Author's Note: Alright, I will say it in advance. I'm sorry. I was trying my hardest to write an in-character story, and I think I succeeded for the most part. But, with Hotch, I could help but add some H/P. IT'S IN MY BLOOD! It just seeps through everything I write, so yeah, out of all the chapters, this one is the most OOC. I hope you still like it though. :) And this is the end! Hotch is the last member (but definitely not the least important) of the team, and he's the one that rounds up this little project of mine. So...please read on, and tell me what you think! :D Thanks again!

Disclaimer: I own neither the characters nor the rights to Criminal Minds.


Aaron Hotchner was being torn apart inside.

The one thing he wanted most was a day that people could look at him without pity in their eyes. It ruined him. Of course, there were days where the only person he could think about was Haley, but he was desperately trying to heal, and the sad or pained glanced that he received almost daily were definitely not helping.

He knew that his team was trying their best, though.

Garcia always had a joke waiting on his desk each morning.

Morgan assured him that whenever he needed to take some time off and see Jack, he would be able to step up to the plate for a day or two.

JJ would talk non-stop about Henry, and his similarities to Jack, in an attempt to cheer him up. And it usually worked.

Reid bought him coffee every day, and always suggested new books to keep his mind off of…

He cringed. "Don't go there, Aaron," he internally chastised.

Dave had a different approach. He would tell stories about Haley and Aaron when they were younger. According to him, Haley Brooks was the only woman Aaron had ever fallen in love with.

But Dave was wrong.

His gaze landed on a certain brunette sitting at her desk in the bullpen.

Emily had been there every step of the way for him. She understood exactly what he did or did not need. But even when he tried to push her away, she stayed by his side, offering what little comfort she could. A sweet comment, a gorgeous smile, an infectious laugh…everything about her cheered him up.

Add in the fact that Jack practically adored her, and wasn't it a perfect match?

He tore his eyes away from the woman. Shaking his head to chase away any such thoughts, he sighed. She was his subordinate. And that type of relationship was forbidden.

"All thanks to Dave," he scowled.

But even if it was allowed, Hotch liked to think that he wouldn't pursue her. After all, she deserved someone better. Someone who was stable and would be able to provide her with a smile each day undying love.

Minus the undying love, it just wasn't him.

He was torn. Haley had liked Emily, and vice versa. And when Haley was about to die, she had made him promise to teach Jack about love, and to keep him safe.

But…how?

How could he teach his son about love when he was practically unlovable? How could he keep his son safe when he could hardly take care of himself? In both cases, it seemed like he had only one answer.

Emily.

He couldn't do that to her, however. He refused to become yet another burden on her shoulders. What if she became like him? What if he never saw her smile again? He kept telling himself that he wouldn't, but he found himself wanting day after day for her to prove him wrong. To give him an excuse.

As if on cue, she felt his eyes on her and turned to look at him. Catching his gaze, she smiled softly, and he instantly felt better.

Then again, maybe he was wrong.

Maybe he was the one for her.