Don't own Criminal Minds

Slash pairings

Set after the events of my other story Playboy but you don't need to read that to follow this one.

Erin Strauss had pulled Aaron Hotchner's BAU unit from active duty pending an investigation, citing the suspension of its acting unit chief for inappropriate fraternization as reason.

Rumors were flying around the office that Aaron Hotchner had been caught with his subordinate in his own office. What exactly they were doing, nobody knew for sure. Questions about who the subordinate even was were also high in the air. There were several people insisting it was Emily Prentiss because haven't you seen how those two look at each other? Others stated with complete confidence that the only way Penelope Garcia could get away with dressing like that was if she was doing something for the boss. A possible fling with the media liaison, JJ was brought up but all that paled to the response received to an off handed comment by Agent Anderson.

"I always thought he was pretty close with Dr. Reid…"

The ladies who had been standing around gossiping looked as if Christmas had come early, they fervently agreed so quickly that Anderson realized his mistake.

"No…I meant you could ask Dr. Reid who it is-"

The damage had already been done and by the lunch hour, there wasn't anybody around who didn't know without a shade of doubt that Aaron Hotchner had been fucking his pet genius Spencer Reid.

While it was good fun to speculate and spread the rumors, none of the other agents were willing to go anywhere near Hotchner's BAU to ask for confirmation. Derek Morgan was prowling around in such a mood that he had reduced a desk clerk to near tears after she attempting to retrieve a file from Dr. Reid. Even David Rossi, who always got along fairly well with the other BAU teams was now being cold and distant.

They were drawing themselves closer together, as if protecting their family. It wasn't until another desk clerk actually went to Strauss with a complaint that the unit was being uncooperative that she called all of them into her office.

A weaker woman would have quailed under the looks from the profilers she was now receiving but if Erin Strauss was anything, it was not a weak woman.

"I'm giving all of you the week off with pay. Now go home." She ordered briskly. "It's not as if any of you are on active duty."

"What?" JJ spoke out first, "Ma'am, you can't-"

"I know perfectly what I can and can not do. You are all on stand by pending an investigation or a replacement unit chief can be found."

Reid shuffled his feet and looked as if he was going to speak but Morgan stepped in front of him.

"I can be temporary acting unit chief again." He stated boldly.

"No. I've already had three complaints against your attitude today, Agent Morgan. I want an unbiased unit chief." Her eyes traveled around the group, settling on the form of Dr. Reid in the back, "Go home, relax and let internal affairs decide this."

Rossi snorted and gave Strauss a pointed look before he walked out of the room. One by one the others followed until only Reid was left.

"You're dismissed, Dr. Reid."

"I should be suspended too."

Strauss gave him a firm look, "I'd rather not confirm the rumors that it was you that Agent Hotchner was having an inappropriate relationship with at the moment. Now, go home."

The others had waited for Reid by the elevator and as the young genius swung his messenger bag over his slim shoulders they glanced around at each other. Garcia had left her office and was walking towards them with Strauss intercepted her and sent her back inside.

"We're going to grab some lunch, Reid. Maybe we should…talk?" Prentiss suggested lightly as Morgan was waving sadly to his baby girl.

Reid shrugged and stepped smoothly into the elevator, "Alright."

Morgan gave him a tentative grin, "I'll give you a ride."

They all quickly made plans to meet at a Chinese restaurant and Rossi called Hotch to see if he could persuade him to meet them there.

Reid was once again the only one eating with a fork but this time no one was laughing about it and they all seemed to be waiting for him to speak.

"…what?" Reid looked up from his plate to find his friends staring at him.

"How long?" Morgan asked his voice calm and holding no sign of anger or disgust.

"Months." Reid responded vaguely, pulling a bottle of soy sauce closer.

"Reid…why didn't you tell us?" JJ spoke next, her soft features moved into a quizzical look.

"Probably the same reason you didn't tell anyone about you and Will." Reid answered quickly, looking up when he heard a set of footsteps behind himself.

"And also to try and avoid this situation." Hotch added as he walked up behind Reid, putting his hands on his young lover's shoulders.

"Hotch…"

Hotchner greeted them all and sat down with a weary sigh, "Dave said that Strauss has all of you on leave?"

"Yeah, until we get a new unit chief or internal affairs decides what they want to do with you."

Hotch ran a hand through his dark hair and took the plate of noodles Reid offered him.

"Internal affairs will probably have a decision by the end of next week." He muttered and the others exchanged glances.

"What do you think they're going to do?" Prentiss asked.

"Normal a suspension or a warning would be sufficient but this is an…unusual case. First of all, it's two men and second, it's a unit chief and a subordinate." Rossi drawled out, "It also doesn't help that you and Strauss aren't exactly buddy buddy."

"I can trust her to be somewhat fair, Dave." Hotch responded, "She did what she had to do."

The others looked unconvinced and continued eating in silence for several moments until Morgan brought up a movie he would like to see and a new, more easy going conversation began.

"Do you want a ride home?" Morgan asked Reid as they settled their check and prepared to leave.

"No, thanks Morgan." His eyes went over towards Hotch and Morgan nodded in understanding.

"Have a good night, pretty boy." He said as he patted Reid on the shoulder and followed Prentiss out of the restaurant.

Hotch and Reid left a few moments later, walking closely together towards Hotch's car.

"I asked Strauss why she didn't suspend me too…" Reid stated and Hotch raised an eyebrow, indicated he should continue, "She said she didn't want people to know that it was me you were with."

"She's trying to protect us in her own way."

Reid scoffed at this and Hotch continued, "She's too by the book to have let us off with just a warning but she's also not unsympathetic, Spencer. I know what it's like to have to bow to company policy even if you don't really want to."

Reid knew he had to listen to the reason in Hotch's logic and sighed in defeat, "It'll work out, Spencer. I don't want you to worry."

"It's my fault, Hotch. I should have been more careful."

Hotch stopped walking and pulled Reid into a close hug, "I don't regret this." He murmured, pressing his lips to Reid's in a quick kiss that slowly built up.

"I don't either…" Reid spoke as they slowly pulled apart. He truly didn't regret his relationship with Hotch but he knew as the I.A. investigation began and their relationship came more and more into light he would have battles to fight, not only for himself but for Hotch as well.

He just hoped he was strong enough to do it.

Let me know what you think!