Hey everyone, here is the next chapter for you all and I hope you enjoy it. Right now, I can't one hundred percent tell you when I'll be updating as I'm having a bit of a rough time in my life when it comes to my health and my energy. I'm really trying to keep up my updates but they might not be as fast. Till my health is a little better, I need to take it easy. I recently had to start walking with a crutch fall time as my legs are failing me. I'm doing okay though and you'll never be without an update for long. Give me what I want, A Real Family and Vigilante will be updated by Thursday at the latest. I hope you all understand. Anyway, here is the next chapter and let me know what you think.

Thank you all so much for the reviews and being patient with me. You're all the best. Thanks.

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All mistakes are my own

Rossi walked into his home after a long day at work to hear laughter. He had left later than the others after having to have a meeting with Cruz. He walked into the living room to see Emily and Reid playing poker and chuckling away. He spotted the champagne bottle and frowned. "Reid, you're not supposed to drink alcohol with your medication."

"Rossi, you doubt me," Emily smirked before holding up the bottle. "It's apple cider. No alcohol but I thought it would be fun."

"She beat me on the last hand," Reid said before taking a sip of his apple cider.

"Care to join us," Emily offered.

"You two would clean me out," Rossi chuckled.

"We're playing with candy," Reid smiled as he picked up some chocolate and showed it to Rossi. "I know for a fact you have some in the kitchen. Come and join us."

"Let me grab a drink of something stronger than apple cider and then I'll join you both," he grinned before walking into the kitchen. He grabbed some of the candy he had in the kitchen. The only reason he had it stocked in his kitchen was because of Reid's love of anything full of sugar. He made his way to his drinks cabinet and poured himself a whiskey. Emily had been a regular guest in his house even though she had found her own apartment. Rossi was happy that she came to see Reid so much. It was clear to the whole team that something was happening between them both. None of them had missed the way Emily would look into Reid's eyes or the unstoppable grin that came to Reid's face when Emily held his hand or even sat near him.

Rossi walked back into the living room and took a seat with Emily and Reid. "Right, let's see if I can stay in the game longer than one of you."

"That's a mighty challenge," Emily chuckled.

Reid munched on the bowl of candy he had succeeded in winning from both Rossi and Emily. Rossi had retreated up to his study to work on a new book he was writing while Emily had gone home after spending a few hours with him. Living with Rossi was still strange to him but he felt safe with Rossi and it was easier to live his life having his bedroom downstairs along with a bathroom. His favourite place to sit and think was by the pool. On a sunny day, it was a haven for his mind to finally expand. Looking at his legs, he hoped that it wouldn't be too long before his casts were removed. After that, he could focus on physical therapy and then returning to work. A knock at his door brought him out his thoughts.

"Come in."

Rossi stepped into the room with a stack of papers in his hand and walked over to Reid. He took a seat on the edge of the bed. "How are you feeling?"

"My stomach feels a little odd," Reid admitted.

Rossi took the bowl of candy and moved it from Reid's reach. "No more candy. You're like a little kid making himself sick eating all the candy at Halloween. How is the rest of you feeling? Are your legs okay?"

"They're getting there," Reid shrugged. "Physically, I'm recovering."

"Mentally?" Rossi said.

"It's harder," Reid sighed. "I remember everything he did and I wake up at night to sound I heard when he broke the first leg. It's been months since he took me but I'm still scared. I barely survived being taken. What if I'm targeted again? I won't survive again."

"You'll never be taken again," Rossi said adamantly.

"You can't say that or ever promise that I won't be the target of some sick unsub's desire again. He blind sided me near an alley. I can't be watching the shadows or looking over my shoulder for the rest of my life. I never want to feel the pain that Dell put me through ever again."

Rossi noticed the way Reid's body had begun shaking. He put his hand on Reid's shoulder. "Hey, it's okay. This will take time to recover from but I promise that you won't fear the shadows when time has passed and we can have Morgan give you some more self defence lessons when you're able. By the time he's done with you, you'll be a regular Neo."

"I'd like that. What are the papers for?" Reid asked as he took some deep breaths to calm down.

"This stack of papers is part of my new book that I'm working on. Reid, you're an exceptional young man and an amazing profiler. I've seen what you're capable of and I wanted to ask if you would do me the honour of co-authoring my new book. I would love your viewpoint of some cases that are researched and explained in the book and I want you to add your own sections into the book too."

"Wow," Reid said as he took in Rossi's words. "You aren't doing this just because you pity me."

"No and I don't pity you. Don't ever think that. I really want to co-author this book with you. I need someone with a fresh viewpoint on the world of profiling and I'd be honoured to work with you. Also, I have a daughter and grandson that I plan on spending a lot time with."

"I'd love to work on this with you. Thank you so much, Rossi."

A week later

Reid looked down at his legs and couldn't believe the casts were finally off his legs. There was still some vivid bruising around his legs but the doctors had told him that they would heal soon. He was under strict orders to stay in his wheelchair till he began physical therapy and then he could move to using crutches to walk and then a cane. It would still be some time before he could run and walk without using something to aid his walking. They had placed compression bandages over his legs but they didn't feel as heavy as casts. Morgan walked over to him after he had finished talking with the doctors and began pushing the wheelchair.

"How does it feel to have the casts off?" Morgan asked as they walked into the elevator.

"It feels great," Reid smiled happily. "I know I can't walk properly for a while but just seeing the casts off gives me reassurance that I'm going in a good direction."

"You'll be up and running around soon enough," Morgan said before ruffling Reid's hair.

Emily walked into Rossi's house and made her way to the living room. She had a key given to her due to her frequent visitor status. She smiled when she saw Rossi asleep on the couch with a book open on his chest. Grabbing a blanket, she walked over to him and placed it over him. She made her way to Reid's room and opened the door to find him also asleep. Reid's face looked pained. Emily sat on the edge of the bed and stroked her hand through his hair gently. "It's okay. You're safe."

"Emily..." Reid moaned before his eyes opened. "Is that you?"

"It's me," she nodded. "You looked like you were having a little bit of a nightmare."

"Just the normal," he sighed before wiping his eyes. "What time is it?"

"It's late," Emily said. "I just wanted to come and check on you. Rossi is sound out on the couch. I'll go and let you get back to sleep. I'll come by in the morning."

"You don't have to go," Reid said urgently before taking a deep breath. "I don't have nightmares when you're with me and by the look in your eyes, you had a nightmare about me before you came here."

"Profilers are the worst people to try to hide something from," Emily chuckled softly before her face became serious. "I had a bad dream. When I first came here after hearing what had happened to you, I feared the worst and I feared that I wouldn't make it. The reports I had heard and read were so vivid in some cases. I thank the stars that you are here and that I was able to help you in the hospital and through this recovery. The relief I felt when I knew you would make it through what Dell did to you was overwhelming. I had a nightmare that instead of coming back and finding you alive, I came back and had to watch the team bury your coffin. I woke up and I had to come and check on you."

"I'm not going anywhere," Reid gently smiled before reaching out and stroking some hair behind her ear. "Please, stay."

"I'll stay. I'll take the guest room."

"No, you can sleep in here if you want, We both slept well the night the lights went out. I know you won't take advantage of me," Reid said cheekily.

Emily kicked off her trainers and made her way to the other side of the bed where she climbed on and leaned up against the pillows on headboard. "I'll sleep here. I may take a little advantage of you."

Before Reid could ask what she meant, she leaned forward and kissed him on the lips. Her lips were warm and soft as they caressed his lips. She came away and let out a grin. "I've wanted to do that for a while. I'm sorry if I pushed a boundary."

Reid couldn't help himself. He leaned over and kissed her back. The warm feeling he felt when she was around began to grow more and more with each second their lips touched. He came away and looked into her eyes. "What boundary?"

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