This is a bit of a change for me, so I hope people enjoy it. In this AU story, Jason Gideon and Aaron Hotchner were married and adopted children: Derek(10), Emily(8), JJ(6), Penelope (4) and Spencer (almost 2). As usual, I don't own CM or anyone else that is recognized.

David Rossi was sure of one thing; he was going to wring Jason Gideon's neck next time they met. The retired profiler could not believe his former colleague had actually done it. Rossi had been at Quantico, giving a lecture when he heard the news. Five kids! Gideon not only left Aaron, he left his spouse with five kids, all ten and under. The man had to be tearing his hair out; Dave knew he would be, in that situation. He glanced at the oven, about another half hour or so until it was done.

As Aaron crossed the room to answer the ringing phone, Penelope had one leg in a death grip. All of the normal household routines had been thrown out the window. As a result, his two youngest were very clingy. Penelope, at four didn't understand yet that Jason had left; she only knew something was wrong. Spencer, two weeks away from his second birthday, was confused and overly cranky. Aaron himself hadn't slept very well. And it was going on five in the afternoon, with nothing planned for dinner. Aaron reached the phone, just in time to hear the doorbell to go off.

After the fifth babysitter he'd left a message with turned him down flat, Aaron headed for the door. Spencer was trailing him closely, with his thumb securely in his mouth, and Penelope still holding on to his leg for dear life. He managed to not trip over toys in the hall, as he made his way to answer the door. He opened the door, silently hoping for the impossible. He didn't know who would be visiting on Saturday afternoon, but seeing David Rossi at the door was definitely not an expected visitor. David Rossi, standing on the porch, holding a hot pan of some sort was even less expected.

"Agent Rossi?" It was the only thing Aaron could think to say. He could feel Spencer, peering around his leg to peek at their visitor. Dave shook his head, shifting the pan in his hands,

"Just Dave now, I'm retired now. Mind if I come in, I don't want this to get cold?" Aaron backed up slowly, letting Dave into the house. They made their way to the kitchen, managing to not fall or drop the food. Awkward small talk followed, which eventually led to Aaron inviting Dave to stay for dinner. Dave unveiled fresh lasagna, made from scratch. Aaron tried (and succeeded) in not drooling. Aaron could function adequately enough in the kitchen, but things like this were out of his league.

In short order, plates and silverware were passed out, and everyone was seated. The phone rang, but this time, Aaron let it go to the answering machine. He sighed quietly as his last hope for going to work on Monday declined. He didn't want to worry Derek, who already acted far older than a normal ten year old. And if Derek worried, Emily and JJ would be upset as well, then it would spread to the two youngest. The kids were too busy eating to pay attention at the moment, for which Hotch was grateful. Or in Spencer's case, smearing food all over his face.

Dave smiled; it was a nice change, not only sharing meal with a family, but watching people enjoy the food he'd made. He didn't remember the last time he'd cooked and eaten with someone. Probably with his latest ex-wife. Usually it was just him, alone at home. For himself, he didn't make this much of an effort; it didn't seem to be worth it.

The two adults chatted, Rossi about the difficulties with his current book. House being too quiet, keep getting stuck and repeating unnecessary details. Hotchner about some of his pressing cases, unreliable witnesses, juries being difficult, and other irritating things. At least, the parts of the job that were acceptable to talk about with little ears listening.

After a relaxing meal, where no one mentioned the "J" word, the two adults ended up sitting in the living room having coffee, while the kids watched a movie. Somehow, while Dave was helping Aaron get the kids bathed and ready, he'd ended up volunteering to move in as a temporary babysitter. And more surprising, Aaron had accepted his offer. At least, the Hotchner house had an empty bedroom, so Dave wasn't going to end up camping out on a sofa.

Neither Dave, nor Aaron were looking for another romance. Rossi had three ex-wives, and Hotch's spouse had just walked away from their family. And he'd also been married to Haley, his high school sweetheart. Neither man wanted a relationship. Dave had been the rebound guy before, and had no desire to go there again. But people underestimate or ignore Fate, but she has her own way to bringing things together.

"I truly, truly believe that I was going in that direction and all of a sudden fate took me and put me here. It's like something else has other plans for me."

Christopher Atkins