Chapter 5: Strength

AZCatmom, I never really got over the elephant so…Thanks so much for the compliments. I'm 19 in real life and you guys keep making me smile and feel appreciated. SpenceFTW, maybe but it wouldn't be the highlight or maybe we won't be looking at it in JJ's POV. tannerose5, thanks so much. I think that for a while, JJ was in a rationalization mode whereshe was so scared that she made such an irreparable mistake that she deflected her guilt and used being a really cold bitch as her defense mechanism? Maybe. Sue1313, maybe things got too piled on that it was easier to sweep it under a rug. I watch the show because of the team's dynamic and since we all love Spencer Reid, if they made him too angry with anyone, then they would probably have to hire JJ's replacement. We may not miss JJ but we'd definitely miss Henry. Thanks again for the comments lovelies. Hope you like this one.

Hotchner's POV

Reid isn't weak. Contrary to popular belief, he can actually defend himself. I think one of the reasons why people generally assume that Reid is weak is because he is constantly being compared to Morgan. People deal with Morgan differently than they do Reid. Morgan used to play sports, he is generally active in the FBI gym, he teaches tactical once in a while, and he is a known guy's guy. Reid, on the other hand, is a tall, lanky man who sometimes forgets that other people's brains don't function the same way his does. Most people wouldn't know how to deal with a genius who reads 20,000 words a minute so they stay away from him unless they think he needed to be saved. Morgan already looked like the guy who would do the saving.

For me, I have always valued inner strength more than physical strength. That's just one of the many lessons that I learned because of my father as I was growing up.

I hadn't meant to follow Reid but my curiosity got the best of me. I had checked his target at the range where I was unloading my pent-up emotions.

At first I didn't notice him there until he has almost left the room. In fact, the only reason I looked was because a couple of agents who were making fun of a "walking stick with a gun that's too big for him." I wanted to silence those agents but Reid's back caught my eyes first. I immediately decided to finish unloading my magazine and checked my target, hoping to catch up to him. I didn't intervene even though I desperately wanted to because I knew from experience that some things become worse when people think you have a protector, it becomes like a challenge for them to get to you.

Besides, the agents were all talk. At least they didn't approach Reid. After I finished putting my equipment away, I started towards the door. As I passed by the booth Reid occupied, I realized that he hadn't retrieved his target so I did. It was just the curiosity in me to want to know how much he has improved in aiming. The sight startled me a bit. I was not expecting Reid to have improved so well, although I know that I belittled his abilities by doing so. It's just…Reid never showed any interest in training and he only learned enough quality-at least that's what I thought. I should have known that anything Dr. Reid does, he practices for perfection.

The shots were mostly inside the most inner ring closest to the center. He even landed a few shots in the center. On the other hand, there are also shots directed at the legs and arms and even the shoulders shots that would incapacitate rather than kill. I guess that was what he had intended to practice when he came here. I'm willing to bet that the target shots started when the agents started talking about him.

I shake my head as I continue out the door. I jog a bit to try and catch up to Reid but as I round a corner, I see him talking to Anderson.

"You don't have to Reid…" I wonder what the boxes are for.

"I can say the same things Anderson. Why are you carrying all of these? What are they for?" Honestly, I would like to know as well.

"I just got back from the archives and I thought these files could be helpful upstairs. I was going to encode them to make it easier for Garcia for cross-checking." I didn't even realize that Anderson did that.

"So you decided to carry all of these at once? Really Anderson?"

"Well…Craig was helping me but…well, duty called. Garcia really wants to make everything paperless and I was kind of getting tired of going up and down..."

"And Craig?" I wonder who this Craig these two are talking about. And I have to talk to Garcia about this paperless program of hers. Maybe the guys at the Archives can give us a hand.

"Craig thought it would be a good idea when he saw me at the archives so he helped me but…"

"Duty called. Okay. So, we just bring these up to our floor?" It's no wonder Agent Anderson always seemed busy.

"You don't have to. Just until the elevator, I think. By then, I'm sure Garcia would have sent for Agent Morgan to help me with these. I texted her before Craig and I brought these."

I followed them as they carried the boxes to the elevator. Reid made sure that Anderson was stable then bid him goodbye. Then, as ashamed as I can be, I continued to follow Reid. Surprisingly, he headed to the Bureau gym. Reid rarely ever went there…if he went at all. I should know now that underestimating the good doctor is never a good idea.

He walked in with such confidence that I wondered when Reid started growing up. He certainly isn't the same as he used to be. He isn't a kid anymore…he's grown to be a wonderful young man - and I barely even felt it.

He walked around a bit until someone called his attention.

"Hey Kid!" Reid visibly tensed and I did, too. I might have even sworn under my breath a bit a bit. But when Reid turned around, he was relaxed and he even had a smile on his face. I guess he recognized the man who called him but I can't say the same for me.

"Kid, can you help me iron out y moves?" Without saying a word, Reid went up to the ring and took a position I have never seen him make.

"Ready?" And with that one word, Reid signaled the man who in turn came for him. I was ready to intervene but before I could move, Reid had flipped the man twice – his size as though it was nothing. After helping his opponent up, they smiled at each other and even patted their backs. They talked and the man said something about needing to train more on the manri – style or something. I felt sure that Reid would be able to take on anything he wanted to so I turned around to leave.

To my surprise, the men talking about Reid at the range were right behind me with their mouths agape. I guess they also witness what I had. As I continued walking, I heard one of them remark on how things aren't always what they seem.

Yes, one should never under- estimate Dr. Reid and the strength that he possess.

A/N : honeycloud, I think I would mentally get them talking TO Reid about their observations rather than ABOUT him. I wouldn't want it to look like they were gossiping because that would hurt our good doctor. Hope you guys like this one!