A/N: Nah, no need to worry. The update IS here. (grins) Hooray…?

First off, of course! Thank you, from the bottom of my heart and soul, for your reviews and listings! There are so many of them. (beams) You guys are really good at keeping my spirits up. Thank you so much for that!
Awkay, because it's 'bout time to bite the bullet… Let's get going. 'Hope you'll enjoy the ride!

Dirty Little Secrets

/ Toledo was painfully hot when Aaron made his way into a hotel room, very aware of the steps following him. Even the way Spencer walked sounded tired. It was no wonder. The case, although only two days long, had been exhausting. It was always devastating when the victims were innocent children, no older than Jack. (Gosh, how Aaron wanted to go back home.) The fact that Aaron was tense, though, had nothing to do with the case.

Usually Spencer shared a room with Derek. To this moment Aaron had no idea why he'd asked the genius to room with him instead. (He noticed the very dark look Derek darted his way and wondered if it was something that needed to be pulled out into open.) Spencer's behavior had worried him and he'd wanted to keep an eye on the doctor was what he'd explained to himself. The currents coursing through his veins were nothing 'supervisor like', though. Not even friendly.

Aaron was so deep in thoughts that he shivered when Spencer spoke. There was a rosy hue on the younger man face. A very tempting hue. "I, uh… need a shower, so… Could you turn, so I can…?"

Aaron blinked and – soundlessly praising the years and years of restrained emotions as his educator – turned slightly, hoping dearly that he wasn't blushing. "'Sorry." He stared at the wall, at Spencer's slender, stripping shadow, until the temptation got too much. Trying to make it look like an accident he peered ever so slightly. And froze. Completely. Throughoutly. Spencer's visible back was covered in already healing bruises; yellow, ugly, out of place. Aaron swallowed loudly, unable to get rid of the awful taste. He couldn't tear his eyes away from the bruises, no matter how much just seeing them hurt. "Reid… Who the hell did that to you?" He sounded angrier than he'd intended but didn't manage to feel bad about it. If someone was hurting Spencer…

Spencer frowned, searching his eyes. "It's been a rough case and I'd really like to get some rest. Can we talk about this later?"

Aaron's eyes narrowed with disbelief and hurt. "Are we going to talk about this later?" He knew the answer even before asking.

Spencer was firmly on his way towards the bathroom, still with just the towel wrapped around his waistline. At that very moment Aaron's instincts took over. Faster and far more roughly than he'd been supposed to he outstretched a hand and grabbed Spencer's wrist. At first the genius looked at him with stunned, nearly scared eyes. Then, in a blink, the budding fear turned into something else entirely. It was impossible to tell what, exactly, happened. All of a sudden their lips met and from then it was impossible to stop the flood of things. Spencer's towel fell. So did Aaron's clothes.

Aaron let his hands move on the pale, bruised skin. The way Spencer shivered under his touch only added the pleasure. He couldn't remember the last time he would've wanted someone this badly and it overwhelmed him. He'd desired men before and even during Haley. Once he almost ended up cheating on her with a male co-worker. But he'd never, ever experienced anything like this before.

And he wasn't alone. Spencer gasped, arched closer as though the man had attempted to blend in with him. "I want to feel you", the younger man whispered in a husky tone that sounded nothing like the timid, socially awkward boy Aaron first met once upon a time. There was nothing shy in those eyes burning right into his. "Even if it's just this once… Show me what it could be like."

In any other situation Aaron might've profiled those words. Might've been worried about the hint of despair. But as it was the urge was too strong. The need was too much.

During those hours in the dead of the night they became one for a little while, soothed the roaring rage in both of them. It wasn't exactly gentle, to either one of them. No words of love were spoken. But nonetheless it was the most intimate experience they'd had in a very long time. It was what they needed. Neither felt regrets.

They didn't fall asleep, let alone wake up, together. When the morning came they were both happier with pretending that nothing had ever happened. But the tingle that lit up… There was no smothering it.

Although neither was willing to recognize it thing would clearly never be the same again. /

Spencer was feeling very, very nervous and exposed while he sat in a park, his eyes constantly scanning through his surroundings. It was in the middle of a week and a rather early morning. Only few people were around. He doubted that he would've felt safe even if there'd been no one. Every now and then he glanced towards Lucia, pleased to discover that she was fast asleep in a stroller right before him. If there'd been any choice he wouldn't have taken her along at all.

Spencer was aware of the person approaching him long before she sat down beside him, slowly, cautiously. To anyone observing she wouldn't have stood out. A short woman in her late twenties, halflong blonde hair, brown eyes… Dressed into her jogging clothes she was pretty in her own but not eye catching way. She appeared… harmless. He knew better. Her voice was low and smooth as velvet. "So he's after you?"

Spencer nodded stiffly. A rustling sound caught his attention to a irreasonable point. Just a piece of garbage carried by the wind. He swallowed. "I'm endangering a lot of people. Such people I consider my family. And I can't even…"

"You know why this is all necessary", she pointed out, not showing a hint of sympathy. They both observed as a jogging couple passed by. "After all this time you can't jeopardize our operation." Her eyes swept towards Lucia, showing no particular interest. There probably wasn't a maternal bone in her body. "Nice touch. So you're a 'daddy', now?"

Choosing to ignore the comment altogether – deciding that there was no need for her to know just how messy the 'operation' had gotten – Spencer switched the topic. "Anton knows exactly where I'm staying", he pointed out instead. He couldn't look away from Lucia. "It's only a matter of time before he comes after me." Us. "How the hell can you guarantee that it's not going to end up like the last time?"

The woman's eyes flashed while she shrugged, emitting a sigh. "This time… we're prepared better. This time we know what to expect."

Spencer gritted his teeth, feeling a wave of rage and terror. His facial muscles became painfully tight. "You know as well as I do that there's no way to get ready for him." A horrific taste filled his mouth. "The last time five agents died and I got shot." Shot, to a point where he ended up half dead, to be exact.

His companion gave him a pointed look. "He's just a man. Keep that in mind. We've stopped people worse than that asshole." She wrinkled her nose when Lucia started whimpering because of all the tension around her. "Now go and take that brat home, whoever it belongs to. And get ready. We'll have busy times ahead of us." He was already walking away with his daughter when the woman spoke once more. "And keep your pager on, for fuck's sakes. The next time you go MIA boss will probably hang you from your balls."

Shivering at the far from appealing mental image Spencer walked away without a single backwards glance. His steps were stiff and heavy, his mind restless. He couldn't shake off the feeling that there was someone observing him.

As soon as Spencer had left the woman – agent LeAnna Pavlov from the CIA – took her cell phone. She made sure that he'd vanished before making the call. "He's fine. Not happy, but fine."

"Did you tell him about the photos?"

She snorted, her eyes narrowing momentarily. "Of course I didn't. He would've withdrawn from the operation immediately and we need him to catch that son of a bitch." Her eyes flickered towards the direction where Spencer disappeared. "I can tell that he's suspicious, though. And antsy. I don't know which one of them is going to mess up first."

A heavy, strained silence was the immediate reaction. "Let's hope that Silas does. I've barely managed to clean up the mess that came out of the last time. Now get back here. We have a lot of work to do."

While walking away LeAnna had no idea of the person taking pictures of her.

As it turned out the team never got the chance to try and go after Anton Silas. Instead they were handed a new official case. Days blurred in together while they chased a yet another madman through Connecticut. The week long case seemed to last a lifetime but now Aaron was finally sitting in his office, restless and exhausted to the bone at the same time. Aaron knew that he should've been taking care of paperwork but couldn't bring himself to focus. In the end he gave up and took a look at his cell phone instead. A missed phone call from Spencer.

Without even thinking he pressed dial. The genius picked up quickly. "Hey. Welcome back."

Aaron frowned, his fingers twisting restlessly. "Are you… alright? You sound tense."

Spencer sighed. It took a moment before the answer came. "I'm fine, just a little bit tired. It's… been a bit hard to sleep, lately." Aaron certainly knew the feeling. "What about you? I know that the case has been exhausting. I've been following the news whenever Jack hasn't been there to see."

"We're all still alive." Aaron swallowed, wondering what to say. In the end he chose the simplest option out of the mad flood there was spinning inside his head. "I'll be home in just a little bit."

"I know." Spencer's voice was soft, alluring. "I'll see you soon."

"See you soon", Aaron breathed out, feeling out breath without any proper explanation. Hanging up the call was harder than he'd expected. All of a sudden he sensed that he was no longer his head with a frown he found Derek standing by the doorway of his office. He didn't have the slightest clue of what to make of the look on his subordinate's face.

"You didn't tell him", the man pointed out.

Aaron shrugged, trying not to feel guilty although he had a feeling that he should've. He didn't feel like having this conversation so he allowed his defensive side to take over. "I don't understand why my decisions concerning him are so important to you."

Derek folded his arms. The look in those eyes darkened still. Without a doubt a confrontation was whispering, right there in the loaded silence between them. "You're not the only one who cares about him the way you do."

Aaron shuddered under the weight of those words. If there'd been even a tiny bit more courage in him he would've asked what, exactly, they meant. As it was he gritted his teeth and composed himself for a second before daring to try his voice again. He didn't sound like himself. "He'll be safe. I promise."

Derek nodded. The look in those eyes became even more dangerous, though. "You'd better." It was nothing short of a growl. "Because you are the one he chose to trust. The one he came to. He trusted you to keep him safe. I'll never forgive you if you betray that trust."

There was no telling how heated the conversation would've become. Aaron decided to bring an end to it before they'd say things that couldn't be taken back. Before they'd reveal too much.

As calmly as he possibly could Aaron put the file away, deciding that in his current state of mind he wouldn't be able to continue working. "I'm going home. You should do the same."

Derek nodded wordlessly, arms folded and a unreadable look on his face. The man appeared far from happy. Aaron was much too aware of the fact that sooner or later this discussion would continue.

He'd almost walked away when Derek spoke out once more. "Take good care of him." The voice was softer than usual. Aaron didn't have to turn around to see the sadness. It stung him, just a little bit, but he refused to feel guilty. All three of them deserved better.

Instead he nodded, with all his conviction. "I will." With those words he walked away, leaving Derek standing there deep in thought.

Yes, he swore to himself on his way to his car. He would take care of Spencer, much better than he had up until this point. He'd do whatever it'd take to make sure that the man was finally safe. He already lost a beloved, once upon a time. There was no way in hell he'd let that happen again.

He was too worked up to notice how some snatched a photograph of him.

After a great deal of work both of the household's kids were fed, washed up, content and fast asleep. Reading a book on the couch Spencer was also fast on his way under when the apartment's door opened. Against his better judgement Spencer stiffened, his eyes widening and prepared for absolutely everything, until Aaron walked in. The unit chief appeared just about as exhausted as he felt while dropping his go bag to the floor with a sigh.

Spencer gave the man a look of sympathy. "'Want to talk about it?"

Aaron sighed, then shook his head. "I'm just glad that it's over now." The man shed his jacket and Spencer could've sworn that those eyes swept towards him for a second. "It's good to be home."

Spencer nodded, unsure of what to say. Then coming to think of something he got up, stretching slightly. "Come upstairs with me. I want to show you something."

Appearing somewhat hesitant Aaron followed, only a step behind him. They breathed in a perfect sync while making their way up the stairs, both deep in thought and something unnamed lingering in the air around them. What they soon found made both men smile.

There, on the bed in a guestroom that'd been Spencer's for a while, lay Jack fast asleep, a smile on his small face. "He was having hard time getting to sleep because he was worried about you. I started telling him stories about his hero dad who was working hard to catch bad guys. He was out in half an hour."

Aaron's smile widened just a little bit. Became the one that'd almost disappeared forever. "You're doing a really good job with him."

Spencer bit his lip with a shrug. "I love him." It just slipped out, effortlessly, like it'd been the simplest thing in the world. And all of a sudden the air around them was changing once more.

Spencer didn't know what was happening until Aaron's lips already slammed against his, demanding and pleading all at once. He was powerless against the invitation. While tongues came out to play they were already backing towards Aaron's bedroom, their hands finding places and spots that made them shiver with delight. All of a sudden there was very litle room in Spencer's pants.

They were in the bedroom and Aaron's hands were fully ready to rip off Spencer's shirt when their eyes met, searching. "Are you sure?" the older man ensured huskily.

Spencer nodded eagerly, licking his lips with anticipation. "I am." Hell, if Aaron wouldn't put him out of his misery soon…!

The passion they'd already discovered once was found easily. Clothes, kisses and touches flew while they kept advancing, both knowing very well what was about to happen. The bed moaned as their joined weight landed on it, Aaron falling gracefully on top of Spencer.

They probably shouldn't have been doing this at all, for this might very well be a huge mistake. They were both keeping secrets. No matter how much they tried to assure themselves and each other otherwise a lot of things were wrong. The shadows of past were still much too long and there was no telling what'd happen next, how hard it'd strike them both. But at that very moment they just needed each other. Needed to feel that at least for this one night the world wasn't a complete chaos.

No matter how self conscious Spencer usually was about his body he allowed Aaron to strip him fully, trying not to think about how many scars the man's eyes would see. Kisses and surprisingly gentle hands soothed his worries. Until a certain moment, at least.

Spencer stiffened when all of a sudden Aaron's hand brushed something he wouldn't have wanted the man to see. It was fourteen weeks old, already almost fully recovered but still ugly. A loud reminder of the unwanted life Spencer was desperately trying to leave behind.

Seeing the gunshot scar there Aaron's eyes widened, then met his with a unvoiced question. Spencer replied with a tiny, slightly sad smile. "It doesn't matter anymore", the genius whispered and meant it, from the bottom of his heart and soul. All the scars, inside and out… They didn't matter. Nothing mattered.

Nothing but the man who was right there with him, willing to take him even with all the package he carried on his skin and deep inside his mind. This wasn't the beginning of a great love story – only a moment of passion and need between two desperate people who were scared to death of something they couldn't even name. Of fate, perhaps. But as Aaron's hands trapped Spencer's wrists firmly and the larger man leaned closer Spencer decided that this was more than enough. For now this would do.

Spencer arched his back and sighed with contentment, granting Aaron an easy opening to his neck which was tingling with anticipation. Aaron took the hint elatedly. Kissed. Sucked. In the end bit down. The man's hand was already working much lower, asking for a permission to advance. Caressing, demanding, preparing. Spencer gasped with surprise, his eyes flying wide open while his heart fluttered.

Aaron leaned down for a one more kiss. In the middle of the heat that was boiling over the man whispered into his ear. "I'm never letting you disappear from me again."

Spencer swallowed, his eyes stinging while emotions took the best of him. In the spur of the moment he took the opportunity to press his lips softly on Aaron's, savouring the taste. "You have me", he whispered back, his voice barely recognizable. He closed his eyes, shivered with pleasure when Aaron pressed him down for another trail of kisses. "If you want me… You have me." He couldn't promise to stay forever but right now, at this moment, no one else existed.

It was as close to a perfection as they could get.

There were no shadows of the past in the bedroom as they melted into one another, neither sparing 'tomorrow' a single thought.

Completely elsewhere yet closer than before Anton Silas took a look at the photographs that'd just been delivered to him. Only his eyes betrayed something as he went through the snapshots. His eyes were much darker than before.

Spencer with a CIA-agent. (So he'd been right all along. Sometimes Anton hated being right.)

Penelope Garcia wiping her eyes after talking to a nerdy looking man whose name Anton hadn't bothered to dig out.

Emily Prentiss and David Rossi speaking while leaving the bureau, both appearing tired but happy to be home.

Jennifer Jareau hugging her husband, their son running towards them excitedly.

Aaron Hotchner climbing into a car, a bizarre mixture of unreadable emotions in his haunted eyes. (In some amusing way those eyes reminded Anton of himself. They'd been hunters for too long, both of them.)

Spencer again, this time in a park with Lucia. Anton was almost sure that he saw a hint of fear in those alluring eyes. (Oh, love, if only you knew…)

After savouring the pictures for a long moment Anton took his cell phone and dialed numbers. "Well?" a nervous voice picked up.

Anton kept eyeing on the snapshots. "You did good work", he awknowledged in a toneless voice. Credit must be given where it's due, no?

"How do we proceed?"

Anton's eyes flashed. The room's dark seemed to center around him. "Send the pictures. I think it's nice of us to warn him now that we're moving on to phase two." Spencer made the mistake of forgetting who he belonged to. It was high time to give him a reminder…

TBC

A/N: So okay… I'm feeling pretty… hot and flushed after this chapter. (grins sheepishly) Too much smex in one chappy, my friends! But then there's, of course, Anton's shadow looming just around the corner… (shudders)

Was that any good in your book? Even a little bit? PLEASE, leave a note – let me know! It'd make me super happy. Would cyber Christmas goodies do any good as a pribe…?

Until next time! I'm hoping that you'll be staying tuned for that one.

Peace out!

Anon: In some, probably sadistic way I'm happy and flattered to hear that. (smirks sheepishly) It feels good to hear that this story is gripping. I'm so sorry about the cliffies! I can be a real she-devil sometimes. (groans at oneself)

Those four make such a good family, don't they? So much bonding, all over the place. (sighs happily) You know… We'll see. Very few children are born exactly when they're supposed to. And how sure was Spencer of how far along he was going? I doubt he would've seen a doctor too often. There's always room for hope. But whatever the case, Hotch is going to love little Lily as though she was his own. Because she's just that cute. And he's that amazing. (grins)

Huge thank yous for the review! 'Hope you'll keep enjoying the ride.

Guest: Amen to that! (nod, nod)

Super sized thank yous for the review!