A/N: Hey, everyone, and welcome back! (grins) Before getting to the actual business, though…

Thank you, so, so much, for all those reviews and love! You can't even imagine how happy they've made me. (GLOMPS) I promise that I'll do my best to make this lil' thing worth your while.

Awright… (shudders a bit) I guess it's time to stop stalling, eh? I HOPE, I really do, that this one will please you as much as the former bit.

The Ties That Bind

/ Aaron wasn't entirely surprised to find Spencer from a shooting range. He was all too aware of how much time the genius had spent there since Emily's… encounter with Ian Doyle. He was, however, mildly stunned at what he found although he shouldn't have been.

The sight made Aaron shiver for all the wrong and right reasons. Spencer's aim was deadly. A shot after another sunk in, striking critical spots. That manner of shooting wasn't meant for disarming – its only purpose was to terminate. In full honesty Aaron didn't have the slightest clue of what to make of it. What to make of the haunted, desperate look in Spencer's roaring eyes.

What were they screaming for, anyway? For help, or out of sheer rage? It was a while from when he was actually able to read his youngest agent's eyes.

"It's like you said." Spencer's voice, albeit as light as a whisper, held a sharp edge that didn't sound familiar. The man wasn't quite ready to look at Aaron just yet. "Even a dalmatian could do it."

"Hmm", was what Aaron offered, not having the slightest clue of what else to say.

They stood absolutely still for several moments, both trying to overcome the surges of emotions attempting to take control over their bodies and minds. In the end Aaron looked at Spencer. Really looked. And felt cold shivers go through him.

Right there, on the pale skin close to Spencer's right eye… There were lines of makeup. He preferred not trying to guess what the younger man had been trying to hide. Rolled up sleeves revealed what looked suspiciously lot like scratch marks.

"Reid…" Aaron took a deep breath, trying to control his tone. "You know that you can tell me anything, don't you?"

Spencer remained frozen for a really long moment until those eyes finally locked with his. Locked and held. They were still screaming and Aaron couldn't hear a word. All he heard was what dropped through those tight lips. "I know."

Aaron's mouth opened again but he never got the chance to speak out. For just then his cell phone started ringing. It was Penelope. They had a case. /

For the longest time Aaron could only stare. Stare at the battered being sitting on his couch. The clothes he'd borrowed the man seemed almost ridiculously big on the thin form but he barely noticed. Aaron stared, barely daring to breathe in fear of breaking the sweet illusion.

In the end it was Spencer who moved first. He'd never seen the kind of a look in Spencer's eyes that lingered in them now. "I'm… sorry, that I just walked away like that. And I'm sorry that it took me this long to come back. I would've come sooner if I could've, I swear." The genius swallowed, running a hand through his moments ago washed hair. "But… Could you… Could you not stare, please?"

Aaron had to struggle to keep a slight blush from showing. For so many months he'd been waiting, worrying, wondering. It was surreal to think that Spencer was finally actually there. That there might still be a chance to… He silenced that thought quickly. "I'm sorry." He then frowned, realizing that he had about a million questions that needed to be answered. "Reid… What the hell happened?" He took in all the bruises although it hurt. "Who did this to you?"

Spencer swallowed. Pain flashed in those hazel eyes, along with several other emotions. "His… His name is Anton Silas. He's a contract killer who works for several criminal organizations across the globe. Because of the people he works for, because of the things he's seen and heard, he's caught the interest of both Interpol and CIA."

Aaron shivered, quite possibly even more confused than he was before the answer. Chills went all the way to his spine. "How did you get involved with him?"

Spencer sighed exasperatedly. The man's fingers were twitching restlessly. "I'd tell you if I could. You need to believe that." The genius shivered and tensed up when on the street outside a car passed by. It took a moment before the focus was restored. "You need to understand that he's a very dangerous man, Hotch. When something threatens him he strikes back ruthlessly, terminates the hazard. I don't know what you or the rest of the team have been doing over the past couple of months, but… One of you hit too close. Startled Anton. Now he's preparing himself for an attack. He's already performed some background checks. He doesn't know your addresses yet but he's got enough resources and contacts to find out."

Aaron shivered. Suddenly the fear radiating from Spencer was catching him as well. "He's coming after us", he murmured breathlessly.

Spencer nodded. The amount of pain and guilt was almost palpable. "I… I tried my best, Hotch. I swear. I never once mentioned your names. I never spoke a single word of information. But… Anton caught on somehow. Got the feeling that you're on to him." The young agent ran a hand through his hair, visibly attempting to get a hold of himself. "He knows that Lucia and I will be here in Virginia – that we have no other place to go. It may slow him down. But if the situation calls for it he'll wipe even us out of the way to get rid of those who threaten him."

Aaron swallowed. The chills those words brought struck him numb. "We'll need to have a meeting with the team immediately tomorrow morning. We need to be prepared."
Spencer nodded, his eyes darker than ever before. The doctor sighed. "I'm sorry, for bringing you all into this."

Aaron shook his head. And meant it. "This isn't your fault, Reid. Keep that in mind, whatever comes. We'll get through this together."

Spencer nodded, appearing marginally relieved. Perhaps that was enough, for now. Aaron could almost hear the unvoiced 'Thank you'.

Just then Lucia began to cry inside the blanket they'd wrapped around her. Spencer's expression changed in an instant, into the same Aaron felt on his face whenever he was around Jack. He observed in silent marvel as Spencer – who'd always claimed that he was no good with children – took the baby effortlessly into his bruised arms and held close. Spencer's lips moved as he whispered to his daughter and in a moment she was fast asleep, clearly feeling safe and sound in her dad's arms.

Aaron waited for quite a long moment before he dared to speak. He didn't manage to tear his eyes from the baby. "I don't mean to pry, but… Who's her mother?"

In an instant Spencer tensed up completely, like someone who'd just seen a ghost. It took a very long moment before the words came. "I'm the one who carried her. I'm the one who gave birth to her."

Once again Aaron stared, no matter how he'd been told not to. Stared, and in the end managed to sputter. "What?" This had to be some kind of a joke. But Spencer didn't look like he'd been joking at all.

Spencer sighed, his Adam's apple bobbing. "My anatomy is… exceptional. The doctors discovered it as soon as I was born and didn't know what to make of it. For a while they wondered if I was too flawed to even survive." The man looked away, clearly embarrassed. "It's the reason I haven't had more than a couple of real relationships. This…" The doctor gestured towards his genitals with the hand that wasn't supporting his daughter. "… isn't something I like to share."

Aaron nodded, wishing that he would've been able to say something, anything. But to be honest his head was so full that he could barely even hear his own thoughts. This was all just too much, way too much.

Spencer got up with Lucia still securely in his arms, obviously preparing to leave. "Thank you, for the food, shower and clothes. But… We can't stay here any longer. I just wanted to come and warn you."

Aaron had never been too afraid to reach out for what he wanted. But right there, watching Spencer preparing for a takeoff, terror paralyzed his vocal cords. That was until Spencer was already heading towards the room's door.

"Stay." It was what he should've said from the very beginning, since Spencer first announced that he was leaving six months earlier. Now the word flew out, like a bird released from a cage. (Stay with me. Choose me. Don't leave me again. Don't leave me ever again. Just… just stay, right here by my side. Let me show you…) Aaron licked his lips, feeling insecure and vulnerable all of a sudden. He wondered if Spencer realized just how much he was truly asking for. "I'm sure that Jack wouldn't mind and you'd both be safer."

Spencer stared at him for the longest time and for one bizarre moment Aaron wondered if the man was actually able to see right into his thoughts. Then, very slowly, the genius nodded. "Okay."

('Let me show you just how much someone could care about you.')

The following morning Jack woke up far before his alarm clock to the scent of pancakes. He frowned, his sluggish mind trying to understand. His dad rarely made pancakes, especially when it wasn't even weekend.

Blinking and still trying to wake himself up properly Jack yawned and pushed himself out of the bed, then tiptoed towards the scent. What he discovered made him freeze by the kitchen's doorway, his eyes flying wide.

"Uncle Spencer?"

Immediately the young man stopped cooking and focused on him instead. Jack was too young to see the hesitation behind the small smile. "Hi Jack."

Hearing Spencer's voice was all it took. Jack sprinted forward as fast as he could and launched himself into the man's arms, blissfully oblivious to the bruises and injuries. There was a radiant smile on his face while he hugged Spencer. "Where were you? I've missed you. Daddy's missed you, too." Jack didn't even think of asking what in the world Spencer was doing in his home. Truthfully he didn't care.

Spencer sighed. "I… was on a long special assignment. But it's over now."

Jack nodded. "Good." Perhaps he was only a child but he knew that the job of his dad and Spencer was dangerous. It was a relief when a case was over. Then, pushing those thoughts aside completely, he looked at the brunet with bright, hopeful eyes. "Uncle Spencer, can you teach me some new magic tricks, now that you're back?"

The voice that replied was his dad's. "Maybe later, buddy. Right now uncle Spencer and I have a meeting we need to get ready for."

Jack was disappointed but nodded anyhow. "Okay." He'd been waiting for six months. He could wait a little bit longer.

The three of them ate the breakfast in this extremely comfortable, almost magical glow of peace and serenity. Jack asked about Spencer's time away (never noticing his dad's frowns of disapproval or Spencer's waves of discomfort, pain) and the man told whatever he could. Then a baby started crying in the living room.

Jack's eyes widened while he glanced towards his dad with questioning eyes. "Daddy, why is there a baby in our house?"

The adults exchanged a look Jack couldn't understand, after which Spencer disappeared. In a few moments the younger man returned, carrying a squirming baby. "Jack, this is Lucia, my daughter."

Jack's eyes widened. "You're a daddy?" he half exclaimed, like it'd been the most baffling thing in the world.

Spencer nodded slowly. "Yeah. And… If it's okay with you, Lucia and I may stay here with you guys for a little while."

"It's okay. You're my favorite uncle. And you make daddy happy." Suddenly Jack was very serious, even worried. A frown appeared to his tiny face. He glanced towards Lucia. She was awfully noisy. "But… You won't teach her our magic tricks, right?"

For a moment Spencer stared, then melted into a smile. "I promise I won't. They're a secret for just us two."

After a moment of overall chaos (with Lucia's feeding and a smelly diaper) the tales of Spencer and Lucia's amazing adventures continued. Those stories, however, weren't Jack's favorite part of the breakfast, no matter how well they were told. What truly made him beam on his seat was the exchange between his dad and Spencer. The looks and touches exchanged, the warmth in his dad's eyes, the soft, murmured words…

Jack hadn't seen his dad that happy in a long, long time. And he knew that it was all thanks to Spencer. Whatever magic tricks the man had been doing to his dad were working.

Jack promised, as much to himself as to his dad, that he'd do whatever he could to make sure that Spencer wouldn't go away again. Because if your simply being there made someone that happy… You couldn't just leave them, right?

In a very, very dark small room a pair of hazardous eyes watched as a green spot blinked on the computer screen. Right there, in Virginia, the light was flashing. Taunting him. Calling out to him. A tiny smirk revealed a row of perfect predator's teeth.

Hadn't Spencer figured out by now that he always marked his property?

He sighed, leaning back in his chair, and closed his eyes.

/ "Choose a life with me and I'll show you just how good a life in hell can be."

Spencer glanced his way, one eyebrow arched. "I was under the impression that we're in there already."

A shoke of a head. A brush over bruised skin. A shiver. "No, my love, we're not. This is only just the purgatory." /

/ "You… are the most perfect thing that I've ever met. My very own angel."

Spencer snorted, back then. "I'm nothing divine."

A chuckle, soft and rough at the same time. "Oh, but of course you are." A hot, demanding kiss. "And I love every moment of tainting you." /

/ Those sounds echoing through the otherwise silent night… Of pleasure. Of fear. Of rage. Of love. Of hate. Of ecstasy.

He'd always adored the color red.

"Don't you understand? I'm never going to let you leave me, especially with my child."

He really, truly loved the look in those eyes. "I know." /

/ The hand wiping over the wound was tender, almost apologetic. "You really should know better than to break the rules. It'll be the death of you."

The eyes meeting his were those of venom. "Not if I get you first." And to think that this being was so innocent, once upon a time. So pure. The creature before him was his true masterpiece.

A chuckle. "We'll see about, my love. We'll see."

An hour later they attacked each other in a bedroom. /

/ "I love you."

The answer was that of body, not soul. He didn't mind. /

The pair of eyes opened, once again fixing on the computer screen. The green light was still blinking. Waiting. Waiting, was what he'd do as well.

He knew well that his very own pet had already made it to those people he considered a family. It was a family of federal agents. Only a fool would go after them when they were at their most prepared.

A good, successful predator knew when to be patient, when it was the time to lie in wait.

Anton Silas was a very, very patient man.

For now that green light would do.

TBC

A/N: Poor Reid, no? He's in safe hands now but still can't catch a break. (winces) Let's hope that both he and his baby girl manage to make it through this one piece.

It's time for me to tune out. (sighs) I really hope that I'll see each and every single one of you when I come back. You're precious!

Peace out!

Guest: Spooky it is! (shudders, then grins) What can I say? I like it spooky. And I'm thrilled to hear that you do, too. 'Hope you'll keep enjoying the voyage!

Colossal thank yous for the review!