"In the darkest times,
You shine on me.
You set me free.
And keep me steady as we go."

Dave Matthews

Aaron Hotchner stood in the large kitchen and looked around. He'd gotten fairly comfortable in Carrie's house and wondered how it happened so easily. When he'd been released from the hospital nearly a month ago, they advised that he could not go home alone. If there was no one to take him in, he would have to spend the next 3 to 4 weeks in a rehabilitation center.

It was not a pleasant thought, but he resigned himself to it. Until, of course, Carrie found out about it. She decided that he would come to stay with her and Aunt Evie. Of course, at the same time Dave Rossi decided that he would take him. Carrie stood her ground and after some persuasive arguments and one cell phone call to Aunt Evie, the two women had convinced the doctor, and Dave to release him in their care.

And care for him they did. While Carrie was at work, Evie took him to therapy and doctors appointments, dismissing his apologies and declarations of gratitude and telling him that she was happy for the company. When Carrie came home, she'd take over, forcing him to do his home therapy and taking him for walks through Georgetown.

They'd fallen into a nice routine and Carrie had managed to stay in town, spending time in production for the documentary on the BAU and doing a few stories from Capitol Hill. They both knew that she'd be called out of town soon, as well as they knew he'd be released to return home soon. They just never talked about it; instead, they enjoyed their time together and focused on his recovery.

His recovery had gone well and he'd dedicated himself to getting full range of motion back in his shoulder. According to his therapist, if he continued at this pace, he would be released to active duty in another two weeks.

As for the rest of his injuries, the surgeon who removed his spleen had seen him that morning for his final post surgery follow up visit and had released him with a full recovery. Sure, he had a couple of new scars, but he did feel a hell of a lot better.

"Aaron," Evie began, walking into the kitchen, carrying an over night bag, "Are you sure you'll be okay until Carrie gets home?"

"I will be fine," he smiled.

"I can postpone…"

"Evie, you've been planning this spa weekend for months, you are not going to postpone it," he insisted. "Woody and I will be fine here until Carrie gets back. Now, when is your cab to the airport supposed to arrive?"

"In a few minutes," she returned, studying him. "You really do look much better, Darling. I'm glad, you know."

"I am too. And I owe a lot of my recovery to you," he sincerely said, "I don't know how I'll ever repay your kindness."

"Darling, you don't need to worry about repaying anything," she winked, "You're one of the family now and family does for family."

"Thanks," he replied, feeling himself blushing.

Before she could reply, a horn honked from outside.

"That's my taxi!" she excitedly said, "I will be home on Sunday."

"Have a good trip," he said, picking up her bag with his right hand and following her to the door.

Ignoring her protests, he carried the bag down to the cab for her and waited until she was safely inside before returning to the house.

When he walked in, Woody greeted him with a bark. "Well, it's just you and me for a while, Woody. What should we do?"

Woody barked at him.

"Yeah, I thought so," he nodded, closing the front door, "Come on, let's go see what's in the refrigerator."

XXXXX

It was nearly seven pm when Carrie pulled up in front of her house. She'd finished the last cut of her documentary on the BAU and sent it off for final network approval and scheduling earlier in the week, then been called to Capitol Hill for a day or two. Coming back to the studio today, she decided to catalog and store all of the tape Eddie had shot for the documentary.

As she looked through the digital copies, she found the one section of tape that she'd refused to use for the story, the scenes Eddie shot inside the office building. Eddie backed her decision and to her surprise, Dan didn't fight her either. He felt the piece was strong enough without the graphic scenes that he admitted were hard for him to watch.

Carrie still had not watched them. Eddie had been adamant that she shouldn't. Not, at least, until Aaron was healthy again. She'd pretty much put the scenes out of her mind, until that morning, when she was cataloging them.

Locking herself into her office, she pulled them up on the computer and watched them. She needed to see what went on in that building and now, she believed, was the time. She wasn't prepared for her reaction to watching as Becker first shot, then brutally kicked and punched Aaron. She found herself in tears watching as, despite the agony he had to be feeling, Aaron stopped Becker from killing Eddie.

When the tape was over, she sat, staring at the computer monitor, fighting the nausea that welled in her throat. She felt numb and had to force herself to stand up and get out of the office. As she walked down the hall, she got pulled into an editorial meeting. Despite her lack of concentration, she played it off fairly well and managed to pay attention to most of the marathon meeting.

She called Aaron when she was getting ready to leave, knowing that Aunt Evie had left for her weekend in New Orleans and that he would be home alone. She offered to bring home dinner, but he said he had it covered and that she should just come home. Tiredly, she made her way back to Georgetown, trying to force the videotaped images from her brain.

Grabbing her purse, she locked the car and walked up the four steps to her front door. After opening the door with her key, she walked into the foyer to be greeted by a very excited Woody. She took off her suit jacket and hung it and her purse on the coat tree, then turned to her dog.

"Hello to you too, Woody," she laughed, as he stood on his hind legs and placed his front paws on her thighs. "Did you miss me?"

"We both did," Aaron's voice began from the doorway to the living room.

She looked up to find him standing there in a white button down shirt and jeans. He'd been wearing sweats and t-shirts, finding them easier to put on with his injured arm, so this outfit was a pleasant and damn sexy change of pace.

"Look at you," she smiled, walking to him, and playing with the collar of the shirt. "Did you get this on by yourself?"

"I did," he proudly said, pulling her into his arms, "Took me a while, but I got the buttons with my left hand, too."

"We'll have to work on tying a tie," she mused.

"Already started on it," he dismissed, claiming her lips in a sultry kiss.

"Mmmm, nice…"

"Yeah," he replied, with another kiss, "There's more where that came from."

"Aaron," she protested, "You had surgery…"

"And this morning Doctor Moore released me back to full activities."

"And your shoulder?"

"It's stiff, but I don't see where it will get in the way," he said, using his right hand to unbutton her blouse.

"Let me see the left hand do it," she challenged.

"Fine," he countered, and slowly unbuttoned the rest of the buttons with his left hand. "Happy now?"

With a peck on the lips she said, "As a matter of fact, I am

"I think you could be happier," he said, slipping the shirt from her shoulders.

"Didn't you say you made dinner?"

"I had dinner delivered," he corrected, "From Dante's."

"You're spoiling me…" she protested, but he cut her off with a kiss and backed her to the stairs. "What are you doing?"

"Dinner will stay warm for a while," he slyly said.

XXXXX

Making love brought a few challenges that Aaron Hotchner hadn't thought about, the most frustrating being that his shoulder wasn't quite strong enough to support his weight in the missionary position.

When he tried to lean above her, the pain was too great and he nearly collapsed on top of her. Carrie, to her credit, took it all in stride and simply suggested they switch positions. A quick movement and a few moments later and everything was back on track.

Or so he thought. Of course, with her being on top, she got to look down at him and the two fresh scars provided by Walter Becker. He could tell she was trying to avoid staring, but each time her eyes caught the freshly healing skin, her movements grew more tentative, gentler, and seriously put a damper on things.

"Carrie," he said, causing her to look at him. "It's okay…I'm not going to break…"

"I…" she began, tears springing to her eyes.

"Hey, what's wrong?"

"I watched the tape that Eddie took inside the building," she quietly said, her eyes finally settling on his, "I saw what he did to you…"

He pulled her down and kissed her softly, "I'm fine, Carrie. I'm here."

"I know," she sniffed, "I just…"

He kissed her again, a bit more firm and insistent, "No more tears," he murmured, between kisses, "Its time to move on."

"I know," she said, against his lips, as she began to grind against him again. "I know…"

"That's it," he encouraged, as she worked him with her body, "This is what's real…"

"It is…" she breathed, grinding harder, "You're here…you're okay…"

"I love you…"

"I love you," she replied, kissing him. "Now stop talking and make love to me…"

There were no more words, just the sounds of their breathing, of skin against skin, and then finally, the sounds of release as they both cried out their climax. Carefully, she climbed off of him and lay down on his right side.

"Come 'ere," he said, pulling her into his arms.

"I very nearly killed the mood," she sheepishly said, looking up at him.

He shook his head, "It's been a long time. Natural disaster wouldn't have killed the mood."

She laughed, a true, full laugh. "I'm so glad to see that your injuries haven't killed your libido."

"No, but I'm definitely going to have to work on those weight bearing exercises."

"I don't mind being on top."

"Don't get used to it," he winked, "I'll be back on top soon."

"Yeah, I know you will…"