Story I – Chapter 28

Hotch awoke before it was even starting to get light. He frowned as he laid there and tried to figure out what had woken him so much earlier than normal. When no reason came to him, he mentally shrugged. Maybe I don't need as much sleep now. He slid out from under Kahlan as he smiled. If I was uncomfortable to lie on, she would have moved in her sleep.

He made his way out of the room and then downstairs. After stopping at the restroom, he went and started a pot of coffee. He figured he still had about an hour before Kahlan even woke up, so he wanted to be as quiet as possible. As he stood there waiting for the coffee to finish, he wondered what he should do to pass the time. Once he had his mug full, he headed to his office to work on a couple of files and he took a sip of the hot liquid as he walked and then almost choked on it with how bad it taste. He forced himself to swallow it because he wasn't anywhere near a trashcan and he frowned as he looked down into the cup. What the hell? That was disgusting!

He thought for a second that maybe something had been his mug that he hadn't noticed, but when his stomach clenched he suddenly knew why it didn't taste good. If you keep the vampire satisfied than the human can be satisfied, he remembered Sabastian saying and he sighed. He continued on to his den and sat the mug on his desk. Well, I guess having things taste bad is a better indication that I need to feed than horrible pain and cravings.

He shut and locked his door as he went to his file cabinet. As he looked at the bags of blood, he again wondered how long he could actually go without drinking it before it became a problem. He looked back towards his door and thought about the four people on the other side of it. No. Just do it. Your luck it'd hit as soon as the kids get up or something. He took out the top bag and then shut the cooling drawer. Maybe this summer when the kids are gone to camp I could take some time off and see exactly how long I can go without it before it becomes a major problem. It would be nice to know. He nodded as he thought about it and moved to his desk chair.

He took a deep breath and then chuckled to himself. At least I know how to open them now. He shook his head and then brought the bag to his mouth as he changed and bit down on it. As soon as the blood hit his tongue his stomach let out a loud growl. It was the first time he had gone three days and he was surprised to find out he was a lot hungrier than he had thought. He sucked the blood down as quickly as he could as his whole body trembled and he was glad he was sitting down because he was almost certain that his knees would have given out on him as he struggled to feed.

Once he was done, he tossed the empty bag onto his desk and gripped the arms of his chair as his whole body tingled and he fought to catch his breath. Damn! As soon as he could take a full breath, he blew it out slowly as his hands ran up and down his thighs trying to calm himself down. After a few moments, the feeling of power surging through him made him smile and leaned back and closed his eyes and let his body and mind relax completely.

He wasn't sure how long he sat there, but he was pulled back into reality when he heard movement upstairs. He's eyes trail to the ceiling and he smiled as he stood up. Kahlan's up. After fixing her a cup of coffee, he took it upstairs. When he got to the bedroom, his eyes searched and then he smiled again when he realized she was in her closet.

He walked over to the walk-in closet and leaned on the door frame, and then almost dropped the mug in his hand. Her back was to him and didn't even realize he was there, but what really got him was the fact that she was standing there in only her bra and panties. They were made of black lace and his heart skipped a beat as she leaned up on her tippy toes to reach a pair of shoes on the shelf above her clothes. He sat the mug down on the shelf. "Here, let me help," he offered as he went to her side in an instant and pulled the shoes down for her.

She startled and turned so quickly that she lost her footing and fell back into her clothes. "Jesus Christ, Aaron!"

His cheeks heated as his hands reached out for her. "Sorry. I really didn't mean to do that this time," he insisted as one of his hands went to her back as the other pulled on her arm as he helped her up.

She huffed and took a step back. "Uh-huh," she hummed, but he didn't let her go.

His eyes trailed up and down her mostly bare form and he smiled. "I saw a damsel in distress and just had to rescue her," he alleged as he pulled her all the way to him. When he felt the heat of her body through his clothes, his manhood twitched.

She smiled slyly; apparently she felt it, too. "And what could the damsel offer in payment for being saved?"

He bit his lip as his eyes trailed down to her breasts, but he glanced at his watch and then winced. "I guess a kiss will have to suffice because the kids will be getting up soon." When he felt her wilt a little and saw disappointment cloud her eyes, his heart ached a little.

She nodded as a small sigh escaped her and then leaned up and gave him a quick kiss. "Then, thank you," she offered tenderly and pulled away from him as she turned and grabbed her clothes. "I better get dressed."

He moved back to allow her out of the closet and then mentally sighed as he watched her walk to the bathroom. Damn it, Hotchner! She's been helping you so much and you've been neglecting her. His eyes darted around for a second and then he smiled. If we don't get a case, that will end tonight.

He remembered the mug, grabbed it, and took it to her. "I made you a cup of coffee."

She smiled at him in the mirror and then pulled her shirt over her shoulders. "Thank you. Just set it down, please." He did and then just stood there with a smile on his face, so she frowned at him as she buttoned the front of the shirt. "What?"

He shook his head. "Nothing."

"Then go get the boys up."

"Alright," he agreed and left.

XXX

By lunchtime, the BAU had yet to get a new case, so Hotch made his way to Rossi's office. After a knock on the open door, he went in and took a seat as he waited for Rossi to finish the consult he was writing up. Rossi gave him a grin once he set his pen down. "And what are you up to?"

Hotch's hand went to his chest. "Me? Why do I have to be up to anything?"

Rossi chuckled. "Because you have that mischievous look in your eyes."

"Maybe I just wanted to come in and see how your day has been going."

"And maybe you could spread that shit someplace it might actually fertilize."

Both dimples emerged with Hotch's massive grin. "Guilty as charged."

Rossi sat forward and leaned his elbows on his desk. "So what is it you need help with?"

"I was wondering if, since we all were going to be at your house tomorrow for Jack's birthday party anyway, if maybe the kids could spend the night with you and Cindi tonight."

Rossi smiled knowingly. "You and Kahlan have a special night planned?"

Hotch's cheeks heated a little as he ducked his head. "I was trying to set something up."

Rossi laughed. "Of course they can. I'll call Cindi and she can plan dinner, and I'll just stop by and get them on my way home."

Hotch smiled. "Thanks, Dave."

Rossi nodded and then leaned a little closer. "So have you. . . you know, since all of this happened?"

Hotch's eyes trailed to the open door and then shook his head. "No."

Rossi leaned back in his seat and then gave him a small smile. "It shouldn't matter though, should it?"

"I really hope not," Hotch told him.

Rossi could hear the concern in his tone, so he got up, went to him, and put a fatherly hand on his shoulder. "Everything will be fine, Aaron, so don't let worry over what may or may not happen ruin it before you even start."

Hotch took a deep breath and sat up straighter. "I'll try not to."

Rossi pat him on the back. "Hell, you may find out it makes it even better." Hotch's eyes shots to his, and Rossi laughed. "Isn't your stamina like a thousand times better now? Why you could. . ."

Hotch's eyes widened and he stood up. "This conversation is over," he muttered as he started for the door.

Rossi laughed. "You know you're going to have to tell me about it," he told him, but Hotch went out the door without another word, and Rossi laughed even harder.

XXX

Shock filled Kahlan's face as she walked out of her office building and towards the parking lot; her husband was leaning up against a tree standing about four cars away from hers with a smile on his face. She frowned. "What are you doing here?"

He feigned a hurt look. "Am I not allowed to meet my wife when she gets off work?"

She looked at her watch. "But you normally wouldn't be done by now. What's going on? Is everything alright?" she asked as concern filled her eyes.

He held up his hands. "Calm down. Everything's fine." A sigh of relief escaped her and he pulled her to him. "I was wondering if you'd like to go out on a date with me," he offered with a grin.

Her eyes filled with suspicion. "Don't we have to get home to the kids?"

His grin grew. "Nope. Dave picked them up and they're probably already at his house." He ducked his head down and locked eyes with her. "And they're spending the night with him and your mom."

Her brows furrowed for a moment and then her eyes grew wide as it finally dawned on her what he was truly implying. "Oh yeah?"

He nodded and felt himself get excited when he heard her heart speed up. "Yeah," he breathed as he placed his left hand on the back of her head and his right in the small of her back and drew her to him completely and kissed her, passionately.

When he heard her heart start pounding in its want for oxygen he forced himself to pull away and then berated himself mentally for forgetting that she needed to breathe more than he did. She whimpered as their lips lost contact, though, and tried to pull him back to her but he leaned back. "Dinner first, though."

"What? I'm not even. . ."

He fixed her with his stare. "Chuck told me you skipped lunch. You need to eat."

She huffed. "You're being a bully."

He shrugged. "A man's got to do what a man's got to do."

She shook her head.

"Where would you like to go?" he asked as he put his arm around her and started her towards his car. "Your choice: someplace fancy, someplace fun. . . someplace romantic," he led seductively.

She shook her head as she leaned into his side. "Spending time with you is what's important to me, so we can go anywhere."

He grinned and gave her a squeeze before opening her door for her. "So a nice little table for two?"

She got in and waited for him to get in. "We could stop and grab Chinese and take it home," she offered with a flick of her brows.

He appraised her. "Only if you promise to eat." When the tip of her tongue split her lips as a sly grin started on her face, he snorted. "Eat the food," he clarified.

She flopped back against her seat as she pouted. "Fine."

He shook his head as he started the car. "You are so bad."

XXX

After stopping and grabbing a couple of their favorite Chinese dishes, they sat side by side at the island to eat them. About half way through, though, Hotch had grown quiet. He watched Kahlan eating and mentally winced. He could tell she was looking forward to the night and he suddenly got worried. Shit. If Dave thinks I'll be better at sex, than I bet she's thought the same thing. What if I'm not any better? What if it actually makes me worse or something? He took a deep breath. Sebastian was alone. Hell, even Willie was alone. . . There has to be a reason behind that.

Kahlan mentally sighed as she watched her husband absently push a baby corn around on his plate with his chop sticks, and she shook her head.

Hotch flinched when something hit his face, and after his eyes searched his area, he saw a piece of rice lying by his arm. He turned to his wife. "And what did I do to deserve you throwing rice at me?"

She gave him a look. "Us spending time together doesn't exactly work if you're a thousand miles away in your head."

He drooped a little. "Sorry. I was just thinking."

"Really," she drew out and threw another piece of rice at him. "I would have never figured that out on my own."

He picked up the latest projectile and threw it back at her. "Ha ha, funny, funny."

She smiled and leaned into his shoulder. "And what would you be thinking about?"

He shrugged. "Me. . . you. . . us. . . where all of this leads, what all this will mean. . ." His eyes trailed to the ceiling and their bedroom beyond. "You know, for us."

She sighed and rubbed a hand up and down his thigh. "It was obvious you can, Aaron."

He nodded. "I know I can." He wilted a little more. "I just don't know how this is going to affect me." He grabbed her hand.

"If you aren't ready for this, Hun. . ."

"No. You want. . ."

"Of course I want to, but I can wait, Aaron." She put a gentle hand on the side of his face and turned him to make him look at her. "Don't stress yourself out. If you need more time, we can wait."

"No. I don't need more time. You've been taking such good care of me; it's time I took care of you like I'm supposed to, but. . ." He pulled his face away from her and looked down into his lap. "But I'm worried about disappointing you."

Her eyes shot open and she shook her head. "I swear to God, Aaron Jackson Hotchner!" She shook her head, pulled her hand away from his, shoved herself away from the island, and took a few steps away from him.

He swiveled his seat around to look at her, but he didn't say anything.

She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down. She blew it out slowly and ran a hand through her hair and then fixed him with a serious look. "You could never disappoint me, Aaron, in any way, ever."

He huffed.

She went to him and put her hands around the back of his neck. "What? Do you think I have really high expectations for tonight or something?"

His mouth quirked and he half shrugged. "Maybe."

She smiled. "Spending time in your arms is always amazing, Aaron, and tonight won't be any different.

"But what if it is? What if this makes it different or. . ."

"Then it will, and we'll adjust, but you know what?"

"What?"

She smiled slyly. "We'll never know until we try. You could be stressing yourself out for nothing."

His brows rose a little as he thought about it. "You're right."

She giggled. "Of course I am."

He pushed her back a little as he stood up and then leaned down and gave her a kiss. Once he pulled away, he smiled at her. "Then I guess we should find out, huh?"

*Warning! This story's rating will be changed to 'M' with the next chapter – Just so you know

**Well, I haven't seen any announcements on the site or anything, so I'm going to say something here. They are doing the 'Profiler Choice Awards' again this year. Nominations are open now.

Here is the link: www. / topic/ 162134/ 123248250/1/ Profilers-Choice-Awards-2014 (remember – no spaces)

Please go and nominate your favorite stories and authors, and if you feel the need to nominate me. . . well, then by all means, please do! LOL