SSA Aaron Hotchner pulled his heavy jacket even closer around him. Despite the many hours he had spent in ice rinks over the past few years, he still got icy cold whenever this time in the competition came around. He reached over and, with a gloved hand, tightly grasped his wife's hand. She turned toward him and they shared a smile, knowing as they did so that it was entirely possible this moment was being captured by TV cameras and being broadcast all over the world.
Sitting the other side of his wife, Hotch could see David Rossi, with a small head peeking out of the front of his jacket. He should have known it - Reid's daughter, Diana, had had Dave wrapped around her little finger from the day she was born. He wondered again how Dave always managed to get the best seats in the house for them – Center ice, and seven to ten rows up. He strongly suspected it had something to do with the numerous 'Forwards' Dave had written for various publications of the United State Figure Skating Association, and also with the fact that he had underwritten a coffee table book they had recently published featuring famous figure skaters, past and present. Of all the things that Dave sponsored over the years, that book definitely held first place in his heart.
Looking across the rink, Hotch could see Reid ensconced close to the seven international judges, working as their caller. With his eidetic memory and his ability to instantly recognize the various ice skating maneuvers, he had become one of the most valued members of any judging panel. And, even though he had been repeatedly offered the opportunity to work his way up through the ranks of the judges, he had repeatedly refused, citing his 'Personal Interest' in the competitions. However, Hotch knew that Reid would be carefully judging on his own and double-checking the judges' scores. He also knew that Garcia was ensconced in the computer center, patiently double checking that all the computers were working properly, as well verifying that the back-up system was waiting in the wings – Just in case.
As he looked over at the area where the final group of skaters was waiting for their warm-up to be announced, Hotch knew that within that group of six young women was one of the most important people in his life. He also knew that among the security force guarding the area was Derek Morgan, who had volunteered to work with the Royal Canadian Police contingent at the Olympic Games. And, as he glanced over at the Kiss and Cry area, Hotch could barely make out Alexandra Blake, standing by to work as a translator/facilitator if any problems arose. He knew that her husband, James, was also standing by; ready to assist with any medical emergencies that might arise.
Sitting directly behind him and his wife, Hotch could sense JJ and Will, along with Jack, Henry, Michael and, he still couldn't believe it, his miracle, his daughter. Jack been incredibly supportive over the past several years, willingly assisting with driving to and from practices and lessons, as well as helping to fend off reporters and well wishers. JJ, thankfully, had handled all the requests for press releases, which seemed to be coming in more frequently by the day.
Hotch closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and thought back eighteen years to that hot summer's day in Houston when it had all started –