Heavy spoilers for 'Hanely Waters' Some text was paraphrased from the ep- mainly the spoken quotes. There will hopefully be more drabbles about this ep. Thoughts?

AGM-Bite your Tongue

SSA Aaron Hotchner had always considered himself a good liar, but when Spencer Reid came into the room with a nervous demeanor and a fought-off frown, doubt started to creep in.

"The last time I was on a couch like this was when my father left."

That had to be the worse possible way to start a conversation. Inwardly groaning, Hotch listened as his youngest agent spoke. He could tell that the boy was close to tears, and he could also tell that he hadn't been sleeping either. Seeing the pain and sadness in Reid's eyes, he felt even more guilty for making him- for making the team- come in and talk to him.

"I only told them what they wanted to hear; I was too young to know how to respond to it emotionally."

All through his little 'chats' with his team Hotch found himself biting his tongue. He knew that truth, and besides JJ, he was the only one who did. They deserved to know, yes, but at what cost? If he told them, everything would change. They would want to find her, go after her, hug her- be with her! Although he could understand all of those impulses, he just couldn't let it happen. The team knowing would put all of them in danger, and that was a side effect Hotch just wasn't willing to deal with.

"What really is the point if we can't even protect each other?"

About halfway through their 'session', Hotch found himself wondering if Reid was having another headache. His eyes had became more profoundly dark, his focus had become very intense, and every once in a while he would rub his eyes just a bit too rapidly- the way he had after 'faking' a headache just a few weeks ago. He wasn't sure if the agent was still having them, but he was aware at one point that he was. He had hoped that they were just a one-time thing, but now he was beginning to have his doubts.

"You know, sometimes I wonder if Gideon was right."

And that was the worse possible way to end a conversation.