Episode: Dorado Falls

It's not like the great Aaron Hotchner got scared of things. Murderers? No big deal. Psychopaths? Please. Bombers? Try again. Telling his son he was in a relationship with someone who wasn't his mom?

Hello Achilles heel.

Hotch stared at his son's door, messily decorated with foam letters that spelled out, "jAck". He sighed softly, wondering if it'd open on its own.

"Daddy, what are you doing?" Hotch jolted, turning and dropping to his knees in front of Jack.

"Hey buddy, I thought you were already sleeping."

"No, I was in the bafroom," Jack blinked up at his dad, raising his arms above his head and wiggling his fingers to get Hotch to pick him up. Hotch did, carrying Jack into his room and laying him on the bed, tugging the blanket up over his body. Jack frowned at Hotch, creasing his eyebrows and spoke up quietly,

"Daddy, what's wrong?"

Hotch tipped his head, studying his son for a second. "I- What do you mean?"

"You look sad, Daddy."

"Do I? I'm sorry, Jack, I didn't mean to scare you," Hotch crouched down to eye level, squeezing his son's arm.

"You didn't scare me, Daddy. You just looked sad," Jack frowned, reaching out and tugging on his Dad's hair. "Don't be sad."

"I'm not, Jack." Hotch took a deep breath, suddenly realising that this was his chance. "Actually I'm really, really happy. Do you remember the woman you met a while ago, Emily?"

Jack scrunched up his face and nodded slowly. He didn't remember much except that she was pretty and hadn't laughed at his army men. Nobody should ever laugh at army men.

"Well we're dating now. That's when two people who really like each other spend time together."

"Like you and Mommy?"

"Not quite," Hotch couldn't really explain to a 6 year old that he was sure he'd marry Emily one day, but hadn't exactly decided on when. The poor kid was already sleepy and confused, Hotch couldn't just have a long, drawn out "adult" conversation with him. "We're like Mommy and I were but we aren't married."

"You and Mommy weren't married the whole time though, Daddy."

Hotch sucked in his breath, glancing away for a moment, the pain he'd caused Jack and Hayley still stinging and a bit raw.

"No but Emily and I aren't going to leave each other like Mommy and I did, Jack. We love each other very much." He wondered if he should include this part in the rundown he was going to give Emily later. Probably not.

Wouldn't want to scare her off and have to sit Jack down for another bad conversation.

"Oh, sorry Jack, all that stuff I said to you was a lie. Please continue living your life."

Definitely not.

"Promise?" Jack's voice tugged Hotch back to reality and for a moment Hotch was stunned. There were no questions, no details about how their lives would differ. He was just ok with it.

As long as you two stay together, he'll be okay.

Hotch smiled, leaning down to kiss Jack goodnight on the forehead.

"I promise."

OoOoOoO

"So yeah, that was about it. He remembers you fine and asked about Hayley but other than that he's alright with it."

"Aw, what a sweet kid," Emily paused, leaning against the doorframe in her kitchen, momentarily leaving her dinner unattended.

"Yeah, he really is." A smile crossed her face as Emily heard the fondness running through Hotch's words.

"Well, talking to a 6 year old about something I sincerely hope he'll know nothing about until he's at least 16 is tiring."

"Ah, of course. I shouldn't keep the great SSAIC Aaron Hotchner from his nightly going-ons."

"Not much going on until you come over tomorrow night," Hotch hummed into the phone. Emily burst out laughing, almost spilling spaghetti sauce all over her shirt.

"Smooth, Hotch. Very smooth. Oh, why aren't you here to hold me while I swoon?" Emily responded drily as she mopped up the spilled sauce with the side of her hand.

"Well I do consider myself somewhat of a romantic."

"Goodnight, Hotch."

"Night Emily," There was a momentary beat as Hotch paused, glancing back at the door to Jack's room and smiling to himself.

"I love you."

He wasn't sure if he was talking to Emily or Jack but really, either would do.

Mars - Effi