Hey guys! Here's the next chapter. For a little bit, this story is going to be random moments between BAU and the kids throughout the end of school and summer. Soon, a major event will happen and the story will take on the continuous form :) Hope you like it! Also, I posted two new one-shots, you should go check them out. Happy reading!
Weeks passed and things became routine. Work for the adults, school for the kids, BAU, home. During cases, Penelope kept the kids. Reid and Morgan always took the kids out for dinner on Fridays, sometimes with other team members, other times not. On Saturdays, Bella and Andrew always hung out around town together, with Michael tagging along for supervision. Saturday nights were nights for Morgan to go out, so the two teens hung out at home, sometimes with a team member to watch them, sometimes with nobody. When the kids arrived at the BAU, everyone was usually on their break, so they took a few minutes to listen how the kid's days went. On Wednesdays, when the whole team wasn't on a case, the girls took out Bella for dinner and the boys took out Andrew. Occasionally, they would switch though and the boys would take Bella and the girls would take Andrew. It was a good system.
It was Saturday and Andrew and Bella were wandering throughout town. They had decided to check out some of the older part of town and ended up finding a mega-cool antique shop. They bought two old yo-yos and were trying to maneuver them, when they spotted a tiny ice cream parlor and decided to go eat there. They motioned to Michael, asking for permission to run ahead. He nodded and they rushed inside, immediately overcome with the sugary sweet smell of ice cream. There was a long bar and the duo plopped down on the high chairs, saying their orders to the smiley, redhead waitress. As they waited for their ice cream, Bella and Andrew fought over whose flavor decision was better, when a familiar laugh filled the air.
"Was it just me or did that sound like…?" Bella began.
"Emily!" Andrew whisper-exclaimed, averting his eyes to the back of the parlor. There in the very back was Emily. She was smiling laughing at something a tall, dark-haired man whose back was to them, had said. "Look, she's over there."
"And look, she's holding hands with that guy! She's on a date." Bella exclaimed quietly. "Go Em."
The redhead came back with their ice cream setting it down in front of them.
"Let's get a look at the guy, see if he's worthy!" Andrew said, handing the waitress the money and grabbing his ice cream. Emily and her mystery man stood up.
"They're standing up!" Bella panicked softly. The kids turned and ducked their heads, still keeping an eye on them. The man put his arm around Emily and they made their was towards the exit.
"Hotch?" Bella and Andrew said, temporarily forgetting their hushed voices.
Realizing they had just yelled, Andrew flipped up the hood on his jacket. Bella didn't have a hood, so in the spur of the moment, Bella leaned over and flung her arms around him pretending to cry. Andrew pretended to be comforting her. Hotch and Emily froze, glancing around. At first, they didn't suspect anything, but Hotch saw Michael standing outside talking on the phone. He nudged Emily and pointed to Michael with his chin.
"Bella and Andrew are here somewhere." He whispered, smirking.
Emily's eyes swept the room once more, landing on the crying girl with the black waves. That was Bella's hair. She pointed to them silently. Hotch smiled and nodded and they made their way over to the pair.
Emily leaned close to the teen's ducked heads. "Why so sad?"
Bella stopped fake crying and the two lifted their heads slowly. "Oh, hey guys. What are you doing here?" Andrew tried, innocently.
"Yeah, don't try that with me. I know you saw us." Emily said.
"We didn't see you guys holding hands!" Bella exclaimed. "Did we Andrew?"
"Nope! We saw nothing of the sort." Andrew replied.
Hotch laughed. "You guys don't need to pretend you didn't see."
"We…don't?" Bella asked, confused.
"No." Emily said. "I just think we need to talk."
Emily and Hotch sat down next to the two of them. Hotch took a deep breath. "Yes, Emily and I are dating. We have been for about two months. And no, we haven't told the team. And we want to keep it like that. It's pretty obvious with the whole…over dressed thing that happened a few weeks ago, but we don't want to announce it officially until later. Could you guys help us out?"
"We won't tell anyone, right?" Bella asked, turning to Andrew.
"Yeah, I just have one question. What about the fraternization rules?"
"Well, no one really follows those anyways!" Emily blurted. Hotch gave her a look. She smiled sheepishly and added "It's true!"
"There are ways around the rules. But can we count on you to not say anything?" Hotch asked, looking desperate.
Both teens nodded. "Can I talk to you, Hotch?" Andrew asked, nervously. He looked over at the two girls. "Alone, I mean."
"Sure." Hotch said.
Emily stood. "Come on, Bells. I saw this vintage dress shop up the street. Let's go check it out."
Emily planted a quick kiss on Hotch's cheek then exited the ice cream parlor with Bella, both giggling about how Hotch blushed when she kissed him.
As soon as the girls were out of earshot, Hotch turned to Andrew.
"So, you like Bella?" Hotch asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No!" Andrew exclaimed.
"Really? Well, the way you just watched her leave told me otherwise." Hotch said.
"We're just friends." Andrew assured. "However, I want to ask her to the dance. Just as friends. I just…don't know how to do that, exactly."
Hotch chuckled. "So, you are asking me? Not Morgan or Spencer?"
"Well, yes! Because asking Morgan how to ask out his niece is an equation for awkward. And Spencer, come on! He's great and all, but not so smooth with the ladies."
"And I am? Smooth with the ladies, I mean?" Hotch asked. Surprised.
"Um, you're dating Emily Prentiss. That's got to take some skill."
Hotch shrugged. "Good point."
"So, Bella…how should I proceed in…asking her, as friends, to the dance?"
Hotch thought for a second, then all of a sudden in came to him. He quickly explained his plan to Andrew. An hour of planning later, the girls walked back into the shop, both carrying large bags.
"Hey guys. Finish your talk?" Emily asked, setting down a bag.
"As a matter of fact, we did. And it seems like you two found something to do, as well." Hotch said, eyeing the bags.
"I don't get it. An hour of just looking at clothes? Sounds torturous." Andrew stated.
Hotch smiled and placed a hand on the boys' shoulder. "Some things, we will never understand."
The girls laughed.
"You know what?" Emily said. "Call Michael and tell him we'll take you guys home. Let's go out to eat somewhere. All four of us. Does that sound good?"
"Yes!" Bella exclaimed. "Let me just ask Derek and let Michael know."
"I'll ask Spence." Andrew said, whipping out his cell.
"Good." Hotch said.
-:-
A couple hours and an Italian dinner later, Hotch had to drop the kids home. They dropped off Bella first, then made way to Spencer's apartment. On the way, Hotch and Andrew went over the plan with Emily, telling her to let the other girls know. When they got to Spencer's apartment, Andrew unbuckled and got out. Hotch opened his window.
"So, Monday, right?" Andrew asked.
"Yes. Are you nervous?" Hotch questioned. Andrew nodded frantically.
"That's sweet." Emily said from the passenger seat.
Hotch smiled. "Don't be. She said it herself, you'll be a great date."
Andrew nodded. "But…just as friends."
"Yeah. Just as friends." Hotch agreed, trying to hide his smile.
Andrew nodded and walked to his front door, letting himself in. Once he was inside, he turned and waved.
"You really think he likes her as 'just as a friend'? Emily asked as Hotch drove off.
"Nope, not at all." Hotch stated, smirking.
-:-
BRRRRINGGG. It was Monday and the bell rang, dismissing Bella from her last period class. She gathered her things and made her way to her locker. As usual, there was Andrew, leaning on it.
"Hey. She said, pushing past him and opening her locker. She placed in her books and grabbed her bag. "Ready to go?"
"Actually, I… promised me he'd go over a new computer program with me. It's brand new and I really want to-"
Bella cut him off. "It's alright. Go take care of your dorky urges." She teased ruffling his hair. "I'll catch up with you later."
"Um, cool. See you!" Andrew called, before spinning on his heel and running down the hall.
Bella chuckled as he watched his receding form. Shaking her head, she made her way out of the school. She walked down the marble steps and made her way to Michael's usual spot. As she was getting into the car, she saw in his car, pulling out of the parking lot. Her heart sank. Andrew lied. She sat in the back fuming and wondering where he really was the whole way to the BAU. Once there, she rushed into the BAU doors, planning on going to the girls to complain about how dumb boys are. However, when she held out her pass to the security guard, he just smiled and handed her a yellow rose. She gave him a questioning look. He motioned for her to take it. She took it slowly, realizing a card was attached. Conference room was all it said. Confused, she looked up at the guard, who winked. Andrew's lie forgotten, she pushed through the glass doors and hurried up the stairs. She walked down the hall and opened the door to the conference room. Andrew was standing there, panting and pale.
"Hey, Bella." He said. "Sorry I lied…I just…will you, as friends, go to the dance with me?"
That's it! Well, for now. Review, please! :)