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Tribulations	By : hatochiisai Category: 1 through F > Criminal Minds Views: 19381 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: No profit is made from writing this. I don't own "Criminal Minds" or any of the characters.

Chapter List
- 11
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TRIBULATIONS
By hatochiisai
Disclaimer: I do not own “Criminal Minds” or any of the characters of the show.
Reidcentric
WARNING: This work includes nonconsensual homosexual intercourse.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Chapter 12
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
“Oh God…” Emily groaned when the SUV pulled up in front of the apartment complex. JJ was driving, Elle, Gideon and Garcia were in the back seat.
“That’s Reid’s apartment…” Garcia gasped, staring at the flames that had engulfed the place. “Oh my… Morgan!!” She scrambled out of the car and ran to the man who was walking towards them. He had a few little band-aids on, and his shirt was singed in places, but he opened his arms and caught Garcia, holding her tight. The rest of the team ran to him.
“We’re okay.” Morgan assured them before anyone could say anything. “A few cuts and scrapes, nothing bad. Hotch is the worst out of us. He managed to shield Reid when the blast went off. They’re in the ambulance over there.” The team walked over and looked in. Hotch was sitting on the gurney. His shirt was off and an EMT was cleaning the cuts on his back. Hotch was facing Reid, holding his hands and talking to him. Reid was wide eyed and pale, shaking.
“Where’s Reid going to go now?” Elle asked.
“I think he’s gonna stay with Hotch.” Morgan said, kissing the top of Garcia’s head. “Since he has that whole house to himself.”
“Well… I have room, too.” JJ said.
“So do I.” Morgan added, nodding.
“And me.” Emily said.
“I have a nice sofa.” Garcia chimed in. “Morgan says it’s comfy.” Gideon and Elle smiled at each other, amused.
“I think we should ALL let him stay.” Morgan said. “Have him stay with someone different every night… Ryan is going to be hunting him. I’ll run it by Hotch.”
They watched as Hotch and Reid finally climbed out of the ambulance. They walked over to the team, Reid with his arms crossed over his abdomen in a defensive stance.
“Reid! Are you okay?” Emily gasped, hurrying over to him and hugging him.
“Yeah… I’m fine.” Reid said, hugging her back. Slowly, he turned and looked up at the burning building that the firemen were working on. He sighed. “… Now what?”
“You’re going to stay with us until we get Ryan and get you a new place.” Morgan said, wrapping an arm around Reid and guiding him to the car. The group piled into the vehicles.
“Where are we going now?” Reid asked.
“To the BAU.” Hotch said. “You’ll stay there when we’re there, and with me at night.”
“I think we should switch, Hotch.” Morgan said. “Make it harder for Ryan to find him.”
“… We’ll discuss it when we get to the BAU.” Hotch said. “But that sounds like a good idea.”
Before Reid knew it, he was walking into the BAU with the team. Everyone in the office greeted him with a smile, welcoming him back and wishing him well… and teasing him about walking around in pajamas and mismatching socks.
The first thing Reid did was make himself some coffee, using the BIGGEST mug he could find, and annoying Garcia in the process.
“If I weren’t so relieved that you’re alive and well, I would kill you.” She told him when she saw him dumping an obscene amount of sugar into HER mug.
“Love you.” Reid said, smiling over the mug.
“Agent Reid.” He turned and his smile vanished.
“… Um… Section Chief Strauss.” He said, eyes wide, and he lowered the bright pink and purple mug. She looked him up and down, eyes lingering on his socks, one patterned with pumpkins and bats, and the other with trees and moose.
“It’s good to see you back… you… aren’t working, right?”
“Um… no ma’am.” Reid said, shaking his head.
“Then… what ARE you doing here?”
“… They’re babysitting me.” Reid mumbled.
“excuse me?”
“Ma’am.” Both turned when Hotch walked over. Reid shot him a grateful look. “If you would come to my office, please? I was about to let you know what just happened.” The woman blinked at Reid, but nodded and followed Hotch into his office. Reid turned and watched them. Hotch spoke for a bit, and then Strauss’ eyes widened, and Reid read her lips easily.
“WHAT?!” Hotch guided her over to the chairs and they sat down, talking. They were in there for a long time. A moment later, Hotch walked out.
“Reid? Would you step in here please?” He called. Reid blinked, then nodded and shuffled across the bull pen and up the stairs, following Hotch into his office.
“Agent Reid.” Stauss said. “Until Ryan Vanderwal is in custody, I want to move you to a safe house with a protective detail round the clock.”
“With all due respect, ma’am…” Reid said, slowly. “I would feel better staying with the team.”
“This isn’t about you feeling better… not that I don’t take it into consideration, but… it would be safer.”
“I understand that.” Reid said. “But… I would rather stay with the team. I feel safe with them.”
“… Your apartment was just blown up, Agent Reid.”
“I know…” Reid sighed, rubbing his face. “I know. But… I want to stay with the team.”
“I want you in protective custody, Agent Reid.”
“… I uh… With all due respect, I um… I decline.” Reid said. She stared at him. “Please.” Reid added, softly. She still didn’t answer. Reid thought a moment, then sighed. “I will go to a safe house at night, but I want to be here with the team during the day. And… I want one of them to come with me at night.”
“… You really want to stay with them that much?”
“… I feel safe with them. They know me better than anyone, and we work best when we’re together. I don’t think anyone could protect me better than they can.” Reid argued. Strauss stared at him for a long time.
“It would be irresponsible for me to allow it.” She said.
“… Please?”
“Ma’am. I think we can handle it.” Hotchner said. “I will personally take responsibility for his safety.” Strauss sighed.
“… Alright.” She said with a nod, and looked at Reid. “I’m doing this against my better judgment…”
“Thank you, Ma’am.” Reid said with a smile and nod.
“Agent Reid, I do not want to see you working until the doctors have approved your returning to active duty. Do I make myself clear?”
“Yes Ma’am.”
“And… don’t worry about your home. The Bureau will help you get yourself established.”
“I appreciate that, but I had a pretty good renter’s insurance policy, I’ll be okay.”
“… Just let me know if you need anything.” Strauss said, turning and walking away. Reid waited until she was out of earshot, then turned to Hotch.
“… It’s like she’s the wicked step mother… who just married my father and is trying to get into my good graces…” Reid said, making a confused face. Hotch blinked, then chuckled, shaking his head.
“Go finish your coffee…” He said, giving Reid a little shove towards the door.
“Yes dad.”
“Reid. What did I say in the hospital?”
“… You said I couldn’t call you ‘daddy’.” Reid said, and ducked out of the room at Hotchner’s warning look. Hotch watched Reid hurry across the office, then smiled and shook his head, going to his desk.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Rossi walked out of his office. “Alright, people. I’m out.” He said, glancing at the team, then stopped. The women were gathered around Reid, staring at his desk. “What are you doing?” He called.
“Ignore them.” Morgan called. “And watch your head. Reid is doing his “physics magic” again…” He said, and picked up a file folder, holding it right over his head. A moment later, there was a POP and a black object hurtle through the air and whizzed past Rossi seven feet away, bouncing off of Hotchner’s office window. The man glanced up, blinking at the giggling women and the look on Reid’s face, horrified, but trying not to laugh. He turned his chair to face away from them and continued his phone conversation. Rossi picked up the black plastic film canister.
“Physics Magic?” He asked, raising an eyebrow at Reid.
“I uh… yyyyeah.” Reid said, giving Rossi a sheepish smile. Rossi tossed him the canister.
“… Show me.” Rossi said, walking over.
“turn around.” The girls all said in unison, turning their backs on Reid. Rossi blinked, and Garcia jerked him around too. He heard Reid fumbling around.
“Okay!” Reid called, and they all turned back around. Rossi blinked, watching the upside down canister. They stood there for a while. After a bit, Morgan picked up the folder and held it over his head again with a sigh.
Hotch walked out of his office, and there was a loud POP! Hotch’s eyes widened and he ducked. The canister sailed over his head and bounced across his office. The group stared, eyes wide.
“Dammit, Reid!”
“… Sorry!” Reid yelped, eyes wide in horror. Hotch stared him down, then sighed and shook his head.
“You’ve got the distance down, let’s try to work on accuracy, huh?”
“… yessir.” Reid said, nodding quickly.
“… I’m assigning you Morgan as your target.”
“WHAT?! Come on, Hotch!” Morgan yelped, and the girls snickered. Hotch met Rossi’s amused look.
“Reid.” Hotch said.
“Sir?”
“Let’s go. You’re spending the night and my house tonight.”
“Oh. Right.” Reid said, standing and grabbing his leather messenger bag, slinging it over his shoulder and running fingers over a small scorch mark. It was the one thing he had saved from his apartment.
“Um… Hotch?” Reid called, following him. “I uh… I need to get some clothes.”
“It’s been taken care of. We were able to salvage some clothes from your apartment, they’re being washed.”
“… Who got them?” Reid asked, blinking.
“Rossi.”
“Who’s washing them?”
“… Haley.”
“Your ex?”
“She offered. Wanted to help.”
“Wow. Awkward.”
“Why?” Hotch asked.
“… My uh, my boss’s ex wife is washing my underwear.” Reid said. Behind him, Morgan choked on his drink, and the girls burst out laughing. Hotch stared at Reid for a moment.
“Are you coming or not?”
“Yeah.” Reid said, and hurried after him.
“And yes, your boss’s ex wife is washing your underwear.” Reid blinked, then sighed and looked down at his feet, appropriately embarrassed. “We’re going to stop by her place to pick up your clothes.” Hotch said, smiling, and they got into the elevator.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Haley opened the door, and smiled.
“Hi Aaron. Dr. Reid, how are you doing?” She asked.
“I’m okay.” Reid said with a shrug.
“Hi Haley. Thanks for doing this again.”
“Yeah. I really appreciate it.” Reid said, nodding vehemently. She smiled at Reid.
“Anything I can do to help.” She said. “Your clothes are in this basket.” She said, gesturing to the laundry basket on the floor in the doorway to the living room. “Aaron can bring the basket back later. No hurry. Aaron. Jack has been waiting for you.” Hotch blinked, then smiled and nodded.
“I’ll be right back, Reid.” He said, and ran up the stairs. Haley smiled and closed the door after Reid.
“It’s good to see you’re okay.” She said.
“For the most part, yeah.” Reid said with a nod.
“… You don’t have shoes.”
“Ahhh… no. No I don’t.” Reid said, self consciously wiggling his toes in his socks. She smiled.
“What size?” She asked.
“None of your business!” Reid cried, grinning. “I am NOT letting you buy me shoes!”
“… Let me at least get you something to drink. Aaron may be a few minutes.”
“I’m fine, thanks.” Reid said, looking down at the laundry basket, wondering what was left. Damn… she really HAD washed his underwear… THAT was awkward.
“Reid.” He turned and looked at Hotch. “Ready?”
“that was quick…” Reid said.
“No offense Reid, but you’re the target. I don’t really want you around Jack and Haley.” Hotch said. Reid blinked, then nodded, offering him a small smile.
“I understand. I’d never forgive myself is someone was hurt because of me.” He looked at Haley. “Thanks.”
“No problem, Dr. Reid.” She said. Reid shook his head, picking up the laundry basket, happily noting the presence of a few of his favorite socks.
“You… don’t have to call me Doctor. Just Reid is fine. Or… I dunno… Spencer.” He offered. She smiled and nodded.
“… I think I like Spencer. Reid is what you’re called on the job.” She said. Reid smiled and nodded. “Alright then. You’re welcome, Spencer.”
“Goodnight, Haley.” Hotch said, and guided Reid out of the house.
“Aaron.” He turned and looked back. “Make sure you buy Spencer some shoes.” Hotch blinked, then grinned at Reid’s groan.
“Promise.” He said, nodding to her. He and Reid climbed into the car.
“… I’m hungry.” Reid announced. Hotch rolled his eyes.
“You’re always hungry.”
“… Can we pick up something for dinner?” Reid asked. “Ooh! Let’s order out for Chinese!”
“On one condition… You use chopsticks.” Hotch said, smirking at the look on Reid’s face, and pulled away from the curb.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Reid walked into the kitchen of Hotchner’s house, a towel draped around his neck as he rubbed his hair dry.
“Something smells good.” Reid said. Hotch turned and smiled at him.
“I ordered Chinese.”
“… Do I have to use chopsticks?” Reid asked, eyeing his boss.
“No. But if you don’t, I get your egg roll.” Hotch threatened.
“Aw, man…” Reid pouted. The pair sat down at the table with their chopsticks and take out containers. Hotch watched Reid for a bit, then just laughed. Reid looked at him, frowning.
“Here.” He said. “Place the tops together here between the finger and thumb. Wedge the bottom one between the bottom joint of the thumb and the tip of the middle finger. This one doesn’t move.” He explained, demonstrating this to Reid. Reid blinked and mimicked the positioning of the first stick in his hand.
“The second one you hold here between the tip of the index finger, and curling your thumb over it to hold it in place. This one you move with you index finger.” Hotch continued, and picked up a mushroom. “Hold them firmly.” Reid watched him and studied his movements with the chopsticks, then tried it himself.
“Hey! That’s a lot easier!” He cried, grinning and picking up a piece of bamboo shoot, popping it into his mouth. Hotch watched Reid, amused. But the kid seemed to be getting the hang of it.
“Tell me something, Reid.”
“Hm?”
“… Do all of your pajamas consist of FBI t shirts?”
“… I have one from Morgan…” Reid said. “It says ‘Playstation’ and has an arrow pointing down.” Hotchner did a double take, then shook his head. “Yeah. I only wore it once. Because I didn’t have anything else. I think I lost it in the fire though…”
“Thank God for small favors…” Hotch snorted, and Reid smiled.
“But yes. All of my pajamas are FBI t shirts.”
“… You know… Emily and JJ want to take you shopping. I think I might let them.”
“Aw, come on, Hotch.”
“Would you rather go shopping with Morgan and Garcia?”
“… I’d rather go shopping alone.”
“Not gonna happen.”
“I know, I know… not as long as Ryan Vanderwal is out there.” Reid grumbled.
“Reid.” Hotch said, staring at him. “I want you to have your gun on you at all times.” Reid looked up at him and nodded. “I want all blinds, shades and curtains drawn wherever you are. And even then, I want you to try and avoid windows and stay in interior rooms.” Reid sighed, putting the chopsticks down.
“I know, Hotch.” Reid groaned.
“Alright then.” Hotch said, standing. “You look tired. Go get some sleep.”
“Let me help you clean up.”
“… Look. I put the food in the fridge. Done.” Hotch said. Reid snorted.
“Got an extra toothbrush?” He asked.
“Sure. Come on.” Hotch said. He walked up the stairs, Reid following him all the way into the master bath. Hotch opened the closet and pulled out a toothbrush, still in a box, and a tube of tooth paste. “Here.”
“Thanks.” Reid said, nodding.
“Sleep well, Reid.” Hotch said, and Reid nodded and left the room. Hotch showered, went downstairs and cleaned the kitchen, then went back upstairs. He softly padded down the hall and stopped at the guest room. Silently, he opened the door and peered in.
Reid was sleeping peacefully, lying on his back with one hand curled by his face, and the other arm draped over his stomach. His shirt was riding up a bit under his arm, and Hotch could see Reid’s injuries healing to scars.
Hotchner sighed. Somehow, sleeping like that, Reid looked so young… Hotch felt a stab of guilt… how could he have brought the youth into this job? He had been through so much… and he was just a kid. In that moment, Hotchner wished that Reid had been able to have a normal childhood… be a normal kid with a normal life… He would have just finished college if he had been normal… looking for his place in the world… trying to decide what to do with his life, where to go… maybe he would have met the woman he would spend his life with… be ready to have kids…
But instead, he was sleeping with a gun by his bed, in his superior’s house because his own home had been blown up by the youngest of a psychotic trio of brothers. He had been tortured by the middle brother, and raped by the eldest. He had killed men, and watched people die… women and children… innocents… He had been addicted to a narcotic painkiller which nearly destroyed him and his career… Now he was being hunted by the one remaining brother who wanted to hurt him, and kill him.
And yet, he stood strong. When Graham had come for him and hurt him a second time, he had kept a level head. He had done his job, and saved Hotchner’s life in the process. The same thing in his bedroom in the confrontation with Neil… And Hotch knew that Reid would stand strong when they had their showdown with Ryan…
He couldn’t deny that the youngest member of their team brought out something paternal in him. He was protective of Reid… and he was proud of him.
Hotchner closed the door, and went to bed.
- 11
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- 13
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Tribulations