I apologize Dear Readers, but I have started a Master's program and my free time has markedly dwindled. Don't worry though…I won't abandon this story. You just may have to wait for new chapters. However, I don't have a paper due so I wrote a chapter! Love you guys!

Chapter 42

The sun shone brightly in the window, waking Hotch before his alarm. Wait…did he set the alarm? OOPS! No alarm. It was past time for preschool…Hotch decided to give the boys a day at home with each other, as there were no appointments today. Letting the kids sleep, Hotch made a full breakfast of eggs, potatoes, bacon, and toast before waking his boys. After they enthusiastically applied themselves to the feast, Hotch set the brothers to playing with Leggos in their room. Meanwhile, the intrepid father set to researching some of the schools recommended to him, and made some calls.

One school appealed to him more than the others-a charter school with a small student to teacher ratio as well as in school psychologist consultation available. He called, and soon decided that this school would be appropriate for both of his sons. Aaron knew that Jack was very intelligent in his own right, and did not want him held back by standard school curriculum either. True, they would be in different classes, but at least they would be going to the same school. After calling Dave to see if he was serious about helping out (Hotch could afford tuition for one child, but not two), the decision was made. Both boys were enrolled via fax, with a start date in two weeks. After faxing release of information forms to Spencer's psychologist and trauma counselor for the school, Hotch felt confident that he had done the best he could by his children.

After calling Strauss and giving his return to work date in 2 weeks, Aaron decided that this called for a team celebration. He called various team members for suggestions and he thought Garcia's suggestion of Medieval Times in DC sounded fun, and something Spencer would enjoy. He was luckily able to book the group for the next evening's dinner theater, and official plans were made. Strauss was, of course, included as were Kevin Lynch, Savannah, Will and Henry.

Next, it was time to break the news to the boys about school. Spencer was, in a word, thrilled. Jack was extremely pleased that he would be going to the same school as his brother, and happy as well to be starting "big boy" school rather than pre-school. Hotch decided then and there to keep Jack out of the preschool for the intervening two weeks so that the three of them could spend time together and continue to bond as a family. The boys enthusiastically agreed with this plan.

Hotch happily played with his sons for the remainder of the day, and after a healthy dinner of baked chicken and roasted vegetables, the Hotchner men watched one of Derek Morgan's videos (Star Wars, to Spencer's absolute delight), and went to bed.

A scream ripped apart the night's quiet, jerking Hotch awake and out of bed before he had entirely processed why. Dashing to the boy's room, he dropped to his knees at Spencer's bedside, and gently shook the boy's shoulder, crooning "It's OK, you're safe, don't be afraid, you are safe now".

Spencer sat upright, scream caught in his throat, tears streaming down his face. "Daddy!" he choked out. "Daddy Aaron!"

"I'm here baby, don't cry, daddy's here!" he soothed, rubbing soothing circles on the child's back. "What's wrong honey? What scared you?"

"I had a bad dream!" the boy wailed. "The Man said I was just a worthless whore. He said all I was good for was to make his friends happy. It huuurt! Daddy, it huuurt. Promise they won't hurt me again!"

"I promise honey. I won't let anyone hurt you like that again, sweetheart. Never again!" promised the distressed father. "You are mine now. Your brother and I will always protect you. You are safe now."

Spencer nodded, and began to calm down. Soon he was nodding off again. And slipped back into sleep. Jack had been watching the entire episode, and worriedly asked his father if his brother was ok, and if there was anything he could do to help. "Just keep being such a good brother" Hotch reassured. "You have been doing so good and I am so proud of you."

"But will Spencer be OK without me at school?" Jack queried, deeply concerned. "What if something scares him and he needs me? We won't have the same teacher and what if Spencer's teacher is mean and doesn't let me come help him? And what if"

"He will be ok, Buddy" Hotch interrupted. "I will tell his teacher that if Spencer gets scared to send for you if I can't come, OK? And I will tell your teacher to let you go to him if he needs you. Don't worry about mean teachers. There aren't supposed to be any at this school. And if there are, I will move you both to a better school, OK Buddy?"

"Ok Daddy." The child replied, his absolute trust in his father shining through.

Hotch was struck nearly speechless with pride in his son. 'How did I ever deserve such a child' he thought to himself, as he picked Jack out of his bunkbed and cuddled him to his chest. Walking out into the living room and settling into a chair, Hotch looked down into his son's innocent face and smiled. "Jack, you know how much Daddy loves you don't you? And how very proud I am? You have done so well with accepting Spencer into our family, and I want you to know that I will never forget how special and brave you have been through all of this. I know that up in heaven Mommy is smiling down at you, and that she is so proud as well. Just remember that if you ever get upset at how much attention Spencer is getting you need to talk to me about it, OK?"

"Ok Daddy" Jack replied sleepily. "Don' worry-I know you love me…YAWWWN. An' I love Spencer too. He needs me, an' I will help him learn how to be a kid, and make him fo'get about the bad man."

"I know you will Jack, I know you will" Hotch crooned as he gently rocked his sleepy child. Soon Jack was deeply asleep, and the smiling father carefully placed him back in bed and tucked him in. After also bringing Spencer's blanket up to his chin, he quietly went off to bed himself.