Part 7
"Aaron, I'd like you to meet Dolf, the Alpha of the Virginia pack. Dolf I'd like you to meet Aaron Hotchner, my mate," Spencer introduced.
"It's nice to meet you," Dolf said shaking Hotch's hand as he surveyed the other man.
The other man was big and bulky just like a lot of wolf's, and it was clear he was used to being in charge. He was an Alpha all right, Dolf could tell that just from the way the other man was standing as it was clear he was used to being obeyed as he radiated authority like a second skin.
The two men eyed each other for a moment and then Hotch tilted his head to the side conceding the authority to the Alpha of the Virginia pack and Dolf relaxed.
There were plenty of other Alphas in the pack, but nobody questioned the orders of the Alpha pair, the ones in overall charge of all the werewolves in a city and the other Alphas always obeyed their authority at least while they were on pack lands
If they were on their own away from pack lands, it was different and they were definitely the ones in charge, but while on pack lands the overall Alpha orders were to be obeyed and there were certain rules that had to be followed, like at mealtimes the Alpha and his mate always got served first, although only if it was a communal meal. After that it went by rank and the other Alphas always got to eat first, then the Betas and finally the Omegas. However, thanks to Aaron being an Alpha and Spencer being his mate that meant that while Spencer might not be the first to be served, he wouldn't be in the back of the line either, but only if Aaron decided to be turned into a werewolf as human Alphas didn't count when it came to that kind of thing.
Mostly the Alpha that was in charge of the pack in any given city stayed out of personal disputes unless it got out of hand, but really the Alpha had a lot of duties, like welcoming new members to the pack whether they were human or werewolf. Of course, those people had to accept his authority before he would do that and it was like that in any pack no matter what city were in.
"Why don't we go sit down and relax? You can tell me about yourself and I'll have my wife Rose bring us some snacks," Dolf suggested.
At the Alpha's invitation Spencer and Hotch followed Dolf into the living room and sat down.
Rose appeared in the doorway, and Dolf asked her to bring them some snacks.
"Of course," Rose said, "What would you like to drink?"
"You don't have to go to any trouble for us," Hotch told with a charming smile. "Whatever you have will be fine."
Dolf was probably in his late 50s, Hotch observed and Rose his mate looked around the same age. The Alpha of the pack was also a big hulking man and it was obvious that he worked out frequently or ran as a wolf as much as possible in order to keep his broad shoulders and flat stomach. He was also a handsome man, with black hair like his own, although his eyes were blue instead of the dark brown he possessed. All in all his first impression of the Alpha that ran the Virginia pack was one of calm authority, who wasn't afraid to dispense justice when it was needed, but who was also always fair and never cruel.
"There's lemonade, coffee, tea, milk or water," Rose answered.
"Lemonade is okay for me, thank you," Spencer said and Hotch nodded in agreement
Rose disappeared out of the living room and headed towards the kitchen and once she was gone Dolf asked, "So, why don't you tell me about yourself, Mr. Hotchner," Dolf suggested. "I knew for the last year, that Spencer had found his mate, but I also knew that he hadn't told you yet so why don't you tell me how that happened?"
"Please call me Aaron or Hotch," Hotch suggested with a smile then went on to tell the story of how he had found out about werewolves and how he and Spencer were mates.
"So you realized you had feelings for him and approached him instead of the other way around," Dolf summarized.
"More or less, yes," Spencer admitted blushing a little. "I was going to tell him probably in another year or so since we had only known each other for such a short amount of time, but Aaron beat me to the punch and for that I'm glad."
"In any case, we've been together ever since, although at the moment we're trying to keep our relationship quiet for although they are allowed where we work, they're frowned on and while little snide innuendos won't bother me, that doesn't mean that I want to have Spencer face people who will butt in, even when it's none of their business."
Dolf nodded for he knew this to be true and same-sex relationships weren't really as accepted in Virginia or Washington as they were elsewhere.
"In any case, we know we won't be able to keep our relationship quiet forever, as we do both work at the BAU or Behavior Analysis Unit of the FBI with a bunch of profilers, which means by definition that you have to be fairly observant," Spencer said. "My mentor and more of a father than my own ever was Jason Gideon will definitely not approve and probably cause a big stink about it when he does figure out that we're together in a sexual relationship."
"He does think of Spencer like a son, and he has some very old-fashioned ideas of what's right and proper, but then he's a lot older than Spencer is or even me," Hotch added. "I won't be surprised in the least if he tries to accuse me of somehow tricking Spencer into a relationship. Gideon in particular considers Spencer an innocent even though he's not. I've known Gideon for years, over a decade really, and although he's not usually one that loses his temper very often he does love Spencer like a son even if he's not the innocent he thinks he is."
"So you're going to have a few problems sometime in the future," Dolf said and both Spencer and Hotch nodded.
"Yes, I'm afraid so," Spencer said looking sad. "I'm not looking forward to having to stand up to Gideon, but I have a feeling and it won't be too long before he figures it out. I'm actually surprised that he hasn't figured it out already, because as has already been said he's always been very observant."
"And it's not like we can tell him the whole werewolf True Mate thing as that's against pack laws," Hotch added, "and he would never believe it unless given a practical demonstration, just like I was when Spencer first told me."
"You're just going to have to find some other way to convince him," Dolf said in a voice that made it clear it was not just a statement of fact, but an order..
"Oh, we will," Hotch promised with steel in his tone. "It's not really his choice anyway, since it isn't likes Spencer is underage even if he is young. I mean he's in his mid-20s for god sake's so no matter what Gideon says or thinks it has no basis in fact and he has no control over who his protégé has a relationship with."
"I would hate to lose Gideon's friendship," Spencer added, "but I'd rather lose that then lose Aaron, since while losing Gideon's friendship would hurt me, losing Aaron would destroy me."
"Yes, that's the way it usually is with True Mated couples. Some of our kind do survive after their mate dies, but it doesn't happen very frequently." Dolf nodded taking a sip of his tea, "so believe me, I completely understand. I'm just glad that you Aaron accepted what Spencer told you about himself, as it has been known to happen in the past where a wolf is rejected by their human mate and they either kill themselves, or kill a bunch of other people until they're brought down, by the local pack."
"So Spencer informed me," Hotch told Dolf. "I could never have done that, since it took me a long time to realize that I was deeply in love with him. I knew however, if he rejected me I would never settle down like my mother's been wanting me to do for years now, for I'm not the type to fall in and out of love like some people I've known over the years."
"I've been teaching him everything that all werewolf pups learn as children and he's picking it up rather quickly," Reid added.
"I find it rather fascinating that you've managed to hide a whole different species from us humans," Hotch said.
"But you understand why that is necessary," Dolf said and Hotch nodded.
"I do," Hotch said by way of agreement. "I know very well what happens to minority groups and thanks to books, movies and other media werewolves are written as soulless monsters that just like to bite and kill. No, I have to agree that it's better for werewolves to blend in with the human race."
Dolf nodded thinking that Aaron Hotchner was a very intelligent man, but then you didn't become a member of the FBI if you didn't have a good head on your shoulders and definitely not be part of the BAU since they only accepted the best. Besides, in order for Aaron to be the True Mate of someone as intelligent as Spencer Reid he would have to be just as intelligent as his mate was, even if it wasn't in the same areas. A True Mate bond wouldn't have existed between two people that weren't at least similar in personality and intelligence, as in order to be a truly mated couple you had to have at least some things in common and it was usually more than a few.
The three of them continued to chat for a few minutes and then Dolf said, "I'd like to welcome you to the pack, Aaron. You are welcome to come and just meet some of the other werewolves, whenever you have some free time. Of course, Spencer is welcome to run with the pack on the full moon and we don't only run on the full moon as some of us like change and run beneath the night sky as often as we can manage it and Spencer is welcome to join us in as well."
"Thank you," Spencer told Dolf with a grateful smile, "I believe that I will try to do that sometime. However, we're so busy with work that probably won't be able to manage it more than a few times a year."
"Also I've been considering being turned into a werewolf as Spencer said that was possible, but that it was also very painful," Hotch added.
"It is possible, and Spencer is right that it is extremely painful and puts a lot of stress on the body," Dolf said looking at Aaron Hotchner with new respect. "A lot of human mates of werewolves have been changed in the last several decades just in Virginia and Washington alone. Of course, some of them decide to stay human and not be changed which I'm sure Spencer told you was perfectly acceptable."
"He did," Hotch agreed. "However, I am still seriously considering it because there're numerous advantages to the change and since I've also been shot in the course of my job I don't see being turned into a werewolf being anymore painful than a gunshot wound."
Dolf winced, but had to agree that it wasn't as bad as a gunshot wound.
"No, it's not that bad, it's kind of a constant burning pain that makes you feel as if you're on fire from the inside out or at least that's how I've hard it described by humans that have gone through it. Also the pain only last a few hours unlike a gunshot wound that takes weeks to heal completely for a human."
"Well then, as I said I'd be willing to go through it, although I haven't fully decided if I'm going to or not, since Spencer just told me that it was possible recently."
The three of them continued to talk for a few minutes, and then Dolf dismissed them saying Aaron would always be welcome on pack lands, before having his mate Rose show the two of them out.
~~~Spencer and Aaron~~~
Gideon had figured out that there was something going on between Hotch and the young man that he considered a son several months ago as he had watched them interact noticing that as the months progressed the two of them had grown closer so he had quietly observed them for awhile and although it had taken him a few months figure it out he eventually had. Why he hadn't put the signs together immediately he didn't know, considering he prided himself on being one of the best profilers as he was not only observant, but experienced in picking up on things that others missed.
After he thought about it he knew exactly why he had missed the signs. He had deliberately missed what was going on for so long as he considered Spencer Reid like a son and didn't want to think about him in that way.
He quietly went to confront Hotch and was determined to demand how Hotch could lead the young man astray as he assumed that it was the older man that had forced Reid into a relationship with him. Of course, he didn't want to accuse anybody of anything until he was absolutely sure and so he wanted Hotch to confirm it before he said anything even though he were sure of his conclusions.
Reid who was there as well had immediately, but calmly insisted, on staying when he had seen the look on his mentor's face. He had given Gideon a look that told him he would not be dissuaded and that he knew this wasn't about work. The three of them entered Hotch office with Reid closing the door gently behind them.
As soon as the blinds were closed Hotch went immediately over and sat behind his desk as if to remind Gideon to watch what he said and who was in charge.
As for Reid he had calmly walked over to one of the chairs that was in front of Hotch's desk and sat down completely relaxed and crossed his legs looking at Gideon expectantly.
Gideon was astonished at this as he had expected Reid to act ashamed and perhaps, a little embarrassed that his relationship with Hotch had come out. He had expected the younger man to be ashamed that he had been found having sex with another man, but the opposite was true as Reid was completely relaxed. His expression a neutral one sure, but other than that Gideon could tell that Reid was neither ashamed or embarrassed. Of course, it was possible that Reid assumed that this wasn't about his Hotch's alleged relationship, but considering his genius IQ that was rather unlikely, Gideon admitted to himself.
Gideon realized that he'd made quite a few assumptions about his protégé, ones that had never been proven and he should know better then that. He had assumed for instance that Reid had very little sexual experience simply because he was such a quiet, self-contained person and therefore didn't stand out enough for women or men for that matter, though that thought disgusted him, to be interested in him. Of course, Gideon realized that just because Reid didn't talk about his sex life didn't mean that he didn't have one, as he wasn't like Morgan after all who loved to brag about his exploits.
"What is it you want to talk about, Jason?" asked Hotch calmly and it was clear that he was going to make Gideon come out and say what he was thinking even if both Hotch and Reid knew exactly what Gideon had figured out. If truth be known both Hotch and Reid had been expecting Jason Gideon to confront them both for quite some time now and they were surprised that it had taken the older man so long.
"I want to know exactly what you think you are doing leading Reid astray," Gideon demanded. "I know you're both in a relationship."
Gideon expected Hotch to deny that they were, but instead Hotch and Reid looked to each other and Hotch nodded at the younger man.
Gideon looked at the two wondering what his calm nod had meant, but he soon found out when Reid spoke in his usual calm voice.
"Yes, we are, and no, Hotch didn't lead me astray as you put it," Reid said. "What Aaron and I do outside of work is no ones concern, not yours, not the team's, and definitely not Erin Strauss's."
Gideon stared at his protégé in shock as Spencer had not raised his voice at all and had been calm and collected even though Gideon had practically screamed at Hotch.
"How can you say he didn't lead you astray?" demanded Gideon. "You are so much younger than he is and if I'm not mistaken he's the one that approached you about his feelings, although I had no idea until recently that he even swung that way."
"Yes, he did," Reid admitted immediately surprising Gideon as he had expected denial. "However, he was already mostly sure that I felt the same way he did when he approached me about it. I know that I had been giving off tells that nobody else picked up on except the man himself. If you must know I fell in love with him or at least had a gigantic crush the minute I walked into his office when I first started at the BAU. I've had relationships before, although I know everybody on the team assumes I'm a virgin. However, those relationships never lasted very long at all and I've never truly been in love before and just so you know I've always known that I was bisexual so my heart could have gone either way."
Reid shrugged as if to say it was what it was. "We both agreed that we would keep our new relationship quiet, as we both knew that you in particular would be against it."
"You're to young to really have fallen in love," Gideon said almost in a pleading tone, "You're only 24 after all and what does a 24 you'll know about love?"
"While that's true for most young people my age, you know I've always been very mature and had to grow up fast. Even though I know you don't want to admit it you know I never would have risked becoming involved in a relationship with my boss unless I was absolutely sure of my feelings. I knew you wouldn't approve when you did find out, but I also knew that I had to do what was best for me and I've been hopelessly in love with Hotch from the minute I walked into the BAU, and those feelings only strengthened the more I got to know him."
Reid paused for a second and then added, "Gideon, I love you like a father, as you're certainly more of one then my own ever was, however, whether I think of you as a substitute for my own father or not, I am a grown man with a good job and have a right to my own life outside of that job and I can't imagine that life without Aaron in it."
"What about your brothers," asked Gideon in a last-ditch effect to get Reid to change his mind, "Don't you believe in setting a good example for them?"
"My brothers are nearly grown up and will be off to college in just a few months time," Reid told Gideon. "However, they approve of my relationship and told me that it was about time I got into serious one. They told me that because I've been so busy raising them that I haven't had much time to even think about getting involved with anyone and although I've had a few flings over the years they never lasted very long as I made sure they understood that my brothers came first, always. Most of them were about my age at that time which was 21 or 22 and although I'm not saying they weren't brilliant, they were also very immature in a lot of ways, something that I haven't been in a very long time. I was more mature by the time I was 12 or 13 then they were at 22 or 23 and you know the reason why that is."
"Yes," Gideon acknowledged thinking about what he knew of Spencer's background. He realized then, that Spencer was more mature than anybody that he was likely to encounter was going to be and Reid would never accept someone that to him would seem incredibly childish. Gideon also came to the realization that Hotch might be over 10 years older, but was a mature, experienced man and that he was exactly what Reid needed in a relationship. Gideon hadn't thought about the fact that Reid was way more mature than most other young men or women his age and he would never get in a serious relationship with someone that was still immature as to seem rather babyish to someone of Reid's intellect and maturity level. He knew that the younger man would never be happy with someone that wasn't at least as intelligent as he was even if it was about different things and most young people simply didn't have Reid's depth of knowledge or his experience or his sense of responsibility. Aaron Hotchner was 13 years older yes, but he was also someone that was intelligent and would be able to keep Reid from being bored and the fact that they worked together would probably ensure that the relationship lasted, because they would be able to spend much more time together then if Reid found someone that didn't have the same type of job he did or at least one where his girlfriend was out of town a lot like he was. Also there was no way that the man he considered a son would get involved with anyone that didn't share his values and ethics and he knew that Aaron Hotchner like Spencer Reid had airtight ethics and values. As much as Gideon hated to admit it even to himself Aaron Hotchner and Spencer Reid matched extremely well, in their personalities, in their values and ethics and in their intelligence. Gideon had been wrong to assume that Hotch had somehow convinced the younger man to have sex with him or a friend with benefits as he knew really that Reid was far too sensible and intelligent to fall for that kind of thing unless it was of his own free will. As Reid had told him very calmly just a few minutes ago he never would have gotten involved with the man that was his boss if he hadn't been very sure of how he felt. Normally, he was sure he had his facts straight before he made assumptions, but he had been so enraged at what he thought was a older man just using one that was so much younger that he hadn't been thinking straight. He really should've thought it through before he had confronted the pair because he knew that Hotch was a good man and would never have forced Reid into a relationship unless it was what he wanted. Reid had also pointed out that he had no right to interfere in his personal life or make demands and Gideon had to admit that Hotch and Spencer still acted very professionally on the job, so most people would never know that the two were involved and were anything other then what they seemed to be, which was boss and subordinate or coworkers or teammates.
"In any case," Hotch who had been watching the two said speaking for the first time in quite awhile, "You had no right to assume, that I had hoodwinked Spencer as you know very well I would never do such a thing so you just made an erroneous assumption without getting all your facts straight. Both Spencer and I knew that you would be the main objection to our relationship and would eventually figure it out. However, that still doesn't give you the right to demand an explanation because as Spencer said our private lives are exactly that. What our relationship is or isn't is no ones business just so long as it doesn't affect our work. You know the rules as well as I do and that relationships among teammates are frowned on, but accepted just so long as they can prove that they can still work together without letting it get in the way. I know you think of Spencer like a son, and he thinks of you like a father, but the fact is you two are unrelated, but even if you were related, you still wouldn't have any might interfere in his personal life as he is a grown man. As Spencer has pointed out to you over the last few minutes he is more mature than his peers and there is no way he would ever get into a serious relationship with someone who was his own age unless they were as mature and as intelligent as he is and such people are few and far between. Besides, there's no guarantees that he would ever encounter someone like that, someone that touched his heart."
"And also accepted that my brothers would always come first," Spencer chipped in. "Yes, my brothers are nearly grown up and will be off to college soon, but if one of them needed my help, I would go to his aid no matter what my supposed girlfriend thought. There are not many people that I've ever met that would be willing to accept the fact that I was closer to my family then I was to them or the fact that building a relationship takes time and most people, especially young ones aren't willing to put in the time required to truly get to know someone. I'm old-fashioned in that way and I would never rush into a relationship."
"And what if Spencer does meet someone in a few years," Gideon challenged Hotch.
Hotch stared at Gideon with a challenge in his eyes, but when he replied he was perfectly calm. "If that were to occur and Spencer came and told me that he wanted to end our relationship because he had met someone, then I would of course, let him go. I would never try to keep him if he truly fell in love with someone else, and although I don't believe that will occur, I realize it could."
Gideon was out of options, and realized that he would either have to accept that Hotch and Reid were going to be an item at least for the time being, or continue burning his bridges by pointing out that two men in a relationship was wrong. He knew that he was extremely old-fashioned in someways and that being gay wasn't as much of a career derailer anymore. Gideon knew that technically, Reid wasn't really gay, but bisexual and it was very possible that he would meet some woman down the road that would catch his interest, although he considered that an unlikely possibility as women with Reid's intelligence, maturity, and compassionate nature were few and far between.
"Alright," Gideon conceded, "I'll try to accept it."
"Good," Reid told him with a pleased smile, although he knew that it was possible that Gideon would be unable to change since he had held his opinions ever since he was a young man, but at least he was trying. "I will say one last thing however, and then we can get out of here as I'm sure the rest of the team is wondering what we are doing in here with the blinds closed and the door locked."
Reid turned to face Gideon completely now and his expression went from pleased to hard all in an instant. "If you try to undermine Aaron's and my relationship by going above our heads, or in some other way then you will deal with me and you will discover that I'm not always the compassionate, intelligent man that you have come to know over the last four years. I will fight back with everything I have if you in anyway try to get us to break up, just because you don't approve of me and Aaron being together."
Gideon stared at Reid in astonishment seeing that he was perfectly serious and wondered where this side of Spencer Reid had come from.
"Yes, I can see your astonished expression," Reid said dryly causing Hotch to smile. "I don't like to use this side of my personality as I'd rather be understanding and logical and compassionate, however, I will not hesitate to if it becomes necessary to do so."
Gideon studied him his astonishment still obvious in his expression and Reid laughed this time knowing it was hard to surprise someone with as much experience in the world as Jason Gideon.
"Don't be so surprised," Reid told him with a genuine smile this time. "Just because I've never shown you this side of my personality doesn't mean it didn't exist. I had to learn how to stand up for myself and fight back when necessary or I never would have survived the Las Vegas public school system. Besides, I couldn't be a wimp since I had six younger brothers to look after and although Aunt Shannon was there for most of their childhood, she told me that I needed to develop a strong resolve and learn to stand up not only for myself, but my brothers and also develop strong morals, ethics and values. She told me that I should never let other peoples opinions of me stop me from doing the right thing or take them to heart. I remember her exact words and they were: "Spencer, honey, you can never let ignorant peoples opinion bother you so much or at least not show them that they do for it just makes the bullying worse. There are a lot of ignorant, small-minded people in the world and you need to be strong and learn to stand up for yourself and for your brothers as they will need you greatly in the next few years to grow into young men of good character, strong morals and who always do the right thing. You need to learn to set an example for them since your father isn't capable of doing that. Ignorant peoples opinions shouldn't affect you, because they are small-minded and don't really know what they're talking about. What you can do to prove those people wrong is by being who you are and true to yourself as bending or breaking your ethics just to prove a point makes you the bad guy when all is said and done. I was only eight years old when she told me that as she knew that I would understand since she knew that I was far more intelligent then other children my age."
"Well, I'm going to have to meet this Aunt Shannon sometime," Gideon finally said causing Reid and Hotch to smile because they knew with that statement that Gideon had started to accept that he wasn't going to break them apart. Gideon sobered and added, "I don't agree with your choices, but you were right when you reminded me that it's your life, so as long as you are happy, then I'll try to accept it for your sake. I know I am considerably old-fashioned when it comes to my views on relationships, but you can't change who you are and the way you were raised sticks with you for the rest of your life."
"Trust me when I say I'm very happy," Reid said.
"I know, I can tell that as well," Gideon said quietly as he observed the almost visible connection that flowed between Reid and Hotch.
Gideon quietly turned and unlocked Hotch's office door and left only to find the rest of the team trying to look busy but also making it obvious that they were anything but.
"Anything the matter, Gideon?" asked Morgan looking concerned
"No, Morgan, everything is just fine," Gideon told the big black man.
"You were in Hotch's office an awfully long time and Reid still hasn't emerged," Elle said looking genuinely concerned for the young man that she had become rather fond of and had begun to think of a younger brother.
Gideon know what she was asking without actually saying the words and so replied, "Reid is just fine, he and Hotch just had something to discuss and they called me in to consult that's all."
Gideon lied smoothly and although he rarely used the skill he did know how to do it and make it believable.
Morgan, Elle and JJ who had emerged from her office still looked worried, but Gideon couldn't really do anything to assuage their genuine concern.
"Is it a case?" asked JJ thinking that it might be even though she hadn't gotten a file.
"It's a personal matter. If Reid wants to tell you about it he can," Gideon said leaving it at that and heading to his office.
The other members of the team watched Gideon go and then all looked at each other wondering what personal matter Reid could be consulting Hotch about or what kind of personal problems that would require the quiet, brilliant young man to ask their boss for advice.
Slowly all three members of the team went back to work trying not to think about what could possibly be going on with their youngest member behind Hotch's closed office door.
~~~Spencer and Aaron~~~
