Story I – Chapter 33

Once there was a lull in the party after everyone ate, Hotch excused himself from the crowd and went to Rossi's den for some privacy. He took out the card Sabastian had given him and dialed his number. He was silently hoping that Sebastian was busy and he could just leave a message, but Sabastian answered on the second ring, "Detective Bartles."

"Sebastian, this is Aaron Hotchner."

"Aaron! I'm glad you called. I was going to call your wife and get your number when I realized that I didn't have it. How has everything been going?"

"Actually. . ."

"Oh no. What happened?"

"You can sense things through the phone?"

Sebastian chuckled. "No, but your tone speaks volume."

Hotch sighed. "Well, I figured out that I can't go in any place without being invited in, and I was wondering why you didn't mention that."

"What? What do you mean? What happened? Where? How did it affect you?"

Hotch took a deep breath and then told him about everything about the homes he'd been in and how Reid had figured it out.

"I am so sorry, Aaron. I. . . That shouldn't even be. . . But I should have known with the way you. . . I'm sorry."

"What do you mean?"

"Normally a vampire doesn't have to worry about that until he matures, but I should have realized with the way you are so powerful already that it would be a problem. I didn't think, and I am sorry. I should have prepared you better."

"It's alright. I'm just glad Reid figured it out. It bothered me not knowing what was wrong."

Sebastian took a deep breath. "I bet."

"But you're a cop. You went on that raid with us. . . How did it not affect you when we entered Zimmerman's house? Or are you so used to it that it really didn't bother you?"

The detective chuckled again. "Because my people were with me."

"I don't follow," Hotch confessed.

"It's really rather simple to circumvent. I have compelled all of my people to automatically invite me in. I just make sure one of them is in front of me, and they do it without even realizing it. With your team already knowing, it will be even simpler for you."

"So anyone can invite me in? It doesn't have to be the owner or whatever?"

"No. Anyone can. Exactly how bad does it affect you? It will get worse as your strength grows."

Hotch licked his lips. "The first time I felt weaker the longer I stayed in, but when I walked in Dave's house today, it dropped me to my knees."

"Wow! It didn't hit me that bad until I was over three hundred."

Hotch sat down in Dave's favorite chair. "Speaking of which, have you had the chance to discuss my uniqueness with any of your friends?"

Sebastian took a long breath. "Yes, and Christian, a friend and vampire who is older than me, says he has heard stories about some people turning and being more powerful than other vampires at the time. He equated it to them being the alphas of the pack if you would, and he thinks maybe you are one of them. You are an alpha human who naturally slips into that alpha vampire role."

"So while it's not normal, it isn't unheard of either, so that's a good thing, then, right?" Hotch wasn't sure what to think yet. When Sebastian hesitated, Hotch instantly got worried. "It's not a good thing?"

"Not if someone else who thinks they're an alpha decides to challenge you."

"Challenge me for what? To see whose top dog. . . I mean, vampire?" All this talk about alphas made Hotch think about his own dogs and that line of animals.

"Possibly."

"And what good would that do? It's not like we live in a pack or anything. What difference does it make who's an alpha and who isn't, or is it a territory thing?"

Sebastian took a deep breath. "No, we don't live in packs like some werewolves or others along those lines, but there are those who lead. The best leaders are those who are the most powerful. Someone may see you as a threat to the position they want or hold."

"But I don't want any part of that. I just want to continue on with my life," Hotch insisted.

"I know that, Aaron, but others may not realize that. I don't know for sure; I just wanted to tell you what I think."

Hotch inhaled deeply.

"I was going to explain about all of that the next time we met, I'm sorry for dragging you into all of this."

"You don't need to apologize; you saved me. It's not your fault that I'm like this."

"No, but I am sorry you are so far away and are having so many problems. I just wish I could help you more," the detective offered.

Hotch could hear the concern in his tone. "You are helping me, and I actually have another question for you if you have the time."

"I have all the time in the world," he offered and then chuckled. "Ask away."

Hotch took a drink of his iced tea and sat up a little more. He wasn't sure how to ask him what he wanted, so he took a deep breath. How do I ask him about being turned on by biting Kahlan?

"Is this something personal?"

"Sort of. . . When you first changed, you attacked people, right?"

"Yes," Sebastian drew out not sure where Hotch was going with it.

Hotch took a deep breath. "Did drinking from them. . . Were you ever. . ." Hotch cleared his throat. "Did their blood affect you differently than the bagged blood?"

Sebastian hesitated a moment. "Meaning?"

"It's just that I. . . Well, I. . . Never mind," Hotch added weakly.

"Have you bit someone, Aaron?"

Hotch took a deep breath. "Yes," he confessed weakly. "Kahlan."

"You didn't try to change her already?"

"No! No, of course not. It was more like just a quick bite, if you know what I mean."

"Ahhh," Sebastian drew out. "And it affected you differently than the other blood you have tasted?"

Hotch cleared his throat. "Very much so."

Sebastian chuckled. "I think I know what you mean. Maria did that to me."

Hotch's sigh of relief made Sebastian chuckle again, and Hotch had to swallow the saliva that flooded his mouth just thinking about Kahlan's blood. "So that's normal, then?"

"Normal between lovers, yes. Think of it as the being able to taste the love she has for you."

"It was incredible, but it wasn't just the taste. . ."

Sebastian waited a second to see if Hotch would explain, and when he didn't Sabastian inhaled deeply. "It was the most powerful aphrodisiac you have ever had?"

"Yes! That describes it perfectly!"

"While I have heard the taste is different for everyone, but everyone I have heard describe it says that the blood of their loved one is very powerful in that way, so do not be alarmed, Aaron. It is perfectly normal for her blood to affect you like that. I would have explained that, too, but I honestly didn't think you would do something like that."

Hotch cleared his throat. "Well, that was more her than me, but. . ."

Sebastian laughed. "I bet. Have you already made plans to bring her across?"

Hotch cringed as his heart skipped a beat. "Actually, we're still in the discussion phase with that."

"Oh, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry."

Hotch took a deep breath. "No. It's alright."

"Is there any other questions for me now. I would love to meet with you again. Maybe introduce you to my other offspring and some close friends if you would happen to have the time."

Hotch ran a hand down his face. "Actually, we have this weekend off, so I'm not sure when. . ."

"Maybe later this month, then. I think it would be nice for you to be able to talk to some of the others," Sebastian offered.

Hotch could hear the hope in his tone and he felt bad for not being able to give him a definite date. He did save my life. I at least owe him another meeting. "Once I get back into the office Monday, I'll look at the case load and call you again. I'm sure I could squeeze in a day somewhere."

"No Pressure. I just need a couple days advanced notice to get everyone here, or we could always come to you. I haven't been to Virginia in forever."

"That would probably be a lot easier, but I don't want to put you all out. You have done so much for me already."

"Nonsense. You check your cases, figure out a time, and we'll be there. In fact, Michael and Jennifer are actually closer to you than me, so it will be better for them."

"Do they already know about me?"

"William told them the first time he talked with them. He is excited to have our little family grow."

Hotch's lip fared at the mention of the young looking vampire and the tall glass in his hand shattered. Shit! He jumped up as tea and glass went all over his legs.

"Are you alright?" Sebastian asked quickly.

"Yes, but I better let you go. I have a little mess to clean up before Dave sees it and kills me."

Sebastian laughed. "Very well. Enjoy the rest of your weekend and call me as soon as you have any problems or concerns. You do not have to try and figure everything out on your own, Aaron."

Hotch's cheeks heated in embarrassment for not calling him as soon as the Lutman house had bothered him. "You're right. I'm sorry. I will call you the next time anything happens."

"Until then," Sebastian agreed and ended the call.

The den door opened as soon as Hotch put his phone back in his pocket. Kahlan looked at her husband and frowned. "What happened?"

Hotch shrugged as he bent down and started picking up the bigger pieces of glass. "I accidently broke Dave's glass."

"Let me get a towel," she offered and went back out the door.

Hotch sighed. Do I really want a bunch of vampires descending on my town? He huffed. For all I know it's already crawling with them. He shook his head and moved to throw the glass away in the little trashcan besides Rossi's desk.

Kahlan came back in with two towels, handed one to Hotch for his hands and pants, and then bent to wipe up the floor. "Everything go alright with your call?"

Hotch nodded. "Yes."

She locked eyes with him. "And the reason he chose not to tell you about the invitation thing?"

He winced. "That wasn't supposed to happen until I'm much older."

She frowned as she studied him and then shook her head. "Sorry."

He shrugged. "But it's easy to work around. All I need to do is have one of the team enter before me and invite me in apparently, so it really won't be a problem."

She went back to wiping up the floor. Until you're in a chase or you're alone or something. She sighed mentally. Don't add to his worry, Kay, he's got enough on his plate right now. Once she was done she looked at him. "Then are you done, cause Jack's ready to cut the cake?"

He nodded and helped her up and then smiled. "Better not keep the kids waiting."

She huffed as they walked out the door. "You mean 'better not keep your stomach waiting for that cake'."

He chuckled as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders. "Nah. Why would I want cake when I have you?" he whispered as he leaned in close to her ear.

Her eyes grew wide as they cut to him and she shoved him away. "Behave!"

He smiled slyly as he started to reach for her, but he stopped when Donna came into the hall. She looked back and forth between them and smiled as if she knew what they were both thinking, and Hotch cheeks heated as he suddenly found the floor very interesting. She shook her head. "Ready to lite the candles?"

Kahlan nodded. "Sure."