Chapter 1

Ryan sat in the examination chair in the doctor's office, the sterile white paper crunching and crinkling obnoxiously with the slightest movement. Spencer sat in an uncomfortable chair on the other side of the small office. Ryan's lip rings sat in his hand, he gently played with the two loops in his palm as he waited for the doctor to come and give his lip one last examination.

Finally the doctor came in, He asked Ryan how he was feeling and took his lower lip between his index finger and thumb, examining the inside and outside. "Everything looks good, I think these are ready to come out" The doctor said as he fished around in the pockets of his lab coat for the tiny scissors that he used to snip the black-ish threads in Ryan's lower lip. The doctor gave one final quick examination and told Ryan that he could put his lip rings back in.

Ryan pocketed the lip rings in his jacket and picked up his crutches, Reid helping him down from the examination seat. He still had another eight weeks with this cast, as well as countless hours of physical therapy. A femur was a nasty bone to break indeed. They went out to the car and Reid opened the door for Ryan as he slowly lowered himself into the seat. Spencer took the crutches and put them in the back seat of the car. Ryan removed the small sliver loops from his pocket after pulling down the sun visor and exposing the mirror, he put them back in the small holes. Reid closed the door behind himself and started the car.

"Spence" He said, trying to get Reid's attention. Reid turned his head and was met with Ryan's lips. Sudden heat flowed through his face as he reached up and tangled his fingers in Ryan's hair. They held that kiss, savoring it until need for air forced them to slowly pull apart. The doctor had given firm instructions for "no kissing" while Ryan had stitches in his lip. Ryan leaned in again, it was softer this time, When their lips parted they stayed close, their noses touching. The Redhead chuckled as he initiated Eskimo kisses, sending a smile to Reid's lips and a blush to his cheeks.

Lunch break was almost over and they needed to get back to the BAU as soon as possible. Reid drove the car from the clinic to the office. Everyone was in the meeting room waiting for them.

"We're leaving in an hour." Hotch said. "Where?" Reid asked

"Louisiana." Hotch replied, handing Reid a file.

"Stanson, you're not cleared for the field yet" Hotch continued. "You know your way around a computer so you get to stay with Garcia for the time being."

Reid felt a little pang in his heart. He didn't feel like going on this case. All he wanted was to stay home and be with Ryan and Cera (his new best friend, next to JJ and Garcia, of course) But, following his obligations lead him to rushed, exasperated good-bye kisses in the parking garage as Reid got his go-bag from his trunk and got into the SUV with the rest of the team, leaving Ryan to hobble to Garcia's office and resume his slavery to the goddess of all things technical.

"Hey, can you drive me home tonight?" Ryan asked, using his crutch to push the door to Garcia's office closed. Not being able to drive was the most annoying thing about having this busted femur. "Sure sweetie." Penelope replied, not looking up from her screen

Ryan took the folding chair next to her fancy computer chair and awaited instructions. No instructions came, Garcia was digging through data that flashed before her eyes at a mile a minute.

"Oh your stitches came out today didn't they?" Penelope asked, finally turning to look at him.

"Good to see you're back to your pretty old self." Garcia smiled.

Reid couldn't seem to avoid the looks Hotch gave him. Something about it was…repulsive, and that was being kind. This had to do with Hayley leaving him. He couldn't cope with it and needed someone to cling to, but why did it have to be Reid.

Spencer pulled out his phone (which he had begun to use with more frequency as of lately, it was a simple enough device, made for old people). He began to type out a text to Ryan, saying that Hotch was looking at him strangely again, and that it was actually starting to bother him. Reid felt so confused, he had no idea how to explain everything to Hotch, from how he wasn't interested in him to the fact that he was with Ryan and not secretly keeping up a long distance relationship with Lila Archer.

After the plane landed and the field office was set up, room assignments were given. Reid had to room with Hotch.