SPOILER ALERT: Set after Episode 2 of Season 4. Some references to first few episodes of that season.
"Slow down and enjoy life. It's not only the scenery you miss by going too fast - you also miss the sense of where you are going and why. ". Eddie Cantor (1892 - 1964)
Aaron Hotchner was glad he had taken Dave Rossi's advice. There was no point rushing back to Quantico. He needed to unwind and there was some breath taking scenery between Lower Caanan, Ohio and home. His team had flown back to Virginia after the case, but his ear still hadn't recovered from the explosion so he decided not to fly. He casually steered his rental car with one hand on the steering wheel, the other elbow resting on the open window. Hotch could feel the wind in his face. It helped him feel alive again, blowing those cobwebs from his mind. It had been a rough few weeks, hell, it had been a rough year. So, taking Rossi's advice, he was allowing himself a couple of days vacation time, taking in some pretty little towns and enjoying a country trail or two.
The first night he decided to stay in the little town of Parkersburg. He checked in to a little motel on the outskirts. He ate at the local diner which was nearby and then decided to have a few beers in the bar across the road. While there he met a pretty young woman called Tina. She was good company and he enjoyed talking to her. It was good to talk to someone who didn't want to know about his work, who only wanted to know him. As it was getting late, Aaron decided to head back to the motel for the night. Much to his surprise, Tina suggested she accompany him. She had been flirting with him all that night. She was attractive and intelligent, both qualities he admired. He wanted her, he needed to feel wanted. In his mind all he could think of was Hayley and Jack. He felt guilty, yet he couldn't see why. She had wanted the divorce. They no longer lived together, he shouldn't feel guilty. Tina was just what he needed. She knew he was just passing through. He amde it clear that he wasn't in the market for a relationship. He had talked to her about the divorce. She was understanding and sympathetic. She knew it would only ever be a one night stand.
He smiled kindly at her and took her hand. They strolled the short distance to the motel. As he was opening the door to the room, she was already kissing him. She was eager and passionate. They stumbled through the door, Tina undoing his shirt as they kissed. Hotch let all his cares melt away as he lay on the bed and gently pulled her towards him. They spent the night in each other's arms, each getting from the other what they needed. As exhaustion set in, Tina dozed in Hotchner's arms. Holding her he realised how long it had been since he had let anyone, besides Hayley, be that close to him, emotionally and physically. He had unwittingly become an island since the separation. He knew he needed to make changes in his life. His reluctance to change had cost him his marriage. If he ever wanted to find happiness again, he knew he had to change. With his job, it was so hard. It demanded so much of his time. It took such an emotional toll on him. He needed to find a balance.
Hayley was always preaching about balance. Why didn't he listen? Maybe it was too late. Maybe he'd blown the one chance he would get at happy ever after.
Emily kept popping into his mind. As he traced his fingers along the small of Tina's back, he imagined that it was Emily lying beside him. It surprised him a little. He had great respect for her as an agent and there was no denying that she was a beautiful looking woman. When did he start thinking about her in that way? And what was the point? He was her supervisor. It would be thoroughly unprofessional to ask her out. She'd probably refuse and then be totally mortified to even look at him ever again. Of course she'd refuse, he thought. No one wants a guy with the amount of baggage he was dragging behind him. Lost in his thoughts, he eventually fell asleep.
The next morning, when he woke, Tina was getting dressed. She thanked him for a great night and kissed him passionately on the lips before winking and walking out of his life. No strings, Hotch thought, no strings! He had breakfast alone in the diner the next morning, bought a few provisions for his travels in the store and hit the road. It was a bright, inviting morning. He checked his road map and decided to travel via Blue Ridge and through the Allegheny Mountains. It was the scenic route home but this was his mini-vacation, so why not?
After a couple of hours he found himself in a beautiful spot, quiet, remote and peaceful. He parked his rental car and decided that he needed to walk, just get out and walk. And he did, for hours. He brought some snacks and rested when he felt like it. It was so quiet he noticed. His ear drum didn't seem to bother him as much up here. He lost himself in his surrounding for ages, but all too soon, he realised it was time to be getting back. He had planned to get to Roanoke for the night. He hiked back to his car and noticed the evening chill setting in. The morning sunshine had been replaced with scattered clouds that hid the setting sun. He decided it would be best to get back on the main road before dark. Soon he was under way again.
He was only on the mountain road for less than 20 minutes when he came upon a couple whose pickup appeared to be broken down. Realising that it could be hours before another vehicle came by, he kindly pulled in just beyond their truck and walked back to them.
"Hi," Aaron says greeting the woman standing on the side of the road. "You need any help?"
"Howdy," the woman replied in a southern drawl. "Darn radiators blown."
"I have a cell phone. I could call a tow truck or give you a ride to the next town, if you like," Hotch offered.
"There's no need," the guy said, straightening up from under the hood. In his hand he holds a long blade knife. "I'll take those keys."
He approached Hotch menacingly. Hotch glanced at the woman and saw her fear. He threw the keys to the armed man who picked them up and ordered the woman into the car in a threatening manner. She looked apologetically at Hotch but did as she was told. The guy was tall and heavy set and still coming towards Hotch. Hotch braced himself, realising that he was going to have to fight for his life. Grappling with his attacker, Hotch did his best to defend himself, but he was still suffering the effects of his injuries from the explosion he was caught in a few weeks previous. It didn't take long for Hotch to realise that he was fighting a losing battle. The guy was much stronger that he and soon he was on top of Aaron trying to stab him. The pair rolled on the ground, Aaron using all his strength to keep the weapon away from his body. Then the guy renewed his efforts and took a lunging swipe with the knife and caught Hotch in his side, between his ribs. The pain was immense as the force broke bone and the blade sliced through tissue. Hotch yelled loudly in pain as the blade was yanked out of him. He grasped his side and could feel the warmth of his own blood through his fingers and began to feel faint. His attacker got to his feet, reached into Hotch's pocket and took his phone and then brushed himself down. Callously, he kicked Hotch in the head as he walked past him and got into the car. He drove away, leaving his victim unconscious and bleeding on the side of the road.