Hotch, Callie and Jack were heading for the bleachers as last. Garcia was waving violently, "here we are! We saved seats for you, the game is about to start."
The three made their way to Garcia.
"You sit down next to me, honeybee. You have to tell me all about the private Hotchner. " Callie found herself in a warm embrace Garcia's and Hotch chuckled.
"She´s always like this, Cal. It´s OG, Original Garcia. Nothing you can do about it." Callie smiled, the blonde was very likeable.
" Oh yes. Boss-man is right. I'm Penelope Garcia, the pretty dark-haired is Emily Prentiss, but I think you already know her? "
Callie nodded, "Hello Emily. "
"This is Spencer Reid, our own little private genius. Say hello, Spencer." Reid smiled, "hello, Spencer.", he said and made Callie laugh.
"Our blond beauty here is JJ, the Southerner is Will and the little dwarf is Henry . ... And oh dearie me, who invited her?"
Garcia pointed at Strauss, she was moving in the grandstand´s direction.
"It´s not nice to point with your finger at people, Penny," Jack interjected and made everyone smile.
"No, I should not do that ," Garcia confirmed seriously, "you 're absolutely right, Jack."
But Strauss had the decency not to join her team. She found a place a few rows apart. She was well aware how much affection the team had for her. She came, because she was curious. Of course, it was going around, why Aaron Hotchner had left his team for a while. Strauss wanted to know, just like Derek, who Callie was. She was watching the couple during the game. Actually no minute went by, they didn´t touch or hug or kiss each other. Erin hadn´t seen Hotch like this before. She had to admit it, she was touched. Even though she was always the tough, insufferable boss, but now small, little Erin deep inside of her was about to cry. Strauss swallowed. Callie was handing out sandwiches, during the break, suddenly she was whispering something in Hotch´s ear.
Hotch came and sat down on the seat next to Strauss. He handed her a sandwich. "I hope you like ham and cheese, Chief? "
"That wouldn´t have been necessary, but thank you. Honestly, I 'm hungry. She seems to be very nice, Aaron. ", she said after a short pause.
"She's more than that, Erin. She means everything to me. "
Strauss nodded, "I can see that. I could not do, what you are doing, Aaron. Stay until the end, no matter what." Strauss admitted quietly.
"You can do everything, when love is big enough, Erin. Don´t you forget, there are other things besides the job. Much more important things. We´ll meet later at Rossi´s, why don´t you join us?"
Strauss gave a short laugh, "I do not want to spoil the evening. But have fun, please. If there is something I can do, please do not hesitate. I'm serious. " Strauss added.
"I wish you could, Erin. But thank you for offering. "
oOo
Aaron sat back in his seat, when Derek was the next to bat.
"Show them, how it´s done!" Prentiss roared and Derek missed the first ball. JJ grinned and got an angry look from Emily.
"You can do much better!" Emily screamed again and Derek also missed ball number two.
"You might shut up, Em. Or did Homeland Security bribe you?" JJ put her hand to her mouth, she was almost bursting with laughter.
Derek tried to focus on the ball. But every time he closed his eyes, there was Emily. Emily panting, moaning, her legs wrapped around him, to feel him as deep as possible inside of her. He missed ball number three.
"Damn crap!"
Derek yelled and threw his bat on the ground, furiously.
Callie was covering Jack´s ears in foresight and Hotch pressed the shutter. It was one of many pictures, Hotch took this day.
oOo
The B-B-Q that took place at Rossi´s afterwards was a jolly one, as far, one could tell. Garcia provided a brief moment of shock when she made a thoughtless remark about a salad dressing , a recipe from Will´s mother. Her " Oh God, Will, I could die for this", caused immediate silence.
Callie laughed, "come on, that's like avoiding to say 'see you' when someone is blind."
" Exactly," Reid agreed and made one of his very rare and not so funny jokes. "Or like a day fly, who is asking another day fly, Got any plans for tomorrow?" Callie smiled and hugged Reid. "Thank you for being normal, Spencer." And so this cliff was circumnavigated.
"She's a strong woman, Aaron," Rossi said to Hotch. They stood a little aloof, drinking their beer from the bottle.
"I know Rossi. And she is so much stronger than me, I'm afraid. " Hotch paused for a moment.
"What is it, with you and Jess?" he asked.
Rossi didn´t answer.
" Jack has told me, you have been close, you hugged and comforted Jess? " Hotch tried it again.
Rossi took another sip and decided to be honest. "I love Jess. For quite a long time, Aaron. It...It started after Haley´s death. We met often, first to talk, Jess was needing comfort and I was there. Shouldn´t go that deep, but I guess, you know, how this things happen. It was serious, Aaron. I asked her to be my wife, but Jess said no. She gave that promise to Haley, to take care of you and Jack. She was afraid, she couldn´t keep it. It was hell, to let her go."
"Why did you never say anything, Dave? "
"What was I supposed to say, Aaron? Stop mourning and give Jess free? You are my friend, Aaron. I would never have done that. Jess is worth waiting, I know. I won´t give up hope."
"You won´t have to wait no more, Dave. Not if I can help it. " Hotch patted Rossi´s shoulder. He wondered, how he could ever be so blind. Was he really do deeply involved in his grief, not to see what was going on ? That his friend loved his sister-in-law and she probably loved him back?
oOo
"That wasn´t nice, Prentiss," Morgan growled, " We've only lost because of you."
"Oh, now I 'm to blame, maybe the whimps were just better this time?"
"I was thinking about you, Em. All the time." Derek whispered, "whether this ' never again ' is negotiable? You feel so damn good, Emmy. Your skin is like silk and you smell so good, baby. " Morgan took a brief look around, nobody was watching them. His hand stroked casually over her hip and slipped under her shirt. Emily did not move, Morgan noted, however, that she was breathing harder. Derek pressed himself against her, Emily was very aware of what's going on in Derek .
"We can´t Morgan, please."
" Emmy, Emmy, Emmy," Derek whispered in her ear , "your breasts fit so perfectly in my hands, they are made for me, but I don´t have to tell you, right?" Derek's hands proved this point. Emily suppressed a lustful moan, Derek's thumb irritated her nipples through the bra, his seductive whispers did the rest.
"Say it, Emily. Say you want me. " Morgan's voice was only a breath, Emily gave up.
" I want you, Derek . "
" Say it again." Derek ordered her.
" I want you, Derek. " Emily repeated obediently.
"Let´s find a suitable place in Casa Rossi then, my beauty. " Morgan took Emily into the house.
oOo
Callie sat on a deck chair and looked at Jack and Henry. It was nice to see how happy and carefree the boys were. Aaron sat down beside her. "You look tired, love. We want to go home? " Hotch caressed her hair and kissed Callie tenderly.
"I 'm really tired, Aaron. I guess, Rossi isn´t angry if we say goodbye? "
"Certainly not, Callie. Come, I'll help you up." Callie felt dizzy, she had to lean on Hotch.
"Is everything ok? " JJ asked. She had an eye on Hotch and Callie.
"It was a long day, JJ." Hotch replied, holding Callie close.
"Why don´t you leave Jack here for a while?" Will suggested, "Henry and he are playing so well together. And you´ll have a little privacy." Will added and JJ nodded affirmatively.
"That would be no problem, Hotch. I have already told you, we all are here for you and support you."
Callie grabbed JJ's hand. "Thank you. I don´t know how .. "
"You don´t have to, Callie. You belong with Hotch and this means you´re family. Simple thing. " JJ hugged Callie spontaneously and the others came to say goodbye . Also a quite deranged Derek Morgan and a no less messy Emily Prentiss.
"I really do hope, you talked about prevention and didn´t use my bedroom," Rossi said dryly. The appearance of Derek and Emily was too obvious.
oOo
Callie fell asleep in the car, she was much more exhausted than she wanted to admit. Hotch was carrying her into the elevator and into her apartment. "I´m way to heavy for this, Aaron", she said. Hotch had to smile. "No, you´re not. And I´m gonna help you undress, Cal."
"If I wasn´t tired like hell, I would accept your offer," she smiled and wrapped her arms around Hotch 's neck.
"Oh, that´s not the way I meant it. Not, that I wouldn´t like to make love to you. But cuddling seems to be more appropriate at the moment."
"Such a frugal man ," Callie replied, she ruffled his hair and kissed him. "I love you so much , Aaron. And I am so sorry that I have to hurt you so much. ", she said, crying a little.
"Don´t cry, Callie. Please don´t. " Hotch held her as close as he could. Why was that so difficult ?
oOo
JJ came with Jack two hours later. "Hello buddy, enjoyed your time with Henry?"
"Yes, Daddy. I also got some ice cream from Aunt JJ, now I´m fully totally sated."
"I can imagine that, Jack. However, you have to brush your teeth now, put on your pj´s and go to bed, okay son? "
"Ye-hes, I can do that all by yourself, Aunty JJ. Oh, Daddy, can I sleep with you and Callie? "
" Exceptionally, Jack. But be quiet, Callie is already asleep. "
"Pff, I'm always quiet," Jack said and toddled off into the bathroom. He turned briefly to JJ, "Night, Aunty JJ. "
"Night, Jack. Sweet dreams." JJ replied.
"So you and Jack moved in, here?" JJ asked.
" So to speak. Callie´s apartment is much bigger than mine ... "
"And also much more friendly ," interrupted JJ.
"I know, mine is more...well... useful. "
" A very friendly term, Hotch. It´s dark as a tomb. No wonder you´re depressed. But I saw you laughing today, more than once. And apparently you´re having fun, photographing? "
"Yes, it looks as if I have a hobby, JJ. "
"She's really nice, Hotch. We all like Callie, but we are also concerned about you. Don´t get me wrong, Hotch. This is going to be hard. I mean, I can see how red and puffy your eyes already are. Jack will also notice this. What are you going to tell him? "
"Jack knows about Callie, JJ . And he knows that I'm sad and I will cry. He knows the truth, I have not lied to him. If it should get too bad for him, then I will take appropriate action but at the moment I want him to have all the time with Callie, he can get, as I do. "
"Ok, but you will call, Hotch? Please."
"I promise, JJ."
"I'm counting on you," JJ said while walking.
Hotch went into the bedroom. Jack was already in bed, cuddling close to Callie. His favorite stuffed animal found some space too, Callie's arms were around Jack and his bear. Hotch stifled a sob, as he was looking at the peaceful scene. Oh Lord. If you really exist, don´t take her away from us, Hotch thought desperately. Please, don´t take her away.
A/N Thanks again for reading and following, guys. I appreciate it a lot.