Code Name: Paladin

Part 4:

To me Derek seemed to be the older brother type; the one who stands up for his kid brother even when he knows he can take care of himself. However, I currently saw behind the mask that Derek put up. He was worried about Spencer, that he was hurt worse than he seemed. I could also tell he was curious. Obviously he hadn't a clue before now that Spencer was gay. I could plainly see that on his face. Though it seemed he was polite not to question the relationship… that much.

"Derek, do we have to go over this again?" That was Spence; somehow I had zoned out as they were talking.

"I just wanted to make sure… I worry about you, Kid."

I felt Spencer stiffen next to me and sighed. He hated when people thought he couldn't take care of himself and that he was so much younger and less mature than them; even if, admittedly, he was younger.

"I'm sure I'm happy, and I'm not a kid Morgan."

I watched as Morgan winced at his tone. It seemed that Spencer was getting more worked up than I had previously thought so I decided to step in and put out the fire before it could truly start.

"Spence he's just worried about you. Look at his face, read him yourself. He's a textbook example for concern; not judgment."

Spence relaxed against my arm again and mumbled an apology to Morgan. Gently I wrapped an arm around him and eyed the man across from me… deciding to analyze him a bit more. He was defiantly worried but acceptance flashed across his face in brief intervals. He seemed well muscled, must be from training and I briefly wondered if he was a police officer before he started working for the FBI as a profiler. All of a sudden he jumped as his phone started to vibrate and ring to Animals by Neon Trees. Alright, I have to admit, I like his taste of music. I watched as he answered the phone after a quick glance at the number.

"What chya got for me Babygirl?"

…

I watched in fascination as different emotions flew across Morgan's face. Elation at the identity of the caller, passion at the banter that passed between them, and then hesitation and desperation at what she must be saying. After desperation passed on through Morgan's expression the conversation became very one sided. All Morgan could manage was simple grunted answers; the news must be bleak if he was responding like this and I didn't know if I could handle if it was about Spencer. Speaking of Spencer he was currently nursing my cup of coffee; which he conveniently stole from me as I was analyzing Morgan.

"Whatever Garcia's telling him it isn't good. Normally he's much more macho and so full of confidence you could smell it on him." I heard him whisper in my ear and I nodded in response. I didn't like the looks, or sounds, of it anymore than he did and while I may not, technically speaking, be a profiler I could still read people like the best of them and right now Morgan read like a bad news report. I relaxed a bit though as Spencer rested his head on my shoulder as we waited for Morgan to finish up his call though when he finally did I wish it wouldn't have ended.

"We…" He paused and I thought he looked ready to beat the shit out of someone and he made me feel threatened; which is nearly impossible to do. "We have a case. And Spencer doesn't have a choice on whether or not he's going. It seems the Director over rode Hotch's demand to give you time off. Though he made it clear to her that Spencer was to be accompanied by you at all times." He ended off by pointedly staring at me and I nodded; anger rolling off me in waves… that was until I noticed Spencer was once again sitting stiffly next to me. Leaning over I kissed his forehead lightly. He calmed, marginally, but his heavy sigh betrayed him.

"I don't have a choice do I?" He was back to feeling cornered, scared, and it killed me to hear him be that way but before I could say anything he seemed to present a resolved front. "I'll get our go bags ready. Hotch's debriefing on the jet right?" He asked as he pulled out of my reach and wandered back towards the bedroom. I watched his back as he walk away sadly then turned to stare down Morgan who just held up his hands in a It's above my pay grade sort of way and I sighed as he answered Spence.

"Yeah, Garcia told me that Hotch wants us to head out as soon as possible so we're doing the debriefing on the go."

….

Morgan's Jeep was clean and smelled slightly of new car but that didn't ease the tension as we drove to the air field. Spencer was riding shotgun looking, busily looking over a file that Garcia had sent to his phone on their latest case, Morgan was driving, and I was leaning over the passenger's seat trying to read over Spence's shoulder. What immediately hit me was the fact that these crimes, in upstate New York, were somehow connected to Spencer's incident. I couldn't tell how, but my gut instinct told me I was right. What made matters worse was that I would now be returning home in order to help investigate… well, keep Spencer sane and feeling safe, and maybe do some digging on the side to help out. Another pair of eyes couldn't hurt, right?

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I would like to thank 68luvcarter, Leventhumps101, giderasia, pixel3113, Loneee, Pip7827, slery, ColHogan, WickedMagic, carnival2000, Graverobber's Zydrate, RockerChild1987, TezukaEijilove4evr, harrietamidala1691, TheOneThatIsAddictedToHPfics, Rhapsody's Raven, blackstargem, Sue1313, Lady Louella, mythepoeia, reidluv, and redlady7907 for putting Code Name: Paladin on their alerts list as well as zerodelete007, Kiefercarlos, nicci15, TheOneThatIsAddictedToHPfics, Rhapsody's Raven, blackstargem, mythepoeia, and TezukaEijilove4evr for favoriteing it. I give you cookies and well wishes all around.

Reviews:

TheOneThatIsAddictedToHPfics: Don't worry; I don't plan on abandoning any of my stories till their finished.

68luvcarter: I'm glad you find it interesting.

Rhapsody's Raven: I'm glad the title caught your attention and that the story itself reminds your of Holmes' work. And I'm glad your finding my character interactions as interesting; that makes me feel like I'm doing something right here as an author. Hope you found this chapter as interesting as the last.

Sue1313: I think Gordon's a nice guy. He may have some rough spots but overall he's a nice guy.

Kiefercarlos: Thanks, I'm glad you thought the chapter was amazing!

slery: I will gladly provide more, nothing to worry about there.

reidluv: Thank you.

RockerChild1987: Well thank you for being my first reviewer for this story and thanks but I cannot claim brilliance. I try hard to keep them in character and I'm glad that you decided to read and go on to find the story interesting. As for if Paladin is from another show universe I cannot say officially though I do see some traits of other male characters in him from other show universes and I'm glad you think he's awesome. And yeah, he is a little protective of Spencer isn't he… but in a good way I think. Hope this chapter was up to your standards.