Finishing The Deed (Book #2 of Trails of a Psychopath)

Say What!?

Chapter Nine

"Let us not love with words or speech...but with action and truth."

~Hotch's POV!!!~

I couldn't believe my own eyes when I saw Rachel, standing in the office building like any other day.

There she was....okay again.

She had been gone for two weeks, two weeks she had been missing. In those long days, we all refused to say it out loud, but we all had to face the facts that she could be dead. That we could find her in a ditch somewhere, or in a warehouse, or worse. I couldn't say it out loud, but I was worried.
Especially after....Rebecca. In my years of being on this team, I have never seen Reid act like this. I was so used to him being the organized, clean, straight to the point kind of guy. So when I saw him these past weeks, how hard it affected him, I knew something was going on.
We were going to find these people, these sick and demented bastards who caused not only our lives, but Rachel and Charlotte's life to crash and burn to the ground. I looked out of the blinds and saw Morgan and Rossi discussing and pointing to the large map pinned onto the board.
Morgan refused to take a break after he was released from the hospital, he wanted to find these guys more than we all did. I knew Morgan cared about Rachel, that's his downfall. He gets attached to easily to cases like this.

"Sir? May we come in?" A quiet voice asked from outside the opened door, making me swivel around in my chair to look at them.

Reid and Rachel stood by the door, awaiting my order for them to come in. He was still a sight to see. Disheveled hair and five o clock shadow. His clothes were still dirty and wrinkly, even his tie was loose around his neck.

"Yes, come on in Reid...Rachel."

They both nodded and slowly made their way to my front desk. I looked at Rachel and she made eye contact for a few short seconds, until she looked down at her feet. cleared his throat and started fumbling with the hem of his wrinkled shirt. Over time, I had learned Reid's little quirks, signs about him. As he piddled and played with the fabric, I knew he had something to say and he needed to say it now.

"Spit it out Reid, we don'r have all day." I said sternly, making his fingers freeze.

Rachel continued to stare at the ground and her eyes never looked up once. I sighed and rested my hands on the desk, looking at Reid for his question. Something was going on between them, even I could see it. Is that what this is about?

"Sir..." He started, taking his time to think over his words.

His eyes flickered to Rachel and I watch her head slowly rise up to meet me. Her eyes went back to his and they soon broke and looked at me. I looked at them with confusion, what was going on? I leaned forward to say something when my eyes glanced down between them.
I finally understood saw their hands intertwined. My eyes opened a little bit wider, but I made sure not to show any emotion. Reid pushed his hair behind his ears with his free hand and I could see him struggling to stay still.

I knew it.

"You guys aren't what I think you are. Reid, This is breaking all the rules! You are crossing the line and if anyone finds out about thi-"

"I know. I know I'm breaking all the rules and I know its a huge risk to even think about taking. This affects the BAU and the whole team. I know the consequences but...you have to understand. I needed to tell you, it didn't feel right to try and hide it." He said, his voice calm as sweat collected on his forehead.

This job meant the world to him, but it looks like something else does too. Rachel's eyes never left Reid's face, even as he was talking to me. There was something about the two of them. It was hard to put my finger on, but I could see it.
My rational side screamed at me to re-think this, to forbid this. She was a victim, a witness of a horrible crime, he was just an Investigator, a Criminal Forensic.

What were they thinking!?

I pinched the bridge of my nose and sighed.

These two people, these two completely different people, think that they could be together?

"H-Hotch...." Another voice called out quietly.

When I looked up, I saw Rachel looking at me. I noticed the dark bags under her eyes and her bruised skin. My heart ached at the thought of my little Peter being put through this. She was fighting for herself just as much as we were. I could see the pain behind her eyes and how tired she look. I let another sigh leave my lips as I looked at Reid.

I was fighting with myself at this point. At the end of the day, Reid is one of my trusted members on this team. He's smart, precise, calculated. He knows what he's getting into. What's right for him, he knows.

"Reid is s-something to me. I havent felt this way...in a very long time. My father...." Her voice broke and she bit her bottom lip and stared away.

I opened my mouth to say something, but she beat me to it.

"He...that monster...took everything away from me. For so long, I was afraid of people...afraid of everyone because of him. I never knew what it felt like to be safe. Reid...he gives me that."

It was completely silent for a couple minutes as thoughts ran dizzily in my mind. I hated that I was becoming soft. I professionally kept my emotions inside and made sure to keep a blank face to the two of them. What am I even doing?

"I shouldn't even be considering this...Do you know how lucky you are for not firing you! This is completely against all regulations and codes. I hope you know what you are risking." I said, glaring at Reid.

He didn't even seem to notice my anger as a small smile lit up his face. I watched Rachel's eyes light up as well, hiding her smile.

"Now listen here and listen good you two. I am not going to be blamed for this, you two have to be careful who you tell. Reid, you know you are violating everything in this job, right? You two have to know what you are getting into. Got me? You don't tell anyone until this case is solved and closed. Deal?" I ordered, looking carefully at Reid.

He nodded quickly, thanking me before turning and leaving. Before they were about to walk out, their hands broke free and they went seperate ways. It was smart that Reid was keeping it a secret for now, we already have enough on our plate. I sat at my desk, listening to the Agents converse amongst themselves in the bull pen.
We have been working on this case for months it felt like. We needed to end it and we needed to end it now. The fact that this monster just walked up to my son and Charlotte and talked to them was sickening.
He knew where I lived and he now knows that I have a family. My son was strong, I knew he could handle this.

He was my strong little boy.

My eyes pricked with tears and I looked over at a family picture resting on my desk. Rebecca and I are holding Peter on our shoulders, smiling into the camera. I remember that day, it's one of my favorite memories. We were having a picnic at the park.
Peter was running around kicking a soccer ball while Rebecca and I ate and watched him play. It was such a beautiful day, I wish I could go back. I'd do anything to go back and have her here with me. I miss her so much.

We have to find them.....we have to.

I watched Reid talk to Morgan and Rossi as they seemed to be getting closer to the suspects' hiding spot. Reid couldn't tell me much about where Rachel was taken, she didn't seem to like wanting to talk about it. Reid has come up with three choices as to where they have been hiding or where they are located.

The woods

The city

or

The mountains

We have narrowed down millions of places and are left with just three. Three simple places, but so hard to pick which one is the right one. Its like picking door Numbers 1, 2, and 3. If you pick the wrong one, you get a horrible outcome.

We have to keep trying.

I rubbed my temples, feeling a stress migraine coming on. Not only was I trying to find two serial killers, but I also have to deal with this apparent budding romance happening in the office.

This can't just be a simple case, could it?