The Goodbye Scene (Criminal Minds Fan Fic)

Chapter Twenty One

Hotch's POV:

I gathered the team, except for Reid. I had Anderson distract him, also assigning Garcia the task of persuading Reid to take a few more personal days off.

''What's up?'' Morgan asked, walking in

''We're going to find Ashton'' I announced

Prentiss looked over at a worried Morgan, sharing uncertain glances.

''We can't let Reid know'' I added

''What?'' Morgan protested

''I don't want to get his hopes up, I also don't want his personal feelings to get in the way'' 

''We all have personal feelings here, Hotch'' Morgan replied

I ignored him, looking at the rest of the worried team. I knew they had mixed feelings about lying to Reid. JJ began to walk out, wondering if she could sacrifice her relationship with Reid again. I followed her out, leaving the team to talk.

''As soon as we having something solid, I'll tell Reid'' I said

She shook her head, placing her hands to her face and letting out a sigh of frustration.

''Hotch, I can't keep lying to him'' She replied

I looked down, sighing too. I placed my hand on her shoulder and tried to reassure her.

''We'll find him'' I stated

JJ nodded and eventually smiled. I knew it was fake, but I accepted it anyway. She walked away and headed to her desk. I watched her pass Eve's, trying to refrain from looking back. Morgan eventually came round to the idea too.

Prentiss, still unsure. Rossi was with me all the way, knowing Reid's conflicting feelings could jeopardize finding Ashton. He was too close to the case, I couldn't justify letting him help search with us.

I grabbed my phone, leaving the conference room. I phoned Garcia, waiting a few minutes before she finally picked up.

''Have you asked him yet?'' I said

''I'm nearly there'' Garcia replied

''Get back to me''

I put the phone down and the team had dispersed, except for a concerned Rossi. He was leaning against the chair, with his arms folded. I walked inside, realising this would be a serious conversation. I shut the door behind me.

''Do you remember Maeve?'' Rossi asked

I was confused and surprised by the question, but nodded.

''Do you remember how it affected Reid?'' He asked again

''Yes'' I simply said

''Just so we're clear'' Rossi replied

He glanced over at me, before leaving. I was confused by our conversation, hoping it didn't mean Rossi knew something he shouldn't. I walked into my office and closed the door, ignoring the calls I was getting.

JJ passed my office a few times, pretending to be busy, but was really checking up on me anyway she could. I shooed her away from the window upon realizing she was watching me. I was getting tired of being constantly watched.

JJ had informed me that she had visited Reid, telling me about she found him scrubbing the blood of Eve's walls. The thought scared me, I was in a constant panic that Reid would go back to drugs to help him cope.

This was the very reason I had sent Garcia round to see Reid. He would be home by now after running an errand with Anderson. I knew he wanted to be distracted, but working himself too hard wasn't the answer.