Oh my God! This is already my fifth story I can't believe it! I know this chapter is very short, but it's only the beginning, the nexts ones will be longer, I promise.

Also, I owe a huge thanks to kisaitaluvr for the beta.

I don't owe Criminal Minds or any of his characters.

OoOoO

Chaper I: Worry.

"True friendship comes when silence between two people is comfortable." David Tyson Gentry.

Wearily, Dave closed the last of the files on his desk. He took a deep breath and rubbed his hand across his face. If there wasn't a new case in the morning, the team had the day off, so he had decided to finish the paperwork he had left, in hopes he could rest fully tomorrow.

Once everything on his desk was in place, he took his things and left his office, closing the door behind him. He took a moment to look at the empty bullpen. Everyone in the team and the other agents already had left for the night too.

As he followed his way, something caught his attention. Out of the corner of his eye he saw light, light coming from the office next to his. Hotch's office. Dave frowned. Hotch told him he would leave early to pick up Jack at Jessica's, so he had assumed the younger agent had left hours ago.

The blinds of the window were closed, so he couldn't see if Hotch was still inside. Dave knocked lightly at the door and without waiting for an answer -as usual- he entered. He allowed himself a small smile at the image before him.

Hotch was sitting behind his desk, as usual, but it seemed he had fallen asleep on the file he had been working on. He still had the pen he surely had been using in his hand, but he was definitely sleeping peacefully.

Dave took a moment to look over Hotch's desk. There were two piles of files. The one he supposed was the ´done pile´ had five or six files and the ´not done pile´ only had two. He made up his mind quickly and quietly took the two files. After quickly reviewing them to ensure they were not filled yet, he put them in his briefcase.

He knew better than to offer Hotch take them. The last time he had done, Hotch had thanked him for the offer and reject him with an "It's ok, I'll get them." He wasn't about to let that happen again.

He looked at Hotch and was surprised that the younger agent hadn't even moved an inch. He had shared hotel rooms with him and had seen him sleep on the jet enough times to know Hotch was a light sleeper. Shaking his head, he walked next to his boss and friend.

"Aaron, Aaron wake up," Dave said, shaking Hotch's shoulder lightly.

It took Hotch a moment to focus his eyes and realize he was in his office.

"Dave?"

"Yep, I think you fell asleep," Dave strated. "You should be thankful it was me who found you resting and not Strauss."

Hotch rubbed his eyes. "Strauss left hours ago."

Dave shrugged "So, tell me. What are you doing here? I thought you said you'd go early."

Hotch lower his gaze "Yeah, I was going to, it's just that I lost track of the time and when I remember I realized Jack's sleep time had already passed. I called Jessica and said I would go for him tomorrow morning, so I decided to stay to finish."

Dave didn't say anything; he only looked at Hotch carefully for a moment. He could tell something was off. Of course, things hadn't been great since Haley's death, a little over five months ago, but Hotch had been handling everything just fine. Consciously splitting his time with Jack and the work, or so Dave had thought. Until now.

Dave had noticed the circles under Hotch's eyes a little darker than usual and how Hotch had looked a little distracted the last couple of days, but Dave had thought it was just stress with all the changes that had occurred in the past few months. Apparently he had been wrong.

"Okay, get up. You're coming with me." Dave said in the firmest tone he could manage.

"What? Where?" Hotch said, a confused expression on his face.

"You're coming with me for a drink," Dave said, raising his hand to stop Hotch's protests even before the younger agent started. "And before you say anything I know besides work you have nothing else to do. Jack is with Jessica, you said it yourself, and so you're coming with me."

Hotch considered refuse to his friend's wish, after all if he really doesn't wanted to go he doubted Dave could take him against his will, but he knew Dave, and he knew he wasn't going to let this go, so it was best to talk about it with some alcohol involved.

He sighed. "All right,"

A few seconds later both Hotch and Dave left together the BAU. David Rossi was determined to find what was bothering his friend.

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... So, what do you think? Like it? Hate it? Please let me know. What do you guys think is bothering Hotch? Thoughts? The next chapter will be posted in a week or so, I hope you all stay tuned.

A/N: Thanks to all who read it. I hope you all have enjoyed, and as always feedback is appreciated. Thank you.