Disclaimer: Criminal Minds and its affiliated characters do not belong to me. I mean no copyright infringement.

Any incorrect information about the Mall of America in Minnesota is on me. I used the information I could find on the internet and used my imagination from there. The reference to a gang initiation was a real event, but I'm unsure if I'm remembering the correct city in which it occurred or the correct time frame.

Thank you jenny crum, Sue1313, irishgirl9, nannily, BloodyRosie, Rayne McKenna, klagana1, Lenika08, Ptitenath92, cr8zymommy, 68luvcarterand Srienia for your wonderful reviews!

**Responses to your reviews are at the end of this chapter.**

The Surprise in the Jealousy

Chapter 21: The Mall of America – Day 1

Before Strauss, Morgan and Reid had even made it to the north entrance of the mall, Morgan received a call from Rossi. Morgan started laughing right away.

"Wait Rossi. I'm putting you on speaker so you can rant to everyone."

"Oh, this should be good," commented Strauss.

Rossi's voice boomed into the SUV. "As I was saying, this is NOT a mall! What the hell? They have a rollercoaster!"

Soon, Reid and the security guard who was with them were laughing along with Morgan. Strauss rolled her eyes.

Rossi continued, "No wonder it's a terrorist target. No wonder the bridge collapse a few years ago had people worried about terrorists."

Rossi would have continued if not for Strauss. She held out her hand silently asking Morgan for his phone. "Good-bye Dave. Call us back when you have something useful to report." And then she disconnected the call and handed the phone back to Morgan.

When they reached their destination, Strauss immediately greeted the detective with familiarity wearing a smile. Morgan and Reid looked at each other with surprise and curiosity.

They first looked at the security cameras in the entrance hallway that showed a clear view of every door and then they followed the detective into the women's restroom. Strauss still wasn't used to grotesque crime scenes and cringed and backed up letting Morgan and Reid do what they needed to do.

"This is your third crime scene, Bob?" asked Strauss. Morgan wondered if she'd chastise him for waiting like she had on another case.

"Technically, yes. The first one happened weeks ago and looked like a gang initiation even though that type of crime here is low."

"We saw the photos," said Strauss as she cringed.

"We had very little to go on. Security guards unknowingly contaminated the scene. We also knew that a similar thing happened about ten years ago in the Seattle area. A young boy was castrated and left to die but survived. They just left him on the floor. Our victim must have been left sitting up and wasn't noticed until he dropped on the floor. It was too late to save him once he was found. I'm still not sure if it's related to last week's victim and our two victims, here."

"That's what we're here to find out," said Reid looking up at the detective. "You did the right thing. Even if they aren't related, you have three victims in a contained area in just over a week."

"This is most likely the work of a serial killer," added Morgan. "Do we have a positive ID on the young girl?"

"Yes, she is the daughter of Susan Collins. The daughter is 8 year old Rachel Collins."

"Reid, the mother has stab wounds to the heart and pelvic area. No signs of a struggle. Maybe the coroner will find evidence of a paralyzing drug. What do you have?"

"The young's girls' wounds are completely different. Her throat was slashed. No signs of a struggle, either."

Morgan stood up. "I'm surprised a restroom wouldn't be more populated."

"The locker room at this entrance is being repaired. So there's more traffic in the other 3 entrances. The last two crime scenes were in restrooms in the theme park which has a lot of traffic."

"Your first victim was a 9 year old boy. Has there been increased vigilance on the part of parents in the theme park?" asked Reid.

"It was an employee who found him and we kept it quiet and put up safety signs requiring children under the age of 12 to be accompanied by an adult."

"Why would you leave it at that?" asked Strauss with more authority than before.

"It wasn't my call. It came from much higher than me. Erin, you know the political game. We have a strict dress code policy. No gang paraphernalia. We didn't need that reputation. The state depends on the revenue from this mall. I wanted to call you after the second child was found in a theme park restroom, an 11 year old girl. It was hell convincing the governor to allow the FBI to get involved after these latest victims were found last night. Once I got permission this morning, I wasn't messing around. I knew we were potentially farther into this than we should be so I called you directly."

By the time the detective finished his speech, Strauss had calmed down.

Strauss looked at Morgan. "Agent Morgan is there anything else we can do here?"

"No ma'am. The techs can take it from here. We won't know anything more until we hear from the coroner."

~oOo~

Early in the evening, Detective Bob Sanders insisted that he show them the best reasonably priced place to eat dinner away from the mall. It was not typical for a local LEO to go to a restaurant with them, but they were also surprised by the connection the detective had with Chief Strauss.

Dinner was a combination of laughter, happiness, surprise, and tenseness, depending on who Hotch was focusing on. JJ and Emily were the furthest away and whatever they were talking about must have been funny. Morgan and Reid were wrapped up in their own conversation. He was relieved they didn't appear to be overly affectionate, just the usual statistics from Reid and teasing from Morgan with his arm around him once in awhile for something private that had to be said.

His best friend was tensely focused on Strauss and the detective who wore a wedding band so he didn't quite understand what the problem was. Rossi would never admit it, not even to him, but he knew that there was something more than casual sex going on between Rossi and Strauss. There were strings of some kind involved. So Hotch decided he should try and bring their conversation more into the group before Rossi said something embarrassing. It was a decision he would regret later.

"Detective," said Hotch in a friendly manner to get his attention. "It sounds like you and Chief Strauss go back a long way. High school?"

Detective Sanders smiled at Strauss. "Yes, and we also attended Georgetown at the same time for our bachelor's degrees."

"You must've been keeping in touch to know Erin was working for the FBI," noted Rossi.

Sanders didn't know of a hidden meaning in his words, but Strauss sure did and she glared at him. It was in the next moment that she saw Morgan and Reid out of the corner of her eye. She looked their way with suspicious curiosity.

Hotch quickly changed the topic and pulled JJ and Emily into the conversation. "JJ, isn't Georgetown your alma mater?" For most of the meal, JJ, Strauss, and Detective Sanders told stories about their days at Georgetown most of which were funny and entertaining for all of them. But it didn't stop Strauss from studying Morgan and Reid from time to time.

~oOo~

Hotch and Rossi had barely gotten settled in their economy hotel room for the night and were about to watch some news before turning out the lights when they heard a knock on the door. Hotch grumbled in annoyance because he was already undressed and in his lounge pants and t-shirt.

"Chief Strauss? Is there a problem?"

"That's what I'm here to find out," she responded coolly.

"This can't be good," mumbled Rossi. "At least she's not still with the detective."

"What do you need, Erin?" he asked as she made an appearance in the room. Rossi didn't bother to move. He just stayed on his chosen bed sitting against the head board propped up by pillows with the TV remote. He did have the courtesy to mute the television.

"I'm here about Agent Morgan and Dr. Reid."

Hotch showed no emotion. "What about them? Did something happen at the crime scene that you're concerned about?"

"No. What I witnessed today was professional behavior up until dinner."

"Dinner? What are you talking about?" asked Rossi. "I didn't see anything unusual about their behavior."

"Are you saying that Agent Morgan putting his arm around Dr. Reid's shoulders, teasing him and messing up his hair is typical behavior?" Strauss looked flabbergasted.

Hotch and Rossi looked at each other and then looked back at her. In unison, they answered, "Yes."

"And how long has that been going on?"

Rossi looked to Hotch to answer that one since he would have a more accurate answer.

"Not long after they started working with us. Reid was so young and vulnerable. I think Morgan took it upon himself to be Reid's protector especially after Gideon left."

"Stop analyzing it," Rossi demanded. "They're damn good agents. They don't need you breathing down their necks over something trite."

She walked towards Rossi and he jumped up from the bed. They ended up face to face in each other's personal space with challenge in their eyes.

"I will decide what is trite concerning my agents' behavior. If I believe something is inappropriate, I have the right to investigate and report it if necessary."

"Get over yourself, Erin. If Morgan had his arm around Prentiss and was joking around with her, would you be making a big deal out of this?"

She narrowed her eyes at him. "Are you saying this is typical behavior for Agent Morgan in general?"

"With some people, yes," admitted Rossi confidently. "He's a friendly guy."

Strauss swung around to face Hotch. "It would be wise for you to speak to Agent Morgan about his behavior. I've said it before; this team can function without him." After she was done with her tirade, she marched out of the room and closed the door behind her.

Rossi plopped back down on his bed. "That woman can try my patience like no other."

Hotch grabbed his clothes and opened the bathroom door.

"Where do you plan on going?" asked Rossi.

"It would be best to talk to Morgan now and warn him that he's being watched like a hawk."

When Hotch stepped out of the bathroom dressed back in his work attire, he found Rossi had also redressed.

"And where are you going?"

"I might as well do my part."

"And that is?"

"To calm down Strauss."

Hotch quirked a brow.

"It won't be easy, but it can be done."

"So does that mean you won't be coming back until morning?" Hotch asked with a smirk.

"In case you haven't noticed, we're on a case, Aaron."

Hotch held the door open and waved him through. "You're not the only one who's good at his job. I know that your reignited fling is more serious than you're letting on. And you were mighty jealous tonight at dinner. Have fun relieving all that tension."

**What will the night bring for Morgan and Reid?**

Chapter 22 is coming soon!

THANKS FOR REVIEWING! I LOVE READING THEM!

They keep me motivated!

The Morgan & Reid Interactions: They were fun to write in the last chapter and it's good to read from you that they were funny and real. Not much interaction with them in this transition chapter, but the next chapter will definitely make up for it!

Hotch & Rossi: They both have worked so long with Morgan & Reid that they already know how protective they are of each other and how close they are as friends. I believe they've already proven to Hotch and Rossi that they are capable of working with each other regardless of their official status. So it seemed right to me that they would be supportive of Morgan & Reid right from the beginning of their new relationship as a couple.

When will the rest of the team find out? I haven't decided, yet. But I'm leaning towards having them wait so Strauss doesn't think the whole team was keeping a secret from her.

This new story arc: It makes an author happy when she reads that readers are happy it will be longer! :) I love cases. I hadn't thought about the comparison of how they are on cases before and after they became a couple until Srienia mentioned it. Another reason to be glad I extended it!

Strauss: Aw, people were tempted to like her in the last chapter. Actually, I do like her and hate her at the same time. It makes her an interesting character to watch on screen and to write in fan fiction. I'm guessing in this chapter, most readers are still on or back on the dislike side for Strauss. Hehehe. I wonder if she will stay there.

Rossi and Strauss: I'm happy to read that I'm not the only one who likes the dynamics of the Rossi and Strauss relationship. I love them, but I do want you to know I'm not turning it into a Rossi/Strauss story. I'm simply using them to justify the end result for Morgan & Reid continuing to work together on the same team. ;)

More reviews received for chapters 18 & 19: Oh wow, very sexy. I like the idea of them being unable to keep their hands off each other. Once the smoke cleared from my computer I was able to let you know how much I LOVE this chapter. It was fun and sexy and how I could picture them actually behaving if the show ever came to their senses and wrote it in. Thank you, 68luvcarter! (There's more coming in the next chapter!)

Spelling and Grammar corrections: Thank you! I really don't like to see these kinds of errors in my story, and no matter how many times I edit, there usually seems to be one or more I missed. It drives me crazy. Too bad grammar check doesn't recognize all of them. Anyway, I do fix them when they are pointed out.

I love it when… readers point out a specific line they liked!

"I can't believe you even brought that up, Aaron. Do you really want to be
flipping a coin to see who has to deal with Reid talking in his sleep?" Rossi
said incredulously.

Thanks, cr8zymommy!