Disclaimer: I do not own Criminal Minds.
"Where does the family start? It starts with a young man falling in love with a girl - no superior alternative has yet been found." - Sir Winston Churchill
o o o o
Aaron shifted uncomfortably where he stood as he glanced at the happy, energetic girl next to him. She had been glowing all evening and now, as she stood talking animatedly with Rebecca, she seemed especially happy. Would she dance with me? He thought to himself.Probably not. Why would she dance with me? She's been flirting with Michael all night. He stole another look at her, to find she wasn't there. He looked around, puzzled, until he felt the hands slip around his face and cover his eyes.
"Guess who?" she said laughing. Smiling, he played along.
"The Easter bunny."
"How's you guess?" she cried in fake dismay. Aaron turned around and smiled at her. Her bright hazel-green eyes sparkled, laughing at him, and he couldn't help but widen his smile. "Hey, do you –" before he could finish, Michael grabbed her around the waist and said, "Dance with me!"
As Michael danced her away, he heard her laughingly ask, "What about Hannah?"
"She doesn't want to dance right now."
Aaron leaned against the wall and watched her. He was so engrossed in watching her that he didn't realize that Jessica and Erin were talking to him. Realizing that Aaron wasn't listening, Jessica followed his gaze right to her."
"You DO like her!" Jessica said excitedly. "I knew you guys were flirting in art!"
"NO! I don't like her!" Aaron said quickly.
"You were staring at her!" Erin chimed. "Go ask her to dance."
"She's dancing with Michael though." Aaron protested.
"And the next song she probably won't. And the DJ said the next song would be a slow song. Go ask her." Erin said happily.
"Yeah. I really think she likes you and I would know. I do live with her, after all." Jessica said quickly when she saw Aaron's face.
"She does?" Aaron asked hesitantly. "How can you tell?"
"The way she acts around you." Jessica smiled at the look of hope on Aaron's face. "It's obvious."
"You really think I should?"
"Yes!" Erin and Jessica cried in unison. Erin patted his brown hair down a bit and Jessica smoothed his shirt. Quickly Aaron stepped out of the two girls' reach and asked, "What are you doing?"
"Well, you don't want to look like a slob, do you?"
"I look fine!" Aaron protested indigently. "She even said I looked nice today."
"Hey, guys. Whatchya talking about?" Haley asked as she came up.
"You." Erin said."
"Erin!" Aaron said through gritted teeth.
"Oops." Erin put her hand over her mouth and looked the other way.
"I'm not gonna ask." She said after looking from Aaron to Jessica to Erin and back to Aaron.
"Um… Haley?" Aaron shifted from one foot to the other uncomfortably and stared at the tile floor of the gym.
"Yeah? What's up, Aaron?" Haley looked at him in concern.
"Um… well… um…" Aaron stuttered and bumbled until Jessica nudged him in the foot with her pointed shoe. "Ow!" Aaron looked around and glared at her, while she glared intently back at him. "Um… would you dance with me?"
"Of course." Haley smiled at him and let him lead her out onto the dance floor. "I've been waiting for you to ask, you know."
"You have?" Aaron looked down at her in surprise, finding it much easier then to talk to her now then he thought it would be.
"Yup." Haley nodded, putting her arms around his neck as he rested his hands on her waist. The music started up and they both started swaying to the music. They were silent as the moved back and forth, surrounded by other couples doing the same thing.
The song came to an end and the dance was over. People started going for their purses and heading towards the door, but Aaron didn't let go of Haley's waist too fast.
"Um… Haley?"
"Yes?" Haley looked up at him and waited.
Aaron took a deep breath before the words rushed out of him, "Wouldyouliketogooutwithme?"
Haley, understanding his rushed words, smiled brightly and nodded. Aaron expelled the breath he had been holding and smiled.
A/N:
I wonder how what Aaron Hotchner would have been like as a teenager? Hmmm... practically begs to be explored.
Thank you so much to my reviewers! I'm keeping this labeled as "complete" because technically it will always be complete. I still have no idea how much will go into this. I shall write as the inspiration comes! :o)
Thanks for reading, I hope you like it, and, please, tell me what you think! Good or bad!
Love, Thalia
