((A/N: I am NOT making money from anything I write with the characters from CBS' Criminal Minds. This is purely for fun. All characters belong to CBS and the show's producers except for the original characters, Dashelle (Dash) and the other random characters in the story. If you don't know them from the show then I own them. R/R appreciated and thanks for stopping by….))

REAP WHAT YOU SOW

1-

Everyone knows the tragic story about how FBI Behavioral Analysis Unit chief, Aaron Hotchner, lost his wife to serial killer, George "The Boston Reaper" Foyet. At least what the papers and TV news and investigative documents all printed and released.

But sometimes what happens even in the news isn't the …true…story.

It all started a little over 3 months before Hotch's wife, Haley, had left him due to the fact to her his job with the FBI meant more than being with her and their, at the time, one year old son, Jack.. But she had it all wrong. Hotch was devoted to his family, yes, but he was also devoted to his job because it meant that he was able to help the innocent people find justice and make the world just a bit safer for Jack as he grew up.

But there was also someone else in this picture. The 15 year old girl that lived across town from them named Dashelle Ramsey. Dash was an A student in high school and planned to graduate early so she could get a good start for Georgetown to pursue her idea of being a lawyer. She was well-liked in the neighborhood, friends with everyone and kind beyond fault. She gave of herself any way she could and when her mother heard Haley talking to someone at the salon one day about a babysitter, Dash's mom offered up Dash. Everyone in the salon knew the girl and vouched for her so Haley would take up the offer.

That Friday when Hotch came home after a long day of paperwork at the office, he first met the blonde and something in him…clicked. She was bright and funny and uncommonly sweet. Jack seemed to love her to death and she saw Hotch and Haley off for the night out and for the first time in a long time, they both actually were able to relax about leaving Jack with a sitter.

For the next three months, Dash became the little boy's permanent sitter even to the point where Haley found she trusted the girl implicitly and even let her pick Jack up from daycare while the missus did some shopping or spent time with friends.

Hotch found himself also never really worrying about his son, feeling that finally he'd found someone that he trusted to make sure the boy was safe. Of course, being in the BAU, he'd done a thorough background check on her and her family. She was living with her aunt across town just out of the city limits. But they were clean as even Aaron's own family. For that matter, maybe even cleaner. As he sat at his desk and stared out the window, he thought about how lately Haley seemed…distracted. Distant. He even sometimes found himself questioning if she hadn't been watching Jack closely enough. He loved Haley. After all, she was his wife…but still. Images creep in and every so often it's hard to fight them off. But with Dash around and knowing she was taking care of Jack, it didn't matter what Haley did with her "free time" any more.

A few more months went by and it seemed that Hotch was making it more of a habit to come home on time with the premise to "see his son" and frequently finding Haley NOT there, but Dash making dinner for Jack and even Hotch when he was able to make it. He was also fighting other emotions coming along that seemed to be picking up steam as he tried to push them aside. One was that he was beginning to care for Dash.

Not the normal "she's part of the family" caring…but something. Deeper. Something he was finding he was losing with his wife. As the days wore on it seemed that Haley also noticed and became more possessive of her family. It all came to a head one night when they'd gone to dinner with some friends and it was all the same. Dash was sitting with Jack. They went out but on the drive home, Hotch could feel the change in the air and knew this wasn't going to be even a "quiet" ride home which he realized that he was beginning to like more than actually having to listen to her.

As the car stopped at a red light, Hotch was trying to focus on the road. Haley was going on about the dinner and their friends, the Macks, and how she thought that Amanda had every right to say what she did to her husband.

"But there's a difference of trying to make him look like a fool in public rather than keep it at home and personal." Hotch said and before the last word left his lips he was damning himself. He knew he should have kept quiet.

Haley was quiet until the light changed to green and when the car started again, she said quietly, "Yes. But when he's so adamant to be an ass and destroy his marriage."

"I'm sure he didn't want to destroy his marriage, Haley. Sometimes we all make mistakes."

"Of course. And sleeping with your intern isn't a mistake." She said and Hotch could hear it. That underlying tone in her voice. He was screwed.

"Maybe we should talk about something else?" he tried.

"Yeah, maybe we should." She agreed and after a breath or two, she said, "I really think you should take that other job. The white collar that Strauss had offered."

He shot a look at her and couldn't stop the little smile. "You want me home every night for dinner…"

She stared at him and said in a curt voice. "Yes. Yes I do."

He was trying. "So that means more nights out…more fun. You really think we can handle all that?"

"I also think that we should get rid of Dash."

Hotch's heart stopped for a moment. "Wh-wait…what?"

"If you're going to be home at nights we don't need her to watch Jack. I'm sure I can get Jessica to do it. I'm sure Dash would be glad to have the time to do other things with kids her age."

"But she's also working to save money for college. And if you want those romantic nights out….we could at least help her." A look at his wife. "Rather than say, bother Jess or 'expect' her to just be available."

Haley snorted. "Jess will do it free. We can save the money."

Hotch didn't say anything at first…but his brain was racing. Dash was his only light in a dreary marriage and he knew if he defended her more then Haley would start making accusations. There WAS nothing going on…but he did adore the girl and her perseverance to support herself to get to college. He knew if he kept fighting Haley would go ballistic, but for some insane reason, this time Hotch wasn't about to let it go. "I think we'll keep employing Dash." He said in that manner he had.

Haley stared at him. "I'm not asking, Aaron." She said, more coldly. "This isn't negotiable."

"Haley…I rarely put my foot down on things. I know you think we could do better with Jessica watching Jack but Dash doesn't go out, she studies in every free minute she isn't in school. She's been responsible and very good and Jack loves her to death."

The icy cold in the car was nothing compared to the outside in the Virginia winter. "Why are you so positive about this?"

Hotch's eyes went back to the road and he swallowed. He'd faced killers capable of tearing him to shreds with just their hands. He'd faced perverts and people that had killed innocent children with less than a thought, not to mention family annihilators. But for some reason, the woman he'd loved more than life at one point was the one force right now that – if he'd been standing – would weaken him to the point of sitting down. "Because I…just don't want to cut the girl off. We're really the only ones she's working for all the time. And at a moment's notice she's always willing to come and watch Jack."

Haley's glare wasn't fading. "Or…?"

Hotch frowned and looked over at her as he stopped at the corner just before turning down their street. "What do you mean?"

"You're….You're having an AFFAIR with her, aren't you?!"

The mere thought wasn't what angered him more. It was the fact of her accusing him in "that" tone. "Be SERIOUS!" he said.

"I am! You've SLEEPING with her! AREN'T YOU? ADMIT IT! That's why you were so sympathetic with Jason tonight! It's not that it should have been 'private'! It's because YOU are doing the SAME damn thing! Oh my GOD, Aaron! What….WHY…?!"

Hotch pulled into the driveway of their house and turned off the engine. "Haley Ann! I don't know WHAT the hell's gotten into you, but NO. I am NOT sleeping with Dash. God KNOWS you've given me plenty of reason…but I have nothing but respect for the girl and with my JOB, I'd think you'd think I KNEW better than to commit a felony just because my WIFE is having issues with –"

She slapped him.

Not hard. Open handed. It stung but more surprised him. He grabbed her wrist in defense mode, and they stared at each other. He finally sighed. "Haley, listen. I don't know what's going on. I'm not sleeping with Dash. You have to believe me-"

A snarl back at him. "Oh like I believed you all those times you said you'd quit the BAU and didn't? All those times you SWORE you'd be home for this or that and you weren't? Right. And you wonder WHY I have 'issues'?!"

She jerked her arm away from him and stuck a finger in his chest. "Take. Her. Home. And tell her not to expect any more calls."

"Haley, please…" he said quietly.

"If you don't do it, Aaron. I will. And I won't be as nice as you want to be."

She opened the car door and got out, storming to the house and inside. Once inside, Haley snubbed Dash completely, going immediately upstairs to check on her son.

Dash blinked as she walked by, then a look at Hotch. "D-did I…?"

He shook his head and nodded at the door. "Come on. I'll take you home."

She gathered her coat and backpack and they left, Hotch opening the car door for her and letting her get in then going around to the driver's side and getting in as well.

"Was it something I did?" she asked finally when they were about halfway home.

Hotch sighed softly and shook his head. "No. I…she's just been having a rough time and you and I got caught up in the storm." He looked over at her with a small smile. "Don't worry."

They went on the rest of the way and Hotch pulled up into the driveway, turning off the engine. Dash looked over at him with a grin as she reached down to grab her backpack before opening the car door. "Thanks for the ride. See you next time?"

Hotch grabbed her hand. "Dash, wait…."

She stopped and the smile slowly faded. "What is it?"

Hotch didn't see any "easy" way out of it. "I…we…." SIGH. "Haley….said we don't need a sitter any more. She's going to be home more…and I told her I was going to try to get that nine to five in the white collar division."

A slight frown furrowed her brow. "You told me that that would be close to death. You don't want that."

"Sometimes it's not about what…ONE…person wants. But what two want."

"Soooooo ,,,"

"This….will be the last time we….need you."

Their eyes met and in that instant he hated himself. But hated Haley more. Sure, Dash was a teenager. In twenty years she wouldn't even remember them or him. Maybe that was what hurt him more. He reached over with his free hand to cup her face and a thumb brushed her cheek.

"We'll see each other around, though, right?" she asked in a broken mumble.

Okay how the hell was he supposed to answer THAT one? Sigh. "M-maybe…"

Dash tried not to show she was upset. Most of all she tried to hide those feelings she'd been having for him all these months herself. But she was failing and she didn't want him to catch on.

But the best profiler in the FBI saw it all too clear. And he didn't want to show he knew but the electricity between them was….

In that moment, Dash knew she had nothing to lose and she leaned forward and pressed her lips so softly to his not expecting the reaction she got from him. Rather than pull away and condemn her for such a move after what he'd just told her…Hotch's left hand slipped behind the girl's neck, holding her in the kiss another minute before he'd let her go.

Dash studied his brown eyes…and saw it there. Saw the hurt, pain and the hopelessness. She gave him another brush of lips against his before she got out of the car and headed into the house. Hotch started the car…the taste of her still on his lips as he backed out of the driveway and headed home. Dash peered through the curtains watching him….and plotting.

No one would get away with make him feel like this.

No matter what she had to do…

TBC