Quality Time

Chapter 1: It's Been Awhile

A/N: okay, so here is what you may assume. It is now fifteen years into the future. Haley and Hotch are divorced. Gideon however, is still with BAU, he just easier to write vs. Joe Mantegna's character. For the sake of argument, all music and technology will be the same as it is today. Sorry, I can't read the future and talk about all the cool stuff coming out. Thus, is all I can give away for now. Enjoy!

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"It is a wise father that knows his own child" Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice

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Sixteen-year-old Jack Hotchner sat in the office holding an ice pack on the right side of his face. The collar of his white dress shirt from his catholic school uniform covered in dried blood. "Jack do you need a new ice pack?" The secretary asked.

Jack shook his head. He slightly winced. His face hurt. He had a black eye, busted lip, and his ribs hurt from being kicked so many times. "Excuse me, but Mrs. Swale, did you call my mom or dad?"

"I called your mother, she said that she was on her way."

Jack slightly relaxed. He was glad that Mrs. Swale only called his mom. If she had called his father, Jack would be dead. Jack was not close to his father at all. They only saw each other a few times a year: Christmas, Thanksgiving, birthday, and a couple of odd weekends throughout the year. The only other times he saw his father was when his was in serious trouble or won some award from school.

As the office door opened, Jack looked up to see his mother, Haley Hotchner. She had refused to change her last name for Jack's sake. She said; I want you to remember that you are a Hotchner. She wanted Jack to have some kind of connection to his father, but that was almost impossible. Jack looked at his mom and slightly smiled, but he dropped it. She was ticked off. Not that she shouldn't be, Jack had been in getting fights and all sorts of trouble lately.

Then Jack's worst nightmare came true. Standing behind his mother was Jack's father, Aaron Hotchner. They both looked at Jack. Jack turned his head to the side, avoiding eye contact with his parents. "Mr. and Ms. Hotchner, can you come into my office?" The principle, asked.

Br. Andrew was a tall man with a medium build. He had been the principle of St. Mathew High School for five years now. "Please sit down." Both Haley and Aaron sat down. "As you know, I have overlooked certain incidents that have previously happened. However, fighting in my school is not allowed. Jack is a good kid, but his behavior lately suggests that their maybe problems at home. Have there been any major changes at home lately?"

"No." Haley said automatically. Since she had left, Jack had been living with her.

"I see. I am sorry to do this, but I am suspending Jack for one week. He will not be able to participate in the track meets for the next two weekends."

"What about school assignments? Will he get behind?" Hotch asked.

"No, I have already arranged for Jack to have his assignments." Br. Andrews said.

"Thank you." Hailey said. "I promise this will not happen again."

"I hope that is so." Br. Andrews said.

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Jack stood up when his parents came out with Br. Andrews. He looked at his parents. They looked back at him. Haley took her hand and placed it on Jack's bruised cheek. "Well, the swelling isn't too bad." Hailey said. "Go get your books and bag, we're going home."

Jack nodded his head and silently went to his locker. He had received the assignment list from Br. Andrews earlier and looked it over. It was not as bas as he had thought. Jack took out all need books and stuffed them into his bag. He headed out to the parking lot, where his parent's were standing and arguing as usual.

Jack was used to his parents arguing. It was just as normal as people's need to breath. Jack shook his head. Can't they give it a break already? I swear it is never ending with them. Jack ran his hand through his little above shoulder length jet-black hair that he had clearly inherited from his father. He was tall, like his dad as well. However, he had his mom's eyes.

"Hi." Jack said after a few moments, breaking the argument and leaving them in silence. "Dad, it was nice to see you. Mom, could I have the keys so I can put my stuff in the car?"

"No."

"What?" Jack asked surprised.

"You know, what I cannot take this anymore. Young man, you are going to be spending the week with your father and staying out of trouble."

Okay, now that was really Jack's worst nightmare. He looked at his father, who looked at his mother surprised. "Mom, please do not make me stay with him."

"You make it sound like it torture." Hotch said as he looked at his son. "Haley, what happens when I have to leave for a case? I can't exactly leave Jack all alone."

"Figure it out." Haley said.

"Actually, I can be left alone. I'm not a baby, I know how to take care of myself." Jack said annoyed. "You know what, I have a better idea. Why don't I just go spend a couple of nights at CJ's or Ben's?" Jack suggested.

"Nope. Now, both of you stop whining."

"Mom, there is no way in hell you are dumping me with dad."

"Jack, watch your language and you are getting to spend a week with your father. You should be happy. You two can have some quality time together."

"Right. I'd prefer to be grounded." Jack said.

"You are already grounded for two weeks." Haley said

"Can I opt for a month? Two?"

"No." Haley went to the back of her car, pulled out a small black duffle bag, and handed it to Jack. "I'll see you at the end of the week. Have a fun time."

"I cannot believe you are dumping me like a bag of garbage." Jack said as he took his bag.

"Don't be dramatic. I am not dumping you. Why don't you go put your stuff in the car, while I speak with your father."

"Fine." Jack held out his hand for the keys.

Hotch gave them to him, but continued to look at Haley surprised. When Jack was a little away, Hotch spoke. "Haley, are you sure about this?"

"Aaron, do me a favor. Do not screw this up. He hardly knows you as it is. I'll pick Jack up on Friday." Haley said. Jack came back and looked at his mom. She gave him a hug. "I love you honey. Be good."

"Yeah, sure mom." Jack said. Then she let go of him and got in her car. She was driving away when the father and son looked at each other. Neither knew what to say, it had been so long since they had even had a real conversation. "I really wished I had a cigarette." Jack said.

Hotch looked at his son. "You smoke." He was not happy about this at all.

"Nope. I quit. That was clearly the wrong decision." Jack said. He was not thrilled at all of having to spend a whole week with his father. He was going to be so stressed out.

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The car ride had been painful. It was dead quiet. They did not know what to say to each other. They had never had a real conversation. Jack spent most of his time looking out the window. It was during the car ride that Hotch realized that he did not know his own child and that scared him. Haley's prediction had come true. He hated that.

"I need to stop at the office to pick up some stuff."

"Fine." Jack said. He took out his book and started to read it.

"You should come in. It's been awhile since you have seen everyone." Hotch said.

Jack looked at his dad as if he were insane. "I just had the crap beaten out me and you want me to go say hi to people who haven't seen since I was a little?"

"Watch your language."

"Sorry, do you want me to still come in?"

"It would be nice for everyone to see you, even if it's not under the best circumstances." Jack gave in and pulled the hood of his beige sweatshirt up. He avoided eye contact by looking at the floor as they entered the building.

"Hotch?" Gideon called as Hotch and Jack were walking up the steps to Hotch's office.

"I'll be in your office." Jack said. He proceeded to walk into Hotch's office.

Gideon walked up to Hotch and followed Jack with his eyes. "I thought you were just going to his school."

"I was. Haley threw a curve ball. I have Jack for the week."

Gideon nodded his head. "What happened?" Knowing there was more to the story.

"Jack was suspended for the week. He got in a fight at school." Hotch said with a tone of disappointment and annoyance.

"How bad is the damage?"

"Busted lip, black eye, probably bruises as well. He got beat up pretty well."

"Did he tell you what happened?"

"No, but we haven't talked."

Gideon knew that feeling too well. His own son hardly talked to him either. He patted Hotch's shoulder. "If you need anything, let me know."

"Jason, I have no idea of what to say to him. I didn't know until today that my son used to smoke. When he was younger, we went to the park for an afternoon, but I have never spent a whole week with him, since he was little. What am I supposed to say to him?"

"Start small and build your way up. Just try talking to him."

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Jack looked around his dad's office. It was very much a business office. It was cold and impersonal. There were awards on all of the walls The only personal things in the room were photos that were on the desk.

Jack looked at the photos that were on the desk. They were of him and his mom. One must have been taken before his mom left. His parents actually looked happy. It was not hard to believe. He knew deep down that his parents were still in love, but they could not be together anymore. The other photo was taken last year, when Jack got second at state at a track meet.

Jack looked at the books that were on the shelves. They were mostly books on law. It made sense since his dad used to be a lawyer. He was a lawyer before the BAU. Some other books were on the shelves, but nothing grabbed Jack's attention. Jack turned around when someone entered the office. "Sorry, I was just… You're not my dad."

"No, I'm not." Reid said. "You must be Jack."

"Yeah."

"Wow, you've grown up. I haven't seen you for awhile."

"Well, that really isn't a surprise since my parents are divorced. I'm sorry, but who are you?"

"Oh, I'm Dr. Spencer Reid." Reid put out a hand. Jack accepted it.

"Reid? Oh, you're the genius, no offense. It's just my dad talks about you sometimes." Once, when he was younger, Jack had asked his dad about the people he worked with.

"Oh, so how old are you now Jack?" Jack hated those types of questions. The ones that grown-ups only ask to be polite.

"I'm sixteen."

"Cool."

"I guess." Jack said noticing how uncomfortable Reid was with talking to him.

Reid would probably asked one of those overly polite questions again when Hotch and Gideon walked into the office. "Reid, I see you and Jack are getting reacquainted. Jack, you remember Uncle Jason."

"Yeah, hi Uncle Jason." Gideon had kept in contact with Haley and over the years, Jack had grown to know Gideon as an uncle. He was a still closer friend with Aaron, but he was always welcome to join the Hotchners for Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner.

"How are you doing Jack?"

Jack looked from Gideon to his dad and back again. "Dad didn't tell you. I was suspended from school for a week because I get in a fight. That is how I got the busted lip. Let's just say the other guy looks worse." Jack said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Did he mention that mom is having me stay with him because, apparently, I'm a trouble child?" Jack saw uncomfortable everyone was and liked it. He stood up and started to walk to the door. "I'll meet you outside dad. Dr. Reid, Uncle Jason it was nice to see you." Jack walked out of the office and down the steps.

"Do you see what I mean Jason?" Hotch said when Jack was near the elevator. "I'm clueless."

Gideon looked at Hotch. "Start small."