So I have changed the path for this story a bit... again. I can't apparently keep the same ending in mind so it just keeps going. Don't worry there are still many chapters to come but it may take a bit for chapters to be posted. I am working on getting Painted finished and updating this story as well. Thank you to those who are following and favorite'ing this story! Gives me the want to continue it! Anyway enough of this author's note. Enjoy the chapter!

Hotch bolted awake to Reid's whimper of pain next to him. Hotch looked over at him. Reid had his eyes screwed shut and pain was etched in his face. Hotch wanted to wake him but Reid really needed his sleep. He was about to just wake him when he heard and echoing whimper come from the go-bag that Nia was in.

On a hunch, Hotch carefully got out of bed and walked over to the go-bag. Nia was twisted up in a tight, knotted ball pain in her features. Hotch scooped her up and took her over to the bed. He cautiously got back on the bed and moved over to Reid. Reid had moved so he was half on his side and half on his back. He was slightly bent giving Hotch a good place to set Nia.

Hotch gently placed Nia flush with Reid's stomach. Both relaxed at the touch of the other. Hotch tucked them in before slipping in himself. The minute Hotch was slightly curled around Nia and Reid; they let out sighs with the pain receding from them. Satisfied they were no longer in pain, Hotch fell back asleep.

XXX

Hotch woke up again with the sun in his eyes. He glanced over to see Reid and Nia still asleep. He carefully got out of bed and walked to the bathroom. Splashing some water in his face, Hotch woke himself the rest of the way up so he could take care of Reid. They really needed to get home and back with their BAU family. Staying here was not an option. Emily and her work family were nice but Reid would be a lot safer back home.

Plus Hotch would feel a lot better where he knew the area. When Hotch returned he was surprised to see Reid was awake.

"How do you feel?" Hotch asked him gently walking over and sitting on the edge of the bed. Reid looked down at a still sleeping Nia.

"Tired, sore… I want to go home Hotch." Reid said quietly. Hotch nodded his head.

"We are going to leave today. Emily and her father are getting things ready for us to go."

Reid nodded at Hotch's response. He shifted on the bed accidently waking Nia. She groggily looked around.

"Hey you can go back to sleep." Reid said gently rubbing the back of Nia's neck. She focused on him and shook her head. Reid sighed but didn't fight her knowing he was probably going to lose. Reid sat up and rubbed his eyes.

Hotch stood and started to sort things so they could be ready to go. Reid got up and went over to his go-bag. He pulled out some clothes and headed to the bathroom. Nia was right on his heels. Hotch watched them go before he took care of their things. He grabbed his go-bag and pulled out all of the clothes he had set in there last night for Nia. He sorted and folded them before putting them away.

Hotch heard the water turn on and took the opportunity to get dressed. They had very few items so he was finished in just a few minutes. He pulled out his phone to check things and get a hold of Rossi or Morgan while he waited for Reid.

XXX

Reid shook his head slightly when he heard Nia follow him into the bathroom. He let her come without fuss because honestly, he was kind of glad she was following him around. It meant that both of them were alive. Reid carefully slipped out of his clothes mindful of his injuries. They gave off a dull throb that he could easily work through. He glanced over at Nia who was sitting at the door, guarding it.

Her wounds were much worse but she didn't appear to be in pain, just tired. She only had three bandages and they covered the actual stab wounds. Her cuts had been stitched on the deeper ones and a few of the others had butterfly Band-Aids.

Reid folded his clothes and set them on the counter before he stepped into the shower. The water stung his cuts for a bit before it became soothing. He gently washed his cuts before moving on to the rest of his body. In a shorter period of time than Reid would have liked, he was done. He stepped out of the shower and found Nia lying in front of the bathroom door. Right in the way so if someone tried to come in they would have to go through her.

"Come on Nia, it's your turn." Reid said on impulse.

Nia picked up her head, looking at him. He gave her a smile. Nia got up and walked over to him. Reid picked her up and placed her in the shower. He then removed her bandages and pulled the mobile shower head down. He set the water temp just right before he began to rinse Nia off. She closed her eyes in content as Reid gently scrubbed the dirt and dried blood off of her. He carefully washed her cuts as well before turning the water off. Reid gently picked her up out of the tub, wrapping her up in a towel. Once she was dry he tried to replace her bandages but she was having none of it. Reid sighed.

"They will heal a lot fast if you have these on." He told her. Nia just snorted at that.

"Fine." Reid conceded too relieved that they were both alive and on their way home to really argue with her. That and she did save his life. Nia rubbed her head against Reid's leg in affection. He smiled and rubbed her neck as it was one area that didn't have cuts he could accidently touch. Reid stood and walked to the door. Nia was right behind him.

Reid found Hotch sitting on the end of the bed going through his phone with both of their go-bags sitting next to him on the bed. Reid duped his clothes in his bag and zipped it up. Hotch looked up at Reid.

"How are your injuries?" Hotch asked with concern in his eyes.

"Tender but livable." Reid replied.

Hotch nodded his head and noticed Nia standing at Reid's feet. "What happened to her bandages?" He asked. Reid snorted.

"I took them off so I could clean her up and afterwards she wouldn't let me put them back on and I honestly am not going to fight her on it so they are currently in the bathroom garbage can."

Hotch raised an eyebrow at Reid's answer but didn't say anything as Emily poked her head in.

"Ryan got the plane ready and can take off as soon as you all are on it. Me and him will accompany you to the airport." Emily informed them.

Hotch nodded. "Thank you Emily." He said.

Emily gave them both a tiny smile before leaving them alone. Reid turned and grabbed his bag as Emily left. Hotch took his and followed Reid out, without saying a word about his behavior. Emily and Leo were standing at the front door waiting for them.

Emily held the door open for them as they walked by. Leo stuck his nose out to touch Nia in a comforting gesture only to have Nia growl threateningly at him. He immediately backed up. Reid looked down at Nia worried.

"What's wrong?" Reid asked her kneeling down.

"She is just on edge. She is still in her protective mode and probably won't let anyone rear you for a while. My suggestion would be to keep in physical contact with her for a while to reassure her that you are safe. Leo was trying to comfort her but he got close to you as he did so she reacted." Emily explained closing the door behind Hotch.

Reid stood up with a puzzled expression.

"But she let's Hotch near me." He said.

Hotch walked up to him as Reid said this. Nia didn't do anything other than shift so she was on the other side of Reid so he was between the two of them. A tiny smile played at the corners of Emily's mouth.

"She sees him as your protector as well. In time she will calm but for now, she will be edgy." Emily explained. Reid nodded in understanding.

With that they all got into the waiting hummer with Ryan in the driver's seat. He gave them a small smile as they got in. Once everyone was seat they pulled out. Nia was in Reid's lap with her tail wrapped around his waist protectively. Reid looked down at her as he gently rubbed behind her ears. She relaxed a touch to his touch but remained alert. In a shorter time than Reid thought, they were at a private airstrip.

"This will take you straight to Quantico." Emily said as they got out of the hummer.

"Thank you Emily, Ryan." Hotch said shaking their hands. They both nodded.

"I am really sorry things turned out like this. I just wanted to bring you both here so you could learn more about Nia and be able to care for her correctly not this." Emily said with sad eyes.

Reid moved to Emily and gently pulled her away from the others. Nia was right with him. Leo went to follow Emily but a fierce growl from Nia stopped him. Ryan patted Leo's back as he and Hotch watch Reid and Emily step away for a bit.

"Emily, none of this was your fault. Those people would have still come after me and Nia no matter where we were. Me and Nia have grown closer and know how to take care of each other. Plus if we have any questions we will call you. Emily you are doing a great thing here. Things happened while I was here but that still is not your fault." Reid explained.

Emily studied his eyes.

"Thank you."

She said giving him the first real smile since they saved him from Allis. Reid smiled back.

"You brought us here to grow closer to Nia and we have. We have you to thank for that. So thank you." Reid said as they returned to the others.

Ryan wrapped an arm around Emily's waist. She gave him a smile and turned to Reid and Hotch. Hotch grabbed Reid's hand and led him up the stairs onto the plane. They waved goodbye to the three before boarding.

Hotch and Reid took seats right next to each other and soon the plane was off. Nia curled up in Reid's lap with her tail wrapped gently around Reid's left wrist. Hotch held Reid's other hand as they sat during the plane ride.

"We should call Morgan and tell him what happened and see if he can pick us up." Reid said after they were in the air for a bit. Hotch nodded and pulled out his phone.

Reid watched Nia in his lap while they waited for Morgan to pick up. Once they had gotten high in the air, Nia had slowly let herself relax a bit and was lightly dozing in his lap. Reid knew she must be exhausted but he also knew she was going to do anything and everything to keep him safe. Their time with Allis had proved that.

"Hotch?"

Morgan's voice pulled Reid from watching Nia.

"Hey Morgan. I need you to go somewhere where you won't hurt anyone and where you can sit down." Hotch ordered.

There was shuffling on the other end.

"Hotch what's going on?" Morgan asked panic starting to creep into his voice.

Hotch took a deep breath to answer but Reid beat him to it. Reid told Morgan about what had happened since they felt Reid's apartment; from Jesse to Allis. Hotch piped in with his point of view from time to time, explaining things that Reid didn't know. When they were finished there was silence on the other phone. They could hear Morgan take a deep breath.

"So you all are alright?" Morgan asked for clarification.

"Yes Morgan. I and Nia are cut up but we will be fine. Nia is a little protective and won't let anyone near me except Hotch right now but Emily said it is temporary." Reid said.

Morgan sighed.

"Alright I will see you guys at the airstrip." Morgan replied.

"Thank you Morgan." They both said before they hung up.

Hotch slipped his phone back in his pocket and held Reid's hand again. Reid leaned his head against Hotch's shoulder.

"We can pick some of your clothes up tomorrow. I want you to stay at my place." Hotch said. Reid smiled a little.

"That would be great thank you." Reid replied.

Hotch gave Reid's hand a squeeze in reply. Nia squeezed Reid's other wrist with her tail as if in agreement. Reid smiled and closed his eyes at the feeling of both of them holding him. He let himself follow Nia into a light sleep as they flew home.