Another update, Yea! A few things I forgot to say earlier. This takes place a few months after Haley died, mainly because I didn't like her very much in the end. I mean, come on. Hotch had been in the BAU for at least seven years and the FBI for at least ten before Jack was born. She had to have known he was going to be gone a lot. Also, JJ doesn't leave and Ashley goes back to the Academy after the one case. This is my world. I can do that. Disclaimers in part one.

Chapter 3

Aaron Hotchner was working on his endless supply of paperwork when there was a knock at his office door. Before he could answer, it opened and Rossi walked in.

"Aaron, I'm going to need a few days off," he said without preamble, coming to stand in front of the desk.

"Alright," Hotch said, leaning back. "What's going on?"

Rossi placed the file in front of him. "I just found out I have a daughter," he said.

"A daughter?" Hotch asked, wide eyed. "Are you sure?"

"According to the birth certificate, I am her father," Rossi asked.

"Paternity test?" Hotch asked.

"Her DNA profile is in the file," Rossi said, "and I know the Bureau has mine on file."

"I'll take it to the lab myself," Hotch said. "I'll let you know the results."

"I'm going to Atlanta to get her." Rossi dropped into the chair in front of the desk.

Hotch opened the file. "She's very pretty," he said as he began reading. He stopped and looked up. "She's in a psychiatric facility?"

"Keep reading," Rossi said. "It gets better."

"You're kidding?" Hotch asked after a few minutes.

"I wish I was," Rossi said.

"Take as much time as you need, of course," Aaron said. "We'll hold down the fort."

"Actually, I was wondering if you could come with me for a few days," Rossi said.

"Why do you want me to come?" Hotch asked.

"You're a lawyer," Rossi shrugged.

"I'm sure you have your own lawyer," Hotch said.

"I do," Rossi admitted, "but you're also a father. That's something I have no experience with."

"Never go into an unknown situation without backup," Hotch said with a small smile.

"That was my thought," Rossi smiled back. He was quiet for a moment. "I really would like you to come with me," he said.

"I can take a few days," Hotch agreed. "If they need me on a case, I can fly back."

"Thanks, Aaron," Rossi said. "I'll get you the details and we'll fly out in the morning." He was quiet for a moment. "Aaron, what am I going to do with a kid?"

"The same thing any of us do," Hotch shrugged, "The best you can."

"Don't get me wrong. I want custody," Rossi said. "I can't leave her in that place. Her doctor said she'd do just as well if not better in outpatient therapy but what do I know about raising a child, especially a girl and especially one who more than likely has some emotional problems?"

"Dave, there are four things you need when raising a child," Hotch said. "Love , patience and time."

"That's only three."

"Money," Hotch said, dryly. "From what I hear, girls are notoriously expensive."

"Well, fortunately, I am more than a little well off," he said. "Add to that, Skylar comes with a trust fund. Take a look at the last set of documents."

Hotch looked at the documents. "You're kidding me," he said, looking at the other agent.

"Nope," Rossi said. "It's to be used for her living expenses and education, including college. She will be given control of whatever remains when she turns twenty-five. It's been paying for her commitment, close to a hundred thousand, and it hasn't even made a dent. There's more about debit cards and allowances and such, but what it comes down to is money won't be a problem."

"Why is it that you never have little problems?" Hotch asked. He shook his head and smiled. "Why don't you head on home and get whatever it is you'll need together, spend a quiet evening getting ready? Something tells me it'll be the last time you have one for a very long time."

"Thanks," Rossi said. He got up and Hotch handed him the file. He headed for the door but stopped and turned around before he left. "Everything is about to change big time, isn't it?" He left without waiting for an answer.

"You have no idea, my friend," Hotch said, looking at the closed door.

After a few minutes, Hotch finished what he was working on. Standing up, he grabbed the envelope he had put the DNA profile in then walked out of the office. He needed to let JJ know about the trip before he headed for the lab. Her office door was open so he so he knocked on the wall to let her know he was there. She looked up and motioned him in.

"What's up?" she asked.

"I need to run over to the lab but I wanted to let you know that Dave and I will be going to Atlanta in the morning," he said. "I want be back in the office until probably Monday."

"Is it a case?" she asked.

"No," he said, shaking his head. "Dave has some things he needs to take care of and I'm going to help."

"Okay," she said. She was curious but didn't ask.

"If a case comes up and you need me, give me a call and I can meet you wherever it is," he said.

"Not a problem," she said. "Is there anything I can help with?"

"There might be later but not at this moment," he said. He gave her a nod and walked out of the office.

The fax from Maggie was waiting for Rossi when he arrived home. He also had a message from her and one from Mark on his cell phone. He told the agent what he would need to bring with him to Atlanta the next day. He gathered all the pertinent papers and shoved them into his briefcase. He called Hotch and told him he would pick him up at eight in the morning. Hotch told him that the paternity test had come back and there was no doubt Skylar was his. He packed his bags, making sure everything was ready to go in the morning.

Once that was done, he went into his study and poured himself a scotch. Taking the glass, he walked over and sat down at his desk. Turning on the lamp, he began to read the file again. After a few minutes, he closed the file. Leaning back in his chair, he closed his eyes and sighed. Change big time indeed.

He thought about calling his mother and telling her what was going on but he decided to waiting until after the emergency hearing. Although he was ninety nine percent sure he would get custody, he didn't want to get her hopes up. Of course, he knew that, no matter what happened, she would have quite a bit to say to him on the subject and she wouldn't be quiet about it either. More would be said when his siblings found. Neither scene was something he was looking forward to having.

He was going to need a new house. He loved this one but he was nowhere near any schools or anything his daughter would need access to. She would need clothes and books and toys and a computer - Garcia could help with that - and furniture. He rubbed his hand over his face.

"Dave, you have got to learn to keep it in your pants," he muttered to himself.

He heard the soft sound of paws on the floor and looked up as Mudgy trotted up to him. The lab sat down next to his master and placed his head on the man's leg.

"You're about to get a new mistress," he said softly as he petted the dog. "I sure hope you like kids."

TBC

I refuse to be one of those writers who says they won't update unless they get reviews. That ticks me off no end. I write whether or not I get reviews. The hit counter tells me it's being read. Don't get me wrong, I love reviews but I'm not going to hold my story hostage for them.