I don't owned CM. My thanks to my sister for being my beta. I welcome any and all reviews. Enjoy

Chapter #31

Reid shoved his hands in his coat pocket as he rolled back on his heels in the elevator. He wasn't happy about Hotch calling him early in the morning, telling him that he needed to come in. He promised Ashley that he was going to take a few days off and be with her. They were planning to pick up Bailey and he knew that she wanted to drive by her house to see of how bad it was and probably pick up a few more things. He planned to call Morgan to see if he can meet them there.

Except he knew that she was putting on a brave face, she wasn't ready to go back. He was hoping to talk her out of it, or maybe picking up Bailey would wear her out and he would just go there by himself.

And if the team needed him for another case, they could have done the video conference from his laptop at the Ashburtons. He hated the fact that he had to leave a note on her nightstand before leaving, but he didn't want to wake her. She needed her rest.

He stepped out of the elevator, still grumbling to himself. He saw Prentiss and JJ standing around Morgan's desk where he nodded to them as he went straight toward Hotch's office.

"Come in," he heard Hotch through the closed door after he knocked. He opened the door seeing Rossi sitting in one of the chairs and Hotch was sitting at his desk.

"Close the door behind you and sit down," Hotch ordered. Reid did of what he was told, feeling his stomach turning into knots.

"I know that I had given you some time off, but you need to hear this in person instead over the phone," Hotch said. Reid leaned forward. "You need to back off from this case."

"Excuse me," he said, not believing of what Hotch just said.

"You need to back off from the case. There are other people investigating the case that are not personally involved. This is not your place right now, your head is not thinking straight."

"Hotch," Reid stammered, not believing his ears. "But . . ."

"But nothing, Director Strauss had order us to back off. Am I clear?"

"But is Ashley going to be charged with obstruction of justice?"

"Reid, am I clear," Hotch said, firmly.

Reid let out a deep breath, "You are. Is there anything else," he asked.

"No, I'll see you Monday," he said.

Reid got up from his seat and left the office, forcing himself not to slam the door behind him, but he was furious. He saw the looks on his teammates and he knew that they were given the same orders.

He was about to go back to the elevators, go back to Ashley where he realized something. Damn, he thought as he spun around and headed back to the office. He pulled out the files as he headed back to the bullpen.

"Kid," Morgan said.

"I got the reports done," he answered, dropping them on top of his desk.

"Kid," Morgan said again. He looked up at his brother, "Forget the files. Are you ok?" Reid looked at him, giving him the look that asked him of what he thinks which Morgan was taken aback from him. He had never shown that much anger from all of the time that they worked together.

"How the hell am I suppose to back off. He took a shot at me. He blew up her house where I could have easily been there," Reid said quietly.

"I know, but I have to agree with Hotch. You are personally involved, you are not thinking straight."

Reid looked at him, "And what about her? She is still in danger. And what about the charge?"

"Reid," Morgan said, holding up his hand to him. "She is not going to be charged. She cooperated with the authorities. Prentiss told me that the place she is staying is completely secured." He didn't answer him.

He slipped his bag over his shoulder again, "I am going to go. I told Ashley that we were going to pick up her dog, today." He walked out of the bullpen and headed back to the elevator.

"Reid," he heard Morgan from behind. He turned around to see Morgan catching up to him. He handed him a folded piece of paper.

"Here is the list of contractors that I deal with. Give them a call; they should be able to fix up her place."

He nodded yes. "Thank you," he said as he took the list.

"Reid, look, just because we have been ordered to back off, doesn't mean that we can't keep our ears open. I know Garcia really likes her and you know that she already has her eyes open in her cyber world." He nodded again, knowing that it is hard to stopped Garcia once she makes up her mind. The elevator door slid open. Reid stepped in while Morgan stood outside. He put his hand on the door, stopping it from closing.

"Ashley warned me that this was going to happen. We were going to be told to back off. I just assumed that she was saying this because she was scared. She appears to be brave, but I know that she is terrified of him."

Morgan tilted his head to one side, "It will be alright." Then he said in a low voice, "Garcia said that he had taken a flight back to Russia last night. So he is gone."

Reid let out a sigh. "For now." But he knew that it was better than nothing and hopefully gave them time to come up with a plan.

"Could you meet me at her house to check out the damages?" Reid asked. Morgan nodded yes.

Back at the Ashburton's, Ashley opened her eyes, seeing a sheet of yellow lined paper folded up into a triangle tucked in between her glasses and the lamp. She squint her eyes at it, as she slowly sat up. She picked up her glasses, putting them on with one hand and opening the note with her other hand.

Ashley,

I didn't have the heart to wake up, but Hotch called me in early this morning, telling me to come in. It might have something to do with Julian, I am not sure. I will call you later.

I spoken to Mary before I left and she will take to you to pick up Bailey. Let's hold off on the house until I get back. I want to see if I can get Morgan to tag along to get his opinion. Please get some rest.

Love Spencer.

Ashley put the note back on her nightstand before carefully crawling out of bed. Her back was still hurting, but it wasn't so intense compared to yesterday. She went to the bathroom where she put on her contacts and brushed her teeth. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, her bruises still showed, but at least now, they were starting to turn brown and yellow.

She wondered of why Reid's boss called him to work. Did it have to deal with Julian or another case? She realized that there was nothing that she can do, but get dressed. She pulled out one of the drawers of her dresser as she hears a door being angrily slammed. She opened her bedroom door, looking around to see that she was the only one standing in the hallway. But Reid's door was closed. Was he already back?

She knocked on his door, "Doc," she called out. He opened his door where she saw him loosening his tie.

"I'm sorry, did I wake you?"

She shook her head no, "I was already up, are you alright?" He nodded as he stepped aside, letting her come in. His room was exact copy of her room, but the only difference was instead of cotton candy pink pillows and couch, it was deep forest green pillows and couch. His "Go Bag" was sitting on the couch, opened with his sweater jacket and his messenger bag leaning against it.

"Wanna talk about it?" He shook his head no as he pulled his tie over his head, dropping it in his bag.

"You were right. Hotch called me in to tell me to back off from this," he said, when he saw Ashley's face. She shook her head.

"I told you that he is powerful. So what are you doing to do," she asked.

He shrugged his shoulders, "Nothing, but follow orders," he answered bitterly. He could see doubts and fear in Ashley's eyes where he laid his hand on her face, cupping her in his hand.

"He is not going to destroy me," he said. He pulled her in and held her in his arms. "How are you feeling," he asked after a few minutes.

"Better," she answered. He pulled away.

"How about after you get dress and get something to eat, we go and pick up Bailey."