Chapter 13

The first thing Hotch asked when he woke up was, "Where does the cat sleep?"

"Relax, dear," assured Denise, "he sleeps in Anna's room. On her bed."

"Just wondering."

"You stare down killers every day at work but can't handle a cantankerous cat?!" Hotch blushed sheepishly.

"Cats are mean," Hotch defended, "they claw at you and hiss at you. It's..just a little scary."

"Enough about the cat," Denise chided, "so, what do you want to do on your last day here for now?"

"Well, we could lay around here and not do anything," Hotch suggested.

"I could always send Anna to her grandparents' house."

"Denise!" Hotch lightly punched her arm.

"She loves it on their farm," Denise defended.

"Do your parents know about me?"

"A little," Denise explained, "Dad thinks no one is really good for me. Mom will just ask me when we're gonna get married. She's been on my back about getting in the scene ever since the car accident."

"Typical," Hotch chuckled.

"So, what do you say, Mr. Unit Chief? Wanna lay around and do nothing?"

"Yeah, sounds great. Just don't let me anywhere near that cat or there will be consequences."

"Yes, Agent Hotchner," Denise sassed back.

That's how the rest of the day went. Laying around and doing nothing. Perfect for a weekend. Midnight never went anywhere near Hotch. The "Hotch glare" must've worked. That night in bed, Denise said, "I don't want you to go."

"I know, I don't want to either. But, I do this for you and Anna and Jack and everyone else. I gotta get the bad guys."

"Yeah, I know," Denise gave a small smile.

"If it weren't for you getting a bad guy, we wouldn't be here together," she observed.

"That's right," Hotch touched her nose.

"Now, don't be sad, because as soon as I can get a chance, I will come back. On my down time, we can call each other. Is that alright? Hmmm?"

"Yeah, it's alright," she agreed, snuggling up close to her man. Both were holding on to each other for dear life.

The day after, Denise saw Hotch to the door.

"I'll call you when I can!" he yelled from the car.

"Go get the bad guys!" she yelled back.

Denise went to work as always. Phone was ringing, stupid customers, it was all in the day in the life of a pharmacist. Then, suddenly ring ring. Another phone call. Denise picked up the phone and answered, "Louisville Pharmacy. How may I help you?"

Heavy breathing was on the other end.

"Denise Rogers," the voice said, "I hope you had a wonderful time with Aaron. Nice that he has someone like you."

"Foyet," Denise all but barley whispered.

"That's right. And I'm gonna get his ex-wife and son. Then I'm gonna come after you and Anna."

"Aaron will get you," Denise stated angrily, "BYE!" She hung up.

"What was that?" her friend, Beverly asked.

"Lock down this whole pharmacy. No one leaves or comes in. I've GOT to go!"

Beverly looked confused.

"Just do as I say!" Denise demanded and ran out the door.

Denise ran like hell to her car. She locked the doors and took off. She didn't know where she was going. All she knew was she had to call Hotch.

"Please pick up," Denise whispered.

"Denise?" Hotch answered, "what's wrong?"

"Foyet. That's what's wrong. He called me at my work."

"He CALLED you?" Hotch asked, darkly.

"Yes, he said he was going after Haley and Jack. Then, me and Anna. I left the pharmacy and put it on lockdown."

"You shouldn't have left."

"But what about Anna? Oh, God, Aaron. What am I gonna do?"

"Okay, here's what you need to do," Hotch stated, going into his FBI voice, "pick up Anna from daycare. Make it seem normal. Tell her that you're going on a surprise trip. You said your parents own a farm, right?"

"Yeah, it's thirty miles south of town."

"Go there. And stay there until I tell you to. I'll let the team know. I'll be there as soon as I can. And Denise, I'm so sorry!"

"Don't be sorry. You're my hero, too." Denise heard the sound of a click and she headed off in the direction of the daycare.

Denise pulled into the parking lot at a speed that she was sure was illegal. She banged on the door. Miss Rachel, who heard the commotion let Denise in.

"Denise, what's going on?

"I need to pick up Anna!" she stated frantically.

"Okay..." the teacher trailed off, confused.

"Foyet's back. He called me at work."

"Oh God," the teacher's face went pale.

"Get Anna and make it seem normal. Say that mama's here because we're going on a surprise trip."

"We'll do."

"And, Miss Rachel," Denise commanded, "when we leave, lock down this daycare immediately."

"Yes, yes I will. Oh God!" she ran frantically to the classroom. Denise wondered how much of Aaron Hotchner had rubbed off on her.

"Anna, your mom's here!" Miss Rachel exclaimed. She put on the best acting performance of her life.

"Mama, what are you doing here?" Anna asked, happily.

"We're going on a surprise trip. It's gonna be so much fun! Are you ready?"

"Yes!" The mother and daughter walked as fast as they could to the car, taking off thirty miles south.

Meanwhile, Hotch called the rest of the team and briefed them on the situation. He was driving through Virginia when his phone rang.

"Foyet," Hotch all but growled.

"Aaron, Aaron, Aaron," the serial killer taunted, "it's your ego that ALWAYS gets you in these situations. Every time. You know, I have Haley right here. I'm sure she would love to talk to you."

"Aaron," Haley cried.

"Haley, I know you didn't sign on for this."

"Neither did you."

"Tell Jack I need him working the case and put him on the phone with me."

"Hey daddy," Jack's innocent voice cried out.

"Hi, buddy," Hotch choked out, "I need you on this case with me! I can't do this without you. Work the case with me buddy, alright?"

"Okay. Mom, I gotta go. I'm working the case."

"Haley, I'm so sorry," Hotch apologized as soon as she got back on the line.

"Do not apologize. This isn't your fault." As Foyet approached from behind her he said, "Yes it is."

"Aaron, I want you to promise me something. Promise me that you will tell Jack how we met. Promise me you will show him how to love because it is the most important thing. Denise and Anna can show you how. Do NOT turn them away! Promise me!"

"How do you know about-"

"He...He told me," Haley stuttered, "Jack needs to know you weren't always so serious. Stay with Denise Rogers. She's a keeper. Promise me."

"I promise," Hotch vowed. All of a sudden, BANG! Two gunshots rang out. Hotch threw his phone down. He was too late. Too late.