Aaron adjusted his tie one last time in the mirror. Taking a deep breath, he stepped out of the bathroom and went into the living room. Jack was on the sofa, tugging at his sleeves. "Do I have to dress up, Daddy?"

"Yes, Jack. This is a nice restaurant we're going to with Miss Erin and her daughter."

"Molly?"

"No, Georgia. She's visiting from Iowa." He took hold of Jack's hand and they went out to the car. The drive was short and he handed the keys to a nice young man who parked his car while he and Jack went inside. Erin was standing near the entrance and she smiled when she saw them.

"Hello, Jack," she said kindly and he hugged her tightly.

"Hi, Miss Erin. Are you feeling better today?"

"Yes, I am." Something caught Erin's eye and she stiffened slightly before plastering on a defensive smile. "Hello, Georgia."

"Mother?" Erin nodded slightly, her bottom lip quavering a little, and opened her arms. Georgia hugged her, a quick, radiant smile on her face. Aaron left Jack with the woman and went over to the maître d' to check in and then rejoined them. "And who is your friend, Mother?"
"This is my beau, Aaron Hotchner. He also recently lost his spouse, and we've bonded over that." She wrapped her arm around his waist, holding him close to her. "His son, Jack, is my knight in shining armor." Jack looked up at Erin, a grin on his face.

"Can I be your superhero instead? 'Cause I want to be like Daddy, and he's a real superhero."

"Whatever you'd like, sweetheart."

They were seated moments later and soon had their order in. "So, Aaron, what do you do at the FBI?" Georgia asked suddenly.

"He puts the bad guys in prison so they can't hurt anyone any longer." Georgia giggled at Jack's quick reply and she bit her lip as she looked at Erin and him. The look reminded him so much of Erin and he reached out for her hand underneath the table. Erin squeezed tightly and smiled at him. "What do you do, Georgia?"

"I'm studying to be a writer. I want to have a book of my stories published by the time I'm twenty five. I still have a long way to go and not a lot of time."
"Would you tell me a story sometime?"

"Sure." Jack scooted his chair closer to her, smiling up at her in instant adoration. "What kind of story do you like best?"

"Ones where the hero wins after a long fight, and has the beautiful princess fall in love with him, and they live happily ever after."

"And what does a beautiful princess look like?" Georgia asked kindly.

"Like Mama or Miss Erin. Or Aunt Penelope or Miss Jareau or you. Daddy says there's something beautiful in every heart and that it shines through onto the outside."

"That's so sweet, Aaron! What a wonderful thing to teach your son." Georgia grinned at him. "You are such the brooding hero archetype. I never thought I'd meet one in real life. Oh, Mother, you are so lucky."

Erin blushed and looked down at the table. "I guess I am." Their food arrived and they spent the rest of the evening talking easily amongst themselves. Aaron found himself really liking Georgia and noticed a lot of Erin in her.

During dessert, he could feel Georgia's eyes on him. "Yes?"

"If you'd like, I could run Jack home and tell him a bedtime story. It would give you and Mother more time together." Aaron tensed a little, and Georgia smiled. "I know you just met me, but I guess I have the Penelope Rossi seal of approval. At least, that's what Mother said."

"Please, Daddy? I want to hear one of her stories." Jack turned his ever-effective doe eyes on him and he felt his heart melt a little.

"I suppose. But one story only, okay? Tomorrow's a school day." He wrote down directions to his house and they took off, Jack smiling and talking a million miles a minute.

"Thank you for trusting her. She really wants to make herself a part of my life." Erin smiled at him and he nodded.

"If Penelope approves of her, she must be okay. Did, did she ask about her father?"

"Yes. And I told her he was David. I wasn't ready to tell her the truth." The waiter appeared at their side with the check and she handed him her credit card before Aaron could get his out. "Did I do the right thing?"

"Yes. She's a lovely girl, the truth would only hurt her. And unless she asks for a DNA test, there's no way to prove he's not."

"Ever the lawyer, eh, Hotch?" She smiled at him happily and he nodded. Once the bill was squared away, she spoke once again. "Would you like to come back to my place for a nightcap?"

"Yes." They stood and had their cars brought around. "I'll just follow you, then?" She nodded and got in her car, driving off. Aaron had no problem keeping up with her and soon they were pulling into the driveway of an elegant Greek Revival style home. He got out and followed her into the house.

After Erin had locked the door, she took hold of his hand, leading him into a cozy den. "Would you mind starting the fire while I pour us some brandy?" she asked, not looking at him.

"Of course I'll do that." He made quick work of that task and joined her on the sofa, taking the snifter she held out. "What's on your mind?"

"I forgot how good profilers are at knowing things." She took a sip of the alcohol. "When we decide to take things to the next level," she began, blushing fiercely, "um, you'll have to use lubricant. I wanted you to know now, so you could change your mind and call things off."

"You've never…?" he began, but she put her hand up to his mouth, cutting off his next words as she shook her head. "Oh, Erin," he murmured against her fingers and reached his own hand up to wipe away her tears.

"I only ever seem to cry nowadays," she whispered, leaning into his touch.

"You've had a lot happen to you lately. The tears are a sign of your healing. Never be ashamed to cry." She smiled a little and closed the distance between them, capturing his lips in a tender kiss. During the kiss, he felt her undoing the fastenings on her clothes and when she released his lips, she stood up clad only in her bra and panties, tears still coursing down her cheeks.

"I want this, Aaron," she whispered, not looking at him.

"No, you don't. You just want to please me." Her head snapped up and she met his eyes, relief shining in her gaze. "Besides, there are a few steps between kisses and sex that you're leaving out."

"There are?" He nodded and stood next to her, pulling her into his arms. Unlike Haley, she was so incredibly soft and rounded and he had to remind himself to tread carefully. "Will you show me the next step then?"

"Are you?"

"Yes. Of this, I'm certain." She kissed him once more and unbidden, his hands came down to cup her ass, holding her close to him. After she'd broken the kiss, she tugged on his arm until he gave her one of his hands. Erin led him to her bedroom and they walked over to the large bed.

Erin sat down and stared at him. From her expression, he could tell she was close to a panic attack. "Where are your nightgowns?"
"In the top left hand drawer of the dresser." He nodded and left her side, going over to the dresser. Aaron pulled out a silky, sheer, nightie that looked like it would hit her knees when on and brought it back to her.

"Here, put this on." She nodded and reached back to unclasp her bra. Aaron kept his eyes on her face, though he desperately wanted to look lower. As soon as the nightie was on, he sat on the bed next to Erin, wrapping his arms around her waist. "Trust me," he whispered in her ear.

"With all my being," she replied, melting into him. Aaron smiled and pulled her down on top of him as he lay back on the bed. In one fluid move, he had them on their sides, his hands still on her waist. Slowly, he slid one up to cup her breast, the weight filling his palm to fullness.

"Oh," Erin said lowly as he absently thumbed her nipple. As he continued the motion, he claimed her lips once more and was surprised to feel her move beneath him, squirming closer to his body. "Aaron, oh, Aaron." She was pliant next to him and he turned her so that so he could watch her reactions.

As he ran one of his hands lower, he could feel the exact moment she shied away from the pleasure she was experiencing and he stopped, his hand hovering above her mound. "I won't go any further than what you're ready for," he whispered before he kissed her neck. Erin nodded and relaxed a little once more.

"Touch me here," she whispered in return, bringing his hand up to her breasts. He kneaded them gently and she arched into him, a soft moan slipping from her lips. He softly kissed the junction where her neck and shoulder met, and she moved like water beneath him. "Aaron, this feels so wonderful." She reached up to encircle his neck with her arms. "But, we're forgetting about your needs here."

His eyes widened as her nimble fingers slipped down his side to fumble with his belt and zipper on his pants. She pushed him onto his back and tugged down his pants. Aaron lifted his hips to accommodate her and bit back a groan of pleasure as her hand closed around his dick. "Erin," he bit out, his hips bucking against the sweet friction of her fingers as she sped up, bringing him closer to release. As if she could tell when he was about to cum, she slowed the movements, prolonging his pleasure.

Aaron hardly noticed her reach over for a tissue as his orgasm rocked his body, but she was soon collapsing atop him, her breathing slightly unsteady. "Do you feel better now?"

`"Amazing, sweetheart. You are completely and utterly amazing." He kissed her forehead and she snuggled close to him.

"Will you hold me until I fall asleep? I know you have to go home to Jack…"

"I don't want to leave you while you need me, but I can't leave him alone, either." Aaron sighed.

"I suppose I could go with you. I mean, I am ready for bed already." She looked into his eyes and the trust shining there hurt his heart a little to see.

"If that is what you want, Erin." She nodded and they got up. While he adjusted his clothing, she pulled out a silk robe and pulled out an overnight bag. "Are you ready?"

She was cinching a long trench coat as she looked at him. "As I'll ever be." She took his outstretched hand and together they went out into the night.