Chapter 6: Replacement Son

"I'm not going to be able to make it to Fi's recital," Derek said as greeting to Ashley, "We have a case."

"Okay," Ashley responded trying to not allow her disappointment to echo too loudly, but failing miserably with a soft sigh.

"You're recording it, right?"

"Yeah."

"I'll watch it with her when I get back."

"Okay."

There was a long pause where Ashley waited her fingernails clicking lightly on the counter while Derek attempted to control his anger and guilt, "Woman, will you please give me more than one word answers?"

"What would you like me to say, Derek," She replied her voice soft but her exasperation obvious. Her head told her it wasn't his job to be there for them, for Sophia, but she adored her daughter's toothy grin when he swept in. Was she jealous of fancy-pants Agent Morgan? Hell, yeah, but he was more than she could've asked for after the tragedy they'd faced.

"Ash, come on, baby doll."

"I'm not going to tell you that she won't mind Derek. Because she will." She pinched the bridge of her nose and squeezed her eyes shut hoping for serenity, "Can you call her before we leave?"

"Ash, I'm not sure if…"

"I should've known better than to ask," As the words fell from her lips, she examined herself. When the hell had she turned into a shrew? The words had been spiteful and something she would've thrown at Jerry, but Derek wasn't Jerry. Why could she tell him that, but not realize it herself.

"Slow your roll. I'll try to give Fi a call before you leave, but there are children missing." He knew it was a low blow to remind her that she had once been an important case that pulled him away. He just hated when she made him feel so guilty for doing his job. Hell, they weren't even married. These two had such a hold on him. If he was honest with himself, he might say that he felt more for Ashley than he would admit to anyone even Garcia. She was the kind of girl that men married and that scared him. And he couldn't forget the little girl who had already captured his heart. It was easier to show Sophia the fatherly affection, but showing her mother what was deep within him would be more difficult than he might be willing to face.

"I know your job is important, Derek." She whispered, tears welling in her eyes. "I know how important it can be to a family. It's just hard to explain to a seven year old. You're her savior; she doesn't realize you're many people's savior."

"I've got to go." He responded huskily.

"Be careful."

"Bye."

"Bye."

Ashley knew it was mean to make Derek feel guilty. His consuming job had saved her daughter's life. She just wished his job was safer and more stable, but those thoughts were completely selfish. She wanted desperately to rewrite their conversation and be more understanding; Derek owed them nothing. She was only disappointed and she knew Sophia would be ten times more disappointed. Ashley swooped up her phone and succinctly texted Derek, "Sorry." She knew he would understand.

The case was short and Derek was back by the weekend. On Saturday, he knocked on the townhouse's door to squeals about Sophia's recital and shouts about the donuts he carried in his hands.

"So, Princess, are we gonna watch this tape or what?" A bellow was the only response as Sophia bounded into the living room.

Derek offered Ashley one of the large coffees he had precariously balanced on the donut box.

"My hero," she responded as she inhaled the sweet aroma.

"Three creams, four splendas." He grimaced.

"Yummy." She responded as he griped, "Disgusting."

He wrapped his arm around her waist and kissed her sleep-matted hair.

"Derek," Came a cry, the r in his name extended for effect. "It's ready."

"You are being summoned." Ashley informed him, her eyebrows wiggling, "Chop, chop."

"I must attend to the princess."

Derek watched with rapt attention as Sophia's class pirouetted across the stage. Afterward, he told her how breathtaking she and her performance had been. Ashley wished Jerry could do this for Sophia. Ashley wanted Sophia to have a father. Ashley didn't quite understand why Derek stayed for Sophia's benefit. She wasn't sure what his reward was, but she was glad he did it anyways. Ashley must have tuned out part of their conversation because now Sophia was staring at her intently while Derek looked on slight horror-striken.

"What?" She queried.

"Can Clooney stay with us, Mommy?"

"Ash, don't worry about it, I was just telling her about the kennel I take him too, because she asked where he went while I was gone."

"Of course, he can." Ashley responded kissing Sophia's head.

"Ashley, that's not necessary," Derek said.

"I was thinking of getting a dog anyways. This way, we'll just share yours." She said smiling.

"I don't want to be trouble." Ashley rolled her eyes and slapped his shoulder.

"How is school Miss Sophia?" Derek asked swinging her around the living room.

"Good. Jack said he wants to be an FBI agent, too. We chase bad guys at recess? Felicity says she wants to be a princess but that's silly because princesses don't save people. Jack and I want to save people from the bad guys like you and his daddy. Mrs. Twaddle told us we couldn't pretend play with guns, but we were only shooting bad guys. We had to miss recess and do math instead. Felicity shares her cookies with me and I give her my extra apple sauce. We dip her cookies in Jack's pudding."

Derek's brain ached trying to follow the enthusiastic story, but his mind latched on to one important detail, "Jack Hotchner?"

"You suggested the school. You said that Agent Hotchner had checked out the safety and academics." Ashley responded.

"So you're hanging out with the Hotchners?" Derek inquired his voice tinged with jealousy.

"Well more like a Hotchner and a Brooks. I've never met Aaron Hotchner: the father. Though Jessica said that she was going to set up a meeting because Jack and Sophia spend so much time together and Agent Hotchner needs a fellow parent to lean on so he knows what's going on at the school. Supposedly, even though he's a workaholic he tries to be involved in Jack's school. Plus, I need someone to hang out with at these damn parent meetings coming up. There are too many couples and bitter first wives."

"I could go with you." Derek suggested.

"That's not necessary. Plus, I don't want the other parents getting the wrong idea. You're not her father or my husband." The words bit at Derek and he tried not to interject that he could be.

"Who cares what they think?"

"I do, Derek. Plus, Agent Hotchner will have to be there anyways. There's no point in more of us suffering through the charade. I have this awful habit of pissing the other moms off or being looked down on because Sophia's father and I were never married."

"Hotch is not much fun to be around. He's kind of a drill sergeant and he's probably like the other judgers."

"I'll keep that in mind, but I'd rather make my own decisions on that."

Nearly, two weeks later, Derek was surprised to see the star of his night and daydreams step off the elevator and walk into the BAU. Her hair fell gracefully around her skull, the ends grazing her shoulder blades. She wore a patterned skirt that grazed her knees, a sweater with a v-neck that might've been a bit too low to be considered modest but not low enough to be vulgar, and her pumps accented her long, toned calves. She had a handbag slung over her shoulder.

"Baby doll, I wasn't expecting you. I have so much paperwork to do. Maybe, Reid will…" He was cut off by her confused, amused expression.

"I'm not here to see you, Mr. Ego." She teased and Prentiss laughed heartily. "Aaron and I are going out to dinner." Derek interrupted, "I see." He got up and shuffled to the break room. He left Ashley flabbergasted. "It's curriculum night at the kids' school and we wanted to get to know each other better and have a plan of attack against the rabid tiger moms." Ashley said to his empty chair. Prentiss nodded her head sagely.

"Aaron," Derek mumbled snidely as he shoved the coffee pot back in its place. The last thing he saw was Ashley and Hotch waiting for the elevator. Hotch's hand resting lightly on the center of her back and her head tilted up to listen to whatever he was saying. Whatever he was saying must have been amusing because Ashley's body shook with laughter and she laid a hand on Hotch's chest. Of course, Hotch brought out his dormant humorous side for Ashley. Derek seethed, she wouldn't be with him, but it was okay for her to be with Hotch. They had the same job she detested, but Hotch could give her something immediately that Derek couldn't: a replacement son. Derek was ashamed by the thought, but what else separated him and Hotch.

"Gentlemen, start your egos." -Billy Crystal