In Hiding (Final Book in the Boss's Niece Series)

Heartbreaking Goodbyes

*Reid's POV*

I watching, solemnly, as Mel went around Haley's room, packing her bag. She packed Haley's clothes, her PJs, her stuffed animals, her favorite books.

I couldn't believe Mel and Haley for God knows how long now.

I didn't want her to leave. I wanted her to stay here and I wanted to be able to protect her, but I also knew that keeping them here or going with them would leave them both in danger and I didn't want that. It was very bittersweet for me.

Once Mel finished packing Haley's bag, she turned to walk out the door, but looked up at me in surprise. She didn't know I was there.

"You-you forgot her-uh-monkey." I said, motioning to Haley's favorite stuffed monkey that sat on her bed.

Mel looked over her shoulder at the monkey, then back to me. "I'm leaving it here. Something to remember your daughter."

Her words sounded harsh, like a wife leaving her cheating husband. I swallowed hard, fighting back the tears.

"I didn't mean it that way." she said. "I know you won't forget us. And we sure as hell won't forgot about you. Heck, if I had a choice in this, I'd stay here with you and some how stop mom from doing this. But, Uncle Aaron-"

"It's not just Hotch, it's the whole team. They all think it's a good idea to send you away." I jumped in.

"You don't?" she questioned.

I knew if I told her "no", she wouldn't leave. She'd stay because she'd side with me in saying it was a bad idea.

"I do." I said, which wasn't a lie. I did think it was a good idea for her to leave. "I'm just going to miss you."

"I'm gonna miss you, too."

I wrapped my long arms around her tiny stature and held her to me. It was silent for a moment before Haley came bounding up from the living room after watching Big Time Rush.

"Mommy, why are you packing my bag?" she asked, noticing her little blue suitcase in Mel's hand and many of her things missing from her room.

"Haley, I need to tell you something." I told her. I sat down on her bed and took her on my lap. Mel looked at me with sad eyes before going to our room to pack her bag, leaving me to break the bad news to Haley.

"Listen, honey." I said. "You and mommy are going away to daddy's home for a while."

"Isn't this your home?" she asked.

"Yes honey. This is my home, but where you're going is where I was born. You see, I wasn't born in Virginia like you were. I was born in Las Vegas." I explained.

"How far away is Las Vegas?"

"Pretty far, baby."

"And why aren't you going, daddy?"

"Because daddy's gotta stay here for work, but I'll call you every night, okay? Right before you go to bed."

"How long will he be gone?"

"I don't know, sweetheart. A long time, I think."

Haley looked up and me before leaning forward and giving me a hug. I hugged her tiny body back, resting my head on her tiny, auburn head.

I heard footsteps and the roll of a suitcase. I looked up to see Mel in the doorway with her navy blue suitcase. I knew by the look on her face that it was time to say goodbye.

"Haley, you promise me to be good for your mommy, okay? Don't give her any trouble and try not to miss me too much." I said, pulling Haley away to look into her eyes. Mine reflected back.

"I promise, daddy." she said. "But I am going to miss you."

"I'll miss you, too, baby." I said and kissed her forehead. "Here, go to mommy. I'll take your bags."

I stood up with Haley still in my arms and passed her to Mel. Haley immediately hugged her mother tight, resting her small head on Mel's shoulder and closing her brown eyes. Mel looked at me.

"Time to go." I told her.

We loaded the bags into the car and drove to the airport. Everyone was there. Hotch, Beth, Jack, Henry, Will, Blake's husband, the team. Hotch approached us first.

"Here." he said, passing Mel a big brown envelope. "It's your tickets, your and Haley's papers and money and credit cards in Strauss' name so no one can find you through those."

She nodded and hugged her uncle. She went around saying goodbye. Everyone gave Haley hugs as well. She gave them all smiles, believing this was all just a vacation and not them running away from someone who would hurt them.

I decided to walk them to the security check. I held Mel's hand tight with one of mine and carried Haley in my other arm.

Once we got to security, I put Haley down and turned to Mel.

"Well, looks like this is goodbye." she said, her voice breaking as she spoke. I was unable to say anything. I just wrapped her into my arms and we both cried. Haley hugged her mother's waist, a few tears running down her face as well.

Finally, we had to break apart. Mel took Haley's hand and they walked through security. She showed the security officer her and Haley's fake IDs that Garcia made for them.

Mel turned back to look at me one last time. I waved to her and she waved back before walking through security and off to the plane.

They boarded the plane and they were both off to Vegas, gone.