"Baby Faces"

Rating: M it gets smutty baby ;)

Summary: Erin Hotchner has always felt compelled to protect Agent Spencer Reid, because the young agent has a baby face that's hard to take seriously. But will he take his compulsion to "protect" Reid too far?

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN CRIMINAL MINDS OR ANY OF THE CHARACTERS!

Author's Note: I had this weird Hotch/Reid dream and decided to act on it :D BTW if you delight in unexpected surprises, you'll be in for a treat in some later chapters.

He had always introduced the younger agent as "Doctor Reid," but his attempts to make Spencer a part of the gang proved more difficult than just throwing out titles. Erin Hotchner was dedicated to what little family he had left, also known as the BAU. He obsessed with keeping everyone safe, and at peace almost as much as Garcia had, maybe even more. Doctor Reid was one of Hotchner's special projects though. Nothing could stop him from trailing after his youngest agent mostly without Spencer even realizing it. Like a parent compulsively following his child to the bus stop; even if the child begged and pleaded to be left to their own devices, Hotch couldn't stop. He never ceased pulling his own hair out over the boy's well-being. After all, Spencer Reid, had the street smarts of a three year old.

Spencer's level of intelligence could do nothing for him now! There wasn't anyway that Spencer could talk the suspect down from his psychotic break. The unsub was holding him hostage. The barrel of the gun pressed so hard against Spencer's temple that he winced in pain, his face was flushed. "Erin! Help Me!" he begged. It was foreign to Agent Hotchner, the boy had never called him by his first name before. Somehow this notion struck a chord with the older agent, he was inspired to go to any length to take the unsub down. His heart pounded and adrenaline rushed through his veins like vehicles on a speedway. He unholstered his gun and pointed it straight at the unsub. "Please Erin!" The boy continued to beg trying to wriggle free from the unsub's tight, demanding grasp.

"Let him go," Hotchner ordered.

"SHUT UP OR I'LL KILL YOU! DON'T TAKE ANOTHER STEP!" the unsub commanded. Hotch felt trapped, how could he disarm the suspect without making any fatal mistakes? As Hotch held his gun aimed straight for the unsub's head he wondered if he should make the shot. How quick was the unsub himself? How many lives would it end up costing? Fear riddled through Spencer's beautiful blue eyes, begging Hotch to take the shot while fearing the blast being that close to his own head. It was clear that Spencer was just as unsure as Hotch and it was of no reassurance to the older agent that his genius subordinate didn't know what to do. Just as Hotch began to abandon hope, and become restless, help arrived.

Sirens blared through the foggy night air frightening the unsub! Lights were visible just around the bend as the traffic of uniforms rushed for the scene! He let the boy go leaving him to fall to his knees in a whimpering heap. The unsub ran into the street, never to be seen again. Hotch could have run after him, but chose too stay by Reid's side. He held the crying agent in his arms and hushed him, stroking his messy lochs of golden hair. "Spencer are you okay?"

"No, but I will be," the shivering boy answered looking up at his rescuer with eyes full of admiration and crystalline tears. The wind blew cold and bitter biting at any exposed flesh. Spencer bundled up in Hotchner's arms, clinging to his sleeves.

"You're adorable when you're in mortal danger."

"What?" Spencer asked looking up at Agent Hotchner from his paper work.

"Uh, nothing." Hotch shook himself out of his daze. How long had he been enveloped in the haunting vision that had been playing out in his head?

"Are you okay? Sir, you've been staring at me for the passed ten and a half minutes," Spencer pointed out.

"No, I wasn't," Hotch lied.

"Yes you have, I could feel your eyes piercing my skull," Spencer testified.

"I was staring off into space. Now drop it," Hotch demanded his subordinate.

"Whatever you say," Spencer remarked grinning at the older agent. He directed his focus back onto his work, he rested his head in his hand. His thumb was circling the bruise on his temple. He commenced with looking up at the other agent in the desk across from him every now and then. Just to steal a couple glances of the dark haired male who'd saved him. Every now and then Spencer would catch Hotch attempting the same. Something in the air was amiss. Hotch's view of Spencer had obviously changed since the incident. Spencer could see it, but could Hotch?

"Hey guys, we think we've locked in on his location," J.J. interrupted their back and forth of stares. "Is everything alright?" she asked sensing the tension between the two of them.

"Everything's fine. Where is he?" Hotch asked standing up.

"An anonymous tipper places him in room 1107 at a motel known as 'The Reef.'" J.J. answered after flipping through several pages on her clipboard. She placed it down on Reid's desk at the same time the boy stood up.

"Spencer, I think it's best you sit this one out," Hotch advised.

"This guy nearly killed me, sir. With all due respect, I'd like to see him get taken down," Spencer replied. Hotch rolled his eyes but allowed him to come along. Spencer Reid grinned.

The black SUV rushed through traffic and passed the several pedestrians that jaywalked and strolled along sidewalks at this time of day. The team was prepared to catch this guy and take him down. He was suspected of four murders, all of homosexual males that he had been keeping regular surveillance of. Strangled them in his own houses and raped them. The parking deck was packed. Upon finding the unsub's Camry, Emily and J.J. unloaded to inspect it. Hotch, Morgan, and Reid proceeded to room 1107. They had to hurry or the spot would grow cold. They didn't have time to receive a key from the front desk. Hotch was the one to kick the door in, an impressive feat for the head investigator who had rarely done such things. It was more in Morgan's nature to take down doors and other irrational, and risky activities. Spencer was in fact awestruck.

Upon entering they cleared the walk in bedroom. They proceeded to the sitting room to find the unsub with a male hostage that was bound up with rope. "Freeze!" Hotch demanded. The unsub ceased his activity and slowly turned to face the trio. "Now slowly put your hands on your head." The unsub complied. "Reid, untie this young man," Hotch ordered. Reid complied and started with the hostage's hands, tied behind his back. Spencer glared up at the man that had held him at gunpoint just two days ago. His eyes were full of spite. Looking back at Hotch he saw eyes full of a similar spite. Something in Hotch's eyes and tone were despicable and rough. It was plain and simple, Hotch detested the unsub. Spencer had usually only seen this behavior towards unsubs that targeted children. This was something special. Something specific was ticking Hotch off.

"You again pretty boy?" the unsub asked with a twisted grin on his unshaven face. His teeth were an unsettling tint of yellow. He had blatant cavities in the molar regions of his mouth.

"Don't answer him, Reid," Hotch ordered as Morgan worked on handcuffing the unsub. Reid felt strangely restrained as he freed the hostage. He bit his tongue, abiding by Hotch's orders. Spencer's worse judgment begged for life through words but Spencer refused it a voice.

"No, no I wanna talk to that boy later. You do interrogations right?" the unsub continued to egg the older agent on.

"We do, but you won't be talking to Reid." Hotch refused to satisfy the unsub's appetite for a weaker member to talk to.

"Why not?" Reid would whine later.

"Because the man almost killed you! I'm not letting you talk to him, that's just what the scum wants!" Hotch explained almost shocked that he had to explain at all. This boy was really beginning to wear on his nerve.

"But I'm fascinated by killers that have a certain discrimination against races, religions, and sexualities! I wanna know why, sir! Please let me interview him. I want to know what was going through his head the night he almost..."

"That makes it personal, I'm afraid I can't allow it." Hotch was searching for all possible excuses to keep his subordinate on a short protective leash.

"Come on, Hotch. Humor the boy!" Morgan urged in Spencer's defense. He prodded a little longer for his friend until Hotch finally agreed. Spencer silently thanked Morgan.

Spencer sat down at the table across from the culprit holding several files, everything the BAU had on record about the unsub. Spencer had formulated a plan the instant that they had captured the serial rapist.

"So, why did you target gay men?" Spencer began.

"Because I wanted too."

"But, you're gay. Why target gay men specifically? Why not randomly target men of all sexual orientations?" Spencer asked.

The unsub took a minute to think. "Well, because a man like yourself tends to keep himself prettier than any straight man would."

"So you can tell that I'm..."

"You can sense it on some people. That's how I picked 'em."

Spencer cocked an eyebrow. "I have a feeling that you targeted gays for a different reason."

"Why do you suppose that kid?"

"I don't think you raped them for the enjoyment of rape. I think, you're bitter toward other gay males because they never gave you a chance. To sum it up, I think you raped those men because you could never get their consent, even if you tried. Cause obviously you've stopped trying," Spencer provoked.

The unsub stayed perfectly still. "When's the last time you got laid pretty boy?"

"Well..."

"You see, I thought so," the unsub smirked.

"I'm working on it."

"Not getting very far."

"At least I have a chance at getting laid sometime this year. With consent!" Spencer retaliated.

"Oh! You must be talking about your little boyfriend in the window!" the unsub remarked pointing to the observatory window. Hotch was watching with a puzzled expression. He was astonished; provocation was an unusual style for Reid.

"Like I said, at least I have a chance at consensual sex. I have a feeling you'll get your just desserts in prison. You'll know just what it feels like."

Spencer was losing air as he felt the unsub's hands constricting around his throat. The concrete floor was cold against his back, his hair stood on end. He felt lightheaded yet satisfied with the results. The swirling ceiling and uncomfortable lack of air in his lungs was a solid reminder he was still alive and there was still hope for the desired outcome.

Hotch rushed from his post watching the interview take place. He busted open the door to Spencer's aid. He grabbed the unsub in a chokehold from behind surprising the suspect into loosening his grip. With enough brute force of Hotch ripping the suspect away from the cringing agent, Spencer was able to free himself from his second hostage situation in a row. Hotch hoisted the unsub into a corner, a security officer bustled to restrain and imprison the suspect. Hotch rushed to Spencer's side as the officer took the unsub away.

"Why the hell did you do that?" Hotch asked infuriated as he held the younger agent in his arms once again.

Coughing and sputtering a bit just before he managed to get the words out, Spencer smirked. "Because I'm adorable when I'm in mortal peril."