Summary:

Aaron meets Spencer's friends.

Notes:

R & R. Let me know what you all think.

Two weeks later Spencer approached Aaron as he was getting ready to have a teleconference with his newspaper staff. Spencer wrapped his arms around Aaron's waist and rested his head against Aaron's shoulder. Aaron relaxed into Spencer's touch and waited for his lover to speak as he knew Spencer would speak when he was ready. Spencer took a breath inhaling Aaron's scent and he kissed the back of his neck a few times lovingly before he said, "Would you like to have dinner tonight and meet my closest friends?"

"I'd love to Spencer. I know I've met Derek when he picked me up but I haven't seen any of them no matter how many times I've been to your office these last few weeks."

Spencer turned Aaron around in his arms and he fixed his tie while he gathered his thoughts. He looked Aaron in the eye and said, "That's partly my fault, they're following my orders. I didn't want you to feel self conscious when you visited me there. They also work more behind the scenes so without any direct need for them the only one you would've run into would've been Emily. She's the face person for my company also my best friend."

"You didn't have to tell them to stay away for my sake Spencer. I would've taken them in stride like we've done everything else."

"I did it for me too. While my friends know what kind of relationship we have I wanted us to both be comfortable with everything."

"I understand Spencer. Let's invite them to the apartment and I can have something cooked up special for this announcement tonight." Then Aaron pressed a soft kiss to Spencer's lips and grinned.

"You want to cook dinner for my friends? I was just going to cater." Spencer said as he cupped Aaron's cheek and kissed him again.

Aaron let a small noise escape and he pulled away. "I think I need to get through my teleconference so I can go get dinner supplies and start cooking."

"I second that but be prepared for after dinner dessert."

This time Aaron rested his head against Spencer's shoulder and said, "It's going to take a lot of control not to sit in your office all day…"

"We wouldn't be sitting and the blinds would be drawn." Spencer said as he stroked Aaron's hair and neck. Aaron looked up and Spencer kissed him deeply. Out of breath, Spencer broke the kiss and said, "Go to work. I'll see you tonight at dinner."

Aaron licked his lips and said, "'Kay." Aaron sidestepped Spencer and left the bathroom and gathered his briefcase and paperwork he would need for his meeting.

Spencer braced himself against the counter and looked at himself in the mirror. If he was honest, he'd say that work could wait until the end of time, Aaron in his pristine tailored suits were Spencer's weakness and Aaron cooking his friends dinner, he needed a cold shower. He took a deep breath and readjusted himself before he left the apartment for his office.

That evening Spencer came home and smelled a full three course meal cooking. He went into the kitchen and found Aaron dressed down for the moment while he cooked and he was stirring something in a big soup pot. Spencer walked up behind Aaron and looked over his shoulder. "The food smells delicious. What's on the menu?"

"Salad, breadsticks, and a hearty vegetable soup with cubed beef steak."

"Sounds delicious and they'll love it. Something simple but filling."

"That's what I was thinking and for dessert I made a mixed fruit cobbler that can be enjoyed with the dessert wine I picked out."

"Showing your Southern roots with your meal?" Spencer grinned as he kissed Aaron's cheek.

Aaron returned the smile and said, "I guess I am."

"Everyone should be here in about thirty minutes. Is that enough time to let the soup simmer and then Emma can serve everyone your meal?"

"Yeah. Let me put everything on low so it stays warm." Aaron worked quickly and then when he was done Spencer pulled him back to the bedroom.

Thirty five minutes later, Aaron and Spencer reappeared dishevelled but in dinner suits to greet their arriving guests. Spencer's curls were untamed but he didn't care and Aaron's normally impeccable look had his hair mussed as well and both had kiss swollen lips. Emma swept Spencer's and Aaron's guests into the dining room and poured a few glasses of wine for them to enjoy while she plated their starters that Aaron prepared. Aaron and Spencer appeared with scotches in hand and hopefully not too unkempt for dinner.

Penelope Garcia noticed the two first and squealed at the sight before her. She met them at the end of the table and pulled Aaron into a hug and said, "So good to finally meet you Mr. Hotchner. Bossman speaks very highly of you."

Aaron had stiffened under her direct assault but relaxed as he let himself be hugged, he figured it was in her personality type and let her have her fun. He looked her over and said, "It's nice to finally meet his security oracle, Ms. Garcia."

Penelope saw his grin and said, "At your service my liege."

"Thank you." Aaron smiled as she let go of him and then she stepped back and Morgan stepped forward and said, "Nice to meet you in this capacity. Need anything just let me know."

"Thank you and I will." The two men shook hands and Morgan went to stand back next to Garcia.

Emily approached next and after she gave Spencer a hug and a smile, she looked over Aaron and said, "I understand more than you may think. You hurt him, I will find a way to hurt you."

Aaron nearly blanched at that but he swallowed audibly and said, "Duly noted Ms. Prentiss."

Emily smiled and said, "I think you need to breathe before you pass out."

Spencer looked at his lover and seen he was paler than normal and said as he laid a hand on his arm, "Take a drink. Everything's good."

Aaron took a big sip from his glass and said, "Thank you."

"Are you ready for them to try your cooking?" Spencer asked.

"As ready as I'll ever be." He noticed Spencer's scotch was low and asked, "Would you like me to refill our glasses while everyone gets comfortable at the table?"

Spencer knowing that Aaron needed a few moments to himself said, "Sure. You'll be on the left side of my chair when you come back." Aaron nodded and took their glasses while the others took seats around the table and Emma brought out the salads and bread sticks.

Dinner went well afterwards, wine and scotch flowed freely and Spencer's friends learned of Spencer's courtship of Aaron in more personal detail and Aaron loosened up and told them his plans for the paper and how his marriage ended with his high school sweetheart. Spencer held his hand through his retelling and Aaron found comfort in the gesture. Overall, Aaron knew that Spencer's friends liked him but he was still cautious around Emily and Spencer could see it.

Things would get better though the longer he and Aaron were together. They wanted to build a life and future together - their own happily ever after.