A/N: ...That was a year ago that I wrote I'd have the next chapter up soon. In my defense I lost the notebook.

Yeah. Not much of a defense. So this scene won't work as well since it's not as...organic?...as it should be since I'm rewriting an idea that was in my head, like, a year ago. And still haven't found the notebook.

Felt the need to get back to my roots as a Hotch/Reid shipper so here you all go.

James shrugged, leaning farther back in his chair.

Reid realized that James was trying out his own seduction game and felt himself stiffening even more than usual.

"Life changed," James said. "Maybe I was a genius, once upon a time. But I missed a chance, or it was taken for me." A bitter smile twisted at his face. "And look at me now. A perfect example of how life, or god, favors few, and those who it doesn't...they lose everything."

"I wouldn't say you lost all your chances," Hotch began. "Right now, you've got a good chance to save your friends and community here in the Las Vegas suburbs. Men who are...just like you...are being killed, for no other reason than the fact that they..." His gaze trailed over James in a lazy motion. "Are attracted to men."

James swallowed. "What chance do you give me?" He asked. "What chance can you give me? What chance does saying something give me?"

"You'll saved lives," Hotch said.

"That doesn't give a guy like me much comfort," James shot back.

"I think it does," Hotch said. "You aren't a cold man. You try to be. You try to pretend that life has fucked you up to the point that you just don't care anymore but I can see beyond that, James. I know that you want to help, but you think there's no chance of redemption for you anymore. You think that your life is completely at a dead end. I'm here to tell you differently."

"You give me too much credit," James sighed. "Who says I know anything?"

Hotch smiled, a slow smile that made everyone's heart stop. "I don't think I give you enough," he said softly, in a voice that was almost tender. "I don't think anyone did, James."

"You, uh, called me Jamie earlier," James said, in an almost pleading voice.

"Did I?" Hotch asked. "Well, then, Jamie. I'm going to ask you one more time, and if you still have no information...I'll have to let you go." He met James' eyes and Reid inhaled at the intensity showing in Hotch's eyes.

"Do you know anything about the torture and subsequent death of several homosexual males in the past two weeks?" Hotch asked. He started to pull pictures. "This is Evan Treski. He was quite a nice looking guy. Here's Theo Anderson; Paul Grant..." He shook his head as James refused to speak. "Simon Bolton. David Ashton...and the man we believe is currently in our UnSub's grasp: Elliot Wright."

James started to shake his head wildly, pressing his lips together.

"James. Jamie. Come on, you can tell me," Hotch said. "I won't blame you. It's okay. You're in a safe place."

"Elliot's my lover," James blurted out. "And I was going to propose. We've been together for so long. But I fucked it up. I'm on too many drugs. He broke up with me."

"And?" Hotch asked, voice intent.

James shook his head. "That's all I have," he said, voice raw. "I swear."

Hotch stood up. "Then I'll have the police let you go."

"Why did you come in?" James asked, as Hotch neared the door. "Why you? Why not let your team take care of it? I had nothing to tell. Why try so hard?"

"You had something to tell, James," Hotch said slowly. "You still have something to tell. You're showing that quite clearly. But I guess trying to get you to speak up...was just a waste of my time."

He met James's gaze, shattering the young man. "Which is a pity, James. Because I hate to think that you'd waste anyone's time."

Hotch turned back to the door, his hand twisting the door knob.

Reid, on the other side of the glass, was already walking forward to meet him, but James spoke.

"I can tell you," he blurted. "I know more. I don't know who's doing it but I know something."

Hotch turned to face him, and Reid stopped in his tracks at the smile on Hotch's face.

"I knew you did, Jamie."

Furnished with new information, Hotch exited the room some time later. Kate leaned against the table, arms folded.

"We can continue this tomorrow; we all need a good night's sleep before we utilize this information," he said quietly.

James had been released from police custody and Hotch was slowly rolling his sleeves down; buttoning the cuffs.

"Sir," the police chief said, entering. "Interesting technique."

"Thanks," Hotch said, laughing the compliment off.

"I don't think any of our detectives could have pulled that off. I'm honestly impressed with how intrigued with James you pretended to be," the chief continued.

"Well, I wasn't pretending," Hotch said. "James is like someone from another life; as he said, the portrait of what happens when you aren't favored by life. I saw too easily how he could have been me or almost anyone I know."

The chief nodded. "Well, I look forward to morning," he finally said. "We're getting somewhere in this investigation, and I'm glad."

"We'll see you bright and early," Hotch agreed, shaking the man's hand.

Kate and Reid followed Hotch silently from the room, all heading to the sole remaining FBI SUV parked outside.

"Want to drive, Kate?" Hotch offered. "I'm too tired."

"I'm up for it," she agreed, taking the keys from him. "I'll go start it and let it warm a minute for you guys. It's cold out there."

She smiled at Reid before leaving and he paused.

Hotch turned to face Reid. "Long night," he commented, meeting Reid's gaze.

"You can say that again," Reid said, finding himself moving closer to Hotch.

Hotch reached a hand out; placed it on Reid's shoulder. "We're still sharing a room," he began. "We can talk when we get back to the hotel, if you aren't too tired."

Reid found himself fighting a smile. "I'm not too tired by any means," he promised.

Hotch's hand fell back to his side. "Good," he said, voice soft. As they walked from the station, his arm came up around Reid's shoulder for a moment, in a protective gesture that made Reid look forward all the more to what they'd talk about later that night.