Special Assignment

Summary: Of all the cases and assignments that ever came her way, he definitely likes this one the most.

Notes: Entry for "The Wedding Bells Challenge" at CCOAC. I chose Aaron Hotchner and got Erin Strauss assigned. For the prompts I chose "Gold wedding rings, wedding vows, the honeymoon". AU to Season 8, especially the last episodes. Dave and Erin are still together, and one fine day, they have a special assignment for one Aaron Hotchner.

Additional Note: Sorry for uploading it a couple of days too late, but my computer practically died on me. I'm still in the process of getting back everything *crosses fingers*, so the next chapter might take some time. I have the story plotted out, but I can't write it until I have Microsoft Office back up and running. Enjoy and review!

Prologue – The Assignment

It was an early Monday morning in April. Normally, Aaron Hotchner, SAIC with the BAU, wouldn't be seen at the office until 8.15, but "thanks" to a bulk of out-of-town cases, he was so behind on paperwork that he had to come in early to get at least a part of it done, preferably undisturbed. When he entered the bullpen at a few minutes to 6.45, most of the building was still shrouded in silence. Sure, he saw a couple of cars down in the garage, but none of them looked familiar. Walking up and entering his office, he couldn't help but groan when his sight fell on the stack of files, overtowering the space on his desk next to his computer. "Alright, Aaron", he said to himself, "time to get on your ass and some work done."

More than an hour later found Aaron feeling like drowning. Though he was known to be the one with the best mind next to Spencer within the team, he really had to think hard to remember everything for some cases. He was so engrossed in reading the report of one of his teammates that he didn't realize that he had been watched. At least not until said watcher cleared her throat.

"Chief Strauss, there's anything I can do for you?"

The woman made her way over from her place in the doorway to his desk, sitting down in one of the chairs. Right the minute when Aaron wanted to ask her if he should close the door, David Rossi strode in, closing said door.

"Dave…"

Aaron didn't come any further, since his elder colleague held up a hand as he took place in the second chair in front of Aaron's desk.

"There's a reason why I'm here too, Aaron. Just promise me that you will let us speak uninterrupted."

Aaron just nodded, suddenly feeling like the young boy who just got muted by his own father all over again. The profiler part of his brain couldn't help but to start working overtime. What was going on? Why would both Erin and Dave come to him, together nonetheless, for a private conversation? Sure, he had heard the office gossip of them being together again, but from own experience he knew that there was next to no truth within this gossip. With a short nod, he indicated them two to explain their presence.

"Aaron, you might have heard a rumor or two about me and Dave."

If he was surprised to hear Erin calling him by his first name, he didn't let it show.

"Maybe, but you", he looked at Dave, "should know me better to know that I don't really pay attention to rumors."

"Well, they are true. Dave and I are back together. And we will take it to the next level."

"Okay", this time Aaron looked from Dave to Erin and back, "since we are all adults here, I guess it's not about the physical level." He shuddered oh so slightly, as if to prevent the images and thoughts about his colleagues in certain situations from creeping in the back of his mind. Dave and Erin chuckled softly, which brought Aaron out of his reverie.

"No, Aaron, what Erin and I are talking about is marriage." Dave paused, taking in the response of his friend, which consisted of a pair of raised eyebrows and a twinkle in the dark brown eyes.

"Congratulations, but how do I fit in?"

"Didn't you promise not to interrupt us?" Erin had to bit her tongue upon seeing the light shade of crimson creeping up Aaron's neck.

"Guess I did. Okay, I shut up from here on." To drive his point home, Aaron leant back into his chair.

"Good. As we said, Dave and I are getting married. And we want you not only as the best man for Dave, but also as the one who's giving me away."

For several seconds (to Dave and Erin it felt like a little eternity), the office was dead silent, the soft humming of the computer's CPU the only sound.

"You're sure about that?" Dave was about to answer, but was stopped by one of Aaron's hand. "I'm not asking you, Dave. Given our "history", Erin, are you really sure?"

"Yes, Aaron, I am. All those years, I only saw you as a threat to my position, as the one who will drive all my efforts, my whole career in the ground. But then Foyet came, and step by step, I began to see the "real" Aaron Hotchner. The family man, the doting father, and most of all, the one agent who could keep the team of misfits this BAU team really is together. I apologize for being blind for so long, but if there's one thing I've learned over the last few years, it's that people can change, can forgive mistakes from the past. Please, Aaron…"

Aaron stopped her by getting up, walking around the desk and putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Erin, Dave, I would be honored to have such a pivotal part on your road to happiness."

This was all it took for both of them leaping out of their seats and embracing the younger man. What the trio didn't know was that a few meters away, in the conference room, one Penelope Garcia dabbed her eyes at the scenery playing out in front of her. She was the only one so far to know about the upcoming wedding, which already made her extremely happy, but seeing her boss embracing the woman who was his biggest enemy for so long, almost caused her heart to overflow with joy. Casting one last glance at the trio, she sashayed back to her lair. There was a wedding to be prepared after all.

Next: How to prepare a wedding when Penelope Garcia is your partner in crime...