Helping hand.

Lex came back to consciousness. She couldn't open her eyes, but she could feel the late August sun hitting her face. She felt her head thumping. She tried to stretch but her leg but her foot made contact with a wall. She groaned. Inhaling deeply, she smelled cologne. She realised something. She was not in her own apartment. She sensed a presence in the room, then almost immediately, she heard running.

She groaned, feeling around for a weapon.

"I got rid of any dangerous objects from beside the bed because Jack would get nightmares and wake up looking for something he could hit someone with."

Lex covered her eyes and opened them, then slowly moved her hand down. Hotch was crouching beside the bed, smiling. "You drool in your sleep." He grabbed a tissue and wiped the side of her face.

Lex frowned. "We didn't... Did we?"

Hotch shook his head. "No. I'm sure you would have remembered if we had." He handed her a cup of coffee.

Lex tried to smile but couldn't. "So what did happen?"

"What's the last thing you remember?" Lex winced. "Right, well, you gave Jack to me and then went to the bar. I figured you were a smart girl and you'd come to your senses, but after your... fifth double-scotch I realised that that wasn't going to happen so I grabbed you and Jack and brought you back here."

"Did I... did I speak to him?"

"I don't think so... You got lost in the crowd a few times, but other then that I had my eyes on you at all times." Hotch looked to where her bag was. "If he..."

"Don't I don't want to speak to anyone. I feel stupid." She looked past Hotch's shoulder to the street outside.

"You're not... Just in love."

"We met in high school. We were really good friends. I told him I liked him and he didn't feel the same way. Then my friend publicly humiliated me and I went to college... We met up again a few years ago and..."

"Don't put yourself through it. It won't do you any good. Do you want some aspirin?" Lex nodded. Hotch left the room and in a few minutes, he was back with a couple of aspirin and a glass of water.

"Are you feeling better?"

Lex shook her head. Hotch did the only thing that felt right. He placed his hand around her head and pulled her close to him until her breathing steadied. "I'm sorry I'm such a mess."

"Don't be sorry. Do you want to take a shower and I can run over to your place and get you a change of clothes."

"No... I can't ask you to do that."

"You're not asking."

A small set of footsteps entered the house and Hotch bent down and picked up Jack. "Lessie!"

Lex gave him a big hug. "How you doin' kid?"

"Did you sleep, k?" Lessie nodded and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

"You want to go for a drive buddy."

Jack nodded. "Is Lessie coming with us?"

"No... but I'll be here when you guys get back."

"We gotta go and get Lex some stuff. Go get your hat."

"He can take some books if he wants."

"Thanks."

Hotch turned to leave the room. "You don't have to do this."

He turned back. "You slept in a dress, which couldn't have been comfortable; you spilt drink all over you; and you've been crying. Get washed up."