Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds

A/N: I know that, at this point, it would be easiest to just pair up Hotch and Reid, and call it happy, but, I'm stupid, and as much as I adore Hotch/Reid, I'm going to do things the hard way, and continue with the Morgan/Reid. My Morgan's too mean, my Hotch is too daddy-ish, and Reid…I don't even know what's going on with him anymore. I could probably just leave it as 'and they ate ice cream, and profiled serial killers, and lived happily-ever-after'. At least that way I could spare you all the pain of dragging this out, but…I won't.

____________________________________

Hotch spent the following week spoiling Reid rotten, and keeping him away from Morgan. It wasn't hard to do really. Hotch found that Reid was easily entertained. Still, he went to the book store and picked out a few books Reid hadn't read, bought the entire Star Wars Trilogy, learned how to cook simple meals with corn, asparagus, and salad incorporated, and made sure there were plenty of household products Reid could concoct magic tricks with. Reid would try to help with chores around the house, but Hotch was fairly insistent on him relaxing. As for keeping Morgan away, he'd simply taken Reid's phone, on the pretense that he didn't want Reid to get calls from any universities asking him to do a lecture on his time off, and every time Morgan showed up at the house, Hotch was lucky enough to get to the door and tell him that Reid didn't want to see him before Reid even knew Morgan had come by to visit. Whenever Reid asked about Morgan, Hotch simply said he hadn't heard from him.

Of course, the nightmares had, at first, been a problem. Whenever Hotch heard Reid screaming his lungs out at night, he would run to Reid's room, with no idea what he was going to do. He couldn't get into the bed with Reid and hold him, even considering the circumstances, it still seemed inappropriate. So, he'd simply woken Reid up, and led him downstairs to the living room, and put on a movie, sitting on the couch with Reid till he fell asleep, since he had no idea of what else to do.

Haley had shown up several times with Jack, but hadn't remarked on Reid's presence, even when she walked in to find him sprawled on the couch in his pajamas, fast asleep at three in the afternoon. During Jack's visits, Reid would usually just pick up a book and go to his room to read, leaving Hotch to play with Jack, but on occasion he would join them (only when Hotch or Jack insisted). It was good to see Reid acting like, well, Reid. Seeing him sitting cross-legged on the ground, examining the toys with a scientific-type interest, and trying to appease Jack by playing whatever part Jack assigned him, and then awkwardly trying to explain to Jack that elephants don't eat giraffes, or something of the like.

With five days of vacation left, Hotch was cleaning the kitchen, getting ready for another visit from Jack and Haley, while Reid was in the living room, curled up on the couch in oversized pajamas and a big pink furry hat that he had found in the garage. He was avidly watching the original 'War of the Worlds,' and totally oblivious to the world around him. The knock on the door came just as Hotch had finished cleaning. Cleaning his hands on a dish rag, Hotch walked to the front door, putting on a smile as he opened it. Immediately, Jack leaped forward, wrapping his arms around Hotch's legs with a gleeful yelp.

"Hey, Jack!" Hotch greeted, laughing as he picked Jack up off of the ground. As he stood up straight, he noticed Haley looking at Reid, her eyebrows drawing together.

"Aaron, how about you set down Jack and let him go inside, and you come talk to me out here?" Haley suggested. Hotch nodded, and set Jack back down, laughing slightly as Jack went for the couch, sitting next to Reid and joining him in being mesmerized by the television. Hotch stepped outside, closing the door behind him.

"Aaron, may I ask why Dr. Reid's been here every time I've brought Jack over for a visit?" she asked, sounding confused, but not hostile.

"He needed a place to stay, and I had an extra room," Hotch answered, off-handedly.

"So you two aren't…together or anything?"

"What? No, God no." Hotch shook his head, running a hand through his hair. "He's…had a tough time, I'm just letting him stay here until he's better."

"Is he okay?" Haley asked, and Hotch could see genuine concern in her eyes. Which wasn't much of a surprise, the few times her and Reid had talked, they had gotten along really well.

"He's getting better."

Just then, the front door opened, and Reid appeared in the door way, smiling apologetically. "Sorry, but Jack's starting to wonder why his dad hasn't come in yet." Hotch smiled back, glancing at Haley.

"Alright, I'll see you later, Haley." Hotch walked past Reid and into the house to chat with Jack, but before Reid could follow him, Haley greeted him pleasantly.

"Hey, Dr. Reid, how have you been?"

"Oh…I've been okay." Reid's voice was light and cheery, and Haley could only smile at his bright mood.

"Well, I'll leave you boys alone. Have a nice day, Dr. Reid." As she turned, Reid smiled and waved at her.

"Okay. Bye Haley."

As Reid watched Haley drive off, simply enjoying the cool morning air, and the scent of last night's rain, he noticed a familiar car driving down the street, and he felt his heart rate speed up. He ran up to sidewalk, still wearing his pajamas and fuzzy pink hat, an excited blooming on his face as Morgan pulled up next to the curb. Morgan got out of the car, raising his eyebrows as he caught sight of Reid.

"Hey, kid…nice hat," Morgan commented, shoving his hands into his pockets as he walked up. Reid pulled the hat off, blushing slightly, but still grinning.

"Uh, yeah, I found it in Hotch's garage." Reid fussed with the edge of the hat as he talked, staring at the ground. He glanced up at Morgan through his long hair, tilting his head to the side. "I know you said you didn't want to go out, but why haven't you come over to visit?" Reid asked, sticking his lower lip out in a pout. Instead of telling on Hotch, Morgan merely shrugged.

"I thought you might want some space."

"I was starting to miss you, actually," Reid replied blandly. Morgan smiled slightly, pulling his hands out of his pockets to fold his arms across his chest.

"Well, now that I'm here, maybe would could hang out?" Morgan asked, sounding hopeful. Reid smiled again, looking excited.

"Okay! I'll be out in a minute, I have to get changed and tell Hotch I'm going."

Tucking the hat under his arm, Reid walked up to the house, and as soon as he made it inside, he hurried to his room, closing the door before changing quickly, picking a long-sleeved grey button-down, brown corduroy pants, and a rather horrendous looking blue tie with green polka-dots. He stopped by the bathroom to comb down his hair before walking downstairs. As he made it back into the living room where Hotch and Jack were reading out of a big dinosaur book, Reid paused, fidgeting with his unbuttoned shirt sleeves.

"Umm…Hotch? I'm going out for a little while. I'll be back soon."

Hotch frowned, looking up from the book to scrutinize Reid. "Where are you going?"

"I'm just going to go hang out with Derek for a little while."

The frown on Hotch's face deepened, and he muttered something to Jack before standing, walking over to Reid while folding his arms across his chest. "I don't want you spending time alone with him."

"Hotch, you don't need to worry about me. We'll just go and get coffee, or something, and then I'll come right back. If anything happens, I'll come straight home, okay?" It was the first time Reid had called Hotch's house 'home,' and Hotch was momentarily shocked to hear it. He had only referred to Morgan's house that way, until now. Fighting off his stupor, Hotch shook his head, still determined to keep Reid away from Morgan.

"I'm serious, Spencer. I don't want you going out with him."

Reid's eyes narrowed, and his lips parted. He stared at Hotch for a moment, and then pursed his lips together, turning and walking down towards the door, grabbing his brown jacket as he went. "It's not a 'date,' we're just hanging out. And I appreciate everything you've done for me, but you can't keep me from seeing a friend." Reid stopped at the doorway, turning to face Hotch, who had followed him. "You can't make me stay, Hotch. I'm not a kid; I can go where I want to." Hotch looked away, his jaw tight. He thought for a moment, before looking back at Reid, his gaze intense.

"Fine. But I want you to call me if you need anything."

Reid nodded, and then turned and walked out the door, closing it behind him. He smiled as he caught sight of Morgan, leaning against his car.

"Sorry it took me so long."

"It's okay. So, where do you want to go?" Morgan asked as they both got into the car. Reid pulled on his seat belt and then shrugged.

"I could use a coffee." Morgan nodded, and drove them to the nearest coffee shop. The short drive was silent, and by the time they'd made it to the booth, Reid was fussing nervously with his shirt, avoiding eye contact.

"So, um…Derek, how have you…how have you been?" Reid asked, staring down at his coffee. Morgan shrugged, watching Reid carefully as he took a drink.

"I've been better. I still feel like shit over how I treated you." Reid looked up, his eyes as wide as saucers.

"Please, Derek, I don't want you to feel guilty about that anymore." It was hard to say no to those big, sad eyes, but it was harder for Morgan to forgive himself. He shook his head, looking out the window.

"Kid, you don't understand. I've always just wanted to help people, after…what happened. It was the worst feeling in the world when I realized what I had done to you. I can't just get over that."

Reid pursed his lips, and waited for Morgan to look at him before he spoke, sounding determined and stubborn all at once. "It was just as much my fault, as it was yours. And, I'm not going to be happy until you forgive yourself. Also, if it's okay with you, I'd like to buy you dinner sometime."

Morgan let out a sigh, rubbing hand over his face. "God, you are insistent."

"I didn't say it had to be a date…but I'd really like to buy you dinner."

"Okay." Morgan paused, looking out the window again. "But it can't be a date. Just dinner." Reid nodded, smiling.

"Sounds good. I'll pick you up…does tomorrow sound good? Around six?" Reid asked. Morgan actually smiled and chuckled slightly at Reid's enthusiasm.

"Sounds good, kid. But I'm serious, don't try to make it a date."

"So I probably shouldn't wear a skimpy dress and overbearing perfume?" At that, Morgan burst out in laughter, holding his stomach.

"No, you probably shouldn't. What happened to not comparing you to a girl?"

Reid rolled his eyes, relaxing now that the mood had lightened. He sat back in his seat, and took another drink of coffee before answering. "I was just joking, I don't even own a dress. I could probably find one in Hotch's garage, if I looked hard enough."

"That's…just weird. If Hotch has ever worn I dress, I think I'd rather not know about it."

They finished their coffee, and talked for awhile, and then Morgan drove Reid back to Hotch's. As Reid got out of the car, Morgan rolled down his window.

"So, you'll pick me up tomorrow at six?" Reid couldn't help but grin like a loon and nod.

"Yup."

"Alright, I'll see you then."

Morgan drove off, and Reid headed to the house. It was a little late and a little chilly outside, so he hugged his jacket to himself as he walked to the door, taking out his house key. As he walked inside, he was greeted with a calm stillness, a sure sign that Haley had already taken Jack home. Reid silently hung up his coat and took off his shoes, walking through the quiet house. He found Hotch sitting on the couch in the living room, watching '2001: A Space Odyssey,' while drinking scotch. From his slouched posture, and vacant look, it was obvious he had more than a couple drinks. Reid swallowed, and called out from the entryway, using a cheery voice.

"Umm…hey Hotch, I'm home!"

Hotch glanced up from the movie, raising an eyebrow. "It's a little late," he commented dryly. Reid fussed with his tie, shrugging as he scrutinized the ground.

"We had a lot to talk about. I'm going to…meet him tomorrow for dinner." Reid glanced up at Hotch, looking hopeful, but Hotch just frowned, shaking his head.

"I don't think you should. Why don't you come sit down so we can talk about this?" Reid obeyed, falling back onto the couch, leaving a cushion between himself and Hotch, like he normally did. "Where did he say he'd take you for dinner?"

"Actually, I'm…um, taking him somewhere for dinner. It was my idea. There's a restaurant I've wanted to go to…I thought I'd take him there. It's not a date, I swear. We're just getting dinner." Hotch took a swallow of his drink, and then ran a hand over his face, looking older than he actually was.

"And there's nothing I can do to change your mind?"

"Nope."

"Then I won't argue with you. I'll just lose anyway." Reid smiled slightly, and took Hotch's glass away from him before he could take another drink, standing to take it into the kitchen. "I wasn't finished with that, Spencer."

"I know, but I'd feel really bad if you became an alcoholic because I'm insufferable." Reid didn't wait for a comment, and simply took the drink to the kitchen, pouring it down the drain.

________________________________________

TBC….

A/N: Yeah, it's just getting worse and worse, but I can't stop. Bleh.