Aaron Hotchner swore that he would not let this faze him. This was a bump in the road. His father would have said not to dwell on it. But your father was a heartless drunken bastard who beat you every chance he got. Another voice decided to speak. If you ever lay a finger on Jack like that, you're going to regret it. Aaron stared at his scotch before taking a sip. Aaron watched the crowd around him. The young couples who were all over each other; the under age girls hitting on men twice their age, married with kids. Aaron Hotchner was not going to bother with them. He was not his father, not a workaholic. When he decided to go out for a drink, he decided to leave his job behind. Aaron stopped when he noticed a young, familiar woman, surrounded by men, dancing. It wasn't sexy dancing but it was definately up close and personal. She bounced up to the bar, not seeming to notice Aaron.
"Scotch--"
"On the rocks. Double." Aaron held his glass up to her. "Hi."
"I didn't think that this was your scene."
"It's not. I have nothing better to do on a Friday night since Haley took my son and walked away from our marriage."
The woman looked down into her glass. "Are you alright?"
"Don't act like you care, Brookes."
"God. Calling me Brookes makes you sound sooo immature."
"I'm sorry if I'm a little depressed."
"Can I call anyone?"
"No, Rachel... I--" Aaron didn't want to finish his sentence... didn't want it to be true.
"What?"
"Hayley... I gave up everything for her... My life was work and Hayley and Jack... There's no one to call, Rachel."
She put her hand on his. "No. There are." She smiled. "There's me... If you need me..."
"So you can go running to Hayley and tell her how pathetic I am?"
"Hayley may be my sister, but you're my friend; family. And I love you. So please... Call me?"
Aaron stared at her, and pulled a smile on his face before grabbing his jacket and walked out.