Hotch came down the hall carrying several files. He stopped in Rossi's office and closed the door.
Dave looked up, "Reid again?"
"Things are getting bad. He bit off Emily's head yesterday when she just brushed by him on her way to her desk. I think he really hurt her feelings this time."
"She's a strong woman. I wouldn't worry about her."
Hotch looked out the window and down to the subject of their conversation. "Yes, she is strong. But she was the only one strong enough to confront Reid about his behavior when he was doing drugs. It took a very long time for them to build up trust again."
Hotch could feel the eyes boring into the back of his head. "Well, she isn't being singled out this time. He's about ready to punch Morgan."
"I know." The unit chief raised the files in his hand, "Let's head down to the conference room."
He stepped out of the office and called down to his team. "Conference room in five."
Everyone gathered and started piping in with the follow-ups to the cases they had been assigned. It seemed to go rather smoothly. Hotch and Rossi noticed that Reid was able to contribute something to every case without biting anyone's head off. An hour later they finished and everyone left the room together.
Reid was met at his desk by Garcia and she waited for his reaction when he read the note she handed him. "It was your dad calling for you. Have you two been talking or something?" She asked cheerily.
"Yeah, something like that." Venom practically oozed from his words and Hotch watched her take a step back.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to be nosy." She looked up at Hotch on her way out and he simply shook his head. He noticed the looks on everyone else's face before he headed into his office.