Flight to Atlanta, Georgia-2 Days later

"Dave, what's up?" Morgan asked as the plane descended towards Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. The new Unit Chief had spent the majority of the flight keeping an eye on his phone, hoping to hear from Hotch. Thanks to a favor owed to Rossi from a woman in Human Resources, the paperwork for re-admittance took less than a day. Now all Rossi had left to do was to wait and hope that Hotch had a good first training day.

Rossi snapped out of his gaze and let out a, "Huh?"

"You've been spacey all morning. Something bothering you?"

"No...don't worry about me." He gave a Morgan a smile before turning his attention to the window. He thought before closing his eyes, I hope Aaron is doing alright...

FBI Academy Delta 4-32 Training Field- Quantico, Virginia-Training Day 1

Hotch closed the door to the SUV and stepped out into the field.

I hope it's not Anderson. That wouldn't be good; He thought as he dropped his bag on the ground and stretched his arms. The cold September breeze was oddly comforting to him; it reminded him of his first day at the Academy many years ago.

"Well, I'll be damned," he suddenly heard from behind his SUV. It was Peter Ho, the rude agent the team had encountered from Agent Camen's team. Ho stepped closer to Hotch, the arrogance of having a rematch with Hotch plastered all over his face.

Just because you're my trainer doesn't mean that crap is going to fly with me, Hotch thought, maintaining a stoic expression and a relaxed body stature.

"Aren't you supposed to be still in the loony bin?" Ho sniped. He spread his legs and crossed his arms, taking an authoritative general like stance.

Hotch smirked and responded, "No, sir." Ah, the joys of following orders, especially someone that you technically outrank in experince.

"Well, when I'm done with you I'm going to make sure that you wish that'd you'd never left QMC. You remember Falcon Peak, old man?"

Let him have his fun. "Yes, sir."

Ho smiled and directed, " It's five miles there and back. I want it done in forty minutes or you're done." He checked his watch and yelled, "Go!"

34 minutes later

Ho pulled out his phone and dialed Agent Dale, a friend keeping watch out for Hotch at the top of Falcon Peak.

"Hey," Ho grunted when he heard Dale mutter a curse word. He could also hear the strong wind through the phone- Falcon Peak was one of the first places trainers knew would break the weakest agents.

"How long was he in the psych ward?" Dale answered in awe after a slight pause.

"Eight months. He hasn't reached yet?"

"He reached here in 16 minutes, looking like it was nothing! No one reaches this point in sixteen minutes unless you're at the top of your game! Are you sure he was in psych ward?"

"Of course I'm-" His jaw dropped at the sight of Hotch running across the field. "You've got to be kidding me."

Hotch sprinted over to Ho's side and stopped his watch. He was only slightly out of breath. "34:45. Is that ok, sir?" Hotch asked in a slightly malicious manner.

Hotch watched Ho's face redden. This is going to be fun.

FBI office- Washington D. C-Training Day 6

"You have a suspect that crosses the state line, what do you do?" Ho asked Hotch while both men stood under a veranda, raining sloshing off of the veranda roof's edges. On that particular rainy day, Ho had decided that a review of basic rules of FBI procedural in the rain would be a way to try and break Hotch.

It wasn't working.

"Alert nearby FBI offices and keep hunting them down." Hotch flipped through the pages of a trainee manual and sighed, " Is there anything that you need to review with me that is actually pertinent to me passing my tests?"

"These are-"

"Basic questions. I've looked at my training session information and none of this stuff is included. I have years of experience, so let me ask you again; is there anything pertinent that you and I need to review?"

Ho backed down and muttered, "Not right now- you know what? I want two more miles out of you-Go!"

"Yes, sir," Hotch replied as he pulled his hood over his head. He then took off into the rain, running towards the National Mall. Ho watched him run smoothly and swiftly while feeling a sudden rise in admiration for the agent.

He's good, Ho thought, He's really good.

FBI Quantico Office-Training Day 9

Knock,Knock.

"Come in," Rossi called out, nonchalantly at the sound of light knocking on his office door. He expected it to be an intern or some office worker needing his signature for something.

He did not expect his entire team to enter and close the door to the office.

"Rossi, I heard the weirdest thing," Prentiss said, sliding into one of the guest chairs, "I went into the office this morning and a few analysts were talking about it being odd seeing Agent Hotchner around FBI grounds as of late."

"I see," Rossi replied, "And you all want to know if there's any truth to what these analyst were saying?"

Five silent nods, prompted him to continue, "Well, I'm not the one to speak for Aaron. If you're curious, just ask him."

"Well, you know something's up," Morgan stated, his eyes appearing to be searching Rossi's for an answer, "So just fess up."

I made a promise to Aaron. "Well, if I know all of you the way I think I do, I believe Penelope has already run a trace on Hotch and found him to be….."

"The Academy training ground, Hogan's Alley, right now…but what's he doing? Is he teaching a class now or what?"

Rossi turned his attention back to the pile of folders in front of him. "He's doing 'or what.'"

"Dave!"

"Come on, that's all you can give us!"

"Why can't you tell us? "

"Is Hotch ok? I mean I talk to him every day and he sounded alright…."

"What does you mean by "or what"?"

They're acting like children. Yeesh. "Alright, we're going on a field trip."

Garcia raised an eyebrow and leaned over to Reid. "We can do that?" she asked the youngest profiler.

"We're taking our own cars so parking lot in 10 minutes," Rossi directed before pointing towards his office door.

FBI Academy-Hogan's Alley- Fifteen Minutes later

"Alright, I want you to run the course again," Ho commanded when Hotch cleared the last "home" on the training ground. Hotch cocked his head in annoyance and exclaimed, "A third time….sir?"

"Of course. Unless this is too hard for you?"

All that power is going to his head…. " No, sir." Hotch stepped back and ran through his tactical equipment for the third time within the past three hours: an AK-47 and pistol with blanks, utility belt, flashlight, knife…..

Once he completed his checks and ignoring Ho's sudden sniggers, he turned around to find himself face-to-face with five very confused and angry team members and an innocent looking Rossi.

"You're recertifying?" Morgan asked with crossed arms.

I'm going to kill Dave for this. "Yes, but let me explain first."

"Go ahead."

"I've kept this from you all for the last four weeks," Hotch said quietly. The five pair of now hurt eyes made telling the truth so much harder. "Strauss came to me regarding my work that was put into the Bureau. Both her and the Director found that if I wanted to, I should be allowed to reapply for a Special Agent position within the Bureau and a spot back on the team. After taking that into consideration and the improvement I've made over the last eight months….."

"Oh my God…." Garcia gasped.

"I took the offer and I retest in 5 days."