Thank you for the feedback as always! Hope you enjoy! Xoxo

PS – song used in this is Lionheart by Demi Lovato

(xxxxx)

"Hey, how are you feeling?" Carter asked as she slipped into a pair of tight black pants.

"I feel pretty good tonight. I haven't even gone to see J.J," Spencer replied.

"Babe, that's great news. I'm so happy for you," she said.

"How is Boston?" he asked.

Carter had been on tour for a month and a half and was performing in Boston that evening. Due to both of their careers, they had only seen each other twice in that amount of time.

"It's freezing and I think I'm catching a cold," she said mopishly.

"You ok?" he said, picking up on her tone of voice.

"Yea, it's just different now," she sighed as she sat down on a nearby bench.

"What's different?"

"Touring. I love it, of course. It's been my dream since I was able to talk, but …" she paused as she tried to figure out how to say it. "I just … I miss you terribly. I feel guilty for not being there for you during this difficult time and I selfishly want you here with me to hold me at night. It's really all your fault for being so irresistible."

Spencer chuckled at the last part.

"I miss you too, but please don't feel guilty. J.J. has been a big help through all of this and you check on me any chance you get. Speaking of, I have a picture Henry drew for you. I'll save it for our next visit," he said.

"Awe, I can't wait to see it!" she said as her manager walked into the room and handed her a piece of paper.

She got a big smile on her face and clutched the paper tightly to her chest.

"I just got the news I've been waiting for, guess what?" she said.

"What?"

"I've been waiting to tell anyone, so I didn't jinx it, but I wrote three new songs to be added to an extended version of my album. We decided each week to reveal one of the new songs on the album. I'm going to perform one live this Friday at my concert in Los Angeles, the second one will be debuted on the Ellen Show and America's Got Talent, and the third one will be at my concert at Madison Square Gardens," she said.

"Carter, that is amazing! I am so proud of you!" Spencer said.

"I know you can't be there for the performances, but I hope you'll watch them."

"I wouldn't miss it for the world," he assured her.

"God, I miss you. I want to hold you in my arms so badly right now," she said, hugging herself tightly.

"I know, me too," he said, feeling the sadness wash over him. "But only 54 days until you are mine for an entire month."

"Yea, until you have to go away for work," she frowned.

"Carter, you knew this going into the relationship. Unfortunately, that's part of my job," he said.

"I know, doesn't mean I have to like it," she sighed.

"I'll take a week off though and spend it with you. Just the two of us, no interruptions," he said.

"Promise?" she said, almost childlike.

"I promise," he said.

"Alright, well, I have to go. I have sound check in ten minutes and I haven't even finished getting dressed," she said.

"Good luck and remember, I love you," he said.

"I know and I love you too."

(xxxxx)

"Garcia, hurry! I don't want to miss it!" Spencer said into the laptop that sat in front of him.

"I'm going as fast as I can. Your snipping is not going to speed anything up!" Penelope replied from the other end of the computer.

"What's going on?" J.J. asked as she approached Spencer's seat on the jet.

"Carter is performing her new song tonight at 8:50 on the dot. I promised her I wouldn't miss it, but I couldn't figure out how to access the live show," he said as a curious Derek made his way to the back of the plane as well.

"We have time, I'll get it working," Penelope said.

Within moments, a picture appeared on the screen and the sound of screaming fans erupted over the speakers. Everyone jumped a bit at the loudness as Spencer scrambled to turn the volume down a little. By now, Hotch and Rossi had wandered over to watch the show as well.

Carter was now visible on the screen wearing a black body suit that only covered her private parts. Her legs showing from thigh down to her knees, that were covered by black boots. The top half of her body suit was covered by a short-sleeved leather jacket.

Spencer blushed a little at her revealing wardrobe, but didn't have time to think long on it as Carter began speaking into the mic.

"One of the things I love most about touring is the chance to share new music with you all. Tonight, is one of those nights," she paused as the crowd screamed. "I think we can all agree that music has a way of touching our lives. It expresses our feelings when we find it hard to do so. It cheers us up when we are down or celebrates with us when we are happy.

"Music is a deep part of who I am and has always been the way I share my story. In the past year, I have gotten to know some pretty incredible people that have changed my life for the better. I have watched them give up their lives for others, both figuratively and literally."

Everyone on the plane looked at one another, knowing she was speaking of Emily.

"Their bravery, their loyalty, and their togetherness, inspires me every day. So, this song is not only dedicated to them, but it was written for them. They will always be amazing in my eyes. This song is called Lionheart," she said as the music began.

"Your light is inside of me
Like a raging roar
Like an ocean born
You're in my veins
Your voice is serenity
When the sun goes down
And the strength I've found
Is in my veins

Our story binds us
Like right and wrong
Your hand in mine
Marching to the beat of the storm

And we walk together into the light
And my love will be your armor tonight
We are lionhearts
And we stand together facing a war
And our love is going to conquer it all
We are lionhearts

You're here like a silhouette
When the darkness rules
You're the brightest moon
And I am safe

The story binds us
Like right and wrong
Your hand in mine
Marching to the beat of the storm

And we walk together into the light
And my love will be your armor tonight
We are lionhearts
And we stand together facing a war
And our love is going to conquer it all
We are lionhearts

You're never far from where I am
Like a lighthouse, bring me home
You're never far from me
Let your spirit glow

And we walk together into the light
And my love will be your armor tonight
We are lionhearts
And we stand together facing a war
And our love is going to conquer it all
We are lionhearts
And we walk together into the light
And my love will be your armor tonight
We are lionhearts"

Spencer felt a little prickle in his eye and blinked rapidly to hide evidence of it. He heard someone blow their nose and turned to see J.J. crying in Rossi's arms. Hotch was watching her, while Derek patted her back.

"That was really beautiful," Penelope said from the computer as she appeared.

She was wiping at her eyes too.

"That was something special," Rossi agreed. "I never thought there'd be a song out there written for the BAU."

Everyone chuckled.

"Please let Carter know we loved the song and appreciate her kind words," Hotch said before returning to his seat.

"I would say the same, but you know I'm just going to text her on my own," Penelope said before disappearing from the computer screen.

Everyone found their way back to their seats as Spencer pulled out his phone to send Carter a message.

(xxxxx)

The team had returned to the office to drop off their things before heading home. As usual, Hotch lingered behind to finish paperwork. As he sat at his desk, there was a knock at his door. He looked up to see his superior, Erin Strauss looking at him.

"Agent Hotchner, may I have a word?" she said, serious as always.

"Come in," he said as he put down his pen. "What can I do for you, this late in the evening?"

It was then he noticed she had something in her hand. She walked over to his desk and placed an open magazine in front of him. He immediately saw the pictures of Spencer and Carter from a few weeks ago when she had come to visit.

They were standing on a street somewhere in downtown DC. Two of the pictures were of them talking, two of them they were kissing, one of them they were walking somewhere, and one was of them laughing together. She added three more magazines to the desk.

Hotch looked up at Erin with a questioning look in his eyes. Where was she going with this? She didn't seem to be willing to state her reason for handing him that yet, as she just stared back at him.

"These are photos of Dr. Reid with his girlfriend," Hotch stated matter-of-factly.

"One of our agents is dating a celebrity?" Erin said with a furrowed brow.

"Yes ma'am. He has been for several months," he responded. "Is there a problem?"

"Aaron, one of our agents is in a tabloid. I don't see how you would even need to ask that question," she scoffed.

"It hasn't caused his work to be effected. It hasn't hindered any of our cases. In fact, if anything it has made him a better agent, as he has someone to go home to. Someone who loves and cares for him. Something he's never had before. So, I don't see how this is of any concern," he said.

"The higher ups have their concerns about the risk of leaked information," she began.

"Oh, come on! Until this point, they didn't even know about it. Dr. Reid is more than aware of what he can and cannot share with his significant other. There is no reason for anyone to be concerned about leaked information or breach of contracts," Hotch stated with frustration.

"Aaron, I know that you care about Dr. Reid and his well-being, but you need to look at this with an unbiased opinion," Erin said.

"As unbiased as the higher ups opinion of the BAU? They are always trying to target our team," he said angrily.

"That is a ridiculous accusation," she admonished.

"Really? This team is always being watched, evaluated, and investigated."

He paused and took a deep, calming breath.

"Look, I know what is expected of us and I always do what needs to be done to be sure we follow protocol to the best of our abilities. So, if I find there is a problem with Dr. Reid dating a celebrity, it will be addressed. For now, there is no reason to even have this on our radar," he stated.

"I understand and I believe you. However, they want to see some course of action," she started.

"Meaning?" Hotch said through his teeth, though he knew what was coming.

"For the safety and protection of all those involved, presently and in the future, if Dr. Reid would like to continue working with the BAU, he needs to terminate his relationship with Ms. Mason," Erin said firmly.

Hotch dropped his head and let out a humorless laugh.

"With all due respect, if you want to lose one of the greatest assets to the FBI over something so outrageous, you can be the one to tell him. I would also prepare to find an entirely new team, as I suspect others will follow Dr. Reid when he resigns," Hotch said.

"Are you threatening to quit?" she said with a furrowed brow.

"I'm just warning you. This decision had better be well worth it, because the outcome will be devastating to this bureau," Hotch said as he grabbed his things in anger and stood up. "Is that all ma'am? If so, I'd like to go home to my son."

"That is all Agent Hotchner," Erin said stiffly.

Hotch nodded and stormed from the office.