Sorry guys for the really long time it took me to update. And I'm sorry for those of you that were following this as a crossover it is not just a normal story. As Village-Mystic pointed out to me, what I thought was a crossover was more of my own OC or Au thing so it is no longer crossover.. Sorry. Anyway thank you for still reading and allowing me to go like this. you all are the best. Enjoy! PS, these (*-*) just mean a change in point of view.

The plane landing woke Reid. He looked around and saw Hotch giving him a soft smile as the plane slowed to a stop. Nia was up as well but she still had her tail wrapped around Reid's wrist. Once they were clear, Hotch helped Reid up. Nia jumped up and was on Reid's shoulders as they disembarked the plane.

Morgan was waiting for them on the strip. When he saw them get off the plane he walked over towards them. He shook Hotch's hand before turning to Reid. Reid gave him a small smile and Morgan went to hug him when Nia gave him a soft warning growl. Morgan froze and looked at her curious.

"You weren't kidding when you said she won't let anyone near you Pretty Boy." Morgan said not taking offence to Nia's growl.

Reid shook his head and reached up and rubbed Nia under her chin. Nia immediately calmed and her tail gently wrapped up around Reid in response.

"It will take a bit but we will both heal." Reid said.

Morgan nodded his head in understanding.

"I told the team that you and Hotch went to get some answers about Nia when you two first left. They weren't happy you just left but understood. I haven't told them you are back yet; I figured you two could do it when you were ready." He said leading them to the SUV.

Hotch nodded.

"Thank you Morgan. We are going to go to my place for now." He said as they got in.

Aaron took the passenger seat as Reid and Nia got in the back. Morgan nodded in understanding and drove them away from the airport and towards Hotch's place. Hotch and Morgan talked about general topics while Reid looked out the window.

Nia had stayed on his shoulders in the car and relaxed so her head was hanging down against Reid's chest. He looked down at her. She had been through so much and yet her she was protecting him. He shook his head because he was supposed to be taking care of her not the other way around.

Nia seemed to know his thoughts because the next thing he knew Nia was looking him in the eye. He could see the love in her eyes and the determination to keep him from harm because he saved her. He smiled and nodded his head in understanding. When she deemed that he really understood what she was trying to say, Nia relaxed again.

With Morgan driving, they were at Reid's place in no time. Reid moved to unbuckle and get out but Nia tightening her grip on him and Hotch looking back at him made him pause.

"Stay in the car Reid. I will grab what we will need." Hotch told him before getting out of the car and was walking in the building before Reid could protest. Reid sighed but sat back and relaxed to where he was.

Nia purred happily at him staying causing Reid to smile. It felt like it had been forever before he heard anything that was not a growl or whines come from Nia. Hotch didn't take long and was getting back in the SUV with a duffle bag.

Things were moving fast for Reid and it was making him aggravated in a way. He wanted… no, he needed some peace and for the world to slow down even for just an hour.

(*-*)

Morgan gave Reid a glance in the rearview mirror as he pulled back out on the road. The three needed some down time without anything to bug them. Morgan made a mental note to make sure the team and especially Garcia, left them alone for at least a couple days at Hotch's place. He was also going to put someone to watch Hotch's place just to be safe while they recovered.

(*-*)

Reid rubbed his temples as his mind tried to slow down but failed. He about panicked when his vision went black. That was until he saw Nia standing before him in the dark. He smiled as he felt his headache slip away.

Nia chirped at him and lead him over to what looked like a large beanbag but he couldn't be sure. Reid heavily sat down in it. Nia jumped in his lap and curled up in it, purring in a soothing pattern. Reid thought about how this would be better with a simple book to read and the next thing he knew, there was a book in his hand.

It was not advanced as most of what he read but it was thick. Reid noticed when he opened the book that he had read it before but he read it anyway knowing that it would relax him. Using one hand to hold the book, Reid ran a soothing hand over Nia as he read. His brain finally slowed and peace started to settle for him. Reid didn't notice time pass as the two sat there.

...

"Reid… Reid… Reid…" Reid looked up from his book only to be brought to reality. Hotch was leaning in the car with Reid's door open. Hotch gave him a fleeting smile. One that Reid returned. Nia curled her tail around Reid as he moved to get out of the car.

Morgan gave the three of them a reassuring smile before pulling out to go back to his place and make a few calls. Hotch gently took Reid's hand and led him into the house. When they entered, Nia jumped down off of Reid and searched the house while Hotch put things away.

Reid meandered over to Hotch's couch and fell into it. He was exhausted and just wanted to sleep. His body apparently agreed as he woke up to Hotch gently shaking him awake again.

"Tired?" Hotch asked.

Reid nodded his head.

"I am exhausted."

Hotch nodded his head in agreement.

"Let's get you to bed then." He said pulling Reid to his feet and leading him to the bedroom.

Reid didn't pay much attention until he was sitting on the bed. He noticed he was in Hotch's bedroom if the pictures were anything to go by. They were little snapshots of happy times. Most were of Jack but Reid was surprised with the amount of Team photos that were hanging up in the room.

Nia brought him back from analyzing the photos when she jumped in his lap. He smiled down at her and rubbed behind her ears. Nia purred at that and closed her eyes, enjoying the affection.

Hotch came back into his line of vision holding a pair of boxers and a worn t-shirt out for him. Reid took them.

"Thank you." Reid said with sincerity.

Hotch just smiled a little at him. "Get ready for bed, you need to get some sleep." He said before turning away from Reid to get himself ready to sleep as well. Nia got off Reid's lap without being told and waited patiently for him to come back.

Reid striped and was ready quicker than he thought as he returned to find Hotch changing. Reid could only watch, frozen in his spot. The contours of Hotch's back were magnificent which could only lead to the question, if Hotch's back looked like that what did his front? Reid snapped out of his daze when a shirt being slipped over the body blocked his view. He shook his head and got under the covers.

Hotch slipped in right after him after turning out the light. Hotch pulled Reid to him and held him in his arms. Reid snuggled a little into the warmth and safety he was offered with.

Once the two of them were situated, Nia climbed over Hotch and snuggled down in the tiny space between them, purring contently as the two chuckled at her. Reid's eyelids drug themselves closed without conscious thought.

Hotch listened as Reid fell asleep in his arms. He never thought that he would ever hold another in his arms, that he would find love again or for that fact that it would not only be a man but Reid… his subordinate- the young man that he looked after in the beginning and still.

Hotch glanced down at the dragon drifting slowly to sleep between the two of them. He finally had an answer to the question Rossi had asked him on the plane those days ago, he did care for Nia because she brought Reid back to him. She brought him back from the dark place he had been and back into Hotch's life as his light, the thing that kept Hotch going even when he couldn't. Nia had in turn been their light, their guiding light.