Day 56

He comes in the kitchen while I wait in front of the coffee pot, dressed in a bra and a pair of sweat pants I threw on just to come in here. I look up at him when his hand falls on the small of my back. Our eyes meet, and he kisses my forehead. The coffee machine beeps.

"I made it as strong as I could." The red numbers I glimpse as I pull down a paper cup read four thirty-five.

"Thanks." He shakes his head at the sugar I offer him. "It's fine." I nod. I set the pot back on its base, turn off the timer, and set out my own cup for later.

"You didn't have to get up," he says after a few seconds.

"You didn't have to drive me home." He meets my eyes again, and I stand up on my toes to kiss him while the smell of hazelnut swirls around us.

"I'll see you in a few hours," I say, stepping back down. He gives my side a gentle squeeze.

"Take a couple extra hours. Get some sleep." I smile a little.

"Thanks." He gives me one more quick kiss, pulling my bottom lip between both of his for just a moment, and releases me to head for the door. My Rottweiler, Harper, picks her head up as she passes, staring him down. Tonight marks the first time in the three years I've had her that she ever showed a genuine dislike for someone.

"Hey, Aaron?" He turns around, his hand on the door knob.

"Mm?"

"Be careful, okay?"

"I will." I nod.

"Good." He opens the door, and I go forward to close it behind him. I manage to catch him in one more kiss before he slips all the way out. Smiling just enough to be noticeable, he heads down the hall. I chain the door with a sigh.

"You can not act like that again," I say to the dog, lying partly in the door of my bedroom. It was only when I got up to make coffee that I let her out of the laundry room, where I put her when she wouldn't stop growling after we came in. Even still, she stayed protectively in the doorway, glaring at Aaron every time he got too close.

Running a hand through my hair, I look for the time again on the microwave. Four forty-one. Groaning, I shuffle back into my room and collapse on the bed. I look up long enough to set my alarm a couple hours forward, then pull the covers over my head and curl up. The bed creaks under Harper's weight as she claims the spot Aaron had been lying in minutes ago.

Day 61

"I guess we're going to Columbus," Aaron says with a look on his face that hints he isn't entirely thrilled with the idea. I frown, and Emily catches my eye, seeming to have noticed his demeanor, too. I shrug, pick up my things, and follow him from the wrong.

"What's wrong?" I ask, entering his office right on his heels. He turns to look at me from the window, frustrated. He sighs.

"Jack's aunt is sick. The flu or something. She's not in any condition to take care of Jack, and I don't want him to catch it, too."

"So stay here. We'll be alright without you for a case. Think of it as a mini vacation." He shakes his head, and I knew that was too simple for him.

"I can't. I've taken too much time off lately." I chew on my bottom lip, thinking.

"What if you bring him with us?" His eyes meet mine, and he looks unsure.

"I don't know, Gabby…" he says slowly. "I can't watch him like I need to. He shouldn't be around all this. And he's in school right now."

"He isn't going to miss much in a few days away from kindergarten, and he can stay with me when you guys have to leave. He can…watch movies on my laptop or something away from most of the activity. I used to baby-sit all the time; I know what I'm doing with kids." He still seems split.

"If you'd rather him be home I know a girl who's a full time nanny, and she's really good. Her younger sister is my pet-sitter."

"No. No, I'd feel better if he was with us but…I can't ask you to keep up with a six year old on top of everything else," he says, looking genuinely torn. I shrug.

"You're not asking. I'm offering. I wouldn't offer if I didn't think I could really take good care of him."

"I know." He sighs. "I guess I don't have much of a choice, do I?" I smile.

"It doesn't really sound like it."

"Alright. I guess that's what I'll do. You're sure you don't mind?" I shake my head.

"Not at all."

"Tell everyone I'm going to be late getting to the airstrip." I nod.

"No problem. See you there."

"Yeah."

"Jack, this is Gabby. She's going to look after you while I work for the next few days." Jack mumbles something like a hello while he clings to Aaron's leg, hiding half his face. I smile.

"Hi, Jack." He starts to turn away and Aaron picks him up. The resemblance is uncanny, although I remember hearing Aaron say once he saw nothing but Jack's mother in him.

"Come on, buddy. Let's go sit down." I stand up and go back to my seat.

"I need you to stay back here while we do some work," I hear Aaron telling the five year old. "Listen to your mp3 player, and we'll be done soon, okay?" Jack nods and puts his headphones on. Aaron brushes his hand over his hair, gives him one last look, and comes to join me.

"He'll be fine," I say, looking up at him. "He looks perfectly happy." He nods.

"I know. He'll warm up to you," he adds after a pause. "And when he does he won't want anything to do with me. It just takes him a little while." I smile.

"Good to know. I'm gonna make some coffee before we start moving. You want some?" His eyes leave Jack and meet mine.

"Sure. Thanks." I flash him a smile and he follows me to the front of the plane.

Day 65

I'm sitting in one of the conference rooms when Aaron returns. Jack is curled up in my lap, his head on my shoulder, asleep. The Lion King plays on the laptop in front of us, and it's almost over.

"Hey," I say quietly when Aaron appears in the door.

"Hey. He's asleep?" I nod.

"I put the movie on and ten minutes later he passed out."

"How's he been?" I smile.

"Aaron, this child is an angel. I've dealt with all kinds of kids and he's perfect. He got a little argumentative just before I decided to try the movie but I think he's just exhausted. Otherwise, he's been perfect." He gives a tired smile.

"Good. I was really hoping he'd be good for you."

"He was wonderful." I look down at Jack's quiet face, and his striking resemblance to his father is as evident as ever even in the dim lighting.

"I'll take him from here. Maybe if we're lucky he'll just stay asleep." I nod and sit up slowly. Aaron scoops him gently out of my arms and settles him in his own. A small smile creeps over Jack's face, but he doesn't stir. Aaron smiles himself and brushes back Jack's hair. The past few days have been a whole new side of him-a side that was kind of always there, hiding underneath the surface. I feel weird even thinking it, but it almost has me wishing for a night when we weren't flying home right away, and Jack wasn't here.

"I've gotta get my stuff together. You go ahead and I'll get a ride with the others." He nods and quietly leaves the room. I stand, stretch, and yawn. Running my hands over my face, I turn to the laptop to turn it off.

The sounds of clothes being thrown into my bag break the otherwise deafening silence in my hotel room. Reid, Morgan, and I rode back together in silence, and entered the team's hallway to more silence. Usually, after shorter and more successful cases, you can hear everyone talking to each other, doors open, going from room to room as we pack. Tonight, nothing. The last few days feel like they've been in double time, and all any of us want is to sleep.

I'm fighting to zip up the duffle bag when someone knocks lightly on the door. Sighing, I give the bag a dirty look as I walk away. Even inanimate objects can't cooperate with me tonight.

"Hey." I attempt a smile at Aaron.

"Hey. Can I come in for a minute?"

"Sure." I step aside and close the door behind him. "What's up?"

"I didn't really get the chance to thank you, for taking care of Jack," he says, turning to face me. "I don't think you know, Gabby, how much it means that you did this. I know it was a lot for you to take on, along with everything else you're in charge of, and I really appreciate it." I smile.

"It was no problem. And when I say that I mean it. He was an absolute angel and I couldn't possibly have asked for anything better. Besides, when I wasn't busy it was nice to have him to play with. He's a really sweet kid."

"Thank you," he says simply, looking too exhausted to really come up with anything else. I step forward and wrap my arms around his neck, standing on my tip toes to kiss him. I don't know what made me do it; I couldn't help myself.

"You're welcome." He looks surprised, but pleasantly so. I smile. "I-sorry. I don't know-"

"It's okay. I should go. If he wakes up and I'm gone he won't be happy." I nod.

"Yeah. See you in a few." He nods.

"See you," he says quietly. I smile again softly and he leaves.