*AN - I have to get more creative with these disclaimers. I don't own or profit in any way from Criminal Minds, but I can dream... ~MM*

Chapter 14

The team recovered from Texas and had just finished up a local case when a visitor came into the BAU. Sam was walking out of Hotch's office when she literally ran into a good looking blond man in a leather jacket and dropped the files she was holding. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry." she said as they both bent down to retrieve the papers.

"Sean, what are you doing here?" came from her boss as he hurried around his desk to the door.

"Sorry about that," came from Sean Hotchner as he handed her the files he had helped gather up and stood. "I should have expected Aaron to be busy."

Sam was amused. It wasn't every day her boss looked happy and watching him share a hug with the man she bumped into showed a definitely happy Aaron Hotchner.

Pulling back Hotch took in the smirk on his agent's face. Keeping a hand clasped on Sean's shoulder he turned them to face Sam. "Dr. Ryan this is my baby brother Sean Hotchner. Sean, my newest team member, Sam Ryan."

"Doctor?" was Sean's surprised answer. "You can't be old enough to hold a doctorate. Of course, you have that genius kid here…"

"Don't be too hard on geniuses Mr. Hotchner. We tend to surprise you." was Sam's challenge.

"Oh, you already have." was his easy reply.

Hotch took in their banter and his brother's obvious interest. "Come in, sit for a minute." he encouraged his brother. "What are you doing in town?"

Sean watched Sam walk back down into the bull pen before turning to walk into his brothers office and settle into one of the chairs. "I have a job interview in three days and I was hoping to crash at your place, maybe get to spend some time with my brother and nephew."

Aaron was surprised that he was looking to change jobs. His brother had gone to school in New York and then settled into a job at a high end Manhattan restaurant where he began to make a name for himself in the culinary world.

"Not that I would mind, but why Quantico?" was the curious reply.

"South side of Arlington, actually. I guess I finally woke up and realized that Mom and Dad are both dead and we are the only family that each other has. This way I can actually see you and Jack more often than just Christmas. Besides, the Manhattan social scene is boring. It's one socialite after another and evidently a chief is the latest and greatest fashion accessory. I guess I'm just finally growing up and getting over that kind of lifestyle. And I figured you had finally gotten over me not becoming a lawyer so it was safe." he added with a grin.

Hotch took a moment to take this in. Maybe his little brother was finally grown up.

Sean continued. "So, who exactly was that that I ran into as I came to see you?"

Hotch took in his little brother's body language. He was leaning forward in his chair interest clear in his features. Hotch wasn't sure how much he wanted to encourage this. It could be awkward to have family date family.

"Dr. Samantha Ryan transferred in from Vegas not long ago. She is another genius with three degrees and one PhD so far. She is an expert in hand to hand and is taking over as our resident expert in sex crimes. She also holds qualifications as an FBI marksman and before you ask, yes, she is damn good with any kind of a gun."

"So she's deadly in addition to being beautiful. That's intriguing." was the reply from the younger man.

"Sean, you need to think about this. She can literally kill you with her bare hands. Are you sure you want to do this?" he cautioned. He had learned long ago that outright telling his brother not to do something was a sure way to make him do it so refusing his permission for Sean to ask out Sam was out of the question. Then he realized that he actually didn't have a right to tell either one of them that they couldn't or shouldn't see each other. And finally he realized that his entire internal monolog just made him feel ten years older.

Sean sat back and watched the play of emotions across his brother's face. The classic Hotchner expression was present, he just knew his brother well enough to be able to read around it. And he was curious as to what was so special about this woman. Surely his brother didn't want to date her. She was on his team! And she was much closer in age to him than Aaron.

"So, can I crash at your place tonight? I don't know what you usually do on Wednesdays for dinner but I'll cook." Sean volunteered.

"I was planning on chicken nuggets tonight and mac n' cheese with hotdogs tomorrow so do whatever you want. Just remember, Jack's five." was Hotch's advice to the younger man as they stood and walked out of his office together.

Sean began to head for the elevators before throwing back a look over his shoulder and taking in the red head sitting at the desk speaking with his older brother. Suddenly he was even happier that he was trying to relocate to Virginia.

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The team was just debating what to order for lunch the next day when the elevator opened and Sean Hotchner strode back out with cooler in his arms. "Hey kid. What do you have there?" was Rossi's question to the young man.

Hotch looked out of his office to see Sean setting down a cooler on the edge of Reid's desk.

"Practice." Sean said with a smile. "My interview is Friday and I wanted to try some recipes. Aaron, Jack, and I can't possibly eat all of this so I thought I would bring you guys lunch."

The team headed to the break room as a unit and began to chat amiably as Sean unloaded the cooler. Once the dishes were set out, they all dug in.

"Not bad kid, not bad at all." came from Rossi as he dug into a pasta dish.

"Sean, this is really good." was Hotch's comment.

"Pumpkin, how are you not around to cook for us more often?" gushed Garcia.

"Sean, I'm gonna be in trouble if you move here." was Emily's comment. "I foresee extra time at the gym in my future."

"Me too." came from JJ.

Reid pipped up. "You know, Julia Child said that 'Life itself is the proper binge.' And Emily and JJ, I really don't think that you have anything to worry about."

"She also said 'I think every woman should have a blowtorch' which is a sentiment that I wholeheartedly agree with." Ryan quipped.

"Princess, why am I not surprised?" retorted Morgan.

Sam rolled her eyes and pointed her fork at Morgan. "How many times do I have to tell you? Don't call me Princess."

Sean had stood to the side and watched the exchange between team members with interest before making up a plate for himself and moving to stand next to Dr. Ryan. "So, why make the move from Sin City Doctor?"

Sam looked at the man standing to her left. He was obviously interested in her but not obnoxiously or maliciously. Plus he was Hotch's brother so he was probably harmless. She didn't want to be rude; he was personable, he was attractive, it had been forever since she had a date and as her undercover work with Rossi showed she probably needed one. But, she just wasn't sure she was interested. "There was an opening at the BAU. Giving up Vegas for this didn't take terribly much higher brain function." she replied easily.

Hotch and Rossi took in the two from across the room. Then they took in the rest of the team observing Sam and Sean. They were obviously the center of attention despite everyone's efforts to appear that they weren't paying any attention at all.

Sean decided to be brave and make his move. "So, I'm in town for a few days for a job interview. I would love to practice a few more recipes. How would you feel about me cooking you dinner tomorrow night? You could come over after work, we could have a little wine …"

Sam cut him off with a grin. "You're staying at Hotch's, right? You do realize that means you just invited me to dinner at my boss's house, don't you?"

Sean looked mildly chagrined. "I'm sure Aaron won't mind…" he tried to plead.

"Well I'm sure he won't mind either since you'll be feeding him too and you are proving to be quite the talented chef. So, shall we plan to eat at six thirty so that dinner's not too late for Jack?" was her innocent reply. Sam knew he was angling for a date. She wasn't sure she was ready for that yet. With Hotch and Jack there she had her very own shield. She could take the time to see if she was interested or not in a safe environment.

Sean knew he had been beat. "See you after work tomorrow then?" was his hopeful question.

"I'll be there." Sam assured him.

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Tension in the BAU was palpable the next day. Derek was snappy and short tempered. Reid was enjoying watching his 'older brother' act so out of character. The girls were beside themselves. Finally at lunch JJ and Emily managed to pull Sam into Garcia's lair. "Just what do you think you are doing to Derek?" was Penelope's question as the door shut behind them.

Sam was taken aback. "I'm not doing anything to Derek. I'm going to have dinner at Hotch's house with him, his son, and his younger brother tonight." she stated calmly.

Penelope pushed. "Sam, Derek is head over heels for you and he doesn't know what to do about it. Agreeing to go out with another man in front of him is a bit cruel and unusual. I know that Sean is almost too cute for words and he is a Hotchner, but we are comparing him to Derek. Derek Morgan, my chocolate god of thunder who is the most upstanding man you will ever meet! He's courageous and valiant and chivalrous and just an all around good guy. I mean…"

Sam whistled suddenly to gain everyone's attention. "Garcia, it's not a date. It's dinner at my boss' house. I plan on showing up on my bike and showing my stubborn independent streak to its fullest. I couldn't just shoot him down, he's Hotch's baby brother. And, I'm not going to just say no on principal. I'm single, I have been for a while and nobody else has asked me out. People are telling me that it's time to get back on the horse. This is a good way to go on a date without going on a date. I will literally have the supervision of a fellow FBI agent all night not to mention an observant five year old. Nothing is gonna happen Garcia. I've set it up to make sure of that."

The girl's nodded. Sam had backed Sean into a corner by insisting Hotch and the Baby G-man be there. Garcia got a glint in her eye. She realized Sam was more devious than she looked.

"Are we good then?" Sam asked. "Can I actually go eat my lunch?"

Garcia nodded. "I see your plan. Go forth and enact it. Just remember, over lunch tomorrow we want details so expect to spill." The threat to the agent with issued with a stern look and a feathered pen brandished in Sam's direction.

Sam walked out of the room and the girls turned to each other. "This is perfect." Garcia gushed. "She is making Derek jealous all on her own!"

Emily wasn't so sure. "Penelope, have you noticed just how foul his mood is today. It was like that when Sam and Rossi were undercover too. Derek is being pushed dangerously far by this situation. I'm not sure how much more he can take."

JJ grinned. "Maybe this is good for him. Sam isn't making life easy on him and he needs that. He has had it too good for too long. It's about time the boy had to work for something."

*AN - I am so sorry that I haven't updated in so long. Working 65 hr weeks doesn't leave much time for writing, but the new clinic is up and running! Thanks for staying with me ~ Morpheus' Muse*