Story I – Chapter 32

Hotch awoke and smiled when he saw the look of contentment still on Kahlan's face. He moved the hair off the side of her face with gentle fingers and sighed. When his fingers traced the tendon in her neck, he closed his eyes and he couldn't help it, he imagined biting her to taste her blood again. When he felt his manhood twitch, he mentally shook himself. Jesus, Hotchner! Cut it out!

He flipped the covers back and slid out from under her as he slid his pillow in close to her. She hugged it to her and continued sleeping, and he smiled. When his eyes trailed over the length of her, though, he cringed. Son of a bitch! She had several bruises along her hips and ass that clearly showed where his hands had pressed into her. And I thought the bite was bad. He flipped the blanket back over her and looked down at his hands and then shook his head. You're going to really hurt her if you don't watch it, Hotchner! He ran his hands down his face and then went out of the room.

After fixing Kahlan a cup of coffee, he took it to the room and sat down on the edge of bed. Kahlan's brows twitched a little as her nostrils flared. He bit back a chuckle and moved the cup even closer to her nose and then blew on it to see if the aroma would entice her from sleep completely.

The corner of her mouth turned upward as she licked her lips and then swallowed, and he smiled. He blew on it one more time and her eyes fluttered. Once she could focus, she smiled. "Hey, Handsome."

"Morning, Beautiful," he told her as he moved the cup back as she sat up. "I would have let you sleep, but it's already late."

She looked at the alarm clock and then ran a hand through her hair as she turned to him and smiled again. "Well, we were up kind of late."

He grinned. "And if someone hadn't fallen asleep on me, it might have been even later."

She winced. "I'm sorry, but in all actuality, it was your fault," she offered as she took the offered cup and took a sip.

"My fault?"

She huffed. "If you hadn't have been the energizer bunny last night, I may have been able to keep up." She leaned in and gave his lips a quick kiss. "But I have to admit, that was the first time anyone has ever screwed me to sleep," she told him with a big grin, rustled his bangs, handed him back the mug, and then got up and headed for the bathroom.

He chuckled as lifted the mug to his lips and then took a drink. "Just think how awesome it will be when we both have that kind of stamina."

"Yeah," she drew out. "Don't think so," came through the still open door.

He frowned, got up, and went to the door as she turned on the water in the shower. He studied her thinking that she must not have understood because he would have bet money she would jump at the chance to be a vampire. They hadn't actually discussed it yet, but he was sure she would. "Not yet, of course, but I figured I'd give it a year or so to make sure this is all actually doable, but then. . ."

She shook her head as she grabbed her towel and moved it closer to the tub. "Yeah," she chuckled as she stepped in. She mentally winced because she knew they had to have that conversation, but she was dreading it and really didn't think it would come up that soon.

Even though she had agreed, he could tell by the way she said it that she was just saying it. He moved and shut off the water as he grabbed her arm to make her look at him. "I'm serious, Babe."

She locked eyes with him, but when she cut them to the side, his chest tightened. She sighed and shook her head. "Aaron. . ."

He took a step back as his heart rate and breathing sped up. "But. . . I would have sworn. . . What are you saying, Kahlan?"

She chewed on her lower lip as she stared at the floor. "I don't want to become a monster," she offered quietly.

He felt like he had been punched in the gut as he stumbled back a step and ended up sitting on the counter. "My God, Babe. . . Is that what you really think of me?"

Her eyes shot to his and she cringed as she went to him. "No! No, Aaron! I would never think that about you!" she insisted as she placed a hand on his chest.

His eyes searched hers and he huffed. "So I'm a vampire and I'm not a monster, but if you were a vampire, you would be?! That doesn't make any sense!" he insisted as he stood up and moved back from her.

She sighed as she shook her head slowly. "You heard what Sabastian said, Aaron. You have to be careful about who you change because not everyone can handle it."

"And you are the strongest willed person on the face of this planet! Don't tell me you think you wouldn't be able to control yourself!"

Her eyes slid shut as she shook her head some more.

"If I can handle this then I know damn well you could! You'd make a thousand times better vampire just because of your knowledge about all of this alone, Kahlan!"

She huffed and finally looked him in the eyes again. "Aaron. . ." She licked her lips. "You are a good man, Aaron – through and through, and being a vampire has only enhanced you, correct?"

He frowned. "Yes! And with the abilities you already have, Jesus, Babe, you'd be. . . well. . . you'd be invincible!"

She turned away from him as she shook her head some more. "But. . ."

His brows furrowed. He couldn't understand why she wasn't all for it. In fact, he had been worried she would want him to change her even before he actually could. "Kahlan?" he asked tenderly as he grabbed her arm and turned her back around. When he noticed a tear fall down her cheek, his heart clenched. "Babe?"

She looked at him through filled eyes. "And what if it enhances the monster that's already inside me, Aaron?"

He took a step back in complete shock. He blinked a few times and then shook his head. "No. . ." He took a deep breath. "Don't tell me this is. . ." He shook his head some more. "This stems back to you thinking you're a bad person?" Her look told him that he was right, and he sighed as he went to her and put his hands on her waist. "You are a good person, Babe!" When she huffed and looked away from him, he took a deep breath. "What do I have to say to convince you that. . ."

She pulled back from him. "I know you want to figure this out right now, but we need to get ready, Hun. We've got Jack's party. . ."

He sighed. "Alright." He fixed her with his stare. "But this discussion is not over, Kahlan."

She searched his eyes and nodded. "I know."

He shook his head as he went down the stairs. I can't believe she truly feels that way. He sighed. I will change her mind if it takes the rest of her damn life!

XXX

Once they were both showered, dressed, and in the car on their way to Rossi's after stopping a few places to get stuff for Jack's party, Hotch took his wife's hand. "Are we still planning on going to the cabin when we're done here?" He thought that maybe they could continue their talk once the kids were in bed.

She appraised him. "Are you ready to tell them?"

He took a deep breath. "I guess."

She giggled. "You don't need to be nervous, Hun. You know the kids will love you no matter what."

His eyes cut to her. "I think Joey will be fine, but I'm not sure about the boys." Although, I'm was sure about you, so I'm not so sure what to think anymore.

She sighed. "They'll be fine with it, too. In fact, they might even think it's cooler than Joey will." His look told her he didn't agree. "You know the boys will think it's awesome that you are so fast."

He shrugged. "Maybe."

When they pulled up in Rossi's driveway, Kahlan smiled. Donna, Garcia, and Amy were already there; they had agreed to help set up and everything, and Ashley had taken the kids to the park so the adults could get it all ready.

Hotch opened Rossi's front door and held it open for Kahlan because she was carrying the cake. "After you," he offered as he bowed.

She giggled. "Go get the presents."

Reid showed up at the door with a grin. "Need any help?"

Hotch gave him a nod. "Sure," he told him and Reid followed him to the car and Hotch gave him a handful of balloons and a wrapped package, and then grabbed the others presents and followed the younger man back to the door.

Once Reid made it through the door, he quickly turned back when he heard what he believed to be a present hit the floor. "Hotch!" he yelled when he saw his Unit Chief down on one knee just inside the door.

Rossi and Kahlan came running into the foyer after hearing the commotion, and Kahlan's eyes went wide as she watched the balloons floating up to the vaulted ceiling, Reid knelling down next to her husband, and Hotch gripping a crushed package in one hand and his other hand bracing on the wall. "What's wrong?!"

Reid looked at her and shook his head. "I don't know. He just collapsed."

Hotch shook his head. "I'm fine," he got out, and when Cindi and Donna came running in, he forced himself to stand up. "I just tripped," he offered.

Kahlan shared a look with Rossi and they could both tell Hotch was not fine. Garcia came in to see what the commotion was with her hands full of streamers, and her eyes shot open. Kahlan's locked with hers and then moved to her sister and mother and Garcia nodded. "Ahhh, I think the rolls might be done," she put in as she went to Cindi's side. "Maybe you should check them."

Cindi looked at her son-in-law. "You sure you're alright, Aaron?"

Hotch gave her a small smile. "Yeah. You guys go ahead; I still need to grab a couple things out of the car."

"And Donna can help me make hang the streamers," Garcia put in as she grabbed her shoulder and led both her and Cindi back into the house. Donna looked back over her shoulder and her eyes locked with her sister's, but Kahlan's look begged her not to ask, so she shook her head and let the colorful woman take her away.

As soon as they disappeared around the corner, Hotch slumped against the wall and Rossi and Kahlan were to him in an instant. "What's wrong?" Rossi asked him as he grabbed his arm to help hold him up.

Hotch shook his head. "I don't know," he confessed.

"Help me get him to a chair," Kahlan insisted as she looked at Rossi. He nodded and pulled on Hotch's arm as Kahlan moved to the other.

"No!" Reid put in as he watched them, and they all turned to him with confusion filling their eyes. He shook his head. "Take him outside," he insisted as he grabbed Hotch's shoulder and started him towards the door.

Rossi's brows furrowed as he looked at Kahlan, but she shrugged and they helped get Hotch back out onto the porch. As soon as Hotch cleared the door, he sucked in air and then let it out slowly as he pulled away from their supporting hands, and they all watched him. He ran both hands down his face and stood up completely. "Damn, Dave. There's something in your house that doesn't like me."

Rossi's eyes shot open as he looked at the man he loved like a son and then looked back towards his house. "You felt like you did at that guy's house in Ohio?"

Hotch took another deep breath and nodded. "But it was even worse this time."

Rossi wilted. He didn't want to think that Hotch may not be able to come into his house. He had taken down every religious item he had and had even gone so far as to put them in storage away from the property, so he wasn't sure what could be causing it.

"You've had this happen before?!" Kahlan asked them and she looked at all of them clearly upset that they hadn't shared that piece of information.

"I think I know what's going on," Reid told them as he licked his lips and his eyes darted between them.

Kahlan shook her head at her husband and he ducked his head sheepishly and she turned to Reid. "What do you think it is?"

He took a deep breath. "Well, since all this first started, I've been reading everything I can find on vampires, from lists of lore to stories that even mention them in passing."

"And?" Rossi led.

"After hearing about what happened at Lutman's house, I started thinking."

Hotch mentally cringed because Reid looked a little too upset for it to be anything good. "And you have a theory?"

Reid nodded as he stood up a little more. "Especially after hearing how everything was fine at Ms. Steckelberg's and then this."

Hotch shared a look with his wife, and she sighed. "And what have you come up with?"

Reid licked his lips nervously. "There is a huge amount of lore about how vampires aren't allowed to enter a home without permission or if they do they are rendered helpless or if the human does invite them in it makes the human powerless against the vampire."

Hotch mentally cringed as he remembered Ms. Steckelberg inviting him and Mack in politely. He shook his head and then looked at Reid again. "So you think I can't enter a house without it affecting me unless I'm invited in?"

Reid shrugged. "Detective Bartles didn't say anything about that, but it is part of the lore."

Hotch pinched the bridge of his nose as he sighed. Great!

Reid cringed and then shook his head. "I don't know for sure, of course, but I just wanted you to know what I had read."

Hotch looked at him. "No, I understand, thanks, Spencer."

"One way to find out for sure," Kahlan put in as she gestured to the door. "Try to go back in."

Hotch licked his lips and then nodded. They did need to know for sure, so he went to the door with his head held high, but he faltered as soon as he stepped over the threshold.

Rossi grabbed him by the back of the shirt and pulled him back out. He looked at Reid as Hotch got himself under control. "So all I have to do is invite him in?"

Reid nodded. "According to lore."

Rossi took a deep breath and went in the door and locked eyes with Hotch. "Aaron Hotchner, you are invited into my home today and every day," he told him sincerely and then back up to allow him to enter.

Hotch ran a hand down his face and took a deep breath. Kahlan gave his side a squeeze and he stepped into the foyer. They all stared at him, and after a second he released his breath and smiled. "I'm ok."

Rossi's sigh of relief echoed through the spacious foyer and he pulled Hotch into a hug. "Thank God!"

Hotch hugged him back and then shot Reid a look. "And Reid for figuring it out."

Reid smiled awkwardly and shifted on his feet. "It was nothing."

Hotch pulled away from Rossi and turned to Kahlan, but she wasn't smiling. "Babe?"

She shook her head, and he cringed thinking she was still mad because he hadn't told her about it back when it happened. She huffed. "I can't believe Sabastian didn't say anything about this! He knows what kind of a job you have!" The anger in her eyes grew. "How many damn homes to you enter in a month, Aaron? How the hell are you going to. . ."

She paused when Donna came back into the foyer. Donna cringed. "Sorry to interrupt, but Mina just text me and asked if there was anything we needed her and Derek to pick up; they're on their way."

Rossi shot Kahlan a look that told her they would continue their discussion later.

"Maybe another box or a gift bag," Hotch offered as he picked up the present his hand had involuntarily crushed. He looked at Donna. "I fell on it," he lied as she looked at the scrunched up box.

Kahlan took the ruined gift from her husband. "It's a good thing it's only a hoodie, but a bag would be great," she told her sister.

Rossi laughed. "Now that that's taken care of, I guess you and Reid need to get those balloons back down here," he told Hotch with a smile as he pointed at the ceiling.

Hotch nodded and started up the stairs with Reid on his heels and Kahlan and Rossi followed Donna back to the kitchen to see what else needed to be done.