*A/N: This is a 'missing scene.' If you will. Someone mentioned that they had been looking forward to seeing this, and since I didn't include it in the last chapter, I thought you might enjoy seeing it here. It fits in during the diner scene, before Hotch and Cara go home*
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They were laughing again when her phone rang. Glancing down at the display, Cara saw that it was Jessie, and she touched Hotch's shoulder gently.
"It's Jack."
"Do you want to step outside?"
She nodded, and Hotch looked over at his friends.
"Jack wants Cara to sing to him before he goes to sleep. We'll be back in a minute."
Dave and Emily watched them go, Hotch's hand drifting to the small of Cara's back.
"That's really sweet," Emily murmured.
Dave nodded. "I think she's good for the Hotchner men. And God knows they need that right now."
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Cara handed him the phone once they were outside, and he smiled at the sound of his son's voice.
"Hi, Daddy."
"Hey, buddy."
"Are you havin' fun?"
"I am, actually. Cara and I are having dinner with Dave and Emily."
"Awwww...how come I didn't get to come?"
Hotch chuckled. "We'll have them over for dinner soon, okay?"
"Okay. I want JJ to bring Henry, too."
"Okay."
"And I want Aunt Penny and Uncle Derek to come, too."
His smile widened - his son was quite the determined little boy. "Anyone else?"
"Uncle Reid and Aunt Jessie!"
"That sounds like quite the group."
"They're my friends."
Hotch nodded. "I know. I'll talk to Cara and we'll set it up, okay?"
"Okay. Can Cara sing to me now? Aunt Jessie says it's bedtime."
"Sure thing, buddy. I love you."
"Love you. Night, Daddy."
Hotch turned to Cara, but frowned when he saw that she was no longer next to him. She had moved a small distance away, giving him privacy while he talked with Jack. Walking over to her, he placed a gentle hand on her elbow, not wanting to startle her.
"Your turn," he said quietly. "Do you want me to wait inside?"
She shook her head, giving him a small smile. "No, that's okay."
There was a bench behind them, and Hotch took a seat, leaning back. He listened as Cara talked with his son, smiling when she laughed at something Jack said.
And then she began to sing. She kept her voice low, not wanting to attract any attention. Hotch's eyes slid shut almost automatically, letting the song flow through him. He rarely knew the words, but it didn't matter. She put feeling into everything she sang, and it moved him.
I thought that I had everything
I didn't know what life could bring
But now I see, honestly
You're the one thing I got right
The only one I let inside
Now I can breathe 'cus you're here with me
And if I let you down
I'll turn it all around
'cus I will never let you go
I will be all that you want
And get myself together
'cus you keep me from falling apart
All my life
I'll be with you forever
To get you through the day
And make everything okay
Maybe he didn't have to worry about Cara knowing about his nightmares. She hadn't mentioned them - he imagined she didn't want to embarrass him. Nothing in her demeanor had changed at all, either. She seemed to take some kind of happiness out of lending comfort. And both he and Jack could use every ounce they could get.
The song slowly faded away into the night, and when Hotch opened his eyes, he found Cara looking down at him.
"Ready to go back in?" she asked.
He nodded and stood up, following her through the door.