Okay, here's the next chapter. Hang on, the emotional roller coaster ride is about to start. As usual, if you saw it on the show, then I don't own it.

Chapter 4

To the casual observer, it looked like two men waiting for a flight. Any one that knew them, however, wouldn't have been fooled.

"Dave, you need to relax," Hotch said. "Did you get any sleep last night?"

"I got enough," Dave said. That was Dave-speak for No, but I'll survive. "My lawyer will arrive shortly after we do. He'll call we he gets in. I talked to him last night. He's already got the paperwork ready. After we meet, he'll head for the courthouse to file it."

"Any idea when the hearing will be?" Hotch asked.

"Mark seems to think it'll either be tomorrow afternoon or the next morning," Dave said. "Seems they like to take care of emergency custody hearings fairly quickly."

"That makes sense," Hotch said. "What about seeing Skylar?"

"I'm going to call her doctor when we get check in to the hotel," Dave said. "Hopefully, I can get an appointment for this afternoon. I like to meet her and the doctor before the hearing."

"Do you think he'll be a problem?" Hotch asked.

"From what the file said, I doubt it," Dave said, shaking his head. "He was the one that told Evangeline that Skylar didn't need to be there. You never know, though."

"Have you told your mother yet?" Hotch asked, trying not to smile and failing.

"Not yet, no," Dave growled. "I'm not looking forward to the lecture I'm going to get."

"Your mother is a... formidable woman," Hotch said. He remembered the few times he had met her.

"You're being kind," Dave snorted. "I'll be lucky if I come out of it in one piece."

"Your brothers and sisters will be just as bad."

"Don't remind me."

Hotch smirked. "You do realize you also have to tell the team," he said.

"I'll let you do that," Dave said.

"Not a chance in hell," Hotch said.

"What are the chances I can get away with this without them noticing?" Dave asked.

"Their curiosity knows no bounds," Hotch shrugged. "The minute you take time off to get Skylar situated, you get six weeks of leave for an adoption, by the way, they're going to want to know why."

"I suppose you're right," Dave sighed.

"And they'll adopt her just like they have Jack and Henry," Hotch said.

"And by adopt, you mean spoil rotten," Dave translated.

"Speaking from experience, you'll go nuts if you try to stop them," Hotch said. "Better to just sit back and let it happen."

Their flight was called and they stood up. Grabbing their carry on bags, they headed for the gate. It took about thirty minutes to get everyone onboard. The usual in-flight safety lectures were given and the plane took off.

"You should try and get some rest," Hotch said once they were in the air. "You look like you could use it."

"Gee, thanks," Dave snorted but he leaned back and closed his eyes.

When they got to Atlanta, Dave rented a car and they headed for the hotel. Dave had stayed there before on one of his book tours and knew how nice it was.

"It's you, Dave," Hotch said, looking around.

"I like it," Dave chuckled. "It's nice when you can't be at home."

They unpacked their things and were trying to decide whether to go out for lunch or order from room service when there was a knock at the door. They glanced at each other before Dave went to answer it. It was Mark Edwards and Dave let him in.

"I wasn't expecting you this quickly," Dave said as they walked into the main room.

"I checked in about thirty minutes ago," Edwards said.

"Mark, this is Aaron Hotchner, my boss at the BAU and a good friend," Dave said. "Hotch, my attorney Mark Edwards."

"Nice to meet you," Hotch said as they shook hands.

"You as well, Agent Hotchner," Edwards said.

"Hotch, please," he said.

"We were trying to decide what to do about lunch," Dave said. "Why don't you join us?"

"Let's get room service," Hotch suggested. "That way you two can get started right away."

The other two men agreed. Dave called their order in and they sat down at the table to start getting things in order. Although, as a lawyer, Hotch need some of what was going to happen, Dave had no idea how complicated things were about to get.

Edwards began going through the paperwork Dave has given him. There were five years' worth of tax returns, bank statements and a copy of his portfolio. There were copies of his household budget for the past year and a letter about the projected earning from his books from his publisher as well as several other documents.

"Dave, you've given me more than I asked for," Edwards smiled.

"Better to have it and not need it," David started.

"True enough," Edwards agreed.

Just then, there was a knock at the door. When Dave answered it, a waiter pushed a rolling table into the room. After checking everything, Dave signed the check. The waiter thanked him, nodding, and left the room.

"Several things are going to happen this afternoon," Edwards said as they began to eat. "I'm going down to the courthouse to file a motion for emergency custody. At that same time, I'll put in for a subpoena for all Skylar's records from Bancroft. Since she's been there from the age of three, that's probably the only place we'll need to subpoena. At that time, we'll be given a court date, probably tomorrow or the day after. Skylar will also be appointed an advocate to protect her interests."

"Her mother won't be there," Dave said. "She lives in Europe."

"She won't need to be," Edwards said. "Actually, it'll be better for you if she isn't."

"Why is that?" Dave asked.

"It'll help bolster your claim of abandonment," Hotch said. "She dumped her daughter in a psychiatric facility and moved to Europe to be with her boyfriend. My guess would be that she has probably only visited her a handful of times."

"When are you planning on visiting the institute?" Edwards asked.

"Hopefully, this afternoon," Dave said. "I'm going to call Dr. Holden and, assuming it's alright, Hotch and I will take a drive out there"

"You want me to go with you?" Hotch asked.

"Backup, remember," Dave said.

"You can tell him about the hearing and the subpoena," Edwards said. "That way, he won't be surprised when it happens."

They finished eating. "Well, I have a few things to go over before I head to the courthouse," Edwards said, standing. "Dave, thanks for lunch. I'll give you a call as soon as I have everything set up. Hotch, it was good to meet you." The three men shook hands and Edwards left.

Dave looked at his friend. "You look like you have something on your mind," he said.

"Dave, have you thought about what's going to happen when you get Skylar home?" Hotch asked.

"Believe me, I've thought about little else," Dave said. "Are you talking about the job?"

"Among other things."

Dave looked at his coffee cup before answering. "I plan on selling my current house and getting another closer to town for school and things," he said.

"And when you're gone on a case?" Hotch asked. "I have Jessica but your family doesn't live that close."

"I plan on hiring a live in housekeeper slash babysitter," Dave said, "one that will be thoroughly vetted by me, you and Garcia."

"Good call," Hotch chuckled. "You know you don't have to go with the team on every case."

"You do," Dave pointed out.

"I think this is a case of 'Do as I say not as I do'," Hotch said. "We can discuss that at a later date." He finished his coffee. "Why don't you make your phone call? I know you're anxious to go see her."

"I just hope she'll want to see me."

TBC

Thanks for reading. To all my reviewers, thank you as well. The next chapter - Dave meets the doctor.