The week starts off pretty easy for the six agents of the BAU but they all know not to get comfortable. When lunch time rolls around Morgan invites everyone out for lunch especially Reid because none of them have seen much of the younger agent outside the office so he agrees. Hotch said he was busy and couldn't and Rossi said that he had something to take care of so the rest of them including Garcia left for lunch and Rossi went into Hotch's office and closed the door.
AH: Did you need something?
DR: I've been waiting for a couple of days now for you to come talk to me about what's been occupying your mind but I know you so I decided to come to you instead.
AH: What do you mean, there's nothing occupying my mind.
DR: Like I said I know you Aaron, have for a long time now talk to me.
AH: Okay... Sp- Reid has been staying the last two weekends over at my place and it's been really nice. He and Jack get on like a house on fire and they're always ganging up against me but I wouldn't change a thing, Jack even invited him to his soccer game this weekend.
DR: And what about you... how has it been for you?
AH: It's been really good having him there and I can't wait for the weekends to see if he'll be coming again. Last Sunday he made smoothies for when I came back from my jog and sometimes he just waits for me to come back with a cup of coffee for me.
DR: Aaron...
AH: I know, I know... I'm rambling.
DR: No, you're just trying to cover up the fact that you've developed feelings for him... badly might I add.
AH: I didn't go looking for it, Dave.
DR: But that doesn't change the fact that it's there now.
AH: I know and that's what confuses me the most.
DR: I don't think it does Aaron, you have feelings for him but that isn't what's messing your head up. That's probably the one thing you're sure about.
AH: There are so many things to consider before I can do anything about it.
DR: No there isn't, there's just one to consider and that's your son's feelings on all of this. Everything else only comes after you've talked to Reid.
AH: It's not that easy, Dave.
DR: It is actually and you're just trying to overcomplicate it.
AH: I'm scared.
...
...
DR: Maybe it's your turn to just take a chance and see where it leads you, I mean what's the worst that can happen if he doesn't reciprocate?
AH: He could leave the team and that would be my fault.
DR: Reid wouldn't leave the team. We're his family Aaron and nothing can change that.
AH: ...
DR: Just think about it Aaron, really think about it.
AH: I will.
DR: And if it helps, I think the two of you will be good for one another. (He smiled)
AH: Thanks Dave.
...
...
When Reid gets to the office on Wednesday he notices that Hotch is the first one to arrive but his mind is quickly drawn away from his boss when he notices the gift bag on his desk. Once opened, he finds a red soccer jersey with Jack's school logo printed on the front and the words 'HOTCHNER' printed in white on the back. He smiles up at Hotch's office before taking the gift bag to his locker with his go-bag.
The rest of the team started arriving and they were all called in for a briefing about an hour later for a case right there in Virginia. Maryland PD needed the team for a local case and they were all eager to help and since the case was right there the agents could all go back to their own houses for the night. Hotch offered to give Reid a ride home and he accepted. He needed to pick Jack up and Reid didn't have a problem if it meant seeing the younger Hotchner before he was dropped off but when Jack got into the car both Hotchner men were able to convince Reid to stay over at their house and he wasn't strong enough to deny the two men.
SR: I spend more time here than I do at my apartment.
AH: Good.
SR: What are you playing at?
AH: Nothing.
...
...
The three of them had dinner where Jack told them about school and his soccer practice which reminded Spencer about the shirt he received. He tried it on and found that it fit him perfectly.
J: You got it. (He cheered with excitement when he saw Spencer wearing the shirt)
SR: Yes, it was on my desk when I got there this morning.
J: You have to wear it Saturday.
SR: Mm-hm. How did you know my size?
J: My dad told me.
SR: How did you know my size Mr Hotchner?
AH: Well, I happen to be your Unit Chief which means that I have access to all your records.
SR: Misusing your power...
AH: For my son.
SR: I'll forgive you this time then but why didn't you just ask me?
J: Because it was supposed to be a surprise.
SR: You and your evil plans.
AH: All in the name of Jack Hotchner.
J: Hey! Don't blame me for everything.
SR: How about in the name of the Hotchners?
J: That works.
All three of them exhausted from their respective days all went to bed about half an hour later and the Hotchner house was cloaked in silence. A little after four a.m. that silence was disturbed by the chimes on Aaron and Spencer's cell phones alerting them of a case.
*Emergency: All agents of the BAU including technical analyst Penelope Garcia should be at the airstrip in half an hour. Details will be given on the plane.*
SR: Do you know what's up? (He asks as Aaron comes out of his room)
AH: No I don't but we have to hurry up because I still need to drop Jack off at Jessica's.
SR: Is he awake?
AH: No, I'll just carry him asleep, it's too early for him.
SR: Does he need anything packed because I can quickly do it.
AH: No, he has things over at Jessica's too, it's easier that way.
SR: Okay, I'll be done in five minutes.
Ten minutes later and Aaron was carrying Jack to the SUV and Spencer was locking up.
SR: I'll sit in the back with him. (He offered)
AH: Thanks.
The drive to Jessica's house is quick and quiet and when they get there they see her waiting by the door already.
AH: Thank you and I'm sorry it's so early. (He says when he comes out after having Jack to bed)
Jessica: No problem, now go and be safe.
AH: Tell him that I love him and I'll call him later.
...
They get to the airstrip with a couple of minutes to spare and nobody has to know that Aaron might have gone over a few speed limits to get them here on time.
DM: Oh now I see why you didn't want a ride from me.
SR: Yeah, I got a better offer. (He smiled entering the plane)
The team was briefed by their section chief, they were being whisked away to a town two hours away from Quantico Virginia where there was a State dignitary meeting. The children of three dignitaries have gone missing and there's a major possibility that they could have been kidnapped. The BAU was called in because they are the best and they were needed to handle this quickly but quietly.
The team hit the ground running and were completely focused on the case and didn't take a second off except when Hotch and JJ had to call their children when they woke up without their parents. The team spent all of Thursday and Friday trying to find the kids and finally caught a break around midnight which led them to the kidnappers.
Mateo Cruz: Good job guys, you got them all back without any permanent damage.
AH: We were just doing our job, Sir.
MC: Well you guys probably want to get some sleep now.
AH: Any idea when we'll be able to fly out?
MC: Not right now. The pilot says it's raining pretty hard in Virginia and it looks like it might start here too and we can't fly under such conditions so we'll see early tomorrow morning but I'll let you guys know immediately.
AH: Okay.
...
Hotch gets a phone call early the following morning from Jack.
...AH: The rain has finally stopped so we might be flying out soon.
J: Do you think you'll make it in time for the game at ten?
AH: I don't know buddy but I'll try my best to be there and you know your Aunt Jess will be there.
J: It's okay.
AH: Good luck today okay, I love you.
J: Thank you, I love you too.
AH: Spencer wants to talk to you.
J: Okay put him on.
...
SR: HI.
J: Hello.
SR: Good luck today okay.
J: Mm-hm.
SR: I promise we'll see you play today.
J: You can't make such a promise, Spence.
SR: Normal people can't but I can.
J: Okay, I really hope you guys will make it. I need to go now, love you. (He said before quickly switching the phone off)
...
...
SR: He just said that he loves me.
AH: He does.
SR: He does?
AH: Yes he does now we need to figure out a way to get home.
They boarded the plane to eight already wearing their soccer jerseys under their coats. The team noticed but decided against saying anything and Rossi just watched with a smile on his face earning a glare from Hotch. Cruz gives them the weekend plus Monday off as thanks for the work they did. The plane lands just as Jack's game starts and Hotch and Reid leave as soon as they're cleared to.
...
They get to Jack's school fifteen minutes later, just in time to see him score a goal. Jack doesn't look too happy even after he scores the goal but when he looks at his aunt and sees his dad and Spencer the smile on his face is almost blinding. The three adults watch the game cheering for their team until the final whistle is blown and Jack comes running to them.
J: We won! (He cheers jumping in his father's waiting arms)
AH: I saw.
J: I'm so happy you guys made it.
AH: Yeah, we couldn't make Spencer break his promise.
SR: No we couldn't.
They waited while Jack said goodbye to his friends and their coach before they all got into Aaron's SUV. Spencer offered to sit in the back to that Jessica could sit up front but she declined telling him to sit in the front seat.
SR: I was thinking that we could bake something when we get back to the house in celebration of the game.
AH: I can't bake to save my life Spencer.
SR: Well I can, a few things,
AH: How is it that you can bake but you can't cook?
SR: Baking is more like a science so that's why I can apply myself to baking, cooking is more instinct and it's something I never before cared to apply myself to.
AH: Well then teach us.
SR: I don't know much but my favourites are chocolate chip cookies.
AH: I should have known with that sweet tooth of yours.
SR: I don't have a sweet tooth.
AH: Tell that to your desk drawer.
SR: I use that to concentrate if I can't get my hands on coffee.
AH: Oh is that what you add to your sugar?
...
Jess: Are they always like this? (She asked looking between Aaron and Spencer and then back to Jack)
J: Mm-hm, it's nice.
...