NeW cHaPtEr!

Sorry it took so long to update. I've been rushed off my feet with school and overtime at work. Plus I moved into my husbands apartment. Ugh, so littler time!

ANYWAYS! Here we are!

Hotch and Reid sat in the hospital room. The dull, monotonous beeping was neither calming nor annoying. Hotch ran his fingers absentmindedly through Reid's chestnut locks. In the deep recesses of his mind he remembered when it was short after Reid's fall. It didn't push far enough to send a shiver, but he brought his other arm around Reid's waist. Reid blinked and looked up at him and offered a small smile. It disappeared and he stared passed Hotch.

A soft whir broke through their comfortable silence. Hotch withdrew his hands and pulled out his cell phone. "Hotch."

"We found the house," it was Morgan's deep voice. They may not have been in the same room, but Hotch could hear a hint of frustration. "We raided it and found Scott."

"I don't like that tone," Hotch said, a sigh escaping as he said it. Reid looked at him, eyes wide and swelling with concern.

"He's headed for the hospital, but I don't like his chances. He barely had a pulse when the paramedics ran in. The other two men bolted, we went after them and caught one, but the police shot dead the last." Morgan reported dutifully. After a brief pause, Morgan sighed. "How's Reid?"

Hotch smiled to himself. He recognized the concern, though other's probably wouldn't have registered it. He reached up and stroked Reid's cheek. "He's alright. He's got a few scratches, bruises, and burns, but he'll live." Reid smiled up at him and took his hand and pressed it to his cheek. "Handle thing's down there, alright? You're in charge."

"Alright, Hotch," Morgan said. "Keep Our Genius safe."

"Alright."

The suspicious note in Morgan's voice did not pass Hotch's notice, but all that mattered right then was the face that Reid was in arms reach.

Morgan flipped his phone shut and sighed. He pocketed it and turned to Rossi and JJ. The blonde agent looked up from their conversation. "What's wrong?" She asked worriedly. Rossi turned to look at Morgan and knew both of them, although Rossi schooled his expression better, were worried about Reid.

"Reid's alright, down, but not out." Morgan reported. He bit his lip. He sighed and ran his hand over his shaved head. "I'm worried about Hotch. He's been acting weird lately."

JJ glanced at Rossi. There eyes met in a blink and they turned to look at Morgan. "He's just worried about Reid," JJ said with a smile. "We all are."

Rossi nodded, but said nothing. Morgan nodded. "That's true." He shook his head. "I guess I'm just being paranoid." He said with a smile. "I'm gonna head for the station. Start with interrogations. I'll get Prentiss to help out." He nodded, said good bye and left.

JJ looked at Rossi. "He doesn't know, does he," Rossi asked when they were alone.

JJ shook her head. "I'd rather let Hotch and Spence tell him than us."

"I agree."

Hotch shut his phone and looked up at Reid. "They found Scott. He's headed for here. From the sound of it, he was badly beaten. The other two tried to run, but one was shot down, the other arrested." Hotch sighed and ran his fingers through his short, dark strands. "I don't know, Spencer," he whispered, looking down at his pant leg. "I just don't know."

Soft lips brushed his forehead, forcing his gaze up to match with a pare of golden eyes. "It's okay, Hotch," Reid whispered. He reached up and cupped Hotch's face. "I'm okay and at least you caught one of the them. Maybe they'll be able to save Scott, maybe they won't. Don't fret." He murmured, smiling gently. "And one you don't have to worry about. He was killed. Over all the team solved this one pretty quick. I can give a statement and case closed."

"Spencer," Hotch murmured, reaching up and hugging him to his chest. "I'll just be glad when we get home and in bed." He said quietly, his voice cracking. "It's hard, watching you get kidnapped and seeing you hurt. Again." Hotch swallowed hard.

"I don't mean to make you worry," Reid whispered as he pulled himself closer and nestled in Hotch's lap, careful not to pull out the IV. "I'm just a danger magnet."

"I might lock you away in a tower," Hotch joked while stroking Reid's hair. "Lock you away and keep you safe."

"Knowing my luck, I'd still get into trouble," Reid said smiling, but his eyes did not reflect any levity.

"Oddly, I think you're right," Hotch said. He kissed Reid soundly and nuzzled his neck. Reid laughed softly and hugged Hotch around his shoulders. "I love you."

"I love you, too," Reid whispered, closing his eyes. He sighed. "Will Scott be questioned?"

"As soon as he's able." Hotch muttered. "You know how these things are."

"Yea, I was just wondering."

"Why are you so worried about him?" Although Hotch forced his voice to stay level, Reid still heard the annoyance and anger just beneath the surface.

"He saved me," Reid said quietly. "He might have been trying to get out of a harsher punishment, but he still saved me." He smiled weakly at Hotch. "If it weren't for him I wouldn't be here with you, again."

"That might be true," Hotch sighed sadly and ran his fingers through Reid's hair. They tangled in his wavy strands and he sighed again. He laughed softly and pulled him closer to kiss his temple. "I suppose you're right."

Reid bit his lip and closed his eyes again. "Aaron," he said quietly. "C-Can we, I don't know, take a break or something when we get back?"

Hotch froze. His chest throbbed painfully in his chest. He pulled away to look at Hotch, unable to prevent the pain that erupted inside him at those words from showing on his face. "What?"

Reid blinked at him. Concern creased his forehead then he froze. "No that's not what meant!" He said quickly, realizing how his words sounded. "I-I meant take a break together. L-Like going out on a date or something. Not like… b-break up."

Relief flooded Hotch like a fast acting medicine. A smile broke through as he rested his forehead on Reid's. "Right," Hotch breathed. "Sure, that sounds nice actually. We both could use some time to ourselves. Just you an me."

Reid grinned widely. "There's a good movie on this weekend. It's a documentary, but I heard it's really good. C-Could we go see it?"

"Certainly," Hotch said brightly. He kissed Reid and pulled back. He sighed. "I can't wait to get this all sorted out."

"Yes." Reid bit his lip and rested his head on Hotch's shoulder.

"Are you going to talk to Gideon?" Hotch asked. He had sensed the faint tension in his lover's slender frame when he rested against him; he figured what was on his mind.

"I don't know, yet."

"Well I'm here for you, whatever you decide to do."

Reid looked up into Hotch's face. A smile spread across his face. He winced at the cuts stretched over his skin, but his grin didn't waver too much. "Thanks, Aaron."

Chapter 9-End

TBC... hopefully

There will be an epilogue after this and I've already written the next installment. The next story will be a one chapter story where Morgan finds out his little surrogate brother is dating their boss. DUN DUN DUN!

Hope you enjoy. Reviews make me more motivated, but I won't force it.