Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds

A/N: After re-reading the last chapter after sleeping, I think my neurotic personality is bleeding onto my characters…crap, will try to do better. Took Sue1313's advice and had Hotch call Garcia. Brief mention of Morgan/Prentiss. Another short chapter. Gah…having issues.

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Around noon, Hotch stopped at a diner, and got out of the SUV. Reid looked up from the book he had exchanged for the case file, looking a little drowsy from driving. Looking out of the windshield, he seemed to get the idea, and hoped out, stretching his arms and legs.

"Hotch?"

"What is it, Reid?" Hotch asked, keeping his tone neutral as they walked up to the diner.

"I'm sorry, about earlier," Reid stuttered, focusing on the ground, as if it would suddenly crack open and swallow him whole if he weren't careful. Hotch looked at Reid, hiding his surprise.

"Do you usually have such drastic mood changes?"

"Umm…no." The corners of Reid's lips pulled upwards into a nervous smile. "It's just that…Rossi and Morgan always got on my case, for not pursuing a crush…so we'll just, not talk about it anymore, if that's what you want." Reid pushed the door to the diner open, and Hotch went in, closely followed by Reid. As they took their seats, Reid's phone went off, and he answered it, with the usual, curt, 'Doctor Reid'. After a couple seconds, his lips pursed tightly before he answered.

"Everything's fine, Rossi." He waited for a moment, and then simply snapped the phone shut. The waitress walked up, smiling cordially while handing them menus. Reid opened his, and after a brief second to scan the menu, he put it down.

"Ummm, water, and a grilled turkey sandwich." The waitresses eyebrows went up, but the smile remained.

"Sure thing. And what for you, dearie?" she asked, turning to Hotch.

"Water, and a burger," Hotch answered, handing her the menu. Once she left, Hotch turned back to Reid.

"What did Dave want?"

Reid bit his lips together, shrugging. "He just wanted to know how we're doing."

Hotch resisted the urge to ask exactly what Dave said, scrutinizing the cheesy old photos on the diner wall. As the waitress came with their food, Hotch looked up and thanked her. When she walked away, Reid began picking at his sandwich, taking out the onions, and setting them to the side of his plate. Reid glanced up, and found Hotch watching him curiously. He cleared his throat, and sat up straight, putting a French fry in his mouth, before raising a finger, and saying, matter-of-factly, "ah, onions are gross."

Hotch couldn't help but laugh a little, shaking his head, and began eating as well. "Your picky," Hotch commented dryly. Reid frowned, and took a bite and swallowed before answering.

"I grew up on tv dinners. I can be as picky as I want now."

Once they were finished with lunch, Reid went to use the restroom while Hotch went out to the SUV, pulling out his cell phone. Flicking it open, he clicked speed dial 'two', and waited as it rang. A cheery voice on the other line greeted him.

"Well, hello Mr. Boss Man. What magic can I do for you?" Garcia asked.

"I need you to find anything you can on Shawn, Reid's ex-boyfriend."

"Ahh…Sir, I'm not sure…I mean, does Genius-Cakes know you're doing a background check on his ex?"

"Garcia, please."

"There's not much I can do with just a first name."

"He had security clearance to get into the bullpen."

"Oooh, I can work with that."

"So you'll do it?"

Garcia was silent for a moment, and then let out an audible sigh. "I don't see the harm in it, so sure, why not. I'll call you when I have something."

"Thank you Garcia."

Hotch hung up, and waited for another minute, before Reid emerged, carrying a bag with a couple doughnuts in it. After a questionable glance from Hotch, Reid shrugged slightly.

"For the ride there, just in case I get hungry."

"You plan on eating all three?"

"Umm…did you want one?"

Hotch shook his head, trying and failing to not smile as he got into the SUV. As Reid got in, he didn't pick up his book or the case file once inside, so Hotch took a chance at talking to him. "Reid, I hope you understand why I don't want to start a relationship with you."

"Um, yeah. I guess so," Reid answered nervously, slumping into his seat.

"I care about you. It's just-"

"Relationships in the workplace are highly inappropriate, I know…I don't think anyone would really care though...no one said anything about Morgan and Emily."

"Because no one wants Prentiss mad at them."

Reid laughed a little, shaking his head. "You've got a point. She can be a little scary at times." He was smiling, but he was staring out of the window with a sad, 'not quite there' look on his face.

"What's on your mind?" Hotch asked gently, glancing at Reid, and then back at the road.

"Oh, just…thinking."

"That's a first." Reid let out a nervous, awkward laugh.

"I guess I was being a little vague."

"Is it about Shawn?" Hotch asked. Reid shifted, and shrugged, biting his lip.

"No."

"What's it about?"

"Um, you?" Reid answered, but his voice had a questioning tone to it, as if asking if it were okay. Hotch sighed, but kept his eyes on the road. He took a moment to think. The more he thought about it, the more he wanted to simply admit to Reid how he felt.

Sounding defeated, Hotch answered in a quiet voice, "we'll talk more when we get back to Quantico, okay?" Reid smiled and his eyes lit up, and Hotch had a feeling he was going to be giving in to Reid more than he'd planned, judging by the way his stomach flipped with that bright expression directed at him.

"Okay," Reid said, nodding, his smile widening slightly. Hotch's phone rang, and he picked it up, flipping it open.

"Hotchner."

"Uh…sir?"

"Yes?" Hotch answered curtly. There was a pause, and then Garcia started talking.

"I looked up our little Brain-Muffin's ex…thirty-five year old Shawn Jay. Ex-military, worked for the FBI for two years, but in a different building. He quit, citing personal problems, fifteen months ago. Six months ago, he was charged for assault and battery…" Her voice trailed off.

"Is that all?" Hotch asked.

"Yes sir."

"Alright, thank you."

Hotch hung up abruptly, earning a curious look from Reid.

"Who was that?"

"Baltimore P.D."

Reid nodded, and thankfully, bought it, getting comfortable in his seat. "The Baltimore Police Departments Mounted Unit is the oldest, continuous unit of its kind," Reid offered, off-handedly.

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TBC…

A/N: Yeah, I'm just going to leave you there. I've got a bit to do tomorrow, so I probably won't be able to put anything up until Saturday night, or Sunday Morning.