Things We Don't Know Chapter 2: Stand, a criminal minds fanfic

A/N: Thanks for the reviews for the first chapter… I'm glad that you guys like it so far… Now don't forget I'm going to try to do this story to all song title prompts… It should be interesting to see if I can pull it off… Enjoy!!!

Disclaimer: I don't own CM or the song Stand.

Song Title Prompt: Stand – Rascal Flatts

You feel like a candle in a hurricane
Just like a picture with a broken frame
Alone and helpless like you've lost your fight
But you'll be alright
You'll be alright

Hotch pulled up in front of JJ's house and sat in his car for a few minutes. He wasn't sure if this was a wise idea but he felt like he needed to talk to Prentiss. He got out of his car and then got Jack out and took some deep breaths as he walked up to JJ's front door and raised his hand and knocked on the door. He held his breath as he heard someone undoing the locks on the door and then it was opened and he was looking into the brown eyes that Prentiss had.

"Hotch what are you doing here? Are you alright? Come on in." Emily said.

Hotch stepped inside when Emily moved back and then once he was ahead of her she shut and locked the door and then led the way to the living room where JJ was standing there looking concerned.

"Hotch why do you have Jack out this late? It's almost ten already." JJ said.

Hotch took in another deep breath and said "JJ is there some place I can put Jack before we get into what is going on?"

JJ nodded and walked over to him. "Here let me take him and you start talking to Emily. I'll put him in the spare bedroom. Is he asleep?"

Hotch looked down at his son and smiled when he saw that he was indeed asleep. "Yes, he is asleep and thanks I would appreciate that. I'm sorry to bother you two so late."

JJ shook her head as she gently took Jack out of Hotch's arms. "It's not a problem at all. Start talking to Emily. I'll put Jack in the guest bedroom and then get us all a drink. Since you're here this late you're staying also."

Hotch knew better than to argue with her so he just nodded and watched as she walked away with his son. He sighed and turned back to Emily who he saw was looking at him with concern all over her face. He nodded his head towards the couch and Emily knew what he meant so she gave him a slight smile and then sat down on the couch and patted the spot beside her. Hotch gave her a slight smile back and sat down beside her.

"I don't know where to start at. I guess the beginning would be the best place." Hotch said while he looked everywhere but at Emily.

Emily put her hand lightly on Hotch's arm just enough to get his attention. "If you don't want to talk that is fine Hotch but know that even though we haven't been friends I'm here if you need to talk."

Hotch finally met Emily's eyes and he sighed. "I came here because for some reason I wanted to talk to you. I know that we didn't get off on the right foot but I want to change that. I want us to be friends Prentiss. No I need us to be friends."

Emily chuckled and smiled. "Well Hotch if we're going to be friends then call me Emily. All my friends do."

Hotch nodded and said "Alright Emily but you can either keep calling me Hotch or you can call me Aaron."

Emily smiled and said "I'll call you both. How's that? If you want to talk I'm all ears Aaron."

Hotch sighed and closed his eyes as he began. "I went home tonight to an empty house. As I was looking around the house for Haley and Jack my cell phone rang. It was Haley on the other end. She informed me that she left me and is running away with Gideon. That I could deal with. I will be the first to admit our marriage how been rocky for the last couple years. What makes me angry is she told me she left Jack with Jessica and that she wanted me to keep him because she can't and don't love Jack like she should. She told me not to tell him anything about her if and when he asks about her."

Life's like a novel with the end ripped out
The edge of a canyon with only one way down
Take what you're given before its gone
Start holding on, keep holding on

Emily felt tears stinging her eyes even as her anger came quick and hard. "She told you that she didn't want your guy's son? How in the hell can she do that? My God what kind of woman is she?!?!?! I'm sorry Aaron I know she is your wife but right now I want to hurt her for not only leaving your son but for leaving you like she has. And what in the hell was Gideon thinking? Didn't he care that he was screwing around behind one of his friend's back? How could he do something like that to you? What kind of man is he?"

As Emily was talking she got up and started pacing. She couldn't believe that two of the people Hotch trusted most has betrayed him in such a way. She made up her mind that she was going to find both Gideon and Haley and give them a piece of her mind. She wouldn't tell Hotch that though because she knew he would try to stop her. How could they do that to him? He is kind, caring, considerate, and always there when someone needs him. What did he do to deserve such treatment? She knew the answer to that question and the answer was not a damn thing.

Hotch watched Emily as she paced. He couldn't believe how hard she was taking it. He knew then that she was going to be one of his best friends if not his very best friend. After watching her pace for about four minutes he stood up and walked over to her and pulled her into his arms. He couldn't help it. He needed her to know that he appreciated her support and the friendship she is offering him.

"Aaron why are you hugging me? I'm the one who is supposed to be comforting you. Not the other way around." Emily said as she held onto him for dear life.

Hotch chuckled. "You are comforting me Emily. The reaction you had comforted me. I know that we just started this friendship but I'm going to ask a huge favor of you. If you can't do it then I completely understand."

Emily pulled back a little and looked up at Hotch. "You can ask me anything Aaron. I'll do whatever I can to help you through this."

Hotch smiled and said "If you don't mind would you spend some time with Jack when you have free time? I know that you've only met him once but I'm hoping that by having him around you and maybe even JJ it will help. He needs to be shown that he is loved and that not all women run away."

Emily beamed Hotch a smile. "I will spend all my free time with Jack. I may have only met him once Aaron but that one time he stole a piece of my heart. I would love spending time with him and I'm sure JJ would too."

"JJ would what?" JJ asked from the doorway of the living room.

Emily looked over Hotch's shoulder at JJ. "You would love to spend some time with Jack. It seems Haley has left Aaron and Jack. She called him earlier to tell him that she can't and don't love Jack like she should. She has also ran away with Gideon."

Everytime you get up
And get back in the race
One more small piece of you
Starts to fall into place, yea
Ooohhh

JJ gasped and her face turned red with anger. "That fucking bitch! Of course I'd love to spend some time with Jack, Hotch. I'm so sorry that you're going through this. I can't believe she has done this and I can't believe Gideon could be as cruel as he was. Those two deserve each other it seems."

For the first time that night Hotch let out a full laugh. "JJ I have never heard you cuss before but I know what you mean and I agree. I thank you both very much. I'm going to be the best father I can be. And Emily I hope you know that I'd like us to continue with our friendship. I know I'm going to be going through a rough time for the coming months but I'll get through it especially if you're there to help me."

Emily smiled and nodded. "I wouldn't be anywhere else Aaron. That's what friends are for. When you're down I'll help you stand."

JJ walked over and said "Emily is right Hotch. She will help you in any way she can and so will I. It's what friends and family are for."

Hotch smiled and nodded and said "Well it's late so why don't we all go to bed. JJ are you sure you want me staying here? I'm sure I can get Jack and me home in one piece."

JJ shook her head. "Nope you're staying here. Why don't you sleep with Jack in the spare bedroom and Emily and I will share my bed. I need to wake her up every so often anyways."

Hotch nodded and then impulsively leaned forward and kissed Emily on the head where the bandage was at. "Alright then I will see you two in the morning. Emily thank you so much for listening to me and being here for me."

Emily shook her head. "No thanks are needed Aaron. I know that you would do the exact same thing for me."

Hotch smiled and nodded and followed JJ up the stairs to the hall. Emily stayed in the living room for a minute trying not to cry. She was hurting for Hotch but also for herself. Nobody but her knew that her and Gideon had been dating for the last six months. She couldn't believe that he had cheated on her. She shook her head to get the thought out of her head and then shut the lights out in the living room and headed up to JJ's bedroom. She would eventually talk to JJ about it or maybe she would talk to Hotch about it.

Cause when push comes to shove
You taste what you're made of
You might bend, till you break
Cause it's all you can take
On your knees you look up
Decide you've had enough
You get mad you get strong
Wipe your hands shake it off
Then you stand (then you stand)
Then you stand (then you stand)
Yea, then you stand (then you stand)
Yea (then you stand)
Ohhh (then you stand)
Ohhh (then you stand)
Ohhh (then you stand)
Ohhh (then you stand)
Then you stand