Prompt: Hotch and Reid. The team is on a case but it seems that the town detective has his eye set on Reid. Hotch isn't too happy about it.
"That's all I got for now. Let me know if you have any questions!"
"Thanks, Garcia." Morgan shut the laptop closed and looked around.
"I'm so glad we're finally done with this case," Prentiss said, plopping a file down on a teetering stack of others. It was right on the verge of falling into their Chinese food boxes when she steadied it.
"I wish the jet could have come to pick us up tonight," Rossi complained.
"So do I, but another unit has it currently. Let's gather everyone and head back to the hotel," Hotch ordered. He had removed his suit jacket, rolled up his sleeves, and was tucking into his bourbon chicken.
"Yeah, I'll grab JJ." Prentiss rose up before freezing and looking around the small conference room they were in. The Maysville police station only had two conference rooms and the BAU was in the largest one, which wasn't saying much. "Has anyone seen Reid lately?"
"Didn't he say he was going to the bathroom?" Rossi asked.
Morgan chuckled and replied, "Yeah, he did. I have him in my line of sight. He's being held hostage right now by that one cop, um, what's his name? Officer Hewitt?"
"Oh," Prentiss laughed as she peeked around the doorway to where Reid was awkwardly standing with Officer Hewitt. "He's the one who's been googly eyed for Reid this whole time right?"
"Maybe JJ will save him? Hm, no doesn't look like it," Rossi said, sitting back with his arms crossed. "Should we help?"
"He's a big boy," Morgan answered. They all laughed, not noticing when Hotch didn't join them.
Reid glanced around Officer Hewitt's large frame to the conference room. He could see his coworkers/friends watching and hoped his rapid blinking of SOS would help. They only looked at him with amusement, and soon Officer Hewitt angled himself so that he couldn't look into the conference room.
"So, when are ya'll going to be heading back now that ya'll are done?" Officer Hewitt asked.
"We're leaving in the morning. Speaking of which, the others are probably waiting on me so we can head back to the hotel and pack up. It was nice to meet you," Reid said quickly, grabbing and shaking the man's hand before trying to side step him.
"Oh, well, would you like to get a drink with me at the Sleepy Camel?"
"The what?"
"It's the town's best bar. Actually, it's the only bar, but they have a drink special called the Mad Scientist I think you'd like," Officer Hewitt said.
"That's very nice of you, Hewitt, but I really should pack," Spencer replied.
"Just one wouldn't hurt. And you can call me Tom. My shift's been over for a few minutes so want to head there now?"
He had noticed the officer's change to civilian clothing, but was avoiding the topic to finish this conversation he didn't want to a part of. "I really shouldn't. I'm technically still on the clock."
"I just want to repay you for saving my life. I mean, if you hadn't yelled duck I wouldn't have moved out of the way in time to avoid getting shot," Hewitt said quietly, looking at his feet.
Reid felt a pang of guilt. The only reason he had yelled out was because Hotch had been standing behind the officer. While Officer Hewitt had ducked, his section leader and not so subtle crush merely sidestepped and shot the killer in the hand. The gun had fallen and the man was swiftly arrested, ending his weeks long terror on the tiny town.
"Well, I guess I can stay for one. Let me just go grab my bag," Spencer conceded.
"Really? Great! I'll wait for you outside, Spencer!"
Flinching at the use of his first name, the agent gave him a weak smile as he went to retrieve his bag. Just as he picked it up, Morgan asked, "You ready to go, Reid?"
"Actually, I'll meet you guys back at the hotel."
Prentiss perked up and with a wide grin asked, "Why is that?"
"I'm grabbing a drink with Officer Hewitt. Won't take more than an hour," he replied glumly. When he wouldn't look anyone in the eye, they began to grow concern.
"Reid, you don't have to do go if you don't want to," Rossi insisted.
He shrugged and rubbed the back of his neck. "No-no I want to go! Besides, you never know what could happen."
"You want to be stuck in this podunk town in the middle of nowhere?" Prentiss question.
"I can't just be single forever," Reid shot back, heading out of the conference room.
He made eye contact with an expressionless Hotch momentarily but then the older man looked away. Dismayed, Reid hung his head and made his way out of the police station and into Officer Hewitt's car.