of her face.
"Tyler, I don't give a crap. Either grow a pair or get some who has a pair to take your place." Emily snapped. She snapped her phone shut and threw it at the other couch.
"Everything alright?" Hotch asked. Emily looked over at him. She smiled just a tiny bit as Hotch sat down on one of the couches.
"If having people who are incompetent working on something you feel should be handled with care is alright then yes. Is there something I can do or get for you?" Emily asked sitting up. Hotch shook his head.
"What the hell was your coworker…"
Emily interrupted him.
"Jesse Cardoza used to be my friend and coworker but not anymore." Emily said with venom in her voice.
Hotch looked at Emily in slight surprise. Emily shook her head. Hotch could see the tension building inside Emily and decided that it may not be the best idea to push the fact.
"I want answers just as much as you do." Emily said after she took a deep breath. Hotch dipped his head.
Nia had sat at Hotch's feet during the time and now decided to jump in Hotch's lap. She settled but didn't relax fully. Hotch still couldn't believe how comfortable she was with him now. It had only been a few days. She had been absolutely terrified of him the first few and now she was in his lap by her own choice. Emily smiled at Hotch's reaction to Nia.
"She hasn't been with you very long." Emily commented watching the two. Hotch shook his head.
"Actually she has only been with us for a few days." Hotch told Emily. While he was still not okay with what happened earlier, Hotch knew from her reactions that Emily never knew Cardoza would do such a thing.
Leo came in the living room and rubbed against Emily. Emily smiled bending down to pet him. Leo turned his head a bit like he smelt something. He paused a minute before turning his attention to Nia. Nia looked back at him unblinking. Leo moved from Emily's side and approached Nia slowly. Nia continued to just stare at Leo.
He reached the couch and finally looked away from Nia to look at Hotch. Hotch tilted his head to Leo but didn't do or say anything else. Leo took it as an okay gesture and looked back at Nia. She watched him curiously. After a little bit Leo stepped back but continued to look at Nia.
Hotch concentrated and could hear quiet sounds coming from Leo. They almost sounded like what an elk or large mammal would make.
Nia got down from Hotch's lap and walked around Leo inspecting him. The way she did reminded Hotch of Reid. Leo stood still but followed Nia with his eyes. Hotch looked over at Emily for an explanation. Emily was smiling as she watched the two.
"I have never seen Leo this captivated." Emily remarked quietly.
"What do you mean?" Hotch asked looking back at the two dragons. Nia was still looking Leo over and Leo was doing his best to stay still but he kept turning his head to keep looking at Nia.
Emily chuckled at Hotch's question.
"He's fallen for Nia. At least she is considering him." Emily mused.
Nia finished her study of Leo and stood in front of him. Leo reached his nose out to touch Nia the same time she moved away from him and back to Hotch. Hotch could see Leo deflate a little.
Emily chuckled and waved Leo over. He came over looking sullen.
"You didn't expect her to just accept you immediately did you?" Emily teased rubbing Leo's head. Leo sighed but did seem to perk up again.
Nia paused as she was settling in Hotch's lap. She tilted her head listening to something. She gave Hotch a glance before jumping off his lap and running back to the room where Reid was. Emily chuckled quietly.
"They have a strong bond. Nia and Mr. Reid." Emily said running her hand along Leo's back. Hotch nodded in agreement.
Hotch stood up to follow Nia when his phone rang. He didn't recognize the ID but he did recognize that it was a government agency number.
"Hotchner."
There was laughter on the other line.
"You must be the big man. The one with dark hair that thinks he is so tuff with his little yellow thing you call dragon and his poor little slut he can't keep under control. You know, you really should keep better track of that tall, lithe body that would look so beautiful withering underneath me. Whew, I am getting hard just thinking about it." The man on the other line said.
Hotch ground his teeth. Leo and Emily picked up on his agitation. Emily frowned and stood up coming over to Hotch. Hotch put the phone on speaker with his jaw clenched.
"May be next time we both can get in on that body. May be at the same time!" The man continued.
Emily swore under her breath and walked away. Grabbing her phone, she flipped it open and sped dialed someone.
"By the way do you think you could put him on the phone? His voice just has something to it. It takes on this tone when he is pleading." The man said giddily.
Hotch abruptly hung up the phone even though he knew he shouldn't. At the same time Emily exploded from the other side of the room.
"What do you mean you let him make a phone call?! Get him off and back in his cell! He is not to leave that cell for any reason!" Hotch quickly figured out who had just been talking to him on his phone.
Cardoza.
Emily snapped her phone shut and threw her hands in the air with frustration. The front door opened and both of them spun around. Mr. Wolfe held up his hands, closing the door with his foot.
"Is everything alright?" He asked worried. Emily shook her head.
"Tyler let Cardoza make a phone call. I bet you can guess who he called." Emily said gesturing to Hotch who was quietly still fuming in the hallway.
Wolfe flinched.
"I should have stayed."
Emily opened her mouth to talk to him but Hotch beat her to it.
"You shouldn't have to. Plus he was calling to mess with me and Reid. That's all." Hotch said. Wolfe shook his head.
"I still can't believe he would do that." Wolfe said shaking his head. Emily sighed.
"Me either." Emily replied.
"I am going to turn in for the night." Hotch said before turning on his heel and leaving.
Wolfe came over and wrapped Emily up in his arms. She leaned back against him.
"I am starting to regret bringing them here Ryan. If I hadn't, then nothing would have happened to Mr. Reid." Emily said. Ryan could hear the despair in her voice. He gave her a kiss on the cheek.
"You couldn't have predicted that now quite beating yourself up about it." Ryan reassured her.
XXX
Hotch was still fuming when he entered the spare bedroom. He stopped mid stride when he saw Reid. Reid was sprawled out with one hand on Nia and the other above his head. Nia picked her head up when Hotch came in. She made the same sound Leo had earlier but her's was louder so Hotch could really hear it, like she was calling him over.
Hotch smiled walking over. He rubbed under her chin. Nia closed her eyes in pleasure. He still couldn't believe she trusted him this much now but then again may be he could with all that they both had been through the past few days. Hotch left after a bit to change into something to sleep in.
When he returned, Reid had moved and now there was a space for Hotch to sleep in on the bed. Nia was stretching like a lazy cat, waiting for Hotch. He rolled his eyes at her but slid in the bed.
Reid must have felt the bed dip because as soon as Hotch settled, Reid rolled over and snuggled up to Hotch, throwing an arm around Hotch's middle. Hotch looked down at Reid in surprise but he didn't push Reid away.
As wrong as he should feel about sleeping in the same bed as his subordinate, Hotch couldn't deny that Reid cuddling with him felt absolutely right. Nia settled at the foot of the bed as Hotch wrapped an arm around Reid and pulled him closer.
Reid shifted, putting his head in the crook of Hotch's neck sighing contently. Hotch smiled holding Reid close as he fell asleep.