AN: Hiya! Warning, OFC heavy but actually Hotch and Reid-centric. Enjoy!

The speech was incredible, more than incredible! Enthusiasm poured out of this man, the man Reid and Nick called Blackburn. He was as tall as Reid, possibly taller, towering at his podium and speaking steadily, brightly, jubilantly about his previous work in the FBI. He spoke with a mixed accent- not quite American but not quite British-. It was possibly just an upper-class upbringing resulted in the strange dialect, which was strong but soothing, prattling on like an old friend.

Hotch was intrigued and absolutely not bored.

He was also curious about the other man who sat besides Reid. He was so comfortable as he was poking, softly brushing shoulders with him, giggling once or twice. Nick was a nice man, no doubt about it. The air around him was kind and youthful but with hints of hidden wisdom. If someone looked closer, he was the complete opposite of Reid, who was serious with brown eyes intensely burrowing at everything he saw; his thoughts, words, symbols forever whirring in his head like a shaken snow globe. Right now, however, he was a little on edge. He had been since Nick ran towards Hotch like a bullet train.

There was more to be examined, Hotch thought, who had been sneaking glances until Nick snapped his head to the side and caught Hotch's eyes. Luckily for Hotch, Nick just smiled kindly and returned his focus on the tall man talking about bombers and tracking devices.

Jesus Christ, was this man James Bond? Hotch mused to himself once his attention was diverted where it should be.

"-that's when I found Agent Rossi splayed out on the floor, dazed and out of his mind. We never let him near the lab after that incident." Blackburn shook his short dark hair in amused disapproval. "Surely, most of you know the effects of lysergic acid diethylamide. Back then, we clearly underestimated such a drug."

Hotch chuckled under his breath. He was going to have to ask Rossi about what kind of trip he was going through. This was certainly a bonus treat.

A loud snort. Hotch turned and found Reid shaking his shoulders, trembling with laughter as he pressed his hands up to his unusually and constantly pink lips. Reid was desperate to hide the bellowing laughter that wanted to escape, so desperate that he was turning a peculiar shade of red. Light Brown, almost hazel eyes met darker ones, but only slightly darker. Great, now they both have the church giggles. Nobody noticed except for the Brit.

After the speech, Reid was back to normal. He must have calmed a bit enough to laugh and smile at his old friend. It made Hotch's chest pang slightly, making him feel rather silly by feeling so discernibly jealous.

"You know Agent Rossi?" Nick then snickered into his sleeve. "Does he always drop acid?"

"Just the occasional brandy or wine," Reid said thoughtfully, probably imagining the way Rossi might have looked right now if he was on a trip. Hotch certainly was.

"Ah, Nicolas," a mixed-matched accent floated from behind Hotch's back. The man swooped down on the Brit and gave him a long passionate kiss. Reid dropped his coat on the floor, gaping at the two canoodling like two long lost lovers who found each other after a war. Hotch tried to be more discreet.

After a minute or so of, as Nick would have said, snogging, the two tore themselves apart. Blackburn settled back like he just hadn't tried to eat Nick's face off and ignored the shocked gaping genius. "And Spencer Reid. You've actually skinnier than the last time I saw you. Been using all of your books as nutrients, I see."

"Hello professor," Reid fumbled out a nervous laugh, completely ignoring his coat on the ground. "Amazing speech, j-just like I remembered them."

"Thank you," Blackburn quirked a smile as the Brit bent down to retrieve Spencer's coat. "And Nicolas, glad you made it tonight with out any cuts and bruises."

Nick smiled sheepishly, "Actually," he stole a glance from Reid, "I caught my hand on the car door."

"I see," Blackburn uncurled a satisfied smirk. Minutes ago he was bounding with energy and now the man transformed into a smug and polished man. Not so much James Bond and more like a villain. "And Ethan couldn't make an appearance, I see."

Reid shook his head, "He's in New Orleans. He told me to send his regards."

"Hmm… well., the three of you were always together. It feels odd that one of you is missing," Blackburn scratched his chin, his voice sarcastic and dry. If it weren't for the amazing speech Blackburn poured from his being earlier, right now Hotch would be wondering why Nick and Reid worshiped the man; why Reid was so set on coming enough to risk his own safety, and why Rossi encouraged him.

"Hello," Hotch reached out his hand towards the professor. The professor looked him coolly and calm, one thick black brow arching upwards. "I'm Aaron Hotchner. I'm a friend of Rossi's."

"Aaron Hotchner," Blackburn returned the handshake. Two sets of youthful eyes sprang towards the gesture- one of the pair of light brown, shocked at the contact Hotch and Blackburn made, two worlds colliding into one. "I hear your name being thrown around everywhere I go. I feel as if I know you already."

"Likewise," Hotch reiterated.

"So, how about we go for a round a drinks? There is a bar not too far off, and I want to hear what all you three have been up to. My treat," Blackburn quirked a smile again as he placed his hand onto Nick's back.

"A round from Douglas! This I can't bloody believe," Nick rushed to grab his coat lazily strewn on his seat. "Spencer and Mr. Hotchner, are you coming with? I'm not passing this up. No way."

"Sure," Hotch accepted the invitation. He could feel Reid tense up besides him but didn't say a word. Hotch wondered if he should decline, but curiosity got the better of him. It was an opportunity he couldn't pass up if it meant he'd hear stories Reid's old college days. It was the genius's fault, since he rarely divulged anything from his past, and surely a pint would put him in good spirits. This was normal and Reid needed some normalcy in his life. So a bar. Yes. That would do.

The bar was a little posh, but any regular Joe could perch himself on the stools by himself or with men named David or Brad or Jim as they downed a few beers and chased them with more beer. In the corner, a white collar lawyer sat by himself as one set of fingers flied over his smart phone and the other gently swishing a glass of wine.

So a young genius, a professor nicknamed Oscar the Grouch, a happy-go-lucky Brit, and an off duty FBI agent didn't seem so out of place.

"Alright," Blackburn gracefully sat himself on the end of the booth. The air of the bar, so warm that it seemed to radiate through their bodies. "How is David doing, Mr. Hotchner?"

"Fine," Hotch turned his attention to the waitress and ordered a soda to start his new role as 'DD'. "Still as smug and brilliant as ever. And please, call me Aaron."

Blackburn grinned slyly, "How many divorces has he wrangled himself up this time?"

Hotch snorted, "I think it's four. I'm not to sure, though; I lost count after Martha."

"Martha was a smart, young beauty. Such a shame."

"Right, I will tell you he's now married to his work, per say. I'm sure Dave realized that he couldn't afford another divorce right now."

"Ha!" Blackburn spread a complacent smirk. "Indeed."

Reid and Nick sat across from each other. both observing the two older men sharing-not gossiping- stories about Rossi. Who knew the man was such a unifying force?

"I think they enjoy taking a piss at this Rossi guy." Nick thanked the waitress after he received his pint of beer. "Is he terrible to work with?"

"No. He's just…"

"Cheeky?"

"Yes. That," Reid smiled warmly, "only when he wants to be. He's really nice to me."

"That's good," Nick patted Reid's shoulder. The contact was familiar and comforting.

After the story about how Rossi met his second wife while he was seeing his future third wife, Nick was acting a little restless. He twirled a quarter in his fingers skillfully. The young genius noticed the familiar nervous tick. Sometimes he'd tap at the table with it, sometimes he twirled it nonstop. Right now he was doing a combination of both.

"Are you okay?" Reid asked, his worry lines more pronounced. Nick flashed his best shit eating grin, but that was enough for Reid to understand.

"Excuse me gentlemen," Nick got up from his seat, a thin hand gently guiding a thin forearm to go get up with him. "I'm gasping for a smoke. Do you mind if I borrow Spencer for a bit? Don't want to be alone this late in the day and get mugged by some lunatic."

"Sure," Hotch said.

After the two left, Blackburn chuckled at their backs. "Guess they wanted to catch up a little. Shame, I have so many more Rossi stories to tell."

Nick took out a cigarette and huffed into the night sky. The smoke danced almost elegantly and Reid would have enjoyed the pleasing visual if it weren't for the fact that Nick was actually killing himself at the same time. Nick knew Reid hated smokers but they weren't going out anymore. Besides, he really needed a drag right now. That's why he was fidgeting; his cravings got the better of him.

"Don't start with the statistics please," Nick smiled off into the distance. "I really needed this. Douglas gives me enough grief."

"I wasn't." Reid felt a little offended and he crossed his arms. "And…. You and Blackburn?"

"Yes, me and the pain in the ass Blackburn. Why is it such a surprise to you?" Nick took another drag and breathed out. He relaxed heavily onto the brick wall behind him. The chemicals were obviously working their magic on him.

"It's well… he…" Reid bit his lips as he remembered the kiss between them from an hour ago. He couldn't deny his jealousy-the utter pang at the bottom of his stomach when the two unabashedly shared at passionate kiss in from of the entire population of the university criminology department. He wish he had that in a way. Well, something not as brazen, of course, because he wasn't the type to flaunt his feelings like that.

"Congratulations," the genius finally said, ignoring the return of the green-eyed-monster who gently scratched from inside him.

Nick grinned as he puffed out a ring of smoke. "Thank you. He maybe an arse sometimes, but we work. I'm happy now."

"I'm glad." He was now, but he also felt guilty for being so jealous in the first place. Nick found someone, and he deserved a that connection he always wanted.

Nick continued to suck on the cigarette. "So, how long have you two been getting on?"

"What?" Reid's voice raised octave. "What are you talking about?"

"Getting on. Shagging. Sexual intercourse."

Reid felt his entire face burn as he ducked his head into his shoulders. "Nick," he warned.

"You're both quite cute together," Nick chuckled. "I'm kidding. I just wanted to get a rise from you, but," Nick paused as stared down across the street into the vintage store's window display, "when are you going to confess to your boss that you're not only gay but you fancy him?"

"I don't think I ever will," Reid leaned against the brick wall. "Things are… complicated."

"With you, maybe," Nick walked up to face Reid and let out a deep and long suffering sigh, concern written on his handsome face. "Things are only complicated if you make them to be. Remember? When you freaked out about coming out to your mum?" The Brit grinned at the memory.

"Your mum was happy and you worried about absolutely nothing. A lot of wasted energy you spent worrying. And still do," Nick placed a kind hand on Reid's shoulder. "Oh, and sorry about outing you to your friends that time in the café. I didn't mean to…"

"I know," Reid feigned a glared at his ex. "Just don't out me to my boss, okay?"

"What's the difference, Your friends and your boss? Is it because you fancy the pants out of Mr. Aaron Hotchner?" Nick danced a little, mocking Reid as he swayed back and forth. "He seems like a decent enough guy. When you're ready you should tell him. Only when you're ready, of course."

Reid sighed. He wished this conversation would just end. His ex was too curious for his own damn good. "Is that what you wanted to talk about?"

"Kind of," Nick flicked the cigarette onto the gutter below. "I just feel really bad for outing you. I just… I know how terrible it feels, and you should have done it yourself when you were ready. Nobody should be forced, and I was a git. I'm sorry."

It was Reid's turn to pat Nick on the shoulder. "I forgive you."

Both were ready to walk inside, but a young boy with a red wool beanie-about age twelve- approached the two with a letter. "This guy told me to give you this," he handed the letter to Reid. "Said it was important."

The two men looked at each other incredulously then back at the pale blue letter with fancy calligraphy skillfully written on the top.

Back inside the bar Hotch peered across the room and wondered when the two younger men would come back from Nick's cigarette break.

Blackburn was sat across Hotch, second beer in hand. "Do you want to hear why I chose Spencer over Ethan to send away to the BAU?" Blackburn interrupted Hotch's thoughts. He was getting bored at the dull silence between them, and he was set on enjoying the night, thank you very much. Silence was usually bad and should be stopped at all times, always.

Hotch snapped his eyes back at the man. This was why he came to the bar in the first place- stories about Reid. The fact that he was eager to hear him caused him to worry somewhat. Why was he so eager in the first place?

"I heard Ethan is just as smart as Reid but… he dropped out in the academy the first day," Hotch said as he took a drink out of his soda.

"I was the reason why, and it surprised even Gideon to say the least," Blackburn quirked a smile to himself. He wasn't kidding. "No offense to Spencer Reid but… Ethan was obviously more qualified as an agent-at least I thought so before," He sighed dramatically, "How I hate being wrong."

Blackburn continued, "I wasn't really choosing between the two but… I knew that if I recommended one of them, then they'd surely get the upper hand they needed to enter the BAU. As we both know, it takes an arm and a leg to just get your foot in the door. So my recommendations are like a golden ticket, and the fact Gideon trusted my judgment completely had something to do with that."

"So what changed your mind?"

"Let me tell you something about Ethan first. He was my favorite for a reason," Blackburn picked up his beer bottle. "He was beyond a perfect candidate. A genius, athletic, sociable, and fearless. Spencer only had genius going for him… again…. No offence."

Hotch's face was stony at the last few words. Hearing Reid's character being insulted and compared was painful, and he wanted to shove the beer bottle down Blackburn's mouth. The man was smirking at the Unit Chief, however, and his dark eyes glinted in amusement as he saw through the façade.

"I remember that day," Blackburn remembered fondly, "I had given Ethan my recommendation the moment Gideon called. It was a heart beat decision and I felt pretty satisfied with my choice. I knew Ethan would make me proud, no doubt about it. Then…"

Blackburn hung up the phone and smiled curtly to himself. Gideon would have a talk with Ethan soon, and the star pupil would be set to become the next best thing the BAU had ever laid eyes on. Pride ran through his veins; it was like giving his own child away at a marriage ceremony. It was indeed a great day for the FBI. Now, he was ready to get home and finish the day with a glass of celebratory brandy and a good book to wind down on.

As he flicked the lights off in his office, he noticed a lone figure sitting down on the ground with a book propped on his lap. Oh, it's that Spencer boy, Blackburn mumbled to himself. He was bright alright. Bright but too… innocent. The man would say down right adorable if it didn't make him sound like a pedophile.

"Shouldn't you be getting ready to head on over to the academy next week?" Blackburn towered over the young man, irritated by just his presence. What a joke, he wont make it the first day. Reid looked up blankly, like his own company was nothing all that to fuss over.

"I'm waiting for Professor Gunter. He's consulting someone right now," Reid smiled slightly up at Blackburn. The professor rolled his eyes, hoping that the young man knew what exactly Professor Gunter was doing behind that door of his….something surely unsanitary.

"Consulting, indeed," Blackburn mumbled under his breath. Reid blinked inquiringly, so very puppy like that it made the older man sick. Oh for pete's sake! How can this… walking broomstick ever manage to hope for a position at the BAU? This reinforced what he already believed about his earlier choice. Reid was just a foolish dreamer and his friend will forget about him as he should to succeed.

He had to know why the walking broomstick could ever think to join the ranks of the BAU. He had to know before it ate him alive. "Spencer… why… exactly… do you want to join the BAU?"

Reid placed his book on the ground and stood up awkwardly, long limbs making it doubly hard to make the genius appear graceful. What was surprising was how serious Reid looked once he settled into the standing position. His eyes were ambitious and stern, and there was a hidden strength and power behind those eyes that Blackburn would never have envisaged.

"I just want to know why people do the things they do. I want to know why people hurt other people," Reid bit his lip, a flash of sadness on his face appeared for a fraction of a second. Blackburn knew that look. "I want to stop them from hurting other people- people who can't protect themselves…"

Surprising indeed. Blackburn smiled involuntarily at the young man and nodded politely. "That is a very nice answer, my boy."

Reid's ears blushed lightly, and he was back to that shy awkward kid Blackburn recognized bu twas not sorry to see again. "Give my regards to Gunter will you? I'm sure he'll be finished in a few minutes."

That night Blackburn sat on his kitchen table looking over a few files. Ethan and Spencer… both geniuses. Ethan was athletic, sociable, and fearless. He picked up the phone and called said young man.

"Hello?" Ethan answered.

"Ethan this is Blackburn. Answer me this question: why do you want to join the BAU?"

Ethan was silent for only twelve seconds and answered that he wanted to work with the smartest people and described how he wanted to catch the bad guys. It would have been an acceptable answer if it weren't for the twelve seconds of silence. Those twelve seconds were enough to make Blackburn realize how stupid he was, stupid for not asking them both the question a long time ago. What an incredibly stupid thing he did. He was going to have to call Gideon again.

Hotch wasn't surprised. He'd been surprised enough by Reid alone, so hearing Blackburn's realization wasn't anything new. But he smiled victoriously, all because he felt that he himself had won that day. Had won a fight he never knew had been fought. How painfully close he was to the possibility of never having Reid in his team, standing right next to him as he prattled on about statistics and facts. How important Reid meant to everyone, and to himself. The thought of not having those moments were frightening to him and wrenching his heart.

Blackburn smiled after he took another swig, eyeing Hotch closely as the unit chief let his feelings sink in.

"Hotch!" Reid shouted from across the room. The Unit Chief perked up his head and saw the younger man rushing over holding a letter in the air.

"What is it, Reid?"

"A-A letter!" Reid finally reached the table and planted the opened letter on the table. "We have to go after Nick! Nick, he-he read it then went running down the street… I-I… we have to go after him!"

Blackburn snapped the letter and quickly read it. "He's heading down the Hilton; that's…"

"Eight blocks away," Reid's eyes shot open. "Hotch, the admirer is waiting for me there, and Nick just-"

"Fuck!" Blackburn shot out his seat and fled right after Nick. Hotch and Reid followed after.

His heart was pounding against his chest. How could Nick be so impulsive? He could have returned back to the bar, and then the group would have had time to get to their cars and drive over to the Hilton. Not only would that have been easier but also much more safe. Damn Nick. Damn his impulsive nature, Reid thought as they were getting closer to the hotel. He hoped Blackburn had made it in time.

Minutes passed, and they were at the hotel, but there were no sign of Blackburn nor Nick. Hotch asked a bell hop if he saw any signs of the two, but he shook his head. This night was getting worse by the second.

Suddenly, a sharp yell came from an ally nearby and the two agents made a B-line straight for it. It didn't sound like the two they were chasing after, but right now it was worth it just to investigate.

"Please stop!" The same voice screamed. "I-I didn't mean anything by it, I promise!" The average looking man chocked out sobs. The man desperately begged as he was being held up by his collar by Blackburn. Hotch jumped into action and pried the other man away with force. Blackburn protested and squirmed, but Hotch was in his Unit Chief mode and had talked him down into a calmer state.

Nick was sitting on the ground, back pressed against the wall as he dizzily swayed his head slightly. Reid checked for any injuries and could only find a small cut on the man's hand and a contusion inches above his right ear. His head was bleeding profusely, blood dripping down his scarf.

"How man fingers am I holding?" Reid held up two fingers. Nick lazily grinned and said, "Orange."

Then Blackburn lunged after the admirer and Hotch had to stop him once more.

His bottom was soar. Reid flickered his eyes open and was now bombarded with noises of people moving about. A loud distorted voice of a woman speaking through the intercom. Flashes of pastel pink and blue appeared and disappeared. One in particular with a long white coat was standing right in front of Hotch, talking.

Reid couldn't remember when exactly had he fallen asleep, or when exactly had he rested his head on Hotch's shoulder, but it felt nice. His warm cheek against the older man's shoulder and the smell that was distinctly Hotch's filled his nostrils. This night wouldn't be so bad except for the fact that his ex-boyfriend had a concussion and that his ex-boyfriend's current boyfriend was making all the nurses miserable in every waking moment.

Still, Hotch was here and was being the most perfect pillow Reid had ever rested on.

After the doctor briefed Hotch on Nick's condition, they were left alone again. Hotch didn't have to repeat what the doctor had said because he knew Reid was awake and had overheard. He did anyway.

"Nick is going to be fine," Hotch said, feeling Reid rise his head from its resting place and rubbing his tired eyes.

"Is he going to stay over night?" Reid yawned widely. There was something so endearing about it that Hotch couldn't help but to capture that image and store it away in his brain.

"Yes, and they finally had allowed Blackburn stay with him," Hotch shook his head in disbelief. "The man even pulled some strings. I think he might even called the president."

They both laughed, knowing that it was a joke even if there was the large possibility that it wasn't.

"And the admirer?"

"He's fine. Poor guy- I almost feel sorry for him," Hotch chuckled at the thought. "Good thing Nick said that he accidentally fell and hit his head while chasing him. The admirer was kind enough to run back and help Nick when he noticed. That's when Blackburn appeared, and he came to a different conclusion."

"Oh," Reid pressed his pink lips into a thin and wide line. "Who knew I had a helpful stalker?"

"Don't worry, he's harmless," Hotch patted Reid's knee lightly. "He promised not to send you anything anymore as long as they kept Blackburn away from him."

"Good," Reid quirked a smile. "I think this night deserves a title at how… epic it turned out. Epic, right? That's what Garcia would say."

Hotch nodded as he rubbed his own eyes. What time was it anyway? "Right."

Reid shifted in his seat as the image of Blackburn fretting over Nick came rushing back to his head; then the conversation they had before the Brit went chasing the admirer like a madman; how they both lived with their hearts on their sleeves. They were perfect for each other, and the envy easily rushed back from the bottom of his feet up to the tip of his head. Not because they were together but how open they both were about who they are, something he long forgot back in Cal Tech.

'Only when you're ready, of course.'

Right…

"Hotch?" Reid clenched and unclenched his hand that he had propped on his good knee. His heart was beating in his ears, his face painted in a pallet of light pinks and reds. "Hotch… I have to tell you something."

Hotch turned to him, all of his attention focused on Reid though it seemed like he was paying more attention to the hospital staff dashing around them. "What is it?"

"Nick… he's… my ex-boyfriend," Reid said as calmly and as clearly as he could manage so to make sure Hotch could hear him properly. He wasn't sure if he would be able to repeat it again if Hotch misheard.

The younger man squirmed and took a huge and big deep breath as he waited for a response. He had done this before- he had- and whoever said coming out got easier and easier was crazy because that was far from the truth. Everybody took it differently, and the anxiety before and after the big reveal was like having all the gravity suddenly push down on you. God, he hated this.

"That's nice," Hotch smiled and patted Reid's knee lightly again. "He's really nice. A little impulsive, but nice. Now I hope your next boyfriend has a steadier head on his shoulders."

"Er… um…" Reid was in an internal battle on whether he should jump up and down in pure joy or to stare blankly, dazed and confused. "Okay… I'll make sure."

"Is that a promise?" Hotch's smile graduated into an artful grin. Something in Reid's chest swelled up pleasantly at the sight.

"Um… sure…"

"Good."

Aaron Hotchner then, finally, kissed Spencer Reid for the first time.

All the nurses applauded.

AN: Nom nom nom nom nom. Haha sorry this took so long (omg I say this a lot don't I?) I think the next chapter is the last one. :3 I felt bad for postponing this because I hate leaving things unfinished and I am attached to the two characters. So yes, I have swamped myself with projects and I should learn to how to do this time management thing. Whatever that is.

PS I want also thank those who have read Flowers in the Office. I haven't officially thanked you before but here I'm doing it right now. And I want to thank VanessaS. Quest and CMAli for giving me the opportunity to write angst and putting up with me. You all are so much better than I am lol. Last but not least I want to thank the-vampire-act for being my wonderful beta and being patient with my delays.

More PS! Please stay tuned for the sequel of Flowers in the Office. Angst ahoy!