This one is kind of filler. Derek and Spencer finally talk about their predicament and another character is introduced…why? Just because. But I have fun with it on and off. So, it's a bit silly, a bit angsty and also kind of a turning point that sets us up for the next and final two chaps. Here we go…

Chapter Three

Tuesday came and the two younger males on the team seemed a bit on edge as they noticed that everyone was acting a bit strangely around them. Sure, there had been a little back rub and some harmless finger sucking…okay, so it was weird. Way out of their norm. But did that justify the fact that their own boss couldn't seem to so much as look them in the eye? It was positively nerve wracking. But, despite the initial tension that morning, the whole team seemed to relax into the busy shuffle of paper work and business of the like.

Awhile in, when things seemed to be indicative of a nice, quiet day, their luck took a turn for the worse. Derek thought he might cry when his hip buzzed and he glanced down seeing it was from none other than the mischief maker herself. He took a very deep breath and read the message.

Derek walked into the break room where the resident genius was brewing a new pot of coffee. And of course, to make matters worse, Prentiss, JJ and a female member of some other team were sitting at the small table chatting over what he presumed had been the end of the last pot.

*I love Garcia, I love Garcia, I love Garcia…*

The mantra was beginning to piss him off more than calm him.

He smiled at the women and stepped up behind Reid peering over his shoulder. The younger man looked back at him warily before pouring his own fresh cup and reaching for the sugar. Derek snatched it up before he could. Spencer assumed that the senior agent was just being…well, himself, as he'd not received a text.

*What is he thinking? Everyone already has serious questions about the nature of our…well…relationship.*

He glared at him before sticking his hand out.

"Hand it over." He requested calmly.

"No."

"Morgan, you don't even use sugar."

"And you consume far too much. It isn't healthy."

"Give it."

"No."

"Come on man, I need my sugar." Spencer whined.

"You heard the man Morgan, give him some sugar." Prentiss teased and the women laughed.

The slender and grumpy agent glared at the brunette like her very existence was an affront to humanity.

"Give. Me. The. Sugar."

"Make me."

Spencer made a swipe for it but Derek was quicker.

"I swear to God Morgan, if you don't give it to me now…"

"You'll what? Lecture me to death?" He teased with a playful smirk.

Spencer decided he wasn't in the mood for banter and moved one hand swiftly toward the larger man's stomach who curled slightly while his other hand shot up and snatched the sugar back. Misdirection. Worked every time.

"You sneaky little…" Derek tried to grab the cylindrical, plastic container back but the kid's arms were longer and that extra inch of height didn't help. Not to be out done in front of the ladies,(who were now rolling with laughter) and because he kinda had to, Derek lunged forward and wound up flush against Spencer's ass who was now pinned between him and the counter.

"You know I'm gonna get it!" Derek taunted, grinding harder as he reached.

"No way!" His captive cried, trying to wiggle away.

He managed to squirm out from the vice-like position and turn when his friend caught him by the waist and they stumbled over each other's feet landing hard against the linoleum. The men were vaguely aware of laughing as they caught the breath that had been knocked from them and when Spencer's eyes refocused, he realized the weight against his body was Derek. And if that weren't awkward enough, the man was nestled very inappropriately between his legs. They looked like two horny teenagers caught making it in the back of a car.

Derek hadn't planned on this particular prompt being so embarrassing, it was supposed to be some questionable flirting and not so…. In his haste to get off of the slender body beneath him, he knocked JJ's arm, sending her now thankfully cooled coffee all over Reid's crotch.

"Dammit Morgan!" He hollered, getting to his feet as his assailant grabbed a wad of paper towels.

Derek couldn't stop apologizing as he thoughtlessly began patting down Spencer's pants.

"You don't have to do that man." Spencer said trying to step back.

"I've got it. It's my fault. I'm sorry." Derek repeated as he rubbed quickly at the mess.

"Morgan, seriously, I don't need…"

"Does coffee even wash out?" He asked, continuing to all but palm the young man.

"Morgan…"

"I'll pay for dry cleaning if there's any chance it…"

"Morgan, please!"

Derek froze. He suddenly saw the ladies wide eyes and shocked faces, heard their barely suppressed giggles, but mostly he felt…oops. Spencer turned bright red and rushed from the room.

….

Even though Derek had begged the girls not to tease Spencer and had apologized profusely, the teams youngest was understandably flustered. After changing and quickly completing what desk work he had, he spent a while down in the archives just trying to avoid any added humiliation. He kept telling himself rationally, not to let it get to him. Derek hadn't seemed angry by the unavoidable, um, response he'd had by having his most intimate region basically fondled. It wasn't his fault and he shouldn't feel ashamed, even if it had been his male co-worker and friend that had provoked such a reaction. No of course not. It could've happened to anyone. Didn't mean anything. Nope. Not a thing…

The tall man was brought out of his endless brooding by a familiar voice.

"Hey. How's it hangin'?"

Paul Handcock was on another team, but Spencer had worked with him on occasion. Honestly, the man gave him the creeps. He wasn't bad looking and he had a nice smile, but the way his eyes raked over Spencer's body and lingered too long on him like some predator ready to pounce its pray, never failed to make his skin crawl. It seemed that more often than not, when Reid came here to research, if Paul's team was in the building, the man would find his way there as well.

"What? What's hanging?" Reid asked, shifting back a bit to gain distance.

Paul's eyes glanced at the geniuses groin briefly. "It's just an expression." He replied with a lazy smile. "I was just asking…how you are."

"Oh. Um...fine." Spencer answered with a tight smile, gathering his things.

"What's the hurry?"

"I, uh, I'm done here. I have more work waiting for me at my desk." He lied.

Paul closed the distance until only a stack of folders were between them.

"You owe me."

"What?"

"Last month, when we were both assisting on that local case, I mentioned the new art gallery opening. You said you'd been meaning to check it out. When I offered to take you, you said you were busy. Asked for a rain check."

"Yeah…I havebeen really busy. Sorry. Maybe some other time." Reid said attempting to side-step the older man.

"Why not tonight? We're both in town. I hear they have the featured artist painting nude models live for charity. I'm sure they'd make a bundle off you." Paul said with a lecherous grin.

Before Spencer could even formulate a response that didn't involve kneeing the guy and running like hell, his phone buzzed. There was a case.

"I-I've gotta go." He said, darting around the walking sexual harassment suit and toward the elevator.

"You know, I do some painting myself…" Paul called after him with a chuckle, eyeing the taut little ass of Spencer's retreating form.

….

Derek had noticed the skittish behavior at once, but chalked it up to the incident from earlier. Strangely, once they were on the jet, the genius had calmed considerably. They were in for a long flight to the west coast and everyone was already pretty beat. After reviewing the details of the case, they all split off, Emily and JJ playing Gin Rummy, Hotch still looking over the file, Rossi typing away at his laptop, no doubt working on the latest book. They were on a case so the two men felt the relief of temporary reprieve from Garcia's vengeful clutches. No sooner did the comforting thought pass through their tired minds than their phones buzzed.

*FUCK*

….

The case was relatively easy to solve, but there had been a few hang ups along the way. Garcia hadn't felt that professionalism ranked above her need for "justice" and where Morgan had wanted to tell her that a case was no time for games, his guilt was still eating away at him. Aside from one incident at a crime scene, nothing seemed to happen while they were actually working. Reid hadn't spoken unless necessary, just going along with it all which had worried Morgan more than a little. It was like he'd resigned himself to the situation. Like he was broken and it no longer mattered. He didn't even react to any questioning looks or teasing remarks from anyone regarding their seemingly circumstantial plights. Instead, he focused harder than ever on the case which had actually proven to be what busted the whole thing wide open.

Thursday night they arrived back in Quantico and everyone headed their own directions deciding that paperwork could wait.

"I suggest everyone go home and get some rest. It was a long couple days." Hotch had said, eyeing the two younger males pointedly.

The girls had snorted softly sharing nudges as Morgan raked a hand over his tired face and Reid spun on his heel ready to get the hell home.

….

When Spencer walked in late Friday, everyone was a bit surprised, but not as surprised as they were by his appearance. He was unshaven, hair unruly in a very debauched and on purpose kind of way, a solid black, form fitting, button down with the top few buttons open drawing attention to his long, delicate neck while enhancing the fairness of his skin by contrast and accentuating the hollows of his perfectly sculpted features. The tight fitting, dark blue jeans he was sporting did amazing things for his afore mentioned posterior, or at least that's what everyone assumed, because even though he was walking toward them at the moment, the random folks in the bullpen that he passed seemed to focus far too much attention on it.

JJ took one look at him and stumbled when her ass missed Prentiss's desk and the brunette agent herself sputtered and choked on the coffee she'd been drinking. Morgan openly stared with his mouth hanging open, his eyes blinking rapidly as if the GQ-esque looking man before them were an apparition brought on by too much red dye number three in all the Hot Tamale candies Reid shared with him.

*You really are what you eat.*

Spencer didn't spare a glance before plopping down at his desk with a mumbled "Morning."

A good ten seconds ticked by as everyone watched him while he separated files and clicked on his computer. Then in unison they all addressed him.

"Reid? Spence? Pretty Boy?"

Spencer looked up with an indignant sigh just deciding to get the jokes over with.

"What?" He stated more than asked.

"Uh…you okay?" JJ questioned, wide eyed.

"If you're referring to my attire, I was tied up with paper work and forgot to move my laundry over. It was either come in late or wear this and the collar is too tight so I had to forgo a tie altogether. It's not that big of a deal, Rossi wears jeans all the time and…"

"Oh no, it's a very big deal Reid. You look like you just stepped out of a magazine. And I'm sure I speak for everyone in the building when I say it's a good thing it's not your norm or no work would ever get done because, GRRRRROWL!" Prentiss explained, complete with a low purr and a swipe of her claws.

Spencer's eyebrows shot up and he shifted uncomfortably under the hungry gazes of his own teammates. "I uh, hardly think that I'm…"

"Oh yes you are! I'm surprised you made it all the way here Spence. Have you not seen the looks you're getting? Tell him Morgan. He listens to you." JJ shot in the all too quiet agent's direction."

Derek blinked and shook his head before scooting his chair toward his own desk and commenting. "You should burn those clothes man."

Spencer scowled and looked down at the file open before him, then got up and headed to the restroom.

"Derek, you ass! You're the one that told him not one week ago that he would get more ladies if he dressed his age!"

"I said he'd catch more bees with honey JJ. And dressed like that…kids's gonna get swarmed." Derek said under his breath.

"Ah, so you're worried about competition?" Prentiss goaded.

"No. Just…don't think he's ready for that kind of attention."

"Uh-huh." Prentiss laughed, exchanging an amused look with JJ.

"Well, you'd better go tell him that or you're going to have two friends not speaking to you. You know he has confidence issues and you've probably just made him feel more insecure than he already did." JJ scolded.

Derek huffed and got to his feet.

Spencer was miserable. He didn't know how much longer he could do this. As he washed his hands at the bathroom sink, he let his mind go crazy with the possibilities of what else they would have to endure to appease their crafty, devious, manipulative, vengeful friend.

It had been five days of twitching paranoia every time his phone went off. Humiliation, odd looks and hushed whispers from team mates and several officers. They'd been on that case for two days, which hadn't even been a slight reprieve. The tormenting texts didn't instruct anything that couldn't be explained away rationally, but to the eyes of those closest to them, was enough not to go unnoticed. And now this. When the door to the lavatory opened, he stopped ringing his hands under the scalding hot stream and turned off the water.

"Garcia have anything to do with the new style?"

"What do you think? This outfit is absolutely mortifying."

"Well, considering she knows this would be humiliating to you…yes. But then why didn't she tell me to dress like a gee…" He paused before he could finish the derogatory word they both knew was coming. "Uh, look, what I said out there, I didn't mean you look bad. Actually, you look great. I guess I was just…"

"Save it."

The larger man paused looking down guiltily before changing tactics.

"You okay?" He asked cautiously.

"No. No, I'm not. And don't act like you are Morgan."

"It'll be over soon kid. She just feels humiliated and betrayed right now. Let's give her a couple more days and we'll talk to her. That'll be a week of payback. Plenty enough for her to forgive."

"Look, I get why she's upset, but this is going too far. The backrub wasn't so bad. Even the obscene finger fornication in front of our superior could have been worse than him not looking either of us in the eye for two days. But beyond that, everyone was already hyper vigilant. Every little thing was misconstrued even without the help of Garcia's little assignments! But the "accidental" sleep cuddling on the jet, the supposed "misunderstanding" leaving us ONE SUV at the air strip prompting me to insist on sitting in your lap, the reenactment at the first crime scene with yet more awkward wrestling that even had Rossi blushing and tripping over himself, the pickle debacle at lunch in front of the town sheriff, the broken television in the room we had to share that was stuck on maximum volume and only played some porn channel with our boss in the room next door…need I continue?"

"Reid,"

"And don't tell me that couldn't have been her because I know the universe isn't that cruel Morgan! She did it! Somehow, I don't know how, but she did! She's everywhere! Probably watching by satellite! I bet she even had the room bugged! I can feel her right now, listening, watching, and plotting!"

"Calm down!" Morgan growled, hands grasping Reid's shoulders.

"Calm down? What's there to be calm about? The entire team thinks we're…we're…"

"I know Reid. I've been there. Every step of the way. Don't you think it's killing me?"

"That's my point! People you work with, your friends, not only questioning your orientation, but thinking that you would start anything with me of all people! I'm sure that makes it so much worse!"

"Nah man…dammit…the part that's killing me is that I got you into this mess and now you're being forced to engage in unwanted contact with me. That every time this phone goes off I know I'll give in and hurt one person I care about to make things right with another."

Spencer stood in shocked silence for a moment. He hadn't considered that would be a way Derek might view this. He saw the whole situation as frustrating, embarrassing, unprofessional, unfair, but he didn't feel like a victim. Well, not a victim of Derek's anyway. And definitely not in the way he was suggesting. Sure, he wasn't one for excessive physical contact, let alone in public, but that wasn't even the real issue. (Aside from the unexpected physiological reaction to getting his front rubbed down by his best friend) He'd felt the same that he did. That it was forced, intrusive, and damaging to someone he cared about. It was bad enough feeling like his participation was an embarrassment to Derek, but knowing now that he felt like he was abusing the younger man in some way made Spencer's heart break.

"Morgan, you aren't hurting me." Reid assured softly.

"You said it yourself. All of it. Everything is my fault and you got roped in. Guilt by association. And now you're suffering assault after assault for this shit."

"Assault? Why are you taking it so far? Morgan, it's not like that. I've never felt like you were…"

"No, this is stupid. I'm putting an end to it. It's gone on long enough. If she wants to end our friendship over this then I'll just have to live with that. I'm not doing this to you anymore. It's not fair." Derek said with steel resolve, eyes hardened in determination as he headed to the door.

"Morgan…Derek!"

The larger man stopped and turned slightly to look at Spencer who was rushing forward to put a hand against the only exit.

"Are you sure the fact that it's me you're forced to do these things with isn't what's disturbing you?"

"Reid, I could honestly care less who people think I'm involved with. And there's nothing wrong with you. For all the teasing I do, it's strictly for reaction. I don't mean anything by it. You should really give yourself a hell of a lot more credit than you do. I'm sorry if I've had anything to do with why you seem to think you aren't good enough sometimes. You're one of a kind and if people actually believe you'd want anything to do with an old dawg like me, well, I'd think they would be questioning your standards, not mine."

"Morgan, you've never made me feel inferior. I know that when you tease me it's out of fondness or concern. I'm okay with it because it's nice that you include me at all. Nice that you care enough to bother. Yes, this is a bit embarrassing to say the least, but mostly because I figured it was hard on you due to the fact I'm a man and well, ME. If you're really more concerned that I've been feeling violated by you, then don't be. It doesn't feel that way to me. I know what the score is and if anything we're in this together. So, for the sake of our wounded, if not very unstable friend, we can give it more time if you think it'll help any. If you can stomach it that is. I know how much she means to you."

"She does mean a lot to me. But so do you. It's getting ridiculous, but if you really mean what you said, I would be grateful to you for hangin' on a little longer. Besides, the work week is about over anyway and then we all go our separate ways. So if she tries to keep it up Monday, I'll put an end to it then."

"Agreed."

"Thank you Reid. I'm really sorry about getting you into this. I'll find a way to make it up to you."

"Don't mention it." He breathed a soft laugh. "Parts of it have actually been kind of fun."

"Fun?"

"Yeah, like the look on Hotch's face when you sucked the pie off my fingers and Rossi falling over himself during the crime scene reenactment when I straddled you…priceless." He grinned.

"Devious! Kid, I love Penelope but I think you may have just topped her in the rankings." Derek chuckled, throwing his arm around Spencer as they exited the bathroom. "By the way, I see my tight ass assessment was right on, those jeans really are just begging for someone to grope that butt."

"Yeah, well, if Garcia has any say, I'm sure that someone will be you."

"No doubt."

….

The boys headed back toward the bullpen to finish up the post-case reports before hopefully heading out for a well-deserved weekend. Rossi passed them to use the restroom, being more than obvious about his observance of its recent occupants. Derek dropped his arm from Spencer's shoulders clearing his throat.

"Dave." He said with a nod.

"Morgan." Rossi shot back, eyeing the younger men. "I thought going to the restroom in groups was a chick thing."

"Well, someone had to help Reid out. These pants are practically vacuum sealed." Derek smiled easy, tugging a snug belt loop for emphasis as the older man's mouth worked wordlessly.

"NOT helping our case Morgan!" Spencer hissed once Rossi stumbled into the bathroom out of earshot.

"What? May as well have fun with it right? Like you said. And let's face it Reid, you're already a shoe in for queen of the Quantico ball."

"Me! And what does that make you?"

"King of course."

"And why am I the queen!"

"Simple. You'd look better in a dress princess." Derek retorted, barley dodging a slap to the head.

"I hope she does have you grab my butt. Then I can slap you on principal alone."

"You'd really slap me in front of everyone?"

"Absolutely."

"Damn."

"Hey, I can't have people thinking I'm that kind of girl." Spencer smirked, sauntering back to the bullpen ahead of Derek.

"There's a whole other side to you Dr. Reid." The older man said with a grin.

….

"You two kiss and make up?" Prentiss teased.

"Now, now Prentiss, you know I don't kiss and tell."

"So he denied you huh?"

"What can I say? It takes more than heartfelt apologies by a urinal to romance a genius."

"Maybe another back rub?" Prentiss winked.

"Or another drink mishap." JJ grinned.

"Ha. Ha. Who stole my chair?" Spencer asked, clearly un-amused.

"Hmmm, that's odd…maybe Morgan'll let you sit in his lap again."

"How's this, you can bring me my chair so I can get back to work, or you can spend all of this free time you seem to have explaining to Strauss why there's a video of you two making out on Youtube."

"You wouldn't!" JJ exclaimed.

"That was a dare!" Prentiss argued.

Spencer quirked a brow at them accompanied by a sly smile.

His chair was returned.

Derek laughed until he cried.

The teasing ceased.

Yep, so everything gets resolved in the final two coming up. Of course, the next two are almost like a separate story. Well, kind of. You'll see what I mean. Anyway, thanks again to all of you lovely folks who are kind enough to take the time to R/R. Super-duper, cyber hugs to you! You rock my world!