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Cachorro	By : hatochiisai Category: 1 through F > Criminal Minds Views: 11087 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds, nor do I make any financial profit off of writing this story.

Chapter List
- 13
- 14
- 15
Chapter 14

The sun was preparing to set when Aaron Hotchner finally woke. And when he woke, he found himself, for the first time in over a month, at peace. He felt that everything was… right. A moment later, he realized that there was a weight on his chest, and then he knew why all was well. He opened his eyes and looked down, and found beautiful honey brown eyes looking right back. His heart swelled, and the lion that had spent the last month pacing back and forth in his chest, growling in agitation, finally stopped its pacing and settled down, the agitated growls fading into a relaxed purr; he had his gazelle home safe again.

Hotch pulled Reid in close and held him tightly, burying his face in the boy’s hair. Before either knew it, they were both trembling, tears running down their faces as they clung to one another harder than they clung to life itself.

“Aaron…”

“It’s okay…” Hotch whispered. “Everything is okay. I’m taking you home, baby. I’m taking you home… Shhhh… shhh… I’ve got you…”

“He’s dead right?” Reid gasped, lifting his head and staring Hotch in the eyes. “I killed him… He’s dead, right!?”

“Yes.” Hotch said softly, laying a hand on Reid’s cheek. And then he smiled. “He will never… NEVER… touch you again. And as soon as I’m released from the hospital, I’m taking you home.”

Reid blinked, then slowly pulled away from Hotch. Hotch watched the boy as he pulled the sheets down and lifted the man’s shirt, eyes falling on the Unit Chief’s abdomen. The knife wound had been stitched closed, and so was an eight inch long slash.

“It’s not as bad as it looks.” Hotch assured Reid. “They could have just used butterfly tape on the slash. I asked for stitches. Just in case. They’ll come out in seven to ten days.” Reid nodded and slowly lay back down again, resting his head on the man’s chest and cuddling close.

“… I love you, Spencer. It’s all gonna be okay now… I promise.” Hotch murmured softly, and he moved to press a kiss to Reid’s forehead. But Reid turned away from him. Hotch frowned. “… Spencer?”

“You were there last night… weren’t you?” Reid whispered.

“… Yes. I was undercover s one of the slaves.”

“You were in a mask.”

“Yes. I was wired with a camera.”

“A camera?!” Reid cried in horror.

“We had to present proof that you were being held here to move in.”

“So… what they did to me last night… what they made me do… everyone saw it?” Reid whimpered.

“No. I… I was the only one. I covered the camera. I wouldn’t put you through that.” Hotch said, and Reid looked up at him.

“… Promise?”

“Promise.”

“… So… you saw… me and…”

“Yes.” Hotch told him. He felt Reid tense, and then the boy pulled away, turning and letting his legs dangle off of the edge of the bed. “Spencer?”

“… I… I should… go.” Reid mumbled. But Hotch seized his arm as he moved to stand.

“Spencer.”

“I can’t do this, Aaron.”

“Can’t do what?”

“You… watched!”

“… Yes.”

“You LET them!” Reid cried, turning and staring at Hotch, betrayal in his eyes. A sharp pain stabbed through the man’s heart, and he was overwhelmed with guilt. “You let them…”

“I had no choice.” The man gasped, looking tortured. “If I had blown my cover, he would have killed me right there. He would have killed Jeff Winters. And then he would have taken you and run. God only knows if the team would have been able to get you back if he ran.”

“But… you WATCHED.” Reid gasped, fighting back sobs. “You watched me… have sex with them… with… HIM. You… watched me do it… It was bad enough that I did it… but for you to see me… betray you…”

“I saw them forcing you into acts that you obviously didn’t want to participate in.”

“… But I did.”

“… Spencer. Look at me.” Hotch said firmly, and Reid slowly looked up and met his gaze. “… Did you have a choice?”

“… I… They…”

“What would have happened if you had refused?”

“… He… would have hurt me.” Reid whispered. “Beat me… rape me… Take me to… the cellar…”

“And what’s in the cellar?” Hotch asked. He watched as Reid’s eyes unfocused and he went pale, beginning to tremble as tears spilled down his cheeks again. Hotch wrapped his arms around the youth and pulled him into his chest, holding him tightly as the boy broke into uncontrollable sobs. He cried for a long time, and Hotch just rocked him gently until the youth calmed to sniffles and hiccups.

“Spencer.” Hotch finally murmured. “You had no choice. You did what you had to do to survive. And you did it. You’re alive, and you’re going home.” He stroked the boy’s hair. “You won.” Reid slowly looked up at him. “And I am SO proud of you.” The boy blinked, reminding Hotch of a little owl. He lifted his hands and held Reid’s face, preventing the young man from breaking eye contact. The door opened and Rossi, Morgan, Prentiss and Winters all peered in.

“You did what you had to do. You survived until we could get to you. And you made it intact.” Hotch told him, running his fingers through his lover’s hair, caressing his scalp. “You have NOTHING to be ashamed of… I only wish you hadn’t fought them as much as you did.” When Reid gave the man a confused look, Hotch gently traced a finger down Reid’s back, feeling the fading welts and giving Reid a questioning look.

“… He whipped me.” Reid told him softly.

“Why?” Hotch asked.

“… Because he caught me on the phone…”

“The voicemail.”

“… Yes.” Reid affirmed. “… I… I got up early and I picked the lock to his study. And I called you. But you didn’t answer.”

“… I was working. To get you back.”

“But I got to hear your voice.” Reid pointed out, and gave the man a sad smile. “And that made it all worth it.” Hotch returned the little smile and pulled Reid into his chest in a tight embrace.

“… I love you, Spencer.”

“I love you too… I… Thank you…” Hotch blinked as Reid leaned forward, and then smiled at the soft kiss. “Thank you so much…” Reid gasped, fisting his hand in the man’s hospital gown and hiding his face in his chest. Hotch just smiled, kissing the top of the boy’s head, running a hand up and down his back. Then he raised his eyes and acknowledged Winters and his agents.

Within an hour of Hotch being released from the hospital, the team was ready to head for the airport. They all headed down to the lobby of their hotel, and turned when Winters walked over, and to their surprise, Sirena was with him.

“I uh… I’m going to stay for a while.” Winters said, and Hotch blinked.

“why?” He asked.

“… Arturo’s slaves.” Winters sighed, looking at Sirena. “They don’t know anything other than Arturo. And for better or worse… Arturo was my friend.” Reid ducked his head. “I’m not angry with you, Agent Reid. You did what you had to do. And while I was Arturo’s friend, oddly enough I… really am not that upset about his death. But Sirena and the others… They know me. It will be good for them to have someone familiar to be there for them. I have the stay. At least until I know what’s going to happen to them. If I can… I’m going to take them back to Florida. See if I can rehabilitate them. Get them an education. Preciosa could go to Culinary school, you know… And I can afford to send her.”

“That’s very noble of you.” Rossi said.

“They deserve a chance to live a free life.”

“Not Paloma.” Reid mumbled, and everyone looked at him. “… She’s crazy.” The others chuckled.

“Good luck, Agent Reid.” Winters said, and shook the young man’s hand.

“Thank you. For everything.” Reid said, and turned away.

“Cachorro!” Reid stopped, and turned back at Sirena’s call. He stared at her as she slowly approached him. She gave him a small smile, then reached out and took his hand. She gently traced the base of his left ring finger, where the tan line from his ring had faded. Reid stared at her. She gave him another smile, then held up her own hand, and opened it. Reid blinked, then stared. In her palm, sat his ring. He stared her in the eyes, and she smiled again, then replaced the ring on his finger, before reaching out and gently hugging him. Reid blinked again, then returned the embrace.

“… Thank you, Sirena.” He gasped. They stepped back and she gave him a sparkling smile, shaking her head.

“Isabella.” She told him. Reid blinked, then slowly, he grinned.

“… Spencer.” He told her, and she nodded.

“Spencer.” She repeated. Then she waved at him, and followed Winters away. And then the team was on their way to the airstrip. The jet was waiting for them. Reid slowed to stop halfway across the tarmac and took in the sight of his team walking towards the aircraft; a sight that he suddenly realized he had taken for granted.

“Spencer?” Hotch had turned and was looking at him. One by one, so did Rossi, Prentiss and Morgan. “Is everything okay?”

“… I’m going to savor the moment, not think about all the therapy and psych evals in my future, and say yes.” Reid said, offering the man a smile. “This is… all I’ve been thinking about for the past month. I just… I can’t believe it’s finally happening.” The team blinked, and then as one, smiled.

“Come on, kid.” Morgan said with a grin as Hotch held his arm out. With a smile, Reid walked up to him and allowed the man to wrap his arm around his shoulders, and Morgan to ruffle his hair.

When they climbed on board, Reid promptly took up his favorite spot; the sofa. He smiled when Hotch sat down next to him. Within ten minutes of taking off, Reid was snuggled up in the man’s arms, playing Poker with Prentiss and Morgan.

The plane had to stop off in Florida to refuel, and the flight from Florida to Virginia was spent in a comfortable silence. Morgan and Prentiss were listening to music on their iPods, watching Reid dozing on the sofa, his head in Hotch’s lap as the man just relaxed, running his hand up and down his lover’s back. Rossi had his head back, and was snoring.

It was late evening when the plane touched down.

“Wake up, Spencer.” Hotch called, gently. Reid grumbled, but opened his eyes. “I think you have a welcome home party here…” Blinking, Reid turned and peered out the window. Sure enough, there was a gathering of people awaiting the plane. Reid recognized Section Chief Strauss, Garcia and Kevin, JJ, Will and Henry, and… His heart froze… Jack and Haley Hotchner.

Gulping nervously, Reid stood and followed the team off of plan, flushing in embarrassment when JJ and Garcia cheered the moment they saw him.

“DADDY!!!”

Hotch grinned broadly as Jack broke away from the group and ran towards them.

“HI DADDY!”

Hotch knelt and opened his arms, catching his son and standing, hugging him tightly.

“Hey buddy.”

“Daddy, put me down!” Jack announced. Hotch blinked.

“… Okay.” He said and set his son down, blinking in confusion when the boy ran away from him. Jack ran right up to Reid and threw his arms around the young man’s knees.

“… Hi Jack.” Reid said, blinking. The little boy stared up at him, then tugged on Reid’s pant leg. Slowly, Reid knelt. Jack promptly flung his arms around Reid’s neck and hugged him, kissing his cheek.

“Welcome home, Weed.”

“Thank you, Jack.” Reid said, grinning and looking up at Hotch, who returned the grin. Jack finally released Reid and walked between Hotch and Reid holding their hands. Prentiss was looking terribly amused.

As they reached the little group waiting for them, Reid pulled his hand out of Jack’s grip just in time to be tackled by JJ and Garcia

“Oh my God, Spence…” JJ cried, hugging him tightly. “We were so worried about you…”

“Oh, my poor sweet baby…” Garcia was gushing. “Why do you do this to me?! My heart can’t take it!”

Reid just smiled, holding both women close. “I’m okay.” He assured them. “I’m okay.” And he turned and smiled, reaching out and accepting Kevin’s hand, seeing Hotch holding Jack again as he embraced Haley. He forced his feeling of jealously down and focused on Kevin, who was speaking.

“Agent Reid. Good to see you back safe.”

“Thanks, Kevin.”

“Good t’see y’made it home. JJ’s been b’side herself.” Will told Reid. Reid gave him a regretful smile, but then accepted Henry as Will handed him over. He hugged the little boy close, grinning when Henry promptly grabbed his hair and tugged.

“Agent Reid.” Strauss called, and Reid turned and looked at her.

“Ma’am.” He said, wincing when Henry poked him in the eye. The woman fought to hold back a smile… being a mother herself, she felt Reid’s pain. She had been poked in the eye many times.

“Welcome home. It’s good to see you back safely.”

“T’ank-oo.” Reid managed to get out around the little fingers that were now in his mouth.

“Here.” JJ announced, grinning, and took Henry from Reid, right after Henry jammed a finger up Reid’s nose.

“Ow! OW!!! JJ!” Reid whined, when Henry seized his hair and tugged it harshly.

“Oh, Henry, no!” She laughed, and pried her son’s fingers open.

Strauss waited patiently, smiling. When they had managed to get Henry to let go of Reid, the agent faced her again.

“Thank you, Ma’am.” Hotch said to her, nodding. “Your help was… invaluable.”

Strauss nodded. “Agent Hotchner. You will oversee his mandatory doctor visits?”

“Absolutely.” Hotch said with a firm nod.

“Me too!” Jack announced.

“Thank you, Jack.” Strauss said, this time unable to hold back a smile.

“I’m going to give Reid some time to settle in. He’ll be seeing a therapist within the week.” Hotch said.

“Do I –“

“YES, you have to.” Hotch cut Reid off, firmly. Reid pouted.

“Keep me updated.” Strauss said, and Hotch nodded, shaking her hand. Then he left Reid with Garcia while he went to speak to Haley.

“Listen…” Hotch said. “I know it’s my weekend, but…” Haley narrowed her eyes.

“Yes. It’s your weekend. I have plans.” She said. “And Jack misses you.” And they both looked at Jack, who was shrieking in delight as Morgan tickled him.

“I know… and I miss him. But… I need to deal with this.”

“What’s to deal with?!”

“We have him home, but… believe me, he has a long way to go, Haley. He’s going to be staying with me for a while.”

“Why? He has his own place!” Haley pointed out. Hotch looked at her, then sighed.

“… Not anymore.”

“… What?”

“He was evicted. I haven’t told him yet, but… He has no where to go.”

“And why does he have to stay with YOU!? He could stay with Rossi or Morgan!”

“… Because he’s more comfortable with me.” Hotch said. Haley just eyed him. “… When I found him… he was being assaulted.” She froze, and her eyes widened. “There was a fight, and… Reid killed his assaulter… stabbed him, cut his throat.” Haley winced. “But then he lost it, Haley. He collapsed, and all I could do was hold him… Hold him, and tell him that it was all over… that everything was going to be okay, and that he was safe. After a month with this man who beat him, starved him and abused him, I was the first bit of safety to come his way… He wouldn’t let go of me. When they tried to get him away so the EMT’s could see to me, he got upset. The entire way to the hospital, he wouldn’t let go. When anyone touched him, he lashed out… when they tried to get him to let go of me at the hospital, he became hysterical. They had to sedate him. But as soon as he woke up, he came back to my room. This is the farthest from me he’s allowed himself to get since then.” And Hotch looked at Reid, twenty feet away.

Haley knelt when Jack ran over and scooped him up. She just stared at Hotch, then turned and walked away.

“Bye Daddy.” Jack called, waving.

“Bye, Buddy…” Hotch called back with a sad smile. Haley got Jack into his car seat, then got into the car.

Hotch turned at a hand on his shoulder.

“Aaron?” Reid asked, softly. Hotch glanced at Strauss’ disappearing car, then looked at Reid.

As Haley pulled away, she saw Hotch reaching out and taking Reid’s hands in his own. The pair were smiling at each other, and then they embraced, Hotch holding Reid close, the boy with his arms around the man’s neck. One of Hotch’s arms was wrapped around the boy’s waist, the other around his back, his hand on the back of the boy’s head. Haley turned away, focusing on driving. As she was driving away, she glanced in the rear view mirror… What the… what? It looked like her ex husband was… KISSING his agent! Then, the setting sun appeared in the window and she was blinded. Wincing, she shook her head… she must have been seeing things. And so she kept driving, trying to ignore the suspicion gnawing in the pit of her stomach…

“We need to talk.” Hotch said, at the same time Reid said, “I want Chinese food!” The two men stopped, and then looked at each other as they sat at the red light. They blinked, then grinned.

“So. You wanna talk, huh?” Reid asked.

“It’s not good news, Spencer.”

“… What’s wrong?” Reid asked, looking worried. Hotch sighed, and pulled a piece of paper out of his pocket. Reid took it and opened it as Hotch stepped on the accelerator once the light turned green. Within 45 seconds, he had read the entire thing. And it was in his memory forever. But he sat there for a long time, reading it over and over… he was stunned.

“… Evicted?” He finally breathed, and lifted his eyes. Hotch only glanced at the boy as he drove, but the devastated look in the youth’s eyes made his heart clench.

“I tried to talk him out of it.” Hotch said softly. “But he would only let you stay if I could guarantee that you would pay double your rent for the next 12 months. And… That’s outrageous.”

“… Where am I going to go?” Reid whispered.

“You’re staying with me.” Hotch said firmly. “I’ve already brought everything you need over to my place. Your other belongings are in storage. Until we get our own place.”

“… Our own place?” Reid asked. He blinked when Hotch took his hand.

“… I think it’s time we move in together.” Hotch said, smiling. Reid stared at him, eyes widening as he flushed.

“I… I dunno… what if—“

“Roomates.” Hotch said, shrugging and stopping at another stop light.

“… You think it’ll work?”

“I think it’s worth the risk.” Hotch said, kissing the back of Reid’s hand. “YOU are worth the risk.” Reid slowly smiled, and Hotch leaned forwards, gently kissing the boy. Reid sighed softly, but both jumped apart when the car behind them honked its horn; the light had turned green.

Hotch pressed his foot down and glanced over at Reid as the boy sunk down in the seat, smiling to himself. Then, he jumped, eyes wide. “My cats!”

“Garcia has them.” Hotch chuckled.

“Oh.” Reid said, relaxing.

“Everything is going to be okay. Now… let’s get you that Chinese food.”

Reid looked up at the man, and smiled.
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Cachorro