To Woo A Genius
Chapter 1 – A Swing and A Miss

It was a crisp, cool autumn morning when Derek Morgan strolled into the BAU, two coffees in hand and one purpose in mind. Getting the attention of Spencer Reid. He and Reid had been getting closer following the loss of Maeve. He hadn't thought twice about rushing to his boy's side and though Spencer was resistant at first, they'd been stuck together ever since. Not that he was complaining, on the contrary, the more time they spent together, the more time Derek wanted to spend together, just differently. He found himself wanting more intimacy with the genius – and not just sex either – but really cherishing the quiet moments they had alone. It wasn't often he allowed himself those kinds of thoughts, not with his line of work but Reid was different. Ever since that night at the club a couple of weeks ago…

Derek and Reid had gotten themselves a booth right at the corner of the dancefloor and bar, prime real estate for casing potential company. Derek sipped his drink calmly while the genius beside him shifted his glass between his fingers, not a nervous gesture, just idle fidgeting. "What about him?" Derek pointed to a tall, fair-skinned man in burnt out shirt and baggy jeans. "Definitely out to catch some eyes but isn't trying to be taken seriously."

"He's posturing," Reid dismissed. "All impression, no substance. I really don't need nightly companionship Derek. I've told you this before."

"Yeah but before, you were leaving out some key information." It had only been recently that Spencer revealed his preference for men. Not that he didn't enjoy the company of women, he just leaned more strongly toward masculine figures.

"It honestly doesn't change much," Reid replied.

"You're just stuck in your ways."

"Says the one who won't give up."

"Give in you mean," Morgan corrected him. Just then he noticed another man eying Reid from the other send of the bar. The way his gaze flickered between them, he must've been trying to ascertain their relationship so when Morgan caught his eye, he purposely slid out with a slight inviting gesture. "Incoming, let loose pretty boy," he muttered before making himself scarce. He went over to order another drink, noticing the man make his way over to Reid and ask to sit down.

The two begin to talk and Morgan's gut twists funnily. He tries to tell himself that he's just being overprotective but there is literally nothing about the situation that would call for it. The longer they chatted, Morgan can see the genius brighten up and take an interest. Unlike him, Reid's game is subtle, underplayed. Truthfully he was wondering what it would be like to be on the receiving of that treatment.

He was so lost in his head that he didn't notice Reid approach and tap his shoulder. "Hey."

"No luck?" Derek asked.

"Not really," the younger man shrugged. "Nice enough, just not for me."

That was when all those shots of Patron decided to speak up, "So what is your type?" he leaned in, just toeing the line between friendly and flirtatious. "What makes my pretty boy tick?"

"I prefer to see your profile Agent Morgan," Reid chuckled unfazed. "You're being paid to know what makes people tick."

Challenge accepted, Morgan replied internally but just shook his head with a laugh.

Fast-forward a few days and Derek was ready to put his plan into action. He figured that simple was best. He placed the cup of coffee down in front of the genius. "One cup of caffeinated sugar for the genius."

"Hey thanks," Reid brightened up.

"Anytime," Derek sipped his. "In fact," he turned up the charm. "How about another one after work?"

Spencer snorted, "Come on man, you know I'll need at least three more before lunch but I really appreciate this." He took his drink and walked away leaving Derek stunned.

"Did that just happen?" the man wondered aloud.

"Depends on what that was."

Derek jumped out of his skin and spun. Penelope Garcia in all her colourful, cheery, carefully checked ire stood there. "PEN! How long have you been standing there?"

"Oh sugar long enough. You are dangerously close to committing an offence, the punishment for which is certain and swift death." Penelope jabbed her finger into his chest. "That precious boy is not your plaything Derek Morgan. He is off limits to your seductive ways."

"Mama I would never hurt him," Derek insisted. "Honestly…I think I'm in it for him."

"You think?" Garcia scoffed but softened a little at his helpless expression. "You're serious aren't you? Look, Reid has been through enough and granted you can probably take care of him better than most but that doesn't mean he's ready for this."

"Shouldn't he be the one to decide that?" Derek asked. "I'm not about to get down on one knee baby girl, I just want to be there for him. In all things."

"He needs consistency Derek. The way you've been sticking by him now is different than being in a relationship."

"I know that." Morgan countered. "But how much more different could it be? We stay at each other's apartments more than half the week. We share hotel rooms on cases. We almost always eat together. Watch TV together. Go out together. I've held him while he's slept. And the thing is mama I'm not running from it, I want more. With him."

Penelope deflated some, "I believe you papa…for now. Alright but I'm watching you and so is the rest of the team. You might want to be more vigilant there Romeo." Derek suddenly became aware of several sets of familiar eyes glaring into his skin from the catwalk to the bullpen. And there was Reid, happily sipping his coffee unaware of the army of people willing to pull their service weapons in his defence.

Morgan hung his head, "Damn."