Thanks to all my reiewers. I try to answer them all but sometimes I can. I want you to know I do appreciate them.

Chapter 7

Hotch watched his best friend later that evening. David had been quiet, too quiet, since they had left Bancroft. Edwards had called earlier to let them know that the custody hearing was set for the following afternoon at two o'clock. They'd eaten dinner, room service again, not speaking much while they ate. When dinner was over, Dave had poured himself a double scotch then retired to the balcony. He'd been there for the last hour and a half.

Hotch leaned back on the couch and sipped his own drink. He thought about the conversation they'd had with Marilyn after they'd left Skylar's room.

"Are all the rooms that..." Hotch started.

"Bare?" Marilyn finished for him.

"I was going to say austere but bare works," Hotch said.

"No, most of the rooms aren't like that," Marilyn said. "Ms. Peterson has only visited Skylar a half dozen times in the last five years, none of the visits lasting more than a half hour. Most families of patients want their children as comfortable as possible while they're here, posters on the wall, personal items from home. We thought we could use some of the money from the trust fund for that but her mother wouldn't allow it and she controls the purse strings. Everything she has in her room has come from the staff. She hasn't been off the grounds since she was admitted."

"Never?" Dave asked.

"She could go home, such as it is, for holidays and the like but her mother never bothers," Marilyn shrugged, "and her grandmother didn't realize what kind of place this was."

"You know," Dave said, off-handedly, "if I don't get custody, I may resort to kidnapping."

"I'll help," Hotch said. "She seemed to accept Dave a lot faster than I thought she would. No offense." Dave just shrugged.

"Simply put, she's starved for affection," Marilyn explained. "No offense meant, either, but it could have been anyone. You talked to her, brought her a gift, spent time with her. If she was on the outside and like this, I'd worry about her safety."

"She'd be a prime target for a pedophile," Dave nodded. "Just show her a little attention and he'd have her."

"Personally, I hope you do get custody and get her out of here," Marilyn said. "She needs a real home, a home with someone who really loves her. I'm afraid if she doesn't get out of here soon, I don't think she'll ever be able to leave."

Hotch got up and walked onto the balcony, sitting across from his friend. "I realize that killing Elizabeth would be a 'Bad Idea'," Dave said without looking at Hotch, "but it would solve oh so many problems right now."

"I know I should tell you that violence is never an answer," Hotch said.

"But?"

"I'd be lying if I said the thought hadn't crossed my mind as well," Hotch sighed. "What did you do to piss her off like this?"

"I didn't marry her," Dave stated, finally looking at him. "She was used to getting what she wanted, she had all her life, and what she wanted was a wedding ring from me. I'd only been divorced from my third wife for a couple of years and there was no way in hell I was jumping back into that situation, especially with her. Anyway, she said things, I said things. She said more things then left and went back to Atlanta. I never heard from her again." He took a sip of his drink. "Now I know why."

"I have no doubt that when we head home, your daughter will be going with us," Hotch said. "Are we going to see her in the morning?"

"I promised her I would," Dave nodded. He looked at Hotch. "You know you don't have to come with me."

"I don't mind," Hotch said. "I like seeing this softer side of you. It's nice."

"You do realize you're the only one that's ever used the words soft and nice when describing me," Dave said. They both chuckled. "Thanks," the older man said.

"No problem," Hotch said. "We stopping for another present on the way?"

"Of course."

They spent an hour in the Wal-Mart toy department the next morning. Hotch was pretty sure Dave hadn't been inside one since he'd become an adult. He offered advice every now and then but he mostly just stood back and let the other man figure out what he wanted which, from the look of things, wasn't going very well.

"Dave, you have nieces and nephews that I know for a fact you've bought presents for," Hotch said, exasperated. "How can you not know how to pick out a toy?"

"I usually have a list of what they want from their parents," Dave said, "and I go some place that has clerks that specialize in toys."

"Just remember, you'll have plenty of time to get her whatever toys she may want when you get her home," Hotch reminded him. "She'll have everything she could ever want or need by the time you're finished."

"It shouldn't be this hard to buy your own daughter a present," Dave said quietly.

"Try a baby doll," a voice behind them said. Both men turned and saw a woman standing there.

"Excuse me?" Dave asked.

"How old is she?" the woman asked.

"She's eight," Dave said.

"Then try a baby doll," she said. "They're a couple of aisles over. They have some nice sets for sale."

"Thank you," Hotch said. The woman gave them a smile then moved away. Twenty minutes later, they were walking out of the store with a large bag.

The doll was a big hit with the little girl. This time, the four of them sat at a table outside. Marilyn had brought refreshments, coffee for the adults, milk for Skylar and homemade cookies for everyone.

"Have you told her?" Dave asked.

"Not yet," Marilyn said. "I thought you might want to do it."

"Skylar, do you remember my telling you that I had to see the judge about taking you home with me?" Dave asked. She nodded. "Well, I go see the judge this afternoon," he said. "It shouldn't be too long before we know one way or the other." She looked a little nervous. "I promise, the minute I know, I will come here." She crossed her heart and he followed suit.

He picked her up and put her on his lap. "No matter what happens, I am not leaving you," he said quietly. "You have my word." He pulled her close and just held her for a while.

TBC

I have come to the conclusion that this is going to be a multi-story thing. If I put everything I was planning into one story, it would be really, really big. This one will go through Rossi getting Skylar permanently and her settling in. In other stories, there will be a kidnapping, Rossi getting injured, Rossi getting a love life and Skylar getting a new mom. There will be music and dance lessons, a new school with new friends and oh so much more. If you have any story ideas, let me know. I'm open to suggestions.