"Ill call Hotch," he said as he rushed into a hall leading off from the front room, leaving Anya to scan the unfamiliar dark apartment. He returned with 2 towels, one for her, as he held the phone between his ear and shoulder.

"Hotch! She's here, shes ok," he blurted out, his eyes catching the calm expression on her face as she put her concentration into drying her hair. "Where are you?" the monotonous voice asked, and Spencer frowned. "At my apartment, why?"

"Good, stay there. We've had a sighting at a gas station 15 miles west," Hotch answered, and Reid nodded. "That must be where she escaped," he said, while the other end stayed silent for a moment.

"He's coming back for her, isn't he?" Reid realized outloud, and Hotch remained quiet for a second after. Anya stared at him, wide eyed, from the sofa. "I've gotta go, we have cops on red alert around the city, but Reid?"

Spencer unfroze and blinked heavily. "Yeah."

"This kid's sloppy, but hes also desperate, betrayed and on God only knows what. Keep alert, just in case."

Reid nodded silently, numbly, and clicked the end call button. "He won't find you," he assured, but he wasn't sure who he was comforting. Himself, or the girl in question.

"I should never have left him," she murmured guiltily, and Spencer felt an anger that had no target. "If he...hurts someone," she whispered, trailing off as she closed her eyes sadly. Spencer didn't know what to say just then.

"When he found you, and made you get back with him, what exactly did he say?" he questioned, rolling his desk chair to face her and sat down.

She considered for a moment, and brought herself back to the scene...

"Aiden," she said, and he turned just as he locked the front door to the apartment. "Why are you here?"

Aiden's face fell, but bloodshot eyes watering. He switched on the light next to the door, and it glistened in tears, just ready to fall. She monitored his movements as he made his way to her, and they were coordinated, not clumsy or flailing. He seemed sober.

"I've missed that face," he whispered, gladness and misery tinging his voice at the same time, like their time wouldn't last. "I did something terrible," he admitted, his voice breaking, but she felt no pity for him. What he had done was his own fault.

"Have you?" she said, feigning ignorance. She figured she would be safer if he didn't know she knew what he had done. He glanced up at her, and shook his head. "Doesn't matter," he reasoned, the small smile not quite touching his eyes. "I'll stop now, im here," he whispered, stroking her face. She tried her best not to flinch. "As long as I have you, I shan't hurt anyone ever again," he mused, fascinated by her cheek.

His eyes snapped up at her suddenly, so sudden that she jumped. "Who was that skinny bastard anyway?" His voice was accusing.

"No one, just a neighbor," she lied, the cogs turning to fast to praise herself for her deception. "If he comes round again, don't worry. I'll be here," he whispered, pulling her closer until her cheek pressed against his chest, "Ill get rid of him."

Her brain screamed at his tone.

.

Reid's eyes were lost, wrinkling lightly with confusion as her words processed at speed.

"That was...smart," he said finally.

"It gave me a little freedom," she defended, and slipped off her shoes to pull her legs to her body. If he'd known that she knew he would have taken her, no question. By not knowing, he had to play normal. Innocent. Of course, Reid knew all that.

The man before her nodded slowly. "Don't regret running," he said, pleadingly in a way, meeting her eyes for the first time since the explanation. She stayed silent, and agreed. It was her who had betrayed him. And as far as she knew, he had nothing on him.

"You should get some sleep," Reid suggested, motioning to the hallway with his head. "I'll stay up," he added, despite his evident desire to sleep.

"I'll stay up with you, i'm not tired," Anya quickly said, hoping her wide eyed alertness would convince him. A yawn signalled her deception. "Honest," she added pathetically as he chuckled. "I won't be able to sleep, regardless," she reasoned, and that seemed to settle his brown eyes.

"What time is it?" she asked, and noticed his watch, strapped on the outside of his sleeve. Unusual man, she thought, as he checked. "9:44."

Letting out a long breath, she glanced around his apartment, the bright center fixture not quite reaching all the corners of the room. Her eye's caught several frames awards, and she stood to find out what they were.

"Wow," she whispered, feeling his eyes on the back of her head. "Dr Spencer Reid," she confirmed, his first name new to her as well as his title.