Aaron checked his phone. No new messages. No missed calls. It was his birthday and he hadn't heard from Rachel yet. It was his birthday. He was driving back with Reid from Connecticut. He would see Jack briefly later so that Jack could give him a card and present and wish him a happy birthday. Haley would even be polite enough to say Happy Birthday to him for Jack's sake. But all he wanted was to end his birthday with Rachel. How was he supposed to do that when she wouldn't return his calls?

"Hotch?" Aaron glanced over. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah. Why?"

"I asked you if you wanted the uncontested divorce and you… kinda spaced."

"It's a lot more complicated than what I want."

"I know that they're important to you and you'll do what she wants you to do and what's best for Jack. But… -And, please tell me when to shut up- … Maybe just this once you should do what you want."

Aaron thought. Of Jack. Of Rachel. He wanted them. Both of them. "Do you really think that seeing Jack will be easy when this is over?" He needed advice.

"I think you need to try. I think that we can help."

"You and Morgan grew up without your fathers. You turned out alright?"

"I'm socially awkward and a genius. Morgan's a jock. Maybe things would be different if they were around."

"Do you really believe that?"

"I believe that you need to work at seeing your son. He needs that. And so do you."

They drove in silence for a few more miles. Aaron glanced over at Reid before he spoke. "What if it's a punishment?"

Reid frowned. "Do you really believe that?"

"I've done something that people won't like. Haley, Jack. Something I shouldn't have done." He looked at Reid. "I fell in love with someone else. I married Haley instead. I'm still in love with this woman. We've started seeing each other."

"That doesn't sound too bad."

"It's Haley's sister."

Reid sat in shocked silence, his mouth slightly open, his eyebrows raised. He quickly took on a more serious facial expression. "Like I said, do what's right for you for once. You can make up for it later. It's what I do."


Jack and Haley had been there when he got back and left soon after. Aaron locked himself away in his office and thought deeply.


Rachel played with her phone. She glanced at the clock. It was still his birthday. She could send him a quick text and then go back to ignoring him. She wanted him to know she still loved him. She wanted to run into his arms and kiss him. She knew she couldn't. Not while he was having doubts about the divorce.

Haley stopped by the day after. When Rachel saw her she felt sick with what she and Aaron had done. Betrayed her. That's how Haley would see it: You betrayed me. She broke down and Haley comforted her. If it were anyone else she were crying over, she would have begged Haley to stay. But she couldn't. She felt terrible.

The knocking on the door startled her and drew her from her thoughts. She rose slowly and answered it. Aaron was standing on the other side. She leant against the door frame. He was clearly just coming from work. He had a familiar envelope in his hand. He held it out to her. She took it an looked inside, expecting to see the papers torn. The were in one piece. She pulled it out. Next to Haley's signature was his. Aaron Hotchner.

"Can I come in?"

She stood aside and let him in. "Happy Birthday."

Aaron looked at her. She reached up and kissed him. "Rach. I want you. And I want Jack. I figure divorced or not, I get Jack in my life. The only way I can have you is if I'm divorced. Later, Haley and I can over the details. But I want you. And I want you now. This is it. This is our last chance for escape."

"I don't want it. I want you too."

Aaron laughed and pressed his forehead to hers. "I did consider kidnapping you and Jack and taking you abroad."

Rachel laughed. "I love you."