Chapter Text
Hotch walked into the BAU office and flicked on the lights. He was always the first in each morning, dropping a tired Jack off at Jessica’s so she could get him on the bus each morning. This morning, he turned to face the normally empty office and was immediately struck by the sight of Reid sitting slouched down at his desk. Alarmed that he’d been sleeping in the dark, and positive that he’d left the office the night before, Hotch headed over to him.
“Reid?”
No response.
“Reid, what…” Hotch’s voice caught in his throat. Reid’s face was swollen, bruises and blood sullying his normally handsome figure. Now that Hotch was closer he could see that blood also stained his tangled hair.
Hotch pulled out his gun, checking Reid’s pulse even as his eyes scan the room, and quickly moved about to clear the rooms, pulling out his cell phone to call their situation in. There were other FBI agents in the building already and he quickly found them slipping in, their gear distinguishing them from an enemy threat. His offices were cleared and then one agent remained with Hotch while the rest went to secure the building. He hears about others having arrived at that point, but he’s too caught up on dealing with Reid.
“Reid,” Hotch says softly, “Spencer, talk to me. The ambulance is probably here by now and they’re going to take you to the hospital.”
Reid gave him a lost sort of look and licked his lips, opening his mouth to take a shuddering breath. Hotch waits, but his eyes drop and his mouth falls shut with a sigh.
“You don’t have to tell me what happened,” Hotch said, “That can wait. Just let me know you’re hear with me.”
“I…” Reid started, glancing up at him, “I didn’t want to wake you up.”
“Wake me up?” Hotch asked in confusion.
Garcia was shuffled in by Strauss and told to pull up the cameras. She glanced over but Strauss wouldn’t let her detour to see Reid, besides at that point the medics were being allowed entry. The ambulance crew came in, hurrying to Reid’s side and asking Hotch to step back. The reaction was instantaneous. Reid shouted as they descended on them and began to fight back in a panic. Hotch immediately regretted not securing his firearm as they both scrambled for it, but Hotch got there first and gently wrestle the gun from his hand. He passed it back to Morgan who had run over to try and help after pushing his way past Strauss. Strauss was pale and terrified.
“It’s okay, Pretty Boy,” Morgan said softly as he quickly secured the gun, “We got you.”
Reid was shaking and as Hotch tried to calm him he slid out of his chair and attempted to crawl beneath his desk.
“Arrest them!” Strauss shouted, waving at the medics, “One of them must have done this!”
“Not likely,” Morgan replied, “Reid’s reacting as a victim, not an accuser. He’s terrified of being touched. Most likely he’s been raped since it’s been too short a time since he was last seen to have been a long-term abuse situation.”
Garcia made her way out into the room and stared at Reid with tears in her eyes, “He’s been here since three in the morning. He walked in injured. It didn’t happen here.”
“He said he didn’t want to wake me,” Hotch stated, “Spencer come on out. It’s okay. They’re just techs. They’re going to take you to the hospital-“
“Where they’ll stick their fingers in my ass! No! I’m not going! I don’t consent to an examination!”
“A rape kit will help-“ Hotch started.
“NO!” Reid stuck one hand out and shook his finger at Hotch like a naughty child, “No, I came to you for help! If I wanted doctors I’d have gone there! You just… go find evidence somewhere else!”
“At least let them check you for injury,” Hotch pleaded.
“My apartment. The keys are in my bag. The name he gave me was Clarence.”
“That’s a good start,” Hotch replied, “Thank you, Reid.”
Hotch reached down under the desk, glancing to make sure of what he was reaching for, and found Reid’s hand.
“I’ll go with you. I’ll stay the whole time. I won’t let them do anything you aren’t comfortable with. I just want you safe. If you have a concussion or are bleeding internally they can help you there, that’s something I can’t do.”
Reid was silent, gripping his fingers until they went numb. Finally he started to ease out from under the desk and Hotch helped him stand. He leaned on him heavily, clearly injured and exhausted. They got him to the geurney and Hotch held his hand as he shook through the cursory examination. Once they were sure he was movable they stuck an IV in him, strapped him down, and started to roll him out the door with Hotch walking quickly beside him. They passed the team in the hallway outside the BAU doors. JJ was in tears with Morgan standing at her side with an arm around her. Garcia joined him since her part of the job was complete, and after glancing pityingly at Reid she buried her face in Morgan’s shoulder.
“We’re gonna catch this guy, Reid,” Morgan announced.
“We’ll see you at the hospital,” JJ told him tearfully.
Prentiss gave him a supportive nod.
Reid gripped Hotch’s hand and whimpered miserably as the tears finally started to flow, leaving Hotch to comfort him as best he could as the ambulance sped towards the nearest hospital with it’s weary passengers.