Author's Note: Thank you all so much for supporting this fic this week. While the daily updates are done, I'll be doing a Wednesday update for this story from now until it's finished. I did it with Repairing the Damage and that worked out fine so…yeah. I have no idea what the endgame to this story will be yet but I know there's gonna be some sex. And I may try my hand at some whumpage, too. I'm not sure yet. I don't like putting the characters through hell. Anyway, thanks again for the all the feedback and I hope you guys enjoy today's chapter.
Disclaimer "Honestly, it's not mine!"
He had fallen asleep just after Lily Sloane yelled at Picard to "blow up the damned ship!"
His still kiss swollen and bruised lips were parted ever so slightly. He was on his back, his elbow serving as a pillow and his free arm was wrapped around her because she was reclined on him. She had put the nearby afghan she had picked up in Albuquerque years ago over them and just…relaxed. Relaxing didn't come easily to Emily, especially around men. Her guard was constantly up, her compartmentalization skills primed for action at the mere hint of something that made her feel uncomfortable.
Not with Spencer, though. With Spencer, she felt a level of freedom and trust that she hadn't felt in decades, long before Italy and long before deciding to take the FBI entrance exams. The FBI…the frat rules…the team…how was this gonna work? The team wasn't really a factor. Hell, they were essentially giving the thumbs up, even Hotch. While he hadn't said anything, now that she thought back, she could see him looking between them speculatively and with hope. Hope that although his relationship with Haley was crumbling by the day, two people could get it right and keep it together in the BAU.
That left the frat rules. Contrary to popular belief, the only strictly forbidden relationship (with very few exceptions made…) was between a superior and a subordinate. Other types of relationships were frowned upon and scrutinized by the powers that be closely. The last thing she needed was Strauss to have an even bigger chip on her shoulder against her but…Spencer would be worth it. He would be worth the bureaucratic bullshit, the innuendos from other agents, and most importantly, he would be worth the risk of dropping her guard enough for someone to truly hurt her again.
If he did hurt her, Emily knew full and damned well that it wouldn't be on purpose.
That knowledge was very comforting and strengthening to her resolve.