A/N: New chapter of Anchor, and let me say that I know that this will probably be coming to an end in the next couple of chapters. I know it's longer than Two Minds, but I guess I had more to work with this one. Anyway, enjoy

Carefully, Hotch laid Hinata onto the sheets and then pulled the comforter over her body. She mumbled something in her sleep as her hand subconsciously reached for something, and Hotch knew it was probably him. The only thing he could give her was his hand caressing her cheek before moving up to remove a strand of stray hair from her face. Hinata mumbled once more before curling in on herself. Not being able to resist a smile, Hotch laid gentle kiss on her forehead before standing up and leaving the room.

His go-bag containing only a few things was over his shoulder as Hotch wrote a note and placed it on the dining table, apologizing as well as explaining where he was going and the possible time he was coming back. Hotch took in a tired breath as he grabbed his car keys and headed out, locking the door behind him. The drive to Boston was more than six hours, so Hotch managed to find a store that sold coffee at eleven at night.

In the back of his mind, Hotch had recalled the phone call he had about an hour from one Detective Tom Shauressy. Hotch was simply enjoying a movie night with Hinata falling asleep on his lap. He himself was halfway through to dreamland while his fingers stroked the soft strand of her hair when his phone rang. Only slightly irritated that someone would call him at ten at night- he was use to receiving late night calls for cases- Hotch put the phone to his ear and listened to the straining voice of someone he hadn't seen or talked to in ten years. There was no hello or how are you doing, just the request to drive down to Boston immediately, there was something major about the Reaper case.

Hotch gripped the steering wheel in anger. The Reaper case, his first ever case that went unsolved for ten years. Twenty lives claimed by a sadistic killer, and no leads that could help bring the bastard in. Still, Hotch was persisted in finding him, to help give some closure the love ones of the victims. And then, out of nowhere, the leading detective Tom Shauressy had called off the case, sending Hotch and his team back home. Hotch had argued with the man, saying this was a big mistake, but Tom stood his ground, and so there was nothing Hotch could do. When he did a discreet follow-up on the situation, he had realized that the Boston Reaper hadn't claimed another victim.

During the drive, Hotch continued to stew on the idea of what Tom wanted to talk about. He allowed himself to even think that maybe Tom had felt guilty and once more looked into the case. From how sickly Tom sounded, Hotch knew it was likely.

By the time he reached Tom's address, Hotch had stopped for two more cups of coffee- he was going to have to get more on his way back to DC so he wouldn't fall asleep on his desk- and was feeling slightly cranky. He knocked on the door, putting on a professional expression as he explained to Mrs. Shauressy that he wasn't exactly a friend of Tom, but a former work colleague.

The grief was evident in her posture as she nodded and led Hotch to the bedroom where he saw Tom laying in his bed, wheezing as a breathing machine was only delaying the inevitable, and a look of guilt laced in his eyes. Hotch held his breath as he steeled himself for the news. What he got had caused Hotch's blood to boil all the way back to DC.

"A deal," Hotch said to himself as he weaved through traffic.

"Stop hunting me, and I'll stop them" were the words the Boston Reaper had told Tom, and Tom agreed. Hotch bit his lower lip in frustration. The man had no right...

"We would have found a break."

"And how many more lives would be gone until we found that break."

Hotch took in a deep breath. He would not deny that Tom had a point, but Hotch wouldn't deny that the victims had just been cheated. Their murders would go unsolved, and their loved ones would be denied closure. But now, Hotch thought, maybe he could help those victims find peace, but he had to act fast.

"The contracts about to be expire. I can feel him watching."
Time was running out. The Boston Reaper was going to make good on his new found freedom. Hotch would have to hurry the minutes he got to the office. As he saw the "Welcome to DC" sign, Hotch picked up his phone and dialed work. It was past elven, well past the time he was suppose to be in. He took the chewing out from Strauss as he explained his situation and then drove home to get a quick shower in- adrenaline, hot coffee, and anger did not make a pleasant body odor.

Rubbing at his heavy eyes, Hotch put his key in the door and opened up, the smell of coffee hitting his nostrils. He swore he could pull a Reid and drink the whole pot.

"H-How was Boston?" Hinata's quiet voice asked as she walked into the living room, her own mug in hand and dressed in a white sweatshirt and jeans.

"Long," Hotch explained, not able to resist the smile growing on his face. He made quick strides to her and placed a quick kiss on her lips, "Sorry, but I came home to just get a shower in. I have to head in for a case."

Hinata's smile grew a bit while also crinkling her nose a bit, "Y-You definitely need o-one."
Hotch blinked before chuckling again and giving her another quick kiss. He rushed to his room to get a fresh suit and didn't waste time in the shower, which was irritating to say the least since the warm water was what his strained muscles needed. A shave and teeth-brushing later, Hotch emerged to catch the smell of something different and walked into dining room. Hinata was sitting there, chewing on a grilled cheese sandwhich and sipping on her own mug still. She looked up, blushed, and then motioned for the plate where another grilled cheese was sitting as well as a mug of coffee.

"I-I don't b-believe you had b-breakfast yet," she said, "And I-I doubt you'll have t-time to get something, so..."

Hotch could only chuckle as he grabbed the mug and chugged the coffee down, ignoring the burning on his throat. As he reached for the sandwhich, Hotch leaned over and gave Hinata a kiss on her forehead, enjoying the scarlet coloring on her cheeks.

"I love you," he said before placing another kiss on her lips this time, "If I can, I'll try to call you tonight."

Hinata could let out a slight nod, "I love you too," she whispered as she reached out and played with a slight curl on Hotch's head, "Be safe."

Hotch nodded himself before leaving, grabbing his go-bag and briefcase on his way out. For only a few seconds, Hotch allowed his mind to relax as he chewed on the quick breakfast. By the time he reached the office, he had his suit of professionalism on and having the team meeting in the conference room. When the team was loading into SUVs for the drive to Boston, Hotch had shotgun since he didn't trust himself to not fall asleep at the wheel. As Rossi drove and made small talk with Reid in the back, Hotch was fast asleep, dreaming of the memory of a certain girl and his son at the lake. Rossi joked with him in private about the goofy smile he had while he slept. Hotch rolled his eyes and told the older agent to shut up.

A/N: Not really what I wanted, but hey, I go where the road takes me. Tell me what you think.