Morgan looked across at his boss. Hotch was staring out the window, as he had done for all of the journey home, apart from when he took time to look down at his hands. Morgan wondered if he was looking at his hands for Kate's blood from when he was plugging the wounds or looking for her hand that made the cold in his hands.

Morgan wished he could do something for Hotch. He knew how much he had cared about Kate and he used that against him. And the fact that a friend of Kate's had taken their daughter, Lara, back to England to Kate's parents before Hotch had a chance to even say good-bye was the final straw. Morgan would never have known about this little girl had he not seen Hotch, Kate and the little girl together in a diner. The little girl had her arms wrapped around Hotch. As they drove out of New York, Morgan asked Hotch about her. Too tired to think of an answer, Hotch told him the truth: he and Hailey had been separated, Gideon sent him on a case that would take a while, he met Kate, they had a relationship and had a beautiful little girl who had grown up to have Kate's accent, but Hotch's eyes, and cheeks and nose.

Hotch's eye's grew as he and Morgan neared his house. Morgan eyed him curiously. As he pulled to a stop he said, "You want me to come in?"

"No, I can manage… Thank you, Derek…" He quickly grabbed his bag and hurried into the house. He dropped his bag on the floor, and ran into all the downstairs rooms before tackling the stairs, three at a time. He slowed as he approached his bedroom. There she stood by the window. She turned and smiled, walking over to him. He quickened his steps and soon she was securely in his arms, lips locked. "Kate…" he said, when they finally pulled away.

"Don't speak."

"You were dead, I saw you. I held your hand… I tried to stop your bleeding from your back-"

"Aaron, please don't… We'll talk in the morning."

They did talk in the morning, about everything except what had happened over the last few days. They talked about their daughter and the regrets they had over the years wasted apart.

For over a week they didn't have to leave the house. Hotch stroked her hair one afternoon. They were in their silence, just alone with each other. "When will we get Lara back?" he asked, kissing her nose.

Kate looked up at him. The happiness that had been in her eyes darkened. "Aaron… we're not."

"What are you talking about? All that has to be in the world is you, me, and Lara."

Kate tightened her grip on him. "…Aaron…" She glanced outside. Hotch followed her gaze. The sun that had previously been shining was now darkened by clouds. He followed her gaze to the floor where their clothes were no where to be seen. "Aaron, I have to go…"

He looked down, and saw that he was wearing the same suit he had been wearing the week before. He took a deep breath as reality hit and tears came to his eyes. "This isn't real, is it?" The tears grew worse as he spoke those words.

Kate shook her head. "No… I'm sorry." She wiped away the single tear that he had let escape him.

"You are really dead?" She nodded. "So this is…?"

"You holding on to me… not wanting to let me go… Aaron, you have to let me go…"

"No… No… I'll just hold onto you… or, or…"

"You can't… That's why Lara's not with you. So you be holding onto me… As long as you are I'll always be here and I can't be here… I'm sorry."

Hotch had been oblivious to the doorbell ringing, but was not oblivious to the blonde communications liaison's voice that was down the hall.

He looked down, but he was alone in the room. He suddenly heard JJ's voice in the room with him. "Hotch…" she said quietly. Hotch turned and swung his legs over the bed, to dry his eyes.

"I'll be down in a minute."

JJ hesitated before leaving. He looked down at his clothes and slowly changed, throwing them on the bed.

He slowly made his way downstairs. He took in the mess his house was in: empty Chinese take-away cartons and pizza boxes strew around the living room, he bag and jacket on the floor. He covered his face with his hands.

"Hey… we've been trying to reach you… what you been doin'?" Morgan asked.

"I've been busy…"

"Yeah… you're gonna need some different food… I'm gonna raid your kitchen…" JJ said already making her way in there.

"JJ," he began but Morgan held up his hand.

"Don't Hotch… We're taking care of you for a while…"

Hotch had no choice but to let them. He grabbed his cell. "I'll be right back." He found the number he wanted. "Hello?" came a greeting.

"Sean, it's Aaron…" He took a deep breath and willed his tears back. "I really need someone, Sean."