Loose Lips, Hotch/Reid, PG

[severity-softly.livejournal.com]

Title: Loose Lips
Authors: innerslytherin and severity_softly
Rating: PG
Pairing: Hotch/Reid
WC: 6,200
Summary: "No one keeps a secret so well as a child." - Victor Hugo


This is part of the "Fathers Are Not Born" universe, all of which can be found at this tag. This is part SEVEN. Each installment may also be read as a stand alone fic, however it will hopefully add to your enjoyment if you read the series as a whole. :)



Aaron finished assembling his report on the latest case the BAU had completed and slid it into its cover. The week was almost over, and soon he and Spencer would be able to go home and wait for Haley and Jack to get there. He was thinking about going out for supper tonight instead of cooking. He was tired and just wanted things to be easy. Maybe they'd get lucky and Jack would fall asleep early, and then he and Spencer could snuggle on the couch. Maybe, if Aaron were especially lucky, he could convince Spencer to rub his feet.

He went to get a copy of a file he needed, and that was when his plans for the evening fell apart.

"Spencer!" A high-pitched child's voice burst through the low buzz of the bullpen noise, and then Aaron heard running feet. He went to the door of his office and looked up in time to see his son take a flying leap at Spencer. Haley was just inside the door, laughing.

Spencer's eyes had gone wide, and he was looking down at Jack like he was an alien. And, of course, Morgan and Prentiss were both in the bullpen staring at Spencer and Jack.

Jack looked up and Spencer murmured something to him that Aaron couldn't hear, but he heard Jack's reply. "Spenceeerrrrr," Jack whined, and Spencer gave in and touched his head. Jack yelled, "Up!" and again Spencer gave in and obediently scooped Jack into his arms before there was a spectacle.

A moment later, Spencer glanced up at Aaron's office door, his expression pleading, and Aaron realized that Spencer wasn't the only one looking.

Aaron took a deep breath and stepped out of his office. They'd managed to keep it a secret for nearly two years; he supposed it was the best they could ask for. It was certainly better than JJ or Garcia had done with their relationships. He began to go down the ramp towards Haley, but then Jack must have seen him.

"Daddy!" he shrieked, and Aaron quickly changed course to go to Jack first.

"Hey, buddy," he murmured.

"Kiss!" Jack ordered, and Aaron obediently kissed his cheek.

"Now Spencer," Jack said.

Spencer sighed and shot Aaron a look, but kissed Jack's cheek. Aaron saw him whisper something in Jack's ear that looked suspiciously like 'I love you, but be quiet, okay?' It was too quiet for even Aaron to hear, though.

"No, Daddy kiss Spencer now." Jack said, his face drawing into a frown. Fortunately his voice wasn't as loud, but Aaron still saw Prentiss' eyebrows shoot up.

Aaron reached out and smoothed Jack's hair. "We're at work. Daddy and Spencer don't kiss at work. Let's go talk to your mom, okay?"

Jack made an unhappy noise and tightened his arms around Spencer's neck. Then he buried his face against Spencer's shoulder. Aaron sighed and gave his lover an apologetic look, then headed over to Haley.

"I'm sorry," she said, though she was still stifling laughter. "I didn't realize the team was unaware. I hope he didn't give too much away."

Aaron gave her a rueful smile. "It'll be all right. What about you? Is everything okay?"

"My mom is worse," Haley said, her laughter fading immediately. "I was hoping I could leave Jack with you for a while, actually. I don't want him to see her like this. Their last visit was really good, and Dad says Mom doesn't really know anyone now."

Aaron nodded and rested a hand on her shoulder for a moment. "We'll be happy to keep Jack. Tell your folks they have my thoughts and prayers."

She leaned in and hugged him quickly. "Thanks. I need to go. See you later." A moment later she was hurrying out the door.

Aaron turned, wondering when the inquisition was going to start.

Prentiss was still seated and staring, but Morgan had stood up and was talking to Jack. His eyes kept darting at Spencer though, his glances a little confused. "Hey, Jack, I haven't seen you in a while, little man," he said.

"Who're you?" Jack demanded.

"Derek," Morgan replied, holding out a hand that Jack didn't shake.

"You're short," Jack told him, and at that Aaron could help but snort. Spencer had mysteriously shot up a few extra inches recently, and the way he was holding Jack had Jack's head just above Spencer's, looking down at Morgan.

Morgan laughed. "Maybe you're just tall," he replied.

"Spencer maked me tall. With magic." Jack was watching Morgan. "Do you work with Daddy and Spencer?"

"Yes, I do," Morgan said. "And so does Miss Emily Prentiss." He gestured at Emily, and Emily finally stood and walked over.

"Hey, Jack," she said, smiling kindly at him, and Jack looked a lot less suspicious of her. Then again, she just seemed to have a way with kids.

She was still talking to Jack when Aaron glanced up at Dave's door. Dave was leaning against the door frame, watching, his arms folded over his chest and his legs crossed at the ankle. He was grinning like a man who'd just won a bet.

"What are you grinning at?" Aaron muttered.

"Just glad you finally told them."

Aaron glared at him, though there wasn't much heat to it. "You didn't know it was Spencer," he accused.

Dave shrugged, still grinning. His grin vanished a moment later, though. Jack had apparently craned around to look for Aaron, then seen who he was talking to. "Uncle Dave!" he shouted, and started bouncing in Spencer's arms.

Aaron had to fight a grin of his own.

Jack squealed and squirmed out of Spencer's arms, then ran up the ramp.

"Hey, Clint," Dave greeted, and bent down, holding out his arms.

"You're silly!" Jack yelled, and shoved playfully at Dave's chest. Dave grunted, but hugged Jack anyway.

Spencer just looked at Aaron awkwardly.

"Uncle Dave?" Morgan said, a grin spreading across his face. Aaron let a tiny smirk escape and he headed over to deal with the fallout.

"You should see the presents he gets Jack for birthdays and Christmas," Aaron said as he came up next to Spencer.

"So...how long?" Prentiss asked. Aaron glanced at Spencer.

"It's been a while," Morgan said, also looking at Spencer. "Because it was at least a year ago that I was trying to set you up with that friend of mine, and you said you weren't looking then."

Spencer shifted. "Almost two years," he admitted.

Prentiss' mouth fell open. "Two years?" she asked, sounding almost impressed. Morgan was frowning again, though, just slightly.

"We didn't want to talk about it at first," Aaron said slowly. "In case it didn't work out." His heart sank as he wondered if Morgan felt threatened somehow by this. He didn't seem to like things that rocked the status quo...but surely he could see that nothing had changed, if he hadn't even realized Aaron and Spencer were together.

"And then, you know..." Spencer shrugged, looking at the corner of he desk a few feet away. "It's, ah... it's work. It shouldn't really..." He trailed off and made a vague gesture, and Aaron really wished it was appropriate to put his arms around Spencer right now. He looked a little exposed.

"Nothing has changed as far as the team is concerned," he said finally. "It doesn't change our relationships here at work." He looked at Morgan, willing him to understand.

"Uncle Dave says I should leave him alone so he can work, and that you should give me a piggy back ride because you have nothing better to do!" Jack exclaimed, and everyone looked down at him, not having heard him come up (which was sort of amazing). He was looking expectantly at Spencer, and Prentiss started laughing, hiding it badly behind her hand.

Aaron rolled his eyes. "Sometimes your Uncle Dave seems to enjoy making trouble," he said. Jack just looked confused, and Aaron leaned down to pick up his son. "No piggy back rides here at work," he explained. "It's against the rules. Like at school."

Jack made an unhappy face. "Like you and Spencer not kissing at work?" he said.

Aaron felt his face burning. "Yes, like that," he said, and didn't look at the rest of his team.

"But Uncle Dave said you guys were just down here running your mouths," Jack protested. "Do you not kiss at work because of the s'liva?"

Spencer cleared his throat. "I have to get back to my report," he said quickly, and Jack whined loudly.

"PIGG-Y-BACK-RIIIIDE!" he demanded.

Aaron gave Jack a warning look, which accomplished nothing but to make Jack's eyes well up with tears. "Uncle Dave said I could have a piggy back ride!" he shouted. Aaron did his best to ignore the way the support staff were beginning to watch what was going on, and swore to give Dave a piece of his mind later on.

"We do not have piggy back rides at work," he said in a low voice. "And if you continue to act like this, you will embarrass Spencer and me, and then I'll have to take you straight home instead of letting you stay here to watch us work."

Jack just made a sobbing noise and reached a hand toward Spencer, though Aaron held him tighter. "I want Spencer," Jack pleaded through tears. "I don't want you. I want Spencer," he said, and tried to squirm out of Aaron's hold.

Aaron held a sigh, though he was slightly relieved that Prentiss and Morgan both politely went back to their desks to spare them. He was getting a little tired of this routine, though. Every time Aaron told Jack 'no' lately, Jack demanded Spencer because he knew who the softy in their family was. Spencer really wasn't doing a very good job of making it any better, either.

Spencer looked at Aaron with a expression that clearly said 'let me fix it', which earned him a tiny glare.

Aaron tilted his head in place of a shrug and let Jack down, whereupon his son ran to Spencer, still crying. "Uncle Dave said!" he whimpered. "I want a piggy back ride!"

Aaron wondered if Spencer would kill him for abandoning him, but decided it was worth the risk. He edged backwards, thinking of making an escape to go take out his frustration on Uncle Dave. Spencer saw the movement, though, and fixed Aaron with a look that said he would be in trouble if he left.

Spencer scooped Jack up gently. "Did you have a nap today?" he asked quietly.

"No," Jack whimpered, shaking his head dramatically. "Piggyback, piggyback."

"Do you want to go lie down for a little bit, and then I'll give you one?"

"Nooooooo," Jack sobbed.

"You're tired," Spencer told him, wiping his tears.

"No, I'm not," Jack protested, but he rested his head on Spencer's shoulder and snuggled him.

Spencer finally inclined his head to say Aaron could go, and Aaron was glad, even if he had a feeling that meant that Spencer was going to go outside and give Jack his piggyback ride as soon as Aaron disappeared.

Aaron gave Spencer a warm look in return and then headed for Dave's office. As he got closer, he could feel his brows drawing together in annoyance. He went into Dave's office without knocking and shut the door.

Dave looked up, a surprised expression on his face that Aaron didn't believe for a minute.

"You just caused a minor explosion out there. You know I want Jack to understand the difference between home behavior and public behavior. The BAU is not a place for piggy back rides, Dave."

Dave pressed his lips together and looked down, and Aaron got the distinct impression that Dave was trying to keep from laughing. "Oh, Aaron, he's five."

"Exactly, and if he begins to learn now how to behave properly, he'll have a good foundation for when he's older." Aaron scowled at him. "Regardless of whether you agree with me or not, he is my son, Dave, and I would appreciate it if you could refrain from things like that at work." Jack wasn't here often, and it had been at least a year since the last time he'd been here, but there was no harm in enforcing good behavior the few times he was here.

Dave held up his hands in surrender, and then folded them over his lap, watching Aaron. "I did know it was Spencer, by the way. Jack isn't exactly discreet." He gestured toward the bullpen. "How'd that go?"

Aaron kept scowling at him, but after a moment he folded his arms and sighed. "At least Jack was the only one who threw a temper tantrum. Though you sent him to interrupt before Morgan really had a chance." He glanced out the window to the bullpen, but Morgan had vanished. Prentiss was talking to JJ by the coffee area. "I suppose we'll find out."

"They'll be fine," Dave said. "It'll take them a few days of gossiping, and then they'll get over it. Are you going to stand in my doorway, or take a seat?"

"No, I just came in to remind you which of us is the parent here, Uncle Dave," Aaron said dryly. "I'm fine with you spoiling him, as long as you don't let it interfere with our work." He let the corners of his mouth twitch up, then he went out.

The bullpen was devoid of his family, which made him decide his suspicion had been correct; Spencer must have taken Jack outside for a piggy back ride. Aaron held in a sigh, but he had to admit, there had been a time not that long ago when Spencer wouldn't have known how to give a piggy back ride, so it was probably worth it in the long run.

He was surprised, when he got back to his office, to find Spencer and Jack there, instead.

Spencer was rocking gently in Aaron's chair, Jack in his lap and cuddled up against him. Jack was obviously asleep, but Spencer pressed his finger to his lips anyway. "He was just tired," he whispered.

"Show off," Aaron whispered back, but he grinned at Spencer anyway. "I'm glad the Reid Effect seems to have faded," he teased.

"I think Jack's just hard headed. The Reid Effect can't penetrate the thick protective casing," Spencer said, gesturing over Jack's head as if to demonstrate some type of force field. After a moment, he rested his hand on Jack's head and stroked his hair. "Is Haley trying to punish us for something?"

Aaron shook his head. "Her mother's taken a turn for the worse. She thought it would be better if Jack remembers his grandma the way she was last time he saw her." He settled on the edge of his desk. "We have Jack for the foreseeable future." He wasn't sure what he would do if they drew a case in that time, but he'd cross that bridge if they came to it.

Spencer nodded and sighed, then frowned at the top of Jack's head, and Aaron was reminded just how much he wasn't looking forward to the inevitable questions about death. Spencer had wanted to leave that up to Aaron, given that he and Aaron believed so differently about God and the afterlife, but they both knew Jack would want to talk to Spencer too.

Spencer kissed Jack's forehead, then looked back at Aaron. "I can take him home when he wakes up. And if a case comes up, I'll stay here. You know I can help from home if needed, if Garcia keeps me updated."

Aaron's brows drew together. "Or Dave can lead the team and I can stay with him. You don't have to offer that." He smiled at Spencer. "Anyway, we might get lucky and not have a case."

They heard a low gasp from the doorway, then Garcia's voice whispered, "Oh, I almost didn't believe it, but Morgan was telling the truth, wasn't he?"

Aaron turned to look at her. She was staring at the three of them with an awed sort of expression on her face.

"You're smiling, sir."

"He does that from time to time," Spencer said wryly.

"Holy schmoly," Garcia replied, and then she was grinning.

"Spe'cer, c'I have my piggyback ride now?" Jack muttered, not fully awake.

Spencer cleared his throat softly and leaned down to murmur in Jack's ear. Aaron clearly heard, "I already gave you one," though. Spencer gave Aaron a sheepish look, and Aaron rolled his eyes.

"Y'said I c'd have 'nother one when I woke up, if I slept," Jack grumbled, and Aaron couldn't hold a groan.

"We'll talk about this later," he promised Spencer, and shook his head, then turned back to Garcia. "Is everything okay, Penelope?"

She'd been staring at Spencer and Jack, but when Aaron spoke, she jerked out of her trance. "Oh! Yes, um, well, that is..." She glanced at Spencer again, then said, "Yes. Fine. I just wanted to see if Morgan was telling the truth."

Aaron pressed his lips together, trying to hold in a laugh. Obviously she wanted to talk to one of them, but not both of them. He had a feeling it was Spencer, since in general he was the more approachable of the two of them. "He was. I think I'm going to take Jack home now, but I'll see you all tomorrow."

Penelope nodded and lingered for a moment more, then turned and left. Aaron turned back to Spencer and Jack. "Sorry, Jacks, you'll have to take a piggy back ride from Spencer later. He needs to work, and you and Daddy need to go home."

Jack whined, but he seemed too sleepy to protest. Spencer tilted his head at Aaron. "I said I could take him," he said. "The team needs you more than me."

"I think Garcia wanted to talk to you," Aaron said, walking around the desk to take Jack. "Anyway, the team doesn't need me more than you, particularly not for one afternoon. It's just a few hours, and I can't imagine we'll get called in on a case at this point in the day. If I'm wrong, just call my cell and we'll figure something out."

He glanced over his shoulder, then brushed a light kiss against Spencer's lips. Jack made a sleepy noise of happiness. He liked seeing them kiss so much that Aaron sometimes wondered if Jack, young as he was, had been more aware of the unhappiness between Aaron and Haley than he'd ever let on. "I'll see you soon."

Spencer sighed, and guided Jack out of his lap. "Tell Dave you're leaving. I don't feel like having him smirk at me right now."

"Wimp," Aaron teased.

"C'we say goodbye to Uncle Dave?" Jack asked.

Aaron let Jack kiss Spencer goodbye, then snuggled his son close. "Yes, let's go say goodbye to Uncle Dave." With a wave, he headed out.





Spencer tried to go back to his desk and work. As much as his relationship with Aaron hadn't changed their work relationship, having it outed to the team by a five year old who demanded kisses, snuggling and piggy back rides didn't make the rest of the afternoon overly comfortable. Especially considering Morgan was glowering at his work.

Oh, he was trying to hide it, but Spencer could see. He hadn't been overly convinced that Garcia really had wanted to talk to him, but after watching Morgan for a while, he slowly realized that Morgan had probably talked to her about why he was upset.

After about an hour, Spencer sighed and pushed away from his desk, heading for her office. He knocked quickly, before he lost his nerve, and poked his head in. "Hey. Hotch seemed to think you wanted to talk to me."

She spun in her chair and beckoned him in. "Come in, sweetie. Shut the door. Penelope the wise has some advice to impart."

Spencer frowned at her, but he walked in and shut the door, then crossed the room and sat in the chair next to hers. "Advice?"

"Always wear a condom and always use virus protection software." Penelope gave him a brilliant smile and waved dismissively. "No, no, that's not it. Doctor Reid, you've been keeping things from the team. And I, personally, can forgive that, considering the yummy factor that now tempts me to spy on the two of you." She winked at him. "But I think someone's upset that he didn't know about this."

Spencer felt himself blush, but then his mouth fell open when Garcia finished. "That's what Morgan's upset about?" he asked, staring at her.

Garcia shrugged and patted his hand. "Sweetie, you're his best friend. I think he could live with the fact that you didn't tell him who it was until he learned it was Hotch."

Spencer frowned at her, feeling even more confused. "So... now that he knows why I didn't say anything, he's mad?" He tilted his head at her. "You're his best friend."

She laughed. "I'm a girl, my handsome gay genius. There are things he can't talk to me about that he can talk to you about. Anyway, I think it's possible he's upset more because you didn't tell him it was a man, than that it was Hotch in particular." She cocked her head to one side. "Though I could be wrong about that. In any case, now you've got him thinking maybe you're not as good of friends as he thought." She pushed his chair so he rolled towards the door. "Now be off, my furry friend, and make good use of the wisdom I have imparted." Then she grabbed his arm. "But if you tell him I told you, I will hack into the computer systems of every school you've attended and remove your transcripts." She beamed at him.

He stared at her. "Ah..."

"No ahhh, just shoo," she told him, and he blinked at her and stood up to leave.

"Um, thank you?"

"You're welcome. Now shoo." She opened the door and gestured him out, then shut it firmly behind him.

Spencer stood outside her door for a long moment, feeling a little dazed. No one could ever accuse Garcia of being subtle. Finally, Spencer made his feet move, though, and headed back to the bullpen.

When they passed in a corridor, Dave grinned and greeted him with a, "Hey, pop." Spencer glared and snapped at him to shut up, then made his way back into the bullpen.

The rest of the day was quiet. Too quiet. Spencer couldn't concentrate at all, either, so the day was dragging even more. Eventually, he saw Morgan get up to go home, and Spencer jumped out of his seat and halfway in front of Morgan. "Coffee?" he asked, giving Morgan a hopeful look.

"Thanks, but you probably got plans, don't you?" Morgan said gruffly. He didn't quite meet Spencer's eyes as he pushed past him, but at least he didn't pull away from contact when their shoulders brushed. Spencer hadn't really thought Morgan was homophobic, but it was good to be reassured.

Spencer sighed, then followed after Morgan. "I'll just tell Aaron I'm going to be late. There weren't plans other than TV watching and toddler wrangling."

"You'll tell Aaron, huh?" Morgan said, the abruptness not leaving his tone. "Don't worry about it, man, I've got a date I should go get ready for." It was, if not a blatant lie, an exaggeration. Spencer had been playing poker with Morgan for too long not to know his tells.

"Don't make excuses. If you don't want to go to coffee with me, just say it," Spencer said, and stopped chasing Morgan.

Morgan took a few more steps, then sighed and hung his head for a moment. "Hurry up, then, kid. Don't keep me waiting."

Kid. Morgan hadn't actually called him that in a long time, but Spencer darted back to his desk for his messenger bag anyway, and then caught up with Morgan on the elevator. He was sort of glad that there were other people in it because it meant that they didn't have to talk. They didn't talk, in fact, until they got out to the parking lot and agreed on someplace to meet.

Then he remembered that Aaron had driven them to work and almost turned around to ask Morgan if he'd mind giving him a lift when he realized Aaron's car was still there. Aaron must have borrowed an SUV, so Spencer climbed into Aaron's car and started it, then dialed Aaron.

"On your way?" Aaron answered.

"Ah, not exactly. It wasn't really Garcia that needed to talk to me. It was Morgan. I'm meeting him for coffee so he can sulk... and possibly yell at me," Spencer said, pulling out of the spot. "Hey, thanks for leaving the car."

"It's fine." He could hear the smile in Aaron's voice. "I had a feeling Morgan would have something to say about all this. Are you okay?"

"Yeah," Spencer said, frowning, then sucked in a breath, wanting to ask something that had been bothering him since he talked to Garcia. "It was...? I mean... we...?" He made a frustrated noise, not sure he could get it out. "Never mind."

"What?" Aaron prompted.

Spencer sighed. "We made the right choice not telling them, right?"

Aaron was silent for what felt like a long time. Spencer could hear him breathing, and then he sighed. "I don't know. I thought we did."

"Yeah," Spencer said, but it didn't really make him feel any better the closer he was getting to the coffee shop. "I'll be home later, okay?"

"It's fine. Take as much time as he needs." Aaron's voice was warm. "I love you, Spencer. And Morgan will get over this."

Spencer nodded. "I love you too. Bye." He hung up just before he got to the coffee shop. They'd picked one that wasn't very far, but it was Morgan's choice and Spencer hadn't been here before. He wasn't sure what to expect, from the place or his friend.

Morgan had beat him there and already had a cup in front of him at a table. But he did look up and wave to Spencer, showing that he had a second cup there, too.

"Thanks," Spencer murmured as he slid in across from Morgan. Morgan slid the sugar over to him without a word, and Spencer watched him for a moment, then started adding it to his coffee.

Morgan just watched him as he sweetened his coffee. His expression didn't give away what he was thinking. It was strange, but Spencer hadn't realized how much Morgan shared of himself until now, when Morgan was like a closed book to him. They sat in silence for what felt like a long time, until Spencer realized Morgan wasn't going to speak first.

Spencer sighed, then started at the most obvious point. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

"Are you?" Morgan's voice was low. "Or are you just sorry you got caught?"

Spencer looked at him for a moment. It was true that if he hadn't been caught, he and Aaron would be snuggling at home right now without a care in the world. He was sorry they got caught, but right now that wasn't what was bothering him. What was bothering him was the way Morgan was looking at him. "I'm sorry that... that the way I... we decided to handle this hurt you."

Morgan's jaw worked and he looked away, then sighed. "I guess maybe I just thought you trusted me. Maybe I was wrong." He looked back at Spencer, holding his gaze challengingly.

"I do trust you," Spencer said, but Morgan didn't look like he believed him. Spencer looked down and stared absently into his coffee. "It's Hotch. He's our boss. It's... it wasn't planned, and we didn't want to... I wanted to..." Spencer sighed, then blurted, "to protect him."

"Oh, okay, it all makes sense to me now, Reid," Morgan said, his voice biting. "Why didn't you just say that to begin with? 'Hey, Derek, look, I trust you with my secrets, but I know you're gunning for Hotch's job, so I'm not gonna tell you he's banging me in his spare time.' Or maybe you coulda just said, 'Hey, Derek, I fell in love with this really great guy, but he doesn't trust you, so I can't tell you who it is'."

Spencer started to reply, but then he wound up just staring at Morgan, his mouth open, feeling like he was choking on words. "Don't-- don't say 'banging me'," he finally managed after a moment, his brow creased, and for a few moments, those words made him feel a little sick. Eventually, he managed to swallow. "I never thought you wanted Aaron's job, and his secrets are his." He pressed his hand to his forehead. "And he does trust you."

"Sure, yeah, he trusts me so much that you keep this a secret." Morgan shook his head, then looked up. "What the fuck, man? You couldn't even tell me you're into guys? I wouldn't have wasted my time trying to set you up with girls I know. Yeah, you really trust me." He directed a disgusted look off across the room.

"Just because I like guys doesn't mean I don't like girls, you know?" Spencer said, glaring. "You know how long it took me to get over that business card Austin sent me; I was flattered, even if I was taken. And you know I wanted to call Lila Archer, so you can't say I wasted your time." Spencer shifted and looked at his coffee. "I didn't think you would want to know that I liked guys." He couldn't meet Morgan's gaze after that.

There was a long silence, and then Morgan snorted. "For a genius you can be really fucking stupid. You really thought I'd...what, quit being your friend because you're bi? Thanks a lot." But his voice was more relaxed than it had been, even if he still sounded angry.

Spencer wasn't sure Morgan really understood what he meant. He wasn't sure Morgan realized he'd been thinking about Carl Buford. And Spencer wasn't about to be more specific. "I don't know what I thought, Morgan, but it wasn't all about you. We kept it from everyone. We thought that was the safest way to go."

Morgan sighed and rubbed his face. "Uncle Dave didn't seem too surprised," he groused.

"Uncle Dave hangs out with Jack on a semi-regular basis, and Jack never shuts up," Spencer countered. After a moment, he sighed. "I should have trusted you," he admitted. "We just started out quietly, and it didn't feel like we needed to change that."

Morgan sipped his coffee in silence for a minute, then shrugged. "I know Hotch has always kept his personal life to himself," he began. "But you and me...I dunno, we talk about stuff." He sighed and then shrugged again. "Hell with it. You're pretty damn happy with him, huh?"

Spencer's lips twitched up, but not all the way. He wasn't sure he was allowed to smile yet. "Very," he answered, nodding. He sighed. "I'm sorry."

"Oh shut up," Morgan said, nudging him under the table. "I know you are. You been walking around like a kicked puppy all afternoon." He sighed. "We're good, man. Just...I better be the first one you tell if you get pregnant, okay?"

Spencer laughed, then smiled warmly at Morgan. "Yeah, no problem." He took a sip of his coffee. "I still sort of wish the whole team didn't know, but I guess it will be nice not to have to hide it anymore. As long as Garcia doesn't try to spy on us like she threatened."

Morgan leaned back, looking a little more relaxed. "Just let the girls catch you two making out sometime and she won't have to." He snorted, rolling his eyes. "For like ten minutes after I told her, all she could say was, 'Hotch and Reid? Oh my God, that's so hot!'" His high-pitched impersonation of Penelope was dead-on.

Spencer laughed again, but he felt his face heat. He dropped his head into his hands, his hair falling around his face. "Oh my God."

"You're so easy," Morgan said, chuckling. "I'd have thought that after the way Jack told everyone today, you'd be beyond further embarrassment for the day."

"Yeah, well no one was expressing interest in voyeurism," Spencer said, and sat back, rubbing his face.

"Well, you know..." Morgan tilted his head and studied Spencer. "You are damn pretty, and Hotch has that dark, sexy brooding thing going on..." He grinned when Spencer started flapping his hands to shut him up, and then Morgan started laughing. "Damn, I don't think I've ever seen you that red."

"Shut up," Spencer insisted, and managed to meet Morgan's gaze, even if his face was still burning. "What? You want to watch too?"

Morgan laughed and shook his head. "I'll pass. Not that I mind, but you know. If there's action goin' on, I'd rather be part of it." He winked and waggled his eyebrows, then laughed again. "So Hotch is all yours, pretty boy." He took another sip of his coffee.

"Good, because I wasn't planning on sharing." Spencer made a face, then grinned. "I don't think Jack would approve, anyway, and what Jack says goes."

Morgan snorted. "I'm short," he said, shaking his head again. "I don't know how you got taller than me. Must be all that running around after a kid. Heh, who would've imagined Spencer Reid a dad?"

"Not me," Spencer said. "I told Aaron I couldn't do it, and Jack scared me for a long time." He shrugged. "It sort of sneaked up on me, and I still don't think I'm doing it right."

"I don't know, he was pretty excited to see you today. I'd say you're doing something right." Morgan gave him a lopsided smile. "You're lucky, you know that, right?"

Spencer smiled, thinking about that for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah." He took another sip of his coffee. "You sure we're okay?"

"Hey," Morgan said, meeting his gaze. "I got your back, Spencer. Always." He gripped Spencer's shoulder for a moment. "We're good."





It was late when Spencer got home, and Aaron was starting to wonder if he and Morgan had killed each other. When Spencer came through the door finally, his lips pulled to the side in a wry smile. "Morgan made me sit through some terrible action movie with him. He says we're fine, but I think he was still trying to punish me," he said, and collapsed on the couch next to Aaron. "Is Jack asleep?"

Aaron laughed and pulled Spencer close to kiss him. "I put him to bed an hour ago," he said. "You'll note that doesn't necessarily mean he's asleep." He was glad they'd ended up working things out.

"Did you give him the piggy back ride I promised him?" Spencer asked, settling against Aaron's chest.

"Of course I did," Aaron said. "I just didn't do it at work." He smiled and ran his fingers through Spencer's hair.

"I took him to your office, at least," Spencer said, closing his eyes and leaning into the touch. "That's why I had to promise another. We couldn't go very far in there."

Aaron shook his head. "You are such a pushover. You're going to have to start saying no before he starts trying to play us against each other on more serious issues." But he was still smiling.

"It's your job to say no," Spencer said, and wrapped his arms around Aaron.

"It's your job to agree with me," Aaron replied. "We have to present a united front." He kissed Spencer's hair. He knew it was hard for Spencer to say no. Maybe it was because of all the things Spencer hadn't had growing up. But Aaron really didn't want this pattern to continue through Jack's teen years.

"This isn't a war, Aaron. It's... spoiling him, yes, but..." Spencer shrugged and went quiet.

"It isn't a war, but it is teaching our son properly when he's young, so when he's older he'll behave properly. Just wait until he asks me if he can borrow the car, and after I tell him no, he'll come to you." He squeezed Spencer gently. "Are you going to let him drive the Amazon?"

Spencer glared. "Not until he's at least thirty. Do you know the statistics on accident rates by age?" Spencer shook his head. "That was my mother's car."

Aaron chuckled. "Obviously I'll have to hide my keys when he turns sixteen, or you'll be loaning him my car." He kissed Spencer slowly, sliding a hand down Spencer's back. "You ought to go in and kiss him goodnight. Then we can go to bed." He let his lips curl slowly.

"Mmm." Spencer kissed Aaron again, then pulled back. "I will if he's still in there talking to himself."

Aaron laughed. "Kiss him anyway. He won't wake up if he's asleep." He stood up, pulling Spencer with him, and wrapped an arm around him to deliver another promising kiss. "I'll be waiting for you."

---

The next installment in this series: Canceling the Reid Effect

Comments

[ubervirgin.livejournal.com]

Aww...so cute.

I'm so glad you guys finally posted another fic from the vault. ^_^

I love where you are taking the series. Maybe Uncle Dave could babysit Jack solo?

I'm sure he's just a big mush-pot. ^_^

[innerslytherin]

Hee, thanks! I'm glad you liked this. You know Uncle Dave is totally a mush-pot! :D

[severity-softly.livejournal.com]

He so is. :D

Thanks!