*I do not own Criminal Minds, though I do own the Plot and Lettie!*

Author's note:

I am just adding that most of this story had been written before the episode 100, and I have just figured out that this story can take place approx. 1 year after that episode, where Hotch can be over his grief, and I will add what is going on with Jack this chapter. Also this chapter will be mostly in flashbacks, so please bear with me... Thanks for all the reviews! Nicole

"Dave?"

"Yes bella?"

"I don't mean to sound rude or anything, but are Aaron and Emily an 'item'?"

"That my dear is a very long story. You could say that. Emily was there for Hotch during the hardest time in his life."

"What happened?"

Rossi turned and looked at Lettie. He then remembered that a year ago she was a happily married Navy wife and worker for the Canadian Embassy, she most likely never heard the name of George Foyet, or if she did she never knew what that S-O-B did to Hotch and his family, and the havoc he reaped on the team.

"Did you ever hear the name George Foyet?"

"He was the Boston Reaper; he was killed a year ago."

"That's right. The house he was killed in, it was Hotch's."

"Wait, the last Reaper victim was..."

"Hailey was Hotch's ex-wife. They got divorced about three years after Jack was born."

"Oh my god! But I've never seen him with a little boy."

"I'll explain it a bit better just let's get to a place where we can park and we'll start patrolling while I tell you."

"Derek, do you know when Hotch will be back?" Emily asked.

It was a month after the whole Reaper/Foyet nightmare, and the whole team was still feeling the after effects. Hotch had taken time off to spend with Jack and to try and figure out his whole life. Emily was worried, the whole team was, but she was more so. This is because she loved him, and she couldn't tell a soul. It was so hard to see him suffer this way. She knew that he never wanted that divorce, and that he loved Hailey, and Foyet had managed to break the unbreakable. She was so scared.

"Emily? Emily?!" Derek was staring at her.

"Sorry. I was just thinking that maybe one of us should go over there and talk to him, to see how he's doing?"

"Em, you know what that bastard did to him. I'm not sure that's a great idea right now."

"I'm going. I can't just keep sitting here and praying that he'll be okay, but he has to worry about Jack too now. He needs help. I'm outta here. I'll let you know how it goes." Prentiss got up and stormed out of Morgan's office.

"Prenti..." he started but all he got was her back.

She drove and thought of what she was going to say. She pulled up into the drive of Aaron Hotchner's new home. She looked up to the house. It was much like the old house, yet it was different. There were some toys in the front lawn, and she smiled, knowing that Jack was still playing was a good sign. She stepped out of her SUV and headed to the door. As she was about to ring the bell, the door opened and revealed a very chocolate covered Jack.

"Daddy! It's Emly!"

Emily was puzzled as to how Jack knew to come to the door. She figured Hotch would explain it if he wanted to, she just prayed that he wouldn't be mad at her for coming.

Hotch poked his head around the corner as Emily removed her jacket. "Hi Emily."

"Hey Aaron. How are you?"

"As you can see, covered in chocolate and batter. Jack wanted brownies. It seems that I can't bake very well."

She smiled. "Would you like some help?"

"Daddy, maybe Emly can teach you to make brownies?" Jack looked from Hotch to Prentiss and smiled a smile that would melt anyone's heart.

"Would you mind Emily?"

"Not at all."

The three of them headed to the kitchen. She looked around.

"What's so funny?" Hotch asked.

"How have you been trying to make these brownies Hotch." She giggled. "It looks like a war zone in here."

"I never figured out the beating part for mixing and my mix-master had a mind of its own."

"Daddy, you made a big mess."

"I know Jack, I know. And daddy will clean it up, and maybe then Emily could teach us how to make brownies the right way. How about you go clean up and play for a little while and when everything is ready I'll come get you."

"Okay daddy!" Jack ran to Hotch and gave him a very chocolaty hug and looked at Emily. She didn't really care if the youngster was covered in chocolate or not, she bent down and gave him a big hug and a kiss on the forehead.

"Tank you Emly!" he cried as he ran off to the bathroom to clean up some of the chocolate.

"Aaron, is everything alright? The team's worried about you. I had to come see you, I just didn't know what to..."

"Emily, it's okay. I'm glad you came. I've been trying to figure out everything. I'd like your opinion on what I've come up with."

"Sure thing Hotch. I'm here for you, and I'm here for Jack too. We all are." She smiled to him and started cleaning up the disaster area that was once Hotch's kitchen.

"I want to continue my work with the BAU. I won't let that bastard take everything I have away from me. I've talked with my mom. She'll be coming here soon to watch over Jack when we're out in the field. I've also looked into the daycare at the Bureau for when Jack gets done school, they're reasonable and are willing to take him whenever I decide to go back. I've also talked to Strauss. (This caused Emily to cringe.) She said I can have my old position back, but I was thinking to maybe continue sharing the responsibility with Morgan, just until I get back to being myself 100%. I also am hoping to maybe move on, slowly of course, but try to find love again." He looked into her eyes.

"Aaron, I'm here to help in whatever way possible. I'm sure that this plan is perfect and all of us, especially me, are willing to help you make this easier on you and on Jack. He like a nephew or grandson to the whole team." She left out the part that she loved that little boy as if he were her own.

Hotch smiled at her. They quickly finished cleaning up the kitchen, got Jack and made four batches of brownies and one of chocolate chip cookies, before ordering in Chinese and watching "Hotel for Dogs" before bed. Once Aaron had Jack tucked into bed, Emily kissed the boy's forehead and headed down the stairs to collect her things.

"Emily..." he whispered as she went to close the door.

"What is it sweetheart?"

"I know daddy's still hurting. Can you make him better like you did for me?" He fell to sleep.

"Sure thing Jack." She let a tear roll down her cheek and headed to the entryway to collect her coat so she could head home.

"What did he ask you?"

She couldn't lie, even though she knew it was against the rules, she couldn't lie to him. "He asked me to make you feel better like I made him feel better."

Hotch turned to her. "You already have Emily. You're a caring person. You came here and showed that the darkness can't last forever. I know this may sound strange, but..."

He swallowed before continuing. "Would you stay the night? I've forgotten what it's like to be with someone just to talk and be with. I don't want to be alone anymore. I can't. Not just for Jack but for myself."

"Hotch..."

"Please Emily. Stay with me. It would make me feel a lot better."

She put her coat back on the rack and nodded. They went to the sitting room to talk some more then, as she was dozing off he led her to the guest room, wishing she would stay with him, but it was too soon and the grief still all too real. He cared for her and he knew how she cared for Jack and he felt that maybe she felt something for him too.

"Hotch? Are you okay?"

"Yeah. I was just thinking."

"Do you want me to stay with you tonight?"

"What do you mean?"

"Do you want me in your bed? Would it help calm the sadness and emptiness? Would it help ease your nightmares?"

He nodded, and they headed off to the master bedroom, and for the first time since Foyet's attack on his life, did he have a peaceful sleep. A sleep rid of nightmares and fear, one where he could feel loved again.

The next morning came early, and Emily got up to make them breakfast. She heard little footsteps coming down the stairs as she finished the pancakes.
"Emly? Did you have a sleepover?"

"Yes sweetie. And this morning I made you happy face pancakes and bacon and sausage."

"Happy face pancakes?"

"It was something my daddy used to make me when I was little. See." She held up the plate for him to see and he smiled.

"That's cool Emly! I think daddy will like his smiley face pancakes too!"

"I love smiley face pancakes buddy!" Hotch opened his arms as the youngster flew at him and embraced him in a big bear hug. "Emily, you didn't have to do this."

"I wanted to Aaron."

"Jack, how would you like to go see your uncles and aunties today? Maybe bring them some of your cookies and brownies?"

"Could we daddy? I'd like that. I miss Aunty Pennie because she always gives me treats and she always plays games with me. Maybe Unka Reid has a new magic trick too!"

Emily looked at the sight before her eyes and wished she could be a part of it permanently. She felt as if she belonged there.

"Emly, you come too?"

"Sure thing sweetie! Now let's eat breakfast so we can go show off your baking sills."

The three of them sat down and finished breakfast, telling jokes and stories. Hotch felt like this was so right, and he never wanted it to end.

He thought to himself. "Is this too soon to be moving on? Is it too soon for Jack to have someone new like Emily in his life?" Then he swore he heard Hailey's voice whisper to him, "Be happy Aaron, be happy and be with Jack. Be a family."

He smiled, he would talk to Emily later, but right now he had to go back to his family at the BAU and begin his life anew.

"Ever since they brought the cookies and brownies to the BAU office that morning, the two of them have been inseparable."

"Wow! That's amazing! Where's Jack?"

"Right now he's just finishing school, Hotch's mom is watching him, and Aunty Penelope takes him once in a while to spoil him. He'll be coming by the Bureau as soon as he's done the school year. Hotch is so proud of him. It was hard sending him to school without Hailey there, but Emily is trying her best to help out and Jack loves her. I wouldn't be surprised if they'll follow in Reid and JJ's steps and get engaged soon. I know the one day when Jack was spending time with us in the bullpen, he asked "Unka Dave and Unka Derek, will daddy ever marry Emly because she makes daddy happy and I really like having her around." I smiled at him and told him he should talk to his dad about it." Dave smiled to Lettie.

He couldn't keep his eyes off of her. He couldn't understand the feelings he was feeling for her, they weren't anything he had ever felt before. Maybe, just maybe it was love. He knew what lust was and how it felt therefore this wasn't lust. He extended his hand to her to help her out of the SUV. She held onto his arm as they started to patrol the area where they suspected the next victim, the oldest, would be taken. It was figured that the less they looked like feds, the better the chance it would be to catch the bastard behind all of this. They walked like they were a couple very much in love, and that's what made them the perfect target.

A twig snapped behind them on the path and suddenly both of their worlds were darkening and all Lettie could here was David Rossi calling her name. She let the darkness claim her. Dave look around, he tried to fight the darkness, he couldn't see their attacker, and he called to Lettie but she had been claimed by the darkness.