A.N: ok, so I know this is taking longer than expected, but life sucks ya know. So here's the new chapter I hope you like it. Thank you to everyone who reviewed, alerted and added to favorites and now on with the show,

Disclaimer: I own nothing

Chapter twenty

"Any word from Reid or Kristine?" Emily asked as they approached the black government issue Chevy Suburban.

The three heads nodded no, "Let's just hope that nothing's happened so far," Hotch tossed in climbing into the driver seat.

Quiet reined for most of the twenty minute ride only the low hum, of the engine and the pitter patty of the light rain that hit the roof, filled the enclosed space. Everyone lost in their own private world of thoughts that now with this attempt on both Kristine and Morgan's life a certain vulnerability enclosed around them like a dark thick blanket.

Pulling to a stop, Hotch shut off the engine and turned slightly to the remaining members of the team, "There's something I need to do before calling it a night."

"And that would be exactly?" Rossi questioned, seeing the resigned look in Hotch's ochre colored eyes.

"Something I need to do Dave, that's all you need to know and let's leave it at that," Aaron responded picking up his pace.

An exasperated sigh left Rossi's lips as he followed, close behind, "It won't solve anything Aaron, it's just an exercise in futility."

Both women looked between the pair feeling just a bit in the dark. "Could someone fill us in on this little plan?" JJ demanded one hand on her hip.

"Nothing you need to worry about JJ," Hotch replied, pushing the down button on the elevator, this mind traveling back to just shy of five hours ago, when he heard the gun shot reverberate around the parking garage his heart had just about stopped. But training and years of experience kicked in pushing all the fear and worry aside. When he came upon Morgan's prone form with Kristine cradling his unmoving body, her own gun drawn and pointed strait at his head his blood turned to ice.

Miracles did happen and now Morgan was recovering nicely, but Hotch knew that a bullet could take away more than just a life and that's what worried him the most. Would they be able to get past this? He knew Morgan most likely would just shut down even more, retracting from the world around him, unless one certain blonde could pull her head out of her ass and bring his lifeless existence back. As for Kristine he could only hope that she'd be able to push pass the incident and not blame herself for the unfortunate predicament she'd been put in.

"Earth to Hotch, come back to this plan of existence," Emily quipped waving a hand in front of his face.

Jerking back to the presence his eyes locked with Emily's for a brief second before turning away, "Thoughts," was all he provided and boarded the waiting elevator.

At ground level Hotch disembarked, heading strait for the daycare and his son only after reaching the double doors did he realize that he had company.

"Daddy," Jack yelled excitedly rushing towards him. His first real smile graced his lips as Jack flung himself into waiting arms, "Missed you daddy," Jack said, burying his face in Aaron's chest, arms wrapped tightly around his neck.

"Missed you to buddy," Aaron replied, rising from his crouched position Jack safely tucked into his arms.

"Aaron," a female voice exclaimed, from his left.

"Jessica," Hotch returned offering her his hand, "good to see your doing well."

"Same to you," she answered, then asked, "how's Jack been?"

His eyes slide down to the boy in question, "Coping," was the only answer he gave.

"All we can do," she said a deep sigh leaving her lips. "Well I guess I'll be going now," and she started for the door.

"Jessica," Hotch called after her, "have you got someone you can stay with for a bit?"

"Why?"

"To be safe," he returned, genuine concern showing in his eyes for his dead wife's sister.

"That bad again hu?" Hotch nodded, "John and I can take a few days vacation go see his family up in DC. You'll call when all's clear right?"

"Of course," he responded, "one other thing I'd feel better knowing you got off safe, that being said, I've arranged to have Agent Anderson drive you home check the place out and wait till you've left."

"So many precautions are they really necessary?" Jessica asked, fear lancing through her chest.

Grave dark eyes searched hazel, trying to convey everything, "Yes, I just don't want…"

Jessica held up a hand, "Say no more Aaron I only understand part of this, but you wouldn't be saying it if things weren't that bad," she walked back to stand next to Hotch, ruffling Jack's hair, "Be good little man, don't give your dad to much grief."

"Will you come back Aunty Jess?" Jack asked his voice quivering and slightly muffled. He didn't fully understand what was going on around him, but he knew something big had to have happened. Something that brought him and his father home, the one place Jack wanted to be more than anything.

"Of course Jacker's and soon," Jessica answered placing her lips against his forehead, "love you sweetheart," and she was gone, before the tears slipped down her ashen cheeks. She feared for both Jack and Aaron's safety, feared that her nephew would grow up without both parents, and she prayed that it would never happen, that fate wasn't done dealing with them, that they would get their peace after the dark times. Anderson followed close behind having received the call an hour ago he was all ready prepared for anything.

"Jack," Aaron stated watching as he uncurled himself from being burying against Hotch's chest. Big trusting brown eyes looked up at him, breaking his all ready shattered heart. "I need you to stay with Aunt JJ, and Uncle Dave for a bit there are a few things I still need to do. Can you do that for me buddy?"

The little boy nodded, but turned into his fathers chest more deeply, time may have aged him a few years, but the lose of his mother and the sudden upheaval of his life in Quantico had turned a once happy, bright and fun loving little boy into a shy, withdrawn child who clung to his father for dear life.

Hotch sensed the hesitancy, but the place he would be heading to was no place for the little boy to be returning to. Slowly he turned facing JJ first, all ready holding her own son clutched to her chest, his blonde head resting on her shoulder. "It's a lot to ask…" he trailed off seeing her raise a hand.

"Nothing is ever too much for family Hotch," JJ answered azure eyes catching ochre orbs and holding for a brief moment of time, understanding conveyed in that short occasion. Hotch nodded grateful for their support knowing that family was hard to come by even one as unconventional as his was.

Leaving the daycare and making their way back up stairs Rossi pushed the heavy glass paned door open holding it back, so the rest could slip through. Jacob stood from the first desk, replacing the newspaper and chair.

"Good to see you in one piece Hotchner," Jacob quipped waiting for the foursome to pass him.

"What did you expect Jake, a million bullet holes," Hotch returned dryly.

"Something like that," he tossed back getting in step behind, Rossi as they ambled up towards the conference room, "So what did happen?"

"Yes I'd like that explanation as well," came Strauss's harsh voice as she stood from the high backed black chair.

"That would be my cue," Jacob whispered trying to sneak out the way he came.

But unfortunately it was to late, "Marshall Roberts you stay," she motioned for everyone to take a seat. "Now what exactly happened down there?"

"Ma'am with all due respect, I don't want my son having to hear what happened and I'm sure Hotch agrees with me on that point. Seeing as how I didn't and wasn't presence for what went down, I'm taking my leave with both boys," JJ interrupted not having taken a seat, she stepped over towards Aaron, and motioned for him to hand Jack over.

"Jack go with JJ for now ok?" Hotch whispered into his ear.

Jack nodded and unwrapped himself from round his father and leaned over towards JJ, who smiled warmly, motherly at him. He wrapped his arms around her neck, but said, "I can walk Aunty J."

She nodded and set him down to his feet, took his small cool hand and led him out without a backwards glance.

When the door clicked shut, Hotch began his short tale, his toneless voice resounding through the quite conference room.

With every word, Strauss's eyes grew dark with anger, her face grew pinched and turned a deep plum color, "How did…" she couldn't finish her words animosity growing within her chest.

"He stole Agent Smith's identification after killing and mutilating his body. The local Leo's found him this morning, but only managed to ascertain his identity shortly after Foyet all ready invaded and shot Morgan," Rossi explained pulling the crumpled sheet of faxed paper out of his pocket and handing it towards Erin.

"That still doesn't make up for the fact that he got passed the front guards, passed trained agents who have seen and studied his face for the last two years. This simply isn't possible," she returned her well placed façade starting to slip.

"Garcia put it simply, he switched pictures something that isn't so hard to do with the right equipment. For all we know he has help or has studied enough computer programs to show him how to change and fake an id. He could have and most likely did change his facial appearance when he drove into the garage knowing that, that point would be the weakest area. Waiting for the right time or in this case the right, but at the same time the wrong person to come down, Kristine did say that he told her "Wrong person, but you'll do," Emily explained hands folded in front of her.

Strauss acquiesced to her point, but, "Let's not give him another chance, get this son of a bitch now," and stood up leaving.

"Well I think the temperature rose about ten degree when she stepped out of the room," Jacob commented sarcastically steepling his fingers underneath his chin.

Ignoring Roberts' commented Rossi turned to stare at Hotch, "Still planning that little trip?"

Hotch nodded, "The rest of our bags, were did you put them?"

Jacob's head snapped up, "The TA's office," he answered then scowled when Rossi's words registered, "and where do you plan on going?"

"A quick stop before a hotel," Hotch answered hastily rising from his chair and out towards the steps.

"STOP," came Jacob's deep dooming voice, "I damn sure didn't protect you sorry ass all this time to have you go off half cocked on some half baked plan. Now you either tell us where you plan on going or as God and all these people are my witnesses I will hand cuff your ass to the first available chair I can find. Do you understand me?"

Hotch stopped in his tracks a ghost of a smile flitting across his face. Jacob in some respects reminded him of his late bastard of a father, only Jacob really cared about his charges treated them like family turning to look into the steely gray eyes of the older man.

"That's why you're going with me," Hotch replied smartly knowing he wouldn't win in a war of words with Jacob.

"As am I," Emily stated stepping off the stair case arms crossed over her chest, as daring him to object.

Throwing his hands up he turned, towards Rossi, "I suppose you want to as well."

"Not a chance in hell Hotch your well taken care of with those two. Besides I'll have my hands full with JJ and the boys. Jacob," when the turned, "make sure you drop them off at my place that's were we'll be staying till this shit blows over," Rossi finished slipping a piece of paper with his address on it, before walking away.

"Smart man," Jacob commented resuming his track after Hotch, Emily following closely behind both men.

Upon finding JJ in her office keeping to young boys company, Henry sitting on the floor playing with his toy cars crashing them together, while Jack sat quietly in a chair in front of JJ's desk coloring slowly. For a minute Dave just stood there taking in the sight before him, seeing such a big change in the boy he only barely got to know before he was whisked away.

"Deep thoughts there Dave," JJ asked, noticing his shadow falling over her desk.

"To deep sometimes JJ," he responded then motioned towards the children, "you ready to go?"

Cocking an eyebrow she stared into his dark eyes, "Meaning?"

"Go bag for you and backpack for the little monster aptly named Henry there. You three along with Hotch, Emily and Jacob are staying with me till this shi," he paused when her hand rose.

"Language," JJ admonished head slanting towards the boys.

"Right," he said, "till everything clears up."

"You know I can take care of myself Dave," she returned eyes boring holes into him.

"Yes I know that very well, but I would feel much better knowing that you were with someone instead of being alone. I don't and wouldn't put in past Foyet to be watching this place to see who leaving with whom, or at the very least, keeping some kind if tail on us. That being said, I think it's time we pack it in and call it a day."

"To right," she answered standing from her chair, "Henry pick up your cars please, we're leaving. Jack," she turned towards him to find he'd all ready put every crayon back and closed the coloring book.

"I'm ready, Aunty J," he responded diligently placing the book under his arm and crayons in his pocket, his eyes rising to meet hers.

She nodded pain racing through her chair at the sad expression in Jack's eyes. Eyes that were to wise for his young age, that most likely had seen to much all right of what life would throw at him.

"Jack how do you feel about ice cream for dinner?" Rossi asked crouching down in front of the mini Aaron.

Turning swiftly to the older man, "Really?' he asked eyes bright with enthusiasm.

JJ had a hard time keeping the scowl in place, but was failing miserably as she watched David scoop Jack up into his arms. Her heart lighting at the sight of such an outwardly gruff man, holding a small child so tenderly, she could see him as a father, stern when needed, yet gentle and caring. She'd always thought his boorish nature was always just an act one to ward off any unwelcome people, that deep down beat the heart of a truly good man who was, at most times misunderstood.

Catching the slightly dreamy look on her face Rossi tried to hide the grin as he answered, "Very serious Jack in fact if you're ready to go I know this really good place that sells the best triple chocolate fudge ice cream."

"Dave," JJ groaned, "I don't think Hotch wanted us to get Jack on a sugar high."

A mischievous glint crossed his eyes, "A little wont hurt Jennifer live a little."

"Live a little," she snorted shooting him a glare as she went to pick Henry up and grab her bag, "when you get your head…"

"Language JJ," he admonished with barely contained laughter.

She scowled and stocked over towards the door, "Move your big headed self out of my way, so I can close the door."

"Yes ma'am," he retorted swiftly exiting flashing a wink at Henry who giggled.

"Men," she mumbled walking off towards the elevators.

Meanwhile, Hotch, Emily and Jacob were getting into the Crown Victoria, "So where am I pointing this rust bucket?" Jacob asked from the driver's seat.

"The old house," was all Hotch proved his thoughts turning towards two years ago. He wasn't sure what he'd find or why his gut was telling him to go there, but something call it intuition or just some self damning reason to relive the most horrific moment of his life.

Silence enclosed them as Jacob drove a steady beat of rain falling from the sky, turning the scene dreary and lifeless. Turning into the drive white picket fence fading with age, lawn kept clipped short, and the house with it's lights off windows drawn an unlived in appearance brought memories to his mind of better times.

"Is there in particular reason you wanted to come here or was it just to beat yourself up a few more times?" Jacob asked, a foreboding feeling settling over his mind. Hotch didn't answer, he just stepped out of the car and started towards the front door. "No of course not ignore my question Hotch it wasn't important anyway," Jacob exclaimed rudely with a shake of his head following close behind.

The rain fell in light drops, but Aaron didn't feel a thing as he approached the front door, pulling out his keys in one hand while his right rested at his hip just a top his gun.

"Stay with pig headed over there, Emily while I go check around back," Jacob advised motioning towards Hotch, before taking off.

"You know," Emily began gaining Hotch's attention, "Jacob does have a point."

"He always has a point Em," Hotch returned, "and he may just be right, but this is something I have to do."

Putting the key in the lock, he turned it slowly, while twisting the knob below and pushing. A damp closed up smell reached their noses, not the most while, but not the repugnant smell they've ever came across. Inching forward Hotch unsnapped his weapon, yet waited to draw, instead pulled a flash light from his pocket and flicked the dark blue handles Maglite © flashlight on, casting shadows in dark areas. Painful reminiscent flooded his thoughts, the happy times, when Jack was first born, when he started to crawl and then walk. Painful times, their fights, her leaving and him coming back to an empty house, but the most painful was walking into the living room that fateful day and finding his ex-wife's lifeless body laying prone eyes shocked wide with terror.

Sending the flashlights beam around the front foyer, dismissing all thoughts of the past focusing only on the present he kept a leisure pace, scanning every bare wall, the furnishing had long since been sold, Haley's clothes gone, Jack's baby toys all packed up, and stored for safe keeping. His own belongings were reduced to what he could carry inside two large black duffle bags nothing to leave behind nothing that matter.

"Care to share your thoughts?" Emily asked after being silent for a short stretch.

A bitter sigh escaped his thinned lips, "Nothing worth sharing really."

"I know better than that Hotch."

"Life Emily," Hotch returned, stopping to pointing the flashlight between the two of them, "had been what this house was filled with at one time, before I let my career take control and look were that had got me."

"You didn't let your career take you anywhere you didn't want to go Aaron," Emily answered shrewdly.

"You think, so hu," he remarked the feeling of wanting to kick something settling in the pit of his stomach. "If I hadn't let this job take away my life, my family I'd still have it. Haley would still be alive, Jack would be happy. I should never have answered Morgan's phone call all those years ago. I should've…"

"What?" she interrupted, furiously anger seeping into her tone, "gone into some white collar sector and waste your talents on something that would have been meaningless that would have sucked the life right out of you. There is no guarantee your marriage would have survived even if you would have moved."

Hotch turned from her, "I should've tried," he whispered regret filling his heart and mind.

"Bull shit Hotch," Emily vehemently replied, "you did try, tried your fucking hardest, to keep everything together. To keep your family in one piece to keep the team from falling apart you did all you could, but sometimes life has other plans for you. Your not superhuman regretless of what you might think. We fail sometimes."

"And now," he stated turning back to face her, "what if I fail this time?"

"You wont," Emily replied quietly lowering her eyes, wondering if he though their relationship had been a mistake.

"How can you be so sure?"

"Am not, but we have to this time, he's made it to personal to close to home. He's endanger our family one to many times Aaron its time for some pay back."

End note: all right peep's there it is another one bites the dust. Let me know what you thought please.