A/N: Hi guys, I hope you like it... Couldn't help but write it, hopefully you'll enjoy it!
After that case Hotch definitely needed a drink. 89 dead people - and for what? Nothing... Just because of one sick mind! At days like this, he despised his job, wished he had a normal one, working regular hours and where he wouldn't see such cruel things. But it wasn't meant for him, he was too far gone by now to turn back ever again. He had looked into the abyss, being branded was the price he had to pay. Month ago this price didn't seem to high to pay, he'd had his Hailey and his lovely son. Now Hailey wasn't his anymore, she wasn't there to talk to, to calm him, to remind him there were beautiful things in life. And there were no words to describe how much he missed Jack.
Sensing a movement he turned around. No one was here as far as he knew and he did not expect anyone... Fear hit him first when he saw the gun trained on him, but it couldn't paralyse him, training had taught his body that. He didn't have a chance to react though, just heard his attacker's words: „You shouldn't have made a deal!" and felt searing pain in his chest.
A few miles away at the same time Hailey put Jack into bed. Watching her son she couldn't help being reminded of his father. More and more she wondered if leaving him had been a mistake. Sure she had been certain at the time, now she wasn't anymore. She had never thought it possible how much she missed him. Also she had believed her still existing feelings for Aaron would fade in time. Not a chance though...
And was it fair to keep Jack from having a normal family? Just because she didn't get to have enough time with his father? After all she had to admit her husband - EX-husband! - had always been completely with them when he was present. Something she hadn't experienced often...She remembered how he'd always looked at her, the love shining in his eyes revealing how strong his feelings had been for her. More important she remembered how much she had loved to be looked at like this, like she was the only woman in the world. It made her believe he could see right through her, in turn though she was one of the few people who were allowed to get to see the real Aaron Hotchner - the man, not the agent.
Now she knew for sure leaving Aaron had been a mistake. Could she rectify it? Would he forgive her and give them another shot? Even a blind person was able to see how much he missed Jack, but what about her? Did he miss her too? Well, asking herself those questions wouldn't answer them, only Aaron could.
Jack was asleep, so the friend they were staying with wouldn't have any trouble with him. As she had expected, Sara readily agreed to watch over the young man. She shortly contemplated putting on make up, then decided against it. This would be a night of truth, she had to allow Aaron to see through her façade. Besides she knew there was no way she could deceive him, rouged or not.
Hailey picked up her keys after having thrown one last look into her son's room. The drive wasn't long, still every nerve in her body was tense, her normally pretty good driving turning into crap. She parked in front of Hotch's house, now hesitating to face the truth. Too many what if's haunted her. What if Aaron wouldn't be willing to try again? Would she be able to bear that? Right now she had at least the hope... A hope that could be dashed too easily.
It might have been she would have turned away now, would she have had a little more time. That she did not have though, for the calm of the night was disturbed by a sound she'd always dreaded: a shot! Before she knew it she had exited the car and was on her way to the door of her former home. It didn't cross her mind the shot might not have come from Aaron's house, instinctively she knew it had. Not concerned for her own safety she could only think: „Please not him... Please not. He can't be... be dead!" She almost fainted when she saw the man she loved lying on the floor bleeding. Her heart raced, in no time she was kneeling beside him, checking for a pulse. A little relieved when she found it, she called an ambulance. Next she fetched a towel, pressing it on the hard-bleeding wound with one hand, slipping the other one in Aaron's. Now while waiting she took the time to look at him closely, noticing how tired and worn out he looked. All because of her? Or because of his damned job?
Finally the paramedics arrived, quickly taking care of the FBI-agent. No one doubted her when she got in the ambulance behind them.
„How are his chances?" She barely recognised her own voice, it sounded so frail, so low...
One of the paramedics turned to her, concern in his face.
„Not good, Miss... We'll see more when we're at the hospital."
Hailey didn't correct him with „Miss", she remained quiet, her eyes fixed on Hotch.
A/N: So, now please: read and review!!!