Fic: The Moment In-Between

[daylyn]

Title: The Moment In-Between
Author: Daylyn
Fandom: Criminal Minds
Rating: PG (FRT)
Pairing: Hotch/Reid
Word Count: ~ 550
Warnings: Fluff?
Disclaimer: All characters belong to their copyright holders. No profit is intended.

Summary: In the Criminal Minds novel, Killer Profile by Max Allan Collins, there’s a scene where Prentiss sends Reid to wake up a sleeping Hotch and Hotch enters the conference room a moment later looking rather mussed. This is what happened during that missing moment in-between.

Author’s Note: This is for bowie28, who so wonderfully provided info about the little Hotch/Reid moments in the Criminal Minds novels, and for travelinthedark who surmised that there was a bit of Hotch/Reid loving when Reid was sent to wake Hotch up.

All italics are direct quotes from Killer Profile by Max Allan Collins.


The Moment In-Between
By Daylyn


Turning to the room [Prentiss] asked, “Anybody know where Hotch went?”

With a vague gesture, Reid said, “He’s in one of the back offices, trying to catch an hour’s sleep.”

“Wake him,” Prentiss said.

Shaking his head, Reid said, “He doesn’t want to be disturbed. He said—”

“Whatever he said, he’s going to want to hear this. Wake him.”

Her tone carried enough weight to propel Reid out of his chair and out of the conference room. [Killer Profile by Max Allan Collins, pp. 171-172]

*****


Reid moved quickly from the conference room, but with great reluctance. Hotch had looked exhausted when he told Reid he was planning to take a nap. Hotch had to have actually been exhausted for him to even consider taking a nap at the police station during the middle of a case. He had even said that he needed to get some sleep before he collapsed.

Reid opened the door to the back office quietly, the light from the hall illuminating the dark room. Hotch appeared sound asleep, his careworn face looking almost peaceful. He had his jacket off and was using it as a blanket. Reid left the door open a crack to provide some light and then approached the sleeping man.

“Hotch,” he said softly.

Hotch didn’t stir.

“Hotch,” a little louder.

Still no response.

Reid looked down at Hotch’s sleeping form, his breath catching slightly. ‘My lover,’ he thought suddenly to himself, a secret thrill running through his veins. He was still amazed at the turn their relationship had taken, especially watching Hotch sleep. ‘I’m actually allowed to see him asleep,’ Reid thought. And then the reality of where they were struck him. ‘But not right now.’

Reid kneeled on the floor next to Hotch and gently shook his arm. “Aaron,” he said quietly.

Hotch blinked and looked at him bleary-eyed. “Spencer? What’s up?” he asked sleepily.

“Come on, you have to get up. Prentiss thinks there may be a lead on the case.”

Hotch blinked again and then, seemingly without thought, reached out up to cup the back of Reid’s head, drawing him down for a kiss. Reid went willingly. Hotch gave a small hum and touched his tongue to Reid’s lips, which opened automatically, allowing Hotch’s entrance. They kissed, lazily and slowly, for a few moments. Reid reached out and stroked Hotch’s head, running his fingers through the short hair. Hotch moaned a little louder and pulled Reid closer. Reid couldn’t help himself; he pulled back slightly and loosened Hotch’s tie, gently kissing his neck. “So sexy,” he murmured as he kissed his way up Hotch’s jaw and then claimed his mouth again.

A noise in the outside corridor reminded them that they were not alone. They parted abruptly as they remembered that they were in a back office of a police station and that there was an unsub to catch.

Hotch struggled to sit up. Reid was still kneeling before him.

“You’ve been drinking coffee,” Hotch said.

Reid cocked his head and gave him a bemused look. “Yes. How do you know?”

“Because I can still taste the sugary sweetness in your kiss.” Hotch leaned forward and quickly kissed Reid one more time. “Prentiss thinks there’s a lead, you say?”

Reid licked his lips and nodded. They both stood. Hotch ran his fingers through his hair, trying to smooth it in place.

“It looks a bit of a mess,” Reid said with a slight smile. “That might be my fault.”

“Thanks,” Hotch said dryly. He reached out and tousled Reid’s hair.

“Hey,” Reid exclaimed.

“Oh, like anyone would notice,” Hotch said with a smirk. His smile faded. “Ready to go back to work.”

Reid nodded. “Yeah. Let’s go catch a killer.”

Hotch led the way out of the office.


*****
Their bleary-eyed team leader came in quickly, jacket off, neck tie loosened, short hair managing to look mussed, and said to Prentiss, “Please tell me this is a major break.” [Killer Profile by Max Allan Collins, p. 172]

Comments

[windchildx66.livejournal.com]

I haven't had the chance to read the books yet, but this is such a great fic, I'm moving them up on my "To Read" list! :D

This is such a sweet moment I just wanted to go "AWWWWW!" *fangirl*

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Here's the funny thing -- I haven't actually read the books either, but bowie28 posted some excerpts to point out some of the potential Hotch/Reid goodness. This scene just cried out to be expanded.

I too am going to have to read these books.

So glad you like the fic!

[bowie28.livejournal.com]

"the sugary sweetness in your kiss" hmmm... &hearts

This is exactly what I imagine happening in that scene. Thanks for writing it down and spreading the love. Feel free to link back to my post if you want. I think I might make a post about the books/SH references @ cm_hotch_reid, but I'm not sure if the copyright thingy will be a problem.

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

Linked! I didn't want to link to your post without permission and I was to excited to post this little ficlet to wait and ask. I'm soooooo glad you liked it (as you really were the inspiration).

I ordered the books, btw.

I think from a practical sense you don't have much to worry about if you post a link to cm_hotch_reid since you identify the author and are not providing scans of the entire book (and seriously, because of your scans I'm now buying the books). But this is just my opinion.

[amejisuto.livejournal.com]

YES! I've read this book and this was just about what was going on my head! HEE! Great job!

It really is a good book too! I loved it. I'm halfway through Jump Cut and it actually creeped me out a little.

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Just reading that little excerpt made me go, 'Whoa! Just what did Hotch and Reid get up to make make Hotch so deliciously mussed.' Glad you liked my little take on it.

I just ordered the books, btw. I'm looking forward to reading them.

[mombailey.livejournal.com]

Ok. So I've read the book, but I think I shall be reading it again!!! Great job darlin!!!

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I just ordered the books and I shall be on the lookout for happy little H/R moments.

[daftfear.livejournal.com]

Ok I clearly fail at life because I didn't even know there were books! *ded from fail*

MUST be checking that out now... but back on topic...

This was so fantastic! Seriously I got shivers and it's just a wee little scene! You should write these CM books, I think. Yes. *flail* Hotch/Reid make-out in a police station is hot! XD

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

I didn't know about the books either. bowie28 provided a wonderful discussion (it started out with Hotch and Reid talking about Sherlock Holmes -- and flirting (I swear Hotch was flirting... that's my interpretation and I'm sticking to it) and then she posted some book excerpts, including this one which was just crying out for exploration.

So glad you liked it. I think that Hotch/Reid making out in police stations may be my newly discovered kink. Thanks!

[resolucidity.livejournal.com]

I haven't read the books either, but now I just might have to.
It's always a pleasure to read your fic, and this was yummy goodness! I'm a sucker for kissing!fic (no pun intended *g*) and this was a great one. Thanks for sharing.

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

Thank you so much. Hotch and Reid kissing is a lovely thought, especially making out in a police station (yum...) Glad you enjoyed.

[travelinthedark.livejournal.com]

they are so freaking cute together. and “Oh, like anyone would notice,” Hotch said with a smirk. totally made me smile.

and i love love love it when spencer calls hotch 'aaron.' yay for ficlets! and even more yay for the epic crossover (for which i am incredibly excited).

<3

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

Thanks! I think they would have their "couple-y" moments, with a little bit a teasing, a little bit of intimacy, a little bit of love. And Spencer calling Hotch 'Aaron' just warms my heart too.

God, I have a feeling the Epic Crossover is going to be loooooong. I always get these "simple" ideas, and then they become more involved in the execution. Although I'm so excited about that fic I can barely stand it. Hmm... maybe I can write some more tonight. (Don't hold your breath on it being finished soon, though). Off to write now...

[travelinthedark.livejournal.com]

yeah, i don't think this qualifies as a 'simple' idea... but it's so good it's worth t.

[phantomdaae1981.livejournal.com]

OMG, this was awesome! I haven't read any of the books (I didn't know if they would be any good), but if they have hints at slash which enable fics such as this one, I may have to start reading the books after all.

This was adorable, very lovely, and I love how you weaved your scene into the excerpts from the actual book.

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

Thank you! I don't know if the books are really as slashy as this scene, but really, this scene from the book just begged for a moment of slashy goodness. I mean, if you send Reid off to wake Hotch up (and Reid is the only one who knew where Hotch was sleeping, btw) and then Hotch shows up all mussed up... um... yeah... well, my mind is definitely going to create scenarios to fill in the missing time. So glad you liked it!

[enchantedfey.livejournal.com]

Ok so I have now read the book... had to go and get the ebook so that I could then read this and *happy sigh* I TOTALLY thought this happened as I was reading.

And there is nothing better then a ruffled up sleepy hotch!! :)Thanks for writing this :)

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Nice to know that I could enhance your reading pleasure. And ruffled up sleepy Hotch is a thing of pure *squee* (I think because there's an element of vulnerability which you know is there but is generally hidden by his stoic facade). So glad you liked this.

[the-gubette.livejournal.com]

I saw you post this earlier today, and my first though was 'There are books?' So I immediately went online and ordered the 2 that I could find. I can't wait to read them!

And this was so sweet! And fit in perfectly with the excerpts. *sigh* I love Hotch/Reid so much. :)

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

There are three books actually (I've just learned) -- Jump Cut, Killer Profile, and Finishing School, all by Max Allen Collins. They're of supposedly questionable quality, but still... The little bit of potential H/R goodness that I excerpted comes from the second book. I just them ordered the books myself too.

Thank you! Hotch/Reid is one of my all time favorite obsessions pairings. Glad you liked this.

[jomk.livejournal.com]

I read the books. My opinion was meh.

I vote for you to write CM novels: awesome case, great teamwork, lots of H/R. Pretty please?

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I've heard the books were of questionable quality. But this scene was like, 'Whoa! What are H/R getting up to that would cause Hotch to come out looking so deliciously mussed?'

And thank you! Well, I don't know if I'll write a CM novel, but the next thing I'm working on is the Epic Crossover (as I've named it) that arose from the discussion that led to this little ficlet. It's a Crim Minds/Sherlock Holmes crossover, with Hotch/Reid, Holmes/Watson (pre-slash for them), mad scientists, explosions across time, intrigue at the U.S. Embassy in London (the weakest part so far), and a hunt for Jack the Ripper.

Yes, crack-addict plot bunnies have eaten my brain.

I'm a slow writer with an annoyingly demanding job (don't they know I need to write fanfic!), but it will eventually be coming.

Oh, and I have an idea for a case fic based on my Five Dinners universe. It appears that Hotch and Reid have consumed my brain, which really isn't such an unpleasant thing.

[ice-ziggee.livejournal.com]

Haven´t read the books but really enjoyed the fic.

If you need a hand with the research or pushes, case or timemaching-wise, you are welcome to use me a soundingboard any day :) I can´t wait for that fic.... Ohhh, goodie, good, good with cherry on top.

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Glad you liked the fic. (Yeah, I haven't read the books yet either. But I'm planning to....)

And I'm so glad you're excited about the Epic Crossover (as it is now named). I hope I'm not promising too much, but I'm actually pretty excited about it too. It's going to be long, however. (I've already written 8,400+ words and they just got to the point where they agreed to search for Jack the Ripper). I have the basic story outlined (in my head), but I may actually need a soundingboard for some of the details. I will definitely let you know if I get stuck (I'm having a bit of a hard time figuring out the U.S. Embassy intrigue. I know, basically, what happens, but I just want to focus on the time-traveling part so that's getting pushed aside right now as I write).

Anyway, I'm a slow writer (usually), but I will definitely keep working on it. Thanks for being interested!

Thanks for the tipoff

[meneathiel.livejournal.com]

I wasn't aware there were books I have now ordered them.

This was great. Wouldn't it be awesome if this was in a book. ;) Also ...I love the hair messing.

Thanks for sharing.

Re: Thanks for the tipoff

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

Thank you. And I think we all have to thank bowie28 for letting us know about the books (which led to this fic). Yeah, Hotch comes into the conference (in the book) with his hair mussed up after Reid goes and wakes him. It doesn't take that much of a leap to figure out that Reid was the one messing with Hotch's hair. So glad you liked this.

[rathanylakan.livejournal.com]

Aww... that's sweet :)

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[http://users.livejournal.com/_nextboldmove_/]

Oh man, from those brief snippets from the novel...I can imagine Max Allan Collins doesn’t keep them in character...
That being said, I like your little make-out session, so adorable. Thanks for sharing!

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

Thank you! Hotch and Reid can never make out too much. So glad you liked it.

[thedeathchamber.livejournal.com]

Oh.There are books. *o* Must read.

This was really cute!! Sleepy!Hotch is yummy. :)

[daylyn.livejournal.com]

Thank you. Yeah, I've read the books now. They were okay, and definitely worht the read as a fan. And sleepy!Hotch is just a delicious concept, isn't he? So glad you liked this.