A/N: Sequel time. Just like with The Least You Deserve, I was going to wait to start on the sequel, but I decided to just get started while I was working on several projects. Enjoy.

Disclaimer: No, don't own either Criminal Minds or Naruto

"So you'll be back in the next few hours?" Hotch asked over the phone as he stepped into his apartment, toeing off his shoes and walking to his hall closet.

"Mhmm," Hinata's voice was nearly drowned out by the sound of the train in the background, "New York w-was fun, but..."

"I miss you too," Hotch finished as he opened the closet, removed a box on the shelf that was hiding his safe, "I'll pick you up from the train station and take you out for dinner."

"N-No, just b-bring me to your place," she said. That was when Hotch could hear how tired she must have felt.

"All right, but we're at least picking up take out," Hotch said as he pushed in a few numbers, watched the safe open, and then placed his two guns and badge in.

Hinata giggled, making Hotch smile even more. She had gone to New York for a three-day weekend to visit younger sister. The thought literally made Hotch think of his younger brother Sean in the same city. He had actually wanted to go with Hinata to hopefully see how his younger brother was doing- especially after having no contact with him ever since Sean decided to move to New York- but pulled back by Strauss, again. Hotch swore that woman was the devil in disguise.

"So are you up for Chinese or maybe Thai?" Hotch asked as he closed the safe door and headed for his bedroom, a shower and more casual clothes calling out for him.

"Mhmm, doesn't matter," she answered, her lack of stammers showing she was definitely tired.

"Maybe I should get take-out and put to bed," Hotch commented. Hinata stammered out an apology, "Don't, you're tired, and I can clearly hear it. Besides," Hotch smirked as he placed his briefcase in his bedroom closet and loosened his tie, "I enjoy tucking you in."

Hinata only sighed, and Hotch could imagine her rolling her eyes under her fatigued influence. Hotch was tempted to say something to perhaps bring back that bashful side of her, but he preferred to do such in person. The transition was just adorable- he sounded like a teenager in high school when he recited that in his head.

"Look, call me when you're getting close to your stop, and I'll be right there to pick you up," Hotch instructed as his tie was finally undone, and he pulled it from around his neck, "I love you."

"Love you too," Hotch could hear the smile in her tone before hanging up. Quickly placing his briefcase in his closet and shutting the door, Hotch grabbed a pair of jeans and a gray polo from his dresser and then headed for the shower.

The day was boring with only paperwork and consultations, but Hotch still enjoyed the spray of the hot water over his muscles. It was as if the water was washing away the problems and pain that came with his job and personal life.

Running his fingers through his dampening hair, Hotch thought about how things went for the past month. The Reaper case was still fresh in his mind, and Hotch found himself having nightmares. George Foyet coming in, a twisted smirk on his lips, an arm tightened around Hinata's midsection, and a knife up to her throat and her eyes wide in terror. His voice rung in Hotch's ear, mocking him, telling him that he should have taken the deal. And then the knife would go through her pale skin and soon blood would blast out. Hotch, who was just frozen there, jumped and caught her in his arms. Panic would rise as he begged her to hold on, to keep looking at him. Instead tears were in her lavender eyes, fear and even hatred in her pupils. Hotch knew who that hatred directed towards, and that's what scared him more as he saw the life drain from those beautiful eyes. All Hotch could only do was keep saying he was sorry, that he loved her.

Hotch's voice was caught in his throat at the very thought, his nails digging into his wash cloth. The first night he had that nightmare was a week after his team had returned from Boston. During his marriage with Hailey, Hotch had learned to keep his body under control after a bad dream, but it seemed to have went out the window as he bolted upwards almost violently, accidentally pushing Hinata off his chest and nearly to the floor. His body was shaking with terror, tears were pouring from his brown eyes, and all he could say was that he was sorry. Hotch's panic attack was barely contained by Hinata who was holding his face in her hands, begging him to look at her. When that didn't work, Hotch felt a rather firm slap across the face.'

"Aaron," Hinata's tone was low with fear as she wiped his tears away and gave him a chaste kiss on his lips.

"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry," he kept saying against those lips before pulling her into a deeper kiss, his hands circling around her, committing every touch to memory.

"You don't have to say sorry," she said when she managed to pull her lips away from his, and dove back in for another kiss. The lovemaking wasn't romantic like their first time, but it was passionate; and Hotch couldn't stop saying he loved her.

"I love you too," she responded when the session finally ended, and Hotch was tight in her arms.

The nightmares still came, but Hotch had managed to control his reactions a bit better. Hinata asked what happened, and all Hotch could say was that there was a former case that was still hitting him hard. It wasn't long before Hinata herself had found about George Foyet's escape, and she only reassured him that she was there.

The water was running cold, so Hotch took that as his cue to get out. He dried himself off, got dressed, and checked his phone. No calls. He past the time by doing the extra paperwork he usually brings home. He was close to finishing when he heard his phone go off and smiled when he saw the name.

"I'm on my way, now," Hotch said after he pushed the call button and instantly went to grab his keys.

"Good," she was definitely tired. Hotch put on his shoes, grabbed his jacket, turned off the lights, and made sure the door was locked when he stepped out.

The weather was getting cooler, the true sign of the fall. Hinata's was birthday in over a month, and Hotch was already planning on what to do for her. David had simply suggested just asking her to move in with him- "Hotch, the look on your face shows she probably spends more time at your place than hers. Just make it official". In a not so friendly way, Hailey brought up the same thing. She was getting on the right track to actually accepting Hinata as a big part of Hotch's life, but Hailey was still cautious about the age and her motives- "Expect to try to accept it, Aaron, but don't ask me to like her".

As much as Hotch wanted to ask Hinata to move in with him- he was confident that she would say yes- Hotch was still weary of the fact that Hinata had a roommate that was loose-lipped, and he didn't want her to deal with people crowding her over her growing relationship with an older man. For now, he was okay with her sleeping over his place; and occasionally him sleeping at hers if the situation called for it.

Driving to the train station, Hotch thought about perhaps a romantic day together. Maybe a small party at the lake they found. It had been a long time since the two had went there, and even Jack was asking when they were going to visit it again- Hailey's disapproving glare focused on him at the moment. Besides, the team hadn't seen it themselves, and they were in much need of something serene instead of something gruesome. He just prayed Derek or David used it for their own- Aaron cleared his throat- desires.

The train station wasn't crowded when Hotch arrived and he was quick to get inside just as he heard one train speeding away. Hotch reached the platform and smiled when he saw the familiar brown jacket Hinata wore when she left a few days ago. Her eyes were clearly struggling to say open as she stood, and her hair was held in a loose braid- something Hotch liked. She barely noticed Hotch until he pulled her into his chest, grabbing her bag as he went.

"Welcome home," he whispers, giving a gentle kiss on her hair.

"Not home yet," she said, her hand landed on its favorite place over his chest, "Take me."

Hotch chuckled, coaxing her into lifting her head so he can give her a quick kiss, "As you wish."

A/N: Alright, let me hear what you have to say.