The girls were all huddled together near JJ's desk, watching Hotch walk by looking at his phone, a faint smile curling at his lip.

"Should we be worried for his health?" Prentiss questions, eyes still following their boss.

"Maybe...did we do the wrong thing by suggesting he keeps talking to that person? I assumed it would likely taper out into nothing when the case was finished." JJ frowned, twitching at the sudden snort of amusement from Garcia.

"Oh honey, I wasn't even there in person when this started and I knew." The bright TI grinned at JJ, eyes momentarily glancing at her before turning back to Hotch, who is slowly ascending the steps to his office.

"Knew what?" JJ asks, curious.

"There's something about this person that our Hotch likes, finds interesting. He just needed our approval to keep the messages going. Judging by the amount of time before he gets replies, the feeling is definitely mutual."

"How do you know when it's this mystery person replying, or even when Hotch gets a message at all?" Prentiss, curiosity piqued, turns her gaze to Garcia instead. Hotch has likely noticed their staring anyways. Garcia sighs exaggeratedly.

"I thought you were the profiler," she grins. "Nobody replies that quickly with such long messages unless something is up. And judging by how much time it takes Hotch to read the messages, they have to be long."

"What are you lovely ladies up to?" Rossi, having just walked in, asked, eyebrow raised slightly.

"Hey Rossi. What do you think about Hotch texting that mystery person?" JJ smiles gently.

"Hmm, well I have nothing against it, but I am worried about the fallout if something bad were to happen. He's not exactly being careful anymore."

Garcia nods, face serious in her agreement.

"Exactly! So since you agree Rossi, and are a fellow male, it should be your duty to go interrogate your friend." Prentiss states, eyes shining with amusement.

Rossi snorts, leaving the group to go talk to Hotch. It would be a waste to try and argue with one of them, let alone three.

Hotch didn't look up at the gentle tapping on the door-frame, giving a simple "enter."

Rossi, figuring the best approach would be bluntness, clears his throat. "Are you developing feelings for your mystery friend?"

Hotch drops his pen, paperwork forgotten as he quickly looks up.

"What? No. What gave you that idea?" Hotch asks, face not giving anything away.

"Well, the way you act whenever you're talking to them. We support whatever decision you make, just be careful when you do make that decision." Rossi sits in the chair across from Hotch, calmly watching as a crease forms between his friend's brows.

"It's only been a month since we started talking. But I will be careful, plus it hasn't been that long since the divorce."

"Anything can happen in a month, trust me." Rossi grins, Hotch snorting faintly in amusement.

A few hours later, with paperwork finally done for the day, Hotch heads home, knowing someone will call if they get a case. His phone beeps with a message while driving, though Hotch doesn't open it until he's settled inside his house.

Did you know that milk wagons gave us the white lines on either side of the road? It was devised by a man named Edward Hines in 1911 after seeing drops of milk along the road from a milk wagon.

No, I did not. That is interesting, though odd the idea came from spilled milk.

At least they didn't cry over it being spilled. Actually, the first published citation of "spilt milk" was written in 1659, from a collection of English proverbs by James Howell. Originally it was "shed milk".

I didn't know it had been around for so many years.

I apologize for saying weird facts, if it annoys you just tell me to shut up and I will. Sometimes I get carried away.

No, don't apologize. I find it interesting. How did you learn all this stuff though?

Ah, I have an eidetic memory. Can't forget anything that I read or hear.

Can't imagine that's very fun most of the time.

Hitting the send button, Hotch sets his phone down to grab a soda, expecting to have a response by the time he returns to the chair. However, his screen remains blank. Hotch simply shrugs, thinking the other is likely preoccupied. When two minutes stretch to five, he begins to restlessly tap his foot. After fifteen minutes, Hotch was up and pacing the stretch of carpet in front of the TV before grabbing the phone and sending another message.

I am sorry if I said something inappropriate.

Three minutes and Hotch's phone finally dings. With a sigh of relief he quickly grabs the device and opens it.

You didn't, I heard a noise coming from my neighbor's house. I am going to go check on them really quick.

Hotch frowned, not sure how to all, they could end up injured or worse.

Be careful, is all Hotch can come up with.

Okay.

That's the last message sent between them as Hotch readies for bed, realizing it's almost midnight. He busies himself with replacing dirty clothes with clean in his to-go bag, then showers, letting the steam fog up the mirror and warm his chilled nerves. Thirty minutes have gone by as he sits to finish paperwork for the previous case his team finished. It was tedious work, a lot of repeated signatures and a recount of everything that happened to take the unsub in.

Two hours after their last message, Hotch rubs at his nose, feeling sleep encroaching on him as he turns on the TV for a distraction. It doesn't work, unable to stop checking to see if there's a message yet. Just as he begins to fall asleep sitting up, his phone rings, the song Wayward Son jerking Hotch back to consciousness. It was the ringtone Garcia picked for work related calls, grinning as she programmed it in. Groaning, he quickly answered, a sharp "Hotchner" leaving his lips.

"Bad time?" JJ's voice comes through, concern hidden with amusement.

"Sorry, haven't slept yet." He ran a hand down his face as she sighed, Hotch easily imagining the way she would be shaking her head in exasperation.

"Unfortunately you might not get to for a little while longer, we just got a high priority case."

"Okay. Jet?" He asks, quickly grabbing the bag he repacked earlier in the day, suddenly glad to have thought to do so.

"No, it's a nearby city, we can drive. Can you meet us in 10?"

"Yeah, I'm on my way." Getting into the car, Hotch speeds to the precinct, thoughts of his missing friend momentarily forced to the side. It is time to focus on a new case.

The first time Spencer heard the faint thump, he thought it was imagined or an animal outside in the trash. By the third, louder thump though, his attention was caught enough to tell the person he's talking to he'd be back. Knowing about the recent in-home homicides, Spencer stays quiet and alert. He looks around the corner of his front door, searching for any suspects, before a crash sounds from the neighbor's house, followed by a muffled yell. Not sure why no one else has been alerted to the sounds coming from an otherwise peaceful home, he walks over to their door only to find it cracked open.

The stench of blood reaches his nose as Reid walks in, the house now eerily silent. Knowing that isn't a good sign, he moves forward through the entryway and into the living room, quickly spotting the slumped and bloody forms of the married couple. Worry twisted his stomach; they have a 5 year old daughter. Reid refuses to think the word 'had' as he continues into the stairway, reaching right before the kitchen where there's a sudden noise like clicking china.

It's not hard to spot the thin man wearing a mask, holding onto a silently crying child by her hair and hovering a knife near her neck. That is, until the man spots Spencer, panic making the man's eyes go wide, and hand lax enough for the girl to escape into the other room. This makes the male panic more, and before Spencer can do anything there's a knife sticking out of his side and the suspect running out through the back door.

"Shit." Spencer thinks, one hand clutching the bleeding wound as the other fumbles with retrieving his phone from the back pocket of his pants, messily dialing 911 as he slides his body down the kitchen wall.

"This is 911, what's your emergency?"

"I've - I've been stabbed," Spencer's breath came out in short puffs, a few wet coughs interrupting him - getting the words out became more difficult as he continued to answer the lady's questions.

"Okay sir, just stay with me, there's help on the way." She finally says, and despite Spencer's best efforts and the pleading brown eyes of the little girl, he falls into the depths of unconsciousness.

When he wakes up, it's to the distinct smell of a hospital. He's aware enough to see the nurse looking over his chart, and Ethan sleeping uncomfortably in the chair beside Spencer's bed. Only a few seconds later, he is falling asleep, the pain feeling like a very dull throb until it recedes completely.

The following morning Spencer wakes up completely, and is immediately met with a frowning expression on Ethan's face. It makes Spencer cringe a little inside, sorry to have made his friend so worried.

"Hey," Spencer says, startling Ethan who immediately focuses his eyes on the male laying in the bed.

"Spence… oh thank god. How are you? Any pain? I should call the nurse." Ethan speaks quickly, about to stand up. He stops though when Spencer grabs ahold of his arm with a weak smile.

"No, it's fine. The nurse should be on their way. It's about time for the rotations to check on patients."

"What, no specifics?" Ethan teases, eyebrow raised. Spencer goes to reply, but Ethan raises a hand in silence. "Easy, I would love to hear more about nurse rotations, but you just woke up one hundred percent aware of your surroundings for the first time since the stabbing. Relax, Spencer. The FBI would probably prefer you to be able to answer their questions without you passing out on them."

Spencer sighs, nodding in agreement, just as the nurse walks in and smiles at seeing him awake and talking.

"How are you feeling? Is anything bothering you at all?" the nurse asks, looking over a clipboard.

"None, I'm feeling fine, just a little sore from the wound," Spencer replies.

"Very good, then you will likely be clear to leave tomorrow morning. For safety precautions we want to monitor you for one night now that you are awake, make sure everything is fine." The nurse speaks calmly, marking notes on the clipboard before he leaves the room again.

Only an hour after being released and settled back at home with Ethan watching over him, Spencer is comfortably sat on the couch watching Animal Planet when someone knocks on the door. Ethan easily gets up from the chair he was in, not giving Spencer the chance to even twitch.

"Hello?" It's not hard to guess it's the FBI on the steps, badges already out for proof of identity.

"Hi, I'm Emily Prentiss with the BAU, and beside me is Agent Rossi. We are here to see if Spencer Reid is feeling up to answering some questions for us?" Agent Prentiss questions, voice kind and understanding. Ethan sighs, not wanting Spencer to be bothered so soon after getting home.

"I'm sorry, could you come back later? Spencer just got settled and should rest before being interrogated about what happened."

"Oh! Um, of course, when should we -"

"It's okay Ethan, let them in." Spencer's voice drifts in from the nearby front room, Ethan silently standing aside to let the two Agents in despite his reluctance. He glared as they walk past, though it doesn't appear to make any sort of difference. Ethan follows them into the next room, taking a seat on the couch beside Reid, ready to put a stop to the questions the moment his friend looks too tired to continue.

Prentiss smiled at the male who answered the door, wondering if he's Spencer Reid, but her question is quickly answered when he tries to get them to leave, referring to Reid as a separate person. Rossi stands beside her, silently watching and taking every detail in. She is about to comply to the request to come back later when a soft voice reaches them. The male - Ethan, almost visibly deflates as he moves aside for them to go in.

They enter the home into a tidy living room, a thin male on the couch slowly sitting up with the help of Ethan. A moment later and they are all settled and it's hard for her to not profile both of the men sitting across from her so she focuses more on the questions that need to be answered.

"Good evening Mr. Reid, sorry for the intrusion, but we hope you can answer some questions?" Prentiss asks, as Rossi looks over the nearby bookshelves.

"It's Doctor Reid, actually," Spencer smiles faintly, "but yes."

"My apologies, Doctor Reid," she responds, "can you tell me what happened that night?"

"I had been texting...a friend, when I heard the noises from my neighbor's house…"

The conversation continues for another thirty minutes, Rossi sitting back down five minutes in; he was intrigued by the male sitting in front of them. To Rossi, the way Doctor Reid spoke was almost familiar - like how Hotch had described his newest messaging friend.

When Prentiss and Rossi leave, Spencer gets up and heads to the bathroom, but pauses halfway there to look at Ethan who was hovering at his side.

"I'm going to shower then head to the station and see if they need my help."

"What? Spencer, you need to take it easy!" Ethan objects, spluttering as his hands came up as if to block Spencer's way, though the movement is aborted halfway.

"I don't care. Ethan, this guy killed my neighbors and nearly killed me too. I need to make sure he's caught before anyone else is hurt," Spencer explains, eyes bright.

Ethan sighs, resignation noticeable as he whispers out "Fine."

"But only if I go with you," he continues, arms now crossed along his chest in defiance. Spencer chuckles.

"Okay."

"Reid, what are you doing here? You need to be at home healing," Robertson asked.

"I'm here to help." Spencer raises an eyebrow in challenge, Ethan shrugging when Robertson looks over at him for help.

"Fine, but only if Ethan sticks with you in case something happens. Everyone is in the Big Room."

The two follow Robertson to the room, recognizing the two agents Prentiss and Rossi already sitting in there. However, Robertson brings them to someone else, who Spencer immediately realizes is likely the BAU's head agent.

"Agent Hotchner, this is Doctor Spencer Reid and his friend Ethan," Robertson states. "Doctor Reid is a consultant who helps us on cases frequently."

"It's nice to meet you, Doctor Reid, I assume you will be helping with this case then?" Hotch speaks easily, his smooth voice and strong handshake sending pleasant tingles along Spencer's skin.

"Nice to meet you as well, Agent Hotchner." Spencer smiles faintly. "The handshake actually dates back to the 5th century B.C. in Greece as a symbol of peace to show neither person was carrying a weapon. It can also tell a lot about a person, from the way their posture and grip is perceived. Like just now, you had a perfect handshake - showing you're confident, driven, and trustworthy, and -"

"Spencer," Ethan interrupts Reid's monologue, who stops talking with an apologetic smile.

"Sorry, I do that a lot." Spencer tilts his head towards the doorway of the Big Room, inviting Hotch and Ethan to enter before him. They pass by him, Hotch speechless from the introduction as he sits in a nearby chair. It wasn't difficult to recognize Spencer Reid's speech pattern, the habit of giving facts. Hotch was not expecting to find the person he's been texting so close to his own home. There hadn't been any further messages from the mystery texter, since the one saying they were checking on their neighbor the other night, and Hotch has been on edge with worry and panic waiting for a response. He'd attempted to distract himself with everything he could so as to not check his phone every few moments or send the other a message each time. The knowledge that this person he'd been texting is Reid now washes over Hotch like a bucket of cold water and he has to clutch the chair's arm in order to not rush to Reid's side and check the injury himself.

A moment later, Prentiss is standing in front of him with a smile, eyes knowing.

"So that is him then? The one you've been talking to," she asks, nodding towards the room Reid is now in.

"You knew it was him?"

"Only after he started to really talk during the interview. He fits your description to a T. So… what are you going to do now? You like him right?" Prentiss settles onto the edge of the desk as she talks, and Hotch hesitates but knows she means well, and decides to be honest.

"I fell in love. I'm not sure when exactly, but I did, and seeing him - talking to him in person - just amplified that. I don't know how it happened." He lets out a small chuckle, rubbing a hand across his face harshly as J.J. calls out to them, her head poking out of the Big Room's doorway.

Prentiss smiles while straightening back up to head towards the rest of the team. "The heart is mysterious like that. Follow it, and it will lead you to happiness."

It's three days later when the case is finally solved. Reid, having realized who Hotch is, has been skittish around the man the whole time, not knowing what to do or say. Though it's obvious to Reid that Hotch knows too, it's also clear that he doesn't know how to bring it up either. When the BAU team is headed back to the hotel they're staying at, Hotch stops Reid before the man can get into the car, Ethan still a little behind them talking to Morgan.

"Reid. I was wondering if you would be open to having breakfast together in the morning? Just the two of us."

"Oh! Um, yeah, okay. I would be happy to get breakfast with you. Just… text me the time and place?" Spencer hesitates slightly towards the end of his response, not knowing how Hotch would react to the suggestion. However, Hotch smiles at him, nodding.

"Okay." Hotch turns to leave, only to turn around after reaching his own car, watching with a twist of knots in his stomach as Ethan makes Reid laugh as they drive away. Hotch knows it's jealousy, but ignores it.

The following morning Spencer wakes with a weak groan, hand flapping about sleepily as he searches for the ringing phone. After finally locating it under the blanket, he flips it open and blearily eyes the screen.

From : Hotch 7:00 a.m.

Hey. Good morning. How about the Riverside Cafe at 9?

Spencer grins, slipping out of the bed while typing a reply.

To: Hotch 7:03 a.m.

It's a date (:

His hand shakes while sending it, face burning red. While not sure how the older man feels, Spencer is willing to take the chance that just maybe he feels the same. Taking the time to get ready, and look halfway decent, Reid heads to the Cafe, nerves running along his limbs.

It's easy to spot Hotch once inside the small building, the scent of coffee and donuts smacking Spencer in the face. He quickly walks over to the counter and orders a coffee with enough sugar to potentially take up a third of the cup on its own, before sitting down across from the other male, a box of doughnuts sitting in the middle of the table.

"Help yourself. I didn't know what ones you'd like so I grabbed a variety." Hotch gestures towards the box, and Reid picks up a chocolate glazed one. "How is your injury?" he asks almost awkwardly.

Spencer smiling softly. "It's better, almost completely healed now."

"That's good." Hotch smiles in return. The conversation continued to flow for the next hour. Both cups of coffee are refilled twice - the box of doughnuts quickly emptied as they lose track of time.

The conversation eventually slows to a stop, Hotch catching Reid's gaze and holding it as he tries to convey everything in those seconds, his hand slowly reaching out to connect with Spencer's own. He gives the other time to move away, and when he doesn't, Hotch sighs softly as their fingers lace together in a soft grip.

"Reid...Spencer… I need to tell you before there isn't another chance to. I'm in love with you, and have been for a while now. It might be fast or too presumptuous of me, but there's still an open position in the BAU that you can apply for. I know that you would be accepted for it. I could help you find a place to live that's closer to the office. Or… you could move in with me. If you want."

The more Hotch says, the further Spencer can feel his eyes widen and the faster he feels the racing of his heart. None of that had been what Spencer was expecting to come of this date, but it is so much better than simply telling the other male how Spencer loves him, expecting to be rejected. Taking a deep, slow breath, Spencer can't swallow the small grin that takes over.

"That...that's a lot to take in. First, I want to say that I love you too. However, I will need to think about applying for the BAU and moving. I hope that's okay?" Spencer says, unsure, but there's a gentle squeeze to his captive hand that calms his nerves again.

"I understand. I will wait for your decision." Hotch's eyes crinkle slightly in the corners with his smile, love and happiness clear in his eyes. They talk a little bit longer, before Reid has to leave to help on a new case. As they say goodbye outside, Spencer kisses Hotch on the corner of his mouth, before sliding into his car.

Two weeks later Spencer's wound is completely healed and he is cleared for field duty, so he begins packing his things in preparation to move. A week before he had put in his application for the BAU, and it didn't take long to be hired. Reid wasn't surprised when the process was overseen by someone other than Hotch - something he counted on, even.

A total of three weeks have gone by since Spencer met Hotch in person for the first time, when Spencer gets off the plane in the nearby city: Quantico, Virginia. He takes the time to make sure all of his stuff made it to his new home before heading to the BAU precinct, intent on greeting his new boss.

Walking into the building, he gets excited grins from the rest of the team, Prentiss pointing him in the right direction towards Hotch's office. Giving a nod of thanks, he quickly walks up the steps, not stopping until the cracked open door to Hotch's office greets him. A faint knock and a responding "enter" prompts him to walk in, shutting the door behind himself.

Hotch looks up from his work, expecting one of his teammates, only to find Spencer smiling at him instead.

"You're - you decided?" Hotch stood, closing the distance between them with only a few steps.

"I'm your newest teammate, and my stuff is all settled into the new house nearby. Of course, I could still move somewhere else, or I have space for an extra person." Spencer shrugs, not moving away from the close proximity between them.

"I thought it would take longer for you to decide." Hotch raised a hand, laying it on the side of Spencer's cheek.

"Well… it wasn't so difficult to decide after all." Spencer whispers, closing the distance between them, lips meeting in a soft kiss before parting and meeting once more, the kiss growing deeper and just that much sweeter for the both of them.