If you read Downpour, Two Minds, or Brother My Brother before this then you already know that writer's block has held me hostage. Thankfully it has let me out long enough for me to at least squeeze out updates, and even two for this one and Brother My Brother. Why not Two Minds because it already had its two updates in a day already. Just because it's less popular doesn't mean Anchor shouldn't get the same treatment. Also, just like with Two Minds, a sequel has also been flashing in my mind with bright colors. Unlike Two Minds, this story will probably have more chapters. Don't hate me. Enjoy

"You wanna tell me what has you in a lighter mood?" Rossi asked.

Hotch raised his line of sight from the case file he was currently reading, "Huh?"

"When you came in this morning, everyone saw how-what's the word?- happier you were. Care to explain that?" Rossi tried again, a smirk on his bearded that hinted at the fact that he might already know.

"No, I don't," Hotch said flatly and went back to his reading. The case involved the brutal murder of five high school students who were deemed misfits or had been targets of recent bullying.

"Come on Hotch, considering how dishevealed you sounded over the phone yesterday, something big had to happen to get your mood up."

"Did you just profile me?"

"It's not profiling if the behavior is so obvious a monkey can see it." Rossi retorted, his smirk still there, "So what happened? Did you spend a whole day with Jack or..."

"Nice try Rossi," Hotch dismissed him.

"I would guess you had a nice date last night, but I don't think you're quite over your divorce yet."Rossi said, the amusement in his voice not missed.

Hotch rolled his eyes. This was the downside to working and befriending a group of profilers. Seemed like something so private had to be front page news. He did plan to introduce Hinata to them, but he felt as though Jack and perhaps Hailey should meet her first. Jack would probably accept Hinata, even grow to love her. Hailey was definitely going to be the bigger challenge. Although Hotch wanted to believe his ex-wife was perhaps a bit more clear-headed, he had a feeling that Hailey would not be happy about him seeing a woman ten years his junior.

Later when the plane landed in the Broken Bow, Oklahoma, and the team set up temprary HQ at the local precinct; Hotch snuck outside to check his phone. Great, now he had to sneak around his subornaites. The things he did for love. He had sent Hinata a text message after the team had received a case, explaining how he would probably wouldn't be able to talk to her until tonight. She had sent one back saying she was looking forward to it. Smiling lightly, Hotch pocketed his phone and went back inside.

By the time night came around, Hotch was exhausted. He spent the day interviewing parents, teachers, and friends as well as revisiting crime scenes. What made it worse was the fact that his team were looking at him in a way he didn't like. As though they knew what was going on and were now laughing at him. Then again, he could peg that as him beng paranoid. Rossi was a lot of things, but he wasn't exactly a big mouth.

When Hotch walked into his room- silently thanking God for having his own this time- he quickly kicked off his shoes, threw off his suit jacket, and loosened his tie. As he relaxed on his bed, Hotch pulled out his phone and didn't hesitate to type in Hinata's number. Her voice was perhaps the best thing he had heard all day. She was clearly sleepy from her tone, which caused Hotch to check his time and realized it was past midnight in her time. He apologized.

"D-Don't worry, I-I would have stayed a-awake just to study f-for a coming test." she said.

Chuckling, Hotch went on to just simply ask if she had any trouble in her classes. The two went on for another hour until Hotch could hear her trying to stifle a yawn.

"Go straight to bed," he said simply.

Hotch could tell she was going to say something but it was beat by the yawn that came out. Once again Hotch chuckled and told Hinata to once again head to bed.

"I will on one condition," Hinata said, her sleepy confidence coming in. Hotch smiled and agreed, "Can you tell me about that night?"
Hotch raised an eyebrow but agreed. He was aware of what night she was talking about. The night he returned to find Hailey and Jack gone; he didn't know how to feel. His expression was unreadable as he poured himself a cup of scotch and sat on the couch. After his third cup, he finally allowed himself to pull out his cell and dial a number he had knew so well. When he heard her voice, everything had finally came to him and great Aaron Hotchner found himself crying heavily over the phone, Hinata's voice trying to calm him down and then asked for his address she could take the first cab there. Hotch was surprised that she could even understand him.

Hinata had said she was going to hang up to call a cab and promised to call again. When she did, she did all of the talking, telling Hotch stories about her trips to Japan, her mother, and even sang him a few melodies that were taught to her by her grandmother in Japanese. Hotch went down from a crying mess to a sniffling man by the time he heard the knock on his door. She was on the other side, phone still against her ear, and eyes widened with unshed tears as she watched what Hotch assumed was him broken. She dropped her phone and circled her arms around his neck. Dropping his own phone, Hotch held her and again cried into her hair. Again, began singing to him, but the words were in English. "Sun Dry My Tears" was the of title the song, and still engraved in Hotch's head.

After Hotch had calmed down and allowed himself to be led to the living room couch, he explained everything that happened while Hinata simply held his hand and listened. She had apologized after Hotch was done and said she knew that those words weren't going to help, but she was willing to stay as long as he needed her. That turned out to be all night with several cups of coffee, Hotch hearing Hinata talk about her decisions for law school, and then ended with Hotch gently leading her to the guest room and tucking her in before laying a kiss on her forehead.

"Thank you," was what he mumbled before heading to his own room for sleep.

Hinata's even breathing told Hotch she had fallen asleep over the phone, and he had to smile in both content and sadness. He wanted to hold her now. Instead, Hotch opted to just sit on the phone for a few more minutes until he could barely keep his own eyes opened.

"I love you," he whispered over the receiver and then hung up.

Just now realized how OOC Hotch is. I can make the arguement that Hotch is trying to move on, so him being bit more emotional is understandable. Or I can just say that I really do enjoy seeing characts like Hotch and even Reid being vulnerable, especially in the area of love. Anyway, tell me what you think.