AN: You know, I didn't mean to put it off this long! I just got a Star Trek story I'm trying to get through and I completely forgot! I'm so sorry! *flails about*

On the plus side, I actually have a book published! It's called (wait for it) Shadows Within by Heather Jarosz. Look it up on Amazon. It's only 10 USD.

For a Father's Love, Pt 2

It takes three days after JJ is shot for Frank Harding to make another move. The shooting flies under the radar – many people report hearing shots, but the team has gotten good at cleaning up the evidence. Whatever the cops find will not lead back to them; they've made sure of that.

Reid waits for the kids just outside of the high school. He leans against his car and watches the students flood out into freedom. They have a long weekend planned. Hotch and JJ have taken Monday off to spend time with the children. Jane and Frankie are spending the weekend as well, enjoying time with their new family. Everything is as it should be.

He senses it behind him. With a small scowl, he reaches out to Jane. Stay in the school.

Is the person who hurt JJ here?

Yeah. Just keep everyone in the school. You guys don't need to see this. It takes an effort, but Reid doesn't turn around. He doesn't want Frank Harding to know he's been spotted. He senses the other man walk up and stand on the other side of his car.

"So you're the youngest."

Finally, Reid turns around. Harding looks like a funhouse mirror of himself, but Reid can sense the differences. "The youngest of what?" he asks, reaching out for the other's mind. Normally he doesn't do this – he doesn't dig any deeper than surface thoughts, and usually that's enough – but this man has already tried to kill JJ and is threatening Hotch. All rules are gone.

Harding smiles. "You're the youngest of Agent Hotchner's little crew of freaks."

For a brief moment, Reid panics – but no, this man knows nothing of their abilities. He sublimates the panic quickly. "I'm Agent Reid." he allows, his voice steady. "Who are you?"

"Frank Harding." the man says. He sounds cheerful, as if discussing the weather, but Reid knows about the gun. It's ever-present in his mind. Even now, Harding hasn't decided what he's going to do next. He doesn't know if he wants Reid to live or die.

The last thing Reid wants is a confrontation here. "That doesn't tell me anything." he says calmly. Harding smiles.

"I'm surprised. I figured Agent Hotchner would have told you all about me after I killed Jennifer." He smiles as shock passes across Reid's face. "Yes, that was me. Surprising, isn't it? My father taught me well." He doesn't give the young agent time to respond. His gaze slides past Reid to the school. "So, who are you waiting for, Agent Reid?"

Reid replies instantly. "I'm waiting to meet with the principal. Career day, apparently, even though I'm the most socially inept creature on the face of the planet, brass wants me to recruit." He grimaces. If there is one thing he's always hated about himself, it's his tendency towards babbling when in distress.

Surprisingly, Harding swallows the lie easily enough. He snorts and shakes his head. "I can't imagine how a pathetic thing like you ever got into the FBI. I'll bet you can't even shoot a gun like I can."

"You don't need a gun to kill someone." Reid points out, and Gideon's words taste bitter in his mouth. "But you know that, don't you? That's why you haven't gone after Hotch directly. You're trying to kill him without actually taking his life."

"I just want to take his reason for living."

"We're harder to kill than that."

"I don't know. Agent Jareau went down easily enough." Harding smiles blandly. "Everyone dies, Spencer Reid, if you shoot them in the right place. You are no different from us mere mortals that way." He reaches up to his head as if he is tipping an invisible hat. "Good day to you, Agent Reid. Know that you only live today because I will it." His smile turns dangerous. "You're next."

He walks away, leaving Reid staring after him, hands trembling. Slowly, he takes a deep breath and reaches out for Jane. It's safe now. he tells her, and the four children run from the front office to his car. Jane and Jack push the younger children into the back. Jane slides in between them. Jack takes the front passenger seat. Once they're secured inside, Reid takes his own seat and turns the ignition.

Jack finally asks the question. "We're going to Aunt Jessica's, aren't we?"

"Actually, I was thinking Jane and Frankie's." Reid replies. "Hotch will want you close."

Henry nods and reaches out to his brother. It's okay, Jack. If we're not there, he can't use us against Mom and Dad. We're protecting them.

Yeah, I know. Jack glances at Henry in the rearview mirror. Besides, it's up to Dad to protect our family. It's up to me to protect you guys. I just wish that didn't mean separating.

Frankie decides to speak up. Well, we'll just hafta hope that your ma and pa handle it quick.

/-/

Hotch and JJ meet them at the door. JJ quickly takes over with the children, making sure everything is okay before informing them they'll be staying with the Rizzoli family for a few days. Hotch stays in the foyer with Reid. "Are you okay?" he asks quietly.

"Physically, I'm fine." Reid assures him. "Just a little shaken. Honestly, I was more worried about the kids."

"I know. That's the only reason I didn't come." He reaches out and pulls Reid in a tight embrace for just a moment. "Damn, Reid, you have got to quit scaring me."

"I don't do this on purpose." the youngest points out as they head into the kitchen.

"If I thought you did, I'd have to have words with you." comes the expected dry response. "So, he's coming after you next?"

"Looks that way."

Hotch pours him a cup of coffee and shoves the sugar his way. His eyes narrow as Reid loads the cup up before taking a sip. "You don't seem distressed by this."

Reid shrugs. "He's hardly the first person to think I'm the weakest." He focuses on Hotch. "He thinks he killed JJ."

Hotch brushes that aside with a wave of his hand. "What are you planning on doing, Reid? You're never this calm unless you have a plan."

Slowly, Reid nods. "My plan is to not let him anywhere near you or the others. You're my dad, Hotch. You know exactly how far I'm willing to go to protect you."

Something in Hotch's gut clenches at the admission. "Just – be careful." he says roughly. "I know Castiel says we're invincible, but I'd rather not test that."

Reid smiles. "We test it all the time."

JJ returns from dropping off the kids then, and the conversation is cut short. Still, Hotch can't shake the feeling that Reid is going to do something incredibly stupid for his sake.

He can't lose his youngest.