Hello and happy pride month! It has been forever but here I am once again. For those of you who had read the opening chapters of the original story I based this off you may recognize some major parts at first. I decided the story needed to start in a new direction and for me completely re-writing it is how I plan to do that. I will be keeping the original on my profile but that has now been discontinued.

As usual I hope you enjoy and don't forget to read, review and drop me a comment. I am also looking for a Beta reader currently so please PM me if you're interested.

- Lauren

Disclaimer:

Criminal Minds is not mine and I'm not making any profit off this story. (If I did own Criminal minds there would definitely be some changes)

The early morning sun gave a gentle orange tone to the slowly waking world. Thin clouds contently rolled through the air appearing pink-ish in complexion thanks to the early morning light. The snow that had settled in the December night happily reflected the light, blinking like crystals on the ground.

The undisturbed snow laid in a thin sheen across the suburban street. As the sun slowly rose, the orange and pink tones the sky held only minutes before began to fade into the mundane clear blue sky.

The Behavioural Analysis Unit of the FBI was somewhat like a prized bull, and Erin Strauss took pride in her units reputation. Maybe more than she should as her remarks about the wonder of her teams were the reason they were all stuck here.

"Now ladies and gentlemen of the BAU, this is director Ted Jones, he will be inspecting the unit over the next week so," Strauss momentarily paused to give a look at Aaron Hotchner's unit, specifically Derek Morgan and Penelope Garcia, "be as brilliant and professional as always."

Penelope and Morgan quietly chuckled at the back of the room yet their actions didn't escape the mindful notice of the Director.

"Agents," he called as he gave a pointed look. "Does there seem to be something funny?"

Garcia let out a breathy gasp as she stumbled over her words to try and apologise, it wasn't until Morgan got his surprise under control that he gave a dazzling smile to the director and, with as much charm as he could muster replied: "No sir, not at all, I'm sorry."

The director gave himself a smug smirk, and with that Morgan decided he didn't like this guy at all and prayed for an out of town case.

As agents filtered back to their desks in the bullpen, the team gathered around Morgans desk.

"So," Prentiss began.

"Don't you dare say a word, Prentiss." Morgan sighed as he ran a hand over his head.

"I was only going to congratulate you," Prentiss smirked, "You managed to get yourself in trouble with Director Jones and Strauss in one mee-"

"Prentiss I'm sure you have case files to be doing as of now?" Hotch sternly told as he gave Morgan a distasteful look. "Oh and Morgan, I need to talk to you in my office."

Prentiss slid of Morgan's desk, and when Hotch was out of earshot added "And you managed to piss Hotch off too? Great start Morgan."

JJ, Prentiss and Rossi shared a small laugh as Morgan found himself slowly wishing for a horrendous case for the sole purpose of no longer having to deal with the eyes on him from all angles. Maybe he could hide in Garcia's office? Yes, he was a grown man admitting to wanting to hide from his boss. Deal with it.

Morgan knocked the closed office door three times. It was closed? Weird, it was almost always left open.

"Come in." Was the precise and concise reply from the stoic unit chief.

"Close the door behind you and take a seat," Hotch instructed, getting up to close the blinds from the prying eyes of the bullpen.

"Hotch man-"

"Stop right there Morgan."

He took the hint and shut up.

"Do you know why I called you in here?"

"Hotch, I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume it's because Garcia and I were talking during the 'important' meeting with the director?"

"It runs deeper than that Morgan." Hotch sighed and his finger went to the wedding band that sat upon his hand, even a year after his ex-wife's death.

"Strauss is pushing to get you removed from my unit and relocated."

Morgan's brain short-circuited and all he could think of was the running mantra of whatwhatwhatwhatwhatwhatwhatwhat.

"I-"

Hotch held up his hand to halt the progression of that sentence.

"I hate to be so to the point. You know for everyone in the team we are as close as family, we are a family. I had a big speech planned out but, I figured you wouldn't want it sugar-coated. I'm fighting her but, well, she seems to think you waste your talent in this team and should lead your own as a Unit Chief."

Morgan was momentarily rendered speechless. How dare that cold-hearted witch try and take him away from his family. The little sisters JJ and Prentiss. The father figure Hotch. The crazy rich uncle Rossi. And of course his darling baby girl, Garcia.

"Man you have to know I am not leaving this unit."

Hotch sighed again and that threw Morgan off, he seemed to be getting more reserved and tired as the days passed since Haley's death.

"And I'm not letting you, the entire purpose of Director Jones being here is to assess not only the BAU but our team in particular to make the executive suggestion, do you stay or go."

Let's just agree that the string of expletives that came out of Morgan's mouth should not be repeated.

Hotch gave a firm disapproving look towards Morgan yet it carried weight with it, like a regretful burden. "Gather the rest of the team and tell them to meet in the conference room in ten minutes."

Morgan was quick to notice how Hotch's gaze kept falling to the picture of Jack on his desk. Profiler or not it was obvious how he felt.

"Is Jack okay?"

Hotch's head snapped up in question.

"You keep looking at that picture of him on your desk? I don't need to be a profiler to see that something is on your mind and he's in the middle of it all."

Hotch let the smallest fraction of a smile curl his lip.

"That obvious, huh?"

Morgan just nodded sadly, "You don't have to talk to me man but, the rest of the team is here if you need to talk about it."

"It'll be fine Morgan I promise."

The thing that scared Morgan is he couldn't tell if that was about Jack or his own uncertain future.

The team gathered in the conference room in confusion. JJ was the first to speak. "What's this about? I haven't got any cases..." she trailed off.

Hotch motioned for her to take a seat alongside the others.

"It's just something you guys need to know.."

Hotch recounted the story he had told Morgan for the team allowing for a range of responses.

Morgan sat in controlled hatred for Strauss and her consistent interference within the team dynamics. His rage simmered just under the surface and was noticeable through his clenched jaw and stiff posture. He had every trust in Hotch and knew that the team would stay together. No matter how rough.

Rossi sat in agitated silence, most likely conspiring of a way to use his personal connection and convince her the team should stay as it is. His silence was proof of his deep thought.

Garcia and JJ both had tears in their eyes at the thought of the team separating and splintering across the FBI. While Garcia's tears were loud and sobbing like JJ's were contained and meek in comparison.

Prentiss was melancholy, the team had undergone a huge change when Gideon had left. She was not prepared for another change so soon.

Hotch cleared his throat to garner everyone's attention.

"The best way to convince them of our teamwork is to be a team and nothing more. When addressing me and Rossi I expect a 'sir' to be attached. Complete your files and try to contain the pet names and jokes. The director has already seen it and wasn't impressed. This week is key if we want to keep Morgan."

And with that, they were dismissed. But Morgan has a feeling this week had only just begun and was shaping up to be interesting, if not stressful.