Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds or any of the character. This is just a fanfiction and is not intended for profit.
"History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again." Maya Angelou
He slowly sipped his champagne. It wasn't his drink of choice but it was appropriate for the FBI New Year's party. He drank the last swallow of his bubbly drink scanning the room waiting patiently for midnight to come. Dave Rossi and Emily Prentiss were in a corner drinking, laughing, and enjoying each other as only those two could. Penelope Garcia and Kevin Lynch were chatting, and although he wouldn't admit if you asked, Derek Morgan was staring down Lynch. Spencer Reid not much of a drinker, was talking to a group of disinterested people too polite to just walk away. He was proud of his team after all they had been through together. They were a family as Garcia lovingly called them.
He didn't particularly like brunettes, but seeing her slender back and cascading black curls caught his attention. He kept an eye on the brunette handing out more champagne. Her lavender dress was made of silk and wrapped around her body fitting perfectly. Her long legs were accentuated by her nude pumps and although he knew the pressure heels had on a woman's calf he couldn't help but admire her. He didn't recognize her until she turned to him offering him a new drink.
"Gabby?" He asked puzzled noticing the emerald green eyes he'd only seen on one person before.
"Mr. Aaron, wow it's been a long time." She exclaimed. Gabriela was the daughter of a close friend of Aaron Hotchner's. Robert, her father, was catering this event but the last Aaron had heard she was studying for her masters at Georgetown.
"Yeah, I haven't seen you since your parents…" He let his voice trail. He was usually more thoughtful and mindful of every word he spoke, but he had a few drinks. Maybe even more than a few.
"Uh-yeah." She mumbled. Her parent's divorce didn't really affect her negatively anymore, but her mom moved to Phoenix AZ, and took Gabby with her. She didn't really see her father much after they split. She had to admit looking at him now sparked a primal need in her. He was attractive and his chocolate brown eyes were seductive.
"Well. I should get back to handing out drinks, a lot of drunken thirsty people." She said awkwardly breaking the uncomfortable silence. It's not like they had ever really chatted, he was the grown up when she was just a kid, although he was never around as much as his wife. Realization crept over her face, she had never given condolences. As she turned back toward him, she found he was no longer there. A quick scan found him chatting with her father.
As Aaron chatted with Gabriela's father he secretly hated himself for finding her attractive. He was there when she was born. Although he convinced himself easily that it was just the drinks, and she had grown up. He had tried to keep up with his friends and since Robert was a very old friend from high school he had always put extra effort. It was a bit strained now that she was gone and he was alone. But he liked to think Rob was the closest friend he had outside of the team.
After the night an exhausted Gabby climbed into her bed at her father's house. She thought briefly about where she thought her life would be and where it was actually. She was always straight and narrow. She had a life plan since she was 14. She would go to college, graduate top of her class and join the FBI. She had gone to college. She even graduated, although it wasn't top of her class and took every shred of fight in her to finish her master's degree in Sociolinguistics. After that night she just couldn't…
She didn't let her mind follow the direction it was going. She had gotten passed it by ignoring it. Sure she was a waitress and worked at her father's company instead of joining the FBI, but it was ok. She was still young. She just needed time to adjust.
He looked magnificent in that suit, which she remembered he always wore a suit. His dark eyes were penetrating, and his slight smile was enticing. She could admire him all day. She had to admit she kind of had a hero infatuation with him. He was almost the pinnacle of what a good man should be, she thought. He was a Special Agent after years as a prosecutor. He did a lot with his life, and she couldn't help but admire that.
"Hotch, we a few cases I'd like you to take a look at. I think the New York case could use our help the most." JJ asked handing over three case files to her boss.
"JJ, you are more than capable of doing this job. You know you don't need my approval on cases." Hotchner replied but still glanced over the files. He agreed that the NYPD case seemed most prevalent and would benefit the most from their assistance.
After JJ explained the case and handed out everyone's individual files Hotch called his former sister-in-law Jessica. After his wife was murdered Jessica offered to take care of Jack when he needed help so he could maintain his busy work schedule. She answered the phone but explained that she had a vacation planned for the week and wouldn't be able to watch him. He considered just staying behind until he thought of Gabby.
He dialed Rob's number.
"Hey, Rob, do you think Gabby would like some extra cash this week?" He asked. After getting her cell number he hung up and dialed her.
"This is Aaron Hotchn—" He was cut off.
"I know who you are what's up?" She asked. She happily took the opportunity to make some extra cash.
He said he didn't expect to be gone a long time but he really couldn't gauge exactly how long he would be. Gabby packed a week's worth of clothes just in case, he was paying her a good bit more than she would get from working with her father this week so it was a no brainer that she would accept. She arrived a few hours after he called. While she wouldn't admit she got a little extra dressed up for him, she did double check herself in the rearview mirror before exiting her Volkswagen.
Hotch had a list of rules written on his yellow legal pad. He was nothing if not completely thorough and organized. Gabriela buzzed his door bell and he let her in.
"Thank you for doing this on short notice. I have some cash here if you want to order dinner this week, but there is plenty of food in the freezer. Also here is a list of things, rules you know. Jack is already in bed, he will need to be at school by 8am tomorrow. I've already laid out his clothes for the week, and his pajamas are in the top drawers." Hotch explained looking at this watch. He really needed to be leaving soon but he wanted to make sure Jack would be ok.
"Did you eat dinner yet?" He asked pointing to the food on the stove.
"Oh yeah, I ate before I came. By the way don't worry; I used to work at a daycare while I was in school. And I babysat for my mom and Tim's kids all the time. Besides I have this wonderful list." She said slightly teasing.
"So where am I sleeping?" She asked.
"It's only a two bedroom, but you can sleep in my bed if you like. I've changed the sheets and everything. But if you prefer the couch I can get a sheet and blanket for you." He responded as he walked into his room to gather his suit case and bags. He told her where the sheets and extra blankets were.
"I have to go, but I will call when we land in New York, and I'll call to check up periodically." He stated.
"Ok. Don't worry; we will be just fine, just go get the bad guys." She laughed. His face remained completely indifferent.