Author's Note: You didn't think our boy had it in him, did you?
Chapter 5 – A Drink
The next few weeks passed quickly for Aaron. The team had two cases and then there was Thanksgiving. Yet, by some miracle, the team had an entire week in the office, which meant all of them, including Hotch had got caught up on a lot of the paperwork that needed to be done. Since it was Friday afternoon, nearly all of the team had emailed him, asking if they could leave early, which he approved. There was only one left and when the knock came at his door, he knew it was going to be unanimous. "Come in."
Dave opened the door, his coat and briefcase in his hand. "Hey boss man, I've been really good this week…"
Hotch cut him off. "You're getting old Dave. You're the last one to ask to leave early. Have a drink for me."
"Aaron, you've got to be caught up as well. Why don't you join me?"
"Dave, there is no such thing as being caught up when you report to Erin Strauss," Hotch said with a smile.
"Screw her; get out of here anyway."
"I've just got a few more things to do and then I'm going to leave. I want to get some Christmas shopping done."
"Don't forget my present," Dave joked.
"I can get a bottle of scotch anywhere Dave. You're not that hard to shop for."
Dave laughed. "Have a good weekend Aaron."
"You too, Dave."
While the idea of a drink was on Hotch's mind, it wasn't with his dear friend. He pulled a business card out of the middle drawer, picked up the phone and dialed.
"Good afternoon. Georgetown Psychology Department," the voice answered.
"Dr. Barkley please."
"I'm sorry sir. Dr. Barkley just left for the day. May I take a message?"
"No thank you," Hotch replied. "I have her cell number."
Hotch hung up and grabbed his cell. Flipping the business card over, he quickly dialed Cait's number.
"Hello, Dr. Barkley," he heard.
"Hello Cait. It's Aaron Hotchner."
"Hi Aaron. How are you?"
"I'm fine. Cait, as you probably know, we've been in the office all week. I'm leaving work early and was wondering if you're available to join me for a drink. With all the paperwork I've been through this week, I think I've earned one."
"Yes, I know you've had a quiet week. Dave was over for dinner the other night. You all deserve it. But Aaron, I should get home to the boys."
"I understand," Hotch replied. He hoped his disappointment didn't show.
"Hey Aaron," Cait responded. "You know what? The boys can stand an hour on their own and I've had one helluva week. I could use a drink as well. But just one."
"Just one, I promise. You want to meet somewhere in Woodbridge? I go right by there on my way home."
"Unfortunately Aaron, I don't get out that much so I know only one place to go in Woodbridge. And it happens to be Dave's hang out as well. Please take this right way but…"
Aaron interrupted her. "Don't say anything more. I absolutely understand and completely agree."
"The next exit north of Woodbridge, there's a Champs Sports Bar on the west side. How about there?" Cait said.
"I know exactly where you're talking about. Meet you around four?"
"See you then."
"Sounds good." Hotch heard the phone click off.
Forty minutes later, Hotch pulled into the parking lot of the Champs and headed inside. He immediately spotted Cait sitting at the bar. Unfortunately, so was a guy that she did not seem to be pleased to be talking to. He quickly strode up to them.
"Aw common babe, you don't know what I have to offer unless you hear me out." Aaron resisted the temptation to pull out his Glock and drop the idiot.
"Oh baby," Cait cooed. "What you have to offer," As she glanced at his crotch, "could never satisfy me."
The man turned to run with his "tail" between his legs and ran squarely into Aaron Hotchner's chest. Hotch had at least three inches on the guy and gave him the infamous Hotch glare. "I'm sorry sir," Aaron said as he pointed to the barstool next to Cait. "But I believe that's my seat." The man fled.
"My hero," Cait joked as Aaron pulled off his overcoat. He noticed Cait was still in her coat and motioned for her to take it off and helped her. He placed both of them on the barstool next to him and sat down.
"Cait, you don't need a hero. You already had the idiot running. I was just your back-up."
"Thanks, but your timing was impeccable."
One of the bartenders came up. "Good afternoon folks. Welcome to Champs. It's Happy Hour. We got a number of specials, including 20 ounce taps in a frosty mug for $2.50."
Cait looked around the bar. "I'll have one of those. Miller Lite please."
"Make that two," Hotch added as he looked at Cait. "A California girl drinking beer? Thought you'd be of the wine set."
Cait laughed. "Two of my brothers run the winery on our family's land, but I'm the working girl from the ranch side."
"The painting in your office," Hotch commented. "I noticed the ranch set in the valley with the vineyards in the background. I take it you grew up in northern California and the painting is real?"
"Yes, just outside of Stockton. And the ranch and land around it has been in the family for generations."
As the bartender set their beers in front of them, Hotch asked, "So what made your week so crummy?"
"First off, it's finals week which is always a push. And Michael has been battling an ear infection, which he does not need in his world. It's been a challenge doing the juggling." Cait took a long drink of her beer as did Hotch.
"I don't envy you Cait. And you amaze me that you can pull it off. But why is an ear infection so bad for Michael?"
"He has an 85% hearing loss since birth," Cait stated.
"Wow," Hotch commented. "Was it due to your fall?" Aaron asked, his anger building again.
"No, a birth defect like that usually happens in the late first to early second trimester of pregnancy. It was just his luck of the draw."
"Cait," Hotch said very gently, "I'm really not versed on this sort of thing so forgive me when I ask, is he in a special school?"
"No," Cait answered. "As a doctor, I noticed the signs when he was five months old. Long story short, while I was getting my PhD, I was able to work with him, with help from professionals of course. Michael was mainstreamed into the public school at the start of third grade. When he turned ten, he was old enough to get ocular implants. That opened the world to him. His speech improved a thousand percent and he's now a typical twelve year old. He plays soccer, lacrosse and baseball. It's just with the implants, an ear infection affects him three times worse than you and I. He's been hurting, badly, and I'm a parent. I don't like seeing my child in pain."
Hotch could sympathize. They both took another long drink of their beers. "So what brings a California girl east?"
"A swimming scholarship to Georgetown. I knew I wanted pre-med and Georgetown was one of the best. And John Hopkins was just up the road for Med School."
"So you're a swimmer?"
"I've been known to swim a lap or two," Cait responded.
"A lap or two? Bright, beautiful and modest. Eight Olympic gold medals tell me a different story," Aaron replied.
"How'd you know that?" Cait blushed.
"My apologies – I 'Googled' you," he admitted.
"So if you know so much about me, why the small talk?"
It was Aaron's turn to blush. "Cait, I'm not very good at this dating thing, and way out of practice."
"Oh, so now we're dating?"
Hotch turned redder. "Relax, Aaron, I'm teasing you," as they both shared a long laugh. Aaron noticed that Cait's eyes sparked when she laughed. She truly did share Dave's wicked sense of humor.
While they drank their beers, they talked about their Thanksgivings, family, and Christmas plans. Cait explained more about Mark; his wealthy family background; her fight to get was rightfully hers and the boys, and why her sons had her maiden name. Aaron mentioned he was going shopping for Jack after they were done and Cait gave him a number of valuable suggestions that would surely please his son Christmas morning. As they were finishing, Aaron motioned the bartender for the tab. "Wait a minute," Cait said before Aaron interrupted her.
"No, since we're on a 'date' and I called you, I'm buying," he said as he reached for his wallet. Cait just smiled.
They took their last sips and Aaron reached for the coats, putting Cait's on for her and then his own and they began to walk out.
"I'm glad you called, Aaron. I needed that after my week."
"Glad to be of service ma'am. We at the FBI aim to please," Aaron smiled. "And I'm glad I called as well. You made my shopping a whole lot easier."
"Happy to assist the Bureau anytime Agent," Cait retorted.
"Since finals are done, are you off now?"
"Yes, until the 22nd of January. Not that I don't have plenty to do at home, starting with baking Christmas cookies."
"So that's where Dave gets the box of cookies he brings into the office every year. You know you're making him the hero to everyone in the Unit? And by the way, they're delicious."
"My only goal in life to help sustain David Rossi's ego," Cait laughed, "and thank you. I enjoy making them."
They reached Cait's SUV and she unlocked the door and opened it. She reached inside her purse and pulled out a thin, neatly wrapped box and handed to Aaron. "Thanks for the date," as she gave Aaron a small kiss on the cheek. "Keep in touch." She got in and shut the door. Aaron waved at her as he began to go to his own car.
Getting in and buckling his seatbelt, Aaron couldn't resist. He tore the paper off the box and opened the lid. On top of the tissue paper was a note. "I worry about your immune system" it said. He pushed open the tissue and found a black scarf. Taking it out of the box, he wrapped it around his neck and smiled.
Ten days later, Dave strode into the BAU and was immediately mobbed by the team who wanted a cookie. Aaron saw the scene and decided to re-fill his coffee cup. As he entered the break area, Dave asked, "Want a cookie Hotch?"
"No thanks."
Dave walked over to where Hotch was filling his cup and said quietly, "Cait made them."
"I'm sure they're delicious," he replied and started towards his office. He heard Rossi tell Morgan, "For a smart man, he can sure be a damn idiot."
With his back towards the others, Hotch smiled and thought to himself, "The joke is on you pal."
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