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David glanced up as the door to the morgue opened. For a moment he thought it was Catherine, but then realized that the blond hair was lighter, longer and the woman was younger. He opened his mouth to ask why she just walked in when he saw the badge on her belt and changed his mind. “Can I help you?”
 
“Hi, I’m Calleigh Duquesne, from Miami,” she replied with a warm smile.
 
“Oh, you must be here for our latest victim,” David said. “We haven’t done the autopsy yet.”
 
“He did kill her,” Calleigh sighed. “Damn, I wonder if that means he’s going to kidnap another girl and take her back to Miami or if he’s just going to do something here. Well, it wasn’t the reason I came down, but it’s good to know we might have another lead in the case. Actually, I was looking for Dr. Robbins.”
 
“Doc’s back in his office, just through there,” David said. “Did Catherine come in with you tonight?”
 
“She did and I think she said something about coming down later to ask a question,” Calleigh said. “Thanks.”
 
Calleigh made her way across the room and tapped on the door. At the polite “yes” she pushed it opened and slipped inside. “Dr. Robbins?”
 
“I am, and what do I owe the pleasure of a visit from such an attractive young woman?” Robbins asked with a smile.
 
“Are all medical examiners flirts?” Calleigh asked. “Because I’ve heard the ME in New York never stops flirting with the female CSI. I’m Calleigh Duquesne from Miami. Gil asked me if I’d drop off a letter. I think it has something to do with the community.”
 
“You know about them?”
 
“I do and I help them out however I can,” Calleigh said. “Gil also told me to ask you about David Hodges.”
 
Robbins frowned. “I dislike speaking ill of a coworker, but that man should’ve been arrested and locked up,” he said. “Hodges worked out what Gil and Jim are and arranged to have Greg kidnapped to draw the dragons out into the open. And then, even after Gil was able to prove that Hodges was involved in the abduction, the sheriff and Conrad Ecklie brought Hodges back in without even a reprimand.”
 
“No wonder the Vegas group was so anxious to move out to Miami,” Calleigh said. “I can’t imagine what that kind of a betrayal would do to a team.”
 
“I hope you never have to find out,” Robbins said. “Now, I understand that you’re working on the case with Catherine for these abductions and murders. We haven’t been able to do the most recent one, but I’ll be able to get to it by the end of the night.”
 
“We don’t have any real evidence in the case,” Calleigh sighed. “And we were hoping that we’d be able to find our girl from Miami alive and catch this guy. Now I suppose we have to work out if he’s going to kidnap someone else and take them back to Miami.”
 
“Do you have any idea why he’s doing this?” Robbins asked.
 
“Not a one,” Calleigh replied. “And I suppose that if we can work that out then we’ll know more about him. Okay, I’ll let Catherine and Sophia know about this latest development and I guess we’ll be back. Thanks, Doc.”
 
“You’re welcome,” Robbins said with a smile. “And if you could stop back in before you go home, I’ll have a letter for Gil as well.”
 
“My pleasure,” Calleigh said.
********************
 
Calleigh was walking down the hall towards Catherine’s office, thinking how much she disliked the Vegas lab, when she almost bumped into a man who could only be described as rodent-like. And maybe slimy too. “You must be David Hodges,” she said taking a step back.
 
“You’ve heard of me,” he said with a simpering smile.
 
“Only very bad things,” Calleigh replied. She took another step back as he took a step towards her. “And you need to take a step back before I go to your supervisor and file a complaint.”
 
“You can do what you want, it won’t do any good,” Hodges said.
 
“Hey, you heard her, sport, now move before I kick your ass from here to the border and back again.”
 
“Who are you, her boyfriend or something?”
 
Frank put an arm around Calleigh’s waist and hugged her. “Yeah, you got a problem with that?” he asked. “Now scram before I do something I could get in trouble for.”
 
“Boyfriend?” Calleigh asked when they were alone.
 
“It was the only thing I could think of,” Frank said, turning a little red. “Hope you don’t mind too much, Cal.”
 
“No,” Calleigh smiled. She stood up on tiptoes and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “But I think it’s something we could talk about when we get back to the hotel if you want.”
 
“I’d like that,” Frank said.
 
“Good,” Calleigh smiled. “Now we’ve got to go find Catherine and let her know that our Miami kidnapee is now a homicide victim and talk about what we want to do next.”
 
“Damn, I’d hoped we’d get here in time,” Frank said.
 
“Me too, but maybe the guy made a mistake and we can catch him before he kidnaps another girl and takes her back to Miami.”
 
“You know, Speedle and Delko are right about you.”
 
“How so?”
 
“You really can find a silver lining in anything.”
 
“It’s the only way to live,” Calleigh said.
********************
 
After talking things over with Catherine and Sophia, the Miami pair decided that ultimately the best thing to do was wait for the autopsy results to come in, review the crime scene evidence and they have them fly home in case of another kidnapping. While they all wanted to keep working on it as a team, it seemed more logical for the CSIs to work in their own cities where they had informants and other aids that they’d be able to draw on.
 
Frank asked Sophia about good places to eat early in the morning and found out there was a diner close into the Vegas crime lab that the teams liked to frequent after a hard shift. The food was good, not greasy, and they could get supper at seven in the morning if they wanted, or breakfast. And it sounded perfect for him to take Calleigh for a talk about what had happened at the lab.
 
“So do you want to start?” Calleigh asked once they were seated and had ordered. 
 
“Do I really need to? I’ve been wanting to ask you out on a date for a while, but always figured you and Delko were together,” Frank replied. “And when I saw that creep getting in your space I just had to do something and saying I was your boyfriend seemed the best way to scare him off.”
 
Calleigh smiled. “Frank, you’re big enough that you could’ve scared him off just by looming like you normally do with suspects,” she said. “Eric and I are just really good friends. He’s with someone and it’s for life.”
 
“Delko’s dating and hasn’t been talking about it?” Frank said. “I think that’s gotta be a first.”
 
“Oh Frank, don’t you recognize a shield when you see one,” Calleigh said. “Eric always talked about his dates to try and impress the other guys. He only went on about half as many as he claimed to. And his current relationship isn’t one he can talk about at work, not unless he wants to have problems with the uniforms at crime scenes.”
 
“You mean it’s a relationship like Horatio and Greg?”
 
“Very much so,” Calleigh said. “And his parents even support it. That took some time, but they came around in the end. I know you’re not going to say anything, so I’m not worried about telling you all of this. If you want to know more though, you’re going to have to talk with Horatio and Gil because I’m sworn to secrecy on the topic.”
 
“Sounds like there’s something big going on that I don’t know about,” Frank said. “No one is in any danger, are they?”
 
“No more than usual,” Calleigh said. “So Frank, now that your hand has been forced a little, are you going to ask me out?”
 
He grinned. “Would you like me to?”
 
“Yeah, I think I would,” Calleigh said.
********************
 
When they got back to the crime lab Catherine had the autopsy results and they weren’t promising. “She was killed exactly the same way as our victim in Miami,” she said. “My team processed the crime scene but didn’t find anything that will lead us to the suspect immediately. Do you want to go back over everything one last time before you head for home?”
 
“We probably should,” Calleigh said. “I wish we at least knew what kind of a car this man was driving because we could put out a bolo on it if he does kidnap another girl. And what’s the deal with driving back and forth between Vegas and Miami?”
 
“Well, Gil’s still looking at the evidence we left in Miami and, if anyone can find tiny clues its him,” Catherine said. “I’d like for you to take copies of everything back with you to give to him and see if he, or the rest of your team, can work this out because frankly, I’m stuck.”
 
“And we really need another crime to be able to try and solve this,” Calleigh sighed. “Do you ever feel guilty about that, Catherine? Like you know you have to wish for someone else’s life to be so mangled just to be able to solve the crime you’re investigating.”
 
“All the time,” Catherine said. “All the time.”
********************
 
Before she left Vegas, Calleigh made one last trip down to the morgue to get the letter from Doc Robbins to take to Grissom. “Is it true you’re retiring soon?” she asked softly.
 
“It is, and I’ll be moving out to join you guys,” Robbins said with a smile. “I can’t tell you how much my wife is looking forward to living close to a beach. I thought it was because she wanted to sit out and enjoy the sun, but now I think it’s because she can kick me out to go fishing and not feel guilty about it.”
 
Calleigh laughed. “You’ll fit in well in Miami,” she said. “I look forward to seeing you there.”
 
“You too, Calleigh; you’re a ray of sunshine that’s brought some light to this lab,” he said. “The world needs more people like you.”
 
“Flirt,” Calleigh laughed.

Dean shut the door behind him and turned to look at his brother. “So tell me what the hell happened out there,” he said.
 
“Just what Bobby told you, you were in danger from the spooks we were there to salt and burn so I Changed to true form to save you,” Sam said. He pushed in close to Dean until his brother was leaning against the door. “And now we have to complete the bond that was formed between us unless we want to die. You have to open to me, Dean. You have to trust me enough to let me in on all levels or it won’t work.”
 
“Sammy, I’ve never been with a guy before,” Dean said. He squeaked as two large, warm hands slid up under his blue t-shirt.
 
“I haven’t either,” Sam replied. “But don’t tell me you don’t feel this between us, Dean. Don’t try to tell me you don’t want this.”
 
Dean pushed Sam back so he could strip off his jacket and both shirts. “I feel it,” he said. “And it almost scares me because I’ve never felt anything so strong before.”
 
“I swear I won’t hurt you, Dean,” Sam said following his brother’s lead and stripping off his hoodie and t-shirt. He pulled Dean back in against him and they both moaned as their bare skin came into contact. “I need to feel you so bad.”
 
“I need to feel you too, Sammy,” Dean whispered. He tangled his fingers in Sam’s hair and pulled his head down for a kiss. Sam growled in the back of his throat and deepened it, sliding his tongue into his human’s mouth. The moment he tasted Dean’s unique flavor Sam knew that he was addicted and that it was likely that he’d never get enough. Sam wrapped his long arms around Dean, picked him up and tumbled them onto the bed.
 
“Nice move, Romeo,” Dean laughed, rolling so he was on top. “So what happens now?”
 
“We should probably finish undressing,” Sam said, slipping his hands under the waistband of Dean’s jeans, long fingers teasing along his ass. He grinned as Dean’s hips thrust down against him. “We need to complete the bond and then we’ll have all the time in the world to learn about each other.”
 
“Who’s on top?” Dean rolled onto the bed and started working on his belt buckle and zipper.
 
“The dragon has to be,” Sam replied. “I promise that I won’t hurt you, Dean. Trust me?”
 
“You’re the nerd that’s been studying all this stuff,” Dean said.
 
“Jerk,” Sam said. He tossed the rest of their clothes off the bed and grabbed the hand lotion that was sitting on the bed side table.
 
“Bitch,” Dean said affectionately. He huffed a little as he was pinned under his brother’s larger body. “Geez, Sammy, lose a little weight why don’t’cha?”
 
Sam propped himself up on his elbows. “Sorry,” he said as he leaned down to kiss Dean again. Dean opened to him almost immediately, tongues playing as control was traded back and forth, the new bond pair breaking apart only for air.
 
“More,” Dean finally gasped. It felt like his body had an electrical current running through it and the only thing that could help was Sam’s touch. “Don’t tease me, Sammy, I need you.”
 
“Okay,” Sam said. He moved around until he was kneeling between Dean’s spread legs and opened the lotion. “But I’m going to learn your hot spots, Dean. I want to learn how to make you scream in pleasure.”
 
“Payback’s a bitch, Sammy.” Dean gasped as one of Sam’s long fingers slid into his body. “Shouldn’t that at least sting a little?”
 
“Its part of the bond,” Sam grinned. He kissed Dean’s knee as he pulled his finger out, added more lotion and slid two back into Dean, the magic of the bond opening Dean’s body for him. “So are you ready for this, Dean?”
 
“Do it,” Dean said. He pulled his legs up and braced his feet on the bed.
 
Sam grinned down at him as he coated his erection with lotion and tilted Dean’s hips into position. He pushed forward carefully, watching his human’s face for any sign of pain, but all he saw was wonder and love – things he’d never seen on his brother’s face before. “How you doing?” he asked once he was completely buried.
 
“I don’t see what the big deal is,” Dean said.
 
“Wrap your legs around me,” Sam smiled. He pulled out and thrust forward, setting a steady rhythm as he shifted his angle until Dean cried out loudly.
 
“More, Sammy, more,” Dean gasped as his hips started moving back against Sam, trying not only to get his dragon deeper but also to get some friction on his cock.
 
Sam leaned forward and caught Dean’s lips in a kiss as he started thrusting harder. Dean started moaning into the kiss as his prostate was hit over and over, the pleasure sparking up along his back until it all got to be too much and he came, crying out Sam’s name. Sam’s head dropped down as Dean’s body tightened almost painfully around him, pulling him into his own climax.
 
“Damn, Sammy,” Dean panted. “I think you might have just completely fried my brain.”
 
“Is that a good thing?” Sam asked. He pulled back and started to lick Dean clean. “Salty, but not bad, really.”
 
“Why’d we wait?”
 
“Oh, lots of reasons; the main one being we’re still brothers.”
 
“We’ve always been freaks, Sam.” Dean rolled over and curled up against Sam. “You more than me, of course.”
 
“Hilarious,” Sam said dryly. “Dean, you do realize this means we’re bonded for life, don’t you? And that I will kill anyone I think is going to take you away from me.”
 
“Sammy, you know I’ve slept with a lotta women,” Dean said. “And you just blew every one of them out of the water. I’m gonna keep looking because that’s just how I’m wired. But I swear to you that I won’t touch anyone but you.”
 
“Good,” Sam grinned. “Because dragons don’t share. Sleep, Dean, because I can promise you’re going to need all the energy you can get.”
********************
 
Bobby had breakfast on the table when Dean stumbled into the kitchen the next morning. “Did you open to him, Dean?” he asked.
 
“Oh yeah,” Dean replied with a grin. “I’ve got a lot of apologies to make, Bobby, starting with Sammy and ending with those guys down in Miami. I dunno why I was acting like I was, but I want to let ‘em know I don’t mean it.”
 
“I think the one you’re gonna have to convince is Mandy,” Bobby said. “I got the feeling she’s really hurt, Dean.”
 
“I said some really not nice things to her,” Dean sighed. He sipped his coffee. “Don’t ever let anyone know I said this, but all she wanted to be was Sam’s friend and I did everything possible to run her off and I’m sorry I did it.”
 
“Then tell her that,” Bobby said. “It might not hurt for you boys to head back to the communities and talk with them again, this time as a bonded pair. I got a peace offering you can take along.”
 
“Bobby, there is one thing that’s been bugging me since last night,” Dean said.
 
“Only one?” Sam asked as he sat down next to his brother, kissing him gently.
 
“One major thing,” Dean amended. “You guys said that Sammy Changed into the dragon because I was about to die. That sure as hell ain’t the first time it’s happened, so why now?” 
 
Sam blinked a couple of times. “That’s actually a really good point,” he said. “Dean and I have both been in danger tons of times and almost died more than we should have. Why didn’t I Change before this?”
 
“I don’t know,” Bobby replied. “I suppose it’s possible that you were closer this time, Sammy was able to see the danger to you, Dean.”
 
“Mandy would know,” Sam said. “Dean, we’re buying her a dozen roses and taking her out to dinner to apologize. We really need her as a friend.”
 
“Maybe some chocolate too?” Dean asked. “Don’t women like stuff like that?”
 
Bobby snorted. “You two don’t have the first clue what you’re doing, do you?” he asked.
 
“Flowers always helped with Jess,” Sam replied.
 
“You can’t just waltz back in there, idget,” Bobby said. “You need to talk with her and then go and see her, ‘cause the last thing you wanna do is piss anyone in these communities off.”
 
Sam nodded. “I’ll give Lieutenant Caine a call too,” he said. “He’s the beta dragon in Miami and a pretty major father figure for Mandy.”
 
“You do that,” Bobby said. “Dean can help me pack up these books I promised to send along to Mandy.”
********************
 
Sam went out onto the porch with his phone, marveling a little that he could tell exactly where Dean was in the house and how he was feeling too. He was going to have to convince Dean to read the books to learn about the bond and, somehow, Sam thought that was going to be the hardest thing about their whole bond.
 
“Horatio.”
 
“Lieutenant, this is Sam Winchester.”
 
“What can I do for you today, Mr. Winchester?” Horatio asked evenly.
 
“What are the odds that Dean and I will get shot if we come back to Miami or New York?”
 
“That depends on who you talk to,” Horatio replied. “But why would you want to come back, Mr. Winchester? You both made it abundantly clear what you thought of us.”
 
“I Changed last night,” Sam said. “To save Dean.”
 
Horatio was quiet for a moment. “That does change things a little,” he finally said. “However, I think your best option is to go to LA.”
 
“Why?” Sam asked, puzzled.
 
“We just met a smaller community out there, Gil is with them now, and the alpha bond pair are brothers,” Horatio said. “You seem to know enough lore and history to get along for now, but it would help to talk with another set of brothers who are in a similar position to your own.”
 
“I want to talk with Mandy before we do,” Sam said. “And a friend of mine is boxing up dragon books for Mandy, so we’ll need to take those to her.”
 
“Avoid Mac at all costs,” Horatio sighed. “He’s really mad at you and he almost lost his human a few days ago. He’s really not in a good mood right now.”
 
“Thank you for the warning,” Sam said. “Lieutenant, Dean and I are going to need a community and I have a feeling that we’re not really going to be overly welcome in New York.”
 
“I make no promises,” Horatio said. “I’ll speak with Gil when he gets home and see what he says. However, you might have to join one of the western communities.”
 
“I understand,” Sam said. “All right, thanks for all of your help, Lieutenant.”
 
“I’ll give you a call when I know something,” Horatio said. “Be careful, Mr. Winchester; you know what’s out there.”

“Jack, this is absolutely fascinating,” Daniel said as he walked through the halls of Stargate Command with his nose buried in one of the journals Mandy had given him. “Do you have any idea how much history we’ve been missing? You’ve done everything on instinct, which proves that most of this is ingrained rather than learned behavior.”
 
“So you keep telling me,” Jack replied dryly as he carefully steered his human away from various people, walls and pipes. “One of these days you’re going to have to actually let me read the journals so I can see for myself.”
 
Daniel stopped and blinked a few times. “I’m sorry, Jack. I’m just so used to you not reading things that I guess I got a little distracted,” he said. “I’m almost done with everything we got in DC and was thinking about calling Adam and asking for more.”
 
“After we check in with Hammond,” Jack said with a fond smile. “We might even be up for a mission.”
 
“I never thought I’d say it, but I’d almost rather stay on Earth,” Daniel sighed. “There’s so much that I want to know, so many new questions that have come up.”
 
“Start a new notebook, Danny boy,” Jack grinned. “Now come on, I don’t want to be late.”
 
“That’s right, the last time you were late with a report from Washington, Hammond took away your Game Boy for a week.”
 
“And I almost had that game beat too,” Jack grumbled.
 
“Where are we, exactly, kindergarten?” Daniel asked as he followed Jack down the hall.
 
“Don’t push it, Daniel.”
 
“Welcome home, Jack,” Hammond said as the pair walked into the debriefing room. “How was DC?”
 
“Very educational, sir,” Jack replied. “And the budget meetings went well too. Major Davis was a huge help.”
 
Daniel made eye contact with Sam and rolled his eyes. She quickly covered her mouth to keep her laughter silent and turned back to face the General.
 
“So I understand and we’ll discuss it when you get back from your next mission,” Hammond said. “PQX-210 looks to be uninhabited, but the geological division is interested in the rocks that are there. So I’m sending you overnight to see if it is safe for us to send long-term mining teams in.”
 
*I told you that you shouldn’t have left the budget meetings to Paul* Daniel said over the bond he shared with his dragon. *Because this has punishment written all over it*
 
*I needed to finish talking with Adam about the hunters* Jack replied. *I’ll take a stupid, dull, boring, pointless, and did I mention stupid mission if it means I can keep you safe*
 
*So explain that to Hammond*
 
*When we get back. I have a feeling we need to go on this mission, Danny* Jack said. *And it’s important*
********************
 
As always Jack was the first one up the ramp and through the Gate with Daniel immediately behind him. As they emerged from the wormhole and looked around, both dragon and human felt a surge of recognition.
 
“Jack.”
 
“Daniel.”
 
“What is wrong, O’Neill?” Teal’c asked.
 
“If this is where we think it is, Teal’c, then there shouldn’t be a Gate here,” Jack said as the team moved forward. “We shouldn’t have been able to travel here like this.”
 
“Colonel!” Carter exclaimed as a large, white dragon appeared from behind the mountain range. Jack reacted immediately and Changed, shielding Daniel and the others with his almost transparent purple wings.
 
“Peace, youngling, I won’t hurt you or your human. I’m just surprised to find you here as the Ancient portal hasn’t been used in many long years.”
 
“E cnt tk n hiss spe.”
 
“What was that?”
 
Daniel pushed out from under Jack’s left wing. “I said he can’t talk in this shape. Would your name happen to be Chrysalis, by any chance?”
 
“It is,” Chrysalis said, surprised.
 
“My name is Daniel Jackson and this is my dragon, Jack. The others with us are part of our community.”
 
“How is it you know my name?” Chrysalis asked. He curled up and rested his head on his paws. “You have not traveled here before.”
 
“We just met some friends of yours,” Daniel replied. “Jethro Gibbs, Mandy Bonnibel and Adam Ross.”
 
“I have never met Mandy or Adam, but the others speak of them frequently,” Chrysalis said. “Return to your human form, youngling. I’m curious how it is you’ve never journeyed here before.”
 
Carter pushed her hair out of her face once she was free of the confining wing. “You know I really hate it when you do that, sir,” she said. “What’s going on? How do you and Daniel know about this place? I thought you were the only dragon alive.”
 
“The only one?” Chrysalis asked, startled. “How would you come to such a conclusion?”
 
“I think a short explanation of our work is in order here,” Daniel said. “Chrysalis, we’re a team who travels through the Stargate, the Ancient Portal, to other worlds in our universe. We’re looking for allies to help us fight a war, weapons and materials to build them. Jack has been Changed for eleven years and in all that time, all those worlds, we’ve never met another dragon or found any lore to lead us to believe they are still around.”
 
“Until this weekend when I met Gibbs,” Jack said. “Well, spoke to him.”
 
“Two alphas in the same room is not a good idea,” Chrysalis said. “He and Gil get along well enough, but they are careful nonetheless. It is likely why my ice blue friend sent Mandy to you.”
 
“And Mandy mentioned you and your home,” Daniel said. “But she said this was another plane of existence, so how could there be a Gate here?”
 
Chrysalis snorted, the gust of wind knocking Carter into Teal’c. “We’re not entirely sure where we are or how we came to be here,” he said. “The method we used was little-known and experimental at best.”
 
“Well, if we could get here via the Stargate then it’s a safe bet you’re still in the known universe,” Carter said. “And that could be both good and bad.”
 
“Carter?” Jack asked.
 
“If we can get here, so can the Goa’uld,” Carter said. “And I can’t imagine they’d be too happy to find our friends here. No offense, sir, but you are rather large and scary.”
 
Chrysalis smiled, showing his fangs. “We are magical beings, child, and if we don’t want someone to find or see us, then they won’t,” he said. “Now, youngling, can you tell me why you traveled here today?”
 
“The folks back home wanted to come here and mine your planet,” Jack said. “But you don’t have to worry, I won’t let that happen. Danny boy has been absorbing the lore books like a sponge and I know he has a ton of questions for you.”
********************
 
As was his custom, Hammond was waiting for the team when they returned. “Welcome back, SG-1,” he said.
 
“General,” Jack said. “I need to speak with you before the debriefing please.”
 
“My office in half an hour.”
 
“Thank you, sir,” Jack replied. *Danny, I want you to call Gibbs*
 
*He doesn’t have the proper clearance* Daniel said as he followed his dragon out into the hallway. *What do you want me to tell him*
 
*The truth* Jack said. *I’ll take care of things, but I have a feeling Chrysalis will be telling them all about it soon enough* Jack said. *Gibbs and the others need to know there’s another route to that world and the lore masters might be threatened here soon if I can’t get Hammond to listen to me*
 
*Do you really think Hammond would send our teams to the planet after you tell him about the dragons*
 
*I don’t know, Danny, I just don’t know*
********************
 
Hammond looked up when he heard a tap on his door. “That was a quick shower, Jack, what’s on your mind.”
 
“General, we can’t send teams to PQX-210,” Jack replied as he shut the door behind him. “It’s not uninhabited.”
 
“Then how come the probes showed no life forms or settlements?”
 
“Because there are five dragons living there,” Jack said. “That’s why I missed the meeting in DC, General. It turns out I’m not the only dragon around. There are communities of them back east.”
 
“And some on PQX-210?”
 
“Yes sir. Look, Daniel can explain all of this much better than I can, but there’s no way you can mine the planet.”
 
“It’s a large planet, Colonel, maybe we can set up some kind of a treaty with them.”
 
“These are big dragons, General, easily twice my size,” Jack said. “And there are people out there who only want to kill dragons, me included. If word gets out, even in DC, that we have a treaty with Chrysalis and the others then we’re all dead.”
 
“No one is going to leak this sort of information,” Hammond said. “Let me think about our options. According to the preliminary report I received on those rocks, we could make enough to keep us running for years.”
 
Jack’s eyes started to glow as he stood up and leaned over the desk. “I’ve been risking my ass, and my human, for this program and country for eleven years, George,” he hissed. “But I’ll be damned if I let you sell me and my kin for the sake of the program. If that geologic team goes through the Gate then they’ll meet the dragons and it won’t be pretty.”
 
“Colonel, I forbid you telling anyone about this program.”
 
“I don’t have to,” Jack said. “Chrysalis will likely do it for me. And if you and this program are more concerned about money than protecting the planet and our allies, then maybe its time for me to rethink my commitment to it.”
 
“Don’t you dare walk out that door,” Hammond snapped.
 
“I’ve said all I have to say,” Jack said. “Carter can handle the debrief. I’m going to calm down.”
********************
 
Horatio closed his cell phone with a sigh. Jim and the others looked at him. “That was Mac. Gibbs is calling for a meeting of all the dragons and humans in a week.”
 
“Here, of course,” Speed commented.
 
“We’re the best suited for it,” Jim said. “We need to let Gil know so he can tell our new friends out in LA.”
 
“I’ll do that,” Horatio said. “I wonder what has Gibbs so upset?”
 
“I guess we’ll know in a week,” Nick said.

It wasn’t hard for Charlie to pick out Spencer Reid. The young doctor was alone even in a room where his team was reviewing information. In fact, it rather reminded Charlie of his own place in the FBI world at times. He made his way over to the table and sat down next to the other man. “Dr. Reid?”
 
“Yes?”
 
“Hi, I’m Charlie Eppes, Don’s brother.”
 
“Eppes, of course, I should’ve recognized the name,” Reid said. “I studied some of your work in school. What are you doing here today?”
 
“I consult for Don on cases,” Charlie said. “I managed to work out where our coyote guy is likely to strike next so now all Don has to do is get into position.”
 
“How did you manage that?” Reid asked.
 
“I’ve been slowly adapting and creating a series of mathematical proofs that we can use to analyze and predict the patterns of crime and capture the suspect or suspects,” Charlie said. “It isn’t perfect because, as my friend Larry is fond of reminding me, humans are imperfect and illogical beings.”
 
“That’s correct, Charles, and your formulas will only improve once you grasp that simple concept,” Larry said as he joined the group.
 
“I believe the proof is in my favor, Larry,” Charlie commented. “But I’m glad you’re here. Gil asked me to take a look at the code and see if I could break it. I could use some help.”
 
“Certainly,” Larry said with a smile.
 
“I’m supposed to be working on victimology,” Reid said. “I need to have it ready for the next briefing.”
 
“At the next briefing I believe Don will be attempting to convince your supervisors to allow Megan to be used as a decoy jogger at the location Charles worked out,” Larry said almost absently as he dug around in his bag for a notebook. “Or so she told me a moment ago.”
 
Reid blinked a few times and sighed. “I guess a few minutes won’t hurt,” he finally said closing the folder in front of him.
********************
 
Hotch made his way quickly across the room to where Gideon was studying the bulletin boards with the victim information. “Jason, we need to talk.”
 
“What’s wrong, Hotch?”
 
“Not here,” Hotch said. “Come on.”
 
“All right, what’s going on, Aaron?” Gideon asked once they were shut away in the conference room.
 
“It’s extremely likely our unsub is an FBI or law enforcement officer,” Hotch replied.
 
“What led you to this conclusion? We haven’t seen anything to indicate it,” Gideon said.
 
Hotch sighed. “Reid found it at the last house,” he said. “Its part of the signature, but no one here was able to work it out. The unsub leaves a DVD at the victim’s house of old Road Runner cartoons that are always playing when the locals and FBI arrive. Reid noticed that the DVDs are eight hours long and there was no repeat feature on the player.”
 
“So the unsub has to know when the house is going to be searched,” Gideon said. “And has probably been wearing gloves too, so there won’t be any prints. We’re going to have to catch him in the act, Aaron.”
 
“I think I can help you there.” Don shut the door behind him. “My brother just worked out the location of the next attack and Megan is willing to play decoy. She matches the victim type.”
 
“I wanted to meet your brother, Agent Eppes,” Gideon said as Hotch was looking over the information. “I’m very curious about his math profiling.”
 
Don grinned. “I doubt anyone else could do it,” he said. “Charlie just lives and breathes numbers. There are times I think they talk to him.”
 
“Maybe they do,” Gideon said. “The fact remains that your brother is inventing an entirely new method and possibly field of profiling. It’s fascinating.”
 
“After the case, Jason,” Hotch said. “Donnie, I don’t see another option if we really want to catch this guy. But just as a precaution, your team and mine only. If he is an agent, I do not want to hand him our plans.”
 
Don nodded. “I’ll get everyone.”
 
“Jason, there’s something else,” Hotch said when they were alone again.
 
“You’re concerned about Reid.”
 
“I wish you wouldn’t do that. One of Don’s team was rude to him at the victim’s house and Reid just kind of shut down. You know how he does sometimes.”
 
Gideon sighed. “We’ve all been through this before and Reid is a remarkable young man. He’ll be fine.”
 
“There’s more than that,” Hotch said. “I had Reid go into the house while I talked with Donnie. I didn’t realize how much our voices carried and we were talking about Reid.”
 
“Did you insult him? Did you say anything that would hurt him?” Gideon asked.
 
“I don’t think so,” Hotch replied.
 
“Then put it out of your mind until we’re back on the plane,” Gideon said. “I’m sure he’s done the same.”
 
“I wish I could be sure,” Hotch said.
 
“Don’t we all,” Gideon smiled.
 
Before Hotch could answer that rather cryptic and yet so Gideon comment, the door to the room opened. Derek Morgan and Elle Greenaway walked in talking about something related to the case file in Elle’s hand. They were followed by David Sinclair and Colby Granger. Both Hotch and Gideon were surprised when Reid came into the room obviously deep in a detailed and very complicated conversation with Charlie Eppes and another man neither had met. Megan trailed the trio with a fond look on her face. Don and another man rounded out the group.
 
The strange man with Don caught and held Hotch’s attention. It was hard to tell his age, his sharp blue eyes were ancient but his face moderately young – no more than early forties with curly light brown hair. He had a visitor tag clipped to the right pocket of his blue dress shirt and Hotch wondered exactly what the man was doing there.
 
“All right everyone, listen up,” Don said. “There’s been a change of plans because Dr. Reid noticed something vitally important that gives a strong possibility to the fact that the guy we’re chasing is either a cop or one of us.”
 
“What was it?” David asked, curious.
 
“The DVD players didn’t have a repeat feature,” Reid replied. “And as near as I can tell the same episode was playing each time your team arrived.”
 
“Which is an exceptionally strong point,” Gideon said. “Leading us to conclude our unsub is a member of the law enforcement community. We have decided not to let the information go any further than this room. As I understand it, Dr. Eppes has provided us with a location for the next attack.”
 
“And time,” Charlie added looking up from the notebook he was holding.
 
“And time,” Gideon continued with a smile. “It is my firm opinion that we have to catch this unsub in the act. We will not be able to locate him otherwise.”
 
Don had been drawing on the dry erase board. “Three teams,” he said. “Gideon, Morgan and Greenaway; Colby and David; me, Hotch and Dr. Reid. Team one at the point Megan starts her run, the smaller team two in the middle, and team three – my team – at the end of the run.”
 
“I want to come with you,” Charlie said.
 
“We’ll talk about it,” Don replied. “Let’s get ready to move out.”
 
Hotch made his way to the back of the room where the strange man was leaning against the wall next to the door. As he got closer Hotch noticed that there was something different about the man – something that kept him from getting a profile. “I’m Supervisory Special Agent Aaron Hotchner of the BAU,” he said.
 
“Dr. Gil Grissom.”
 
“Not to be rude, but exactly why are you here?” Hotch asked.
 
“My fault, I should’ve introduced him,” Don said. “Dr. Grissom is working on a project with Larry and Charlie. He has the proper clearance to be in there, Hotch.”
 
“I wasn’t worried about that,” Hotch said. “I was just curious.”
 
Gil smiled. “A trait you share with not only myself but most of my colleagues,” he said. “My degree and specialty is forensic entomology, but I’ve worked many years as a CSI.”
 
“I thought I recognized your name,” Hotch said. “We have some of your papers at the BAU.”
 
“It’s always nice to hear my work is used,” Gil said. “Especially as my partner tells me I’m bug obsessed. Dr. Reid, Dr. Eppes.”
 
“Charlie, I guess you can come,” Don said. He caught Gil’s eye for a moment. “But you’re not getting in the middle of everything. Again.”
 
“I promise,” Charlie grinned. “Come on, Spencer, we still have a few minutes left.”
 
Hotch followed the two young men, wondering exactly what they were talking about as it didn’t seem case related. But as Hotch was still feeling guilty about what happened earlier, he really didn’t have the heart to call Reid on it. Especially when he saw how alive the younger profiler’s eyes were.
 
And he overheard a strange comment as he was walking away from the conference room. “No one was listening at the door,” Gil commented to Don. “There was no one else on our floor the whole time.”
 
“Good,” Don replied.

Hotch still wasn’t sure why Dr. Grissom was along with them as they drove up into the hills for their stakeout. Don and Charlie were in the front, Charlie talking about the statistical probability that their team would be the one to catch the unsub in the act of abducting his next victim. Hotch was behind the driver’s seat, Reid in the middle and Grissom behind the passenger’s seat. He tried not to stare at Grissom, but there was something different about the man, something that Hotch just couldn’t put his finger on and it fascinated and frustrated him.
 
When they arrived at the park, Don and Charlie spoke quietly for a moment and then Charlie moved to stand next to Grissom. “We managed to work out the cipher for your notebook, Gris,” he said. “Would you like to review it now?”
 
“Sure,” Gil replied. “I have some friends in DC who are dying to know what this says.”
 
Don caught Hotch’s eye and grinned. “Charlie hates guns so I normally don’t bring him along like this,” he said.
 
“You think its safe leaving him here like this?” Hotch asked. “Dr. Grissom doesn’t have a gun either.”
 
“They’ll be just fine,” Don said and once again Hotch felt like there was a joke he didn’t know.
 
“You do realize that it’s highly probable this is where our unsub will end up,” Reid said speaking for the first time since they’d left the field office. “Maybe one of us should stay just in case.”
 
“All of us need to be on the trail, Reid,” Hotch said. “If Don says they’ll be okay, then we just have to trust him. Come on, we need to get into position.”
 
Don nodded. “I just got word that Megan is stretching to begin her run,” he said. “Everyone else is already in position.”
 
As he followed the two older agents into the brush along the left side of the path, Reid noticed that he was nervous about something – and it was something that he really couldn’t put his finger on. But he found his eyes almost constantly drifting towards Hotch, who was crouched down, focused intently on the path in front of them. Reid couldn’t see Don Eppes, but knew the agent had to be close by.
 
A branch snap behind him made Reid spin around, his hand dropping to his gun and then everything went black.
********************
 
Gil and Charlie were sitting on the tailgate of the black SUV talking about the code that Charlie, Larry and Spencer had been able to work out when Gil’s head snapped up. “Dragon,” he whispered, scenting the wind.
 
“Don?” Charlie asked as he hopped down, ready to run into the woods.
 
“No, I don’t know this one,” Gil replied. “Stay behind me no matter what, Charlie. I don’t know what we’re going to be walking into here.”
 
Charlie nodded even though it was obvious he wanted nothing more than to run into the woods to find his dragon. Gil let the dragon come to the fore so his senses would be enhanced. He knew exactly what it meant for Don – another alpha – to entrust his human to Gil’s care and he was determined that nothing was going to happen to the innocent young human.
 
They came around a bend in the path and Gil paused. There was a large lime green dragon (with a lavender right leg and foot) in the bushes, not quite blending in with the foliage around him. Don was across the path about fifty feet away and Agent Hotchner was smack in the middle of the path on one knee with his gun drawn and pointing directly at the dragon.
 
“Charlie, go to your brother,” Gil whispered. “Make sure the rest of your people stay way.”
 
“But they know about us,” Charlie said.
 
“I know, but we don’t need to put any more stress on the new bond pair. Also tell Don I know this is his territory, but to please let me handle this. I’ve had some experience with difficult bondings.”
 
Charlie nodded and moved cautiously around Hotch and into his own dragon’s arms. Gil could see them talking quietly and then Don caught his eye – and nodded.
 
“You need to put the gun down, Agent Hotchner,” Gil said.
 
“What is that thing?”
 
“He is a dragon and his name is Spencer Reid,” Gil said as he moved closer.
 
“You’re lying. There’s no way that’s possible.”
 
“Aaron,” Gil said softly. “Put the gun down. You’re a profiler, a smart man, and you know how dangerous it is for us to be here.”
 
“Where’s Reid?” Hotch demanded.
 
“Right in front of you.”
 
The lime green dragon growled and lowered his head, mouth open. Gil, who had been moving towards Hotch the whole time, rounded on the newly Changed dragon. “Do not force me to Change to true form, young one, because right now your human needs me like this. I am not going to hurt him so lose the attitude.”
 
The look in the brown eyes as the large mouth closed with a snap and the head lowered was so familiar and so Spencer, that Hotch felt his gun dropping to his side before he was consciously aware of it happening. “How?”
 
“In a minute,” Gil said. “Right now you need to touch him to let him know that you’re safe and he’ll Change back. Then I promise I’ll explain everything.”
 
“You want me to touch that,” Hotch said.
 
“God save me from stubborn humans,” Gil muttered rubbing his eyes. “For the last time, because I will not have a dragon disrespected, that – as you so inelegantly call him – is a dragon. He is also one of your team, a young man who respects you more than you deserve I suspect. Now get over there and touch him before we’re all dead.”
 
“And I thought you were bad when you went into alpha leader mode,” Charlie snickered as they watched Hotch walk carefully towards his newly Changed dragon.
 
Don kissed Charlie’s neck. “Grissom has more people to take care of than I do,” he said. “And I’m glad he’s here because we’ve got a problem beyond Dr. Reid’s first Change. Hotch is married with a two month old son. How willing do you think he’s going to be to honor the bond?”
 
“Oh boy,” Charlie muttered.
 
“Yeah,” Don agreed. “Let’s see how Grissom handles this one. You said he told you he has experience with problem bonds?”
 
“He did, but no details,” Charlie said. “So I’m not sure exactly what’s going on now.”
 
Gil, who was expecting it, managed to catch Reid once he was back in human form before the young man hit the ground. Confused brown eyes looked up at him. “What happened?” Reid asked as Don and Charlie joined the group.
 
“I’d like to know that myself, and where is our unsub?” Hotch asked crossing his arms.
 
“I would imagine our suspect is in the bushes where Dr. Reid’s front paws were,” Charlie said. “Because he wouldn’t have Changed to true form unless Agent Hotchner was in danger.”
 
“But Hotch has been in danger before and I haven’t done anything,” Reid protested.
 
“Do you know about the world of the dragons, Spencer?” Gil asked softly.
 
“I read books about it, but always assumed they were fantasy,” Reid replied. “You’re telling me it’s all real? Dragons really do exist?”
 
“They do and it seems we’re all slowly networking,” Gil said. “Don, why don’t you call in your ME and say the suspect fell from that ledge up there. We need to get this pair back to my hotel room to talk.”
 
“There’s just one thing I have to do first,” Reid said. He found his footing and launched himself at Hotch. Reid’s mouth latched onto Hotch’s own and he slipped his tongue into his humans’ mouth. Hotch moaned at the sensations that zapped through his body and he pulled the younger man in tight for a moment before pushing him away. This time it was Charlie who caught Reid before he hit the ground.
 
“I’m married, Reid,” Hotch said quietly.
 
“There goes that theory,” Gil muttered. “Don, can you and Charlie get a ride with the rest of your team? I need to get these two out of here now.”
 
Don nodded. “I’ve got it covered,” he said. “We’ll meet up with you later. Hotch, don’t worry about your team. I’ll tell them something.”
 
“Gideon will know if you lie to him,” Hotch said almost absently.
 
“I’ll take care of it,” Don said. “Go, listen to Gil. Trust him.”

Hotch’s mind was swimming as he drove back to the hotel the BAU was staying in. He still wasn’t sure what had happened back there in the woods. One minute he had been focused on the trail in front of him, watching for both Megan and the unsub and the next a gust of wind had literally blown him into the middle of the trail. When he had looked up he was eye to eye with a large green lizard with big brown and familiar eyes. But he had pulled his gun on instinct and probably would have shot the creature if Dr. Grissom hadn’t been there.
 
“Look at him,” Gil snarled, pulling Hotch back to the real world.
 
Hotch glanced at the young man sitting next to him in the Tahoe. Reid was squeezed back against the door so far that, if it hadn’t been locked, Hotch would’ve been worried that he’d fall out. “Reid, what’s wrong?”
 
“I need you,” Reid whispered.
 
“Reid, I’m married,” Hotch repeated.
 
“I know, but it hurts.”
 
Gil leaned forward quickly. “Where does it hurt, Spencer?”
 
“My chest and stomach,” Reid replied. “What’s wrong with me?”
 
“You’ll be okay,” Gil said. He reached around and put a hand on Reid’s forehead. “Damn. Just hang on Spencer; we’ll get you to the hotel and into the shower. Agent Hotchner, can you at least unbend enough to hold his hand?”
 
“I don’t see what good that will do,” Hotch said. But he reached over and took one of Reid’s clenched fists in his larger hand.
 
“Son of a bitch,” Gil growled as Reid fainted. “You need to get us to the hotel now!”
 
“What’s wrong with him? Shouldn’t we be going to a hospital?” Hotch asked.
 
“That’s the last thing he needs,” Gil snapped in reply. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number. “Al, its Gil. Yes I do know what time it is, but this is an emergency.”
 
“What is it?” Al asked, his voice clear on the speaker phone.
 
Gil checked Reid’s pulse and breathing. “A young FBI agent just Changed to save his supervisor,” he said. “The supervisor rejected him and in suppressing the bond the young dragon is declining faster than anything I’ve seen before.”
 
“Where are you?” Al asked.
 
“LA,” Gil replied. “At a Best Western. I suspect this is where the BAU agents are staying.”
 
“Get him inside, take his vitals and call me back,” Al said. “Ultimately though, you know what has to happen.”
 
“I do,” Gil said with a glare in Hotch’s direction.
********************
 
Hotch wasn’t entirely sure when he lost control of the situation but Grissom had ordered him to get bags and ice in such a firm tone that Hotch found himself moving before he really knew what was happening. As he spoke to the front desk his mind was replaying what had happened out on the path and his reaction to it. What had scared him so badly wasn’t the fact that Spencer Reid had, somehow, turned into a large lizard. It was his reaction to the kiss. Hotch had never felt so alive before, not even at the most passionate moments with Hailey, and he’d wanted nothing more than to keep going. Hotch had wanted to let Reid take control of them both on the path, totally forget everything and everyone around him – and it scared him to death.
 
When Hotch got back to the room, he found Reid on one of the beds wearing a pair of sleep pants and his long hair was wet. Grissom was back on the phone relaying vitals to someone, probably the mysterious Al he’d called before.
 
“Make up ice packs to pack around him,” Gil said. “And find the shirt you wore yesterday.”
 
“What?” Hotch asked.
 
“Al, I’ll call you in an hour,” Gil said into the phone. “Give H a call for me, please.” He put the phone down and turned to Hotch. “I’ve seen this once before, although not nearly as quick. Your scent should buy us a few hours, but we need to get this fever down.”
 
“Look, are you going to tell me what’s going on or not?” Hotch demanded. He tossed a white dress shirt towards Grissom and jumped when Reid lunged for it.
 
“Are you willing to listen and trust me?” Gil asked in reply. “Because we are seriously running out of time.”
 
“Then we need to get Reid to the hospital.”
 
“They won’t be able to do anything and it would only hurt him,” Gil said. He tucked an ice pack under the young dragon’s right knee and picked up another bag. “The only thing that will break his fever now is to be able to complete the bond that formed when he Changed to true form to save your life.”
 
“How is that bond completed?”
 
“Sex,” Gil said.
 
“I’ve got a wife and son,” Hotch snapped. “Jack is only two months old.”
 
Gil growled and his eyes started to glow. “Do you want to live to see them again?” he asked. “If the bond isn’t completed in 24 hours both the dragon and the human will die. Although right now I’d be very surprised if Spencer makes it that long and you die the instant he does. So you need to ask yourself what’s more important to you; staying faithful to your wife and dying – taking a remarkable young man with you, or surrendering yourself to the most important person in your life and living to see your son again.”
 
Hotch was confused. “Are you saying that I should just cheat on Hailey with no regard for her or Reid?”
 
“I suppose my phrasing could’ve been better,” Gil sighed. He rolled Reid and tucked an ice pack under his lower back. “Choose your wife and die, Agent Hotchner. Or choose Spencer and live. You would have to leave your wife, yes. But you’d live to see your son grow up.”
 
“What kind of choice is that?”
 
“The last one you might have to make,” Gil said. “This isn’t working. I’d say you have an hour to make your decision. After that the fever will probably be too far advanced for him to do anything.”
 
As Hotch went to the window Gil took out his phone again. “Charlie, its Gil. Not so good. Listen, can you go back to the web page and email your solutions to Abby Sciuto, please? She’ll know what to do with it. Thanks. No, I’ll call when I know how this is going to end.”
 
Gil’s next call was to Gibbs to let him know the key to crack the black book code was on the way, but had to end the call abruptly when Reid started shivering.
 
Hotch spun around at Gil’s sharp swearing and ducked as an ice pack hit the window behind him. He almost couldn’t bring himself to look at the young man on the bed. Reid had rolled onto his right side, Hotch’s shirt clutched against his chest with his nose buried in it. Reid’s face was pale and shiny with sweat but his body was shaking uncontrollably. Hotch watched helplessly as Grissom wrestled Reid under the covers, tucked them in tightly and then stripped the other bed as well.
 
“Spencer, can you hear me?” Gil asked.
 
“Cold,” Reid whispered. “Where’s Hotch?”
 
“He’s here,” Gil said.
 
“Don’t want him hurt,” Reid said. “Tell, tell him I don’t want him to have to leave Hailey and Jack.”
 
Grissom smoothed Reid’s damp hair away from his face. “You’ll die, young one,” he said. “And if you die, so does Agent Hotchner. You need to complete the bond and then talk.”
 
“Can’t force him,” Reid said. 
 
“No, we can’t,” Gil sighed. “Does your chest or stomach still hurt, Spencer? Can you drink something for me?” 
 
“I’ll try.”
 
“Good boy,” Gil said. He stood and went into the bathroom for a glass of water. When he came back, Hotch was kneeling next to the bed.
 
“How do you know a hospital won’t help?” Hotch asked. “This looks like a really bad case of the flu.”
 
“Have you ever seen anyone with a fever of 104 talk that coherently?” Gil climbed carefully onto the bed and unearthed Reid from the blankets. “Easy there, young one. I’m not taking the shirt away. I just need you to drink this for me.” He let Reid lean back against his chest and helped him slowly sip the water. “That’s it, Spencer, take it slow. When you’re feeling better I’m taking you to Miami for a couple of days. You’ll need a chance to rest after this.”
 
“Never really had a dad,” Reid muttered. “No one to take care of me.”
 
“You have one now,” Gil said. “You’re strong, Spencer. You’ll be fine.”
 
From his spot on the floor Hotch felt a hot surge of jealousy. Reid was hit agent and his should be the one taking care of him, not this strange man from Miami. As Hotch moved to stand and talk with Grissom, he felt something in his mind tear and he was suddenly flooded by heat, want, need, and fear. Spencer screamed, his back arching in pain as he fell back onto the bed.
 
“What’s wrong?” Hotch demanded. 
 
“You don’t have a choice any more,” Grissom replied. “The bond is forcing the issue. You need to give him everything you are, Agent Hotchner, or there’s still a chance you will both die.”
 
“What?”
 
“Let him in, Hotch,” Gil said. “Let him love you.”
 
Before Hotch could answer Reid launched off the bed and knocked his human onto the other one, mouth latching on for a deep kiss. As he had on the path, Hotch moaned and responded to the attack and this time he didn’t push Reid away.
 
Gil took a room key and went down to the lobby. He had just settled into a corner when his phone rang. “Grissom?”
 
“Dr. Grissom, its Don Eppes; how are Hotch and Doc doing?”
 
“They’re completing the bond as we speak, but if Agent Hotchner doesn’t open to Spencer then there’s still a chance we’ll lose them both,” Gil sighed.
 
“What exactly are you talking about?” Don asked.
 
“If a dragon Changes to true form and is unable to complete the bond within a day, 24 hours, they both die,” Gil replied. “But this is the first time I’ve seen the bonding sickness before the bond is completed. I have a feeling that once they’re together and Spencer blends, this will be one of our deeper bonds.”
 
“I can see there really is a lot I have to learn,” Don said. “I wouldn’t have known how to help Hotch and Doc.”
 
“I have a couple of journals of just my thoughts and experiences as an alpha,” Gil said. “I’ll make a copy for you. The most important thing to remember is that, while we don’t get along in person, alphas do seem to be able to talk on the phone. I’ll be sure to leave numbers with you.”
 
“Thanks. So when will we know about Hotch and Doc?”
 
“If they’re still alive tomorrow then we have to wait six months,” Gil said. “We’ll know then.”

By the time Gideon and the others arrived at the spot where they unsub died, Don and Charlie were alone. “Where are Hotch and Reid?” Gideon asked looking around.
 
“Reid wasn’t feeling that great so Hotch took him back to the hotel,” Don replied. “And I’m not sure if this is our unsub or not, but he tried to attack us.”
 
Morgan and David squatted down next to the body. “What happened?” Morgan asked.
 
“We think he was up there,” Don said pointing to the ledge. “He must have slipped. Scared us all when he hit the ground.”
 
“Agent Eppes, may I speak with you alone for a moment?” Gideon asked. “We have more than enough agents to work the crime scene.”
 
Don nodded. “Megan, you’re in charge,” he said. “David and Colby work with her. Agent Morgan, why don’t you check out that ledge? I think you’re the most athletic here.”
 
David glanced up and made eye contact with Don. He knew that he had to protect Megan until she was back at the bureau or there would literally be hell to pay. Don nodded his thanks and turned to his brother. Charlie was still standing as close to his dragon as possible. He was shaken by what he had seen in Spencer’s eyes when Hotch had rejected him. “Come on, Chuck,” Don said softly, putting an arm around his brother’s shoulders. “I should’ve insisted you stay with Larry.”
 
“I needed to be here,” Charlie replied. “I just hope Spencer is okay, he really didn’t look good.”
 
“I’m sure he’ll be fine,” Don said. “Wait for me in the rig, okay buddy?”
 
Gideon smiled at the exchange. “I’m sure your parents must be very happy and very proud of you both,” he said. “And the fact that you manage to work so well together.”
 
“My mother’s dead, Agent Gideon,” Don said. “She never got the chance to see us reconnect as brothers. My father is alternately thrilled and terrified at the idea of Charlie working with me. And tonight will be a terrified night because I let Charlie out in the field with me.”
 
“I’m sorry for your loss,” Gideon said. “Agent Eppes, what really happened back there? The wounds are wrong to be the result of a fall and Reid wasn’t sick prior to the stakeout.”
 
“Hotch warned me about you,” Don said. “Look, I don’t know what I can and can’t tell you. If you go back to your hotel, you’ll probably find Dr. Gil Grissom and he can explain things.”
 
“Why was an entomologist with us today?” Gideon asked.
 
“I asked him to come,” Don replied. “To stay with Charlie here in the parking lot while we were on the trail.”
 
“There’s something you’re not telling me,” Gideon said. “Something you’re afraid to talk about. Why? Why is that?”
 
Don smiled. “Because I know you won’t believe me,” he said. “But I promise that it has absolutely no bearing on our current case.”
 
“I’ll take your word, for now,” Gideon said. “But I would like a ride back to the field office, please. There’s something I want to look up.”
********************
 
When they got back to the office Charlie vanished into the men’s room. Gideon’s eyes tracked the younger man and then looked at the elder. “Go make sure he’s okay, Agent Eppes. I’ll be fine.”
 
“Thank you,” Don said. He made his way quickly to the bathroom and locked the door behind him. “Charlie?”
 
“How could he do it, Don?” Charlie asked as he cuddled in close against his dragon. “How could Agent Hotchner deny the bond with Spencer like that?”
 
“Hotch is married, Charlie, with a kid,” Don replied. “He told me, once, that the first time he saw Hailey he knew that he wanted to marry her. Think what kind of barriers he must have in place.”
 
“But even when we realized what was going on with us we didn’t hesitate,” Charlie said. “Remember how Ian said it would make us both sick?”
 
“It was still a little weird to think about sleeping with my kid brother,” Don said. “I get the feeling that there’s a lot more going on here than we know. I’m glad you sent that email, Charlie. I don’t like having another alpha in my city, but I’m glad he’s here.”
 
Charlie’s phone rang. He pulled away from Don only long enough to get it out of his pocket and then cuddled in close again. “Hello? Gil, how’s it going? Yeah, yeah, absolutely. Is there anything we can do to help? Okay, bye.”
 
“What’s going on?” Don asked.
 
“Gil wants me to email that code key I worked out to someone on the web page,” Charlie replied. “He sounded really upset, Donnie.”
 
Don kissed the top of Charlie’s head. “I think we’re just going to have to trust him,” he said. “And as bad as I want you, Charlie, we can’t risk it with Gideon here. He’s got much sharper eyes than anyone I’ve met. And the team isn’t here to run interference.”
 
“Close your case quick and we can go to your apartment before dinner,” Charlie said. “And we can make as much noise as we want.”
 
Don moaned, tilted Charlie’s head up and kissed him fiercely. “I love you, Charlie.”
 
“Love you too.”
********************
 
“So we finally managed to ID our unsub,” David said later that day when both teams – minus Hotch and Reid – gathered for pizza in one of the conference rooms. “And your guy was right, Agent Gideon. The dude was a cop.”
 
“Which department?” Gideon asked.
 
“LAPD,” David replied. “Colby and I took a look at his apartment and found all sorts of weird stuff. You guys probably should take a look at it.”
 
Gideon smiled. “We’ll be happy to, but otherwise I guess that is final.”
 
“When are you flying out?” Don asked.
 
“Tomorrow morning,” Gideon said. “It was a pleasure working with you all.”
********************
 
Morgan, Elle and JJ tried to convince Gideon to join them for supper but he declined and went back to the hotel after he was finished reviewing the evidence from the unsub’s apartment. He still wasn’t sure what had happened out in the woods, but he was determined to figure it out.
 
Gil had just hung up after talking with Don Eppes when someone sat in the chair next to him. “Agent Gideon.”
 
“Dr. Grissom, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Gideon said. “And I understand I need to speak with you if I want to learn what happened to Hotch and Reid today.”
 
“Spencer got very sick,” Gil said. “So we came back here to get him settled.”
 
“There’s something about you, Dr. Grissom, something that won’t let me get a read on you,” Gideon commented. “And I can’t help but get the feeling that you’re lying to me. And I wonder why that is.”
 
Gil had to smile. He hadn’t realized it before but the very clues that told a hunter who a Changed dragon was prevented profilers from doing their job. It was handy for the communities, but it made Gil wonder what would happen if a Changed dragon ever turned killer.
 
“Something amusing?” Gideon asked.
 
“Just a stray thought,” Gil replied. “How firmly do you believe in science, Agent Gideon?”
 
“What does that have to do with anything?”
 
“In this case, everything,” Gil said. “I should add that it’s probably the easiest question I’ll ask you too.”
 
“I believe that science can help us in many ways but there are places where it’s wrong and should be ignored as completely as possible,” Gideon said. “After all, scientists are human and just as prone to human error as anyone else in any field.”
 
“That’s one of the healthier opinions I’ve heard in a long time,” Gil said with a small smile. “How do you feel about same sex relationships?”
 
“I don’t see why that matters, but I believe in letting people be who they are as long as they don’t hurt anyone else in the process,” Gideon sighed. “Why are you dancing around this issue?”
 
“Because, by rights, I shouldn’t even tell you this,” Gil said. He rubbed his eyes. “As the more people who know the more danger we’re in. But Spencer and Agent Hotchner are going to need someone to help them. If I thought they could do any other job and still be happy, I’d insist they relocate to Miami with me. As that’s impossible, I need to do the next best thing.”
 
Gideon leaned forward in his chair. “Dr. Grissom, I’m a patient man, one not prone to violence, but if you don’t tell me exactly what’s going on with my family I might change my mind.”
 
“And you would lose,” Gil said mildly. “Do you believe in dragons, Agent Gideon?”
 
“What?” 
 
“Dragons; the large lizards that can breathe fire,” Gil said. “The so-called monsters who are supposed to have a virgin fixation, although I don’t know where that particular myth comes from.”
 
“What do dragons have to do with anything?”
 
“Everything. It turns out that Spencer is a dragon, Hotch is his human and for a few hours I thought they were both going to die,” Gil said. “And while there is still a chance of that happening, it’s not as dire a threat as it was.”
 
“In all my years as a profiler I’ve heard some very creative stories, but I believe this one take the top spot on my….my….” Gideon trailed off as Gil’s eyes started glowing a deep honey gold.
 
“It has not been a good day, Gideon,” Gil snarled. “A young dragon almost died while in my care so do not sit there and tell me I’m lying. I don’t expect you to believe me immediately, but I had hoped you would at least ask me questions. Go online and look up The Dragon’s Homeland and I’ll talk to you when I’m calmer. And don’t feel the need to bite you.”
 
Gideon watched the other man storm off and wondered what the hell had just happened. He sighed, rubbed his eyes and went to his room. He felt a little silly but he turned on his laptop, found the page and started reading.
********************
 
Gil went outside to sit by the pool. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d been so irate and figured he just needed to get home to Nick. His phone started him a little when it broke the silence. “What do you need, H?” he asked.
 
“Gibbs has called for a full meeting,” Horatio replied. “And he wants to include the newer communities and dragons as well.”
 
“What’s wrong?”
 
“He won’t say, but you know Gibbs.”
 
“Yeah, all right, I’ll be bringing three pairs with me,” Gil said. “I think I’ve adopted a newly Changed dragon, Horatio.”
 
“What happened?” Horatio asked.
 
Gil quickly outlined the events of the day. “I need to go check on them,” he said. “And then we’re coming home. I need Nicky.”

 

The instant his lips touched Hotch’s, Reid felt a sense of completeness, warmth and happiness that he had never felt before. And then a wall came crashing down, cutting off every sensation, every feeling but pain. Reid was used to pain, used to everyone leaving him, but this time it seared through his entire being and left a gaping hole in both his heart and his mind.
 
Reid knew he shouldn’t have kissed Hotch. There were so many reasons that it was wrong – Hotch was his boss, Hotch was married, Hotch was male – but Reid had never felt anything so right as the moment they had touched.
 
And then Hotch had pushed him away and shut him out. Reid curled up in the corner of the Tahoe, as far away from Hotch as he could get. When Hotch touched his hand and then feeling of emptiness only grew, Reid fainted.
 
When he woke up he was lying in the bathtub surrounded by water. “How’d I get here?”
 
“You’re sick, Spencer,” a kind, rumbling voice said. “And we need to get your fever down. Do you remember me?”
 
Reid forced his eyes open and focused long enough to make out the face above him. “Dr. Grissom?”
 
“Good boy. I was getting worried,” Grissom said. “You can call me Gil, Spencer. How much do you remember about what happened on the trail?”
 
“You said I Changed to save Hotch,” Reid said. “Then he rejected me and I’ve been cut off. I can’t sense him at all.”
 
Gil sighed. “He shouldn’t be able to do this, Spencer,” he said. He used a paper cup to slowly poor cool water over the younger dragon’s head. “Shhh, I left your boxers on, Spencer. But we’ve got to get this fever down. I’ve sent Agent Hotchner to get ice for us, but I’ll be honest with you. I have never seen this happen so fast before.”
 
“What’s going to happen to me?”
 
“If you can’t complete the bond with your human then you will die,” Gil replied. “Come on, young one, let’s get you to bed.”
 
“I don’t want to force Hotch into anything,” Reid said as Gil helped him out of the tub.
 
“We can’t,” Gil said. “Dry off as best you can and put on those sleep pants. I’m going to turn on the A/C. Do not try to walk without help.”
 
Reid smiled weakly and picked up a towel. Gil’s manner towards him made Reid think of what he had always imagined a father should be like. And Reid liked it; he liked the thought of someone helping and being nice to him without wanting something in return. He wasn’t sure how he knew that, but he did. “I’m dressed, Gil.”
 
“Okay, let’s get you onto the bed then,” Gil said. “You need to rest to keep up your strength.”
 
“What’s going to happen now?”
 
“I’ll figure out a way to keep you alive, young one,” Gil replied as he brushed the damp hair off of Reid’s face. “A way where we don’t have to force or trick your human into anything. Now hush a moment and let me take your vitals.”
 
Reid opened his mouth to reply and a thermometer was stuck under his tongue. He grumbled a little but stayed still for Gil while the older dragon counted and fussed over him.
 
When Hotch came into the room his scent only made Reid more aware of the huge hole inside him, but at the same time he wanted more. When a shirt that smelled like his human flew over the bed, Reid grabbed it out of the air and buried his face in it. Hotch smelled so good and Reid wondered why he hadn’t noticed it before.
 
He was vaguely aware of the conversation over him and, once he was buried under a mound of blankets, Reid told Gil again that he didn’t want to force Hotch into anything. Reid knew how much his boss loved his wife and son and would die before he was the reason Hotch had to leave his family.
 
Reid growled when the shirt was moved away from his face. “Easy young one,” Gil said softly. “I’m not taking the shirt away. I just need you to drink this for me.”
 
The icy water felt wonderful in Reid’s mouth and down into his stomach and he tried to gulp it faster than Gil would let him. He had just finished swallowing the last drops when his mind was suddenly flooded by Hotch’s presence filling up the void like blood rushing into a limb that had fallen asleep. Reid screamed and fell onto the bed as everything settled down inside him, the only thing standing out was the intense burning need to claim his human. Reid launched himself towards Hotch, knocking his human down onto the other bed, kissing him deeply. Hotch moaned, wrapped his arms around Reid and opened to the almost frantic kiss.
 
As Reid mapped his human’s mouth his hands were busy shredding Hotch’s clothes until their bare skin was touching. Hotch didn’t know what to do, which way to move to best help Reid, but one thought did stand out – they needed lube of some kind.
 
“Spencer,” Hotch gasped when Reid pulled back for air, “lube, we need something slick.”
 
Reid’s eyes were glowing fiercely as he gazed down at his human. “You’ve done this before?” he growled.
 
“Years ago in college,” Hotch replied. “There should be lotion in the bathroom.”
 
“Do not move,” Reid said. He pushed off the bed and walked to the bathroom.
 
Hotch shuddered at the new tone in his young profiler’s voice. He could still feel his mental walls dissolving under the pressure of the bond and it was a really strange feeling. Then Reid was back, naked and kneeling between Hotch’s legs. Hotch watched Reid’s hand spreading lotion over his erection. He moaned softly at the sight and spread his legs more in invitation. It had been a long time since Hotch had felt another person inside his body and he couldn’t wait.
 
Reid grabbed Hotch’s hips, pulled them up and plunged home in one smooth thrust before Hotch could even open his mouth to protest. Hotch was stunned when Reid slid into him as smoothly as if he had been stretched and teased for an hour.
 
“Never going to hurt you, Aaron,” Reid said as he started moving. “Let me in, let me feel all of you.”
 
“Spencer,” Hotch moaned as he was flooded with warmth and realized that the younger man was still hard.
 
“Still need you,” Reid said as he nuzzled under Hotch’s left ear. “Need you now and forever.”
 
Hotch turned his head and initiated the kiss between the new bond pair. It was his turn to learn and map as his tongue moved in and around Reid’s mouth. Reid pushed forward – forcing Hotch to wrap his legs around his dragon’s waist – so that his forearms were resting on either side of Hotch’s head and his fingers could tangle in the always neat black hair. He wanted nothing more than to feel Hotch come apart under him.
 
Reid started thrusting again; the position creating friction on Hotch’s trapped erection, while he held his human’s head in place and slowly devourered Hotch’s mouth. Hotch’s arms wrapped around Reid’s back and held him as close as possible as they moved together.
 
Hotch’s climax started first and the strong contractions around his cock milked Reid into his own climax. As Reid collapsed forward, Hotch caught him and held him close.
 
“I’m sorry, Aaron,” Reid whispered, lips ghosting against Hotch’s neck.
 
“What are you sorry about?” Hotch asked. “Spencer, I’ve never felt anything like that before. It’s me who should be apologizing. I’m the reason you got so sick.”
 
“I didn’t want to break up your home,” Reid said. “Now you’ve got to leave Hailey and Jack.”
 
“I’m a lawyer, Spencer, I’ll still be able to see my son,” Hotch said softly. “You didn’t do anything worse than save my life. And I think we need to shower and get cleaned up before your new father comes back.”
 
Reid looked down at Hotch in surprise. “Do you really think Gil was serious about that?” he asked.
 
“Spencer, I’ve never met a man quite as serious as Dr. Grissom,” Hotch said. “I don’t know that I’d want to get on his bad side.”
********************
 
The new bond pair was curled up together asleep in the clean bed when Gil got back to the room. He shut the door quietly behind him, turned and met Hotch’s brown eyes. “Don’t wake him,” Gil whispered. “Spencer needs his sleep.”
 
“I feel totally lost, Dr. Grissom,” Hotch said.
 
“There are other dragons and bonded humans who will teach you what you need to know,” Gil said. “But I do need the two of you to come to Miami with me for at least the weekend.”
 
“What’s in Miami?” Hotch asked.
 
“My community, for one,” Gil replied. “I’m what’s known as an alpha dragon and I’ve got three other bonded pairs in my care. But we’re also having a meeting with all the known bond pairs and I think it’d be good for both of you to come. Don Eppes and his community are coming.”
 
Hotch blinked. “Donnie is a dragon?”
 
“He is and so is Charlie’s mentor, Larry,” Gil smiled. “You wouldn’t know it just looking at them, would you? That’s something you both need to learn; how to identify Changed dragons.”
 
“I’ll make it happen so we can join you,” Hotch said. “Jason is the only one on the team who will question what’s going on. I think I can lie convincingly to him.”
 
“You won’t have to,” Gil said. “You and Spencer will need someone to help you when you’re home, someone who knows the truth. I made a choice and explained everything to Agent Gideon.”
 
“And how did that go?” Hotch asked with a smile.
 
Gil snorted. “He’s lucky I didn’t Change to true form and bit him. But I also found out that you can’t profile a Changed dragon.”
 
“That’s why I couldn’t figure you out.” Hotch rubbed Reid’s back and smiled as the younger man shifted closer and fell into a deeper sleep. “Spencer and I can fix that, but it’ll take time and study.”
 
“What in this world doesn’t?” Gil asked. “Look, you two sleep and make sure he eats in the morning. I’ll be back as soon as I check out of my own hotel. Don is arranging a flight for us tomorrow afternoon.”
 
“Dr. Grissom, I am sorry for everything,” Hotch said. “I just didn’t understand.”
 
“We’ll talk more tomorrow because there are still ways you can make him sick or kill both of you,” Gil said. “I’m serious; sleep, you both need the rest.”

 

Hotch woke up the next morning to the feeling of a chin on his chest and eyes studying him. He was confused for a moment because he knew he wasn’t in his own bed and it wasn’t Hailey next to him. Then everything came flooding back to him. He opened his eyes and smiled at Reid. “Morning.”
 
“What are you going to tell her?” Reid asked softly.
 
“I don’t know,” Hotch replied. “But I’ll think of something, Spencer. I’m not going to leave you and go running back to her. Don’t ever worry about that. I can feel you in my mind and it would hurt both of us to lose that.”
 
“Was I dreaming or did Gil come back last night?”
 
“He did and we’re going to Miami with him for some kind of mass dragon meeting,” Hotch said. “In fact we’re supposed to meet him for breakfast in half an hour.”
 
Reid grinned. “That’s plenty of time,” he said and surged up to claim his human’s mouth with his own.
********************
 
Grissom checked out of his hotel early and made his way back to the Best Western where the BAU was. He really wished he had Nicky, Al, Mandy or Adam along because he just knew there were going to be things he’d forget to mention to the new bond pair that they had to know before they went home.
 
“Agent Gideon, join me for some coffee?” Gil asked not turning around.
 
“How did you know I was behind you?”
 
“I could smell your aftershave,” Gil said. “I don’t use a scented one myself. I find it blocks my senses at crime scenes.”

“You’re like Reid, aren’t you?”
 
“I am, but it’s not really something we talk about in public. There are people out there who would like nothing more than to kill us.”
 
Gideon nodded. “I saw the article onli

Hotch woke up the next morning to the feeling of a chin on his chest and eyes studying him. He was confused for a moment because he knew he wasn’t in his own bed and it wasn’t Hailey next to him. Then everything came flooding back to him. He opened his eyes and smiled at Reid. “Morning.”
 
“What are you going to tell her?” Reid asked softly.
 
“I don’t know,” Hotch replied. “But I’ll think of something, Spencer. I’m not going to leave you and go running back to her. Don’t ever worry about that. I can feel you in my mind and it would hurt both of us to lose that.”
 
“Was I dreaming or did Gil come back last night?”
 
“He did and we’re going to Miami with him for some kind of mass dragon meeting,” Hotch said. “In fact we’re supposed to meet him for breakfast in half an hour.”
 
Reid grinned. “That’s plenty of time,” he said and surged up to claim his human’s mouth with his own.
********************
 
Grissom checked out of his hotel early and made his way back to the Best Western where the BAU was. He really wished he had Nicky, Al, Mandy or Adam along because he just knew there were going to be things he’d forget to mention to the new bond pair that they had to know before they went home.
 
“Agent Gideon, join me for some coffee?” Gil asked not turning around.
 
“How did you know I was behind you?”
 
“I could smell your aftershave,” Gil said. “I don’t use a scented one myself. I find it blocks my senses at crime scenes.”

“You’re like Reid, aren’t you?”
 
“I am, but it’s not really something we talk about in public. There are people out there who would like nothing more than to kill us.”
 
Gideon nodded. “I saw the article online by Adam Ross and Greg Sanders,” he said. “But I’m still not sure how I’m supposed to believe it. The entire web page looked like rules and information for some sort of fantasy game.”
 
“I thought as a profiler you were trained to look beyond surface impressions,” Gil sighed. “We couldn’t advertise the truth with the hunters out there looking for us, could we?”
 
“So why risk everything and tell me? How do you know I’m not a hunter?” Gideon asked.
 
“We’re not so stupid that we don’t know what to look for,” Gil smiled. “It’s very obvious you care for Spencer and Agent Hotchner. And, as I told you last night, they’re going to need your help.”
 
“What can I do?”
 
“Believe him, Jason,” Hotch said as he and Reid sat down at the table.
 
Grissom reached over and turned Reid’s face towards him. “You look better, young one,” he said with a fond smile. “How did you sleep and how do you feel?”
 
“Fine and better now that Aaron isn’t keeping me blocked from his mind. But he said you still had some warnings for us?”
 
“I do, but you need to eat, Spencer,” Gil said. “We can talk on the plane and that way the LA community will hear what I have to say as well.”
 
“Plane?” Gideon asked. 
 
“Spencer and I are going to Miami, Jason,” Hotch said. He sipped his coffee. “We’ll be back at the BAU on Monday. I’ve already made the calls and everything is taken care of.”
 
“How can you believe all of this so easily, Aaron?” Gideon asked. “From what I heard yesterday you weren’t so accepting.”
 
Hotch sighed. “It’s not that I didn’t believe what they were telling me. I saw Spencer in his true form so I had to believe it,” he said. “It’s that I didn’t understand and that’s what almost killed both of us.”
 
“I spent the entire night reading and I’m still not sure what to think,” Gideon said.
 
Reid looked up from his coffee, eyes glowing. “Is it really that hard to believe?”
 
“Spencer,” Gil said softly.
 
“Sorry,” Reid said ducking his head. “Gil, should I still be tired?”
 
“You had a rough time yesterday, young one,” Gil replied. “And your body is still adapting to its new form. Eat your breakfast and we’ll find a place for you to nap.”
 
Gideon turned to Hotch. “What about Hailey?” he asked.
 
“I called her and said I was making a quick, personal side trip and would be back late Sunday night or Monday morning,” Hotch replied. “She’s not happy about it, but she didn’t say anything.”
 
“What about when you get home again?” Gideon pressed.
 
Hotch reached over and took Reid’s hand in his own. “I’m going to ask for a divorce,” he said. “She can have everything. All I want is to be able to see Jack when I’m home.”
 
“And if she refuses, then what?” Gideon said.
 
“I’ll go to court,” Hotch sighed. “I’m going to cite work as the reason. Hailey hasn’t been happy since I took over as unit chief and am gone all the time. This will give her the chance to meet someone who will be home every night.”
 
“I’m impressed, Agent Hotchner,” Gil said. “You’ve come a long way since last night.”
 
“Considering you’re basically my father-in-law, you may as well call me Hotch or Aaron,” he said. “And up until you left yesterday I couldn’t feel Spencer like I do now. I don’t ever want to be without this feeling again.”
 
“You lost me,” Gideon said.
 
“Gil adopted me yesterday,” Reid grinned.
 
“He’s not officially in my community, but I’ve taken him under my wing,” Gil added with a fond smile.
 
“So to speak,” Hotch said.
 
“Speaking of wings, what color are you?” Reid asked.

“Black,” Gil replied. He paused as the waiter put their dishes on the table. “I’ll run you through the basics on the plane, young one. You need to eat.”
********************
 
“Where are Hotch and Reid?” Morgan asked when Gideon walked onto the BAU’s plane alone.
 
“They’re staying here until Monday,” Gideon replied. “Reid is running a fever and needs someone to stay with him.”
 
“Why Hotch?” Elle asked.
 
“Because he’s already been exposed to the germs,” Gideon said, his tone indicating quite clearly that the topic was closed.
 
Morgan sighed. “So I guess we’re doing paperwork this weekend.”
 
“We’re off,” Gideon said. “Once your turn in your reports on this last case you’re free until Monday morning.”
 
“How’d we swing that?” Morgan asked.
 
“Hotch made the calls,” Gideon said as he turned on his laptop. He had downloaded some of the longer dragon articles to study. “Thank him when he gets home.”
 
Elle leaned over to Morgan. “Does it seem like there’s something wrong?” she asked.
 
“No, it’s just Gideon being Gideon,” Morgan replied. “Don’t worry about it and enjoy the time off while we can.”
********************
 
Don Eppes and his community picked Gil, Hotch and Reid up at the hotel not long after the rest of the BAU team had left. Larry was obviously looking forward to continuing the discussion he and Gil had been having about Pax Draconis, but Gil asked him to wait until he was done running through basic information with Reid and Hotch. Somehow Don had managed to get one of the FBI’s private jets for the trip back to Miami.
 
“I remembered what you said about talking in public,” Don said once they were airborne.
 
“Very nice,” Gil said with a smile. “First I have to point out that there will be four alphas at this meeting, Don. That means not only do we have to be extra aware of our behavior at all times, our humans really need to watch us closely. If there is any sign of a fight you need to get the alphas apart and call for the betas immediately.”
 
“How do we know who is who?” Reid asked.
 
“We’ll introduce everyone at the beginning,” Gil replied. “But Larry is Don’s beta; my beta dragon is named Horatio and has bright red hair. If all else fails, however, get Mandy Bonnibel. She’s our historian and will be able to get us calmed down quickly.”
 
“Do you have any idea why we’re all meeting like this?” Don asked. “Other than for everyone to get a chance to meet and talk.”
 
Gil sighed. “Gibbs plays things very close to the chest so he hasn’t told us anything yet,” he said. “But to get all of us together like this, it has to be important. He knows how dangerous it is to put all the alphas in one room and he wouldn’t risk it for nothing.”
 
“What could be so important?” Hotch wondered aloud.
 
“Most likely the hunters,” Gil said. “I’ll get to them in a minute, but I want to run through bond problems with you first.”
 
Charlie pulled out a notebook and pen. “I like the idea of keeping journals,” he said.
 
“That’s good, because while we can give you copies of the basic journals, every community should have their own journals and notes,” Gil said. “And Don, keep after me for copies of my alpha journals. We can ask Gibbs for his as well.”
 
“So who is the other alpha?” Larry asked.
 
“I haven’t met him, he’s an Air Force Colonel is all I know,” Gil replied. “Okay, so bond problems. Once the dragon has blended, which is about six months after the first Change to true form the bond issues go away except for extremes. Those are detailed out in the basic journals. But in the six month period the bond is still growing and forming so it is moderately easy to not only strain it but cause the bonding sickness that Spencer had yesterday.”
 
“What do we do in that case?” Don asked.
 
“The bonding sickness only happens when the dragon or the human suppresses the bond in some way,” Gil said. “Last time I saw it was when one of my bonded humans decided that he wasn’t gay and went on a two day spree to prove it. His dragon almost died before we made him see that the bond was more important than anything else. Luckily the fever hadn’t gotten so bad that they were both dead, but it was a close thing.”
 
“Is that the only bond problem we have to worry about?” Hotch asked looking over at Reid. He didn’t think he’d ever be able to forget how his young dragon had looked lying in the bed covered up and so sick. “I don’t want to do anything that could hurt Spencer.”
 
“That’s the primary one. For the most part you can still argue and fight without problems,” Gil smiled. “Just make sure never to close off your end of the bond or withhold sex from your partner.”
 
“Why does that matter?” Charlie asked.
 
Don blushed. “Chuck, remember how frequently we’re in the men’s room,” he said. “I have a feeling that helps to keep the bond healthy.”
 
“It does and there’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” Gil grinned. “Hotch, Spencer, I’d recommend finding a handy storage closet or bathroom where you can go while you’re at work. Somewhere where there are no cameras and you can reconnect. Trust me when I say you’re going to need physical contact every four to six hours for the next few months.”
 
“Sex at work?” Reid squeaked. “Morgan will never let me hear the end of it.”
 
“Morgan doesn’t have to find out,” Hotch said. “How long does that last, Gil?”
 
“Until Spencer blends. Then it’ll settle out into your own pattern, but I believe the longest any of us has been able to last without touching our human in some way is three days,” Gil said. “And the deeper the bond, the more frequent the pull to be together. That’s the primary reason I said you’d need help and spoke with Gideon.”
 
“How did that go?” Charlie asked. “Agent Gideon didn’t strike me as being overly open to ideas like this.”
 
“He’s lucky I didn’t bite him,” Gil grumbled. “I think he’s coming around, but it’ll just take time. Probably you’ll have to show him your true form, Spencer. And you won’t be able to do that until you blend.”
 
“What else do I need to know?” Reid asked.
 
Gil smiled. “Let me tell you about the hunters,” he said.
ne by Adam Ross and Greg Sanders,” he said. “But I’m still not sure how I’m supposed to believe it. The entire web page looked like rules and information for some sort of fantasy game.”
 
“I thought as a profiler you were trained to look beyond surface impressions,” Gil sighed. “We couldn’t advertise the truth with the hunters out there looking for us, could we?”
 
“So why risk everything and tell me? How do you know I’m not a hunter?” Gideon asked.
 
“We’re not so stupid that we don’t know what to look for,” Gil smiled. “It’s very obvious you care for Spencer and Agent Hotchner. And, as I told you last night, they’re going to need your help.”
 
“What can I do?”
 
“Believe him, Jason,” Hotch said as he and Reid sat down at the table.
 
Grissom reached over and turned Reid’s face towards him. “You look better, young one,” he said with a fond smile. “How did you sleep and how do you feel?”
 
“Fine and better now that Aaron isn’t keeping me blocked from his mind. But he said you still had some warnings for us?”
 
“I do, but you need to eat, Spencer,” Gil said. “We can talk on the plane and that way the LA community will hear what I have to say as well.”
 
“Plane?” Gideon asked. 
 
“Spencer and I are going to Miami, Jason,” Hotch said. He sipped his coffee. “We’ll be back at the BAU on Monday. I’ve already made the calls and everything is taken care of.”
 
“How can you believe all of this so easily, Aaron?” Gideon asked. “From what I heard yesterday you weren’t so accepting.”
 
Hotch sighed. “It’s not that I didn’t believe what they were telling me. I saw Spencer in his true form so I had to believe it,” he said. “It’s that I didn’t understand and that’s what almost killed both of us.”
 
“I spent the entire night reading and I’m still not sure what to think,” Gideon said.
 
Reid looked up from his coffee, eyes glowing. “Is it really that hard to believe?”
 
“Spencer,” Gil said softly.
 
“Sorry,” Reid said ducking his head. “Gil, should I still be tired?”
 
“You had a rough time yesterday, young one,” Gil replied. “And your body is still adapting to its new form. Eat your breakfast and we’ll find a place for you to nap.”
 
Gideon turned to Hotch. “What about Hailey?” he asked.
 
“I called her and said I was making a quick, personal side trip and would be back late Sunday night or Monday morning,” Hotch replied. “She’s not happy about it, but she didn’t say anything.”
 
“What about when you get home again?” Gideon pressed.
 
Hotch reached over and took Reid’s hand in his own. “I’m going to ask for a divorce,” he said. “She can have everything. All I want is to be able to see Jack when I’m home.”
 
“And if she refuses, then what?” Gideon said.
 
“I’ll go to court,” Hotch sighed. “I’m going to cite work as the reason. Hailey hasn’t been happy since I took over as unit chief and am gone all the time. This will give her the chance to meet someone who will be home every night.”
 
“I’m impressed, Agent Hotchner,” Gil said. “You’ve come a long way since last night.”
 
“Considering you’re basically my father-in-law, you may as well call me Hotch or Aaron,” he said. “And up until you left yesterday I couldn’t feel Spencer like I do now. I don’t ever want to be without this feeling again.”
 
“You lost me,” Gideon said.
 
“Gil adopted me yesterday,” Reid grinned.
 
“He’s not officially in my community, but I’ve taken him under my wing,” Gil added with a fond smile.
 
“So to speak,” Hotch said.
 
“Speaking of wings, what color are you?” Reid asked.

“Black,” Gil replied. He paused as the waiter put their dishes on the table. “I’ll run you through the basics on the plane, young one. You need to eat.”
********************
 
“Where are Hotch and Reid?” Morgan asked when Gideon walked onto the BAU’s plane alone.
 
“They’re staying here until Monday,” Gideon replied. “Reid is running a fever and needs someone to stay with him.”
 
“Why Hotch?” Elle asked.
 
“Because he’s already been exposed to the germs,” Gideon said, his tone indicating quite clearly that the topic was closed.
 
Morgan sighed. “So I guess we’re doing paperwork this weekend.”
 
“We’re off,” Gideon said. “Once your turn in your reports on this last case you’re free until Monday morning.”
 
“How’d we swing that?” Morgan asked.
 
“Hotch made the calls,” Gideon said as he turned on his laptop. He had downloaded some of the longer dragon articles to study. “Thank him when he gets home.”
 
Elle leaned over to Morgan. “Does it seem like there’s something wrong?” she asked.
 
“No, it’s just Gideon being Gideon,” Morgan replied. “Don’t worry about it and enjoy the time off while we can.”
********************
 
Don Eppes and his community picked Gil, Hotch and Reid up at the hotel not long after the rest of the BAU team had left. Larry was obviously looking forward to continuing the discussion he and Gil had been having about Pax Draconis, but Gil asked him to wait until he was done running through basic information with Reid and Hotch. Somehow Don had managed to get one of the FBI’s private jets for the trip back to Miami.
 
“I remembered what you said about talking in public,” Don said once they were airborne.
 
“Very nice,” Gil said with a smile. “First I have to point out that there will be four alphas at this meeting, Don. That means not only do we have to be extra aware of our behavior at all times, our humans really need to watch us closely. If there is any sign of a fight you need to get the alphas apart and call for the betas immediately.”
 
“How do we know who is who?” Reid asked.
 
“We’ll introduce everyone at the beginning,” Gil replied. “But Larry is Don’s beta; my beta dragon is named Horatio and has bright red hair. If all else fails, however, get Mandy Bonnibel. She’s our historian and will be able to get us calmed down quickly.”
 
“Do you have any idea why we’re all meeting like this?” Don asked. “Other than for everyone to get a chance to meet and talk.”
 
Gil sighed. “Gibbs plays things very close to the chest so he hasn’t told us anything yet,” he said. “But to get all of us together like this, it has to be important. He knows how dangerous it is to put all the alphas in one room and he wouldn’t risk it for nothing.”
 
“What could be so important?” Hotch wondered aloud.
 
“Most likely the hunters,” Gil said. “I’ll get to them in a minute, but I want to run through bond problems with you first.”
 
Charlie pulled out a notebook and pen. “I like the idea of keeping journals,” he said.
 
“That’s good, because while we can give you copies of the basic journals, every community should have their own journals and notes,” Gil said. “And Don, keep after me for copies of my alpha journals. We can ask Gibbs for his as well.”
 
“So who is the other alpha?” Larry asked.
 
“I haven’t met him, he’s an Air Force Colonel is all I know,” Gil replied. “Okay, so bond problems. Once the dragon has blended, which is about six months after the first Change to true form the bond issues go away except for extremes. Those are detailed out in the basic journals. But in the six month period the bond is still growing and forming so it is moderately easy to not only strain it but cause the bonding sickness that Spencer had yesterday.”
 
“What do we do in that case?” Don asked.
 
“The bonding sickness only happens when the dragon or the human suppresses the bond in some way,” Gil said. “Last time I saw it was when one of my bonded humans decided that he wasn’t gay and went on a two day spree to prove it. His dragon almost died before we made him see that the bond was more important than anything else. Luckily the fever hadn’t gotten so bad that they were both dead, but it was a close thing.”
 
“Is that the only bond problem we have to worry about?” Hotch asked looking over at Reid. He didn’t think he’d ever be able to forget how his young dragon had looked lying in the bed covered up and so sick. “I don’t want to do anything that could hurt Spencer.”
 
“That’s the primary one. For the most part you can still argue and fight without problems,” Gil smiled. “Just make sure never to close off your end of the bond or withhold sex from your partner.”
 
“Why does that matter?” Charlie asked.
 
Don blushed. “Chuck, remember how frequently we’re in the men’s room,” he said. “I have a feeling that helps to keep the bond healthy.”
 
“It does and there’s nothing to be embarrassed about,” Gil grinned. “Hotch, Spencer, I’d recommend finding a handy storage closet or bathroom where you can go while you’re at work. Somewhere where there are no cameras and you can reconnect. Trust me when I say you’re going to need physical contact every four to six hours for the next few months.”
 
“Sex at work?” Reid squeaked. “Morgan will never let me hear the end of it.”
 
“Morgan doesn’t have to find out,” Hotch said. “How long does that last, Gil?”
 
“Until Spencer blends. Then it’ll settle out into your own pattern, but I believe the longest any of us has been able to last without touching our human in some way is three days,” Gil said. “And the deeper the bond, the more frequent the pull to be together. That’s the primary reason I said you’d need help and spoke with Gideon.”
 
“How did that go?” Charlie asked. “Agent Gideon didn’t strike me as being overly open to ideas like this.”
 
“He’s lucky I didn’t bite him,” Gil grumbled. “I think he’s coming around, but it’ll just take time. Probably you’ll have to show him your true form, Spencer. And you won’t be able to do that until you blend.”
 
“What else do I need to know?” Reid asked.
 
Gil smiled. “Let me tell you about the hunters,” he said.

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