Author's Note: Wow! I am overwhelmed by the responses that I've gotten for this story so far. Thank you so much! Special thanks to JJmyst, Andi, TVHollywoodDiva, Kimd33, Flames101, Lenika08, Cannybairn, SuzySorrowLess, IniTiniNini, happysunshine01, and pandorabox82 for the reviews! Keep 'em coming!

Chapter Two

"Hey, Hotch," JJ said, walking into his office early Monday morning. "I need you to sign off on these."

"Didn't you do anything, but work this weekend?" Hotch asked, glancing at the stack of files that she put on his desk.

JJ let out a mock indignant snort. "Of course, I did. I did laundry and cleaned up my fridge." She flashed him a grin. "Next weekend, I'm cleaning out the closets for Spring."

Hotch sighed. "You really should be…"

"Getting out there?" she suggested when his voice trailed off. She was unable to stop herself from rolling her eyes. "You're one to talk."

"I, as Rossi informs me daily, am a grumpy old man whereas you," he waved his hand up and down her, "are a beautiful, young woman and should be out there."

JJ blushed all the way to her roots at the idea that Hotch thought she was beautiful. "Yeah, well, I feel like a grumpy, old person. Besides, you're not exactly being put out to pasture quite yet." She was thrilled when he looked up and smiled at her, but noticed that his eyes quickly took on a saddened expression. "Hotch... is everything okay?"

He shrugged. "Everything's fine."

"You know that if you ever need to talk..."

"I know," he assured her. He attempted to give her a reassuring grin. "I'm just distracted thinking about what I have to do today. Jack has a doctor's appointment that I can't miss."

JJ paled slightly at this. "Is everything okay with Jack?"

He nodded, looking back down at the case in front of him. "Yeah, it's just routine, but I'm trying hard not to miss any of them."

"You're a good dad, Hotch," she said, softly.

"Thanks," he replied, but she had already turned and left his office.

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"Mr. Hotchner? The doctor will see you now. Just you," she emphasized when Hotch motioned for Jack to join him. "I'll keep an eye on Jack for you."

Hotch's curiosity was piqued. Dr. Roman had been Jack's pediatrician since Jack was just six months old, but in all of that time, Hotch could not recall an instance where he was sent to the doctor without Jack. After making sure that Jack was fine with the plan, Hotch followed the nurse into the doctor's office.

"Mr. Hotchner," Dr. Roman said, shaking Hotch's hand, "it's good to see you again."

"Dr. Roman," Hotch acknowledged. He sat down when the doctor gestured to him. "This is a bit unusual. Is everything okay?"

The older gentleman ran his hand through his white hair before leaning forward on his desk. "I was actually going to ask that myself. Jack just had his yearly visit a couple of months ago and you indicated that he isn't feeling sick. What brought you in today?"

Hotch sighed. "It's probably nothing."

"But?"

"But Jack's cousin's friend was doing a science experiment for school about blood types and used Jack as a sample." Hotch took a deep breath before continuing. "According to the test that he did, and granted this is a fourteen-year-old boy, that Jack's blood type is A. The problem is that I know for a fact that both Haley and I have, er, had blood type O."

Dr. Roman nodded, slowly, taking everything in. "And you're absolutely certain that Jack's mom had blood type O?"

Hotch shifted uncomfortably. "Yes."

"I have Jack's blood type in his file. I can look it up in a few keystrokes, but I want you to make sure that you really want to do this. Once you learn it, you can't unlearn it," Dr. Roman cautioned.

"I-" Hotch hesitated, thinking over the doctor's words. He debated the pros and cons of learning that Jack wasn't his son. He was certain that he wouldn't feel any different towards Jack, but a small voice nagged at him to let it go. Still, he knew it would wear at him until he knew the truth. "I have to know. What if Jack gets sick? Shouldn't we have as much information as we get in that case?"

Dr. Roman tilted his head in agreement. He studied Hotch for a few moments before turning to his computer. "Well, it appears that the test was correct. Jack's blood type is A."

Hotch felt his heart sink into his stomach. For the last few days, he had been holding onto the smallest hope that the test, given by a high schooler, had been wrong. His entire world was turned upside down and he felt as though he couldn't breathe. His face drained of all color and a cold sweat broke out across his forehead.

"Mr. Hotchner. Mr. Hotchner! Aaron!"

Hotch looked up at the sound of his first name to see Dr. Roman peering at him with concerned eyes. "Uh, sorry."

Dr. Roman gave a small shake of his head. "I understand that this has been a big shock."

"Yeah, you could say that." Hotch was unable to keep the sarcasm from his voice.

"I think we should run a paternity test. I understand that you say that Haley's blood type was O, but just in case you should happen to be wrong, we should check it out. If Haley's blood type was an A, then it's still possible that you could be Jack's biological father," Dr. Roman explained.

Rubbing his forehead in an attempt to stave off the on-coming headache, Hotch frowned. "What's involved in that?"

Dr. Roman relaxed slightly now that some of the color was returning to Hotch's face. "We just need to take a swab from your cheek and a swab from Jack's. We should get the results back in five to seven days."

"Okay," Hotch murmured. His stomach rolled and he was suddenly grateful that he had skipped lunch that day. He looked back at the doctor with conviction in his eyes. "I have to know. I have to know for certain whether Jack is mine biologically."

"I understand. Let's get Jack into one of the exam rooms and get this done." Dr. Roman stood. He placed his hand on Hotch's shoulder. "Everything is going to be fine. Just remember that no matter what the results, Jack is still your son."

A wave of fierce protection washed over him. "Yes, he is. Nothing is going to take him away from me."