I do not own Harry Potter, Criminal Minds, or NCIS!
Warning: Bad language, OOC, wrote this in less than an hour- there may be mistakes. Oops?
Chapter 13
Ianthe went through the next two weeks focusing on work, and trying to get over Jethro. Her intuition had never failed her before, why did it now? Was there something that she did, to push him into the arms of another woman?
There was a knock on her door, at 7pm on a Friday. Ianthe was wearing leggings, and a long sweater. Her red locks were restrained by a fishtail braid. When she opened the door, she was surprised to see Hotch on her dooor step, wearing clothes that were more casual than work clothes.
"Aaron! Is everything alright? Do we have a case?" Ianthe said, waving him in. After Aaron paid Cloony his due attention, he took the offered seat on her couch.
"No, it's nothing like that. I have come to kidnap you." Aaron said, causing her to raise her eyebrow at him.
"That might be more effective if you did not warn me first, Aaron." Ianthe said wryly. She took a sip from her wineglass. She had offered Aaron some, but he declined.
Aaron looked at her, his expression serious. "Ianthe, I am worried. So is the rest of my team, and yours. You have lost weight, your mood has been depressed, even your music choices have deteriorated! You need to get out with some friends, have some fun." Hotch said, sincerely.
Ianthe sighed. "I am more upset that I don't know why this happened. Not that it did. Does that make sense?" Ianthe asked.
"Perfectly." Aaron said, thinking of his mess with Haley.
"I would feel better about the whole thing, if I hadn't had sex with him. We had crazy chemistry, and had sex wayyyy before I would have otherwise. He was the third person I ever did that with, and he turned out to be a total douche! I am sorry, I shouldn't be ranting to you." Ianthe said, cheeks reddening.
"It's ok, but Garcia would probably be a better choice as a confidant. She would love to be your friend." Hotch said.
"What about you? Do you not want to be my friend?" Ianthe asked, confused.
Aaron swallowed hard. "No. I want to be much more." Hotch said, watching her face change to shock. "I wanted to ask you out the first day I met you, but I didn't know if you were involved with someone. Then I interrupted your date, and I was so disappointed." Hotch said.
"Oh, Aaron. I had no idea." Ianthe said. She was shocked at that revalation. She had been very attracted to him from the begining, but she was with Jethro, so she didn't explore it. You aren't with him anymore- Her sly side whispered.
"Then that fool cheated on you. I would rather he didn't, and that you were happy, but he did. I will give you all the time you need. Please, just... let me know if I have a chance?" Aaron said.
Ianthe looked at Aaron. He looked so handsome, sitting on her couch wearing tight black jeans, a dark green Henley shirt, and a black bomber jacket.
"I must admit, that I have been very attracted to you since I got here. I was already involved with Jethro then, so I just pushed it aside. Cheating is something I would never do. I need some more time, but probably not more than a couple of weeks. If you still want a date, ask me out then." She said, smiling at him.
Hotch walked up to her, were she had stood upon Aaron's confession. He put his arms around Ianthe, and it felt like coming home. She put her arms around his waist, and squeezed.
"That sounds like a plan. Now, my team is waiting for us down at Brewster's. Would you please come? You can't let his being an asshole keep you from enjoying life, and making new friends." Hotch said.
"You are right, of course. I need to change clothes." Ianthe said, looking at her outfit.
"You look gorgeous as you are. There is no need to change. Brewster's is a laid back place. It's modeled after an English Pub, but I don't know how authentic it is." Hotch said.
"Well! Now I have to go, to make sure!" Ianthe said. She slipped on some ankle boots, and grabbed her Navy blue peacoat.
As soon as she had taken care of the dog, they were on their way. Hotch helped Ianthe into the car, and shut her door for her. They left for the bar, never looking across the street.
If they had, they would have seen the silhouette of a man, looking out of a space in his blinds. Jethro had watched the entire scene through binoculars, with no audio. HEY! He was keeping watch over her until Harper Dearing was caught, he wasn't a pervert! It looked like Ianthe was getting picked up for a date, with that younger Agent named Butterscotch, or something like it. He had watched them hug, and it crushed him. Ianthe was moving on.
By the time this damn, fucking terrorist was caught, they could be dating exclusively. He hoped she would drop him once she knew the truth, but he was unsure. Ianthe was a loyal little thing, and if their relationship got serious, he was sure she would stick with him. Maybe he would get lucky, and the date would not go well.
Either way, he would do whatever it took to get her back - and he would, come Hell or high water.
Unknown to Gibbs, there was another factor that would possibly tip the scales. Aaron Hotchner had a five year old son, named Jack.
What role would his existance play, to a woman who desperately wanted a child?
Only time would tell.