Disclaimer: I don't own Criminal Minds.

It's been a long time since I wrote anything in the Criminal Minds fandom but I've been bitten by the bug, it would seem. This is set when Jack is about five, which means it's likely around the end of Season 5/beginning of Season 6 (but before JJ left). I have no idea where this idea came from but I had to write something and this is what happened, more or less. I hope you enjoy it!

"Daddy?"

Aaron Hotchner turned around from the open files on the kitchen table. The team had just returned from a week-long case in Byron Center, a small Michigan town, and he was behind on paperwork.

"Jack, you should be asleep. It's way past your bedtime."

"I don't feel good."

Aaron frowned.

"What's wrong?"

"My tummy hurts."

To prove his point, Jack's arms snaked around his stomach.

"Do you want something to drink?" Aaron asked. "Some warm milk, maybe?"

Jack nodded.

"Alright, go back to bed and I'll be there in a minute."

Jack went down the hall again and Aaron stood up. He warmed the milk and took the plastic cup into Jack's room.

"Here you go, buddy," he murmured, watching Jack take a few sips before giving the cup back. "No more?"

Jack shook his head and Aaron placed the cup on the bedside table.

"Try to go to sleep," Aaron said, pulling the quilt up around his five-year-old son. "Your tummy will feel better in the morning."

Aaron leaned down to kiss his son's forehead, frowning when he pulled away. He made note of the warm skin and left the room. He got as far as the door before Jack spoke again.

"Can you leave it open a little bit?"

Aaron smiled.

"Sure."

The door left ajar, Aaron went back to the kitchen table and tried to resume working but his focus was gone. He was worried about Jack, though he knew that he had no real reason to be. Kids got sick; it was a simple fact of life. It was probably something he picked up at kindergarten, which likely meant it was nothing serious. Even so, Hotch was concerned. He'd seen his fair share of hospitals and injuries but he wasn't well versed in the art of nursing the sick. Jessica normally took care of Jack but she had just left for a two week vacation that had been booked for almost a year and the BAU agent and lawyer knew the responsibility was on him to make sure Jack was alright.

Deciding it was futile to work anymore, Aaron packed his briefcase and turned the light out. He checked on Jack and climbed into his own bed. Despite having a long day, it took Aaron a long time to fall asleep.

Aaron woke up at 6:30, as he usually did. He showered and dressed and when he was ready, went to Jack's room. His son was still asleep and Aaron sat on the edge of the bed.

"Jack," he whispered, shaking the tiny shoulder. "Jack, it's time to wake up."

Jack groaned and rolled over, which he did every morning. Aaron chuckled.

"Come on, buddy. You'll be late for school."

"I don't want to go to school, Daddy."

Aaron frowned.

"But you love school. Today is Show and Tell, remember? You were going to bring that magic trick Mr. Reid gave you."

"I don't wanna."

"Why not?"

"I don't feel good."

Jack finally turned over and Aaron saw that his son certainly didn't look well. His cheeks were flushed and his eyes bright and glassy. Immediately, Aaron's hand rested upon the small forehead.

"Does your tummy still hurt?"

Jack nodded.

"Alright," Aaron said with a sigh. "No school today."

"J.J., I don't know what to do," Aaron said into his phone half an hour later. "Jessica is away."

J.J., who was in her office, raised an eyebrow.

"You take a sick day, Hotch. We can manage one day without you."

"But I'm not sick."

"Fine, take a personal day." J.J. replied. "You know what I mean."

Aaron sighed.

"Hotch …" J.J. hesitated. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine." Hotch answered immediately.

"Are you sure?" J.J. replied. "Because I'm sure you didn't call me to ask if it was alright to take a day off to stay with your sick son."

Aaron sighed again. Sometimes he hated working with profilers because they saw things he didn't want them to see.

"I'm worried about him." Aaron admitted and J.J. smiled.

"Of course you are," she replied. "It's normal. When Henry had his first fever, Will and I were ready to take him to the emergency room we were so worried."

Hotch smiled.

"How do you get over it?"

"You don't. You just do your best to take care of him and recognize that unless you want Jack living in a bubble, there is nothing you can do to stop him from getting sick once and awhile."

Hotch sighed.

"What I've done doesn't feel like enough."

"Does he have a fever?"

"Yeah, one hundred and one," Hotch replied, glancing at the thermometer, which was still in his hand.

"Have you given him medicine?"

"Some Children's Tylenol."

"What about breakfast?"

"I tried but he won't eat. All he managed was some orange juice before falling asleep again."

J.J. smiled.

"You have nothing to worry about, Hotch."

Aaron frowned.

"What do you mean?"

"You know how to take care of Jack. You've already done everything you can."

"It doesn't feel like enough." Aaron repeated.

"It never does," J.J. said sympathetically. "But it will be."

Outside her window, Rossi signalled her.

"Hotch? I've got to go but call me if you have any problems, alright?"

"Alright. Bye, J.J."

"Bye."

J.J. hung up the phone and went into the hallway.

"What's up?" she asked the agent.

"Do you know where Hotch is? He and I have a meeting to brief Strauss about the case."

"I was just talking to him," J.J. replied. "Jack is sick so Hotch is taking a personal day. I can do the briefing with you."

Aaron hung up the phone and sighed. Parenting was never easy but it was these moments that got to him the most. He hated not being able to magically make everything all better for his son. Haley always had that magic touch when Jack felt sick – even just a simple tummy ache, Haley always knew how to make it better. Aaron felt the ache deep inside him as he longed for Haley's wisdom and guidance on what to do for their son.

"Daddy?" Jack's voice drifted down the hall.

"Yes?" Aaron left the thermometer next to his phone and went down the hall.

"My tummy hurts," Jack whimpered. Acting purely on instinct, Aaron took his son to the bathroom and not five minute later, Jack threw up.

"It's okay, buddy," Aaron soothed, rocking Jack in his lap. Tears were streaming down his son's face and Aaron reached for a washcloth to wipe them away.

"Does your tummy feel better?"

"No." Jack replied miserably.

"Alright, one second."

Aaron left the bathroom and returned with Jack's pillow, blanket, and a stack of books. He leaned against the wall nearest the toilet, settled Jack on his lap, and began to read.

The day went by quickly for the members of the BAU and it was almost five o'clock when J.J. found a moment to call Hotch.

"What do you have, J.J.?"

"We're not on a case, Hotch. You could just say hello."

Aaron glanced at Jack before leaving his son's room.

"Sorry," he said. "Force of habit. What's up?"

"I just wanted to see how you two are holding up."

Aaron cradled the phone with one hand and poured a strong cup of black coffee with the other.

"We've had better days."

"How's Jack?"

"Miserable," Hotch answered. "He's been vomiting most of the day."

"Stomach flu?"

"Yeah."

"I'm sorry," J.J. said. "That is miserable, for you and for him."

"I think we've read every book on his bookshelf at least twice." Hotch replied "I managed to get some more medicine into him and it lasted long enough to take effect. He's sleeping now."

"Good," said J.J. "Has he eaten anything?"

"Nothing," Aaron answered, his own stomach growling at the mention of food. "I kept forcing water on him but it hasn't done much for the fever."

J.J. frowned.

"Have you called the doctor?"

"Not yet," Aaron said, opening the fridge. "I'll call tomorrow if he's still vomiting."

J.J. nodded despite Hotch not being able to see her.

"Do you need anything?"

As she was saying this, Hotch realized that there was next to no food in the fridge. He'd been planning on going to the grocery store that afternoon on his way home from work. He sighed, closing the fridge.

"Hotch?"

"Sorry, what did you say?"

"Is there anything you need?"

"No, thanks."

"Are you sure? You sighed."

Aaron pinched the bridge of his nose – another moment to hate having profilers as coworkers.

"I just remembered I need to get groceries," Hotch said. "I meant to do it this afternoon."

"What do you need?" J.J. asked.

"J.J.," Hotch said with a sigh. "You don't need to do my groceries. I'll order them online and they'll be delivered tonight."

"Not at this hour," J.J. insisted. "What do you need? It's on my way."

"No, it's not."

J.J. rolled her eyes.

"It's on someone's way. What do you need?"

Aaron, sensing his blonde co-worker was not going to let this go, sighed.

"The basics are fine for now. Break, milk, juice, eggs."

"What does Jack like to eat when he's sick? Soup? Crackers?"

"I don't know." Aaron said. "He hasn't been this sick since Haley died."

"Well, we'll pick up some soup and crackers just in case. What about fruit, what does he like?"

"Carrots and cucumbers."

"Got it." J.J. said, adding them to the list. "Anything else? Medicine?"

"I just opened a new bottle of medicine so that should be all," Aaron replied. "Thank you, J.J. I really appreciate it."

Having profilers as co-workers could be trying sometimes but there were also times when it paid off and now was definitely one of those times. J.J. smiled on the other end of the line.

"No problem. One of use will be by with groceries soon. In case it's not me, try and have a good night. Get some sleep."

"I'll try," Hotch replied. "Bye, J.J."

He hung up the phone and sighed deeply. Setting his mug on the coffee table, Aaron stretched out on the sofa and was asleep within minutes.

J.J. left her office, her list in hand, and walked towards the team. They were done work for the day but were still socializing around Reid's desk. Morgan glanced at her as she approached.

"How's Jack?"

J.J. didn't even bother to ask how he'd known she was calling Hotch.

"Miserable," J.J. replied. "He's got the stomach flu."

"Poor kid," Rossi muttered.

"How's Hotch?" Prentiss asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Hanging in there," said J.J. "He sounded tired on the phone."

She held up the grocery list.

"He was planning on going to the grocery store this afternoon but never made it. Does anyone mind picking up a few things?"

"I'll go," Morgan volunteered, taking the list from J.J.

"Mind if I tag along?" Garcia asked and Morgan smiled at her.

"'Course not, Baby Girl."

"Great, just let me lock up the office and I'll be ready to go."

Garcia walked away and the group slowly dispersed to various desks to turn off computers, lamps, and pack their bags.

"Are you sure Hotch is alright?" Emily asked J.J., who sighed.

"I'm not sure. He mentioned this is the first time Jack has been this sick since Haley died. He didn't know what Jack would want to eat."

Emily frowned.

"But," J.J. continued. "He did know what fruit Jack liked … I don't know. Maybe I'm reading too much into it but I think Hotch is a little insecure in taking care of Jack when he's so sick."

"It's understandable," Prentiss replied, zipping her purse.

"Is it?" J.J. asked. "Jack is five, it's not like Hotch has never taken care of his son before."

"He probably hasn't," Emily pointed out. "Not like this, anyways. Until now, Haley or Jessica has always been there to take care of Jack if he got sick. Hotch probably feels a little bit like a new parent trying to navigate taking care of his son, even if he is five years old already."

J.J. nodded.

"I suppose. Speaking of children," she said, glancing at her watch. "I'd better get going. Henry and Will are waiting on me for dinner. See you tomorrow, Emily."

"Have a good night."

"Alright," Morgan said, standing in the check-out line. "Milk, bread, eggs, juice, crackers, soup, carrots, cucumbers … Princess, what's all that?"

Morgan looked at the various items on the conveyer belt that were not on the list.

"Supplies," Garcia said. "Don't you remember being sick as a kid?"

"No." Derek replied as the line inched forward.

"Oh, come on," Garcia exclaimed. "Popsicles? Bendy straws?"

"Nope," Morgan replied.

"You never got a bendy straw when you were sick?" Garcia sounded as though she couldn't believe someone's childhood could be complete without a bendy straw.

"I was lucky if I got to stay home from school when I was sick," Derek replied. "Much less get a bendy straw."

"Oh, Derek."

Garcia looked crushed but Morgan smiled at her.

"It's alright, Garcia. I'm just pulling your leg. I'm sure Jack will love them."

Garcia frowned at Derek, though they both knew she couldn't stay mad at him for long. Together they bagged the groceries and carried them to the car. Derek drove through the dark streets and parked in front of the building.

He and Garcia stood in the hallway, waiting for Hotch to open the door after they knocked but there was no answer. They exchanged a look and Derek tried again.

"It's open!" a faint voice called from inside and Derek cautiously tried the knob. Sure enough, the door swung open.

"Hotch? Is everything alright?" Derek called, reaching for his gun. For Aaron Hotchner to leave his door unlocked was unheard of. The truth was that Hotch knew a member of his team was coming but Jack had called for him. With a tired sigh, Aaron had undone the lock before hurrying down the hall, which was where he still was.

"Fine … well, sort of. We're in the bathroom." Hotch's voice carried down the hall, as did the sound of Jack throwing up.

"Poor Jack," Garcia said, closing the door behind them. She took her grocery bag to the kitchen while Derek slid the chain into the lock.

"Sounds rough," Derek agreed, setting his bag on the table. Garcia busied herself with putting the groceries away and Derek went down the hall. He peered into the bathroom and saw Jack curled up on Hotch's lap.

"Hey, little man," he said, smiling. Jack buried his face in his father's shirt. "How're you feeling?"

"Sick." Jack whispered, rubbing his eyes.

"Do you think you can go back to bed now?" Aaron asked and Jack nodded uncertainly.

"Okay," Hotch stood and Jack laid his head on Aaron's shoulder.

"I'll be right there," Hotch said to Morgan, who nodded. He went back to the kitchen and found Garcia making smoothies.

"What are you doing?"

"Making them dinner," Garcia said. "There's enough for you to have one, too."

"Baby Girl, I don't think Jack will want anything to eat. He just threw up."

"Oh, but I haven't talked to him yet. After I visit him, he'll have finished the whole thing."

"No way." Derek shook his head, amused.

"Yes," Garcia argued back. "I have the magic touch."

"Since when have you been able to get sick kids to eat?"

"It's a piece of cake, if you know how."

"And you do? Know how, I mean?"

"Of course I do. What don't I know?" Garcia teased with a raised eyebrow.

"Fine," Derek said. "Ten bucks says you can't get Jack to finish a smoothie."

"You're on." Garcia said as Hotch came into the kitchen.

"How is he?" Morgan asked, the smiling falling from his face. Hotch fell into the nearest kitchen chair.

"Like he said, sick."

"Here, Sir, have a smoothie." Garcia set a glass down, out of which poked a blue bendy straw.

"No, thanks, Garcia, I - "

"Sir, you need to eat. You've been with Jack all day and this will make sure you stay properly nourished."

Hotch sighed and took a sip of the smoothie, mostly just to make the lab tech happy.

"Do you mind if I go see Jack?" Garcia asked. "I made him one, too."

"You can try," Aaron said. "But he hasn't eaten a thing all day."

Garcia didn't seem deterred by this and took another smoothie – and a handful of straws – down the hall. Morgan shook his head but took the smoothie Garcia had made him and sat across from Hotch.

"Hanging in there?" he asked, slurping through his pink straw. Hotch used the straw to stir the smoothie before taking another sip.

"Barely," he said. "I'm worried about him. He hasn't eaten, can't keep any liquids or medicine down, the fever won't break …"

His voice trailed off.

"He'll be alright, Hotch. It's a simple case of stomach flu."

"I hope that's all it is."

"Come on," Derek said. "When was the last time you had the stomach flu? I'm sure you never felt like eating, either. It doesn't last long and I'm sure he'll be back to his normal self soon."

"I hope so," Hotch replied. "I hate seeing him like this."

"If it makes you feel better, Garcia is sure she can get Jack to eat his smoothie."

"Eating it isn't necessarily the hard part." Hotch said, raising an eyebrow. "Keeping it down is."

Garcia knocked on Jack's door.

"Hi, Jack," she whispered. "Can I come in?"

Jack nodded and Garcia sat on the edge of the bed.
"I brought you something," she said, holding out the smoothie. Jack shook his head and Garcia smiled sympathetically.

"Your daddy told me your tummy has been really sore all day. I don't blame you for not wanting to eat. But," she said, a twinkle in her eye, "I brought something that will make it fun."

"What?"

Garcia held up the straws.

"These," she said. "We'll make a game of it," Garcia continued. "First, you put one straw in and take a sip. Then you put another straw in and take another sip. We'll see how many straws we can fit in the cup, alright?"

Jack looked unsure.

"My record is ten," Garcia said mischievously. "Do you think you can beat that?"

Jack shrugged.

"Well, there's only one way to find out," Garcia said with a smile. "What colour do you want first?"

She held out all the straws to Jack and he picked a blue one.

"Good choice," Garcia said, holding the smoothie out. Jack put the straw in.

"One sip." Garcia instructed and Jack did as he was told. "Good job. What colour is next?"

The game progressed and Jack became so focused on getting more and more straws, he didn't realize that all the small sips were slowly draining the cup.

"I think this'll be the last one," Garcia said. "What colour?"

"Purple."

"Excellent." Garcia added the purple straw to the cup and Jack put all the ends in his mouth, taking a final sip. It made a slurping noise, evidence that the smoothie was gone.

"How many straws did you get?" Garcia asked, taking the cup. "I bet you can count them all. Your daddy says you know your numbers."

Jack nodded and counted the straws.

"Twelve!" he exclaimed. "I beat you!"

"Wow, great job! High five!"

Jack gave Garcia a high five, smiling.

"So, what do you think about a nap?" Garcia asked, knowing the next priority was to make Jack forget the fact he just ate a smoothie and the best way to do that would be to go to sleep. "I bet you're pretty tired after that game."

Jack nodded and Garcia tucked him in, taking the cup with her.

"Call if you need anything," she said, winking at him.

Triumphantly, Garcia went into the kitchen and placed the empty cup on the table in front of Morgan.

"What did I tell you?" she said, smiling.

"No way," Morgan said, tipping the cup towards him to make sure it was empty. "Baby Girl, you really are a miracle worker."

"That I am," she said, happily accepting the ten dollar bill Morgan handed her. Hotch looked at her.

"How did you get him to eat all of that? I've been trying all day to get him to eat."

"It's all about how you present it," Garcia replied, sitting down. "If you tell Jack he needs to eat, he won't want to because eating is associated with food, which he'll just throw up again. But if you tell him he's playing a game, he won't realize that he's actually eating. It takes a while but every little sip eventually results in an empty cup."

Hotch smiled.

"Well done," he said. "What's he doing now?"

"Hopefully going to sleep," Garcia replied. "You should do the same, Sir. You look exhausted."

Aaron nodded.

"I am. Thanks again for picking up the groceries."

"No problem, Hotch." Morgan said, standing. "I hope Jack feels better in the morning."

Aaron nodded.

"How much do I owe you?"

"We'll sort it out later," Morgan replied. "For now, just go to bed."

Aaron didn't bother arguing and walked with the agent and lab tech to the door.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he said.

"Maybe," Garcia amended.

"Maybe," Hotch replied, smiling. "Good night."

"'Night."

"Good night, Sir."

Hotch locked the door after Morgan and Garcia left and walked down the hall. Jack was, thankfully, sleeping and unlike the night before, Aaron fell asleep almost as soon as his head hit the pillow.

I'm not sure how grand this story will become. I have elaborate plans but linking them together could prove challenging but there will be at least one more chapter and we'll see how it goes from there. I'll try and update ASAP but I'm moving halfway around the world in two weeks so paper work and packing is pretty much my life these days.

Please review – your comments mean so much to me!