Author's Note: Basically, Jack's already off to college (God, they grow up so quickly!), which makes Avery the only kid in the house now. Hope you love it! And yes, you probably will house a little hatred for Henry in this chapter. But (in my mind!) Avery loves him, and Henry honestly loves her, no matter what he does that demonstrates otherwise. Just keep that in mind, and you'll enjoy this little foray! I promise. :) As always, thanks so much for taking the time to read this story! I love y'all so much.

Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds, otherwise known as the best show in the world. Avery is mine, however! :)


"So, Jack called while you were driving home," Aaron said conversationally. "His pre-med courses are going reall well, apparently. He loves Johns Hopkins, and he –"

Emily and Aaron were jolted out of their conversation as Avery entered the house, dropped her schoolbag on the floor, slammed the front door shut, and ran to her room, tears streaming down her face.

Emily's eyes widened in shock at the unexpected scene that had just unfolded. "Avery?" she asked, her voice raised in concern.

"Don't talk to me!" the teenager yelled back, slamming yet another door and locking herself in.

Aaron turned to Emily, his heart stopping for a second. Avery? Sweetheart? "What on earth is going on?"

She shook her head slowly. "I…I have no clue. She always talks to me. Why…why won't she now?" Emily murmured, worrying away at her bottom lip unconsciously.

Aaron was quiet.

"I guess I'll go talk to her," she continued, more to herself than anyone else.

"I can, if you want," Aaron suggested.

"No…no offense, but she's more likely to open up to me," Emily said softly.

Aaron nodded, knowing it was true but feeling a tad bit dejected anyway. "I agree," he replied, his voice just as soft.

Without another word – but not before soothingly caressing his stubbly cheek with her palm - Emily made her way up the stairs leading to Avery's room. She knocked gently. "Avery?" she prompted.

"Go away," Avery immediately answered, her voice muffled.

Emily sighed, her expression softening exponentially. "Ave, I'm not going away, no matter how much you want me to," Emily said persistently. "Open your door and tell me what's wrong."

"No. How many times do I have to tell you? I don't want to talk about it. It's nothing," Avery lied.

Emily closed her eyes at Avery's tone of voice, knowing that at any other day, she'd have told her to apologize, but today…today was different. "Sweetheart, obviously it's something important or you wouldn't be crying." She paused. "Please let me in?" she asked her daughter tentatively.

Avery didn't answer, but less than a minute later, her door swung open. Emily slowly strode in, her gaze instantly landing on the fifteen year old, curled up in a ball on her bed, her duvet bunched up at her side. Avery's light mascara was smeared across her cheeks, her eyes were red, her hair was messed up, and her shirt was tear-stained.

"Oh, Ave…"

Avery immediately undid her contortion and ran into her mother's arms, crying even harder. "Mom…I'm sorry. I didn't mean to yell at you."

Emily stroked her hair in an attempt to soothe the troubled child. "Shhh…baby. I know you didn't." Then, finally, she asked the question on her and Aaron's minds. "What happened? Your father and I are worried."

Avery shook her head, her dark brown, naturally highlighted hair falling into her face. "I…I don't even know, to be honest. It's so complicated. I'm thinking one thing, while another part of me is wishing to high heaven that it's not true…and that same part of me is convinced that it's not true, but his actions…"

His? Oh, God. Henry. Emily led the girl back to the foot of her bed, sitting down beside her and wrapping a strong arm around her shoulders for some much needed support. "Then try to explain," she said patiently, the look in her eyes communicating very clearly that she wasn't leaving any time soon.

Avery huffed at her mother's stubbornness, wiping furiously at her tears, before releasing a long, shuddery sigh. "I saw…I saw Henry. And he…God, I don't know why I'm telling you this," she moaned. "But…he was kissing this one girl, Harper." Another sob - the loudest one yet - was torn from her throat. "He didn't even notice me!" she wailed. "And Harper…she's a senior, just like him! Does…does he not like me because I'm only a sophomore?" Avery dissolved into another round of tears.

Emily's heart wrenched for her daughter. She didn't know what to say, but second by second, anger was rising deep inside her. No one hurt her daughter and got away with it. "Avery…" she shook her head, "I'm so sorry, sweetheart."

"And that's not the only thing! It just gets worse!" she yelled, running a hand through her wavy hair in exasperation. "Once she was finished sucking his face off, Henry finally saw me there, watching them in disbelief. And all he did was…was stand there. You know what he told me on our last date? 'Oh Avery, you're the most beautiful girl I know. I don't know anyone as perfect as you.'" Her voice broke at the memories, and she paused before whispering, "And then…then he told me he loved me." She shook her head violently. "He doesn't love me," she cried, her voice hoarse, her body shaking. "Why did he lie?"

Emily, half terrified at the teenager's requited admission of love, and half enraged at Henry's behavior, gave the boy she had known since birth one last chance. "He…didn't lie, Ave," she said, trying for a convincing tone. "He's just…oh, I don't know. There's so much drama in high school, with all the raging hormones…you know what they say. Boys will be boys."

"What does that even mean, 'boys will be boys'? That's the worse excuse ever! He doesn't even deserve an excuse. When I turned my back on them and walked away, then he followed me. And you know what he said? 'God, I'm so sorry, Avery. It was an accident.' An accident? It sure didn't look like an accident when he let her shove her tongue down his throat!" She buried her face in her mother's chest. "That's when I left and ran home. I couldn't take it anymore, and you know running always helps me get rid of tension."

Emily didn't know what to say; she was speechless, and she hated it. "If…it's any consolation…the same thing happened to me with every single guy I dated." But I still ended up with the man I love. "You're not the only one."

Avery closed her eyes. "I don't care about that, Mom," she said impatiently. "I couldn't care less for the future right now. I just want to live in the moment. Now. And the thing is…I can't even bring myself to hate him. I…I love him too much. And I hate myself for it."

She loves him. Oh my God, Aaron better not find out or he will definitely have a heart attack this time. "Don't," Emily said in response. "Yes, what he did was stupid, immature, awful…and above all, unfair for you. But hopefully, he'll come to his senses. You two have been together for such a long time, without ever having a single fight. He knows what an amazing girl you are. And when the time comes, he's going to realize how badly he screwed up. Then he'll do anything to get you back. Anything." She paused, then added, "And well, if he doesn't, he's going to have to deal with me and your father." She smiled brightly.

Avery actually laughed at that. "Oh, Dad would kill him."

"And manage to make it look like an accident."

Both Emily and Avery turned to the doorway when Aaron spoke. "Dad," Avery said quietly, not even surprised at his presence. God, he always has the worst timing. "How…how long have you been standing there?"

He stepped into the maroon and ivory colored bedroom. "Long enough." His hand came to rest on her shoulder, but neither Emily nor Avery saw how it was shaking. Shaking with pain and love for his daughter, shaking with the overwhelming want to shelter her from anything and everything, shaking with the suddenly very strong emotions he was feeling toward Henry. Oh, Henry. "Really, Ave. No matter what you want me to do to him…" he cracked his knuckles threateningly, "I'll do it." Then he gave her a comforting smile, and the two Hotchner women couldn't help but smile back.

Avery laughed again. "Thanks, Dad," she said sincerely. "And thank you, Mom." Turning back to her father, she said, "I'll keep that in mind. But now, I just need a break from all this drama or I'm going to gag."

"I have a great idea," Emily said. "How about we take a little trip to Pure Bliss?"

Aaron cocked an eyebrow. "Are you trying to fatten me up, Em?"

Emily chuckled. "Oh, darn. My plan is foiled."

Avery grinned. "Well, ice cream is good for you every once and a while, right? Oh, and it's not even ice cream, it's frozen yogurt," she pointed out, her eyes sparkling, and this time, not with tears.

"Exactly. So I'm actually doing you a favor, Aaron," Emily quipped.

"Whatever," he teased. "I think Pure Bliss sounds good. What about you, Ave?"

She didn't even need to think it over before saying, "That sounds absolutely perfect."

~.~.~

Meet me at Piccomolo's today after school.

Avery re-read the anonymous note; she recognized the handwriting, however, and it only deepened her frown. She had been getting lavender roses - her favorite – each day in her locker, and she had no concrete evidence to support her theories about the mystery person's identity. Until now.

And now, he wanted to meet.

Of course, she knew she shouldn't jump back in so quickly. Remembering what her mom had said, Avery knew that the last thing she wanted to do was come off as desperate, clingy. Looking around the relatively empty hallway, she sighed and ran a hand over her face. She had a pretty good guess of who it was, and if it really was him, she didn't want to talk. She didn't even want to see him.

"He had his chance," she muttered quietly. But really, if she searched deep inside her to find the base of her emotions, she knew that she loved him – no matter what her father wished - and nothing could change that. So, she called her mom and told her she'd be late in coming home because she was going to get ice cream with her friends.

It was only half a lie.

~.~.~

"Where is she?" he asked himself, pacing in front of the small ice cream shop.

Sighing, he sat down on one of the neighboring benches. He had really messed up this time.

"I don't know what to tell you, Henry," his mom had said. "If Avery is as headstrong as her mother – and from what I've seen of her, I'm sure she is, if not more – then you have some serious work to do. Because I don't think she's going to let you off easy on this one."

He ran a hand through his already messy blonde hair. If Avery didn't forgive him, he was going to be in a world of hurt with her mom.

And her dad.

Henry shivered uncontrollably at the thought. He knew Avery's parents were darn good with a gun. What had his mom said?

"Emily and Aaron are two of the best shots in the FBI, let alone the BAU. Better than me, even."

And he had seen his mom at the shooting range.

Crap.

Another shiver wracked his body. Calm yourself, Henry, he thought. Right as he was almost fully placated, he saw her. And immediately felt like crying. How was he supposed to fix this one?

He spent a minute just watching her. Her long dark hair was pulled into a side braid, shining auburn in the almost-summer sun. She had changed out of their school uniform and was wearing a white and green striped tank top with short, faded jean shorts.

She had never looked more beautiful.

Sighing, he got up off the bench and began to walk towards her.

Here goes nothing.

~.~.~

"Avery."

The moment she heard his voice, she stopped. She didn't even turn around to face him before asking quietly, coldly, "What do you want, Henry?"

"I…" He cleared his throat as his voice broke. "I want to apologize. For the other day."

She spun around and looked at him apprehensively. "That's it? You expect me to forgive you immediately? Wow. I don't know where you got the idea that I was so desperate, but sorry. That's not going to happen any time soon."

"I know." Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry. "What I did was…was immature, and stupid, and…and I was a complete jackass. I accept that. I know what I did was wrong, and it was the worst mistake I've ever made in my life." He paused, gauging her reaction. "I'm so sorry, Ave."

Her eyes finally met his. "If you knew it was wrong, then why did you do it?" Her voice was sharp, cutting through his precariously built reserve.

He shook his head. "You're going to hate me."

"More than I do now? Hmm, I didn't think that was possible."

He winced. "It…it was a dare. My friend Zach bet me fifty bucks I wouldn't go up to Harper and flirt with her, since…well, she likes me. She's liked me since the fifth grade, and Zach knows that. The only reason I said I'd do it is because…God, this is so pathetic. My parents wouldn't lend me any more money, and McAlister's really doesn't pay too much for washing dishes." He shook his head at his digression. "Anyway, I wanted to get you this." He pulled out a small box from the pocket of his khaki shorts. Handing it to her, he said, "Open it."

Warily, she obeyed, her face an emotionless mask identical to her father's as she fingered the heavy silver charm bracelet. She looked up at him, a question dancing in her eyes.

"I didn't think she would start kissing me," he answered, beginning to ramble. "She…God, I really don't like her. It's not even at the point where I can be civil to her when we're in the same room. I've turned her down too many times to count, but every time it's like she doesn't get the message. It's annoying, and disconcerting, and…I hate to say this, but it's a bit disgusting, too." His eyes became, if possible, even sadder-looking. "Avery, I'm so sorry. I honestly don't know what I'd do without you, but…" he shut his eyes in pain at the sheer thought, "but if you don't want to forgive me, I understand." Taking a deep breath, he added, "Either way, I want you to keep the bracelet."

"…Why?"

"Because…it's a gift." He sighed heavily, his voice breaking again as he said, "Happy two year anniversary, babe."

Fighting back the sudden prickling sensation in her dark gaze, she whispered, "You remembered."

He nodded. "Of course I remembered. You're the best thing that's ever happened to me."

That's when the tears came. Strained, Henry pulled her into his arms and held her there. "I'm so sorry, Avery. I'm so sorry…" Unconsciously, he pressed a kiss in her hair.

Fisting a hand in his tear-stained shirt, she murmured, "I want to say it's okay," against his chest. "I really do. And to be honest, I don't think it's possible for me to stay mad at you for very long, but…God, Henry, there are so many things I could say to you right now. I know you're not the type of guy to do something like…like what I thought you had done. But…"

"But what I did was still terrible, and I hurt you. I've never wanted to hurt you, Ave."

"I know. I could probably go on for hours how what you did was unnecessary, and potentially ruining, and distrusting, and hurtful…but you don't need to hear that from me. You already know it." She shook her head, turning so that their eyes could once again meet. "You're a good guy, Henry. Don't tarnish that."

"I won't. I swear to you, I won't." He smiled weakly, then wrapped the silver chain around her wrist before pressing a soft sweet kiss against her lips. "Thank you," he mumbled, his voice almost inaudible.

She pulled back, her heart still not ready for everything he was offering. Soon, very soon, she would be. But for now, she needed some time to think, and let her mind rest. "For what?" she finally answered.

"For everything. For…you." Looking straight into her eyes, he said, "I love you, Avery Samantha Hotchner. Please…believe it. I don't deserve you one bit, but all I can do is pray to God that we can put this behind us."

"And that you won't ever do anything like this again," she added, a slightly mirthful look finally returning to her gaze.

He let out a relieved, almost tearful, chuckle. "Never again."

Returning his shy smile, she said, "Then I love you, too, Henry William LaMontagne."

~.~.~

"I'm going to kill him."

Emily didn't even bother looking up from the book she was reading. "You've said that eleven times in the last three minutes, honey."

"No one screws with my daughter like that!" he yelled, infuriated beyond belief. "No one! And Avery…I don't understand how she was able to forgive him so quickly." To say he was angry at both teenagers was a severe understatement. "I had so much faith in him," he continued, tamer this time, "I had so much faith that he, of all people, wouldn't hurt her. But now, what did he do?"

The question was rhetorical, but Emily was tired, and Aaron's bad side only served to bring out her sassy one. "He accepted a dare from his sleazy friend Zach in order to get fifty bucks, which he then used to buy Avery a seventy-five dollar bracelet for their anniversary."

"Oh, big deal! If he thinks he can win her back with jewelry or any other sort of bribe, he sure as hell has another think coming." He breathed raggedly, letting his body fall back on their bed. "If I had any influence whatsoever, that boy would be far, far away from our daughter."

Emily looked at him carefully. "To be honest, I felt the very same way when Avery first told me what had happened. But again, think it over. Would you rather Avery be with some swine of a boy with a one-track mind – because, good Lord, there are too many boys like that in her grade – or would you rather she be with a boy we've known since birth, a boy who we've practically raised?"

Aaron glared at her, knowing, as always, that she was right. "You know my answer," he practically growled.

"They've been dating for two years, Aaron. Two years and only one fight? Do you have any idea how rare that is for a teenage relationship?" And God, she loves him. There's no negotiating with her once she makes up her mind. She gets that from you.

I could really hate her for how astute she is, Aaron thought, sighing at Emily's words. "Alright, alright. It's rare. I get that."

Emily raised an eyebrow. "But?"

"…But, I still don't think Avery should have let him off the hook immediately."

"She hasn't," Emily said matter-of-factly. "I mean…she has, to an extent, but she has enough Hotchner blood in her that she's able to get her point across without explicitly threatening him. It's safe to say that Henry LaMontagne won't be messing with her heart ever again."

"He better not," Aaron scowled, his arms finding their way around Emily's waist. "Because that's not the way things work in the real world. If I did something like that, you'd kick me out, and I would deserve it."

"But, you're forgetting that I love you too much," she murmured, smiling with her eyes. "Same with them," she said, more to herself than anyone else. "Their problems will get resolved because they're in love." At that, she began drifting to sleep.

But not before Aaron pulled back and said, "They're what?"

Emily winced. Shit.


Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading! Please feel free to leave a review, no matter how short. They always make me smile. :) And if I don't update before November twenty-fourth, have a very Happy Thanksgiving!


Also, the FINAL Profiler's Choice Awards ballot is up! I cannot tell you how grateful I am; Thanks to you all, Daddy's Little Girl got nominated for Best Hotch/Emily, and Memento Mori got nominated for Best Post-Ep! I'm truly honored. If you have the time and would like to vote, the ballot and rules are at the short link here (copy/paste and remove the spaces):

d . pr/N11A

Ballots are due November 30th! And again, thank you all so very much! :)