A/N – sorry for the delay, have been on holiday, though with the kids I feel that I need another holiday now! Hope everyone can remember how the story was going. Please read and enjoy.
Chapter 3 –
Dave was inside the cabin, shut in a dimly lit cupboard as he packed his gear ready to go fishing, believing that it was a good way to not only clear his mind but his hangover too. He picked up his bag and rods and started to walk to the door when the sound of tyres on the gravel path aroused his attention and he mentally debated whether to creep out of the back door and ignore whoever was approaching, Dave was still thinking as he heard a car open and slam shut and the sound of eager footsteps came ever closer, he turned and started to walk towards the back door when he heard a young voice shout out.
"Uncle Dave, are you awake?"
A smile quickly crept across Dave's tired face as he instantly recognised Jack's yell, stopping and turning Dave walked back towards the door, opening it to greet the eager young boy who immediately smiles.
"Good morning Uncle Dave!"
"Good morning to you too Jack."
Dave raised his gaze and looked back up towards the black SUV where Hotch was standing with his arms crossed across his stomach as he smiled and started to walk towards the older man shrugging his shoulders as he got closer.
"Sorry I accidentally left a file here last night, I was just going to phone you but Jack here said you'd be up and fancied a trip out to Little Creek!"
Hotch turned and looked at Jack, giving his son a small wink which did not go unnoticed by the older profiler who shook his head and walked back into the cabin with Jack and Hotch following him inside. Dave's eyes instantly saw the brown FBI file sitting on the coffee table in his living room, beside the empty glass that he had used last night, he wandered over to pick it up before silently passing it to Hotch.
"Thanks, can't think how I managed to forget it last night."
"Hey Uncle Dave, are you going fishing?"
Dave turned and saw Jack standing by his fishing gear with a big grin on his face.
"Can I come? Please?"
Dave rolled his eyes at the pleading tone of the young boy and turned to Hotch who was trying hard to suppress his laughter, Dave sighed heavily before he spoke.
"What about your weekend? Haven't you got plans with Emily?"
The questions were aimed at Hotch but he didn't get a chance to answer as Jack wandered back towards the two men.
"It's ok she's spending the day with Aunt JJ and Henry, we spoke to her earlier and she said she's be round this evening for our movie night as usual."
"Oh right, well I guess I'd better go and find some extra fishing gear."
Dave smiled as he saw the look of delight on Jack's face but that quickly turned to a frown as he saw Hotch smiling broadly.
"Don't think I don't know what you are doing Aaron, using your son...that's dirty."
Dave heard Hotch's laugh as he ventured towards his fishing gear, he turned briefly to see the two Hotchner's smiling and sharing a hi-5, shaking his head he rubbed his chin wondering how he was going to survive the day.
Emily turned and looked at Garcia who had reached for Henry, giving him a big cuddle and kiss as she reached to whisper into his ear.
"See you later Henry, Auntie Pen has got to rush off but I'll see you soon."
Garcia looked at Emily who sat there with her mouth wide open, aghast that she was being abandoned by her friend.
"Bye Em, speak to you later. Sorry JJ I've got to rush off Kevin's waiting for me!"
Garcia quickly grabbed her bag and smiled at JJ, stopping as she walked out to embrace JJ.
"Trust us JJ, time for your Prince to whisk you away."
Garcia let go of JJ and walked out of the house, leaving Emily scrambling to get a hold of Henry but the toddler evaded her grasp and made a beeline for his mom, leaping into her arms and giving her a hug. Emily smiled at JJ as she stood up.
"Do you want me to get coffee?"
JJ shook her head and raised her hand, stopping Emily in her tracks.
"Not so fast Em, you are not getting away with it that easily."
Emily sat back down again as Henry kissed him mom on the cheek before he clambered down to toddle off and play with his toy cars on the carpet. JJ walked slowly and sat down beside Emily on the sofa, leaning back she put her hands over her eyes, seeing this movement Emily instinctively sat up and stroked JJ's hair softly.
"I'm sorry JJ, are you ok?"
"It's ok, I've just got a lot going through my head at the moment, the main thing being our conversation from last night."
JJ moved her hands away from her eyes and looked at Emily, smiling softly at her friend.
"So what is Hotch up to today?"
Emily went to open her mouth to answer but then shuts it quickly as a smile creeps across her mouth and she shakes her head.
"Oh Em I know that was who you were on the phone to, I'm sure you two had plans together this weekend. We all know that you try and keep things quiet, especially at work and I certainly respect that."
"It's going...Jack seems to have accepted me so that's one major obstacle out of the way."
"See that smile Em? It's the thought of Hotch that brings that to your face, the happiness exudes from you."
Emily reached across and took a hold of JJ's hands, glancing briefly at a happy Henry playing on the floor before she spoke to JJ.
"This happiness, this smile...it's what I want for you sweetie, I want you and Henry to be happy, just think about it please?"
JJ nodded as she rested her head on Emily's shoulder, her heart and mind conflicting with what to do next.
