AS MANY OF YOU KNOW I HAVE BEEN IN THE HOSPITAL. MY BROTHER WAS NICE ENOUGH TO BUY ME ANOTHER LAPTOP SINCE THE OLD ONE BROKE. ANYWAYS HERE IT THE NEXT CHAPTER, IT'S SHORT, BUT THEN AGAIN I WILL HAVE NOTHING BUT, WRITE ALL DAMN DAY.
3 YEARS:
It had been three years since sam had seen her father or friends. She had seen articles about them and news conference. She hadn't called nor visited them; Sam just thought her father wouldn't want anything to do with her. As for Gibbs, they were going strong. He had proposed a week ago and of course, Sam accepted. As for his team, she became good friends with all of them. Well almost all of them, Tony was still thrown off by the whole thing. He and her father would make great friends. Just then her fiancé walked in.
"Hey, off to work?" She smiled.
Gibbs nodded. "Yeah, we have a tough one on our hands. Leon has asked for our presence to be shown. Apparently, we have a team coming in."
"Play nice Jethro." Sam smiled. "I will be heading off to work in two hours." Leaning over he gave her a small kiss.
"Alright, I'll see you at lunch."
"Bye."
AT THE BAU:
Hotch jogged into the bullpen, for once in who knows how long he was late. James had kept him and Kate up last night.
"Happy you could join us." Rossi grinned, as he walked out of the kitchen area. "James?"
Hotch nodded. "Yes, Kate had been exhausted all day so I took over the night shift. He really is a handful." Four months ago James Hotchner was born. He was a spitting replica of his father with his mother's eyes. The news of Kate's pregnancy was a surprise, they had always been careful. None the less Hotch was thrilled to be a father once more. Although he hadn't seen his daughter, Hotch had kept tabs on her. He knew about her job as a veterinary and her being the top of her class. He also knew she wanted nothing to do with him, so he kept his distance. In the end, he loved her and all, but she was a woman now and on her own. James needed his full attention, especially with the news of Kate being pregnant again. "So I hear we are to work with another team."
Rossi scratched the back of his neck. "Yes, Hotch it would be best if you sat this one out."
Hotch paused all movement, leveling Rossi with a frown. "Why?"
"We are to work with NCIS. More specific, Leroy Jethro Gibbs." Rossi waited for any reaction from the man. He got nothing.
Inside Hotch was dying to yell. He was to work with the man that had his daughter. A daughter he has not seen in over three years. Instead, he swallowed the anger and pains, pulling his blank mask over, Hotch nodded. "Don't see why. What happened three years ago is in the past Dave. I can handle it."
Rossi wasn't convinced. "And if you see Sam?"
Hotch froze. "Then so be it." Seeing the look he received Hotch sighed. "It's bound to happen, Dave. She is my daughter, but at the same time, she isn't. We lost all contact and relationship the day she left."
"Hotch she is your daughter and always will be." Dave snapped, he hated how cold he had turned when it came to Samantha. "The last of Haley."
"Dave don't." Hotch slammed the file on the table. "Leave it. I have new priorities; I need to care for my family. Sam has made her life and family. She doesn't need me anymore. Now can we please focus on the case?"
Rossi nodded. "Sure, the team is waiting."
NCIS:
Gibbs sat at his desk. Leon had informed them of the BAU's involvement. He didn't mind per say at first, but between Sam seeing her father again and them taking the lead pissed him off. It was his case and yet the feds are taking charge. He debated on calling Sam and telling her, but he wasn't sure how Hotch would behave seeing him again. So he held back and waited for the right moment. At the moment they waited for the team's arrival.
BAU:
Hotch sat beside Kate in the back seat. Rossi was driving, with Morgan in the passenger. JJ sat beside Kate. Reid and Garcia sat in the very back chatting about who knows what. Kate was on the phone with Meg who had volunteered to watch James, for a very good price.
"He's asleep?" Kate asked.
Hotch glanced at her. "Tell Meg I left money for food on my desk." Kate nodded repeating his words.
Rossi stopped the car, glancing thru the rear mirror. "We are here."
Hotch took a deep breath. "Let's get this finished with."
GIBBS:
Gibbs jumped at the sound of the elevator. Becoming tensed at the sight of Hotchner and his team. The man walked in with confidence and power. He didn't seem at all fazed at being here.
"Agent Hotchner." Gibbs greeted, holding his hand out for him.
Hotch looked at him for a moment, before shaking his hand. "Agent Gibbs. This is the rest of my team. Agents Rossi, Morgan, Jenifer, Callahan, Dr. Reid and our tech Garcia." His tone was hard and cold, held no emotion whats so ever.
"Hello." Gibbs glanced back at his team. "These are Dinozzo, Da-vid, McGee. That's Abby our forensics' and Ducky our coroner."
Hotch gave them a small nod. "Is there anywhere we can set up?"
"Yes, Ziva." Gibbs gestured for her to come. "Please show the agents where they will be working."
"Garcia go with her." Hotch ordered. "We want to get this started as soon as possible." Gibbs scowled but agreed. "JJ and Morgan head to the lasts dump site. Rossi and I are going to talk to the first victim's family. Kate and Reid talk to the lasts victims family."
"We already talked with them." McGee jumped in.
"Yes, but we look for certain tales and sign's." Reid replied.
Tony frowned. "What?"
"We profile them." Kate answered, giving Hotch a pat on the arm she headed out.
The team was to profile and catch a serial killer ficscated on marines. So far there has been four killed, all males, all between the ages of 25 and 27. All homosexuals. The killings have been the same as before. They were beaten, raped and strangled. Leon had called the BAU personally for help.
"Aaron Hotchner!" All heads turned to the dark skinned man walked down the steps. "It's been a while."
Hotch laughed. "Yes, it has Leon. How have you been?"
"I've been well, can't complain." Giving him a man hug, Leon moved onto the Rossi.
Rossi chuckled. "See you made it to director."
"Wasn't easy, but here I am." Leon grinned. "Well, I'll let you get back to work. I'm in my office if you need me."
"Thank you, Leon." Hotch said.
Hotch and Rossi were the last to head out. The rest of the team was off doing what they were ordered. Hotch was grabbing his jacket when the elevator door pinged. Looking up he froze.
"Dad?"
Sam had decided to take Gibbs some lunch and meet the team they were working with. Humming in the elevator, she grinned as it stopped. But the moment she walked out, her grin was switched to a gasp.
"Dad." Her tone was a whispered, full of shock.
Hotch swallowed the lump that had formed in his throat. "Samantha."
"WH-what are you doing here?" She couldn't think straight. This was her father! "I mean-I-you-"
"We are working a case with agent Gibbs team." Putting his jacket on, he nudged Rossi to get moving. "Excuse us, we must get going."
Sam opened and closed her mouth a few times. "Of course." Watching him leave was painful, he showed no sign in missing her or even happy to see her. Yet she was stupid enough to think he would. Deciding on wanting to see the rest of the team she stayed with Gibbs.
Hotch was agitated through the entire interview. Rossi had to send him outside for some air. He hadn't realized just how much he missed his baby girl. She had grown, no longer a girl, no longer did she admire him, and no longer did she need him.
"Hotch?" Rossi called from behind. "Are you sure you can do this?"
Hotch nodded. "Yeah, Dave. I was just surprised. Nothing I can't handle."
"Okay then." Patting him on the shoulder he ushered him to the car. "Come I'll fill you in."
By the time they arrived back, the others were there. Chatting it off with Sam, but the moment he walked in all was quiet. Hotch ignored it, diving right into the case.
"JJ?" Hotch called off.
"Nothing unusual. Peter was a young bright boy; he's been with the same partner for five years. They all say the same; he's smart, likable, no trouble and a good friend."
Kate nodded. "Same here, good marine, stayed out of trouble, been with the same lover for five years."
Rossi sighed. "His parents answered the same as well."
"So they are good marines, had no write ups, in committed relationships, caused not trouble. So why kill them?" Hotch mused.
"Jealousy?" Morgan offered. "They had the perfect family, money, friends, love and house."
"No, the killings were too personal." Reid mumbled. "Strangling them with his hands indicate he wanted to be up close. Feel the life leave their bodies."
Hotch suddenly dove for the files. "It was said they were all raped right?"
"Right." Tony answered.
"What if it was not rape?"
Rossi leaned forward. "Meaning?"
"What if he is proving they are not as perfect as everyone thinks."
"Still lost here Aaron." Kate said.
Sam raised a brow at the way she spoke to him. Then she spotted the ring on her hand, snapping her eyes to her father she saw the gold ring. 'Holy shit they got married!'
"What I am saying is they slept with the unsub. He lured them into his trap making them break their loyalty." Hotch explained.
Morgan mauled over it. "That would explain how he was able to get up close and personal with them. It would be easy to drug them and overpower them."
"But, why the beating?" JJ asked.
"Their punishment for betraying their loved ones." Kate answered.
Gibbs walked up to Hotch. "So he is luring them into his home, sleeping with them, then drugs them, beats them and kills them?"
Hotch nodded. "Yes."
"That's crazy." Tony scoffed.
"We need to deliver the profile." Kate said.
Gibbs had gathered those helping with the case, a few officers and his team, Sam was with them as well. Hotch and the team stood in front of all of them.
"We are looking for a white male, between the ages of 21-24, fit, attractive." Hotch began.
"He would blend in easily with the crowd, easy to talk with, have a few drinks with." Rossi added.
Morgan took over. "He is attractive and has a certain charm to him. His focus on couples stalks them for days if he has too. He looks for the weakness in the relationship and preys on the stronger one. This unsub is patient and smart."
"By the way, he takes his time; he was most likely in a long term relationship. Where his partner most likely cheated or abandon him. This is a man on a mission and nothing will get in his way. He will be distant, closed off and angry. Won't work well with alpha males and most likely sticks with the females." JJ said.
Hotch stepped forward. "If you know someone who fits this profile please call it in. Do not, I repeat do not try and apprehend him. He may not see like a lot, but he is extremely dangerous. Thank you." As they all scattered, Hotch turned to his team. "Let's head to the hotel. It's late and we need some rest."
"Amen to that!" Morgan hollered. "Come along pretty boy. It's your turn to pay dinner."
Kate stopped Hotch from leaving. "I need to use the bathroom."
Hotch chuckled. "I'll wait." Letting Rossi know he'll meet them downstairs, he took a seat and waited.
"So you're married?"
Looking up he locked eyes with Sam. "Yes, about a year now."
"Congrats."
"Thank you."
"Anything else changed?" She knew that was a stupid question.
Hotch scoffed/laughed. "A lot Samantha. I got married, had a son, Kate's pregnant again, got a new house, Morgan is married to Garcia and waiting on his first child, JJ is now divorced and dating, Rossi got back together with his ex-wife, he also found out he has a daughter and nephew, Reid is engaged, I was drugged by a sociopath, then arrested, suspended for a week and came back. Simba died a month after you left. And a lot more, but I can't recall all of them at the moment."
"I have a brother?" Hotch nodded. "What's his name? How old is he?"
"James Hotchner. He's four months." Hotch was willing Kate to hurry her ass up.
"What happened to Simba?"
"Fell in depression, wouldn't eat or leave you bedroom. He eventually died." Hotch replied.
"Eventually?" Sam spat. "You didn't do anything to help him?"
Hotch stood, glaring at her. "I tried everything. He died from his depression Samantha. Not seeing you killed him."
"Why I am not surprised. Seems death follows you." She cringed at the words, she didn't mean it. It was her anger, anger towards her, not him. Anger that because of her Simba died the last gift her mother ever gave her. "Dad I'm-"
"Save it Sam." Grabbing his jacket, he held his hand out for Kate. "It's nice to see you again." Giving her a look that made her heart break he walked away.
"Stupid, stupid, stupid!" She wanted to face palm herself so badly.
Kate stopped Hotch before they reach the car. "What was that?"
"Nothing love." Hotch kept his eyes away.
"Aaron look at me." She waited till he looked up. "This is not you. You would have taken her in your arms and hugged her. Kissed her and said how much you miss her."
Hotch shook his head. "She doesn't want me, Kate. She has a new family; I have never been a father to her and never would get the chance."
"Hotch she still needs her father."
"No, she doesn't." Giving her a sad smiled he walked away.
Kate sighed. 'If only they realized how much they need each other.' Sharing a look with Rossi, she grinned. 'And I have just the thing.'
